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Cleveland State Community College seeks to encourage and sustain an academic environment that respects individual freedoms and promotes the health, safety and welfare of its students, faculty and staff. In keeping with this objective, the college has established guidelines and policies governing the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on college property stating, “The use and/or possession of alcoholic beverages at Cleveland State Community College owned or controlled property is prohibited.” (CSCC Pol No. 3:10:00:00)
Pursuant to Tennessee legislation (HB 4088), parents of a student under 21 will be notified if the student “has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance that is in violation of any federal, state or local law, or of any rule or policy of the institution, except as prohibited by FERPA.” Notification will occur when 1) a plea of guilty to the applicable code of conduct violation; or 2) a final finding of guilt pursuant to disciplinary procedures, including completion of an appeal.
The purpose of the Animals on Campus policy is to establish requirements for accessibility, behavior and treatment of animals on campus. This policy applies to animals on Cleveland State Community College (CSCC) campuses including service animals on CSCC property. This policy does not apply to 1) animals used for college-related instructional and/or demonstrational purposes, 2) fish appropriately maintained in aquariums or 3) detection animals assisting authorities. The complete policy can be found here.
Each student at Cleveland State Community College is expected to assume a responsible attitude toward class attendance. Each student is expected to attend all class meetings unless an absence is caused by circumstances beyond the student’s control or is institutionally approved. Regardless of the reason for the absence, the student is responsible for material covered and/or assigned during the class meeting. At the beginning of each course, the faculty member shall provide each student, in writing, the policy for the treatment of absences in that course. Before any absence, the student should, if possible, inform the faculty member of the reason and arrange any makeup material and/or examination according to course policy. Attendance expectation begins with the first class meeting of the course. If unable to attend this class meeting, the student should contact the faculty member in advance.
The purpose of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is to maintain a safe educational and working environment for students and employees by monitoring, assessing, and intervening potentially disruptive student and employee behavior. BIT goals include helping provide an environment where students and employees are free to learn, work, and teach, uninhibited by threats of intimidation or harm and helping provide confidential, respectful, proactive support, and referrals to resources to individuals who are exhibiting concerning behaviors. The BIT is not a disciplinary board, but rather a point of contact for reporting individuals who are displaying concerning behavior. These guidelines are in place to comply with TBR and CSCC policies. .
TBR’s Behavioral Intervention Teams Policy can be found here.
CSCC’s Behavioral Intervention Team Policy can be found here
Complete information regarding CSCC’s Behavioral Intervention Team can be found here.
To report an incident to the Behavioral Intervention Team, click here.
A student who has a complaint or an issue with a faculty member should first address the issue orally with the faculty member. If there is not a timely and/or mutually agreeable resolution to the issue, the student should then state the complaint or problem in writing to the faculty member. The faculty member will respond to the student’s written complaint within five business days.
If the procedure above is followed, and the student continues to believe that the issue was not resolved appropriately or is not resolved in a timely manner, the student can then forward a copy of the written complaint, with a cover note, to the appropriate division dean. Although the college prefers that issues be first resolved between students and faculty, students may go directly to the dean with an issue or complaint if the student perceives the issue to be too sensitive or too personal to discuss with the faculty member. The dean will respond to the student within five business days. If the situation is not resolvable or not resolved in an appropriate manner and the above steps have been followed, the student may appeal, in writing, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, enclosing copies of previous complaints and responses. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will distribute a decision, in writing, to the student, the faculty member and dean within five business days of receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Vice President is final.
Student access to college information technology resources is provided for the purpose of supporting pursuits of legitimate educational objectives. Any other use is prohibited.
The college respects student rights to privacy and does not intercept student activity or review stored data without cause, as by court order or as part of internal investigations following legitimate complaints of misuse. However, students must be aware that the college may log student activity as part of normal operations and reserves the right to have the electronic capability to retrieve information from technology-related activity for a period of time. Students should monitor, print or disk-save their files and messages since the college must periodically and without notice delete old files in order to meet storage demands.
Additional rules governing student usage of computers are posted in college computer laboratories and in the library. Explicit are the requirements that students must respect the rights of other individuals and networks at all times and must not in any way attempt to access or modify any computer operating system files, compilers, assemblers, data sets, application programs or utility programs. Additionally, students are not permitted to use college information technology resources in the pursuit of commercial activities or for non-profit volume promotions such as brochures, announcements and bulletins.
Additional policies about acceptable use and information technology resources are available on the college’s website within the Web pages for the Office of Information Technology. Students who do not follow policies or posted rules may be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, exclusion from college information technology resources, loss of computer privileges, suspension from the college or external legal action. Students may appeal any internal discipline judgments through the Office of Vice President for Student Services.
Copyright infringement claims should be reported to the Office of Information Technology Director who serves as agent for the college. As described in the “Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998,” the agent will receive and process complaints from copyright holders. Upon notice of infringement of copyright, the agent will remove or block access to the infringing material described in the notice. The user will be notified of the action taken and may provide counter-notice of an error in the removal of the material. This counter-notice will be passed on to the original complaining party, and the material will have access restored within a reasonable time frame unless notice is received that a lawsuit has been filed over the material. Repeat offenders will have computer accounts terminated.
This notice is intended to comply with the Tennessee Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act.
The complete notice can be found here.
All emergency notifications such as an active shooter, armed threats, tornado, etc. will be disseminated via myCS Alerts. This will allow CSCC to reach students via text, voice callback, email, Facebook, and Twitter. Emergency notifications will also be broadcast on campus via building speakers and announcement screens.
Click here to Update Contact Information to stay connected with us.
In emergency medical situations, 911 should be contacted immediately. The Campus Police should then be contacted to coordinate and control the situation at (423) 618-1720. Cleveland State Community College campus is equipped with emergency code blue phones. The locations are as follows:
CSCC Code Blue Phones
Code Blue Phones are equipped with the following functions:
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Emergency 911 (for emergency only)
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Security (general security needs)
The Emergency Preparedness Plan outlines procedures to improve the protection of lives and property through the effective use of college resources. The plan’s purpose is to mitigate the potential effects of the various hazards that might impact CSCC, to prepare for the implementation of measures which will preserve life and minimize damage to respond effectively to the needs of the campus community during emergencies, and to provide a recovery system to return CSCC and its community to a normal status as soon as possible after such emergencies. The complete Plan can be found here.
The grade appeal process affords the student the opportunity to appeal a final course grade that the individual thinks has been unjustly assigned. Grades assigned by faculty members are final unless there is evidence that the grade was influenced by consideration of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, handicap or national origin, arbitrary or capricious action, or other reasons not related to the academic performance of the student. In all cases, the complaining student shall assume the burden of proof with regard to allegations. The student has the right to discontinue the appeal at any time during the appeal process.
The complete Guidance Letter, which includes appeal process steps, can be found here.
The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe educational and working environment for students and employees by establishing rules for possessing and carrying firearms and other weapons on Cleveland State Community College (CSCC) property.
The complete policy can be viewed here.
This policy reflects the commitment of Cleveland State to freedom of speech and expression for all students and all faculty. The complete policy can be found here.
Cleveland State Community College prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. College policy 1:13:00:00 details the college provisions under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989. As described in this policy, the college has a program, which addresses standards of conduct concerning drugs and alcohol, legal sanctions, health risks, available counseling and treatment programs and disciplinary sanctions that the institution will impose on students and employees. Students and employees are expected to be familiar with and comply with CSCC Policy 1:13:00:00.
Pursuant to Tennessee legislation (HB 4088), parents of a student under 21 will be notified if the student “has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance that is in violation of any federal, state or local law, or of any rule or policy of the institution, except as prohibited by (FERPA).” Notification will occur when 1) a plea of guilty to the applicable code of conduct violation or 2) a final finding of guilt pursuant to disciplinary procedures, including completion of an appeal.
Cleveland State Community College has an obligation for the safety of students, faculty, and staff during times of severe weather conditions. The decision to close the college will affect hundreds of people. It is imperative that the decision is made in a timely fashion to ensure the safety of students and employees. The procedures taken when inclement weather occurs can be found here.
Cleveland State Community College is an institution of higher education and as such must preserve conditions, which will permit a proper learning and work environment at all times. However, consideration for the learning environment of the students, the work routine of staff employees and the safety of the children requires that children may not accompany adults into classrooms, offices or other work spaces as a baby-sitting function nor be left unsupervised in the halls or grounds of the college.
Further information regarding minors on campus can be found in TBR Policy Programs for Minors on Campus Policy 7:04:00:00.
The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act and the Tennessee College and University Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2002 require that whenever a sex offender becomes enrolled as a student or volunteers at an institution of higher education in the state of Tennessee, he or she must complete or update the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) sexual offender registration/monitoring form with their local sex offender registry officer within 48 hours of registering for classes with the college. As defined in section 40- 39-102 of the Tennessee Code, a “sexual offender means a person who is, or has been, convicted in this state of committing a sexual offense or who is, or has been, convicted in another state or another country or who is or has been convicted in a federal or military court, of committing an act which would have constituted a sexual offense if it had been committed in this state. A “sexual offense” means the commission of acts including but not limited to aggravated and statutory rape, sexual battery, sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated prostitution and kidnapping.
Both acts designate certain information concerning a registered sexual offender as public information and therefore amend and supersede the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other federal and state laws that previously prohibited the disclosure of such personal information. Since the laws require the publication of information pertaining to sexual offenders enrolled or volunteering at an educational institution, said publication does not constitute grounds for a grievance or complaint under institutional or Tennessee Board of Regents policies or procedures.
In compliance with the federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act and the Tennessee College and University Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2002, members of the campus community may obtain the most recent information received from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) concerning sex offenders enrolled or volunteering at this institution at the Campus Police Department. Information is also available on the TBI’s website listing of sex offenders located on the internet at https://www.tn.gov/tbi/general-information/redirect-tennessee-sex-offender-registry-search/sex-offender-registry-search.html.
Introduction:
The following statement of student rights and responsibilities is intended to reflect the philosophical base upon which student behavior is defined and measured. This philosophy identifies the rights and responsibilities that each student bears when they enter the institution. These rights shall not be construed, interpreted, or applied in any manner that would be detrimental to the privileges, purposes, aims, and goals of Cleveland State Community College and the Tennessee Board of Regents.
Student Rights
Students are entitled to all rights granted by the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of Tennessee and to the full protection of the law. There shall be no institutional rule or administrative rule that in any way abridges the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition, and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution.
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Each student shall have the right to participate in all areas and activities of the institution, free from any form of discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
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Each student shall have the right to pursue his/her educational goals and to enjoy the opportunity to participate in the various educational and extracurricular activities present on campus.
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Each student shall have limited rights to personal privacy. This privacy includes the maintenance of confidential records except under compulsion by an institutional or civil court, the Tennessee Board of Regents, or as allowed by state and federal law.
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Each student shall have the right to procedural due process in institutional disciplinary proceedings as described in college policies.
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Each student shall have the right to be protected from prejudiced academic evaluation not related to a student’s academic performance.
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Each student shall have the right to examine, discuss, and express opinions publicly and privately.
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Each student shall have the right to participate in self-governance and to be represented in the Student Senate, student organizations, and on institutional committees whose charge is to review and/or formulate institutional policy regarding academic and student affairs.
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Each student shall have the right to join and/or participate in recognized student organizations.
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All students shall have the right to be secure from having their rights infringed upon by institutional administrators, faculty, support staff, or fellow students.
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Each student shall have the right to expect:
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A Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free campus
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A campus community that is conducive to learning both in and outside of the academic classroom
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A campus community that respects diversity of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, culture, and personal beliefs.
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A campus community that is built on honesty and integrity, both in academic and social pursuits.
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A campus community that embraces freedom of expression and exchange of ideas.
Student Responsibilities
Students voluntarily assume certain responsibilities that are necessary for promoting the welfare of the community. Although no definitive list of responsibilities can ever truly be developed, the following represent the main responsibilities students assume by becoming citizens of the institutional community.
Each student shall have the responsibility to pursue his/her academics honestly and to attend class regularly and in good faith. Students shall be honest in all interactions with other students, faculty, and staff.
Each student shall have the responsibility to respect the rights and property of others, including students, faculty, staff, and university guests and visitors.
Each student shall have the responsibility of upholding the community standards and expectations as set forth by the institution which include honesty, a respect for diversity, commitment to community, and freedom of expression. Cleveland State Policy 3:02:00:01 provides specific details on student conduct and related procedures.
Each student shall have the responsibility of being fully acquainted with and complying with all published college rules and regulation
Each student is expected to comply with directives of institutional officials who are acting in the performance of institution-related duties.
Each student shall be responsible for carrying identification with them at all times that clearly indicates he or she is a student of the institution.
Each student shall have the responsibility of recognizing that his or her behavior reflects not only on the individual but also on the entire institutional community.
Each student shall have the responsibility of recognizing the responsibility of the institution to insure an educational environment for all students.
Each student shall have the responsibility of being a responsible community member and encouraging behaviors in others that are in compliance with institutional rules and regulations.
Each student shall have the responsibility of being good stewards of the institution’s resources.
CSCC Policy 8:30:00:00 includes information regarding traffic and parking. Students are expected to be familiar with these regulations. Traffic citations may be appealed to the Student Senate. Appeal forms are available from the Student Senate Office in Room U108B of the Student Center and the Campus Police Department, located in the Basement of the Student Center.
The use of certain Cleveland State Community College facilities by non-affiliated entities/individuals is allowed as prescribed in this policy and in Tennessee Board of Regents Policy No. 1:03:02:50, TBR Policy No. 4:02:01:00 and TBR Guideline B-026. Cleveland State Community College policy 1:19:00:00 provides a uniform basis upon which the institution can regulate the use of campus property and facilities by institution or school-affiliated and non-affiliated groups and individuals. The policy is intended to provide a system of regulations calculated to promote the orderly conduct of activities on campus property and in campus facilities, to prevent interruption of or interference with normal mission, processes and functions of the institutions and schools and to prevent use of campus property and facilities which is contrary to federal, state or local law or regulation or policies or regulations of the Board of Regents or the college. This policy is on file and available for review in the Campus Event Department.
The student government activity fee is collected pursuant to Tennessee Board of Regents Guideline B-060: Fees, Charges, Refunds, and Fee Adjustments. A referendum question to change from two separate fees (A $6 per semester Student Activity Fee and a $6 per semester Student Government Fee) to a single $20 per semester Student Government Activity Fee was approved by student body vote and unanimously endorsed by the Student Senate in Fall Semester 2014, and approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents in March 2015.
Revenues collected through the Student Government Activity Fee are to be used for the following purposes:
- Support programs and services offered through the Student Activities Office
- Provide funding for college Commencement Ceremonies
- Provide funding for major college events for students (including but not limited to events such as Freshmen Connection, Octoberfest, and Student Awards Night)
- Support recognized student organizations by providing funding for their regular programming needs
- Provide funds for Student Senate (including scholarships for Senate President and Vice President) to enhance that organization’s ability to deliver services to students
- Provide funds for other campus offices and departments to use for co- and extra-curricular activities for students
- Provide additional scholarships to college students
A link to the complete Guidance Letter can be found here.
Smoking or the use of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, or any device that produces a vapor of any type is prohibited on any property owned by, or leased and operated on behalf of, Cleveland State Community College. All guests and visitors will be encouraged to refrain from using any tobacco products on campus including parking lots and sidewalks. Appropriate signage will be in place for explanation and clarification. The complete policy can be found here.
General Regulations on Student Conduct & Sanctions
The purpose of this policy is to provide conduct and administration of rules governing student disciplinary offenses, academic and classroom misconduct, student disciplinary sanctions, and student disciplinary procedures at Cleveland State Community College, (“the College” or CSCC”).
The complete policy can be found here.
General Prohibition against Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
It is the intent of Cleveland State Community College that no individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal or state civil rights law. In promulgating this policy statement it is the College’s intent to fully comply with Executive Order 11246, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, as amended; the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, §485(f) of the HEA, as amended by §304 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, the regulations implementing these Acts found at 34 CFR §668.41, §668.46, and Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 668; and Sections 799A and 845 of the Public Health Service Act and Regulations issued pursuant thereto found at 45 CFR Parts 83 and 86, as well as all applicable state statutes and all regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
The complete policy can be viewed here.
Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct
It is the intent of Cleveland State Community College that the institution shall fully comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, §485(f) of the HEA, as amended by §304 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, the regulations implementing these Acts found at 34 CFR §668.41, §668.46, and Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 668; and Sections 799A and 845 of the Public Health Service Act and Regulations issued pursuant thereto found at 45 CFR Parts 83 and 86. The policies in this area are adopted to address such compliance.
The complete policy can be viewed here.
Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
It is the intent of Cleveland State Community College that the institution shall fully comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 799A and 845 of the Public Health Service Act and Regulations issued pursuant thereto (45 C.F.R. Parts 83 and 86), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended. This policy and procedures are adopted by the College to facilitate such compliance.
The complete policy can be viewed here.
Discrimination and Harassment
The purpose of this policy is to supplement TBR Board Policies 2:02:10:01, 5:01:02:00, 7:01:00:00, 7:02:00:00, 7:03:00:00 and TBR Guideline P-080, and to implement Cleveland State Community College Policies 07:01:00:00 and 07:02:00:00, relative to the orderly resolution of allegations of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation/gender identity/expression, disability, age as applicable, status as a covered veteran, genetic information and any other category protected by federal or state civil law.
Fair and prompt consideration shall be given to all allegations in accordance with the procedures set forth below. These procedures may be utilized by any person on the Cleveland State campus including employees, applicants for employment, or students who believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination or harassment. Former employees or students may file allegations concerning conduct which took place during the time of employment or enrollment provided the allegation is timely filed pursuant to Section IV of this policy and the conduct has a reasonable connection to the institution.
The complete policy can be viewed here.
Sexual Misconduct
This policy is intended to provide a single, easily accessible and user-friendly document for students, employees, and others affected by sexual misconduct to find information regarding the rules and procedures of Cleveland State Community College related to the offenses defined herein.
Cleveland State will follow the guidance of TBR Policy 6.03.00 - Sexual Misconduct
As required by the referenced policy, Cleveland State Community College identifies the available reporting parties and resources:
Title IX Coordinator:
Kellie Frank
Executive Director for Organizational Culture and Employee Engagement
D. F. Adkisson Administration Building, Room 106
(423) 478-6205 phone
(423) 478-6257 fax
kfrank01@clevelandstatecc.edu
Deputy Title IX/EEO Coordinator:
Christy Dale
Director of HR Services
D. F. Adkisson Administration Building, Room 105
(423) 614-8758 phone
(423) 478-6257 fax
Deputy Title IX Coordinator:
Dr. Michael Stokes
Vice President for Student Services
George L. Mathis Student Center, Room U110A
(423) 478-6218 phone
(423) 478-6257 fax
The complete policy can be viewed here.
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