Student Handbook
7. General College Policies
COLLEGE POLICIES
Contract Policy
No individual, group of individuals, club or organization representing Bacone College shall enter into a contractual agreement of any nature without written approval from The Office of the President.
Notice of Non Discrimination
Bacone College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non discrimination policies. Kindle Holderby Vice President of Student Affairs. 2299 Old Bacone Rd. Muskogee, Oklahoma. 74403. 918-781-7222.
Communicable Disease Policy
Bacone College is committed to providing a working and educational environment free from health hazards to its students and employees. These policies set forth procedures to be followed when a college student or employee is afflicted by or has contracted a communicable disease or condition which may or may not be listed with the Center of Disease Control and/or the State Department of Health. The College will comply with all federal and state laws applicable to persons (students, employees and job applicants) with a communicable disease. Confidentiality of information regarding individuals afflicted with a communicable disease or condition shall be respected to the extent allowed by law. The College reserves the right to place students in an alternate dorm room if deemed to be in the best interest of the student or other members of the student body. The College may also limit exposure of the student to other members of the student body by restricting access to campus facilities and public areas if the situation warrants.
Disclosure Policy
Bacone College retains two categories of information about current and former students: directory data and confidential data.
Upon admission, students provide data for academic and personal records. In doing so, the student entrusts the College as custodian of this information and other data generated during a student’s enrollment.
Bacone College acknowledges the student’s right of privacy concerning this information. The College further recognizes that certain information is a matter of public record and may be released for legitimate purposes.
The College policy regarding release of information in the student’s records is as follows:
1. Directory information appears in student directories and alumni publications and may be freely released. A student desiring that the information remain confidential must file a written request with the Registrar’s Office. A written request must be made prior to the end of the fourth week of each semester of attendance and applies to the following:
• Name, addresses and telephone number.
• Major and classification.
• Dates and attendance.
• Degrees and dates of graduation.
• College honors.
• Verification of student’s participation in recognized activities.
• Anticipated dates of graduation based on completed honors.
• Previous institutions attended.
2. Confidential information comprises that which is contained in a student’s education record and can be released only upon the student’s written consent. Some expectations allow or require release of confidential information to the following ten classes of persons as defined in the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended:
• School officials within the educational institution who have legitimate education interests.
• Officials of other schools to which students seek to transfer.
• The Comptroller General of the United States, Secretary of Education, the administrative head of an educational agency or state educational agency or other state educational authorities.
• College officers who process a student’s application for or receipt of financial aid.
• State and local authorities to which such information is specifically required.
• Organizations or educational agencies conducting legitimate research provided no personally identifiable information about the student is made public.
• Accrediting organizations.
• Parents upon proof of dependency as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of Governmental Authorities with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, provided the educational agency or institution makes a reasonable effort to notify the student of the order of subpoena in advance of compliance.
• Appropriate persons such as physicians when, due to an emergency, such information is necessary to protect the student’s health or safety or that of other persons.
Students have the right to inspect their academic records and to challenge the contents.
Upon a signed request, Bacone College will provide transcripts of academic records. However, financial obligations need to be paid in order for the College to provide said transcripts.
While the permanent academic record is a cumulative record compiled by the student, the Registrar of the College is charged with the responsibility for its accuracy and safekeeping. Therefore, removal of the Registrar’s assigned depository is not permitted.
Original credentials with which the student applies for admission or readmission to Bacone College become the property of the college and are not released.
NO-TOBACCO POLICY
Bacone College has adopted this policy prohibiting tobacco throughout the entire campus. This policy is instituted to promote the health and well being of the campus community; to preserve
and protect college property; and to provide a clean and healthy environment that is conducive to academic and athletic pursuits of students, faculty and staff.
The use of tobacco (includes, but is not limited to cigarette, cigar, chew, pipe, snuff, pouch, vapor products, and all other tobacco related products) is prohibited in all areas of property owned or controlled by Bacone College, the Residence Halls and any covered walkway around the
residence halls, Student Life areas and classrooms. Any area within 25 feet of an entrance door is also a prohibited area.
Marijuana is classified as an illegal substance in the state of Oklahoma and is therefore illegal to possess, distribute, or use on campus. Any license to use medical marijuana must be a license issued by the state of Oklahoma.
Designated smoking areas include:
• Locations outside campus facilities
Responsibility and Implementation of Policy:
a) The President, Vice-Presidents, Department Heads and all other supervisors are generally responsible for the implementation and enforcement of this Tobacco Policy. Bacone
College expects, in light of the health issues involved, that people will comply with this
policy out of self-interest and concern for others. However, complaints regarding this
policy, or disputes regarding its implementation, should be referred to the Dean of Students.
b) Responsibility for honoring the provisions of this policy will be the obligation of all employee, students and visitors of Bacone College.
Resolution of Complaints and Enforcement of Policy:
The standard used in resolving complaints of disputes concerning the Tobacco Policy will be that the right to breathe clean air and function in a tobacco-free environment is superior to the choice of using tobacco. The success of the Tobacco Policy for Bacone College depends upon the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of tobacco and non-tobacco users. All members of the campus community have a responsibility to observe this no tobacco use policy. All employees and students are encouraged to remind others of the restrictions of the Tobacco Policy when appropriate.
Student Computer Resource Policy
Summary Internet Policy Provisions
1. The College has software and systems in place that can monitor and record all Internet usage. No expectation of privacy is reserved for students utilizing campus computer systems/resources.
2. The College reserves the right to inspect any and all files stored on campus computers and student computers if utilized on the college network, in order to assure compliance with policy.
3. Sexually explicit, hateful or demeaning material may not be displayed, archived, stored, distributed, edited or recorded using College network or computing resources.
4. Use of any College resources for illegal activity is grounds for loss of lab and network privileges, and the College will cooperate with any legitimate law enforcement agency.
5. No student may use College facilities knowingly to download or distribute pirated software or data.
6. No student may use the College’s computer facility to deliberately propagate any virus, worm, Trojan horse, or trap door program code.
7. Students with Internet access may not use College Internet facilities to download entertainment software, music, games, or to play games over the Internet.
8. The College’s computer systems may not be used for commercial or solicitation purposes.
9. The Bacone College computer system, especially the electronic mail capabilities, will not be used to create offensive or disruptive messages. This includes messages,
which contain sexual implications, racial slurs, gender specific comments, or any other comment that offensively addresses someone’s sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, national origin, ethnicity or disability.
10. Social networking is widely utilized by our student body. Students are encouraged to participate on social networking sites responsibly, and with respect to other members of the campus community. Students are encouraged to be discrete in the sharing of personal information on social networking sites.
Note: Violations of these policies and provisions are subject to student discipline.
Lab Usage
1. All students are assigned individual ID and passwords to the computer network. Your ID is your last name followed by the first letter of your first name, all lower case (e.g. Jim Smith would be smithj). Your password upon accessing the system for the first time will be password. The system will require you to select a new password as soon as you are connected to the system. Do not share your password with anyone, as this will result in your being responsible for anything that person does on the Bacone network and the Internet. Violation of this will result in the loss of your network access privileges. Any problems with your initial access to the system should be reported to the Information Services Department. Note: Repeated attempts to access the system with an invalid password will result in an automatic lockout of your account.
2. SR room 209 : This lab is for general student use during hours posted on the lab door.
NOTE: The lab may be utilized for instructional purposes and for periodic maintenance, during these times; there will be no student access.
3. SR room 210 : This lab is reserved for students currently enrolled in the computer
classes each semester. Any unauthorized utilization of this lab will result in loss of
network access privileges.
4. Library computers : This lab is for general student use during the hours the library is
open.
5. Student class projects/assignments will take precedence over other computer usage provided that a faculty member or librarian is present to make the appropriate judgment.
6. Any student attempting to access, copy, modify, or delete another student’s file will
lose their network privileges and face disciplinary action.
7. Any student found to be in violation of this policy would be subject to disciplinary
action.
Technical
1. User Identification (ID’ s) and password help maintain individual accountability for computer resource usage. All students must keep their password confidential
(sharing your password will result in your loss of access privileges).
2. Any file that is introduced into the Bacone College Network must be scanned for
viruses before it is run or accessed.
3. Students will not modify any computer network system settings.
4. Downloading of wallpaper, screen savers, etc. is prohibited.
Non-Alteration of College Property or Physical Plant
Students must have prior authorization from the Office of the President to make any alteration of College property or grounds, including but not limited to, digging, tree removal, sign removal or placement. Violation of this policy may result in the imposition of discipline.
Children on Campus Policy
I. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide faculty, staff, and students with information necessary to follow the position the college believes will provide a safe campus while maintaining a learning environment for students and a disruption free workplace for our employees.
II. General
Bacone values the role of families in the lives of the faculty, staff and students of the College and has worked to develop policies and benefits that are supportive of balancing work and family life. It is recognized that there are those times under emergency conditions when it is absolutely necessary for a student of the College to provide for a child for a brief period of time. These circumstances are not the issue addressed in this policy. It is further recognized that there are those times when brief visits occur when children may come to campus with other family members.
III. Policy
Except when the purpose of the visit is to attend classes or to participate in activities specifically scheduled for their benefit, it is the policy of the College that having minor children be present at an office, classroom, or shop is inappropriate. Consequently, students shall not bringany children with them to campus unless it is an emergency and has been approved through the office of the Dean of Students for general campus use and the Office of Academic Affairs for classroom use. In conclusion, a child shall never be brought to campus unless to attend a class or to participate in activities specifically scheduled for their benefit or be left unattended at any time on campus property. Unattended children will be subject to referral to the Department of Human Services. Resident students may not babysit or have underage guests in the residence hall.
Underage visitors are required to register with Housing first.
It is further expected that consideration of and safety of the children, students, and other campus residents will be maintained. If a child becomes disruptive, the parent or guardian must handle the situation immediately. Failure to act could result in student discipline and/or party/s involved asked to leave campus.
To prevent injury to children and to protect equipment from damage, children are not allowed in laboratories, shops, studios, power plant, food service areas, mechanical rooms, any areas containing machinery with moving parts, power operated equipment, maintenance shops, physical plant garage, or any area where air quality may be compromised.
IV. Responsibility
The Dean of Students will be responsible for implementing the College’s Children on Campus Policy for students.
Appropriate Dress
Our campus does not have a formal dress code for students in place. That being said, students are responsible for appropriate dress in the classroom and other areas on campus. The term "appropriate" shall include the definition that no undergarments are visible to others (excluding tshirts). Instructors and other college officials may request a student who is a distraction to others by their mode of dress to address the issue immediately or be removed from the classroom, student activity or athletic function.
Who Can Help
Telephone numbers to call if you need assistance with any of the following:
Campus Police - Emergency - 911
Campus Police - Non-emergency 918-781-7200
Financial Aid Help: 918-781-7340
Work Study: 918-360-7771
Academic Counseling: See your Adviser
Who is your Adviser? Call the Office of Academic Affairs: 918-781-7216
Christian Counseling: Dr. Leroy Thompson thompsol@bacone.edu 918-360-9694
Tutoring: Visit the SSS/TRIO office in Palmer Center, second floor. www.bacone.edu/student-support-services