Grade Appeal Policy
Grades are determined solely by individual faculty members. Students who wish to contest a grade given by a faculty member must attempt to resolve the matter with the faculty member concerned. To pursue this appeal, the student must be prepared with evidence as to why the grade posted by the faculty member is in error. If the matter cannot be resolved with the individual faculty member, the student may pursue the appeal by bringing it to the attention of the appropriate department chairperson, who will confer with the faculty member and review all the evidence pertaining to the appeal. Grades may not be changed after graduation except when an error in the recording of a grade has occurred.
Dropping and Adding Courses
Students who wish to drop or add courses should inform the Office of Records and Registration in person and complete either a Drop/Add Form or a Withdrawal Form. Students who fail to fill out the appropriate form and merely stop attending classes will receive an “F’’ grade. After a student has registered, he or she may add courses through the first week of classes. Students have the option of adding into courses as long as they have not met twice during the day and once during the evening or weekend. Permission to add after this period is granted only by the appropriate academic dean.
Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratories. Absence does not excuse a student from the responsibility for class work or assignments that are missed. Repeat absences or lateness that affects student performance will be reflected in the final grade and could lead to a failing grade for the course.
Academic Conduct
In order to maintain academic integrity at County College of Morris, the college community will not tolerate any forms of academic dishonesty. Examples of unacceptable forms of dishonesty include cheating, copying fabrication, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, submitting someone else’s work as one’s own; dishonesty through the use of technology such as sharing disks, files, or programs; access to, modification of, or transfer of electronic data, system software or computing facilities. The intent of this policy is to promote academic integrity, and to arrest all forms of academic dishonesty.
When incidents of academic dishonesty occur and the faculty member chooses to submit a formal complaint of the incident to the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management, the Vice President will refer the complaint to the Academic Integrity Review Board, which is composed of faculty, academic administrators, and the Vice President of Student Development & Enrollment Management. The Academic Integrity Review Board will review the circumstances surrounding the incident and make a recommendation of appropriate disciplinary action. Penalties imposed on the student who violates this policy may vary from failing the unit of work to expulsion from the college in at least 12 or more credit courses to be eligible for the Dean’s Honor List.
Withdrawing from Individual Classes
To withdraw officially from a course, students must complete a Withdrawal Form available at the Office of Records and Registration. Merely notifying the instructor is not an official withdrawal. Students need to obtain the signature of the faculty member of the class in order to receive the withdrawal designation.
Courses officially dropped before the end of the second week of class will generate a refund of tuition only an no inclusion on the student’s permanent record and do not require the instructor’s signature. Students who officially drop a course after the second week and before 75% of the course is completed will receive a “W’’ designation. Students who do not complete the course and who do not complete the withdrawal process may receive an “F” unless there are extenuating circumstances. If extenuating circumstances prevail, the student must contact the Office of Counseling Services to be considered for the late withdrawal process.
Note to all financial aid recipients: Please contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from classes. Withdrawing may affect the amount of aid you were awarded or the amount of aid you can expect to receive.
Official Withdrawal from College
Students who wish to withdraw officially from the college must complete a withdrawal application form. Students may obtain the form from the Office of Counseling Services. Part-time students may obtain the form from the Office of Records and Registration. The withdrawal will be effective as of the date the student contacts the appropriate department with the request to withdraw.
If a student withdraws from college during the first two weeks of classes, a refund of tuition only will be processed and no courses or grades will be included on the student’s permanent record. If a student withdraws after the second week of classes and before 75% of the term ends, he/she will receive withdrawal designations. However, the faculty member may still assign a grade of “F’’ if he or she properly notified the student by using the Faculty Notification of Possible Failure Form. After 75% of the semester is completed, students are committed to complete the courses and receive grades. A student who fails to officially withdraw will receive a grade of “F.” The “W” designation will not be issued after 75% of the course is completed unless extenuating circumstances prevail or without approval from the faculty member. The student must contact the Office of Counseling Services to document the circumstances and begin the process for filing a late withdrawal request.
Change of Major and Dropping Grades
Students who wish to transfer from one major to another must obtain the appropriate form in the Office of Records and Registration. Before a student may register officially in the new major, the change of the major must be signed by an advisor in the new major.
Students who change majors and achieve a 2.0 grade point average for the first 12 credits in the new major may apply to drop from their cumulative point average all “D’’ and “F’’ calculations for courses previously completed which were particular to the former major and which do not pertain to their new major. Students will have one opportunity to take advantage of this policy to drop grades. If a student decides to change back to their original major, the grades which were removed from their cumulative grade point average will be reinstated.
Incomplete Grades
An Incomplete, “I’’ is a temporary grade given to students who are unable to complete the semester due to illness or other circumstances beyond their control.
Students should present their instructor with a written, valid reason for the missed work. Students are required to make arrangements with their instructors to complete the work within four weeks of the end of the semester (the date of the last scheduled final examination).
Students will receive a grade of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or “F” when the work is completed. If the work is not completed by the end of the four-week period, students will receive an “F.’’
Midterm Advisory Grades
Midterm warning reports are sent to students when they are demonstrating unsatisfactory work and/or lack of attendance through the midpoint of the semester. An unsatisfactory “U” designation indicates that the students performance in the class is unsatisfactory, while the “W” designation indicates that the student should withdraw from the course due to lack of attendance. Midterm warning reports are not mandatory, therefore, not all faculty submit these progress notifications. The “U’’ designation does not appear on the student’s permanent record, while the “W” will appear on the permanent record only in the event the student processes an official withdrawal through the Office of Counseling Services.
Policy on Repeating Courses
Students may repeat any course to increase their knowledge level. This choice is left to the discretion of the student except in cases when the student has received an “F’’ and is required to repeat the course for their particular major.
When repeating a course, the original grade and the repeat grade will appear on the student’s transcript. However, the student’s cumulative average will be computed based on the repeat course grade. Students should be aware of the possible consequences of receiving a grade which is lower than their original grade. For example, if a “D’’ grade is repeated and an “F” is earned on the second attempt, the “F” will replace the “D”.
Students who must take a course for the third time will have their cumulative average computed based on the second and third repeat course grades. The second and third grades are averaged together in the GPA. If a student who repeats a course receives a “W,’’ the original grade will prevail. A student may register for the same course three times (excluding formal withdrawals or where precluded by departmental regulations). However, a student will be blocked from registering on the fourth and subsequent attempts without express permission from the appropriate academic department chairperson and/or division dean.
Students who repeat courses are not eligible to graduate with honors or be included on the Dean’s Honor List for the semester in which they repeated the course.
Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy
A student will be placed on academic probation on the basis of an unsatisfactory Cumulative Point Average (CPA). Four checkpoints are established at 12, 24, 38, and 48 non-credit and credit hours.
A calculation of the CPA is made in a semester in which non-credit and credit hours attempted are equal to or exceed the checkpoint value. No CPA checks are made until the “non-credit/credit hours attempted” checkpoint is reached. Once a student has entered a checkpoint, CPA checks are made each semester to determine the student’s academic standing. If the CPA falls below the probation level, the student will be placed on probation.
Checkpoint Criteria
Non-credit/Credit Hours Attempted Probation Level
12-23 Below 1.4 CPA
24-37 Below 1.6 CPA
38-47 Below 1.8 CPA
48 and above Below 2.0 CPA
A student on probation who achieves a 2.00 semester grade point average for every semester through the following checkpoint will be permitted to continue through to the next checkpoint in an attempt to bring the CPA up to acceptable minimum standards.
If a student on probation is unable to achieve a 2.00 semester grade point average at the conclusion of the probationary semester (summer and winterim sessions included), he/she will be dismissed and will not be eligible to take any courses for one semester following the dismissal (summer and winterim sessions not included). Such a dismissal may be appealed to the Academic Review Committee. If the Academic Review Committee permits the student to return to County College of Morris, after a dismissal he/she will return on a probationary status and, if dismissed a second time, will not be eligible to take any courses for one year.
After one semester on dismissal, a student may apply for readmission to the college. The student will return on a probationary status and, if dismissed a second time, will not be eligible to take any courses for one year.
Academic Review Committee
The Academic Review Committee shall be composed of the Vice President of Student Development & Enrollment Management, two counselors, two faculty members from each of the three academic divisions and the Director of the Center for Academic Support and Enrichment. The Academic Review Committee shall have jurisdiction to (a) consider appeals by students who have been academically dismissed, and (b) accept applications for readmission following academic dismissal.
The Vice President of Student Development & Enrollment Management shall inform students in writing of their dismissal under this policy and of the right to appeal such dismissal. Students seeking to appeal academic dismissal must submit, within a limited time period, a letter of appeal to the Academic Review Committee, c/o the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management. Included with this letter should be supporting documentation that offers extenuating circumstances for the student’s past academic performance. The committee will review this letter and, at its discretion, interview the student before making a decision.
The Academic Review Committee shall make a determination regarding the appeal and notify the student in writing of its decision prior to the first day of classes of the semester commencing after the filing of the appeal. The decision of the Academic Review Committee shall be the final decision of the college.
Academic Bankruptcy
Students who attended County College of Morris in the past with poor academic records and who wish to return to the college without being penalized for a long-standing poor record may declare academic bankruptcy for all courses taken during their initial attendance at the college.
Students may declare academic bankruptcy if there is a five-year interim between the time they took their last course and the time they have been readmitted into the college.
Once academic bankruptcy is declared, the student’s previous record is retained on the transcript with “Academic Bankruptcy’’ indicated. This statement will separate the past from the current course work. The academic bankruptcy policy is printed on the back of the student’s transcript.
When students declare academic bankruptcy, all courses taken during their first affiliation with the college will be included. Selecting only certain courses is not permitted. Also, there is no minimum number of credits required before a student is eligible to declare academic bankruptcy. Students will have one opportunity to take advantage of this policy. Students interested in further information should contact the Office of Records and Registration.
Conduct Policy
Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Appeal Procedures
A. CIVILITY STATEMENT. County College of Morris was founded by the citizens of the county with the belief that learning is a lifelong process and that education can improve the quality of life for individuals and society.
County College of Morris is a community of individuals. As such, we must strive to recognize the dignity and worth of each member of our community. It is, therefore, the policy of the college that each individual, regardless of status (student, administrator, support staff or faculty member) must treat every other individual, irrespective of status, rank, title or position, with dignity and respect.
The college recognizes the diversity of its community. We come from many different backgrounds and include different races, religions and ethnic ancestry. Learning to understand the differences among us, as well as the similarities, is an important dimension of education, one that continues for a lifetime. Tolerance alone is not enough. Respect and understanding are also needed. We should delight in our differences, and should seek to appreciate the richness and personal growth which our diversity provides us as members of this community.
B. PURPOSE. The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to protect County College of Morris, its academic and social community, and its property from harm resulting from hostile, abusive, or demeaning conduct or acts that may cause injury or threat of injury.
To this end, this Code defines prohibited conduct and provides imposition of appropriate discipline upon those students whose acts violate its standards of conduct, by means of hearing procedures that afford both prompt disciplinary determinations and appropriate due process to the alleged violator.
Students at County College of Morris may be accountable to the law enforcement authorities, as well as to the college, for acts that constitute violations of law as well as violations of this Code. College disciplinary actions will proceed notwithstanding the pending of any criminal, drug or disorderly persons proceedings. Similarly, dismissal or acquittal of concurrent legal proceedings will not necessarily result in dismissal of college disciplinary action.
The college recognizes that its inherent powers and responsibilities to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community are broad, as is the potential range of student misconduct that could harm persons and property on campus. Accordingly, this Code is to be interpreted broadly so as to effectuate to the fullest extent the protection of the County College of Morris community. This Code is intended to define prohibited behavior so as to give students notice of the standards expected of them. They are not meant to define misconduct in exhaustive terms.
C. VIOLATIONS OF LAW. On-campus misconduct constituting a criminal, drug or disorderly persons offense will be immediately reported to the appropriate authorities for their investigation. Where a student’s act also violates this Code, proceedings will be instituted under this Code. When the college itself is a victim of the act, the college reserves the right to institute criminal and/or civil proceedings against the student.
The Office of Public Safety is responsible for investigating all student violations of law that occur on campus and should be notified immediately upon detection of any such violation. As soon as practical, upon receipt of such notification, the Office of Public Safety shall advise the appropriate law enforcement agency of the violation and that an investigation is being conducted. The Office of Public Safety shall take necessary and appropriate action with respect to the violation, to assure the protection of persons and property on campus. The Office of Public Safety shall coordinate with law enforcement authorities in the apprehension of suspects, preservation of evidence, aid to victims, and all other aspects of the case. A factual report shall be prepared by the Office of Public Safety promptly after the occurrence of each violation and a copy thereof sent to the Student Development Office. This report shall be prepared whether or not the violation is also being investigated by law enforcement authorities.
D. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY. The college has adopted a separate Academic Dishonesty Policy and Procedure which defines acts of academic dishonesty and sets forth the procedure for determining whether academic dishonesty has occurred and if so, the appropriate discipline to be imposed.
E. MISCONDUCT. The following acts, when committed by students of County College of Morris, shall be deemed misconduct under this Code, subject to imposition of discipline under this Code. This Code applies to conduct engaged in while attending college functions on campus or off-campus or functions of college-sponsored organizations conducted on-campus or off- campus.
1. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical or psychological harm to any person, or intentionally or recklessly causing reasonable apprehension of such harm.
2. Engaging in hostile conduct or disorderly behavior that might incite immediate violence or that might impede the teaching/ learning environment.
3. Engaging in abusive or demeaning conduct or obscene gestures directed toward another individual or group of individuals which has the effect of creating a hostile environment and impedes the rights and privileges of other members of the college community.
4. Unauthorized use, possession or storage of any weapon.
5. Intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning or threat of fire, explosion or other emergency.
6. Intentionally or carelessly disrupting college operations or college sponsored activities.
7. Use, possession, distribution or sale of, or being under the influence of, illegal narcotics, chemicals, psychedelic drugs or other dangerous substances unless prescribed by a doctor. (See CCM Substance Abuse Policy.)
8. Furnishing false information to the college including forgery, alteration or misuse of college documents, records or identification.
9. Unauthorized access to, modification of, or transfer of electronic data, system software or computing facilities, or improper use of college-provided technology of any kind.
10. Theft of college property, knowing possession of stolen college property, or theft of personal items from campus facilities.
11. Destruction, damage or misuse of property of the college or others on campus.
12. Failure to comply with reasonable directions of college officials issued in the performance of their duties intended to insure the orderly or safe conduct of college programs, activities or operations, or the proper orderly and safe use of college property.
13. Unauthorized presence in or use of college premises, facilities or property.
14. Unauthorized use and/or possession of fireworks on college premises.
15. Any gambling that is not authorized by the college or under the laws of the State of New Jersey.
16. Unauthorized use or misuse of the college name for soliciting funds or for sponsorship of activities, or on printed matter.
17. Violation of college regulations or policies, including campus motor vehicle regulations, the college’s smoking policy, or federal, state or local laws.
18. Violation of the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with this Code.
F. PROCEDURE WHEN MISCONDUCT IS REPORTED
1. Reporting. When student misconduct occurs, any person observing it should immediately report the misconduct to the Office of Student Development. Any member of the college community, including students, faculty, administration and staff, may initiate disciplinary procedures by filing a written complaint with the Vice President of Student Development. One or more of the following procedures will be initiated.
2. Administration of Disciplinary Procedure. The disciplinary procedure set forth in this Code shall be administered by the V.P. of Student Development or in the V.P.’s absence by the Assistant Dean of Student Development. When used in this Code the title “Vice President” shall refer to the Vice President of Student Development or in the V.P.’s absence the Assistant Dean of Student Development.
3. Informal Conference/Temporary Suspension. When misconduct is reported or a misconduct complaint is filed the V.P. will immediately speak to the alleged violator and to any persons harmed by the misconduct or witnesses to it. The V.P. will discuss the matter informally with the alleged violator apprising him/her of the accusation made and giving him/her an opportunity to explain his/ her version of the facts. After conducting this informal discussion, the V.P. shall determine whether to dismiss the matter or if the charge is denied, whether to refer the complaint for disciplinary proceedings before the Judicial Board. If it is reasonably concluded that the alleged misconduct did not constitute a violation of this Code or that the violator did not commit misconduct, the student will be advised that no further disciplinary proceedings will take place in connection with the incident. If the V.P. reasonably concludes that there is probable cause that the student committed the alleged misconduct and that this Code has been violated, the V.P. shall issue a complaint, or transmit a complaint filed by another person, to the Judicial Board. If after this informal discussion the V.P. reasonably concludes that the alleged violator’s presence on campus poses a continuing danger to a person or property or an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process or college activities, the V.P. may direct the temporary suspension and the immediate removal of the student from campus, with the aid of the Office of Public Safety. Except to participate in disciplinary proceedings, a student temporarily suspended shall not return to the campus until the Judicial Board has rendered a decision on the misconduct charge or the V.P. has authorized the student’s return. All complaints of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Academic Integrity Review Board.
4. Service of Complaint and Notice of Disciplinary Proceeding. The V.P. shall promptly provide the student with written notice of the time and place of the disciplinary proceedings before the Judicial Board, together with a copy of any complaint referred to the Judicial Board, a copy of the Judicial Board constitution, any documents to be utilized in the prosecution of the charges, and a list of witnesses, except that the V.P. is authorized to preserve the anonymity of a witness if the V.P. reasonably concludes that identification of the witness will place the witness at risk of harm. The student charged shall be served with the notice and other information required under this subparagraph not less than three (3) class days prior to the student’s scheduled appearance before the Judicial Board.
5. Notification to the Office of Public Safety. The V.P. shall immediately notify the Office of Public Safety and Safety of occurrence of any misconduct constituting a student violation of law, and of the suspension of any student for misconduct.
6. Removal from Class. A faculty member is authorized to have a student removed from class for disruptive behavior which threatens others, or in any way impedes the teaching and learning process. If a student refuses the faculty request to leave the faculty member shall request the assistance of Office of Public Safety to remove the student from class. Where a faculty member has removed the student from class for disruptive behavior and deems it necessary to preclude the student from returning to this particular class, the faculty member shall immediately file a misconduct complaint with the V.P. of Student Development. Upon receipt of the misconduct complaint the V.P. shall follow the procedures set forth in subparagraph Three to determine whether the student has violated this Code and if so, whether to impose discipline including temporary suspension.
G. JUDICIAL BOARD APPEARANCE. The Judicial Board is created and constituted in accordance with the STUDENT ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION. The Judicial Board has the responsibility of reviewing, making findings and recommendations on all misconduct complaints that are not dismissed or otherwise resolved by the V.P. of Student Development, or by the Academic Integrity Review Board.
1. Level One Proceedings. Disciplinary proceedings before the Judicial Board shall be held within ten (10) days on which classes are scheduled (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date of the charge, except that where the student has not been temporarily suspended, misconduct charges filed between June 15 and August 31 shall be scheduled before the Judicial Board within ten (10) days from the commencement of the fall semester classes. Disciplinary proceedings are closed to the public. Attendance is limited to the alleged violator, the complaining party, and any witnesses during the course of questioning of the witness. Proceedings before the Judicial Board are not intended to be a formal trial hearing or legal proceeding. Attorneys may not participate in the proceeding before the Judicial Board except that an accused student may have an attorney present to advise the Judicial Board or to represent the college. A student may obtain the advice of a college administrator or faculty member during the proceedings before the Judicial Board. If a student advises the V.P. of Student Development not less than five (5) days before the Judicial Board appearance of his/her inability to obtain such advice, the V.P. will appoint a suitable individual to advise the student. Where the V.P. deems a witness to be at risk of harm, the anonymity of the witness shall be preserved by presenting a statement of the witness out of the presence of the accused student, provided that the substance of the witness’ statement is made known to the accused student. The student charged shall not be entitled to be present during the deliberations of the Judicial Board although proceedings of the Judicial Board may be tape recorded by the members present only. The student charged shall have the right to produce persons or materials to refute the charge.
2. Failure to Appear. Failure of the student charged to appear before the Judicial Board after proper notice shall not be cause to postpone or cancel the proceeding, which may be determined in the absence of the student charged.
3. Quorum and Presiding Officer. A majority of the members of the Judicial Board shall constitute a quorum for purposes of reviewing misconduct charges and making findings and recommendations thereon. The proceeding shall be presided over by the Chairperson or any Acting Chairperson in his/her absence. All members of the Judicial Board may question witnesses. The Board Secretary shall keep the records of all proceedings and assure the timely transmission of correspondence from the Judicial Board.
4. Level One Determination. The Judicial Board shall make its findings and recommendations at the conclusion of the presentation of the matter. Determinations of the Judicial Board shall not be made public. The findings and recommendations on disciplinary cases shall be transmitted in writing to the V.P. of Student Development and to the student charged. If the Judicial Board finds no basis for imposing discipline no further discipline shall be imposed for the same charge. If it is determined that discipline or a fine is warranted, the Judicial Board may recommend the appropriate sanction as described in Section H of this Code.
5. Waiver of Judicial Board Review. A student may file with the V.P. a written waiver of his/her right to have a disciplinary action or charges reviewed by the Judicial Board. Upon filing such a waiver the matter will proceed to Level Two disposition.
6. Notice of Related Criminal Charges - Prior to the date of the hearing the accused student may advise the V.P. in writing that there are pending or anticipated criminal charges against the student that are related to the incident being reviewed by the Judicial Board.
H. SANCTIONS. If the Judicial Board finds discipline or fine to be warranted it may recommend that the V.P. impose upon the student charged one or more of the following disciplinary measures.
1. Verbal Warning - verbal admonition against further violations.
2. Written Reprimand - written warning placed in student’s file for having engaged in misconduct.
3. Community Service - a set number of hours of service conducted on campus.
4. Restitution - the obligation to replace or pay for property damaged, to compensate for losses incurred or to provide a campus service as a result of the violation.
5. Disciplinary Probation - loss of participation in college related activities for a specified period of time.
6. Suspension - exclusion from all or specified classes and other college related activities for a specified period of time.
7. Expulsion - permanent dismissal from classes and college activities.
I. LEVEL TWO APPEAL. Any student determined by the Judicial Board to have violated this Code may appeal the decision of the Judicial Board to the V.P. of Student Development. A student desiring to file a Level Two Appeal shall file with the V.P. of Student Development within five (5) calendar days of receipt of the determination and recommendation of the Judicial Board, which appeal shall set forth the basis of the appeal. An appeal shall stay implementation of sanctions but shall not permit a student removed from campus to return.
1. Student Appeal. Within ten (10) class days from receipt of a student’s appeal of the determination and recommendation from the Judicial Board, the V.P. shall notify the student in writing of his/ her determination of the misconduct charge and any discipline or a fine imposed.
2. Review Upon Waiver. Within ten (10) class days from receipt of a waiver of Judicial Board review, the V.P. shall meet with the student charged and determine whether the student has violated this Code. The V.P. shall notify the student in writing of his/her determination of the misconduct charge and any discipline or a fine imposed.
3. Review of Judicial Board Recommendation. Where the student has not filed an appeal of the Level One determination, within ten (10) class days from receipt of a recommendation from the Judicial Board that discipline or a fine be imposed, the V.P. shall notify the student in writing of his /her determination to accept, reject or modify the Judicial Board recommendation.
4. Discipline Subject to Further Appeal. Disciplinary decisions of the V.P. shall be final and not subject to further appeal unless suspension from the college for more than ten (10) class days is imposed. If the V.P. determines to impose long term suspension, or to expel the student from the college, the student may appeal such determination to the President provided written appeal is filed with the President within five (5) class days from the student’s receipt in writing of the determination of the V.P. of Student Development.
J. LEVEL THREE APPEAL. Within ten (10) class days from the filing of a Level Three Appeal, the President or his/her designee shall conduct a hearing on appeals timely filed from determinations imposing long term suspension or expulsion from the college. Neither the V.P. of Student Development nor the person filing the initial misconduct charge shall conduct this hearing.
1. Level Three Hearing. Not less than five (5) calendar days before the hearing date, the student shall be given written notice of the hearing date together with a copy of any written material to be presented which was not previously furnished to the student, and a list of persons expected to testify. The student shall have the right to produce relevant materials and witnesses having information bearing upon the appeal. The proceedings before the President or his/her designee shall be private and are not intended to be a formal trial proceeding. At the hearing, the student may have the assistance of privately retained legal counsel or a faculty advisor, provided the identity of this person is communicated to the President not less than two (2) class days before the hearing. Whenever the student is assisted by legal counsel, the President may request that the college attorney be present to question witnesses. The appellant shall be entitled to be present during the entire Level Three hearing. If, having been properly notified of the time and place of the hearing, the appellant fails to appear, the President or his/her designee may dismiss the appeal or otherwise determine the appeal.
2. Decision. Within twenty (20) calendar days from the conclusion of the hearing, the President or his/her designee shall deliver a written decision on the appeal of the student. The decision of the President is final.
Smoking Policy
County College of Morris is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is banned in all campus buildings and anywhere on campus grounds. Smoking will only be permitted in vehicles not owned by the college. Smoking fines are $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $75 for the third offense. Fines must be paid within 10 days of the date it was issued. If an appeal is filed and upheld, the fine will be refunded.
Access to Student Files
1. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, gives students the right to inspect and review all their educational records except for:
A. Financial records of the student’s parents.
B. Confidential letters or statements placed in the file prior to January 1, 1975.
C. Psychiatric or medical records retained by a professional for treatment purposes.
If students wish to inspect or review their academic records, they must fill out and sign a request form in the Office of Records and Registration. The law permits the college 45 days to respond to such requests, but every effort will be made to accommodate such requests as quickly as possible. Upon receipt of the signed, written request, an appointment will be set up for the student to review the file.
2. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act also states that the college may not release educational records or personally identifiable information to any individual agency or organization unless there is the written consent of the student or a court order (subpoena). In the case of a subpoena, the student will be notified by certified mail of the nature of the subpoena. Please contact the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management if you have any questions concerning this law.
Students have the right to waive their rights to privacy by completing the appropriate form in the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management.
Hold on Student Records
Students who fail to meet their obligations to the college, financial or otherwise, will have their academic records placed on “hold’’ until the obligation is resolved to the satisfaction of the college. No grade report, transcript, or diploma will be issued on the student’s behalf until obligations are satisfied in full. Once the obligation is satisfied, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Registration and Records. Enrollment verification will be issued only for currently attending students.
Sexual Harassment Policy
County College of Morris reaffirms its desire to create an academic/work environment for all students, faculty, and staff that is not only responsible but also supportive and conducive to the achievement of education/career goals on the basis of such relevant factors as ability and performance. Students and college personnel are required to maintain an environment that allows all students and all college employees to enjoy the full benefits of their learning experience or work. The use of implicit or explicit coercive sexual behavior to control, influence, or affect the performance or status of an individual is prohibited. Any student, faculty member, staff, or administrative employee determined to have been engaged in sexual harassment will be subject to immediate and appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
The college has established a procedure to be followed in reporting and investigating complaints of sexual harassment. Any member of the college community who believes he or she has been subjected to conduct that violates this policy should follow the “Procedures for Reporting and Investigating a Sexual Harassment Complaint.” Copies of this procedure are available from the Office of Student Development & Enrollment Management, the Office of Human Resources, or the Counseling Services Office.
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