Student Handbook

Student Rights & Responsibilities

OVERVIEW

York College of Pennsylvania is dedicated to serving the educational needs of students who have the ability and desire to learn. The freedom to learn is shared by all members of the academic community, and both students and faculty should exercise their freedom with responsibility. While York College has a duty to develop policies and procedures which provide and safeguard this freedom, the purpose of this document is to enumerate the essential provisions for students' freedom to learn.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY

All members of the College community have a right to free academic inquiry and expression. Neither acts of discrimination nor claims of alleged discrimination shall be used to abridge that right. All students are encouraged to participate in College academics without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap or social affiliation.

Students are free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for meeting the standards of any course of study in which they may be enrolled. Members of the faculty are solely responsible for establishing and maintaining the academic standards of the courses they teach. Students who strongly believe they have been evaluated unreasonably or with prejudice are free to bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate department chair, or if necessary, the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Behaviors or actions which disrupt the teaching and learning environment will not be tolerated. Any such behaviors will be addressed by the Academic Department and/or Academic Dean and may result in the temporary or permanent removal from the class/course.

FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND EXPRESSION

Students shall be free to express their interests and develop new interests as members of the academic community. They shall also be free to organize or join organizations that promote common interests and ideas provided that these interests and ideas do not interfere with normal College operations. Accordingly, all student organizations, including those affiliated with an external organization, shall be opened to all students without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap or social affiliations.

Students and student organizations shall be free to discuss all questions of interest to them publicly and privately. Students and student organizations shall also be allowed to invite and hear any guest speaker of their choice. The views of the organization and/or guests are not always the views of the administration, faculty, staff and the student association as a whole. Events sponsored by organizations must adhere to all College policies and not allow for activities that would discriminate or offend any person(s) according to social and ethical standards. Any behaviors or actions that would disrupt or interfere with any College-sponsored event will not be tolerated. Any such inappropriate behaviors will be confronted and addressed by campus security and will be referred, as appropriate to the College judicial system.

While student forums are a means to air and express student concerns to the faculty and administration, they are also a means to formulate student opinion on issues on the campus and in the world at large. These forums consist of, but are not limited to the College radio station, WVYC, and the Spartan newspaper.

As citizens, students have the same rights and freedoms as other citizens who are not related to the College whereas, faculty members and administration shall insure that institutional powers are not misused to deny or inhibit the rights of citizenship, whether on or off campus. Students who violate local, state or federal laws may incur penalties prescribed by civil authorities. Students should be aware that individual or organizational behavior reflects on the College's image.

STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE

As members of the academic community, students shall be free, individually and collectively, to express their beliefs on issues of institutional policy or matters of interest to the general student body and administration. The Student Senate shall be the representative body through which these expressions shall be made, as stated by The Constitution and By-Laws of the Student Senate.

COLLEGE STUDENT CONDUCT AND PROCEDURAL STANDARDS

JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The student at York College is a member of the academic community as well as the civil community of the College and the surrounding area. All students have the rights, duties and obligations associated with being a citizen in such communities. The College discipline process is designed as an educational one; to encourage and promote the process of self-discipline.

York College of Pennsylvania stands against violations of the law and is responsible to cooperate and communicate as appropriate with law enforcement agencies in their duties. Students are expected to be aware of and obey local, state, and federal laws, in addition to the College's Code of Conduct, and understand their responsibilities as members of this community.

Disciplinary action can be taken against students for misconduct/incidents while on or off campus. This includes student misconduct that is a violation of College standards, regulations, or the law and that is detrimental to the College's lawful mission and interests.

Student complainants/victims will be assisted through proper legal rights/options, counseling, and access/referral to existing victim support services. For assistance and consultation, students can contact the Department of Public Safety, Counseling Services, Residence Life, or Student Affairs.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
As members of the York College community, it is expected that students conduct themselves in ways that do not endanger the health and safety of themselves and all members of the campus community. The following code is set for all students and is consistent with the pursuit of educational objectives. Students who violate, or attempt to violate the code are subject to College disciplinary process.

  1. Students are required to carry their York College ID at all times.
    1. Students must furnish their student ID card to College representatives upon request.
    2. Students may not transfer or provide their ID card to other students for identification, building/facility/event admission, or any other purpose.
  2. Deception/Dishonesty when dealing with College officials or engaging in College business is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to the following behaviors:
    1. Lying to or misleading faculty members, staff members, or other College officials for any purpose.
    2. Forgery, alteration, transfer, misrepresentation, or any other unauthorized change, use, or revision of College records, transcripts, grade reports, documents, ID cards, parking passes, and/or any other document.
    3. The creation, possession, and/or use of any form of false identification.
    4. Academi dishonesty of any kind as defined by the Division of Academic Affairs. This includes but is not limited to any form of cheating or plagiarizing.
  3. Failure to comply with the official and proper order of a designated College official acting within the scope of his/her employment responsibilities (including, but not limited to an uncooperative response to College staff and all Public Safety officers) is prohibited.
  4. Physical assault and/or battery upon another person or threat thereof is prohibited.
  5. Sexual misconduct (e.g. rape, acquaintance/date rape, sexual assault, unwelcome sexual advances - both verbal and non-verbal - and any form of sexual exploitation) is prohibited.
  6. Harassment of another person and/or group by physical, verbal, written and/or electronic means is prohibited. Harassment can be defined as, but not limited to, repeated attacks or incidents of a racial, religious, ethnic, social, and/or sexual nature. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to, hazing, verbal abuse, threats, continued, ongoing harassment, and/or behaviors prohibited by the College's Anti-Discrimination/Ethnic Intimidation Policy.
  7. Disorderly or disruptive conduct is prohibited. This behavior includes but is not limited to verbal abuse, obscenities, annoyance, or alarm; engaging in fighting, threatening, or violent behavior; making unreasonable noise or creating a hazardous or offensive condition by any act, which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor. This conduct also includes behaviors prohibited by the College's Anti-Discrimination/Ethnic Intimidation Policy.
  8. Theft or attempted theft of property belonging to the College or any private individual is prohibited.
  9. The destruction of, damage to, malicious misuse of, and/or abuse of College property, and/or the property of other individuals is prohibited.
  10. Actions which may intentionally or recklessly endanger the safety of oneself or others are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, self-destructive behavior, as well as actions or behavior that is harmful or disruptive to others.
  11. Tampering with fire safety equipment is prohibited.
  12. Students are required to promptly follow all emergency procedures in the case of a campus alarm. This includes Residence Hall fire drills.
  13. Reporting of false emergencies (this includes, but is not limited to pulling false fire alarms, false bomb threats, etc.), in any building, structure, or facility is prohibited.
  14. Intentional use, possession or sale of firearms, explosives (including fireworks), ammunition, or other weapons is prohibited. The term "weapons" will include, but is not limited to, the items listed above and BB guns, pellet guns, "Air Soft" guns, paintball guns, knives, brass knuckles, and any other items classified as weapons by the Department of Public Safety.
  15. The illegal possession, use, and/or distribution of alcohol is prohibited on and off campus.
    1. Students are prohibited from the illegal use, possession and/or sale of alcohol as prohibited under the PA Law and/or the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act on and off campus.
    2. Students over the age of 21 are prohibited from the possession and/or use of alcohol on campus.
    3. Empty alcohol containers, shot glasses, beer bongs, and other alcohol-related paraphernalia are prohibited in campus housing.
    4. Students should not be found in the presence of others violating the alcohol policy since it is prohibited on campus regardless of age.
  16. The illegal possession, use, and/or distribution of drugs is prohibited on and off campus.
    1. Students are prohibited from the illegal use, possession, and/or sale of drugs prohibited under the PA Law, and/or the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act on and off campus. This includes the illegal use, possession, and/or distribution of prescription and over-the-counter medication.
    2. Devices commonly used for smoking marijuana and other drugs, or for masking the odor of marijuana and other drugs, items commonly employed in the use of drugs, and any other drug-related paraphernalia are prohibited.
    3. Students should not be found in the presence of others violating the drug policy since drugs and drug paraphernalia are prohibited on campus and by the Law.
  17. Unauthorized gambling, including bookmaking, lottery selling, or operating games of chance, is prohibited.
  18. Smoking in all College buildings or facilities is prohibited. Smoking is also prohibited within 25 feet of all College buildings.
  19. Forcible entry or unauthorized presence into College buildings or College related facilities is prohibited.
  20. Unauthorized possession or use of keys belonging to York College of Pennsylvania is prohibited. This includes the unauthorized use, lending, and duplication of College and Residence Hall keys.
  21. Students must adhere to the College Hazing policy.
  22. Students must adhere to the College Information Systems policies. Inappropriate or illegal use of campus computers or the campus network is prohibited.
  23. Students must adhere to all policies associated with the Housing Contract and Residence Halls.
  24. Students must adhere to all other applicable College policies and all local, state, federal and other laws. These include, but are not limited to College and municipal parking regulations, traffic regulations, and other policies related to campus facilities.
  25. Assisting and/or attempting to assist another person in the violation, and/or attempted violation of any campus policy is prohibited.

Matters of student misconduct cannot always be anticipated precisely. Behavior unbecoming of a York College student not only covers the regulations printed in the handbook and catalog, but also a code dealing with common decency, respect for other people and care of property. Situations in which students are found to be in violation of these standards will be subject to disciplinary action, whether on or off campus.

FAN CONDUCT AT SPORTING EVENTS

In all situations, including sporting events, students/fans are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the College's code of conduct, the law, and common decency. Fans who display inappropriate behavior including profane or vulgar language, or disrespectful gestures towards players or officials, will be escorted and evicted from the arena. In addition, violators of this policy will be subject to the College disciplinary process.

PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

The College has a personal health and safety procedure which will be put into effect should a student undergo severe emotional, psychological or physical distress that is associated with inappropriate behavior, threats or gestures of suicide, attempted suicide, and/or attempts to harm him/herself, others, or property impacting community safety and wellness. This policy also includes excessive drinking that is harmful. The College personal health and safety procedure provides that a student manifesting such behaviors will have his/her circumstances reviewed by a college official. The student is permitted to have an advisor present who must be a family member or a student, faculty, and/or staff member of York College of Pennsylvania. The student will be referred to appropriate treatment providers. The student may be given clearance to return to classes or residence halls with a wellness plan in place or may be involuntarily withdrawn from the College for reasons of personal or community safety. The College personal health and safety procedures may result in actions affecting student status. In such situations as outlined above, parents/legal guardians of students may be contacted and informed regarding the student's medical/emotional status.

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