Student Rights

Authorized Use of Facilities

A. Philosophy

The College District is supported by public and by private funds. Thise who benefit most from its activities are students. However, since the College District is supported by all individuals in its service district, Collin College is dedicated to serving the needs of alls its constituents, as appropriate. In support of this mission, the College District encourages use of its facilities by the public.

The grounds and facilities of the College District shall be made available to members of the College District community, including studnets and their respective registered student organizations, when such use does not conflict with normally scheduled activities or any College District policy. Students and registered student organizations shall be subject to College District rules and regulations governing the use of College District facilities. The requesting student9s) or student organizations shall pay all expenses incurred by their use of the facilities. Such expenses are limited to the cost for required College District custodial, security, and building staff, and damages and/or losses.

B. Priority of Use

The facilities scheduling coordinator shall assign priorities to requests for the use of College District facilities in accordance with the guidelines listed below. The facilities scheduling coordinator, working in conjunction with the vice president/provost, shall approve events, dates, and times, resolve conflicts and approve any deviations from the priority schedule or from the standard fee structure as deemed necessary to carry out the College District policy in accordance with its philosophy.

The priority schedule is as follows:

1. Priority One is reserved for College District instructional programs.
2. Priority Two is reserved for College District-approved co- and extra-curricular activities.
3. Priority Three is granted to public events of an educational nature that are co-sponsored by the College District.
4. Priority Four is granted to approved fund-raisers sponsored by College District, the College Distrcit Foundation, College District student or alumni organizations, or similar related groups.
5. Priority Five is granted to public events of an educational nature, sponsored by independent school districts or other public agencies.
6. Priority Six is granted to public events organized by groups outside of the College District that are of an educational, cultural, public service, or recreational nature and for which any proceeds are totally used to defray the cost of the event. Also included in this category are evnets for non-profit charitable groups and oganizations.
7. Priority Seven is granted to events designed to generate profit or to further the programs of non-District sponsored individuals, organizations or businesses..

To reserve space or to approve activities, student organizations should contact Student Life; all other parties should contact the facilities scheduling coordinator at 972.881.5606. Additional information regarding Student and Community Use of College District Facilities GF (Local) is available on the web at http://www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/043500/index.html.

C. Children On-Campus

Unattended children are not allowed at College District facilities at any time. For the purpose of this regulation, children are defined as minors who are not currently enrolled in classes or approved programs with the College District. Children may not be taken to orientations, classes, labs, testing centers, or other academic programs. Further, children may not be taken to work with College District employees, other than for approved programs with the College District.

D. Animals On-Campus

Animals may accompany an adult on-campus, within the following regulations:

1. Instructional Animals are those required for use in teaching and research. Prior to bringing an animal on-campus for instructional purposes, written permission must be granted by the appropriate academic dean, clearly designating the date, location, and purpose for its presence on-campus. All animals must be on a leash, or equivalent, and fully under the control of their handler. All animals must be accompanied with documentation of current vaccinations. The care and supervision of the animal is the sole responsibility of their handler.

2. Service Animals are defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. Animals that meet this definition are considered service animals regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. Service animals must be on a leash at all times and under the control of the individual with a disability. The care and supervision of the animal is the sole responsibility of their handler. Students with allergies to a service animal may request reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students utilizing a service animal on-campus must complete a registration form with the College District’s ACCESS Office.

3. Other Animals are not permitted on any College District facility.

Freedom from Discrimination

Collin is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. Students who believe they are victims of discrimination may grieve the matter by following a step-by-step procedure available from the ADA / title IX / 504 coordinator, vice-president of student development, or the Office of the Dean of Students for more information.

Freedom from Sexual Harassment

Purpose:

It is the policy of the College District that no member of the college community may sexually harass another. All members of the faculty, staff, and student body will be subject to disciplinary action for violation of this policy. Other persons over whom the College District has substantial responsibility are also subject to this policy.

Sexual Harassment Defined:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education;

2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting that individual; or

3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment, educational, or living environment.

Legal Implications:

Sexual harassment is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In some cases, sexual harassment may also be subject to prosecution under the criminal law of the State of Texas.

Students with questions or concerns may contact the Office of the Dean of Students or the vice president of student development.

Freedom of Speech

The College District will protect the rights and freedom of speech, petition, and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution. The College District maintains its right to regulate reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions concerning acts of expression and dissent. Any acts that are disruptive to the normal operations of the College District including but not limited to classes and College District business or invade the rights of others will not be tolerated. Faculty, staff, and students engaging in a disruptive activity may be subject to disciplinary action. Any participant involved in a disruptive activity may face criminal charges.

All College District Student Organization activities must be pre-registered and approved through Student Life. The facilities scheduling coordinator shall assign priorities to requests for the use of College District facilities in accordance with the guidelines listed in Section 7-1.1, Authorized Use of Facilities of the Student Handbook. The College District reserves the right to relocate any assembly to ensure that the activity does not interfere with the normal operation of the College District or interfere with the rights of others.

Approved activities such as distributing literature, displaying signs, petitioning for change, and disseminating information concerning issues of public concern are protected by the First Amendment. (see Section 6.27, Solicitation On-Campus of the Student Handbook).Speech that is not protected includes fighting words, language that creates a hostile environment, libel, obscenity, and commercial speech.

Hazing

“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on- or off-campus, directed against a student, by one (1) person alone or acting with others, that endangers the mental or physical health or the safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include other students.

The term includes:

1. any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;

2. any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;

3. any activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of a student; and/or

4. any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame, or humiliation, or that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the college rather than submit to acts described above.

5. any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.

A person commits an offense if the person:

1. engages in hazing;

2. solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing;

3. recklessly permits hazing to occur; and/or

4. has first-hand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student at Collin, or first-hand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report that knowledge in writing to the Office of the Dean of Students.

Section 51.936 of the Texas Higher Education Code and Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F, prohibits hazing at the College District, on College District property, or while attending College District-sponsored activities on- or off-campus. The Office of the Dean of Students shall publish or distribute a list of organizations that have been disciplined for hazing or convicted for hazing on- or off-campus during the previous three (3) years.

Searches of Students' Personal Possessions, College District Propery, or Facilities

A law enforcement officer with probable cause shall be authorized to search a student’s personal possessions for the purpose of enforcing this code or investigating allegations. Searches by law enforcement officers of a student’s possessions shall be only as authorized by law.

Other administrative searches of a student’s personal possessions for the purpose of enforcing this code or investigating allegations may be conducted based on an administrator’s reasonable suspicion, with the student’s consent, when practicable.These restrictions do not apply to searches of College District property or facilities.

College District officials may question a student regarding the student’s own conduct or the conduct of other students. In the context of college discipline students have no claim to the right not to incriminate themselves.

All persons are responsible for the security of any vehicle, bag, or other item they own, possess, or bring onto College District property or a College District event. No person shall own, possess, place, keep, or maintain any article or material that is prohibited by law or College District policy in items, vehicles, or on College District property or at a College District-sponsored event.

If a vehicle subject to search is locked, the student shall be asked to unlock the vehicle. If the student refuses to permit the vehicle to be searched, the College District may contact the college police department and/or local law enforcement officials and turn the matter over to them.

Student Complaints: General

Complaint:

Student complaints (grievances) regarding any alleged action, which violates or inequitably applies written College District policies or procedures, may be reported through informal or formal processes, as identified below. The student (grievant) making the complaint must be personally affected by the action. Matters for which there is already a formal complaint or appeal process in place at the College District will be referred to the appropriate process including, but not limited to, student discipline, financial aid appeals, grade appeals, complaints of alleged discrimination, and complaints of alleged harassment, complaints against an employee, and complaints under instructional programs and courses core performance standards.

Informal:

A grievant is encouraged to initially resolve the issue at an informal level by discussing the concern with the individual (student, faculty member, staff member, or administrator) identified by the grievant as causing or contributing to the grievance, or their supervisor. If the grievant is unable to resolve the concern at the informal level, then he or she may proceed to the formal level.

Formal:

The grievant should file, no later than twenty (20) academic calendar days (not including weekends) from the time the student knew or should have known of the alleged incident, or events giving rise to the incident, a written statement identifying the actions being complained of, and describing the remedy he or she is seeking. This written complaint should be filed with the Office of the Dean of Students. If there already is a process in place to address the complaint, it will be referred to the appropriate party as listed above. The matter will be closed if the complaint is not substantiated. The grievant will be notified of the reasons for closure.

Student Complaints: Harassment

Students shall not engage in harassment motivated by race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status and directed toward another student. A substantiated charge of harassment against a student shall result in disciplinary action by the Dean of Students Office.

Definitions:

The term “harassment” includes repeated, unwelcome, and offensive slurs, jokes, or other oral, written, graphic, or physical conduct related to an individual’s race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

Reporting:

Students who believe they have been harassed by fellow students or College District employees are encouraged to promptly report such incidents to the appropriate administrator. If a student is the subject of a complaint, the individual shall report the complaint to the Dean of Students office. If an employee is the subject of a complaint, the studnet shall report the complaint directly to Human Resources or the designated administrator.

Investigations:

Any allegations of harassment of students shall be investigated and addressed.

Oral complaints shall be reduced to writing to assist in the College District’s investigation. To the greatest extent possible, complaints shall be treated as confidential. Limited disclosure may be necessary to complete a thorough investigation.

Protection from Retaliation:

The College District shall not retaliate against a student who in good faith reports perceived harassment.

Student-Product Intellectual Property

Intellectual property produced by a currently enrolled College District student as a part of course work or research is owned by the student, not the College District. However, the College District shall be granted by the student a perpetual, worldwide, royalty free license to utilize the intellectual property and to make alterations, changes, or create updated versions of the intellectual property. Any such altered or changed intellectual property will be owned by the College District.

It is the responsibility of the party or parties having ownership of the intellectual property, including, but not limited to inventions, discoveries, trade secrets, computer software, creative works, materials, and processes, to secure any licenses, copyrights, or patents.

Intellectual property created by a student in the course of employment by the College District is covered by the College District’s board policy regarding intellectual property rights of employees.

Students' Access to their Educational Records

The registrar is custodian of all student records and for all official academic records. The Dean of Students Office is the custodian of disciplinary records. Students may inspect and review their educational records upon submitting a written request to the registrar. This request should identify, as precisely as possible, the record or records he or she wished to inspect. Contact the registrar for procedures on students' rights of inspection, review, and correction of educational records.

Disclosure of Educational Records

The College District will disclose information from a student’s education records only with the student’s prior written consent, except with regard to the law that provides for disclosure without consent as indicated below:

A. to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records.

B. to other schools.

C. to certain officials of the United States Department of Education, the comptroller General, and state and local educational authorities, in connection with certain state or federally supported education programs.

D. in connection with a student's request for or receipt of financial aid, as necessary to determine the eligibility, amount or conditions of the financial aid, or to enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.

E. if required by a state law requiring disclosure that was adopted before Nov. 19, 1974 .

F. to organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the College District.

G. to accrediting organizations to carry out their functions.

H. to comply with a judicial order or a lawfully issued subpoena.

I. to appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency.

J. as it relates to directory information, unless the student restricts directory information.

K. to the student.

L. results of disciplinary hearing to alleged victim of a crime of violence.

M. to college police officers in a health or safety emergency.

Directory Information

In compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, Federal Law 99-380, information classified as directory information may be released to the general public without the student’s consent.

Directory information is defined as:

A. student name;

B. student address;

C. telephone listing;

D. major field(s) of study;

E. participation in officially recognized activities and sports;

F. weight and height of athletic team members;

G. dates of attendance / enrollment;

H. most recent previous educational institution attended;

I. degrees and awards received; and

J. photo / visual likeness.

A student may request that directory information be withheld from the public by completing and filing a request with the Admissions and Records Office. If no request is filed, directory information will be released upon inquiry. Filed requests are valid until revoked by the student in writing.

Directory information is the only part of a student's record that may be released without the student's prior written permission, except with regard to the law that provides for disclosure without consent.