Student Code of Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible adults with dignity and to maintain high standards of responsible citizenship. Students, as all citizens, are subject to civil authority on campus as well as off campus.

James Sprunt Community College honors the right of academic freedom, freedom of expression, and participation in the institution’s decision-making process to the fullest extent possible. However, it is clear that, in a community of learning, willful disruption of the education process, destruction of property and interference with the rights of other members of the college cannot be tolerated. Accordingly, it shall be the policy of the college to deal with such disruption, destruction, or interference promptly and effectively, but also fairly and impartially without regard to race, religion, sex, political beliefs, national origin, or handicap. Infractions that violate the student code of conduct will be reported to the Vice President of Student Services for appropriate disciplinary actions.

Definition of Disruptive Conduct

Any student who, with the intent to obstruct or disrupt any normal operation or function of the college or any of its components, engages, or invites others to engage, in individual or collective conduct which destroys or significantly damages any college property, or which impairs or threatens impairment of the physical well-being of any member of the college community or which because of its violent, forceful, threatening or intimidating nature prevents any member of the college community from conducting his/her normal activities within the college, shall be subject to prompt and appropriate disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or dismissal from the college.

The following, while not intended to be exclusive, illustrates the offenses encompassed therein, when done for the purpose of obstructing or disrupting any normal operation or function of the college or any of its components:

1. Occupation of any campus building or part thereof with intent to deprive others of its normal use.
2. Blocking the entrance or exit of any campus building, corridor, or room therein with intent to deprive others of lawful access to or from, or use of, said building or corridor or room.
3. Setting fire to or by any other means of destroying, tampering, or substantially damaging any campus building or property, or the property of others on school premises.
4. Any possession or display or, or attempt or threat to use, for any unlawful purpose, any weapon, dangerous instrument, explosive or inflammable material in any campus building or on any campus grounds.
5. Prevention of, or attempt to prevent by physical act, the attending, convening, continuation, or orderly conduct of any class or activity or any lawful meeting or assembly in any building.
6. Blocking normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on or into the campus.
7. Disorderly, lewd, or indecent conduct, as well as, distributions of obscene written and electronic materials.
8. Smoking (and/or using other forms of tobacco products, including vaping)
9. Failure to comply with instructions of college officials acting in performance of their duties, including failure to provide student ID in a timely manner when requested.
10. Theft of, misuse of, or damage to college property, or theft of or damage to property of a member of the college community or at college functions.
11. Possession of or use of alcoholic beverages or being in a state of intoxication on the college campus or at a college sponsored or supervised function off-campus to include college vehicles.
12. Any act, comment or behavior which is of a sexually suggestive or harassing nature and which is sufficiently severe and pervasive from both a subjective perspective (i.e., the recipient’s view) and an objective perspective (i.e., a reasonable person’s view) that it unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work or academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
13. Mental or physical abuse of any person on college premises or at college-sponsored or college-supervised event, including verbal or physical actions which threaten or endanger the health or safety of any such persons by committing severe, pervasive acts from both a subjective (i.e., a recipient’s view) and an objective perspective (i.e., a reasonable person’s view) and thus affects a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from one of the college’s programs or activities is prohibited. NOTE: A student who poses a serious risk of imminent harm (i.e., threat of a violent act against students/or staff) will be expelled immediately. Personal combat will not be tolerated.
14. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of college documents, records, or instruments of identification with intent to deceive, making a knowingly false statement, either orally or in writing to college officials.
15. Operating a motor vehicle without proper license and registration.
16. Operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner.
17. Inappropriate dress that is not conducive to the educational environment of the institution.

Infractions that violate this policy will be reported to the Vice President of Student Services for appropriate disciplinary actions.

Drug And Alcohol Policy

Purpose

James Sprunt Community College is committed to the maintenance and protection of an environment in which students and faculty members “can responsibly pursue their goals through learning, teaching, research, and discussion, free from internal or external restraints that would unreasonably restrict their academic endeavors.” Additionally, it is the obligation of all members of the college community - students, faculty, administration, and other employees - to help maintain an atmosphere where academic freedom thrives and in which the rights of each person within the college community are
respected.

Unlawful Use

Illegal drug use poses a threat to higher education communities. Drugs endanger the health and safety of all persons within these communities and jeopardize the integrity of the pursuit of learning and teaching. Therefore, it is the policy of this college that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or alcohol, is prohibited while in the work place, on college premises or as part of any college-sponsored activities. Any employee or student violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution. The specifics of this policy are as follows:

1. James Sprunt Community College does not differentiate between drug users, drug pushers, or sellers. Any employee or student who unlawfully possesses, uses, sells, gives, or in any way transfers a controlled substance or alcohol to another person, or manufactures a controlled substance or alcohol while in the work place, on college premises, or as a part of any college-sponsored activity, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution.
2. The term “controlled substance” means any drug listed in 21 CFR Part 1308 and other federal regulations; as well as, those listed in Article V, Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Generally, these are drugs which have a high potential for abuse. Such drugs include, but are not limited to, Heroin, Marijuana, Cocaine, PCP, and “Crack.” They also include “legal drugs” which are not prescribed by a licensed physician. Alcoholic Beverages include beer, wine, whiskey, and other beverages listed in Chapter 18B of the General Statutes of North Carolina.
3. If any employee or student is convicted of violating any criminal drug or alcoholic beverage control statute while in the college workplace, on college premises, or as a part of any college-sponsored activity, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion. Specifically, any such person who is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor which results in an active prison sentence will, if a student, be expelled, or if an employee, be terminated from employment. Other misdemeanor convictions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the penalties to be imposed may range from written warnings or mandatory counseling or rehabilitation to expulsion from enrollment or discharge from employment. Any person charged with a violation of these “Unlawful Use” policies may be suspended from enrollment or employment before initiation or completion of disciplinary proceedings if the Chief of Staff determines that the continued presence of such person within the college community would constitute a clear and immediate danger to the health or welfare of other members of the community after an appropriate predetermination inquiry.
4. Each employee is required to inform HR, and students to inform Vice President of Student Services in writing, within five (5) days after he or she is convicted of violation of any federal, state, or local criminal drug or alcoholic beverage control statute where such violation occurred while in the college workplace, on college premises, or as a part of any college-sponsored activity. A conviction means a plea of or a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) and the imposition of a judgment by a judge sitting with or without a jury in any federal or state court.
5. The Chief of Staff or HR must notify the U. S. governmental agency from which a grant was made within (10) days after receiving notice from the grant employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of a drug conviction. Disciplinary action against the convicted employee must be undertaken by the college within 30 days. As a condition of employment on any federal government grant, the law requires all employees to abide by this policy.
6. A description of applicable state sanctions and the health risks associated with the use of both illicit drugs and alcohol is attached and included as a part of this policy

Additional Policy

No employee, student, or guest shall knowingly use or be under the influence of any non-prescribed narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant of any kind on the College campus; however, the legal use of alcoholic beverages may be allowed as appropriate at selected off-campus college-sponsored activities. Faculty and staff that violate this policy should be referred to their Supervisor and/or the Chief of Staff and/or Director of Human Resources. Students should be referred to the Vice President of Student Services, or designee, for disciplinary action.

Tobacco And Smoke Free Policy

James Sprunt Community College is committed to creating a clean, safe, and healthy learning and working environment; and recognizes its responsibility to promote the health, welfare and safety for students, staff and others on college property. James Sprunt Community College also recognizes that the use of tobacco in any form poses serious and long-term health risks to individuals, therefore adopts the following Tobacco Use Policy. By implementing the College Tobacco Use Policy, James Sprunt Community College is seeking to enhance the health of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors to our campus.

Policy Implementation and Enforcement

It is the hope of James Sprunt Community College that students, employees, and visitors will recognize the value of this policy and voluntarily comply. Implementation and enforcement of this policy are the shared responsibility of the entire college community to promote a clean, safe, healthy environment in which to work, study, and live. Enforcement will begin with Campus Security monitoring the campus for violators and notifying offenders of the tobacco policy. Any faculty member, staff member, or student may ask individuals to comply with this policy.

Violation of any campus policy may result in discipline. Faculty and staff should be referred to their Supervisor and/or Director of Human Resources. Students should be referred to the Vice President of Student Services, or designee, for disciplinary action.

Assistance

To assist those who wish to quit smoking, James Sprunt Community College offers the following support:

1. The James Sprunt Community College Human Resources Department will assist in referring those who wish to quit smoking to the appropriate professional resources.
2. Faculty and staff may avail themselves of EAP resources for referrals to community smoking cessation.

Policy Concerning Weapons On Campus Or Other Educational Property

It is against college policy for any person, while on college property, to possess, or carry, with a limited exception, any gun, rifle, pistol, or other firearm; dynamite cartridge, bomb, grenade, mine, powerful explosive as defined in NC G.S.14.284.1; BB gun, stun gun, air rifle, air pistol, bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slingshot, leaded cane, switchblade knife, blackjack, metallic knuckles, razors or razor blades (except solely for personal shaving), firework, or any sharp-pointed or edged instrument except instructional supplies, unaltered nail files and clips and tools used solely for preparation of food, instruction, maintenance, or for school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes; or any other weapon of any kind.

A firearm is permissible on campus only under the following limited circumstances:

1. The firearm is a handgun; AND
2. The individual has a valid concealed handgun permit or exempt from the law requiring a permit; AND
3. The handgun remains in either: a closed compartment or container within the individual with the permit’s locked vehicle; or a locked container securely affixed to the individual with the permit’s locked vehicle; AND
4. The vehicle is only unlocked when the individual with the permit is entering or exiting the vehicle; AND
5. The firearm remains in the closed compartment at all times.

College property refers to any college building or vehicle; campus grounds, recreation areas, athletic fields, or other property owned, used or operated by the College Board of Trustees. Any person violating this policy shall be guilty of a felony or misdemeanor depending on the weapon involved and the enrollment status of the individual. Infractions that violate this policy will be reported to Campus Security for appropriate disciplinary actions.

Dress Code

Students are expected to maintain good personal dress and hygiene that is consistent with college life and/or industry. Students are expected to conform to regulations concerning special dress, grooming, and safety devices as required by the college. A student’s dress should not be distracting to the educational environment as determined by college officials.