College Policies

Academic Policies

Shared Governance Policies (SGPs) may be accessed and reviewed in the myHACC-Organizations-Shared Governance tab. The statements of policy in this section are summaries, not the full policies, procedures, and guidelines that the College will follow.

Adding Classes

After initial registration and prior to the start date of the class, a student may add a class for which the prerequisites have been met providing that the class is not restricted and has seats remaining. Entrance to a class that has already begun or is full requires the approval of the instructor. Students seeking entrance to restricted classes such as Nursing, Allied Health, Graphic Design, etc., must obtain the appropriate approvals and signatures. Students wishing to add a class after the class has begun must obtain instructor approval.

Dropping a Class

Prior to the start of a term and through the full refund period, a student may drop a class with no withdrawal status and no course charges. From the end of the full refund period through the end of the partial refund period, a student may drop a class with no withdrawal status, but will be responsible for the published percentage of tuition and fees. Students who initiate a withdrawal after the refund period has ended and prior to the published last day to drop for the part of term will receive a withdrawal status of ‘W’ and will be responsible for tuition and fee charges. Incidents of Academic Dishonesty (SGP 506) may result in the student being withdrawn with a failing grade. Students who do not plan to continue in a class or classes must initiate a withdrawal. Failure to do so during the posted refund period may have academic and financial consequences. Students receiving financial aid, veterans’ benefits, other state or federal benefits should determine the impact of dropping classes on their benefits or coverage of policies. Once a student initiates a W, a hold of pending is listed for four days until confirmed a W. Within this time, a student can change their status and re-enroll in the class.

Class Attendance 

Students are expected to participate in all scheduled academic activities in the lecture, laboratory, or online course and are responsible for all class work and assignments. Instructors will present an outline of class work and an attendance policy on the first day of class. Students who miss the first day of class are responsible for requesting this information. Students who do not plan to continue in a class or classes must initiate a withdrawal. Failure to do so during the posted refund period may have academic and financial consequences.

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of student records. FERPA protects students and ensures their educational records are accurate and secure. FERPA applies to institutions that receive federal aid by the Secretary of Education.

What rights do I have?

FERPA maintains the privacy of student records. It gives students the right to:

1.  Inspect and review educational records
   To review records, please email The Registrar’s Office at record@hacc.edu or call 717-780-2373. Students will have the opportunity to review their records within 45 days of the College receiving the request.
   
   

2. Seek and amend educational records
   Students have the right to amend a record if it is inaccurate or misleading. To request a review of an educational record, please email The Registrar’s Office at record@hacc.edu.
   
   If HACC chooses not to amend the record, the student has the right to appeal via a hearing. If a student requests a hearing, the Registrar will appoint a committee. The committee includes one administrator, one faculty member and one student success and enrollment management staff member. The committee will hold a hearing with the student and discuss the requested amendment.

      The committee must:

• schedule the hearing within 45 days of the request

• record the minutes from the hearing

• follow the "due process" guideline

• give the student the opportunity to submit more information if they cannot form an agreement
  
  

3. Limit disclosure of information
   HACC may not release personal information unless the student provides written consent. If a student would like to release educational records to a person or organization, a Release of Information Form is required. Students should submit the aforementioned form to onestopwc@hacc.edu. Please open the Release of Information form in any browser except Microsoft Edge.

Are there exceptions to non-disclosure of information?
There are exceptions to non-disclosure. The College can release information without a student's written consent in the following situations:

Directory information
HACC does not promote the release of directory information. However, FERPA allows the release of directory information, without written consent, and
does not consider it to be harmful or invasive to privacy.

Designated directory information at HACC includes: 

• Student name, address and telephone listing 

• Email address 

• Date of birth 

• Major field of study at HACC 

• Participation in activities and sports 

• Dates of attendance at HACC 

• Degrees and awards 

•  Photograph 

•  Educational institution most recently attended 

• Enrollment status 

• Academic level

Non-directory information
HACC can provide non-directory information to school officials with a legitimate educational interest. A school official is: 

•  a person employed by HACC who serves in an administrative, supervisory, academic or support staff role. 

• a person or company serving as HACC's agent who provides a service such as attorneys, auditors or collection agents. 

• a person serving on the Board of Trustees

• a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing a task

HACC may release non-directory student information without consent in other situations:

• parents of dependent students, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code 

• accrediting organizations 

• federal, state and local authorities involving an audit or evaluation of compliance with educational programs

• organizations conducting studies for educational institutions 

• a subpoena or court order 

• in connection with financial aid 

• health or safety emergencies 

• an alleged victim of a crime of violence

How do I request a non-disclosure?
Students may refuse to permit the release of directory information by completing The Confidentiality Form and submitting it to record@hacc.edu.

However, please know requesting a non-disclosure may have negative consequences. For example, with a non-disclosure HACC cannot confirm the student’s degree to an employer and the student’s name will not be listed in the graduation program. A non-disclosure request will remain in effect unless the student revokes it via a written request to The Registrar’s Office.

How do I file a complaint?
Students have the right to file a complaint if HACC does not comply with FERPA. Please visit the U.S. Department of Education site to learn more and to file a complaint regarding a FERPA violation.

Whom can I contact at HACC for questions about FERPA?
Please direct your questions about FERPA and student records to The Registrar’s Office by emailing record@hacc.edu or by calling 717-780-2373.

Housing Policy

HACC is not a residential college and does not have dormitories. Any agreements concerning rent or conditions of occupancy are made between the student and/or parents and the landlord. The College does not participate in any housing arrangements or assume responsibility for any housing contracts.

We do know housing is of concern to students. Should you need support in identifying housing near to one of HACC’s campuses, the CARE Center is able to provide guidance and referrals to reputable housing options including referrals to shelters and housing assistance agencies in HACC’s service area. For more information, visit www.hacc.edu/carecenter. 

Technology Use, Security and Internet Access Policy

The purpose of this policy (SGP 901: Acceptable Use of Technology) is to accommodate reliable access to technology hardware, software, Internet, and network accounts in support of the educational mission, while remaining in accordance with state, federal, and industry compliance requirements. Refer to the Acceptable Use of Technology Resources Policy for full details.

Computer Security

Computer security is critically important to the College. Each person at HACC who gains access to the computer network, including students and student workers, should do so under that individual’s unique user ID and password. Use of another person’s user ID and password is prohibited by law and by College policy. User IDs and passwords should not be loaned to another person even on a temporary basis. Any compromise of security is a serious matter, and College employees and students are responsible for all actions performed under their user IDs and passwords.

The College may monitor access to and use of the equipment and networking structures and systems for the following purposes:

To ensure the security and operating performance of its systems and networks

To investigate possible violations of federal, state, or local laws as well as College policies.

System Maintenance

Authorized College staff may monitor equipment, systems, and network traffic at any time. The privacy of personal information stored on the College’s networked systems is not guaranteed. In addition, information stored on the College’s networked systems may be copied.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

Employees at HACC may have access to education records that contain personally identifiable information, the disclosure of which is prohibited by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Disclosure of this information to any unauthorized person (including a parent or a spouse) is contrary to College policy.

Software License and Copyrights

It is the policy of the College to honor the copyrights of all software packages used by or licensed to the College and to recognize the intellectual property rights of the owner. All software run on computers owned or controlled by the College must be purchased and used in accordance with College policies and procedures. Participating in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material using College resources, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject students to civil and criminal liabilities. HACC has implemented technology-based deterrents in accordance with the statutes in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008. HACC researches, documents, and responds to each DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) notice received. Legal alternatives for legally downloading copyrighted materials can be found at the following web address: www.educause.edu/legalcontent.

Business Records

Any and all records generated by the College, including but not limited to personnel records, payroll records, business and other related records are considered to be confidential. Willful or intentional unauthorized disclosure of such information violates College policy.

System Tampering

It is a violation of College policy to intentionally disrupt the performance of the College’s computer system or the College network; introduce computer viruses; read, execute, modify or delete any file belonging to someone else without permission; or damage or remove without permission from the Office of Information Technology & Learning Experience (OITLE) any hardware that supports the College’s computer system or College network.

Internet

User Online Behavior

Resources available on the Internet are used to support the College’s educational mission. While interacting online, a user’s behavior is subject to the College Policies 071, Statement of Individual Rights, and 074, Statement of Practices Constituting Unacceptable Conduct. Users may make incidental personal use of Internet resources, provided that such use does not interfere with the fulfillment of that user’s job responsibilities or disrupt the College’s network environment. Users who make incidental personal use of the college’s Internet resources do so at their own risk and the college cannot guarantee the security or continued operation of any Internet resource.

1.  Illegal Activity

a. Use of the Internet, including email, to create, display, or transmit language and/or materials that violate local, state, or federal laws or regulations is strictly prohibited. Such use includes, but is not limited to, the violation of applicable laws regarding copyright and trademark infringement, fraud, forgery, harassment, discrimination, obscenity, libel, identity theft, or slander.

b. Access to the Internet is a privilege and not a right, and is made available to the entire College community of users. The College reserves the right to terminate any network session at any time.

c. Unless use is for scholarly or medical purposes or pursuant to a formal College investigation, users may not utilize the college network resources to store, display, or disseminate pornographic or other sexually explicit content. Child pornography is illegal and, in the event, it is discovered on the college’s premises, it will be immediately reported to the local authorities.

2.  User Responsibility/College Liability

a. Users, NOT the College or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed. The College does not generally monitor Internet use and is not responsible for its content, and consequently has no control over the information accessed, either on workstations on campus or remotely. The College assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising from the use of information found on the Internet, and any communications sent through College Internet connections.

Email Privacy, Distribution, and Usage

Email Privacy

Users should have no expectation of privacy in anything they store, send or receive on the College’s email system. However, with the exception of automated scans which monitor email communications for sensitive content, the College does not monitor the content of electronic mail as a routine procedure. The College reserves the right to inspect, copy, store, or disclose the contents of electronic mail messages, but will do so only when it believes these actions are appropriate to:

• Prevent or correct improper use of the College email facilities;

• Ensure compliance with College policies, procedures, or regulations;

• Satisfy a legal obligation; or ensure the proper operations of College email facilities;

• Establish compliance with College policies, procedures, or regulations;

• Address a legal obligation; or ensure the proper operations of the College email facilities or data network. (See Administrative Procedure 651, “Disclosure of Information and Students.”)

Anti-Virus

All inbound email services must be directed through the College’s spam and antivirus scanners at the Internet gateway. Once email is scanned, the antivirus scanners will relay the email to the respective location for delivery.

Email Courtesy

When emailing, be respectful, professional, and courteous. Defamatory, abusive, discriminatory, harassing, intimidating, profane, and/or offensive language is prohibited and will be subject to disciplinary actions in association with personnel policies. Emails sent through the employee email distribution service shall not be shared with individuals other than employees unless there is prior written consent from the author of the email.

Disclaimer

The College makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, with respect to the College email services it provides. The College will not be responsible for damages resulting from the use of College email, including, but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, missed deliveries, service interruptions caused by the negligence of a College employee, or by User error or omission. The College specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through College email except material represented as an official document.

Wireless Access

The College grants wireless access to the Internet and network resources as a privilege and must manage them responsibly to maintain the integrity and availability of all wireless information assets. Only wireless access points installed and managed by the Office of Information Technology & Learning Experience (OITLE) will be allowed on the College’s wireless network.

Community Standards Policies 

Common community standards policies are highlighted below and the relevant Shared Governance Procedures (SGPs) and CP (Conduct Policies) are referenced, when applicable. The Community Standards & Student Engagement office believes in creating an educationally focused student conduct system. For more information visit www.hacc.edu.

Statement of Individual Rights of All Members of the College Community, Visitors, and Guests, CP 071 

These rights of all members of the College community, students, faculty, administration, authorized visitors and guests, shall remain inviolable:

• To learn, teach, study and search for truth without interference or harassment.

• To move about the campus and in campus buildings freely and without interference or harassment of any kind.

• To express opinions freely and without interference, individually or in groups, as long as such expression does not interfere with any other individual rights hereby guaranteed, other College policies/procedures, or result in damage to property.

• To be treated at all times with the courtesy and respect due to all human beings, regardless of ethnic origin, cultural background, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, or ideology, as long as one displays a decent regard for the rights of others as provided in this Statement of Individual Rights.

The right to express oneself is strongest in those campus places and activities that are organized for the purpose of speaking and listening. Examples include the classrooms and organized academic discussions. In such situations, it is expected that diverse views may be voiced, including those that may be distasteful. In other such places and situations where members of the College community do not gather primarily for the purpose of speaking and listening in an open forum, such as common dining areas, the right to express oneself is tempered by the right to be free of harassment. In situations involving External Entities, the rights articulated herein are subject to the College’s policy on Facilities and Grounds Use by External Entities (CP 372) and other policies of the Board pertaining to the same subject. Outside individuals and groups invited by recognized faculty, student, or staff organizations are not subject to CP 372, but may be subject to other policies of the Board.

Code of Student Accountability (Formally Statement of Practices Constituting Unacceptable Conduct, CP 074) 

HACC’s community standards, expectations and rules apply to all students. Student behavior that does not align with HACC’s community standards is seen as incongruent to the Colleges core values provided in this document. The College encourages community members to report all incidents that involve the following actions. Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the sanctions outlined in this section. Students are accountable to uphold the standards noted below.  

Integrity: Within the HACC community, we encourage students to uphold standards of integrity, honesty, and fairness. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:  

1. Falsification. Knowingly furnishing or possessing false, falsified or forged materials, documents, reports, accounts, records, identification, timesheets or financial instruments. 

a. Trademark. Unauthorized use (including misuse) of College or organizational names and images; 

2. Academic Dishonesty. Acts of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism and related misconduct. Violations related to academic dishonesty are managed through the academic policies as noted AP 594 

3. Unauthorized Access. Unauthorized access to any College building (i.e. keys, cards, by time of day, etc.) facilities or grounds, unauthorized possession, duplication or use of means of access to any College building, facilities, grounds, HACC affiliated sites or failing to timely report a lost College identification card or key. 

a. Unauthorized Entry. Misuse of access privileges to College premises or unauthorized entry to or use of buildings, facilities or grounds, including trespassing, propping open or unauthorized use of alarmed doors for entry into or exit from a College building; 

b. Hunting, fishing, or trapping animals or engaging in other conduct designed to harm or remove animals from the premises of the College unless authorized to do so by the Vice President, Finance and College Resources. 

4. Collusion. Action or inaction with another or others to violate the policies listed in HACC’s Code of Student Accountability.  

5. Taking of Property. Intentional and unauthorized taking of College property or the personal property of another, including goods, services, and other valuables.  

a. Stolen Property. Knowingly taking or maintaining possession of property of another. 

6. College Computing Systems and Facilities. Violating the College’s Technology – Responsible Use of College Computing Resources Policy, CP 371 

a. Willful misuse of College-owned or controlled technology infrastructure including, but not limited to software, computers, telephones, Internet access, classroom instructional technology, network systems, etc. 

Community: Students, as part of the College community, play a role in building and maintaining positive engagement to enhance the overall HACC community and encourage constructive interaction within this environment. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:  

7. Disruptive Behavior. Substantial disruption of College operations including obstruction of overall community environment, teaching, research, administration, other College activities, and/or other authorized non-College activities which occur on campus; includes but is not limited to overt disrespect for the ideas and opinions of others, disruptive talk during class, disruptive use of electronic devices. 

8. Peaceful Protesting. Causing or inciting others or participating with others in any disturbance that presents a clear and present danger to self or others, causes physical harm to others, or damage and/or destruction of property;  

9. Damage and Destruction. Intentional, reckless and/or unauthorized damage to or destruction of College property or the personal property of another;  

10. Weapons. Refer to College Policy 321.  

11. Smoking. Smoking and/or the use of tobacco products including lighted cigars, cigarettes, pipes or any other form of smoking objects or devices including vape devices or electronic cigarettes in all buildings and on all campuses of the College.  

12. Fire Safety. Violation of local, state, federal or campus fire policies including, but not limited to:  

a. Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire which damages College or personal property or which causes injury.  

b. Failure to evacuate a College-controlled building during a fire alarm;  

c. Improper use of College fire safety equipment; or  

d. Tampering with or improperly engaging a fire alarm or fire detection/control equipment while on College property. Such action may result in a local fine in addition to College sanctions;  

13. Animals. Animals, with the exception of animals that provide assistance (e.g. seeing-eye dogs) are not permitted on campus except as permitted by law. See SGP 113: Service Animals for information about the College’s policy about service animals. 

14. Wheeled Devices. Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, bicycles and similar wheeled devices are not permitted on College grounds. 

Social Justice: At HACC, we nurture awareness and cultural sensitivity to create a climate of trust. We are growth-minded, believing that each of us can learn, develop and grow to support our mission. We encourage our student body to uphold these core values and hold each other accountable to these standards. Conduct that violates this value includes, but is not limited to: 

For related policy information, see the College’s following policies: College Policy (CP) 39: Anti-Discrimination Policy, SGP 114: Sexual Misconduct and Grievance Policy. and SGP 825: Harassment. 

15. Discrimination. Unfavorable, unfair or inequitable treatment of a person or a “class” of people based on protected characteristic(s) such as gender/sex (including pregnancy), gender identity/expression, race, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability or handicap, age, genetics, marital status, veteran status or any other category protected by law. Examples of unlawful discrimination include denying an individual a job or a promotion, or denying a student the opportunity to participate in an educational activity because of his or her protected characteristic(s). (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a7-Fy1nhw0ncqJa7t6REcaSEnqpZhhMRibReu1tixnw/edit) 

16. Harassment:  Any behavior which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or learning environment, especially if the behavior is repeated and/or if it continues after the offending party is informed of the objectionable and/or inappropriate nature of the behavior. Harassment is behavior that is based on individual or group characteristics (including but not limited to) race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, political belief or affiliation, marital status, ancestry, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or membership in any other protected group under federal, state or local law.  

a. Verbal harassment such as jokes, epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, and unwelcome or patronizing remarks about protected characteristics as named above. 

b. Physical harassment such as physical interference with normal work, impeding or blocking movements, assault, unwelcome physical contact, staring at a person’s body, or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to a protected characteristic as named above.  

c. Visual harassment such as offensive photographs, calendars, posters, e-mails, cards, cartoons, drawings and gestures, display of lewd objects, unwelcome notes or letters, or any written, printed, electronic, or graphic material that denigrates and shows hostility or aversion based on protected characteristics as named above toward an individual and/or group. 

d. Electronic harassment includes but is not limited to any of the behavior named above that is conveyed via social media, email, computer systems, or electronic devices and creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or learning environment.  

e. Sexual harassment is specifically defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature or conduct directed toward another person because of his/her gender where:  

• Submission to such conduct is made—either implicitly or explicitly—a term or condition of a person’s academic or employment status. 

• Such behavior has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating hostile or offensive classroom or working or academic environment.   

• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for decisions affecting the individual. 

f. Domestic violence includes asserted violent misdemeanor and felony offenses committed by the victim’s current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, or person similarly situated under domestic or family violence law, or anyone else protected under domestic or family violence law.  

g. Dating violence means violence by a person who has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. Whether there was such a relationship will be gauged by its length, type and frequency of interaction.  

h. Stalking means a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for her, his or others’ safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress. 

i. Sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against the person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent due to the victim’s use of drugs or alcohol. An individual also may be unable to give consent due to an intellectual or other disability. A number of different acts fall under the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion. Use of the term “sexual harassment” or “harassment” throughout this document includes sexual violence unless otherwise noted.  

17.  Hostile Environment. Sanctions can and will be imposed for the creation of a hostile environment when unwelcomed harassment is severe, pervasive (or persistent) or objectively offensive that it interferes with, limits or denies the ability of any person to participate in or benefit from the College’s educational or employment program or activities.  

18. Retaliatory Discrimination or Harassment. Taking materially adverse actions against someone because the individual has engaged in legally protected activities to include lodging a complaint, testifying, assisting, or participating in any proceeding, investigation, or hearing regarding any allegation of discrimination is expressly prohibited. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to: harassing behavior, isolation, changing work assignments, making demands that appear work-related but have a retaliatory purpose, directing, prompting, or encouraging others to commit retaliatory acts. 

19. Bystanding. Complicity with or failure of any student or organized group to appropriately address known or obvious violations of the the Code or law;  

20. Abuse of Conduct Process. Abuse of, interference with, or failure to comply in, College processes including conduct and academic integrity hearings including, but not limited to:  

a. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information; 

b. Failure to provide, destroying or concealing information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation;  

c. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the campus conduct system;  

d. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a campus conduct body prior to, during, and/or following a campus conduct proceeding;

e. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by the college conduct system;  

f. Influencing, or attempting to influence, another person to commit an abuse of the campus conduct system.  

Respect: College students show positive regard for each other and for the community.  

Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:  

For related policy information, see the College’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

21. Harm to Persons. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm or endangering the health or safety of any person.  

Threatening Behaviors:  

a. Threat. Written or verbal conduct that causes a reasonable expectation of injury to the health or safety of any person or damage to any property.

b. Intimidation. Implied threats or acts that cause a reasonable fear of harm in another.  

22. Bullying and Cyberbullying.  An intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act, or series of acts directed at another member of the College community, which occurs in the College setting, is severe, persistent, or pervasive, and has the effect of doing any of the following: a student’s education, a College employee’s ability to accomplish their work, creates a threatening environment, and Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the College. Examples of bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following:  

a. Threatening language, looks, or gestures.

b. Physical intimidation. 

c. Physical assaults.  

d. Yelling or screaming at another. 

e. Use of profane language.  

 23. Hazing. Any action or situation, on-or off campus which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition or continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education. The term shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual, and safety of the individual, and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property. For purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be 'forced' activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding, as defined by Pennsylvania law 24 Pa.C.S. 5351.  

24. Intimate Partner/Relationship Violence. Violence or abuse by a person in an intimate relationship with another (also called domestic and/or dating violence); including any violation of a Protection from Abuse Order;  

25. Stalking.  A course of conduct directed at a specific person that is unwelcome and would cause a reasonable person to feel fear;  

26. Sexual Misconduct. Includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, non- consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and/or sexual exploitation  

27. Public Exposure. Includes deliberately and publicly exposing one’s intimate body parts, public urination, defecation, and public sex acts.  

Responsibility: College students are given and accept a high level of responsibility to self, to others and to the community. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:  

28. Alcohol. Use, possession, manufacture or distribution of alcoholic beverages or paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages by anyone younger than 21 years of age. It is unlawful to sell, purchase, deliver, or furnish alcoholic beverages to anyone younger than 21 years of age or an intoxicated person. It is unlawful to consume alcohol in a public place or to misrepresent one’s age to obtain alcoholic beverages. Further, it is unlawful for anyone 21 years of age or older to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21.  

29. Drugs. Use, possession, manufacture or distribution of illegal drugs and other controlled substances or drug paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law and the College’s Drug Policy.  

a. Standard of Conduct:  In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 and of 1996, and the Pennsylvania liquor laws, Title 47 and Title 18 section 6317, HACC AP 374, and the Code, specifically prohibit the direct or indirect possession, sale, distribution, production, promotion, advertising and/or use of illegal alcohol or drugs, including unauthorized or illegal possession of alcohol or drugs, on all campuses and sites or at College sponsored activities off campus.  

30. Prescription Medications. Abuse, misuse, sale, or distribution of prescription or over-the-counter medications;  

31. Failure to Comply. Failure to comply with the reasonable directives of College officials or law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself and show acceptable photo identification (such as student ID, valid driver’s license, valid state ID) to these persons when requested to do so;  

32. Financial Responsibilities. Failure to promptly meet financial responsibilities to the College, including, but not limited to; knowingly passing a worthless check or money order in payment to the institution or to an official of the College acting in an official capacity.  

33. Arrest. Failure of any student to accurately report an arrest by any law enforcement agency for any crime (including non-custodial or field arrests) to the Office of the Dean of Student Support and Success within seventy-two (72) hours of release.  

34. Other Policies. Violating other published College policies or rules, including but not limited to each school’s handbook 

35. Health and Safety. Creation of health and/or safety hazards (dangerous pranks, hanging out of or climbing from/on/in windows, roofs, etc.). Committing any act likely to create an imminent safety or health hazard.  Failure to comply with College, local, state or federal health and safety requirements and policies, even if temporary due to management of an emergency or ongoing crisis.  

36. Violations of Law. Evidence of violation of local, state or federal laws, on College premises or at College sponsored activities, when substantiated through the College’s conduct process.  

The regulations are located on the HACC website at www.hacc.edu.

Code of Student Accountability (Formerly Student Disciplinary Action, SGP 505)

HACC student violations (both on-campus and off-campus) should be reported in the College’s Behavior Intervention Team Reporting Procedure (BIT Form) Each incident will follow the process outlined in this document. Students are encouraged to report possible violations of College policies and local, state, and federal laws. This can be done by speaking with Campus Public Safety and Security staff or the Director of Community Standards (DCS) or designee. 

Student: The term “student” for the sake of Code of Student Accountability(Formerly SGP 505) includes any individual taking courses at the College (in either full-time or part-time status), as well as those participating in non-credit courses and off-campus programs. The term “student” also includes individuals who withdraw during the student conduct process, individuals who have been notified of their acceptance for admission, and individuals who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but have a continuing relationship with the College. The College may sanction students for violations of the College policies that occur either at physical College locations or virtually, or engaging in a college-sponsored activity.

Continuing Relationship: Any individual who was enrolled during the previous academic term or who has the intention to register for the current or next academic term.

Policy:

The College will respond to and resolve instances of alleged student violations of approved College rules and procedures within the context of the “Statement of Individual Rights” (CP 71) and the “Statement of Practices Constituting Unacceptable Conduct” (CP 74). Provisions of this procedure apply to student behavior while on College property, or at College-sponsored and College-approved activities. The College reserves the right to discipline students for off-campus conduct unrelated to the College. Off-campus conduct will be considered only in cases where there is an articulable and specific threat to a member or members of the College community. Further, students must understand that HACC offers some programs in which students cannot participate if they have been convicted of certain crimes.

To fully understand incident response, the investigation process, the hearing process, the appeals process, and due process rights, please see Code of Accountability (Formerly SGP 505).

Sanctions: When sufficient evidence exists to support the allegations contained in an allegation or complaint against a student or student organization or group, one or more of the following sanctions will be imposed. The sanction should be consistent with the gravity and nature of the offense. Prior student conduct records will be considered when sanctions are decided. For those sanctions that suspend privileges, a specific time period shall be set indicating when and how the privileges may be regained, if at all. Sanctions may be appealed through the appeal procedures set forth in the Code. Moreover, when a student receives a sanction that has not been completed after attempting to contact them two times, a “hold,” which prevents that student from preregistering and registering, is placed on that student’s record. This hold is removed only when the student demonstrates that they fulfilled whatever obligation identified by the Office of Community Standards. Student organizations may also be held accountable for policy violations of their governing body in addition to the sanctions outlined below. All violations and/or sanctions listed below are noted in the records of the Office of Community Standards. In addition, the university reserves the right to impose additional sanctions related to specific incidents involving students on or off campus.   

1. No Further Action: This sanction is interpreted to mean that although a violation has been established, discussion with the investigator and/or community standards administrator or appearance before the board has been sufficient in and of itself and further action is not deemed necessary. However, the violation is still noted in the records of the Office of Community Standards.   

2. Written Official Warning: In instances of minor violations, students may be warned in writing of the possible consequences of continuing such behavior and written conditions regarding future behavior may be attached when appropriate.   

3. Limitation of Access to Campus Facilities by Time and Location: This sanction can limit student access to all five campuses or specific campus facilities by time and location.    

4. Campus Services Hours: This sanction requires students to perform a specified number of service hours/tasks that benefit the individual, campus, or community. The specific assignment is determined by the Director of Community Standards & Student Engagement or their designee. Failure to work the service hours within the time specified may result in additional sanctions as determined by the Director of Community Standards & Student Engagement.   

5. Disciplinary Probation: This sanction implies a middle status between good standing at the college and suspension or dismissal. Students are permitted to remain enrolled under certain stated conditions, depending upon the nature of the violation and the potential educational value that may be derived from such conditions. Probation usually extends over a stated period, during which it is clearly understood that further disciplinary measures (up to and including expulsion) will follow if the terms of probation are violated. Probation is a final warning to students to conduct themselves as responsible members of the college community.   

6. Removal from Student Organization Office or Athletic Team: This sanction is levied when it is thought that a student should not serve as a public representative as a student leader or student athlete of the college. Removal can be either temporary or permanent.    

7. Interim Sanctions: While firmly committed to the concept of the community standards procedure, the college recognizes that students may be charged with violations that may present a clear danger of serious harm to the alleged violator, to other members of the college community, or to the surrounding community. When college officials judge a student to pose a threat to themselves, or the community, or where the student has been charged with a crime of a serious nature, the Office of Community Standards & Student Engagement may impose temporary sanctions pending a hearing. Interim sanctions may include: 

a. Suspension from the college. 

b. Limitation of access to designated campus facilities by time and location.  

c. Restriction of communication with named individuals or groups within the college community. 

d. The requirement to secure advance authorization to engage in a specified activity. 

8. Imposition of Sanctions: The college takes violations of its policies, rules, regulations, codes, and standards seriously and will apply appropriate sanctions against students found responsible for violations thereof. Students should be aware that, if they are responsible for an incident that involves multiple violations, or if they have committed previous violations, the overall and cumulative nature of the violations will be considered when sanctions are levied. In addition, depending upon the nature and severity of the offense(s) committed, sanctions as severe as suspension or expulsion from the college may be imposed even in the case of a first offense.   

9. Suspension: This sanction is involuntary separation from the college for a specific period of time after which a return may be possible. Suspension may extend to a semester or academic year or a designated date (e.g., when a stated condition has been met). The student may not be a registered student, be present on the campus, or attend any college-sponsored event for any reason whatsoever for a specified period of time.   

10. Dismissal: This sanction is permanent involuntary separation from the college. A student who has been dismissed may not be awarded a degree or attend commencement events, even if they have completed all requirements for a degree. The student may not ever again be a registered student, be present on campus, or attend any college-sponsored event.   

11. Constructive or Educational Task(s): The student is assigned a task that benefits the individual, campus, or community. This task is assigned as a condition of another sanction, such as disciplinary probation. Tasks must be reviewed by the Office of Community Standards & Student Engagement. Examples of tasks include educational papers, educational classes, attendance at educational programs or relevant community meetings, substance abuse education, alcohol education programs, or community service  

12.  Counseling Services Referral: Counseling sessions are occasionally necessary for students who violate college policy. The purpose of engaging in counseling is for the student to further assess their behavior and attitude in certain areas of their life.  

13. Restitution: Monetary assessment for property damage, theft or other costs caused by the student. 

14. No Contact Directive: Restriction from written, verbal, electronic or physical contact with identified victim(s) for an identified period of time. 

Student Grievances - SGP 504

Purpose:

To establish procedures related to the response to and resolution of student grievances.

Definitions:

Student Grievance Committee (SGC) – A committee, made up of representatives from multiple college constituency groups, responsible for adjudicating and resolving formal complaints from students.

Handbook Detail:

STUDENT GRIEVANCES (SGP 504)

1. In order to ensure speedy resolution of a grievance, the time limits prescribed herein shall be strictly adhered to unless a waiver is granted by the Chief Student Affairs Officer (CSAO) or designee. The College will maintain the confidentiality of grievances among those persons who have a need to know. The Student Grievance Committee (SGC) will also observe confidentiality throughout its processes.

2. Informal Phase

a. Within ten* (10) business days of the date the student knew of the occurrence of the circumstance(s) causing the grievance, the student shall, if possible, contact the source of the grievance first. If that is not possible, or if the grievance alleges intentional misconduct by the source of the grievance, the student may contact that person’s Administrative Level Supervisor (ALS) to attempt resolution of the problem. If neither of these two persons are available, a College Ombudsperson (Administrative Procedure 121, Ombudspersons) must be contacted in an effort to obtain an informal resolution to the problem. The ALS or College Ombudsperson may require the student to submit the concern in writing. The ALS or College Ombudsperson will maintain notes on any action taken on student complaints according to HACC documentation retention guidelines (SGP 504, Student Grievances).

3. Formal Phase

a. If a student is unsuccessful in resolving the grievance in the informal phase, or if a student chooses to grieve a decision or action by the College, the student must compose a grievance letter. This letter must be sent to the CSAO or designee within ten*(10) business days of the occurrence of the circumstance(s) causing the grievance or after exhausting attempts at resolving the matter during the informal phase. The letter shall state the circumstance(s) of the grievance and the remedy requested, and include any documents supporting the request.

b. The CSAO or designee shall schedule a meeting with the student and the SGC no later than ten*(10) business days after the receipt of the written grievance.

c. The CSAO or designee in consultation with the participants will determine the meeting site.

d. The CSAO or designee will forward any documents detailing previous action to date to the SGC members at least three (3) business days prior to the meeting date.

e. At least five (5) SGC members including at least one representative from each constituency group must be present for the meeting to proceed. These members can be any representative from the established constituency group pool.

f. Any party involved in the formal phase may bring witnesses and/or counsel to the meeting. If the SGC or any party intends to have another person in attendance at    the meeting, they must notify the CSAO or designee at least three (3) business days before the meeting and the CSAO or designee must notify all parties within two (2) business days before the meeting, if possible. The role of the student's legal counsel is limited to advising the student. Any person who becomes disruptive shall be removed from the meeting at the discretion of the CSAO or designee.

g. Recordings or verbatim records may be maintained only upon agreement of all parties concerned. The records are to be maintained per SGP 139.

h. After hearing all available evidence, the SGC shall render a decision within five (5) business days using the standard of preponderance of evidence (more likely than not).

i. The CSAO will notify all parties of the decision and include a written summary of the decision rendered. The notification of the student will be sent via certified letter (return receipt requested) or emailed with read receipt response.

j. The CSAO will retain a summary of notes of the meeting with other pertinent material of the grievance, for a minimum of five (5) years.

k. The decision of the SGC ends the formal grievance process.

4. Student Grievance Committee (SGC) Composition

a. SGC shall consist of the Chief Student Affairs Officer (CSAO) or designee, two (2) administrators appointed by the Administrative and Professional Organization (APO), two (2) full-time tenured faculty appointed by Faculty Organization, and two (2) students appointed by the SGAEC (Student Government Association Executive Council). Administrators and faculty members shall be appointed for three-year terms; students will be appointed for one-year terms. Pools of representatives from each constituency group will be recruited at least one time per year and must be trained. Anyone trained can be the representative for the constituency group during a hearing.

b. The Grievance Committee membership pool shall be appointed for three-year terms with staggered term dates. The pool will be designated effective July 1 of each year:

• Twelve (12) full-time faculty members from each academic department of the college including the library and counseling.

• Twelve (12) students designated by the president of SGAEC.

• Twelve (12) administrative/professional employees designated by APO.

c. The Grievance Committee will be comprised of six (6) members from the pool as defined above and   contingent on the constituency group’s membership of the parties involved in the grievance as follows:

• The committee for grievances involving parties from the same constituency group will be selected from that constituency group pool.

• The committee for grievances involving parties from different constituency groups will contain two members from the respective constituency groups, with a fifth member selected by mutual agreement of the respective constituency heads.

• Members of the grievance committee will be randomly selected from the committee pool to ensure members are not over utilized and/or continued objectivity of the grievance process.

d. The CSAO or designee will serve as the Ex-Officio Chair of the SGC and will be responsible for communicating the rules of order to all parties and documenting proceedings. The CSAO is a voting member of the committee.

e. Any member of this committee who has a potential conflict of interest shall be replaced only for the duration of the grievance. Any party involved in the grievance may request in writing that a member be removed and the CSAO or designee will make the determination if a conflict of interest does exist. The appropriate organizational body shall replace the member. In the event that there is a claim of a conflict of interest for the CSAO, the President of the College will make the determination. If a conflict of interest does exist, the President shall appoint a replacement to chair the committee.

*Time limits may be extended by the mutual consent of both parties at any step of the grievance. In cases where a grievance is filed after the time limit specified in this Administrative Procedure, the CSAO may authorize the grievance to continue under these procedures at his/her sole discretion.

Title IX

HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is committed to cultivating and maintaining a safe and nondiscriminatory educational and employment environment for all members of the College community.

HACC will be vigilant in providing a College environment that is free of any form of discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault and dating or domestic violence. This commitment, which includes prohibition of all forms of gender-based harassment (sexual and non-sexual), is implemented regardless of gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

Under the U.S. Department of Education, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces the federal civil rights law known as Title IX. Title IX, or the Education Amendment of 1972, requires that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” This policy extends to matters of admission, employment, athletics, and in access to, and participation in, its educational programs, services or activities. For more information visit the HACC Title IX webpage at www.hacc.edu.