Self-discipline is an essential element of individual growth and development. Accordingly, students are expected to display the qualities of courtesy and integrity which characterize the behavior of mature individuals.

ACADEMIC STANDING--Students' academic standing shall be determined under the rules and regulations proposed by the faculty and approved by the President. However, students may appeal a decision on an academic standing by doing so in writing. Such an appeal should be made to the Chairperson of the Hearing Committee after consultation with the Dean of Student Services.  

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES--The rights of students, including the freedom to observe, hear, study, and write, are acknowledged by Martin Community College. In exercising their rights of citizenship, students are encouraged to act as responsible citizens and to further the principle of free learning. All students or constituted group of students have the right to express their views and concerns regarding the operation of Martin Community College.  

DISMISSAL, SUSPENSION, OR EXPULSION--The President or any other authorized college official may dismiss, suspend, or expel any student who disrupts the legal mission, educational processes, or functions of the college. 

DISRUPTION--Students shall not, by use of violence, force, coercion, threat, intimidation, or any other means, intentionally cause obstruction or disruption of any educational processes or other school-related functions. Students shall not encourage or urge other students to engage in disruptive activities if substantial disruption is reasonably certain to result from their urging. Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to the following:

• Occupying any college building or room with the intent of depriving others of its use.

• Blocking the entrance or exit of any building or corridor to willfully deprive others of access to or from the building or corridor.

• Setting fire to or damaging any college building or property.

• Possessing a firearm or any other weapon on the college premises or threatening the use of explosives; (The only exception to this policy will be law enforcement officers, either on duty or on call, may wear a firearm while on campus as part of their prescribed equipment. Basis Law Enforcement Training students may possess a weapon if used in connection with a regularly scheduled educational, recreational, or training program under adequate supervision of a MCC employee.)

• Preventing or attempting to prevent any class, activity, meeting, or assembly on the college campus.

• Blocking normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on the campus of Martin Community College.

• Continuously and/or intentionally making noise or acting in any manner so as to interfere with instructors' ability to conduct their classes.

• Stealing or attempting to steal college property or personal property belonging to other students, employees, or visitors while on the campus of Martin Community College.

• Intentionally causing physical injury or behaving in such a way as to cause physical injury to other students or employees while on campus or while at a college-sponsored activity off campus.

• Possessing, using, transmitting, or being under the influence of any narcotic, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, alcoholic beverage, or any other kind of intoxicant while on campus. Using a drug as prescribed and officially authorized by a physician will not be considered a violation of this regulation.

• Intentionally and knowingly furnishing false information with intent to exploit or to commit an act of fraud.

• Deliberately cheating on examinations or knowingly and intentionally engaging in acts of plagiarism.

• Outright refusing to obey or follow the instructions of instructors or any other college officials in a manner which could jeopardize the education or the security of others.

• Gambling while on campus or at a college-sponsored activity.

• Intentionally and openly using profanity while on campus or at a college-sponsored activity in such a manner that listeners could be unnecessarily embarrassed, offended, or insulted.

• Intentionally and openly engaging in obscene activities while on campus or at a college-sponsored event.

• Bringing portable radios, cassettes, CD's, etc. inside any building on the campus of Martin Community College.

When students are dissatisfied with an academic or financial aid decision or are dismissed, suspended, or expelled, they have a right to a Due Process Hearing. STUDENTS REQUESTING SUCH A HEARING SHOULD DO SO IN WRITING WITHIN FIVE SCHOOL DAYS AFTER THEY BECOME AWARE THAT A DECISION AFFECTING THEM HAS BEEN MADE, UNLESS EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST WHICH IN THE VIEW OF THE APPEALS COMMITTEE WARRANT A WAIVER OF THE FIVE-DAY DEADLINE. This procedure should also be followed when students are compelled to withdraw from a class after the deadline due to an emergency such as illness, accident, or some other extenuating circumstances. An appeals hearing will be scheduled by the Hearing Committee after a student's written request has been submitted. During a hearing, students shall have the right to present evidence and/or to be represented by an attorney or counsel of their choice. The Hearing Committee will conduct the proceeding and file a written report of the hearing and its recommendations with the President of Martin Community College. A letter stating official action taken by the members of this Committee will then be forwarded to the student. 

The decision of the Hearing Committee will be final, subject to the student's right of appeal to the President and ultimately to the Board of Trustees. This request must also be made within five school days after receiving official notice from the Hearing Committee.  

In the event visitors, employees, or students are disruptive, the offended students should immediately contact the Dean of Student Services or his designee who will determine the appropriate steps to be taken. Details regarding this policy are published in the College's Policy & Procedures Manual.

The abuse and use of drugs and alcohol are subjects of immediate concerns in our society. These problems are extremely complex and ones for which there are no easy solutions. Illicit drug use and the abuse of alcohol are dangerous to your health and may result in permanent damage or death. From a safety perspective, the users of drugs or alcohol may impair the well-being of all employees, students, and the public at large. Drug and alcohol use may also result in damage to college property. Therefore, it is the policy of Martin Community College that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or alcohol is prohibited while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activities. Any employees or students violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution. The specifics of this policy are as follows:

1. Martin Community College does not differentiate between drug users, drug pushers, or sellers. Any employees or students who possess, use, sell, give, or in any way transfer a controlled substance to another person or manufacture a controlled substance while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution.

2. The term "controlled substance" means any drug listed in 21 CFR Part 1308 and other federal regulations, as well as those listed in Article V, Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Generally, these are drugs which have a high potential for abuse. Such drugs include but are not limited to heroin, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, and "crack." They also include "legal drugs" which are not prescribed by a licensed physician.

3. If any employees or students are convicted of violating any criminal drug statute while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity, they will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion. Alternatively, the college may require employees or students to successfully finish a drug abuse program sponsored by an approved private or governmental institution as a precondition for continued employment or enrollment at the college.

4. Employees or students are required to inform the college, in writing, within five days after they are convicted for violating any federal, state, or local criminal drug statute where such violation occurred while in the workplace on college premises or as part of any college-sponsored activity. A conviction means a finding of guilt, including a plea of nolo contendere or the imposition of a sentence by a judge or jury in any federal or state court.

5. Employees* working under federal grants, who are convicted of violating drug laws in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity shall be reported to the appropriate federal agency. The President must notify the U. S. government agency awarding the grant within 10 days after receiving notice from the employee or after otherwise receiving notice of a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace. The college shall take appropriate disciplinary action within 30 calendar days from receipt of notice. As a condition of further employment through any federal government grant, the law requires all employees to abide by this policy.

6. Any employees or students who unlawfully possess, use, sell, or transfer alcoholic beverages to another person while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution.

7. If employees or students are convicted of violating any alcoholic beverage control statute while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity, they will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion. Alternatively, the college may require the employees or students to successfully finish an alcoholic rehabilitation program, sponsored by an approved private or governmental institution, as a precondition for continued employment or enrollment at the college.

8. The term alcoholic beverage includes beer, wine, whiskey, and any other beverage listed in Chapter 188 of the General Statutes of North Carolina.

9. Employees and students are required to inform the college, in writing, within five days after they are convicted of any alcoholic beverage control statute where such violation occurred while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity.

Counseling services are available on a limited basis by the counselor in Student Services. Additional counseling, treatment, and rehabilitative services will be referred by the counselor in Student Services. 

*Students employed under the Federal Work-Study Program are considered to be employees of Martin Community College. 

Adopted by the Board of Trustees April 29, 1987; amended November 14, 1990, and September 9, 1992.

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