Student Handbook 2020-2021 Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Office for Student Services Student Handbook Acknowledgment Form The school handbook has been compiled to acquaint students of the policies of the Thaddeus Stevens College (TSCT) Campus. The handbook is available on the TSCT website at http://www.stevenscollege.edu/handbook. A link to the handbook can also be found on the College Portal at http:// my.stevenscollege.edu. After reviewing the handbook, please sign below to acknowledge receipt of the handbook and your willingness to comply with the policies stated in the Thaddeus Stevens College Handbook, and in any Thaddeus Stevens College publication referred to in the Handbook. The President of the College reserves the right to amend the handbook as needed. Key Policies: . Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a dry campus and strives to promote an alcohol and drug free learning environment. Students are expected to attend every class. If a student is absent for 5 days they are subject to dismissal. Reasonable suspicion could lead to a student being required to take a drug test after being enrolled. Random testing may also occur during the academic year. Please sign and return this page to the Thaddeus Stevens College Student Services Office upon receipt of the handbook. Date ___________________________________________________ Print Student’s Name: _____________________________________ Student’s Signature: ______________________________________ Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology . 3 Search and Seizure – As stated in the Student Handbook Students, as citizens, are protected against any unreasonable search and seizure. However, this does not prohibit college authorities from conducting searches of residence hall rooms, shop lockers or vehicles if the authority has reasonable cause to believe that a student is using the room, locker or vehicle for a purpose that is either illegal or would otherwise seriously interfere with the educational atmosphere or is in violation of the college Code of Conduct. If comprehensive room searches occur, two of the following individuals will be present; the Residence Hall Advisor, Director of Residence Life, Dean of Student Services, or Security. The student(s) of the room that is being searched should be present if they are available. Such all- encompassing searches are most likely to occur during the week, when both the majority of students and the Residence Hall Advisors are present. They are completed with great discretion in cases where there is reasonable evidence that a person is engaged in illegal activities or behaviors that are contrary to the College Code of Conduct or in emergency situations. For vehicle or locker searchers Security, the student, and/ or the Dean of Student Services should be present during the search or their designee. Understanding Search and Seizure “Reasonable Cause” or “Just Cause” for a search consists of the following: 1. Smoke, whether caused by a fire, a cigarette, incense, candle or the burning of some form of illegal substance. 2. The strong smell of alcohol or marijuana coming from a Residence Hall Room, vehicle, or locker. 3. Considerable evidence, gathered from a variety of sources, regarding possible illegal activity or activity contrary to the College Code of Conduct being conducted within a Residence Hall Room, or vehicle. 4. Considerable evidence indicating the presence of a weapon(s) within a Residence Hall Room, locker, or vehicle. 5. Considerable evidence indicating an activity in the Residence Hall, in a classroom, in a vehicle, or in a locker that may threaten the health, safety and welfare of fellow students. (Possible presence of explosives, etc.) This listing is simply to indicate some of the reasons, once confirmed, that would produce “Reasonable Cause” or “Just Cause” for a search. (Please Note: This listing is not all inclusive.) It is not the intent of the college to do unreasonable and unwarranted searches. The only intent of the college is to ensure a safe and secure environment for students to reside, study and continue in pursuit of their educational goals. I have read and understand the Search and Seizure Policy of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Date ___________________________________________________ Print Student’s Name: _____________________________________ Student’s Signature: ______________________________________ 4 . 2020-2021 Student Handbook 2020-2021 STUDENT HANDBOOK The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology will not discriminate in its educational programs or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, ancestry, union membership, or any other legally protected classification. Announcement of this policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the American Disabilities Act of 1991. Employees and participants who have an inquiry or complaint of harassment or discrimination, or who need information about accommodations for persons with disabilities, should contact Betty Tompos, Affirmative Action Officer, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 750 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. Phone: (717) 391 -6947. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology . 5 Contents Grading Policy ......................................... 23 COVID Notice ............................................ 9 Course Repeat Policy ........................... 23 I. INTRODUCTION .....................................10 Deans’ List ................................................24 II. MISSION STATEMENT ..........................10 Mid Term Grades ....................................24 III. VISION STATEMENT ...........................10 Incomplete Grades ................................24 IV. CORE VALUES......................................10 Appeal Of Academic Dismissal ........ 25 V. PEOPLE: ADMINISTRATION AND Appeal Of Grade .................................... 25 STAFF .......................................................11 Auditing A Course .................................26 VI. NON-DISCRIMINATION .....................13 Drop/Add Procedure ............................26 NON DISCRIMINATION ......................... 13 Maximum Credit Hours ........................26 PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING Change Of Program Major ..................26 DISCRIMINATION .................................... 13 General Education Core VII. SAFETY Curriculum............................................. 27 INFORMATION ...................................14 Part Time Status ..................................... 27 Pri mary Emergency Contact General Education Requirements .... 27 Telephone Numbers: ........................ 14 Attendance ............................................... 27 Non-Emergency ......................................14 Withdrawal Procedure .........................28 Emergency Notification........................14 Procedures To Withdraw Medical Services ......................................14 From A Class: .......................................28 Security Guards .......................................14 Procedures For Withdrawal Crime Statistics ........................................ 15 From The College: ..............................29 Campus Fire Safety Report ................. 15 X. FERPA – FAMILY EDUCATIONAL Fire Safety Education & Training ...... 15 RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT .............30 Procedures For Fire Alarms ................ 15 FERPA (Family Educational Rights Report That A Fire Has Occurred ..... 15 and Privacy Act) .....................................30 Fire Safety Improvements ................... 15 XI. FINANCIAL AID .................................. 32 Fire Statistical Disclosure .....................16 Types Of Aid Available ......................... 32 VIII. ACCREDITATION & ASSESSMENT 17 Thaddeus Stevens Grant Policy ........ 32 Middle States Commission On Grant Covers: ........................................... 32 Higher Education Accreditation & Length Of Time: ...................................... 32 Assessment ............................................... 17 Maintaining Eligibility: .......................... 32 IX. ACADEMIC ISSUES .............................18 Satisfactory Academic Progress Institutional Learning Goals ...............18 To Maintain Financial Aid Advanced Placement ............................18 Eligibility Policy ................................... 33 Credit Through College In The High Quality Of Progress School And Dual Enrollment: ........18 “Good Academic Standing” ........... 33 Credit By Department Quantity Of Progress Examination ...........................................18 “Pace Of Unit Completion” ............. 33 Credit By Standardized Exams Quantity Of Progress (Ap, Clep, Excelsior, Etc.) .................18 “Maximum Time Frame” ..................34 Credit For Life/Work Learning Appeals ......................................................34 (Portfolio) ...............................................19 College Fees ............................................34 Credit For Military Training .................19 Institutional Refund Policy .................34 Credit For Formal Apprenticeship Processing Of Financial Aid After Training ....................................................19 Withdrawing From The College ... 35 Credit By Articulation ...........................19 Vehicle Policy/TSCT Parking Credit By Program Of Study...............19 Regulations ..........................................