• Policies
• Academic
• Information Technology
• Sexual Assault
• Student Rights and Responsibilites
• Substance Abuse

Policies: Student Rights and Responsibilities

Gloucester County College students are both citizens of the community at large and members of an academic community with the same rights and obligations of freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and right of petition. As members of the academic community, students are encouraged to develop high ethical and moral standards; to develop the capacity for critical judgment; and to engage in sustained and independent search for truth. Free inquiry and expression are indispensable to an academic institution and include the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of the individual student, and improvement of society.

Freedom to teach and learn, to inquire and dissent, to speak freely and be heard, and to assemble and protest peaceably are essential to academic freedom and to the continued functioning of the College as an educational institution. Concurrent with these freedoms is responsibility. The enjoyment and exercise of these freedoms means respect for the rights of all students and staff at the College. Infringement of the rights of others or interference with peaceful and lawful use and enjoyment of College premises, facilities, and programs cannot be permitted. The responsibility for management and control of Gloucester County College rests solely with the Board of Trustees. The purpose of this statement is to enumerate the essential provisions necessary to secure and to respect those conditions conducive to the freedom to teach and to learn. (Policy 8100)

General Provisions Pertaining to Students

• Definition of Student: For the purpose of these policies and campus regulations, a student is one who is currently registered in either credit or non-credit programs/courses at Gloucester County College.
• Policies and Campus Regulations: These policies and regulations apply to all campuses/locations or official college functions of Gloucester County College.
• Faculty, staff, and students shall periodically review campus policies and regulations and their administration and may take recommendations regarding them to the President.
• Any individual student or student organization may petition through the Vice President of Student Services and through the President to the Board of Trustees on any matter relating to these policies.
• Administrators in Student Services shall take necessary action to encourage and maintain adequate means of communication among and between students, faculty, and administrative personnel.
• Students who feel in need of legal, psychiatric, family counseling, or similar aid are encouraged to consult with the counselors who will make referrals to appropriate agencies when deemed advisable.

Change of Address

Students must immediately notify Enrollment Services of any change in legal address. The college must maintain up-todate records to ensure that students receive vital information.

In the Classroom

Gloucester County College instructors in the classroom and in conference encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Student performance is evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.

Freedom of Expression

Students are free to take reasoned exceptions to the data or views offered in any course of study for which they are enrolled.

Students who believe they have been graded other than solely on an academic basis may petition through the Dean of Students who will consider the matter in conjunction with the Academic Deans. An evaluation of the petition will be made and appropriate investigation into the matter will be undertaken. The student will be notified of the recommendation and/or action taken as appropriate, and will be informed as to the College’s official appeal policy.

Freedom of Inquiry and Expression: General Principles

1. Students and student organizations are free to examine and to discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions both publicly and privately.
2. Students are always free to support causes by orderly means, which do not disrupt the regular and essential operation of the College. At the same time, it should be made clear to the academic and the larger community that in their public expressions or demonstrations, students or student organizations speak only for themselves.
3. The time, place, and manner of exercising speech and advocacy on campuses/locations shall be subject to College regulations. Such regulations will require orderly conduct, noninterference with College functions or activities, and identification of sponsoring group(s) or individual(s).
4. Student-operated radio programs and other communication media will function upon the basis of rights, responsibilities, and regulations outlined for student publications and federal copyright laws.

Protection Against Improper Disclosure

Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations, which professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisers, and counselors, is considered confidential. Protection against improper disclosure is a serious professional obligation. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances, normally with the knowledge or consent of the student.

College Activities: Student Organizations

1. An organization in which active membership is limited to students, faculty, or administrative staff of the College may be registered for recognition by filing the appropriate compliance forms, which shall include:
   1. the name of the organization
   2. its constitution(s) and/or its purpose
   3. its officer(s) and advisor.
2. The Director of Student Activities shall provide sponsorship for student organizations in the unusual event that an organization is unable to obtain a faculty sponsor.
3. Recognized organizations may apply for funds by filing the appropriate forms with the Student Government Association. Student organizations are required to comply with College policies and regulations and are subject to revocation for violation of such policies or regulations.
4. The policies developed by individual student organizations shall be consistent with College policy, rules and regulations including but not limited to those addressing the use of College facilities and the use of alcoholic beverages. The initiation of contracts between individual student organizations is governed by state statute and Board policy. Faculty advisors are to be present at all Collegesponsored student activities and should provide supervision on club/organization sponsored travel and trips.
5. All groups operating within the College, including academic and non-academic employees, Student Government Association, and student organizations and programs sponsored by the college are governed by a policy of non-discrimination. Any student organization recognized by the College shall have a membership policy that requires it to accept members without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or handicap or any other status described by law. Organizations using College facilities for meetings or events shall allow participation on a non-discriminatory basis.
6. Officers of recognized student organizations and the Student Government Association must have a 2.00 or higher grade point average and be currently enrolled students with no probation or academic leave status.
7. An organization shall not use the College name, or abbreviation thereof, as a part of its own name, except in accordance with College regulations and official recognition. A student organization shall not imply or indicate that it is acting on behalf of the College or with its approval or sponsorship unless specifically authorized to do so by the Vice President of Student Services. (Policy 8104)

Student Appeals

Students may appeal the results of both academic or disciplinary issues, proceedings, and findings.

Academic appeals shall focus on the final grade received in a course. Disciplinary appeals shall deal with student misconduct. A more comprehensive definition of student conduct expectations is contained in the board policy, Student Standards of Conduct.

Students should contact the Office of Student Development to initiate appeals of either academic or disciplinary issues. A counselor or counselor/advisor from that office will provide assistance in the process associated with resolution of concerns.

In both academic and disciplinary appeal cases, appeal to the level of the Board of Trustees may occur once all other steps outlined in college rules and regulations have been completed. Administrative rules and regulations shall be developed to define the processes associated with this policy. (Policy 8105)

Student Conduct: Standard of Conduct

A student enrolling at Gloucester County College assumes an obligation to conduct compatible with the College’s function as an educational institution. Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline falls into the following categories:

1. Dishonesty, such as cheating or furnishing false information to the College, or plagiarism;
2. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of College documents, records or identification;
3. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, administration, disciplinary procedures, or College activities;
4. Physical abuse of any person on College-owned or -controlled property or at College-sponsored or supervised functions, or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any such person;
5. Student versus student aggression, verbal threats, or any activity where a student feels threatened;
6. Theft or damage to property of the College or of a member of the College community;
7. Unauthorized entry to or use of GCC facilities;
8. Use, possession, or distribution of narcotic or dangerous drugs and chemicals as defined in federal, state, and local statutes except as expressly permitted by law;
9. Possession, use, or distribution of alcoholic and intoxicating beverages on the College campus or at College functions except as provided for by College policy;
10. Lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct in violation of federal, state, or local statutes on College-owned or -controlled property or at College-sponsored or supervised functions;
11. Violation of College policies or regulations published in advance through such means as a student handbook or a generally available body of institutional regulations, including violations of the Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy;
12. Failure to comply with direction of College officials when those officials are acting in performance of their duties and are requesting that the student behave in accordance with College policies or regulations.
13. The possession of firearms or other weapons on College property or at any College activity, excluding law enforcement personnel and bank couriers on official business with the College and students who are active duty law enforcement personnel.

Students who violate the law may incur penalties prescribed by civil authorities, but College authority is never used merely to duplicate the function of general laws. Only where the interest of the College as an academic community is distinctly and clearly involved will the special authority of the College be asserted. Institutional action should be independent of community pressure.

Discipline for violation of GCC regulations on campuses/ locations or at functions may be imposed whether or not such violations are violations of civil or criminal law. (Policy 8106)

Student Discipline and Procedural Standards in Disciplinary Proceedings

In developing responsible student conduct, disciplinary proceedings play a role substantially secondary to example, counseling, guidance, and admonition. At the same time, the College has a duty and the corollary disciplinary powers to protect its educational purpose by setting standards of scholarship and conduct for its students and through the regulation of the use of College facilities. In the exceptional circumstances when the preferred means fail to resolve problems of student conduct, procedural safeguards are provided to protect the student from the unfair imposition of serious penalties. In all situations, procedural fair play requires that the student be informed of the nature of the charges against him/her and that he/she be given a fair opportunity to refute them.

Student Discipline Guidelines

1. In all cases, any disciplinary action should be appropriate to the nature and severity of the violation.
2. Types of disciplinary action:
   1. Expulsion: Permanent dismissal from the institution.
   2. Suspension: Dismissal from the institution for a specified period of time.
      1. Indefinite Suspension: Dismissal from the institution where the student can reapply after an indefinite period of time.
      2. Suspension: Dismissal from the institution for a specified period of time.
      3. Interim Suspension: Temporary suspension with a hearing to follow.
      4. Suspension/Suspension Revoked: A suspension which is revoked if the student agrees to remain in school under certain conditions or as long as he/she does not violate certain specified conditions.
   3. Withdrawal: The opportunity for the student to withdraw from the institution with no entry made on his/her official records other than “withdrawal” and where he/she may return to school at the end of a specified time as stated in writing.
   4. Probation: The imposition of a time period of restrictions for a student, after which institutional authorities will determine if his/her behavior has improved.
   5. Restitution: The requirement that a student be held accountable for public or private property that he/she damaged or destroyed.
   6. Admonishment: A form of behavioral counseling for a student, either on a regular basis or by appointment.
   7. Removal of Privileges: A limitation on the student’s right to participate in social or other activities, such as holding student government office.
   8. Hold on Transcript: Prohibition on the distribution of the student’s transcripts until all monies, fines, and such owed the institution have been paid.

The final responsibility for administration of student discipline rests with the President. The President may, through the appropriate vice president, immediately impose a warning or suspension upon a student when extreme circumstances appear to warrant such action. Pending action on the charges, the status of a student should not be altered nor should his/her right to be present on the campus and to attend classes be suspended except as specified above.

Process for Student Conduct Issues and Discipline

Step 1 — A student who has experienced, witnessed, or been accused of misconduct, as defined by the Student Standard of Conduct, and who wishes to pursue a resolution to the situation, completes an Incident Report form available in the Security Office and submits the incident report to the security office. A counselor may attempt to resolve the issue, but if attempts to resolve the situation are not successful, the student is referred to the appropriate Student Services administrator. College faculty and staff who have similar concerns about student conduct should complete an Incident Report and meet with the Dean of Students to review their concerns.

Step 2 — Dean of Students meets with involved student(s) to review the issue and makes a recommendation for disciplinary action. If a student wishes to appeal the Dean’s decision, they move to Step 3.

Step 3 — Student Review Board meets with all involved parties, reviews the facts of the situation, and makes a recommendation to the Vice President Student Services. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Student Review Board, move to Step 4.

Step 4 — Student meets with counselor or counselor advisor to begin appeal process. The issue is documented using the Student Conduct Appeals form and the counselor refers to the office of the Vice President Student Services.

Step 5 — The Vice President reviews the recommendation and informs the student(s) of any disciplinary action. If the decision of the Vice President is accepted, the situation has been resolved. If the student disagrees with the discipline, the student may appeal to the President of the College.

Step 6 — The President reviews the facts and the recommendation of the Vice President Student Services and either upholds or overturns the recommendation. If the student remains unsatisfied, he/she may appeal to the Board of Trustees.

Step 7 — The Board of Trustees will review the facts and will issue a final decision. The Trustees will not be bound by any rules of evidence. The student has the right to be represented by counsel of his/her own choosing and expense at Step 7 only. If a student elects to be so represented, he/she gives notice to the Board of Trustees of such election a minimum of 10 working days before the date set for hearing. If the student so elects, the Board of Trustees shall immediately inform the other parties involved in the appeal and submit to them a list of the names of three lawyers with principal offices in Gloucester County from which the faculty or staff member chooses one for retention if he/she so desires. The College pays the reasonable attorney's fees for representation in preparation for and attendance at the hearing under Step 7. All parties — the student(s) making the appeal, specific faculty or staff member involved, counsel, if present, and the members of the Board of Trustees and its solicitor — may examine those persons making statements at the hearing, but the questioning shall be limited in scope and duration at the discretion of the chairperson of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may choose to appoint a hearing committee of not more than three at Step 7 to conduct a hearing as described above; however, the hearing will be recorded and transcribed so that the hearing committee can present a written record of the hearing and its findings to the Board of Trustees.

The original Incident Report and the Appeals form is forwarded through each step of the appeal or until the problems have been resolved or the appeal process has been exhausted.

All levels, including Step 7, shall be informal in nature; and in all levels, particularly Step 7, the proceedings shall have a round-table atmosphere. (Policy 8107)

Student Government Association

The student body elects a Student Government Association to represent them and to act on matters of interest to the student body. The Student Government Association is directed by four student officers and several senators elected by the student body. The Student Government Association is responsible for encouraging and fostering student involvement in student government, participation in College activities, and informed, responsible citizenship in the College community. It serves as a forum on which the numerous and diverse needs of the student body may be expressed. The Student Government Association serves as a link between the student body and the administration. It is, with the Student Activity Board, responsible for scheduling social and cultural activities on the College activities calendar and for completing the arrangements as to time, place, and specific needs of the sponsoring organization or individual.

The Student Government Association is mainly supported by the student activity fees and, in conjunction with the student government advisor, manages the distribution of funds to various campus organizations. Organizations may petition funds by filing the appropriate forms, which may be obtained from the office of the Director of Student Activities. Standing organizations should submit a tentative budget request in the spring of the year for the following year. New organizations may file for funds when they are recognized. The final budget will be set up at the beginning of the fall term and will be subject to audits through the Director’s office to insure financial solvency and responsibility. (Policy 8101)

Student Publications and Participation in Communications Media

Student publications and the student press are a valuable aid in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and of intellectual exploration on the campus. They provide Gloucester County College with news and comments of interest to the student body. They are a means of bringing student concerns to the attention of the faculty and the institutional authorities and/or formulating student opinion on various issues on the campus and in the world at large.

The editors of student publications enjoy the traditional and inalienable democratic right of freedom of the press. They are independent of censorship and control by Gloucester County College, its faculty, or its administration. Copy will, however, be reviewed by the appropriate faculty advisor to avoid indecent language or illustrations, undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity, and the use of harassment and innuendo. Student publications must adhere to libel, postal, and other laws and regulations governing the American commercial press.

The privilege of freedom of the press is earned and preserved by responsible reporting and editing. The editors are guided by the canons of sincerity, truthfulness, accuracy, impartiality, fair play and decency. In addition, student publications’ staff members shall be guided by the Statement of Principles of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Code of Ethics of the National Press Photographers Association.

Editors and managers of student publications are protected from arbitrary suspension and removal because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Each publication shall develop a statement of proper causes for removal of editors and managers. The agency responsible for the appointment of editors and managers will be the agency responsible for their removal. The student removed has right of appeal.

All college published and financed student publications will explicitly state on the editorial page that the opinions therein expressed are not necessarily those of the faculty, administration, student body, or editorial board of the publication. (Policy 8102)

Student Records — The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (as amended)

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. It applies to all schools receiving funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA requires that the College provide enrolled students with information regarding their rights under this law. Compliance with the requirements of FERPA regarding access to and release of records is restricted to the professional staff members of the College who have legitimate need to know their contents. The Division of Student Services will establish procedures for both staff members and students to review records. The College and its staff will remain in full compliance with all FERPA regulations and amendments. (Policy 8103)

Confidentiality of Student Records

GCC intends to be in full compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, (as amended). This Act was designed to protect the privacy of student educational records, to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records, to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data, except grades, and to permit students to control disclosure of their educational records, with certain exceptions.

A copy of the GCC policy and a copy of the FERPA regulations are on file in the Office of Student Records and the College Library. Students have the right to file complaints with FERPA, Office of the Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202, regarding alleged violations of the Act.

Student Right-To-Know Act (1990)

As required by the federal Student Right To Know Act of 1990, the following information is provided on completion/graduation rates at Gloucester County College:

Of the 1,247 first-time, full-time certificate, or degree-seeking students entering Gloucester County College in the fall of 2003, 43.1% had graduated or transferred on to another higher education institution within three years for Associate degree-seeking students or graduated/transferred within 18 months for certificate-seeking students. This total percentage (43.1%) encompasses a graduation rate of 15.1% and a transfer-out rate of 28.1%.

Many factors should be taken into consideration when reviewing graduation or transfer rates at community colleges. Given that community colleges have at the core of their mission open access to higher education, a certain percentage of our students require remediation to strengthen basic skills, and this supplemental learning may delay graduation or transfer.

Information Available to Enrolled & Prospective Students:

1. Financial Assistance Information
(Contact: Financial Aid 856-415-2210)

• Description of available financial assistance programs
• Eligibility requirements
• Satisfactory progress standards
• Loan terms
• Financial assistance package
• Application forms and procedures

2. Institutional Information

3. Institutional Security Policies and Crime Statistics
In accordance with the Student Right-To-Know, Campus Security, and Campus Assault Victims Acts, the college makes available information on campus safety and security, including crime statistics. To receive a copy of this information, contact the Office of the Vice President of Finance and Administration at 856-415-2108.

4. Equity in Athletics
In accordance with the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information about athletic program participation rates and financial support is reported annually by Gloucester County College and is available through the following U.S. Department of Education Web site: http://ope.ed.gov/athletics/index.asp

College Student Review Board

The College Student Review Board, chaired by the Director of Student Activities, will conduct student review hearings and act in an advisory capacity with recommendations based on the policies and actions of other organizations of the College. Membership will include faculty, students and administrators.

The purpose of a student review hearing is to hear appeals in the Student Conduct appeals process and to make recommendations to institutional authorities.

Generally, a Gloucester County College student review hearing should include the procedures listed below:

1. The President in conjunction with the faculty should appoint the Student Review Board.
2. A student review hearing will be presided over by a chairperson.
3. The Student Review Board should be aware of a text on school law and publications such as “The School Law Newsletter” for students, faculty, and administrators in education.
4. A student review hearing should be closed to the public, as it is a private and confidential matter.
5. At a student review hearing, a student should be allowed to bring an advisor of his/her choice.
6. A Student Review Board chairperson should allow only pertinent information to be introduced at the hearing. (Policy 8108)