GRIEVANCE, CONDUCT, AND STUDENT DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Equal Opportunity Statement of Compliance

The Technical College System of Georgia and its constituent Technical Colleges do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, spouse of military member, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). This nondiscrimination policy encompasses the operation of all technical college-administered programs, programs financed by the federal government including any Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I financed programs, educational programs and activities, including admissions, scholarships and loans, student life, and athletics. It also encompasses the recruitment and employment of personnel and contracting for goods and services.

The Technical College System and Technical Colleges shall promote the realization of equal opportunity through a positive continuing program of specific practices designed to ensure the full realization of equal opportunity. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:

ADA / Section 504 / Equity / Title IX (Students) - OCR Compliance Officer
Helen Thomas, Special Needs Specialist, hthomas@southeasterntech.edu
Student Affairs, Office 165, (912) 538-3126

Title VI / Title IX (Employees) - EEOC Officer
Lanie Jonas, Director of Human Resources, ljonas@southeasterntech.edu
Administrative Services, Office 138B, (912) 538-3230

These individuals may be contacted for inquiries concerning the application of these policies and procedures at:

Southeastern Technical College
3001 E. First Street, Vidalia, GA 30474
(912) 538-3100

Please contact your college’s Title IX coordinator or Section 504 coordinator listed above, or Kim Ellis at kellis@tcsg.edu or Josh McKoon at JMcKoon@tcsg.edu if you have questions or need clarification.

Student Grievances

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR: Non-Academic Complaint or Appeal

It is the policy of Southeastern Technical College to maintain a grievance 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. This procedure does not address complaints related to harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation for reporting harassment/discrimination against students, or grade/attendance appeals. Those complaints are handled by the Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination of Students Procedure.

DEFINITIONS:

Grievable issues: Issues arising from the application of a policy/procedure to the student's specific case is always grievable. Specifically grievable 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 of Student Affairs (VPSA): 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.

PROCEDURE:

Informal Complaint Procedure: Student complaints should be resolved on an informal basis without the filing of a formal grievance.

A student has 10 business days from the date of the incident being grieved to resolve their complaint informally by approaching their instructor, department chair or any other staff or faculty member directly involved in the grieved incident.
Where this process does not result in a resolution of the grievance, the student may proceed to the formal grievance procedure.

Formal Complaint Procedure: where a student cannot resolve their complaint informally, they may use the formal grievance procedure.

Step 1

Within 15 business days of the incident being grieved, the student must file a formal grievance in the office of the Vice President of Student Services (VPSA) or the office of the Executive Director of Student Affairs with the following information:

Name
Date
Brief description of incident being grieved
Remedy requested
Signed, and
Informal remedy attempted by student and outcome.

If the grievance is against the Executive Director of Student Affairs, the student shall file the complaint with the VPSA.

If the grievance is against the VPSA, the student shall file the grievance in the Office of the President.

Step 2

The VPSA, or 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 disciplinary procedure, the disciplinary procedure will take precedence and the grievance will not be processed until after the disciplinary procedure has run its course. The VPSA, or designee, shall be granted an additional 15 business days to investigate the grievance upon notice to the grieving student.

Step 3

Appeal of Staff Response: If a student is unsatisfied with the response from the VPSA, the student may appeal the decision to the President of the college. The college staff has no right to appeal.

A student shall file a written appeal to the President within five (5) business days of receiving the response from the VPSA
The appeal will be decided based entirely on documents provided by the student and the administration; therefore the student must ensure that he/she has provided all relevant documents with his appeal.
At the President of the college's sole discretion, grievance appeals may be held in one (1) of the following two (2) ways:
1. The President may review the information provided by the student and administration and make the final decision; or
2. The President may appoint a cross-functional committee comprised of five (5) members, including one (1) chair, to make the final decision.
3. The decision of either the President or the cross-functional committee shall be made within 10 business days of receipt by the President of the appeal.
Whichever process is chosen by the President, the decision of the grievance appeal is final.
Retaliation against a student for filing a grievance is strictly prohibited.

RECORD RETENTION:

Documents relating to formal grievances including investigations, dispositions and the grievance itself shall be held for five (5) years after the graduation of the student or the date of the student's last attendance.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR: Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination of Students

Southeastern Technical College is committed to ensuring an environment for all students and employees that is fair, humane, and respectful; an environment that supports and rewards students and employees on the basis of relevant considerations, and that is free from illegal or inappropriate conduct. Southeastern Technical College expects standards of professional behavior that exceed those minimally prescribed by law.

It is the policy of the Southeastern Technical College that all students shall be provided an environment free of unlawful harassment (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), discrimination, and retaliation.

All students and employees are expressly prohibited from engaging in any form of unlawful harassing, discriminating, intimidating or retaliatory behavior or conduct (“prohibited conduct”) in all interactions with each other, whether or not the interaction occurs during class or on or off campus. Visitors to campuses also shall not engage in prohibited conduct and may be barred for such prohibited conduct if other corrective measures are ineffective. Allegations of prohibited conduct occurring at clinical sites to which students are assigned shall be investigated in accordance with this procedure.

Any individual who has engaged in prohibited conduct will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion or dismissal. Nothing in this procedure 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.

All students are encouraged to report any prohibited conduct. Reports will be treated in an expeditious and confidential manner.

TCSG will not tolerate retaliation for having filed a good faith harassment and/or discrimination complaint or for having provided any information in an investigation. Any individual who retaliates against a complainant or witness in an investigation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or dismissal.

Any individual who knowingly makes a false charge of unlawful harassment/discrimination or retaliation, or who is untruthful during an investigation may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or dismissal.

In an instance of perceived violation of Southeastern Technical College's procedures, standards of professional conduct or state or federal law, a member of the Technical College community may file a complaint, which shall be resolved as set forth in this policy and procedures.

Prohibition Against Retaliation

Southeastern Technical College will not tolerate retaliation for having filed a good faith harassment and/or discrimination complaint or for having provided any information in an investigation. Any individual who retaliates against a complainant or witness in an investigation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion or dismissal.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality and privacy of those involved will be respected during all complaint procedures to the degree practicable. If an individual wishes to bring a complaint accusing another of misconduct and remain anonymous, the Technical College's ability to respond will be limited. Any member of the Technical College community who is particularly concerned about privacy is encouraged to discuss the matter with any other Technical College administrator with whom he or she feels comfortable. Consultations will be confidential to the full extent permitted by law.

Student academic complaints are not covered by this policy and procedure. Students seeking review of academic decisions may do so pursuant to the section on Course Grade Grievance.

Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination of Students

DEFINITIONS:

For purposes of this procedure, the words listed below are defined as follows:

REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT ACTION

All students are encouraged to report events of unlawful harassment, discrimination, and/or unlawful retaliation against themselves or others, regardless of where the incident occurred. A student may attempt to resolve any issue arising under this policy informally. This informal procedure is intended to encourage communication between the parties involved, either directly or through an intermediary, in order to facilitate a mutual understanding of what may be different perspective regarding the complained of act of directive. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the complainant's academic Department Head, Dean, or Vice President of Student Affairs shall be responsible for the informal resolution procedure. If the information process does not result in the resolution of the complaint to the satisfaction of the complainant, the complainant may utilize the formal complaint procedure. For monitoring purposes, a record of any complaint alleging discrimination or any other violation of law shall be reported to the appropriate Grievance Coordinator, even when the complainant is using the informal process.
Allegations or suspicions of unlawful harassment or unlawful retaliation may be reported by the Complainant to:

ADA / Section 504 / Equity / Title IX (Students) - OCR Compliance Officer
Helen Thomas, Special Needs Specialist, hthomas@southeasterntech.edu
Student Affairs, Vidalia Campus, Office 165, (912) 538-3126

Title VI / Title IX (Employees) - EEOC Officer
Lanie Jonas, Director of Human Resources, ljonas@southeasterntech.edu
Administrative Services, Vidalia Campus, Office 138B, (912) 538-3230

The Compliance Officer/local investigator shall notify the affected President of the complaint and the pending investigation, unless otherwise directed by the Commissioner.

INVESTIGATIONS

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

Colleges will take all reasonable steps to prevent unlawful retaliation against complainants and any other individuals participating in investigations under this procedure.
If prohibited conduct is determined to have occurred following the investigation, the college, through the appropriate officials, shall implement steps to prevent a recurrence and to correct the discriminatory effects on the complaining party and others as appropriate. Steps may include, but are not limited to, mandating training or evaluation, disciplinary sanctions, policy implementation or reassignment of students or employees.
Should recommended disciplinary sanctions involve academic suspension, expulsion or dismissal from employment, the matter must be referred to either the Vice President for Student Affairs for students or the Human Resources Director for employees. Allegations regarding students shall be considered and sanctions assigned as provided by the college’s Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedure. Sanctions for employees shall be considered as provided by the Positive Discipline Procedure.
Individuals who are responsible for conducting or reviewing investigations or proposing sanctions under this procedure should not also serve as reviewing officials or hearing officers in the appeal of sanctions arising from an investigation.
Even in the absence of sufficient evidence to substantiate a finding that unlawful discrimination, unlawful harassment, sexual violence or retaliation has occurred, the college will address any inappropriate conduct and take all reasonable steps to prevent any future unlawful discrimination, harassment, sexual violence or retaliation.

REVIEWS AND DISPOSITIONS

Any of the parties to a complaint under this procedure may request a review of the investigative findings within five (5) business days of receiving notice of the investigative results by submitting a written request to the president.
The president shall review all investigations conducted under this procedure and ensure that the appropriate corrective actions have been implemented.
Within 10 business days of receiving a request for a review of the investigative findings, the president of the college will notify the parties in writing of his/her final determination, including any change in the result of the findings. The notice will inform the parties they have a right to appeal the determination to the Technical College System of Georgia’s Legal Services Office by submitting a written request within three (3) business days by regular mail or email to one (1) of the following:

Technical College System of Georgia
Office of Legal Services
1800 Century Place, N.E., Suite 400
Atlanta, Georgia 30345

Unlawfulharassment@tcsg.edu

The Office of Legal Services will convene a panel of at least three (3) individuals not employed by the requestor’s college to review the investigative findings. The panel’s decision is final and will conclude the processing of the complaint. Both parties will be notified in writing simultaneously of the results of the review and any changes in the results of the investigative findings under appeal.

RECORD RETENTION

Documents relating to formal complaints including investigations, dispositions and the complaint itself shall be held for five (5) years after the graduation of the student or the date of the student’s last attendance. Confidential Documents shall be held in a secure location under the custody and control of the Vice President of Student Affairs or the President’s designee. Documents pertaining to employees that are maintained by the Office of Human Resources shall be maintained in a secure location and in accordance with the Georgia Secretary of State’s records retention schedule.

Student Code of Conduct

POLICY

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 Technical College System of Georgia 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.

DEFINITIONS:

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

2) Hearing Body: as defined in the Student Disciplinary Procedure.

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

4) 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.

5) 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 "students".

6) System: the Technical College System of Georgia or TCSG.

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

8) 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

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

A. Academic

Academic Misconduct Definitions

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

1. Aiding and Abetting Academic Misconduct

Knowingly helping, procuring, encouraging or otherwise assisting another person to engage in academic misconduct.

2. Cheating

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. 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.

e. 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.

f. Taking an examination or any other written or oral work submitted for evaluation and/or a grade in place of another person.

g. Obtaining unauthorized access to the computer files of another person or agency and/or altering or destroying those files.

h. 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.

3. 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.

4. Plagiarism

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. Submitting as one's own original work material that has been produced through unacknowledged collaboration with others without release in writing from collaborators.

B. Non-Academic Misconduct

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

Behavior

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

b. Violence: physical abuse of any person (including dating violence, domestic violence or 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.

c. 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.

d. 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.

e. 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.

2. Professionalism

a. Personal Appearance:

Refer to Southeastern Technical College Dress Code Policy.

3. Use of Technical College Property

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. 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 technical college Premises.

d. 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.

e. 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.

f. Obstruction: prohibits obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on technical college Premises or at technical college sponsored or supervised functions.

4. 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).

a. 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, co-operative or academic sponsored programs or activities or in a technical college-owned vehicle is prohibited.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. 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 Southeastern Technical College Tobacco Policy.

5. Use of Technology

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. 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. Southeastern Technical College prohibits any additional violation to the Department's Acceptable Computer and Internet Use Policy.

6. 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 building 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

7. 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.

8. Parking

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

9. Financial Irresponsibility

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

10. 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-operative, or any academic sponsored programs or activities, student organizations or students who reside in on-campus housing.

11. Aiding and Abetting

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

12. 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.

13. Violation of Law

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. 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.

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

a. 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.

b. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information in a judicial proceeding.

c. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a disciplinary proceeding.

d. Initiating a disciplinary proceeding knowingly without cause.

e. Attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in, or use of, the disciplinary process.

f. 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.

g. 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.

h. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Code.

Dress Code

Students at Southeastern Tech are expected to dress and groom themselves in such a way as to reflect neatness, cleanliness, professionalism, and good taste. Jewelry such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces should not be worn in the shop areas where safety would be compromised. Extremes in dress and grooming should be avoided. With this in mind, students should dress in an appropriate manner. Dress should reflect that normally worn in the occupation for which students are being trained.

The following items or similar attire will not be allowed on the campuses:

Short or tight shorts
Tank/Halter tops
Bare midriffs
Underwear above pants
Short or tight dresses
Tube tops
Hats/caps in the buildings
Mini Skirts
Swimsuits
Pajamas
Bare feet
Bed room shoes

Students shall not wear, or use emblems, insignias, badges, or other symbols or lewd or vulgar words where the effect thereof is offensive to a reasonable person or otherwise causes disruption or interference with the orderly operations of the college. Certain program areas may have additional dress codes due to safety or other requirements.

Hover Boards

As part of Southeastern Technical College’s efforts to maintain campus safety, and adhere to its fire protection and prevention policy, hover boards, and any other similar equipment, are prohibited on campus. These devices cannot be used, stored and/or charged in any building or any grounds of Southeastern Technical College. This policy is being implemented as a result of recent concerns of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Phone Calls

Students should stress to family, friends, and others that there are no provisions for the receipt or delivery of personal messages, flowers, etc. Classes will not be interrupted by the public address system for this purpose. A courtesy phone is located in the lobby of the main campus in Vidalia and in the student center at the medical building on the Vidalia campus, for students to use. Should a bona-fide emergency occur, such as a death or serious injury, every effort will be made to notify students. The person calling must state the nature of the emergency.

Note: Not all campuses have a courtesy phone for students to use.

Smoking/Food/Drink/Litter Guidelines

Tobacco Use

In an effort to establish a healthier, cleaner educational environment effective July 1, 2011, Southeastern Technical College will become a tobacco-free/smoke-free campus. The use of tobacco products in any form (including alternative smoking devices) will be banned from all campuses of Southeastern Technical College. This ban extends to all outdoor areas including parking lots. Smoking will not be permitted inside of personal vehicles. Penalties for violation of this regulation include a written warning for the first offense, a fine of $50 for the second offense, and dismissal from the college for the third offense.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are not permitted in classrooms, laboratories, or auditorium facilities.

Litter

Littering is an infraction of the student code of conduct and may result in discipline of the persons involved. All forms of litter (including tobacco waste) are to be disposed of properly through placement in the proper waste receptacles.

Personal Electronic Devices

The college does not allow students to operate cellular phones, portable radios, ipods, MP3 players, cassette or CD players, hand-held electronic games, and other similar devices inside classrooms, laboratories, libraries, auditoriums, testing facilities, training rooms, lobbies or atriums, hallways, or any other college-owned/operated facility. Without the explicit permission of instructors, students may not activate the built-in speaker of any computer in any campus facility. Cellular phones must be kept in silent mode while in a classroom. At their discretion and approval, instructors may allow a student to use a cellular phone to record a lecture, take pictures of notes, or incorporate a phone into a classroom setting, but phones are not allowed during any type of testing. If an instructor requests a student to disengage from a cell phone, a student must do so. Students must turn beepers to vibration mode when inside a campus-owned/operated facility; however, students must turn beepers off while taking tests. Students may operate cassette tape players to record classroom lectures if their instructors grant prior approval. When outside, students must play cassette or CD players, portable radios, ipods, MP3 players, or radios inside vehicles at a volume that does not offend or distract others.

Field Trips

Field trips with specific educational objectives will be planned by the instructors and approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. During field trips, students will conduct themselves properly at all times and adhere to all the regulations of the institution.

Student Liability

Students are responsible for equipment, books, personal articles, and materials brought to school. The school will not be liable for any personal articles left or brought to school that might get stolen or broken. The school will not be liable for damage or theft of articles brought to the school for repair.

Student Organizations

Student organization activities are considered to be a part of Southeastern Tech's instructional program whether they occur during regular program hours on campus or after school hours on the campus or at some other location. Therefore, the normal school behavior code applies to all organized student organization activities regardless of the time or place.

It is the responsibility of student organization advisors and chaperons to inform their students of leadership conferences, competitive events, and other student organization activities are part of the College's instructional program, and that students are to follow regular school conduct when participating in these activities.

Students who fail to follow regular College behavior guidelines will be sent home immediately at their own expense and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions by the school's administrative personnel.

Technical College System of Georgia and Southeastern Technical College

Computer Use Policy

Overview

Due to the technological revolution in the workplace, businesses such as Southeastern Technical College (STC) have turned to computer technology as the primary tool to use communicate, perform research, and accumulate information. As the number of users logging on to the college's network at the school or by remote access has increased, so has the possibility of STC's computer resources being mistreated; compromised; or experience unauthorized access, disclosure, destruction, modification, or loss. With easy access to STC's Internet and network resources, it is very important to have a well-defined computer use policy. A well-defined policy helps protect the end-user as well as STC.

Effective security is a team effort involving the participation and support of every STC employee and affiliate who deals with information and/or information systems. It is the responsibility of every computer user to know these guidelines, and to conduct their activities accordingly.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the acceptable use of computer equipment at STC. These rules are in place to protect STC as well as its employees, students, and guests. Inappropriate use exposes STC to risks including virus attacks, compromise of network systems and services, and legal issues. These guidelines are intended to supplement, not replace, all existing laws, regulations, agreements, and contracts which currently apply to these services.

Scope

This policy applies to employees, students, contractors, consultants, temporaries, and other workers at STC, including all personnel affiliated with third parties. This policy applies to all equipment that is owned or leased by STC.

Policy

General Use and Ownership

While STC's network administration desires to provide a reasonable level of privacy, users should be aware that the data they create on the college systems remains the property of STC. Because of the need to protect STC's network, users should not expect files stored on STC's computers and/or network to be private.
End-users are responsible for exercising good judgment regarding the reasonableness of personal use. Occasional and appropriate personal use is acceptable and permitted by the college. However, this use should be brief, infrequent, comply with this policy, and shall not interfere with the user's performance, duties, and responsibilities.
For security and network maintenance purposes, authorized individuals within STC may monitor equipment, systems and network traffic at any time.
STC reserves the right to audit networks and systems on a periodic basis to ensure compliance with this policy.
Only the Information Technology Department staff is authorized to provide support, perform installations of new equipment/software, and/or configure devices for the multi-campus network.
Any individual associated with STC needing to connect personally owned devices to the college's network must obtain prior approval from the Information Technology Department.

Security and Proprietary Information

Keep passwords secure and do not share accounts. Authorized users are responsible for the security of their passwords and accounts. Passwords should be changed every 90 days.
All faculty and staff PCs, laptops, and workstations should be secured with a password-protected screensaver with the automatic activation feature set at 10 minutes or less, or by logging-off (control-alt-delete) when the host will be unattended.
Because information contained on portable computers is especially vulnerable, special care should be exercised.
Any and all critical information (data, files, etc.) should be saved to the network. The IT Department is not responsible for any end-user files not saved to the network.
Postings by employees from a STC email address to newsgroups should contain a disclaimer stating that the opinions expressed are strictly their own and not necessarily those of STC, unless posting is in the course of business duties.
All computers that are connected to the STC Internet/Intranet/Extranet, whether owned by an employee, student, third-party, or STC, shall be continually executing approved virus-scanning software with a current virus database.
Employees and students must use extreme caution when opening e-mail attachments received from unknown senders, which may contain viruses, e-mail bombs, or Trojan horse code.

Unacceptable Use

Under no circumstances is an employee, student, or third-party of STC authorized to engage in any activity that is illegal under local, state, federal or international law while utilizing STC-owned resources.

The lists below are by no means exhaustive, but attempt to provide a framework for activities which fall into the category of unacceptable use:

System and Network Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited, with no exceptions:
1. Violations of the rights of any person or company protected by copyright, trade secret, patent or other intellectual property, or similar laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, the installation or distribution of "pirated" or other software products that are not appropriately licensed for use by STC.
2. Unauthorized copying of copyrighted material including, but not limited to, digitization and distribution of photographs from magazines, books or other copyrighted sources, copyrighted music, and the installation of any copyrighted software for which STC or the end user does not have an active license is strictly prohibited.
3. Exporting software, technical information, encryption software or technology, in violation of international or regional export control laws, is illegal. The appropriate management should be consulted prior to export of any material that is in question.
4. Introduction of malicious programs into the network or server (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses, e-mail bombs, etc.).
5. Revealing your account password to others or allowing use of your account by others. This includes family and other household members when work is being done at home.
6. Using an STC computing asset to actively engage in procuring or transmitting material that is in violation of sexual harassment or hostile workplace laws in the user's local jurisdiction.
7. Making fraudulent offers of products, items, or services originating from any STC account.
8. Effecting security breaches or disruptions of network communication. Security breaches include, but are not limited to, accessing data of which the employee, student, or third-party is not an intended recipient or logging into a server or account that the employee, student, or third-party is not expressly authorized to access, unless these duties are within the scope of regular duties. For purposes of this section, "disruption" includes, but is not limited to, network sniffing, pinged floods, packet spoofing, denial of service, and forged routing information for malicious purposes.
9. Port scanning or security scanning is expressly prohibited unless prior authorization from the Information Technology Department authorized.
10. Executing any form of network monitoring which will intercept data not intended for the end-user's host, unless prior approval of this activity from the Information Technology Department is authorized.
11. Circumventing user authentication or security of any host, network, or account.
12. Interfering with or denying service to any other host or user other than the end-user's host (for example, denial of service attack).
13. Using any program/script/command, or sending messages of any kind, with the intent to interfere with, or disable, a user's terminal and/or network session, via any means, locally or via the Internet/Intranet/Extranet.
14. Providing information about, or lists of, STC employees to parties outside STC.
15. Recreational game playing that is not part of an authorized and assigned research, instructional, or other STC approved activity.
Email and Communications Activities
1. Sending unsolicited email messages, including the sending of "junk mail" or other advertising material to individuals who did not specifically request such material (email spam).
2. Any form of harassment via email, telephone, Linc, or paging, whether through language, frequency, or size of messages.
3. Unauthorized use, or forging, of email header information.
4. Solicitation of email for any other email address, other than that of the poster's account, with the intent to harass or to collect replies.
5. Creating or forwarding "chain letters", "Ponzi" or other "pyramid" schemes of any type.
6. Use of unsolicited email originating from within STC's networks of other Internet/Intranet/Extranet service providers on behalf of, or to advertise, any service hosted by STC or connected via STC's network.
7. Posting the same or similar non-business-related messages to large numbers of Usenet newsgroups (newsgroup spam).

Enforcement

Abuse or misuse of computing/information technology services may violate this policy, but it may also violate criminal statutes. Therefore, STC will take appropriate action in response to user abuse or misuse of computing/information technology services. Action may include, but not necessarily limited to, the following:

Suspension or revocation of computing privileges. Access to all computing facilities and systems can, may, or will be, denied;
Reimbursement to Southeastern Tech for resources consumed;
Other legal action including action to recover damages;
Referral to law enforcement authorities;
Computer users (faculty, staff and/or students) will be referred to the appropriate office for disciplinary action.

Definitions:

End-user

Any person using STC's information systems and/or computers.

Ponzi

Fraudulent investment operation that involves paying returns to investors out of the money raised from subsequent investors.

Spam

Unauthorized and/or unsolicited electronic mass mailings.

Trojan horse

A program in which malicious or harmful code is contained inside.

Virus

A software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer.

Email Use Policy

Overview

To prevent tarnishing the public image of Southeastern Technical College (STC) from email use - i.e., when email goes out from STC the general public will tend to view that message as an official policy statement from STC.

Scope

This policy covers appropriate use of any email sent from a STC email address and applies to all employees, students, vendors, and agents operating on behalf of STC. These guidelines are intended to supplement, not replace, all existing laws, regulations, agreements, and contracts which currently apply to these services.

Prohibited Use

The STC email system shall not to be used for the creation or distribution of any disruptive or offensive messages, including offensive comments about race, gender, hair color, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, pornography, religious beliefs and practice, political beliefs, or national origin. Employees and students who receive any emails with this content from any STC employee or student should report the matter to their supervisor or instructor immediately.

Personal Use

Using a reasonable amount of STC resources for personal emails is acceptable, but non-work related email shall be saved in a separate folder from work related email. Sending or forwarding chain letters, offensive messages as described in section 3.1, joke emails, or emails promoting a personal business from an STC email account is prohibited.

Monitoring

STC employees or students shall have no expectation of privacy in anything they store, send or receive on any of STC's email systems. STC authorized personnel may monitor messages without prior notice. However, STC is not obligated to monitor email messages.

Security Notices

Official virus or other malware and security warnings will come from a member of the Information Technology Department. All virus or other malware and security warnings NOT generated from the Information Technology Department are considered unofficial and should be ignored.

Enforcement

Abuse or misuse of e-mail systems may violate this policy, but it may also violate criminal statutes. Therefore, STC will take appropriate action in response to user abuse or misuse of e-mail systems and services. Action may include, but not necessarily limited to, the following:

Suspension or revocation of computing privileges. Access to all computing facilities and systems can, may, or will be, denied;
Reimbursement to Southeastern Tech for resources consumed;
Other legal action including action to recover damages;
Referral to law enforcement authorities;
Computer users (faculty, staff and/or students) will be referred to the appropriate office for disciplinary action.

Definitions:

Email

The electronic transmission of information through a mail protocol such as SMTP or IMAP. Typical email clients include Eudora and Microsoft Outlook.

Forwarded email

Email resent from an internal network to an outside point.

Chain email or letter

Email sent to successive people. Typically the body of the note has direction to send out multiple copies of the note and promises good luck or money if the direction is followed.

Sensitive Information

Information is considered sensitive if it can be damaging to STC or its customers' reputation or market standing.

Virus Warning

Email containing warnings about virus or malware. The overwhelming majority of these emails turn out to be a hoax and contain bogus information usually intent only on frightening or misleading users.

Unauthorized Disclosure

The intentional or unintentional revealing of restricted information to people, both inside and outside STC, who do not have a need to know that information.

Privacy Notice to Computer Users

Overview

Due to the technological revolution in the workplace, businesses such as Southeastern Technical College (STC) have turned to computer technology as the primary tool to use communicate, perform research, and accumulate information. As the number of users logging on to the college's network at the school or by remote access has increased, so has the possibility of STC's computer resources being mistreated; compromised; or experience unauthorized access, disclosure, destruction, modification, or loss. With easy access to STC's Internet and network resources, it is very important that all end-users are aware of the expectation of privacy and the terms of use when using STC information systems.

Purpose

The purpose of this privacy notice is to alert information system end-users of the terms and conditions of use and inform them of the level of privacy they can expect when using STC information systems. This privacy notice is in place to protect STC as well as its employees, students, and guests.

Scope

This privacy notice applies to employees, students, contractors, consultants, temporaries, and other workers at STC, including all personnel affiliated with third parties. This privacy notice applies to all equipment that is owned or leased by STC.

Privacy Notice to Computer Users

This is a private computer system and is the property of Southeastern Technical College (STC). It is for authorized STC use only. Users [authorized or unauthorized] have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy. Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized personnel of STC. By using this system, the user consents to such interception, monitoring, recording, copying, auditing, inspection, and disclosure at the discretion of authorized STC personnel. By using this system you agree to abide by the guidelines of the following STC policies: Computer Use Policy, E-mail Policy, and Remote Access Policy. Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in administrative disciplinary action and/or civil and criminal penalties. By continuing to use this system you indicate your awareness of, and consent to, these terms and conditions of use. LOG OFF IMMEDIATELY if you do not agree to the conditions stated in this notice.

Authorized Personnel

Authorized STC personnel are defined as:

The Director of Information Technology
The Vice-President of each Division
The President
Members of the IT Department staff under the explicit direction 1, 2, or 3

Enforcement

Abuse or misuse of computing/information technology services may violate this notice, but it may also violate criminal statutes. Therefore, STC will take appropriate action in response to user abuse or misuse of computing/information technology services. Action may include, but not necessarily limited to, the following:

Suspension or revocation of computing privileges. Access to all computing facilities and systems can, may, or will be, denied;
Reimbursement to Southeastern Tech for resources consumed;
Other legal action including action to recover damages;
Referral to law enforcement authorities;
Computer users (faculty, staff and/or students) will be referred to the appropriate office for disciplinary action.

Definitions:

End-user

Any person using STC's information systems and/or computers

Remote Access Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define standards for connecting to STC's network from any host. These standards are designed to minimize the potential exposure to STC from damages which may result from unauthorized use of STC resources. Damages include the loss of sensitive or company confidential data, intellectual property, damage to public image, damage to critical STC internal systems, etc. These guidelines are intended to supplement, not replace, all existing laws, regulations, agreements, and contracts which currently apply to these services.

This policy applies to all STC employees, students, contractors, vendors and agents with a STC-owned or personally-owned computer or workstation used to connect to the STC network. This policy applies to remote access connections used to do work on behalf of STC or for STC academic courses, including reading or sending email and viewing Intranet web resources.

Remote access implementations that are covered by this policy include, but are not limited to, dial-in modems, frame relay, ISDN, DSL, VPN, SSH, cable modems, Remote Lab Access (RLA), Information Delivery System (IDS), etc.

General Policy

It is the responsibility of STC employees, students, contractors, vendors and agents with remote access privileges to STC's multi-campus network to ensure that their remote access connection is given the same consideration as the user's on-site connection to STC.
General access to the Internet for recreational use by immediate household members through the STC Network on personal computers is not permitted.
Please review the following policies for details of protecting information when accessing the multi-campus network via remote access methods, and acceptable use of STC's network:
1. Computer Use Policy
2. E-mail Use Policy
3. Privacy Notice to Computer Users
For additional information regarding STC's remote access connection options, including how to request service and obtain technical support go to the STC Information Technology Department web site.

Requirements

At no time should any STC employee, student, contractor, vendor or agent with remote access privileges provide their login or email password to anyone, not even family members.
Routers for dedicated ISDN lines configured for access to the STC network must meet minimum authentication requirements of CHAP.
Reconfiguration of a home user's equipment for the purpose of split-tunneling or dual homing is not permitted at any time.
Frame Relay must meet minimum authentication requirements of DLCI standards.
Non-standard hardware configurations must be approved by the Information Technology Department, and the IT Department must approve security configurations for access to hardware.
All hosts that are connected to STC internal networks via remote access technologies must use up-to-date anti-virus software (http://www.southeasterntech.edu/it/virus_info.asp, this includes personal computers.
Organizations or individuals who wish to implement non-standard Remote Access solutions to the STC production network must obtain prior approval from the Director of Information Technology.

Enforcement

Suspension or revocation of computing privileges. Access to all computing facilities and systems can, may, or will be, denied;
Reimbursement to Southeastern Tech for resources consumed;
Other legal action including action to recover damages;
Referral to law enforcement authorities;
Computer users (faculty, staff and/or students) will be referred to the appropriate office for disciplinary action.

Definitions

Cable Modem

Cable companies such as AT&T Broadband provide Internet access over Cable TV coaxial cable. A cable modem accepts this coaxial cable and can receive data from the Internet at over 1.5 Mbps. Cable is currently available only in certain communities.

CHAP

Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol is an authentication method that uses a one-way hashing function. DLCIData Link Connection Identifier (DLCI) is a unique number assigned to a Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) end point in a frame relay network. DLCI identifies a particular PVC endpoint within a user's access channel in a frame relay network, and has local significance only to that channel.

Dial-in Modem

A peripheral device that connects computers to each other for sending communications via the telephone lines. The modem modulates the digital data of computers into analog signals to send over the telephone lines, then demodulates back into digital signals to be read by the computer on the other end; thus the name "modem" for modulator/demodulator.

Dual Homing

Having concurrent connectivity to more than one (1) network from a computer or network device. Examples include: Being logged into the Corporate network via a local Ethernet connection, and dialing into AOL or other Internet service provider (ISP). Being on a -provided Remote Access home network, and connecting to another network, such as a spouse's remote access. Configuring an ISDN router to dial into and an ISP, depending on packet destination.

DSL

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a form of high-speed Internet access competing with cable modems. DSL works over standard phone lines and supports data speeds of over two (2) Mbps downstream (to the user) and slower speeds upstream (to the Internet).

Frame Relay

A method of communication that incrementally can go from the speed of an ISDN to the speed of a T1 line. Frame Relay has a flat-rate billing charge instead of a per time usage. Frame Relay connects via the telephone company's network.

ISDN

There are two (2) flavors of Integrated Services Digital Network or ISDN: BRI and PRI. BRI is used for home office/remote access. BRI has two (2) "Bearer" channels at 64kbit (aggregate 128kb) and one (1) D channel for signaling info.

Remote Access

Any access to STC's multi-campus network through a non-STC controlled network, device, or medium.

Split-tunneling

Simultaneous direct access to a non-STC network (such as the Internet, or a home network) from a remote device (PC, PDA, WAP phone, etc.) while connected into STC's multi-campus network via a VPN tunnel. VPN Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a method for accessing a remote network via "tunneling" through the Internet

Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedure

POLICY:

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.

DEFINITIONS:

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

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

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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."

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

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

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

10. 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 Complaint

1. Any person may file a complaint with the Student Disciplinary Officer (the Vice President for Student Affairs on the Vidalia Campus or the Executive Director of Student Affairs on the Swainsboro Campus) or his/her 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.

2. Academic Misconduct will be handled using section IV. Academic Misconduct Procedure

3. Investigation and Decision

Disciplinary Sanctions

After a determination that a student has violated the Student Code of conduct, the Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee may impose one (1) or more of the following sanctions. Notification will be sent to the student and the person(s) who initially filed the complaint.
1. 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.
2. Reprimand – A written reprimand may be given 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Failing or lowered grade – In cases of academic misconduct, the Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee will make a recommendation to the Vice President of Academic Affairs or his/her designee who may authorize the instructor to award a failing or lowered grade in the course, a loss of credit on the assignment or examination.

2. After a determination that a student has violated the Student Code of conduct, the Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee may recommend the imposition of one (1) of the following sanctions if appropriate. The Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Hearing Body, which may impose one (1) or more of the following sanctions, as well as those described in the section above, following a hearing. A copy of the written recommendation shall be provided to the student and the person filing the complaint.

a. 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.
b. 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 the Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee. Students who have been dismissed from the Technical College for any reason may apply in writing for reinstatement twelve (12) months following the expulsion. If approval for reinstatement is granted, students 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 Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee.

System-Wide Expulsion – Where a student has been expelled or suspended three (3) times from the same or different colleges in the Technical College System of Georgia in the past seven (7) years, the student will not be permitted to register at any college in the Technical College System of Georgia for a period of 10 years after the most recent expulsion/suspension.

Violation of Federal, State, or Local Law
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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
1. 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 Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee.
2. 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 Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee. A suspended or expelled student must contact the Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee for permission to enter the Technical College premises for a limited, specified purpose.
3. If the student seeks to submit a signed Disciplinary Sanction Appeal Form, the Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her 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.
4. A scheduled appeal hearing before the Judicial Body shall be understood as expressed permission from the Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her designee for a student to enter the Technical College premises for the duration of that hearing.

Mediation

At the discretion of the President the 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

Document Retention

The Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her 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 Student Disciplinary Officer or his/her 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 Student Judicial Committee. A record of the final decision must also be retained, in the event that the decision is appealed to the President. All records specified in this section shall be retained for a period of five (5) years.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is any act that does or could improperly distort student's grades or other student academic records. A student enrolls at Southeastern Tech to gain technical skills to lead to greater employability. Academic misconduct is not only "cheating" the student of learning the needed skills, it is an offense to the academic integrity of the learning environment. All forms of academic dishonesty will call for discipline.

Procedure for Academic Misconduct

The procedure for dealing with academic misconduct and dishonesty is as follows:

First Offense—

Student will be assigned a grade of "0" for the test or assignment. Instructor keeps a record in course/program files and notes as first offense. The instructor will notify the student's program advisor, academic dean, and the Registrar at the student's home campus. The Registrar will input the incident into Banner for tracking purposes.

Second Offense—

Student is given a grade of "WF" for the course in which offense occurs. The instructor will notify the student's program advisor, academic dean, and the Registrar at the student's home campus indicating a "WF" has been issued as a result of second offense. The Registrar will input the incident into Banner for tracking purposes.

Third Offense—

Student is given a grade of "WF" for the course in which the offense occurs. The instructor will notify the student's program advisor, academic dean, and the Registrar at the student's home campus indicating a "WF" has been issued as a result of third offense. The Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee, will notify the student of suspension from college for a specified period of time. The Registrar will input the incident into Banner for tracking purposes.

Southeastern Technical College Attendance

Rationale

It is essential that educational programs meet requirements and standards necessary for successful employment in business and industry. In view of the intensive nature of educational programs, it is necessary for every student to be present and on time every day for all classes as is required in the work environment.

Procedure

Class attendance is a very important aspect of a student's success. Being absent from class prevents students from receiving the full benefit of a course and also interrupts the learning process. Southeastern Technical College considers both tardiness and leaving early as types of absenteeism. Responsibility for class attendance rests with the student. Regular and punctual attendance at all scheduled classes is required for student success. Students will be expected to complete all work required by the instructor as described in the individual course syllabus.

Instructors have the right to give unannounced quizzes/assignments. Students that miss an unannounced quiz or assignment will receive a grade of 0. Students who stop attending class, but do not formally withdraw, may receive a grade of F and face financial aid repercussions in upcoming semesters.

Instructors are responsible for determining whether missed work may be made up and the content and dates for makeup work is at the discretion of the instructor.

Students will not be withdrawn by an instructor for attendance; however, all instructors will keep records of graded assignments and student participation in course activities. The completion dates of these activities will be used to determine a student's last date of attendance in the event a student withdraws, stops attending, or receives an F in a course.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Health Science, Commercial Truck Driving, and Cosmetology Programs

Requirements for instructional hours within Health Science, Commercial Truck Driving, and Cosmetology programs reflect the rules of respective licensure boards, state requirements, and/or accrediting agencies. Therefore, these programs have stringent attendance policies. Each program's attendance policy is published in the program's handbook and/or syllabus which specify the number of allowable absences. All provisions for required make-up work in the classroom or clinical experiences are at the discretion of the instructor.

Learning Support

Students enrolled in learning support classes will be required to attend a minimum of 90% of the scheduled classes. Success in these courses depends mostly on student persistence. Students are more likely to progress out of learning support if they attend these classes on a regular schedule.

Online Attendance

It is the student’s responsibility to be academically engaged in each class by completing course related activities. The completion dates of these activities will be used to determine a student's last date of attendance in the event a student withdraws, stops attending, or receives an F in a course. Students will not be withdrawn by an instructor for attendance; however, all instructors will keep records of graded assignments and student participation in course activities. Students will be expected to complete all work required by the instructor as described in the individual course syllabus.

Special Needs

Students with documented special needs may be provided with an individualized Instructional Plan with specifications for scheduled instructional time. It is the student's responsibility to inform the Special Needs Specialist as students and instructors are required to have documented evidence prior to receiving or allowing special accommodations. See the STC Catalog and Student Handbook, Student Affairs section for further information regarding special needs.

Specific Absences

Provisions for Instructional Time missed because of documented absences due to jury duty, military duty, court duty, or required job training will be made at the discretion of the instructor.