GENERAL INFORMATION

NOTICE
This two-year catalog is published for your information only, and every effort was made to insure accuracy at the time of printing. However, this catalog is not an irrevocable contract between the student and Blackfeet Community College. The BCC Administration and Board of Trustees reserve the right to change any provisions or requirements at any time.

ACCREDITATION
Blackfeet Community College is a fully accredited two-year, higher education institution with degree granting powers, sanctioned by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges on December 11, 1985.

HISTORY OF BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE
In October of 1974, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council chartered the Blackfeet Community College by Executive Action to "...provide post-secondary and higher educational services..." to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation community. The impetus for this action grew from early tribal efforts to provide an educational opportunity to its residents in a physically, climatically and culturally isolated area.

The Blackfeet Tribe, in its relationship with the federal government as a sovereign Indian nation, is recognized as a nation within a nation through treaties, laws and executive orders. In the late 1960's, federal programs and laws resulted from tribal efforts to promote the health, education and welfare of their people. The Indian Education Act of 1972 and Office of Economic Opportunity programs of the 1964 Act provided new resources for tribes to provide adult education. The Blackfeet Tribe took advantage of these programs in its quest to develop itself economically and promote self-sufficiency with the idea that the development of human resources is integral to the improvement of the Blackfeet Tribe. In 1972, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council established a 10-year comprehensive plan for the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The needs and goals were identified through needs assessments and studies done in conjunction with the implementation of federal programs. The plan identified the need for a community college or vocational/technical school, new facilities, and educational programs.

In December of 1976, the Blackfeet Board of Trustees, under the auspices of the Blackfeet Tribe, entered into an agreement with Flathead Valley Community College of Kalispell, Montana, to offer extension courses on the reservation.

After the formalization of the Blackfeet Community College Charter and By-Laws in 1976, the Extension Center courses at Browning continued to grow, with Department of Education Title III funds (Developing Institutions) as the primary financial resource. The college grew rapidly in student population, motivating the college to seek the establishment of an independent institution. Planning and implementation of educational programs and services in this period provided the stimulus for the Blackfeet Board of Trustees, college personnel and community members to move from programming to institutionalization. In 1979, the Blackfeet Board of Trustees went on record to become an independent institution.

During this time the college sought candidacy status for accreditation from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Candidacy status was granted by the NWASC Commission of Colleges in December of 1979. On December 11, 1985, Blackfeet Community College became a fully accredited institution.

BLACKFEET BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council appoints the Blackfeet Board of Trustees as the governing board of the College with powers vested according to the Tribal Charter. The Board consists of five community members appointed by BTBC, and the President of the Associated Students of Blackfeet Community College (ASBCC).

BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHARTER
The Tribal Charter acknowledges the status of the Blackfeet Community College as a public, non-profit corporation for the purpose of providing post-secondary and higher educational services to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Blackfeet Community College is sanctioned by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council (via Tribal Charter), which is the duly authorized and elected governing body of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

The Charter provides the Blackfeet Board of Trustees with their powers and responsibilities as the college governing board.

Blackfeet Community College is a tax-exempt corporation under the Internal Revenue Service with 501 C (3) status.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Blackfeet Community College has developed objectives and purposes based on the goals of the Blackfeet Tribe as set forth in the Blackfeet Community College Tribal Charter.

The Blackfeet Tribe, according to the comprehensive educational plan, has identified the following goals:

• Promote educational opportunities
• Increase the educational level
• Advance the knowledge and pride in Blackfeet heritage
• Improve tribal management
• Provide community facilities for advancement in education and other tribal institution
• Provide cultural and recreational opportunities for the residents.

The Blackfeet Community College Charter indicated the purpose of the College in this manner:
"Pursuant to the authority granted by Article VI, Section (h) of the Constitution of the Blackfeet Tribe, the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council hereby charters a public non-profit corporation exclusively to provide post-secondary and higher educational programs by bringing to the reservation programs from other institutions and/or by establishing and operating institutions on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation granting post-secondary degrees and certificates."

Blackfeet Community College is operated exclusively for non-profit purposes to provide post-secondary and higher educational services to the community, and to provide cultural, social and recreational services that are sensitive to the varying community needs.

The college is currently providing the following services to the community and to its students:

1. General education courses for students in support of the one- and two-year campus programs.
2. College preparatory services in educational development training and/or occupational programs.
3. Educational services to increase employee efficiency and effectiveness on the job and to strengthen tribal management.
4. Educational services to enhance knowledge and pride in Blackfeet heritage, language, culture and history.
5. Educational services in occupational training for entry into specific vocations.
6. Educational services that meet social and special needs of the community.
7. Student supportive services in financial aid, academic, personal, and career counseling.
8. Community supportive services in areas of research and in strengthening leadership capabilities of tribal members.

POLICY ON NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Blackfeet Board of Trustees has adopted the following policy on non-discrimination: "The Blackfeet Community College is committed to a program of equal opportunity for education, employment and participation in college activities without regard to race, color, sex, age, religious creed, political ideas, marital status, physical or mental disability or national origin or ancestry. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 specifically prohibits discrimination in education programs and activities on the basis of sex. The regulation extends to employment by and admission to the Blackfeet Community College."

MEMBERSHIPS
Blackfeet Community College is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), Washington, D.C. Blackfeet Community College takes an active role in local community groups and committees, including Montana Indian Education Association, National Indian Education Association, Inter-tribal Policy Board of Montana, Tribally Controlled Community Colleges and other educational endeavors.

The college maintains membership in professional organizations such as:

• AAS -- American Association for the Advancement of Science
• AAC -- American Association of Colleges
• AACC -- American Association of Community Colleges
• AACRAO -- American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
• AACTC -- American Association of Community and Technical Colleges
• AILA -- American Indian Library Association
• CUPA -- College and University Personnel Association
• LLA -- Laubach Literary Association
• MACRAO -- Montana Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
• MASFAA -- Montana Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• MLA -- Montana Library Association
• NACUBO -- National Association of Colleges and University Business Officers
• NAGBCU -- National Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities
• NASFAA -- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• NWASC -- Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
• OAH -- Organization of American Historians
• PACRAO -- Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
• RMASFA -- Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid
• SAA -- Society of American Archivists

LOCATION
Blackfeet Community College is located in Browning, Montana, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Browning serves as the center for trade and cultural activities with a population of approximately 8,000. Browning is the headquarters of the Tribal Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service and public school systems. Blackfeet Community College lies within the southern boundaries of the town of Browning, directly off Highway 2 and 89.

FACILITIES
Blackfeet Community College is located in nine buildings which house the Administration, Student Services, Faculty, Spirit of the Circle, Library, Vocational Education, Adult Education, Teacher Training, Building Trades, Math/Science, and Child Care departments.

LIBRARY
The Blackfeet Community College Library seeks to support the academic and research needs of students and faculty at the college and of the community at large. In our dual as the only post-secondary academic library in this part of the state and as the tribal library, we are keenly aware of our responsibility to provide the full range of library services to all our users.

Blackfeet Community College Library, along with the six other tribally-controlled community colleges in this state, is a member of the Montana Indian Tribal Library Group. Cooperation within this consortium and between this consortium and other libraries in Montana has enhanced the ability of the library to serve the students and faculty of BCC and the reservation community. To summarize, the services offered by the library include:

• Library orientations and individual research help. A course in Library Research
• Strategies and Techniques is taught periodically
• Reference service
• Study tables and carrels
• Reserve shelves of course textbooks
• Blackfeet Reserve Collection
• Interlibrary Loan, utilizing the Western Library Network Resource Directory on CD Rom
• Conference Room
• Media equipment available for loan
• Archives

The library is located on the north end of the campus near the classrooms. The collection has about 9,000 volumes and 80 periodical subscriptions plus materials on microfilm and video. The library uses WLN (Western Library Network) to provide interlibrary loan services, and has access to the catalogs and CD-ROM indexes of the libraries of Montana State University (MSU) through their 800 number. The Blackfeet Tribal Archives are located in the same building as the library and are operated as a separate organizational entity.

The library is staffed by one professional librarian, one technical assistant and work- study students.

BOOKSTORE
The BCC Bookstore is located on the lower floor of the Student Services building. Textbooks, school supplies, art supplies, miscellaneous books, and a full array of Native American Studies books are available for students, staff, and the community. Recently added are jackets, t-shirts, book bags, and tapes.

The bookstore has in effect a NO-CHARGE policy. All purchases are on a cash basis or charged to Pell pre-approved. Accounts receivable must be paid during the quarter in which charges are made. Charges will not be allowed for students with outstanding bills. The bookstore, through the registrar, will place a "hold" on academic transcripts and grades until accounts are paid in full or arrangements for payment are made.

REFUND ON TEXTBOOKS
The date on the receipt and the book condition will determine if the book will be returnable. The books can be returned for 100% refund if returned within one week of date of receipt. The books need to be in resalable condition, meaning no pen marks, highlighting, bent corners, or torn pages. No other refunds will be given. It is the student responsibility to keep all book sale receipts for refund.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Blackfeet Community College designates the following categories of student information as public or "Directory Information" only. Such information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose, at its discretion.

Category I Name, address, date of attendance, class.

Category II Previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors (including Dean's list) and dates.

Category III Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height, weight of athletes), date and place of birth. Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of any category of information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. To withhold disclosure, written notification must be received in the Registrar's Office prior to each quarter at Blackfeet Community College; Browning, Montana. Forms requesting the withholding of "Directory Information" are available in the Registrar's Office.

BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE POLICIES ON THE FOLLOWING:

1. BCC buildings are smoke-free with the exception of ceremonial tobacco use.
2. No firearms or fireworks of any type will be allowed on the BCC campus at any time. Firearms include any type of pistol, rifle, bow or projectile propelling instrument.
3. BCC is a drug and alcohol free institution. There shall be no using or selling of drugs and/or alcohol in BCC buildings or on the campus grounds, at any time.