Cadet Handbook Academic Year 2017-2018 Version 1.1 Dated 14 February 2018 OAK RIDGE MILITARY ACADEMY 2317 Oak Ridge Road ● Oak Ridge, NC 27310-9701 ● Phone: 336-643-4131 ● Fax: 336-643-5780 www.OakRidgeMilitary.com Dear Oak Ridge Military Academy Cadets and Parents, Welcome to Oak Ridge Military Academy, the “Official Military Academy of North Carolina.” It is because of my strong belief in the proven success of military boarding schools in preparing young men and women for life after school through a system that rewards achievement and merit that I wanted to be a part of one. It is because of my belief in the way Oak Ridge Military Academy utilizes positive leadership techniques to foster growth that I am here now as President. For over 160 years, Oak Ridge Military Academy has fostered academic and character excellence. Oak Ridge Military Academy is a school and group of dedicated professionals intent on helping young people prepare for life after high school as good citizens and leaders in our community. Our aim is to arm Cadets with the character, knowledge, drive, and discipline to achieve their goals. We are glad that you have chosen to be a part of our Corps and look forward to helping you achieve your goals. The culture of our school is set by our Cadets under the guidance of our staff and cadre. This handbook is intended to serve as a map to guide Cadets in their journey and assist them to achieve success in their time here. When Cadets go astray in their journey, our staff and cadre will be there to grab the rudder and guide them back on course, we hope that by familiarizing themselves with this handbook they will complete this journey with only minimal assistance. Our Cadets may make mistakes. It is only when we live a sheltered life without taking risks that any of us are perfect. Except for drug abuse, sexual assault, or hazing, I am willing to overlook these mistakes and help guide Cadets to learn and grow as citizens and leaders. Cadets are not expected to know every answer in this handbook, or to the obstacles that life will put before them. If they have good character and values, they will make the right choices most of the time. Our goal is to give them the tools and resources they need to make the right choices. Respectfully, David Reardon Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army President Table of Contents Page Number Chapter 1: General Information 1.1. Mission…………………………………………………………. 1 1.2. History………………………………………………………….. 2 1.3. Motto & Emblem……………………………………………… 4 1.4. Honor Code……………………………………………………. 5 1.5. Military Time………………………………………………….. 5 1.6. Typical School Day Schedule………………………………... 6 1.7. Military Ranks and Courtesies……………………………... 7 1.8. Military Organization………………………………………… 10 1.9. Grooming & Appearance……………….…………………….. 10 1.10. Proper Wear of the Uniform………………………………… 10 1.11. Room Standards………………………………………………. 10 1.12. Required Items………………………………………………... 11 1.13. Prohibited Items……………………………………………… 11 1.14. Uniform Items Provided…………………………………….. 12 1.15. Privileges………………………………………………………. 12 1.16. Personal Property…………………………………………….. 14 1.17. Cadet Purchases……………………………………………… 14 1.18. Telephone and Mail………………………………………….. 15 1.19. Dry Cleaning and Laundry…………………………………. 15 1.20. Meals…………………………………………………………… 16 1.21. Weather Delays / Closure…………………………………… 16 1.22. Reporting Absences………………………………………….. 17 1.23. Medical Reporting………………………………….………… 17 1.24. Areas Off-Limits to Cadets…………………………………. 17 1.25. Open vs. Closed Weekends…………………………………. 18 1.26. Damages………………………………………………………. 19 Chapter 2: Administrative Policies 2.1. Substance Policy……………………………………………… 21 2.2. Hazing & Harassment………………………………………. 23 2.3. Sexual Assault & Harassment……………………………... 25 2.4. Relationships Among Cadets………………………………. 26 2.5. Cadet Social Relationships…………………………………. 27 2.6. Social Media Policy……………………….………………….. 28 2.7. Internet Policy………………………………………………... 32 2.8. Cell / Smart Device Policy…………………………………... 35 2.9. Off-Campus Living…………………………………………… 36 i 2.10. Cadet Vehicles On Campus………………………………… 37 2.11. Visitor Policy…………………………………………………. 38 2.12. Travel Arrangements & Service…………………………… 39 2.13. Cadet Sign-In / Sign-Out……………………………………. 40 2.14. Leave Policy…………………………………………………… 41 2.15. Absent Without Leave………………………………………. 45 Chapter 3: Discipline 3.1. Cadet Honor System…………………………………………. 46 3.2. Cadet Honor Code……………………………………………. 46 3.3. The Honor Committee………………………………………. 47 3.4. Honor Court Rules & Procedures………………………….. 48 3.5. Honor Court Sanctions……………………………………… 50 3.6. The Commandant’s Board………………………………….. 50 3.7. Cadet Code of Discipline……………………………………. 51 3.8. Disciplinary System…………………………………………. 51 Chapter 4: Academic Policies 4.1. Academic Mission Statement……………………………… 56 4.2. Academic Goals………………………………………………. 56 4.3. Academic Objectives………………………………………… 56 4.4. Faculty Creed………………………………………………… 57 4.5. Classroom Code of Conduct………………………………… 57 4.6. Grades and Credit…………………………………………… 58 4.7. Graduation Requirements………………………………….. 61 4.8. Early Release Exam Policy…………………………………. 64 4.9. Attendance Policy……………………………………………. 67 4.10. Transcript Release Policy…………………………………… 68 4.11. Valedictorian & Salutatorian………………………………. 68 4.12. Class Rank, Honors and Awards…………………………... 69 4.13. National Honor Society and Junior Honor Society……… 70 4.14. Mu Alpha Theta-Math Honor Society……………………... 71 4.15. Academic Services…………………………………………….. 71 4.16. Tutorial and Extra Instruction Programs………………… 71 4.17. Academic Admin Policies…………………………………….. 72 4.18. Academic Restriction…………………………………………. 73 4.19. Athletic Code of Ethics……………………………………….. 74 ii Our mission statement drives everything we do at Oak Ridge Military Academy and it is the starting point of any decision(s) or discussion(s) we may have. Our mission is centered around a military structure that reinforces uniformity, teamwork, attention to detail, and leadership that has been a part of Oak Ridge Military Academy for 100 years and will continue to be so. The ancillary lessons of our military structure are important in teaching our youth organization, time management, and most importantly, that life rewards dedication, hard work, and merit. Oak Ridge Military Academy remains a school that prepares our Cadets for life after school. Here, Cadets are exposed to a level of independence and personal responsibility that they would not receive at home, thus, better preparing them for that first year of college. In addition, we have expanded our offering of college level courses, and partnered with a local community college to allow select students to attend. 1 1850 – Oak Ridge Male Institute was conceived on April 7th by 43 local citizens who, being desirous of promoting the cause of education, contributed a total of $629 and appointed five trustees to bring the Institute to fruition. 1852 – The founding year of Oak Ridge Male Institute. Within two years the name was changed to Oak Ridge Institute and females were admitted. Girls attended Oak Ridge Institute until 1929. 1861-1866 – The school was closed because of the Civil War. 1899 – Oak Ridge Institute becomes the first school in North Carolina accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 1917 – The school became military and the boys uniformed under the supervision of the War Department. The school trained and graduated men who served in World War I. 1926 – Oak Ridge was designated a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit. 1929 – The name was changed to Oak Ridge Military Institute and limited to males only. 1932 – A two-year junior college was established and continued until 1966. 2 1946 – A monument on campus and various tributes memorialized the 42 ORMI alumni who lost their lives in World War II. During the Second World War, 127 of the Academy’s alumni were awarded a Purple Heart during the conflict, while another 27 alumni earned the Silver Star. 1971 – Girls were admitted permanently, and the name was changed to Oak Ridge Academy. 1975 – Keith Cokely, a 1975 graduate of Oak Ridge Academy, becomes the first African-American Cadet to hold the position of Battalion Commander and Commander of the Corps of Cadets. 1981 – The name changed again to its present name, Oak Ridge Military Academy. Both boys and girls are now uniformed. 1988 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. attends Oak Ridge Military Academy. 1991 – Oak Ridge was named the “Official Military Academy of North Carolina” by the State Legislature. 1992 – Jennifer Childers, a 1992 graduate of Oak Ridge Military Academy, becomes the first female Cadet to hold the position of Battalion Commander and Commander of the Corps of Cadets. 1996 – Oak Ridge Military Academy Drill Team (The Lady Cadet’s), an all- female drill team, won the National Drill Team Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida. Coached by Carl T. Lloyd. 2002 – Academy builds the largest building on campus. 33,000+ square foot, three level Academic building. 3 MOTTO: The Academy motto is "Tendimus in Latium," which translates to "striving for the highest mark" or "striving for full citizenship." Tendimus means to strive, to extend oneself, to press oneself to achieve a goal. It also means to set out on a journey or to march along a specific course. Latium was an Italian province which was conquered so that Rome could be founded on its site. For Romans, it became their native soil and hallowed ground. Ultimately, the term was used as an abstraction applying to Romans who were accorded all the rights and privileges of citizenship, but who were never born into such citizenship. Therefore, to be "in Latium"