Visit reynolds.edu/student_services/policies for the most recent version of each policy.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
This statement of rights and responsibilities is designed to clarify those rights, which the student may expect to enjoy as a member of the student body of a community college and the obligations which admission to Reynolds places upon the student.
The submission of an application for admission to a community college represents a voluntary decision on the part of the prospective student to participate in the programs offered by the institution pursuant to the policies, rules, and regulations of the community colleges and rules and regulations of the State Board of Community Colleges. In turn, college approval of that application represents the extension of a privilege to join the college community and to remain a part of it so long as the student meets the required academic and behavior standards of the college system.
Each individual student is guaranteed the privileges of exercising his/her rights without fear or prejudice. Such rights include the following:
- Students are free to pursue their educational goals; appropriate opportunities for learning in the classroom and on the campus shall be provided by Reynolds or curricula offered by Reynolds.
- No disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon any student without due process.
- Free inquiry, expression, and assembly are guaranteed to all students provided their actions do not interfere with the rights of others or the effective operation of the institution.
- Academic evaluation of student performance shall be neither arbitrary nor capricious.
- Reynolds and members of the college community have the right to expect safety, protection of property and the continuity of the educational process.
- Upon written request to the College Registrar, a student will be permitted to inspect and review his/her permanent educational record within forty-five (45) days following the date on which the request.
Student Complaints
Reynolds is committed to providing an exceptional educational experience through the delivery of high-quality programs and services. As such, Reynolds strives to create an open environment where students may provide feedback regarding the quality of services or the environment. In instances where a student may be dissatisfied with services or conditions of the environment, he or she has the right to lodge concerns related to service, instruction, or the environment at Reynolds. This written complaint (by way of an email to studentcomplaints@reynolds.edu) must be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs where it will be sent to the manager of the area of concern for follow up with the student.
Policy 1-4 (Student Complaint Policy) in its entirety can be found in the Office of Student Affairs and online at reynolds.edu/student_services/policies.
Student Grievances
Students have the right and opportunity to initiate grievances (academic and non-academic) they may have with a faculty or staff member. Students are first encouraged to speak directly with the faculty or staff member to determine an appropriate resolution.
If the problem is not resolved between the student and the individual, the student is encouraged to contact the Office of Student Affairs room 200, Georgiadis Hall, Parham Road Campus,(804) 523-5025, who will review Policy 1-12 (Student Appeal of Academic and/or Administrative Decisions) with the student.
Policy 1-12 (Student Appeal of Academic and/or Administrative Decisions) in its entirety can be found in the Office of Student Affairs and online at reynolds.edu/student_services/policies.
Student Advocacy
In the design and improvement of programs, courses and services, Reynolds constantly focuses upon student needs. Students and staff members are encouraged to advocate student interest pertaining to any issue or problem confronting the college community. Students may voice their interest through the Office of Student Life and through participation on various college-wide standing committees. Particular responsibility for identifying and supporting student needs and interests, with respect to college operations and procedures, lies with the Office of Student Affairs.
For more information, visit the Office of Student Affairs, Georgiadis Hall (room 200), Parham Road Campus or call (804)523-5025.
Student Conduct
Reynolds holds its students to the highest standards of academic and social behavior. In the instance where a student commits a disruptive act either inside or outside of the classroom, that student may be subject to disciplinary action by the Office of Student Affairs. Faculty, staff, or other students may file a report against a student if he or she has witnessed an offense. The Office of Student Affairs will oversee the administration of all conduct cases in accordance with the Student Conduct Policy 1-35.
Jurisdiction of the student conduct policy extends to any student who is enrolled in a course sponsored by the institution, as well as any incident involving a Reynolds student that occurs off campus at college leased or owned facilities, or attending activities that are sponsored, initiated, authorized, or supervised by Reynolds. Depending on the nature of the incident, students may be processed by the Reynolds Department of Police for violation of local, state or federal laws.
Policy 1-35 in its entirety can be found in the Office of Student Affairs and online at reynolds.edu/student_services/policies.
Academic Honesty
Reynolds subscribes to the notion of academic honesty and integrity as it relates to students’ behavior within the classroom or with assignments and examinations. Reynolds Policy 2-7, Academic Honesty, outlines those behaviors that are unacceptable at the institution, as well as procedures used to address those behaviors. Any student who is found to have violated the policy will be subject to disciplinary action which could result in sanctions from a failing grade on the assignment to expulsion from the institution. Policy 2-7 in its entirety can be found in the Office of Student Affairs and online at reynolds.edu/student_services/policies.
Student Sexual Misconduct
Reynolds is an educational institution that strives to provide students and other members of the community with an academic learning environment that is free from sexual misconduct or gender-based discrimination, In compliance with this commitment, Reynolds has established Policy 4-17 (Title IX-Sexual Misconduct). Policy 4-17 states Reynolds will not tolerate sexual misconduct which may be inclusive of sexual harassment, nonconsensual sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sexual contact, or sexual exploitation. Reynolds considers these types of behaviors serious threats to the integrity of the community and will pursue all charges. Moreover, certain acts may be criminal, and as such, subject to both criminal and civil legal actions. Students who violate this policy will have college charges processed against them in the normal manner of due process provided by college rules. A person who believes that he/she may have experienced sexual misconduct, but are uncertain as to whether a complaint is justified or whether they wish to initiate a formal complaint, may find it helpful to discuss their concerns confidentially and informally with the Dean of Students, or designee in the Office of Student Affairs, Georgiadis Hall (room 200), Parham Road Campus, (804) 523-5025.
Policy 4-17 in its entirety can be found in the Office of Student Affairs and online at reynolds.edu/student_services/policies.
Substance Abuse
Reynolds maintains an environment that aims to protect the health, safety and welfare of its students, faculty and staff by enforcing a drug-free environment. In accordance with the spirit and intent of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Reynolds) prohibits the illegal use, manufacture, and/or distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus by its students. Policy 1-17, Alcohol & Other Drugs outlines those actions that Reynolds will take to educate students about the negative impact of drugs and alcohol use. Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary actions that may include expulsion from the college, referral for prosecution, and/or referral for participation in appropriate evaluation and/or rehabilitation. Violations of this policy will be handled in accordance with Reynolds Policy No.1-35, Student Conduct.
Policies 1-17 and 1-35 in their entirety can be found in the Office of Student Affairs or online at reynolds.edu/student_services/policies.
Student Assessment
Reynolds systematically evaluates the effectiveness of teaching and learning, academic and administrative support services, and co-curricular activities in meeting student needs.
Students may be requested to participate in one or more assessment activities appropriate to their fields of study during their academic course work at Reynolds. The results of such assessment activities shall be confidential and shall be used by Reynolds for the purpose of evaluating and improving the effectiveness of Reynolds academic programs and services to maximize student success.
Reynolds Community College, Virginia Community College System, Information Technology Student/Patron Acceptable Use Agreement
Thousands of users share the VCCS and Reynolds computing resources. Everyone must use these resources responsibly since misuse by even a few individuals has the potential to disrupt business or the educational work of others. Therefore students, faculty and staff must exercise ethical behavior when using these information resources, and agree to abide by information technology acceptable use.
As a user of the Virginia Community College System’s local and shared computer systems, I understand and agree to abide by the following acceptable use agreement terms. These terms govern my access to and use of the information technology applications, services, and resources of the VCCS and the information they generate.
The VCCS has granted access to me as a necessary privilege in order to perform authorized functions at the college where I am currently enrolled. I will not knowingly permit use of my entrusted access control mechanism for any purposes other than those required to perform authorized functions related to my status as a student. These include logon identification, password, workstation identification, user identification, digital certificates, or two-factor authentication mechanisms.
I will not disclose information concerning any access control mechanism unless properly authorized to do so by my enrolling college. I will not use any access mechanism that the VCCS has not expressly assigned to me. I will treat all information maintained on the college computer systems as strictly confidential and will not release information to any unauthorized person.
I agree to abide by all applicable state, federal, VCCS, and college policies, procedures and standards that relate to the VCCS Information Security Standard, the VCCS Information Technology Student/Patron Acceptable Use Agreement, and JSRCC Policy No: 4-32, Use of Computer and Information Technology Resources. Inappropriate use of college computer resources includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Attempting to gain access to information owned by the college or by its authorized users without the permission of the owners of that information;
- Accessing, downloading, printing, or storing information with sexually explicit content as prohibited by law or policy;
- Downloading or transmitting fraudulent, threatening, obscene, intimidating, defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful messages or images;
- Installing or downloading computer software, programs, or executable files contrary to policy;
- Uploading or downloading copyrighted materials or proprietary agency information contrary to policy;
- Sending e-mail using another’s identity, an assumed name, or anonymously;
- Attempting to intercept or read messages not intended for them;
- Intentionally developing or experimenting with malicious programs (viruses, worms, spy-ware, keystroke loggers, phishing software, Trojan horses, etc.) on any college-owned computer;
- Knowingly propagating malicious programs;
- Changing administrator rights on any college-owned computer, or the equivalent on non-Microsoft Windows based systems;
- Using college computing resources to support any commercial venture or for personal financial gain.
Students must follow any special rules that are posted or communicated to them by responsible staff members, whenever they use college computing laboratories, classrooms, and computers in the Library. They shall do nothing intentionally that degrades or disrupts the computer systems or interferes with systems and equipment that support the work of others. Problems with college computing resources should be reported to the staff in charge or the Information Technology Help Desk.
If I observe any incidents of non-compliance with the terms of this agreement, I am responsible for reporting them to the Information Security Officer and/or management of my college.
I understand that I must use only those computer resources that I have the authority to use. I must not provide false or misleading information to gain access to computing resources. The VCCS may regard these actions as criminal acts and may treat them accordingly. I must not use VCCS IT resources to gain unauthorized access to computing resources of other institutions, organizations, individuals, etc.
The System Office and colleges reserve the right (with or without cause) to monitor, access and disclose all data created, sent, received, processed, or stored on VCCS systems to ensure compliance with VCCS policies and federal, state, or local regulations. College or System Office officials will have the right to review and/or confiscate (as needed) any equipment (COV owned or personal) connected to a COV owned device or network.
Computer software, databases, and electronic documents are protected by copyright law. A copyright is a work of authorship in a tangible medium. Copyright owners have the sole right to reproduce their work, prepare derivatives or adaptations of it, distribute it by sale, rent, license lease, or lending and/or to perform or display it. A student must either have an express or implied license to use copyrighted material or data, or be able to prove fair use. Students and other users of college computers are responsible for understanding how copyright law applies to their electronic transactions. They may not violate the copyright protection of any information, software, or data with which they come into contact through the college computing resources. Downloading or distributing copyrighted materials such as documents, movies, music, etc. without the permission of the rightful owner may be considered copyright infringement, which is illegal under federal and state copyright law. Use of the college’s network resources to commit acts of copyright infringement may be subject to prosecution and disciplinary action.
The penalties for infringing copyright law can be found under the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. §§ 501-518 (http://www.copyright.gov/title 17/92chap5.html) and in the U.S. Copyright Office’s summary of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (http://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf).
I understand that it is my responsibility to read and abide by this agreement, even if I do not agree with it. If I have any questions about the VCCS Information Technology Acceptable Use Agreement, I understand that I need to contact the college Information Security Officer or appropriate college official.
By acknowledging this agreement, I hereby certify that I understand the preceding terms and provisions and that I accept the responsibility of adhering to the same. I further acknowledge that should I violate this agreement, I will be subject to disciplinary action.
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