123 York Street (Route 1 South), Kennebunk, ME 04043
Tel 207-985-0985 • Fax 207-985-6333 • Email

General College Policies

Access to Student Records

HCA protects the confidentiality of current and former student’s records according to FERPA guidelines.  Access to student records is provided only to those individuals who are acting in the student’s educational interest (HCA staff/faculty, as authorized by the College President).  A student who believes that the academics record contains inaccurate and/or misleading information can request an appeals meeting.  

Address Information

Students re responsible for providing HCA with current address, phone, and email information. Should information change during the academic year, please inform the HCA staff in writing immediately

Automobile Policies

Students may bring vehicles on HCA property.  ALL vehicles must be properly registered and carry sufficient insurance to meet Maine State Regulations.

HCA provides parking free of charge for all students and staff.  Please park considerately, keeping in mind that HCA has many visitors and students arriving for community classes 

There is no designated entrance or exit to HCA’s U-shaped driveway.  Please enter and exit slowly and with extreme care. 

Speeding WILL NOT be tolerated at HCA.  There are many classes for children and adults, making the parking lot a busy place all year long.  Please enter and exit slowly and cautiously.

Campus Safety & Security

Student safety is of the utmost priority.  HCA is a very safe place to study.  The college has had no incidents requiring law enforcement intervention.  However, the HCA administration strongly suggests that students be mindful of their belongings and take appropriate care of them while at the facilities. 

Additionally, special safety equipment and devices are standard equipment in those classrooms where required.  HCA meets the State of Maine safety regulations. 

Clean Space Policy

HCA is a community of students, faculty, staff, and friends.  It shares its space with all who wish to learn.  Studios are used for a variety of classes.  This usage depends on the common courtesy of all students and faculty.  Please be sure to leave your work area clean and debris-free after every class.  Make an effort to remove personal belongings and art work.  We rarely have things stolen, but sometimes they get ‘moved.’  

Everyone is welcome to share the common areas – kitchen, library, toilet facilities, etc.  A refrigerator, microwave, and toaster are all available for general use.  HCA is ‘home’ for all of us during the day; PLEASE clean up after yourself.  Don’t leave dishes in the sink; DO put trash in the trash containers; DO let us know when the bathrooms need supplies.  If you use HCA dishes, please keep them in the kitchen (not in the studios) and wash/dry/replace them when you no longer need them.

Compliance with Regulations

Students are responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with all regulations that pertain to Heartwood College of Art, the Town of Kennebunk, the State of Maine, and the United States of America. 

Computer Code of Conduct

Computers are available for student use in the Library.  These terminals are linked to the internet.  Students may use them free of charge, though paper for printing will be supplied by students. 

HCA does not restrict nor monitor student internet use, in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.  However, the HCA administration asks that the college computers not be used to access ‘adults only’ websites and information or other sites that are not directly related to academic pursuit. 

Facilities Use

After hours facility use is granted only by permission of the HCA President.  Students should be aware that classes are held year-round in the day and evening.  Thus, utilization of the facilities is restricted to availability and permission. 

Freedom from Harassment

Heartwood College of Art values, above all, respect for all living beings.  The College promotes acceptance and understanding of a variety of people with different sexual orientations, racial origins, ethnic heritages, cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and other unique qualities. 

Any act that indicates disrespect of others harms both the intended victim and the entire HCA community.  Any behavior that victimizes an individual/s on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, age, or sexual orientation is inappropriate and seriously detrimental to the well being of the HCA community. 

Acts of intolerance, physical violence, and/or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and are considered grounds for dismissal.  While the term ‘physical violence’ is commonly understood, the

term ‘harassment’ is not always clear.  Harassment is a form of violence.  It is the invasion or violation of a person’s basic rights, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and may be racial, ethnic, religious, sexual, physical, and/or personal in nature.  Harassment may be perpetrated orally or by notes, graffiti, telephone, email, physical contact. Or other means.  Disciplinary action, and, if appropriate, civil court action, will result from any such incident.

Faculty, Staff & Student Relationships

Romantic and/or sexual relationships between faculty or staff and student or supervisor and employee are strongly discouraged, even when such relationships appear, or are believed to appear, as consensual. 

Where a professional power differential exists, such a relationship will be perceived as detrimental to the working and learning environment and will result in administrative action.

Additionally, preferential treatment given by faculty to a student or group of students is a violation of harassment policies and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Records & Confidentiality

The College maintains all student records and transcripts, including acceptance of transfer credits from other schools.  Grade reports and transcripts are mailed to students within 10 days of the end of the semester.

The College will verify a student’s enrollment status at any time, with 24 hour advance notice. 

Transcripts will be provided for personal, employment, and educational purposes.  Students must complete a request form in the administration office in order to authorize the sending of a transcript.

Heartwood College of Art protects the confidentiality of current and former students’ records.  Access to student records is provided only to those individuals who are acting in the student’s interest (college staff/faculty as authorized by the College President).  

Respect & Social Justice

HCA is founded on principles of respect and community.  We are committed to personal growth and development in all aspects of life.  HCA expects that all members of the HCA community will be treated with respect, consideration, and understanding.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is NOT permitted anywhere on Heartwood College of Art’s property.    

Transcripts

Students may request an unofficial copy of their transcripts for personal use.  Unofficial transcripts will be marked as such. 

Requests for official transcripts for employment, educational, or other purposes may also be requested.  Official transcript copies will be sent directly to the organization requesting the document. 

All transcript requests must be made in writing.  A form is available in the administrative office.  There is no fee for transcripts.

Veterans Education Programs

The Bachelor of Fine Arts, Associate of Arts, and Certificate programs have been approved for VA (GI Bill) benefits by the Maine State Approving Agency for Veterans Education Programs.

Withdrawal from the College

Students who wish to withdraw from the college must fill out a withdrawal form.  Students who withdraw from HCA will have to complete the admissions process if they wish to re-enroll at a future date.