College-Wide Policies and Procedures

Activities

All social functions require approval by the Vice President of Student Affairs. Applications for social functions must be submitted to the Vice President of Student Affairs one month prior to the scheduled function.

Whenever the College’s facilities are used for official school functions, the group or organization sponsoring the affair is responsible for restoring the area to its previous condition.

Voter Registration

The 1998 Higher Education Act requires all post-secondary institutions to make a good faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to each degree, diploma, or certificate-seeking student who attends classes on campus and to make such forms widely available to students. Students may also obtain voter registration forms from the Student Affairs Office. Voter Registration Days are scheduled throughout the year.

Acceptable Computer and Internet Use

Colleges throughout the country are moving into the information age by providing computer systems and Internet access for their students and employees. In making decisions regarding access to the Internet and use of its computers, Southern Crescent Technical College considers its own stated educational mission, goals, and objectives. Electronic information research skills are now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees. The College expects faculty to blend thoughtful use of the Internet throughout the curriculum and provide guidance and instruction to students in its use. As much as possible, access from the College to Internet resources should be structured in ways that point students to those resources that have been evaluated prior to use. Students and employees utilizing Southern Crescent Technical College provided Internet access are responsible for good behavior online just as they are in a classroom or other area of the college and must adhere to TCSG State Board Procedure 3.3.4p.

Computer Crimes

Using a computer without permission is theft of services and is illegal under state and federal laws. Federal law prohibits misuse of computer resources. In addition, computer crimes are prohibited by state law in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 16 - 9 - 90 et seq.):

Computer Theft
Computer Trespass: unauthorized use of computers to delete or alter data or interfere with others' usage.
Computer Invasion of Privacy: unauthorized access to financial or personal data or the like
Computer Forgery: forgery as defined by other laws, but committed on a computer rather than on paper.

Access

The purpose of technical college - provided computers, computer systems, and Internet access is to facilitate the development of skills and enhance communication in support of research, education and workforce development. To remain eligible as users, employees’ and students’ use must be in support of and consistent with the objectives of the College. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility. Users should not expect files stored on System or technical college - based computers or hosted services to be private. Electronic messages and files stored on technical college - based computers shall be treated like other technical college premises that are temporarily assigned for individual use. Administrators may review files and messages in an effort to maintain system integrity and in an effort to insure that users are acting responsibly. Moreover, System and technical college officials are expected to cooperate with law enforcement officials who are properly authorized to search System and technical college computers and computer systems. All information created, stored or transmitted by System or technical college computers or networks is subject to monitoring for compliance with applicable laws and policies.

In addition to the computer crimes delineated in O.C.G.A. 16 - 9 - 93, the following uses of System or technical college - provided computers, networks and Internet access are not permitted:

To create, access or transmit sexually explicit, obscene, or pornographic material;
To create, access or transmit material that could be considered unlawful conduct based on race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, genetic information, political affirmation or belief, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era or citizenship status addressed directly to any individual or group that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably and objectively interfering with that individual or group’s: (1) performance, (2) work or educational environment or (3) ability to participate in an educational program or activity
To violate any local, state or federal statute;
To vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization;
To access another individual's password, materials, information, or files without permission;
To violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another individual or organization in violation of the law, including software piracy;
To conduct private or personal for - profit activities. This includes use for private purposes such as business transactions, private advertising of products or services, and any activity meant to foster personal gain;
To knowingly endanger the security of any System or technical college computer or network;
To willfully interfere with another's authorized computer usage;
To knowingly connect any computer to any of the System or technical college networks unless it meets technical and security standards set by the System;
To create, install, or knowingly distribute a computer virus, rootkit, keystroke logger, "Trojan horse," “Malware”, or other surreptitiously destructive program on any System or Technical College computer or network facility, regardless of whether any demonstrable harm results; l
To modify or reconfigure the software or hardware of any Agency computer or Network without proper authorization ;
To conduct unauthorized not - for - profit business activities;
To conduct any activity or solicitation for political or religious causes;
To perform any activity that could cause the loss, corruption of, prevention of rightful access to, or unauthorized distribution of Agency data and information;
To create, access, or participate in online gambling. Occasional access to information or websites of the Georgia Lottery Corporation shall not constitute nor be considered inappropriate use ;
To capture and/or record network traffic without authorization ;
To knowingly transmit copyrighted material using peer to peer file sharing technology ;
To knowingly evade Internet content filtering or other traffic monitoring tools using VPN, Proxy Services, Tor or similar technologies.

Users of System and technical college computers and computer systems are subject to the System’s policy on the development of Intellectual Property. Users of System and technical college computers and computer systems or hosted services are subject to the System’s Information Security Standards. The System and technical colleges make no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, for the computers, computer systems and Internet access provided. The System and technical colleges shall not be responsible for any damages users suffer, including but not limited to loss of data resulting from delays or interruptions in service. The System and technical colleges shall not be responsible for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered through System or technical college - based computer hard drives or servers; nor for the accuracy, nature or quality of information gathered through System or technical college - provided Internet access. The System and technical colleges shall not be responsible for personal property used to access its computers or networks or for provided Internet access. The System and technical colleges shall not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from provided access to the Internet. The foregoing standards are equally applicable to employees of the System, wherever housed, and to employees and students of the technical colleges. Violations of these policies incur the same types of disciplinary measures as violations of other System or technical college policies or state or federal laws, including criminal prosecution.

Copyright

The unauthorized copying and distributing of copyrighted materials, including, but not limited to peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, is a violation of United States copyright law and may result in civil and criminal liability and prosecution.

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.

TCSG State Board Procedure 3.3.4p prohibits the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials via TCSG systems or networks. Maximum penalties under Georgia Law are a $50,000 fine and 15 years of imprisonment, plus civil liability in addition to the potential federal penalties listed above.

Enrollment and Degree Verification

The National Student Clearinghouse is the College’s authorized agent for providing all degree and enrollment verifications after the No Show period.

For enrollment verification, log onto the following website: www.enrollmentverify.org. If you need assistance, contact 703-742-4200 or enrollmentverify@studentclearinghouse.org
For degree verification, log onto the following website: www.degreeverify.org. If you need assistance, contact 703-742-4200 or degreeverify@studentclearinghouse.org.

**Students can receive enrollment verifications from the Registrar’s Office after the no show deadline or third week of class.

Annual Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Notification (FERPA)

Notification of Student Rights Under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students (18 years or older) certain rights with respect to their education records maintained by TCSG or the technical college. These rights include:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day that TCSG or the technical college receives the request for access. Requests for access to records should be submitted to the technical college Registrar listing the records the student wishes to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for the student to review the requested records.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Such requests should be made in writing clearly identifying the part of the record the student wants changed and why the record should be changed. This written request should be given to the technical college Registrar. If the technical college decides not to grant the request, the student has a right to a hearing. Details regarding the hearing will be provided with notification of the student’s right to a hearing.
The right to provide written consent before the technical college discloses personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. A full list of the disclosures that the technical college may make without consent is [at the bottom of this statement in Section “C”] or [available at the office of the technical college registrar.] The technical college may also disclose education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the technical college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position, including health or medical staff or outside personnel performing work usually per-formed by technical college personnel; a person serving on TCSG or the technical college’s board; a person employed by or under contract to TCSG or the technical college to perform a special task, such as an attorney or auditor; a person who is employed by a TCSG or technical college law enforcement unit; a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or who is assisting another TCSG or technical college official in performing his or her tasks; or a contractor, consultant, volunteer, or other party to whom TCSG or the technical college has outsourced institutional services as provided in 34 CFR § 99.31 (a)(1)(i)(B). For additional information, see TCSG Procedure for Student Records.
The right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the technical college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-4605

Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information

FERPA permits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, § 99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. For additional information on these categories, see TCSG Procedure for Student Records. A post-secondary institution may disclose personally identifiable information without obtaining prior written consent of the student:

To TCSG and technical college officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records.
To officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or where the student is already enrolled as long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
To authorized representatives of the Comptroller General of the United States, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, the Attorney General of the United States, or state and local educational authorities.
Technical college or TCSG officials or lending institutions, in connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received.
State and local officials or authorities concerning the juvenile justice system and the system's ability to serve effectively, prior to adjudication, the student whose records are released.
Organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs, and improving instruction if such studies are conducted in such a manner as will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents by persons other than representatives of such organizations.
Accrediting organizations in order to carry out their accrediting functions.
Parents of a dependent student. The parent must provide a copy of their most recent federal income tax return establishing the student's dependency.
In connection with a health or safety emergency, appropriate persons if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or others.
To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, provided the technical college makes a reasonable effort to notify the student of the order or subpoena in advance of compliance. However, notification may be prohibited by the terms of the subpoena in certain circumstances.
To an alleged victim of any crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, the final results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by an institution of post-secondary education against the alleged perpetrator of that crime or offense with respect to that crime or offense.
To Veterans Administration Officials pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 3690 (c).
Information the technical college has designated as "directory information," unless a hold has been placed upon release of the information by the student.
To the court those records that are necessary for legal proceedings when TCSG or a student initiates legal action relevant to the student records.
The technical college may also disclose to any parent or legal guardian of a student under the age of 21 information about a violation of any federal state or local law, or any rule or policy of the technical college governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the institution determines that the student has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to such use or possession.
To the student or the parent of a student who is not an eligible student.
In connection with a disciplinary proceeding, if the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense, and the student has violated the technical college’s rules or policies. The technical college will not disclose the names of any other students, including victims or witnesses, without their prior written consent.
Concerns sex offenders and other individuals required to register under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and the technical college was provided the information under 42 U.S.C. § 14071.
The technical college that has received education records may release the records or information after the removal of all personally identifiable information in the reasonable opinion of the technical college. A code may be attached to the de-identified information that may allow the recipient to match information provided from the same source if the method for generating and assigning the code is unreleased, the code is used for no other purpose, and the code cannot be used to ascertain personally identifiable information.

Request to Suppress Directory Information

Any student who objects to the release of directory information may file a Request to Suppress Directory Information in writing to the Registrar clearly stating what directory information should not be released.

Note: If a student is attending a postsecondary institution - at any age - the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution, the two schools may exchange information on that student. If the student is under 18, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.

Directory Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), a Federal law requires that Southern Crescent Technical College, with certain exceptions, obtain a student’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the student’s education records. However, Southern Crescent Technical College may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent unless the student has advised SCTC to the contrary. Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without the student’s prior written consent.

If a student does not want the college to disclose directory information from his or her student education records without prior written consent, the student must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing by the first day of the semester by completing the Request to Suppress Records. A student need only file this notification once during his or her enrollment. However, if there is a break in enrollment or transfer to another TCSG technical college, a new notification must be filed.

Southern Crescent Technical College defines “directory information" as follows:

Full name of student
Address
Email address
Telephone number
Major and field(s) of study
Enrollment Status (full time, part-time, etc.)
Degrees and awards and date received
Dates of attendance
Participation in official sports and activities
Height and weight of athletic team members

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, and academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement personnel and health staff), a person or company with whom the college has contracted; a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or another school official serving on a disciplinary or grievance committee. Additionally, certain state and federal laws require the release of certain student information without prior notification to the student. Questions concerning the release of student information should be addressed to the TCSG Office of Legal Services.

Upon written consent of the student, specific information not listed above may be released provided the signed consent form is in the student’s file.

In accordance with FERPA, certain governmental institutions have access to student records without prior consent for disclosure. If requested, Southern Crescent Technical College will notify the student of the release of any information to any agency for which prior consent is not required.

Fund Raising Activities

All school club fundraising projects must be approved. Any decision will be based on the merit of the project and the schedule of existing activities.

Handbills and Leaflets

Handbills and leaflets distributed on the campus must be approved through the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Intellectual Property

Southern Crescent Technical College adheres to TCSG State Board Policy 3.2.1 “Intellectual Property” and the associate procedures (3.2.2p, 3.3.3p, 3.3.3p1). The policy states that to further the Technical College System of Georgia’s [TCSG] goal of making education accessible to the public, the TCSG owns the intellectual property rights in any and all works produced by or exclusively for the TCSG or its constituent colleges. In order that the Technical College System of Georgia be able to utilize to the best and fullest extent all works produced for it and all works provided for its use, anyone producing work for the System and college units and anyone providing work for their use must represent and warrant that such works:

Do not violate any law;
Do not violate or infringe any intellectual property right (including but not limited to copyright, trademark, patent, or right of publicity) of any person or firm; and
Do not libel, defame, or invade the privacy of any person or firm.

Student Photo and Video Policy

By signing and submitting an application and upon your admission to Southern Crescent Technical College, you understand that your name, quotations, and photographic likeness – including video footage – may be used in all forms of media for advertising, trade, and any other lawful purposes on behalf of Southern Crescent Technical College or the Technical College System of Georgia and that you will not receive now or in the future any compensation for this usage. You also understand that your name, quotations, and photographic likeness may be gathered from and posted to SCTC’s social media sites and website and can be downloaded by any computer user on or off campus.

You also understand that, as a student age 18 or older, it is your responsibility to notify the Southern Crescent Office of Student Affairs, if you refuse to have your name, quotations, or photographic likeness used for the College’s unlimited lawful purposes. In addition, all students under the age of 18 must have parental or guardian permission for his/her name, quotations, or photographic likeness to be used by the College. In this instance, this form may be obtained in the Office of Marketing and Public Relations.

Soliciting and Selling on Campus

Approved student clubs may be permitted to solicit and sell on the campus with written authorization from the Vice President of Student Affairs, Vice President of Academic Affairs, or presidential designee.

Interim Addendum to Student Code of Conduct

COVID-19 and Public Health-Informed Campus Policies

Southern Crescent Technical College intends to perform its educational mission while protecting the health and safety of its students, faculty and staff, and minimizing the potential spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, within the community.

Risks of COVID-19

In order to understand the risks that you face by returning to campus, you must understand that COVID-19 is a highly infectious, life-threatening disease declared by the World Health Organization to be a global pandemic. There is no vaccine for COVID-19 at this time.

COVID-19’s highly contagious nature means that contact with others or contact with surfaces that have been exposed to the virus, may lead to infection. Additionally, individuals who may have been infected with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic for a period of time or may never exhibit symptoms at all.

Because of its highly contagious and sometimes “hidden” nature, it is very difficult to control the spread of COVID-19 on campus or to determine whether, where, or how a specific individual may have been exposed to the disease. Southern Crescent Technical College is taking steps recommended by public health authorities to minimize the risk of spreading this disease on our campus.

Southern Crescent Technical College cannot and does not guarantee a COVID-19-free environment, and there remains a risk that you may contract COVID-19 if you come onto campus to live and/or attend classes. We are providing you with the following notice as well regarding the risk of contracting COVID-19 when you enter upon our campus:

Warning

Under Georgia law, there is no liability for an injury or death of an individual entering

these premises if such injury or death results from the inherent risks of contracting

COVID-19. You are assuming this risk by entering these premises.

In order to minimize the risks associated with COVID-19, the guidelines below are incorporated into the Southern Crescent Technical College Student Code of Conduct and are applicable to all students.

Your compliance with these requirements is essential to assisting the college in minimizing the risks to you and other members of the community.

General Principles

You are subject to all guidelines for individuals related to the COVID-19 pandemic established by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In addition, the State of Georgia has issued guidelines for personal behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic and you must comply with such guidelines at all times. You understand that both sets of these guidelines may change, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you understand and comply with these guidelines at all times.

From time to time the College may implement additional requirements restricting your behavior and you agree to comply with such requirements.

You understand that these conditions and limitations on your personal behavior are necessary in order to reduce the risk of transmitting and/or being infected by the COVID-19 virus and that your failure to comply with these responsibilities may jeopardize your health and safety, as well as the health and safety of others in the campus community, potentially causing severe illness and death.

Requirements

Students will comply with governmental, state, and campus directives concerning maintaining required physical distancing (six feet) between themselves and other individuals on campus;
Students will use a face covering of their choosing that conforms to CDC guidelines anytime that they are in an indoor space where the College deems that social distancing is not practical, including but not limited to academic spaces and dining areas (except while eating) unless given different instructions by authorized college personnel;
Students will engage in frequent hand-washing and follow proper sneeze and cough etiquette, as recommended by the CDC;
If students develop any symptom of COVID-19 as described by the CDC, they will immediately:

Inform the College by notifying appropriate personnel;
Remain off campus and refrain from attending clinical or internship activities;
If required by the College, agree to remain in self-quarantine for a time period determined by the College, in consultation with public health authorities.

The above conditions may change, and students agree to follow all college directives relating to COVID-19 and public health requirements.

Any failure to adhere to any of the above directives is a violation of the Code of Conduct that may result in sanctions, including but not limited to suspension or dismissal from the College.

Student Conduct Code

Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of this academic community, students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for knowledge.

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic conditions in the classroom, on the campus, other college sites, and in the community. Students are expected to exercise their freedom with responsibility. As members of the academic community, students are subject to the obligations which accrue to them by virtue of this membership. As members of the larger community of which the college is a part, students are entitled to all rights and protection accorded them by the laws of the community. Nothing in this Code of Conduct shall be interpreted to interfere with any person’s right to free speech as provided by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

By the same token, students are also subject to all laws, the enforcement of which is the responsibility of duly constituted authorities. When students violate laws, they may incur penalties prescribed by legal authorities. In such instances, college discipline will be initiated if the presence of the student on campus is considered a possible threat to persons or property, or if that person's presence may disrupt the educational process of the college. However, when a student's violation of the law also adversely affects the college's recognized educational objectives, or violates the college's Student Code of Conduct, the college will enforce its own regulations. When students violate college regulations, they are subject to disciplinary action by the college whether or not their conduct violates the law.

It is the policy of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to provide technical and adult education programs for the people of Georgia. TCSG’s technical colleges must provide opportunities for intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth. Technical college students assume an obligation to act in a manner compatible with the fulfillment of the mission. The technical college community recognizes its responsibility to provide an atmosphere conducive to growth. With these principles in mind, the TCSG establishes this Student Code of Conduct.

Generally, technical college jurisdiction and discipline shall be limited to conduct which occurs on technical college premises, off-campus classes, activities or functions sponsored by the technical college, an examination or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade, or which otherwise adversely affects members of the technical college community and/or the pursuit of the technical college’s objectives.

Related Authority

TCSG Procedure: 6.7.2p1. Student Disciplinary Procedure, TCSG Procedure: 6.1.1p. Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination of Students

Definitions

Faculty Member: any person hired by a TCSG technical college to conduct teaching, service, or research activities.

Hearing Body: as defined in Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.

Member of the technical college community: any person who is a student, faculty member, contractors, technical college official or any other person(s) involved with the technical college, involved in the community or employed by the technical college.

Policy: the written regulations of the technical college as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook(s), Residence Hall Handbook(s), Technical College Catalog(s), the Technical College Policy Manual, and the Policy Manual approved by the State Board for the Technical College System of Georgia.

Student: all persons taking courses at the technical college, including full-time, part-time, Dual Enrollment, joint enrollment, non-credit, and credit. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the technical college are also considered to be students.

System: the Technical College System of Georgia or TCSG.

Technical college official: any person employed by the technical college performing assigned responsibilities on a part-time, full-time, or adjunct basis.

Premises: all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the technical college (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).

Procedure

Any student found to have committed any of the following types of misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Aiding and Abetting Academic Misconduct
Knowingly helping, procuring, encouraging or otherwise assisting another person to engage in academic misconduct.
Cheating
1. Use and/or possession of unauthorized material or technology during an examination, or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade, such as tape cassettes, notes, tests, calculators, computer programs, cell phones and/or smart phones, or other electronic devices.
2. Obtaining assistance with or answers to an examination or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade from another person with or without that person’s knowledge.
3. Furnishing assistance with or answers to an examination or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade to another person.
4. Possessing, using, distributing or selling unauthorized copies of an examination, computer program, or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade.
5. Representing as one’s own an examination or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade created by another person.
6. Taking an examination or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade in place of another person.
7. Obtaining unauthorized access to the computer files of another person or agency and/or altering or destroying those files.
8. Obtaining teacher edition textbooks, test banks, or other instructional materials that are only intended to be accessed by technical college officials, college administrator or faculty member.
Fabrication
The falsification of any information or citation in an examination or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade.
Plagiarism
1. Submitting another’s published or unpublished work in whole, in part, or in paraphrase, as one’s own without fully and properly crediting the author with footnotes, quotation marks, citations, or bibliographical reference.
2. Submitting as one’s own original work, material obtained from an individual or agency without reference to the person or agency as the source of the material.
3. Submitting as one’s own original work material that has been produced through unacknowledged collaboration with others without release in writing from collaborators.

Non-Academic Misconduct

Non-academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Behavior

Indecent conduct: lewd or indecent conduct; or distribution of obscene or libelous written or electronic material.

Violence: physical abuse of any person (including dating violence, domestic violence, sexual violence) on technical college premises or at technical college-sponsored or technical college-supervised functions, including physical actions which threaten or endanger the health or safety of any such persons. This includes fighting and/or other disruptive behavior, which includes any action or threat of violence, which endangers the peace, safety, or orderly function of the technical college, its facilities, or persons engaged in the business of the technical college. Note: Certain physical abuse may also be considered unlawful harassment.

Harassment: The technical college prohibits unlawful conduct based on race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, genetic information, political affirmation or belief, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era or citizenship status addressed directly to any individual or group that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably and objectively interfering with that individual or group’s: (1) performance, (2) work or educational environment or (3) ability to participate in an educational program or activity. The technical college also prohibits stalking, or other behavior which objectively and unreasonably interferes with another’s legal rights or creates an objectively intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. (This also includes the display of or navigation to pornography and other inappropriate websites and materials and inappropriate behavior on social media and/or networking applications.) Impermissible harassment may include verbal, non-verbal and/or physical conduct.

Disruption: prohibits activities not otherwise protected by law including the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, which intentionally obstructs or interrupts teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other technical college activities, including public service functions, and other duly authorized activities on technical college premises or at technical college-sponsored activity sites.

Failure to Comply: Failure to comply with lawful directions of technical college officials and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.

Professionalism

Personal Appearance

Students will dress appropriately at all times while at the College. Dress requirements will vary in the classroom, laboratory areas, and clinical sites. These requirements are designed to instill in each student a sense of order and respect for himself/herself, other students, and all employees of the College.

In order to have a standard against which students may be measured in preparation for employment in business and industry, a dress code is required as follows:

Students are required to dress appropriately according to the requirements of the work for which they are being trained.
1. All clothing will be suitable for specific laboratory or industrial activities of the student's chosen occupation.
2. Students should select clothing and shoes for school wear that does not create a safety hazard in meeting the performance requirements of their courses.
3. Students must conform to any program uniform requirements. Instructors will be responsible for informing students of any special uniform or safety equipment requirements.
4. Students will be required to conform to employer dress codes as may be required in cooperative education, internships, clinical work sites, or live work settings.
5. Shirt and shoes must be worn at all times.
Students shall not display a personal appearance (clothing, dress, accessories, grooming, etc.) where the effect thereof is a distraction to other students or college employees or causes a disruption or interference with the operation of the College.
Any full-time faculty or staff member employed by the College has the authority to determine if the particular mode of dress results in disruptions or interference. Violators of the dress code will be sent home to change into appropriate attire. Repeat violators will be reported to the Vice President of Student Affairs, which may result in disciplinary action.
Students should observe generally accepted hygiene practices, neatness of appearance, good grooming, and safety at all times.
In addition to the specifics of the dress code listed above, students must visibly display their current Southern Crescent Technical College ID badges at all times while on campus.

Use of Technical College Property

Theft and damage: prohibits theft of, misuse of, or harm to technical college property, or theft of or damage to property of a member of the technical college community or a campus visitor on technical college premises or at a technical college function.
Occupation or seizure: illegal occupation or seizure in any manner of technical college property, a technical college premises, or any portion thereof for a use inconsistent with prescribed, customary, or authorized use.
Presence on technical college premises: prohibits unauthorized entry upon technical college premises; unauthorized entry into technical college premises or a portion thereof which has been restricted in use; unauthorized presence in technical college premises after closing hours; or furnishing false information to gain entry upon the technical college premises.
Assembly: prohibits participation in or conducting an unauthorized gathering that objectively threatens or causes injury to person or property or that interferes with free access to technical college facilities or that is unprotected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America and objectively harmful, obstructive, or disruptive to the educational process or functions of the technical college.
Fire alarms: prohibits setting off a fire alarm or using or tampering with any fire safety equipment on technical college premises or at technical college sponsored activity sites, except with reasonable belief in the need for such alarm or equipment. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, students must evacuate the building unless otherwise directed by a technical college official.
Obstruction: prohibits obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on technical college premises or at technical college sponsored or supervised functions. Refer to the Southern Crescent Technical College Parking Policy and Regulations.

Drugs, Alcohol and Other Substances

Substances referred to under this policy include all illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, and misused legal drugs (both prescription and over the counter).

Alcohol: Students must comply with all state and federal laws regulating alcohol as well as TCSG Policy II.C.6, Alcohol on Campus. Alcoholic beverages may not be served or sold at any student-sponsored function. Students being in a state of intoxication on technical college premises or at technical college sponsored or supervised functions (including off-campus functions), internships, externships, practicum, clinical sites, cooperative or academic sponsored programs or activities or in a technical college owned vehicle is prohibited.
Controlled substances, illegal drugs, and drug paraphernalia: The technical college prohibits possession, use, sale, or distribution of any controlled substance, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law. Any influence, which may be attributed to the use of drugs or of alcoholic beverages shall not in any way limit the responsibility of the individual for the conduct or consequences of his/her actions.
Food: The technical college prohibits eating and/or drinking in classrooms, shops, and labs or other unauthorized areas on technical college premises, unless otherwise permitted by technical college officials.
Smoking/Tobacco: The technical college prohibits smoking, or using other forms of electronic, alternative smoking devices or other forms of tobacco products in classrooms, shops, and labs or other unauthorized areas on technical college premises. Refer to the Southern Crescent Technical College Tobacco Policy.

Use of Technology

Damage and destruction: Destruction of or harm to equipment, software, or data belonging to the technical college or to others is considered unacceptable usage. This may include altering, downloading, or installing software on technical college computers, tampering with computer hardware or software configuration, improper access to the technical college's network, and disconnection of technical college computers or devices.
Electronic devices: Unless otherwise permitted by technical college officials, the technical college prohibits use of electronic devices in classrooms, labs, and other instructional, event, or affiliated facilities on technical college premises. Such devices include, but are not limited to cell phones, beepers, walkie-talkies, cameras, gaming devices, and other electronic devices, which may cause unnecessary disruption to the teaching/learning process on campus. The technical college also prohibits attaching personal electronic devices to college computers under any circumstances.
Harassment: The technical college prohibits the use of computer technology to objectively interfere with another’s legal right to be free from harassment based on that individual’s race, color, creed, genetic information, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affirmation or belief, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era or citizenship status.
Unacceptable use: Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member, or technical college official. This includes the unauthorized use of another individual's identification and password. Southern Crescent Technical College prohibits any additional violation to the department’s Acceptable Computer and Internet Use Policy.

Weapons

The Technical College System of Georgia is committed to providing all employees, students, volunteers, visitors, vendors and contractors a safe and secure workplace and/or academic setting. The possession, carrying, or transportation of a firearm, weapon, or explosive compound/material in or on college buildings or property shall be governed by Georgia state law. All individuals are expected to comply with the related laws. Failure to follow laws pertaining to weapons is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Relevant Georgia laws to be aware of and compliant with include but may not be limited to:

O.C.G.A.§ 16-8-12(a)(6)(A)(iii)

O.C.G.A.§ 16-7-80

O.C.G.A.§ 16-7-81

O.C.G.A.§ 16-7-85

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-121

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-125.1

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-126

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-127

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-127.1

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-129

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-130

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-133

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-135

O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-137

O.C.G.A.§ 43-38-10

Gambling

The Technical College System of Georgia prohibits the violation of federal, state, or local gambling laws on technical college premises or at technical college sponsored or supervised activities.

Parking

The technical college prohibits violation of Southern Crescent Technical College regulations regarding the operation and parking of motor vehicles on or around Southern Crescent Technical College premises.

Financial Irresponsibility

The technical college prohibits the theft or misappropriation of any technical college, student organization or other assets.

Violation of Technical College Policy

Violation of system or technical college policies, rules, or regulations including, but not limited to, rules imposed upon students who enroll in a particular class or program, internships, externships, practicum, clinical sites, co-operatives, or any academic sponsored programs or activities, student organizations or students who reside in on-campus housing.

Aiding and Abetting

Aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to do an activity which otherwise violates this Code of Conduct is prohibited.

Falsification of Documentation

Disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student who falsifies any documentation related to the technical college either to the technical college or to others in the community, including, but not limited to falsification of: technical college transcripts; transcripts or other documentation from other institutions to obtain credit from or admission to the technical college; technical college report cards or other grade reports; documentation related to a student’s citizenship status; tests, homework, attendance records; signature of any technical college employee in his or her official capacity; signatures of any employee of a clinical or internship site where the student is participating in an educational program associated with the technical college or records related to any clinical, internship or other academic activity associated with the technical college.

Violation of Law

If a Student is convicted or pleads Nolo Contendere to an on-campus or off-campus violation of federal, state, or local law, but not has not been charged with any other violation of the Student Code of Conduct, disciplinary action may nevertheless be taken and sanctions imposed if the violation of federal, state or local law is detrimental to the technical college's vital interests and stated mission and purpose.

Disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a law that is also a violation of the Student Code of Conduct if both violations result from the same factual situation, without regard to criminal arrest and/or prosecution. Proceedings under the Student Code of Conduct may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following criminal proceedings.

When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the technical college will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his/her status as a student. The technical college will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators. Individual students, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives, as they deem appropriate.

Abuse of the Student Judicial Process , including but not limited to:

Failure to obey the notification of the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president’s designee, Hearing Body, Appellate Board or Technical College Official.
Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information in a judicial proceeding.
Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a disciplinary proceeding.
Initiating a disciplinary proceeding knowingly without cause.
Attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in, or use of, the disciplinary process.
Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a hearing body, or Appellate Board prior to, and/or during the course of, the disciplinary proceeding.
Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a hearing body, or Appellate Board prior to, during, and/or after a disciplinary proceeding.
Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Code.

Student Disciplinary Procedure

The administration reserves the right to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment for students and staff. Therefore, when, in the judgment of technical college officials, a student's conduct disrupts or threatens to disrupt the technical college community, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to restore and protect the atmosphere of collegiality and mutual respect on campus. This procedure is intended to provide an orderly protocol for handling student disciplinary cases in accordance with the principles of due process and justice.

Related Authority

TCSG Procedure: 6.7.2p2.Model Student Conduct Codes

Definitions

Academic Misconduct: includes, but is not limited to, the definition found in the Student Code of Conduct, Article II, Paragraphs 1-4.

Business days: weekdays that the technical college administrative offices are open.

Hearing Body: any person or persons authorized by the president of a technical college to provide a hearing as provided in this procedure.

Member of the technical college community: any person who is a student, faculty member, technical college official or any other person/s involved with the technical college community or employed by the technical college.

Policy: the written regulations of the technical college as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct, Students Handbook(s), Residence Hall Handbook(s), Technical College Catalog(s), the Technical College Policy Manual, and the Policy Manual approved by the State Board for the Technical College System of Georgia.

Student: all persons taking courses at the technical college full-time, part-time, Dual Enrollment, joint enrollment, non-credit and credit. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the technical college are considered "students."

Student Organization: any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for technical college recognition.

Technical college: any college within the Technical College System of Georgia.

Technical college official: any person employed by the technical college, performing assigned administrative responsibilities on a part-time, full-time, or adjunct basis.

Premises: all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the technical college (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).

Procedure

Filing a Student Disciplinary Complaint

Any person may file a complaint with the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college President's designee against any student for an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The individual(s) initiating the action should complete a Student Code of Conduct Complaint Form, and provide it to the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee.

Academic Misconduct may be handled using this procedure or a separate Academic Misconduct Procedure at the discretion of the technical college president.

Investigation and Decision

Within five business days after the Student Code of Conduct Complaint Form (the "Complaint") is filed, the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee shall complete a preliminary investigation of the incident, and schedule a meeting with the student against whom the complaint was filed in order to discuss the incident and the allegations. In the event that additional time is necessary, the Student will be notified. After discussing the complaint with the student, the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee shall determine whether the student committed the alleged conduct, and whether the alleged conduct constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

The student shall have five business days from the date contacted by the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee to schedule the meeting. This initial meeting may only be rescheduled one time. If the student fails to respond to the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee within five business days to schedule the meeting, reschedules the meeting more than once, or fails to appear at the meeting, the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee will consider the available evidence without student input and make a determination.

In the event that a Complaint alleges violations of the Student Code of Conduct by more than one student, each student's disciplinary proceeding, as well as any appeals relating to that proceeding, shall be conducted individually.

If the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee determines that the student has violated the Student Code of Conduct, he/she shall impose one or more disciplinary sanctions consistent with those described below. If the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee determines that the alleged conduct did not occur, or that the conduct was not a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, he/she shall not impose any disciplinary sanctions on the student and the investigation shall be closed.

Disciplinary Sanctions

Based on the severity of the incident, the Vice President for Student Affairs may take one of two actions:

Actions Taken Without Referral to the Hearing Body

After a determination that a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct, the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee may impose, without referral to the Hearing Body, one or more of the following sanctions. Notification shall be sent to the student and the person(s) who initially filed the complaint.

Restitution – A student who has committed an offense against property may be required to reimburse the technical college or other owner for damage to or misappropriation of such property. Any such payment in restitution shall be limited to the actual cost of repair or replacement.

Reprimand – A written reprimand may be given to any student. Such a reprimand does not restrict the student in any way, but it signifies to the student that he/she is in effect being given another chance to conduct himself/herself as a proper member of the technical college community, and that any further violation may result in more serious sanctions.

Restriction – A restriction upon a student's privileges for a period of time may be imposed. This restriction may include but is not limited to denial of the right to represent the technical college in any way, denial of use of facilities, alteration or revocation of parking privileges, or restrictions from participating in extracurricular activities.

Disciplinary Probation – Continued enrollment of a student on probation may be conditioned upon adherence to specified terms. Any student placed on probation will be notified of the terms and length of probation in writing. Any conduct determined after due process to be in violation of these terms while on probation may result in the imposition of more serious disciplinary sanctions, as specified by the terms of probation.

Failing or lowered grade – In cases of Academic Misconduct, the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee will make a recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs or his/her designee who may authorize the instructor to award a failing or lowered grade in the course, or a loss of credit on the assignment or examination.

Actions Taken By the Hearing Body

After a determination that a student has violated the Student Code of conduct, the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee may recommend the imposition of one of the following sanctions if appropriate. The Vice President for Student Affairs' recommendation will be forwarded to the Hearing Body, which may impose one or more of the following sanctions, as well as those described in section VI.C.1 above, following a hearing. A copy of the written recommendation shall be provided to the student and the person filing the complaint.

Disciplinary Suspension – If a student is suspended, he/she is separated from the technical college for a stated period of time. Conditions of reinstatement, if any, must be stated in the notice of suspension.

Disciplinary Expulsion – Removal and exclusion from the technical college, Technical College controlled facilities, programs, events, and activities. A record of the reason for the student's dismissal is maintained by Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee. Students who have been dismissed from the technical college for any reason may apply in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs for reinstatement twelve (12) months following the expulsion. If approval for reinstatement is granted, the student will be placed on disciplinary probation for a specified term. The probationary status may be removed at the end of the specified term at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee.

System-Wide Expulsion – Where a student has been expelled or suspended three times from the same or different colleges in the Technical College System of Georgia in the past seven years, the student will not be permitted to register at any college in the Technical College System of Georgia for a period of ten years after the most recent expulsion/suspension.

Violation of Federal, State, or Local Law

If a student is convicted or pleads nolo contendere to an off-campus violation of federal, state, or local law, but not with any other violation of the Student Code of Conduct, disciplinary action may be taken and sanctions imposed for misconduct that is detrimental to the technical college's vital interests and stated mission and purpose.

Disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a law that is also a violation of the Student Code of Conduct if both violations result from the same factual situation, without regard to criminal arrest and/or prosecution. Proceedings under this Student Code of Conduct may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following criminal proceedings.

Interim Disciplinary Suspension

As a general rule, the status of a student accused of violations of the Student Code of Conduct should not be altered until a final determination is made regarding the allegations against him/her. However, interim suspension may be imposed upon a finding by the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee that the continued presence of the accused student on campus constitutes a potential or immediate threat to the safety and well- being of the accused student or any other member of the technical college community or its guests, or that the continued presence of the student on campus creates a risk of substantial disruption of classroom or other technical college-related activities. If an interim disciplinary suspension is imposed, the matter must be referred as soon as possible to the Hearing Body. The student need not request an appeal.

Conditions of Disciplinary Suspension and Expulsion

A student who has been suspended or expelled from the technical college shall be denied all privileges afforded a student and shall be required to vacate technical college Premises at a time determined by the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee.

In addition, after vacating the technical college Premises, a suspended or expelled Student may not enter upon the technical college Premises at any time, for any purpose, in the absence of written permission from the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee. A suspended or expelled student must contact the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee for permission to enter the technical college Premises for a limited, specified purpose.

If the student seeks to submit a signed Disciplinary Sanction Appeal Form, the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee must accept the form by mail or fax if he/she refuses the Student's request to enter the Technical College Premises for that specified purpose.

A scheduled appeal hearing before the Hearing Body shall be understood as expressed permission from the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee for a student to enter the technical college Premises for the duration of that hearing.

Mediation

At the discretion of the technical college President the technical college may adopt a mediation procedure to be utilized prior to the appeals set forth herein. Mediation may never be used in cases of alleged sexual misconduct.

Hearing/Appeals Procedure

A student who wishes to appeal a disciplinary decision by the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee regarding an assigned sanction of restitution, reprimand, restriction, disciplinary probation, or failing or lowered grade must file a written notice of appeal through the technical college president's office for review by the Hearing Body within five business days of notification of the decision. The person filing the initial complaint against the student must be notified of the hearing date.

If the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee recommended a sanction of disciplinary suspension, disciplinary expulsion, interim disciplinary suspension, or system-wide expulsion, the matter will be referred to the Hearing Body by the Vice President for Student Affairs. The student need not file a written notice of his or her desire to appear before the Hearing Body. The person filing the initial complaint shall also be given notification of the hearing.

The student will then have the right to appear in a hearing before a Hearing Body assigned by the technical college president or his/her designee within 10 business days to present evidence and/or testimony. If the student has been placed on an interim disciplinary suspension, the hearing must be held as soon as possible, preferably within five days. The student has the right to be assisted by any single advisor he/she chooses, at his/her own expense. The student is responsible for presenting his/her own case and, therefore, advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in any hearing before a Hearing Body. The Hearing Body may consist of a single person or a group of people drawn from the technical college community. There shall be a single official record, such as a tape recording, of all hearings before the Hearing Body. The official record shall be the property of the technical college. The standard of proof in all hearings shall be a preponderance of the evidence. The chairperson of the Hearing Body shall notify the technical college president and the Vice President for Student Affairs in writing of the Hearing Body's decision. The technical college president or his/her designee will notify the student in writing of the Hearing Body's decision.

If the student appeared before the Hearing Body to appeal the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee's sanction of restitution, reprimand, restriction, disciplinary probation, or failing or lowered grade, the Hearing Body's decision regarding the appeal is final. A copy of the Hearing Body's written decision will be provided to both the student and the person who filed the original complaint.

If the student appeared before the Hearing Body after the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee recommended disciplinary suspension, disciplinary expulsion, interim disciplinary suspension, or system-wide expulsion, the student shall have the opportunity to appeal directly to the technical college president.

If entitled to an appeal to the technical college president, the student shall have five business days after receiving written notification of the Hearing Body's decision to request in writing an appeal. The student shall ensure that all relevant information is included with this request. The person who filed the original complaint shall be notified of the student's appeal.

The president of the technical college or his/her designee's review shall be in writing and shall only consider evidence currently in the record, new facts not brought up in earlier stages of the appeal shall not be considered. The technical college president or his/her designee shall deliver the decision to the student and the person who filed the original complaint within 10 business days. The decision of the technical college president or his/her designee shall be final and binding.

Document Retention

The Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college President's designee shall retain a copy of all documents concerning complaints, investigations, administrative actions, and communications in relation to any incident that resulted in a disciplinary investigation of any kind against a student. The Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president's designee will also retain records of any disciplinary appeals filed by the affected student, as well as the resulting record of appeal and decision submitted by the Hearing Body and the technical college president or his/her designee. A record of the final decision must also be retained. All records specified in this section shall be retained for a period of five years.

Click here to access forms for Student Complaints.

Written Student Grievances/Complaints

Southern Crescent Technical College maintains a grievance/complaint process available to all students that provides an open and meaningful forum for their complaints, the resolution of these complaints, and is subject to clear guidelines of the complaints (Student Grievance Form). This procedure does not address complaints related to the unlawful harassment (including sexual harassment), discrimination and/or retaliation for reporting harassment/discrimination against students. Those complaints are handled by the Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination of Students Procedure.

Grievable issues: Issues arising from the application of a policy/procedure to the student’s specific case is always grievable. Specifically, grievable issues are issues related to student advisement, improper disclosure of grades, unfair testing procedures, and poor treatment of students; this is a representative list and is not meant to be exhaustive.

Non-grievable issues: Issues, which have a separate process for resolution (i.e. disciplinary sanctions, FERPA, financial aid, academic grades, etc.), are not grievable and a student must take advantage of the process in place.

Business days: Weekdays that the college administrative offices are open.

Vice President for Student Affairs: The staff member in charge of the student affairs division at the college.

Retaliation: Unfavorable action taken, condition created, or other action taken by a student/employee for the purpose of intimidation directed toward a student because the student initiated a grievance or participated in an investigation of a grievance.

Grievant: the student who is making the complaint.

Written Student Complaint: Handwritten or typed complaint submitted by a student.

Procedure

For all timelines established herein, if a student will need extra time, an extension may be granted at the Vice-President for Student Affairs’ discretion.
Informal Grievance Procedure:
Student with grievable issues should resolve those issues, if possible, on an informal basis without the filing of a formal grievance.
1. A student has ten (10) business days from the date of the incident being grieved to resolve the matter informally by approaching their instructor, department chair or any other staff or faculty member directly involved in the grieved incident.
2. Where this process does not result in a resolution of the grievable issue, the student may proceed to the formal grievance procedure.
Formal Grievance Procedure:
Where a student cannot resolve their grievance informally, he or she must use this formal grievance procedure.
1. Within fifteen (15) business days of the incident being grieved, the student must file a formal grievance in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs or the technical college president’s designee with the following information:
If the grievance is against the Vice President for Student Affairs, the student shall file the grievance with the technical college president.
The Vice President for Student Affairs, or the technical college president’s designee, will investigate the matter and supply a written response to the student within 15 business days.
If the grieved incident involves possible unlawful harassment, discrimination, or retaliation for reporting unlawful harassment/discrimination, the investigation will be handled pursuant to the Procedure: Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination of Students.
If the grieved incident is closely related to an incident being processed through the harassment/discrimination or disciplinary procedures, the proceedings under the Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination of Students procedure will take precedence, then the disciplinary procedure and then the student’s grievance will be addressed. The grievance will not be processed until after the other procedures have run their course.
The Vice President for Student Affairs, or the technical college president’s designee, shall be granted an additional 15 business days to investigate the grievance upon notice to the grieving student.
Appeal:
The student may appeal the decision from the VPSA or the technical college president’s designee to the technical college president. Only the student has the right to appeal.
1. A student shall file a written appeal to the technical college president within five (5) business days of receiving the response.
2. The appeal will be decided based entirely on documents provided by the student and the administration; therefore, the student must ensure that he or she has provided all relevant documents with his or her appeal.
3. At the sole discretion of the technical college president, grievance appeals at the institution may be held in one of the following two ways:
4. The technical college president chooses the process; the decision of the grievance appeal is final.
Retaliation against a student for filing a grievance is strictly prohibited.

Click here to access forms for Student Complaints.