The Seward County Community College Student Code of Conduct is an important component of a college atmosphere conducive to academic and social development. Students are expected to take responsibility for their actions and observe the rights of others. The conduct of each student is an important indication of character and the highest standards of honesty, integrity and morality are desirable qualities that are expected.
The following Student Code of Conduct is presented as expectations of student behavior. Violations may subject the student to disciplinary actions as indicated in Sanctions. The violation may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Student Code of Conduct is considered to be in effect on all Seward County Community College Campus sites including student housing, in college vehicles and at all college-sponsored events.
- Alcoholic Beverages - No student shall consume, possess or provide to a minor any alcoholic beverages, beer, or wine on campus, in college owned vehicles, in student housing, at any college sponsored event, either on or off campus. Kansas State Laws prohibits the possession and consumption of any kind of alcohol on campus.
- Tobacco Products - As an educational community concerned for the health of its members, Seward County Community College supports a tobacco-free environment. Use of tobacco products in any building owned or operated by the college, in any vehicle owned or leased by the college, or at any college sponsored event or activity held in any building on or off campus is prohibited except in designated areas. Smoking and/or use of tobacco in student housing is permitted only in designated areas outside of the building.
- Illegal Drugs - Seward County Community College supports the enforcement of the State of Kansas Laws and Federal Laws on controlled substances. The possession, use, manufacture or sale of illegal drugs on campus, in college owned vehicles, in student housing, at any college sponsored event, either on or off campus is prohibited. Violators will be reported to law enforcement agencies.
- Safety and Security - Any behavior or action which threatens, harms or causes to place in harm any person, or threatens the safety and security of any student, employee, or person on the college campus or at any college sponsored event is prohibited? Seward County Community College is committed to providing students educational and social activities in a safe and secure environment free from harassment or intimidation on the basis of sex, gender, race, religion, or national origin.
- Disruptive Behavior - No student shall behave in a manner that is disruptive to the educational process; in a learning environment, behavior which endangers or infringes upon the rights of others will not be tolerated. Students should not assemble in a manner that obstructs the free movement of persons about the campus, obstructs the free and normal use of college facilities, or prevents the normal operation of the college. Misconduct in the classroom could lead to removal either voluntarily or by campus security; misconduct in college facilities including student housing, the student union, and/or the cafeteria, could result in suspension or expulsion from the facilities and from the college.
- Harassment - No student shall engage in harassment of another student, instructor or staff member of the college; students who feel that they are being harassed by anyone including another student, an instructor, or a college staff member should report the incidents to the VP of Student Services. Harassment includes sexual and racial harassment and may include verbal and/or physical actions, or by use of electronic media such as email. Actions and/or comments are considered harassment when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the instructor, student, or staff member’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
- Weapons - Pursuant to Kansas law it permissible for the carrying of a concealed handgun on campus by legally qualified individuals, (individuals 21 years of age and older) in accordance with the Conceal Carry and Storage restrictions hereinafter set forth: Conceal Carry and Storage Restrictions:
- Concealed Carry: Each individual who lawfully possesses a handgun on campus shall be wholly and solely responsible for carrying, storing and using that handgun in a safe manner and in accordance with the law and this policy. Individuals who carry a handgun on campus must carry it concealed on or about their person at all times. “Concealed” means completely hidden from view and does not reveal the handgun in any way, shape or form. “About their person” means that an individual may carry a handgun if it can be carried securely in a suitable carrier, such as a backpack, purse, handbag or other personal carrier designed and intended for the carrying of an individual’s personal items. Moreover, the carrier must at all times remain within the exclusive and uninterrupted control of the individual. This includes wearing the carrier with one or more straps consistent with the carrier’s design, carrying or holding the carrier or setting the carrier next to or within the immediate reach/control of the individual.
Residential Students: Handgun storage will be provided by SCCC. When not carrying the weapon, it shall be stored in a locked and secure firearm safe, ensuring that the weapon is not accessible to another unqualified and/or irresponsible person. Upon request of a dorm manager, college administrator or security officer, the resident will open the safe for inspection or upon administrative investigation. If the weapon is stored within a vehicle, the vehicle must be locked and secured, and the weapon must not be visible from outside of the vehicle. The resident shall seek the permission from the dorm manager whenever a special circumstance or situation arises in which consideration for a change is needed. Students violating these restrictions shall be dealt with sternly, which includes a fine, and/or immediate remedial action including a temporary seizure for safe keeping of the weapon, or being referred to law enforcement, and/or removal from the campus, and/or residential area.
Non-Resident Students: Handgun storage is not provided by SCCC. Individuals may store a handgun in the individual’s vehicle when the vehicle is locked, and the handgun is secured in a location within the vehicle that is not visible from outside the vehicle.
Specifically, it is prohibited for any individual to store a handgun:
- In a vehicle that is unlocked or when the handgun is visible from outside the vehicle
- In an individual’s office
- In an unattended backpack/carrier
- In any type of locker, or
- In any other location and under any circumstances except permitted by this policy and by state and federal law.
Handgun storage by any other means is prohibited unless permission has been granted by SCCC Administration or the Director of Safety and Security. SCCC is not responsible for any loss, or damage to private property. Owner or possessor of the handgun shall assume all risks and liabilities associated with it.
Except as provided above, possession of weapons are prohibited on campus, in college owned or personal vehicles, in student housing, or at any college-sponsored event. Examples include but are not limited to, firearms, fireworks, knives, bows and arrows, clubs, etc. The discharge of firearms or fireworks, or the use of any object to cause intimidation or injury to a person or damage to property is prohibited.
- Fire Safety - Any action which could endanger the safety of any person on campus or at college sponsored activities is prohibited. It is illegal under state and federal laws to tamper with or misuse any kind of fire emergency equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, discharging or tampering with fire extinguishers, causing false alarms, tampering with smoke alarms, etc. Unauthorized possession, use, and/or storage of any chemicals or substances that could lead to an explosion is prohibited on college property. Persons responsible for these type actions may face serious disciplinary action, fines, and criminal prosecution.
- Academic Honor Code and Cheating - Seward County Community College is committed to high ethical standards and integrity in all aspects of the college. Academic dishonesty is a serious threat to academic integrity and does not support the college mission of developing better futures for its students. Cheating, copying another’s exam or allowing another to copy the exam, collaboration not permitted by the instructor, plagiarism, are types of dishonesty that are prohibited. Dishonest acts also include providing false information to college staff, forgery, alteration, or misuse of college documents or instrument of identification, or any other act intended to deceive. Violators may face disciplinary actions, suspension, or expulsion from college.
- Use of College Facilities and Equipment - Seward County Community College provides excellent facilities and equipment and encourages students to maximize the use thereof. Studentsshould utilize campus facilities only during established open times and dates or otherwise with permission; equipment should be used only for its intended use. Unauthorized entry or occupancy of facilities during times other than established hours is prohibited; unauthorized possession and/or use of keys to college facilities by students is prohibited.
- Theft and Vandalism - respect for property of the college and other students or persons is expected. Theft or damage to property is illegal and violations will result in disciplinary sanctions. Theft and vandalism includes, but is not limited to, taking or being in possession of the property of others, damage to and/or tampering with college facilities, equipment, vehicles, etc., thefts relating to phone service, cable television services, computer files and software, credit card usage, identity, etc.
- Use of Computers, Software, and Related Equipment - Students are expected to use college computers, software, networks, and related equipment in ways consistent with the mission and goals of Seward County Community College. All student use of computers should support the educational programs of the college. Proper computer etiquette by all students is expected when using college computer resources. The following uses of computer resources are examples of prohibited activities: commercial use, sharing a user name and/or password, attempt to gain unauthorized access to computer resources, modification of settings, destruction of computer resources, willful introduction of computer viruses, computer use to communicate defamatory, derogatory, hostile, or threatening messages, illegally copying of software, etc. Student use of the Internet on college computers for research, email or browsing should access only websites that are socially appropriate and do not contain obscene material, pictures, messages, etc. The college uses computer software that identifies the specific computer and time that an undesirable web-site is accessed. Violations of computer use guidelines may result in disciplinary action; the student’s computer use privileges may be suspended immediately and indefinitely. Notification of law enforcement agencies may occur when appropriate. Students may request a complete “SCCC Networking Computer Use Policy” for review from the VP of Finance & Operations.
General Health and Safety
The health, safety, and well-being of our community, SCCC students, faculty, and staff, must be the highest priority for each of us. Everyone has a responsibility to practice behaviors to help our campus stay open and healthy. If exhibiting any symptoms of major illness, SCCC community, students, faculty, staff and visitors are expected to stay off campus.