Rights and Responsibilities

Student Responsibility for Catalog and Student Handbook Information

Each student is responsible for compliance with the information appearing in the catalog, student handbook and other official college publications. Failure to read the regulations and policies will not be considered an excuse for noncompliance. St. Charles Community College maintains an open-admissions policy providing higher education to all persons who can benefit from its programs and courses. The college serves students from a variety of educational backgrounds in keeping with its goals of providing quality, low-cost education to residents throughout the area.

Once admitted to SCC, you may enroll in any course or program as long as individual course prerequisites are met and space for effective instruction is available. The college may guide your enrollment based on academic skills, assessments, interviews, previous achievement and other criteria. If you do not meet the standards for admission into college-level courses, you may enroll in developmental courses designed to help you strengthen your skills. These developmental courses may be offered on a credit or non-credit basis. Students applying for the programs with selective admissions criteria may be required to take additional tests for admissions purposes. Before you register for credit courses, you must be admitted to the college. You may apply for admission anytime during the year.

Handbook Disclaimer

Information contained in this handbook is subject to change. Students should access it online at www.stchas.edu/StudentHandbook for the most up-to-date policies and regulations.

Academic Freedom

In addition to the basic constitutional rights enjoyed by all U.S. citizens, academic freedom is part of the essential foundation to teaching and learning in American post-secondary education. Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good, which depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. The freedom to teach and the freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The faculty has freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects, being careful not to introduce controversial matter unrelated to it. Academic freedom provides that controversial matter can be considered as part of the college curriculum while maintaining the rights of students to have freedom in their own learning without being subject to controversial matter unrelated to the subject at hand. Faculty and students are expected to exercise their freedom with responsibility.

College-Level Content

College-level content, which is connected with the concepts of academic freedom, is based on the premise that college students are adults. As part of their coursework and college experience, students will deal with content and issues that are appropriate to adults.

Line Behavior

Students are discouraged from arriving on campus prior to business hours on the day that services will be provided. If students choose to form a line outdoors to wait for specific services at SCC, the following are prohibited:

Open flames, fires or barbecue grills;
Tents;
Alcoholic beverages;
Tobacco products;
Illegal drugs.

Indoor Line Procedures:

Students must have a PHOTO ID to receive services.
Students may not begin to form a line prior to close of business (7 p.m.) on the evening prior to the start of late registration.
Students may not bring chairs, cots or inflatable beds (air mattresses) for use in SCC
buildings. Students may not bring electronic items that are bigger than a laptop.
Coolers (no larger than six can size) with non-alcoholic beverages are permissible. Coolers will be inspected by Department of Public Safety (DPS) campus police staff.
Students may not string electrical wires across hallways or create a tripping hazard
(example: charging units for laptop computers or personal phones/games).
Students may not block a hallway or impede the flow of traffic.
Students must be respectful of each other and SCC staff.
Students must respond appropriately to requests from SCC staff.
Students must abide by all procedures outlined in the student code of conduct.
Students must stay in line to secure their position in the line. If a student must briefly leave the line (restroom break), they must inform the person directly in front of and behind them. If there is any question regarding their placement in the line, the student will be required to go to the end of the line.
Students must keep their voices at a low volume while in line.
Students should not litter.
Students must follow any directions that are deemed appropriate by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) police officers, who are charged with securing the safety and security of the students and the SCC premises.
Students who do not abide by these procedures will be escorted off campus by campus police.

Students are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and professionally at all times while on the SCC campus.

Parental Responsibility for Children

Persons who are too young to be admitted to SCC are required to be under the supervision of a responsible adult at all times while on campus. Students who are parents are expected to arrange suitable care for their children while they attend class. Students are not permitted to bring children into classrooms or labs, nor should children be left unattended in buildings, on the grounds or in the recreational computer areas. The college reserves the right to protect the safety and welfare of unsupervised children.

Professional Relationships

SCC faculty and staff can serve as advocates for students in college-related matters. Students should understand that the relationship between SCC employees and students are of a professional nature while the student is enrolled at SCC.

Student Rights

The United States Constitution and state of Missouri guarantee SCC students of certain rights. Substantial violation of student’s right may be appealed in accordance with the Student Grade or Conduct Appeals Procedures.

The following rights also apply:

Access to scheduled class meetings and appropriate instructional and support services.
Classroom instruction, assignments and evaluation that are consistent with the general course description and requirements established in the course outline.
The student has the right to due process including a speedy hearing, confrontation of the college’s or his witnesses and appeal.
The student has the right to be considered for membership in any student group or organization without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, disability or genetic information.

Student Responsibilities

We believe that students are responsible for their learning. Similarly, student rights accompany exercise of responsibility for learning.

Selecting a program of study that is consistent with his/her abilities and interests.
Selecting coursework that corresponds with his/her program of study and readiness level.
Enrolling in a schedule of classes appropriate to the time and effort that he/she will allocate to academic requirements.
Being attentive and participating in class activities.
Completing all class assignments as directed by the instructor or course syllabus.
Complying with all college announcements and requirements found in the catalog and official publications.
Seeking appropriate support services to improve his/her level of academic achievement and to enhance the quality of college life.
Behaving in a humane and ethical manner both in the classroom and in all communication and contact with the instructor, other staff members and other students.
Students are expected to attend all class sessions and report to each session on time. If an absence occurs, students are responsible for all work missed. Excessive absences that jeopardize successful completion of the course (as outlined in the course syllabus) may result in a lowered or failing grade in the class.

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