College Regulations

ASSEMBLY

  1. Gogebic Community College recognizes the right of the individual or of groups to disagree with national, state, local, and college policies and positions. The college prohibits and will not tolerate the actions of any person or persons who assemble in a manner which obstructs the normal operations of the college.
  2. Picketing, obstruction of ingress or egress, sit-ins and other forms of demonstration will not be tolerated on the college-owned, leased, or rented property.
  3. Banners and other visible material may not contain obscene language or expressions. Students distributing or posting vulgar printed or written notices are subject to disciplinary action and to possible dismissal.
  4. The right of assembly does not give license to riot or to resort to violence or destroy or mutilate college facilities. Students who resort to violence or who damage college property will be subject to possible disciplinary action and referral to law enforcement authorities.
  5. Any student identified as participating in unlawful assembly and who has been asked to disperse by college officials or the police may be subject to arrest, and, if found guilty, will be dismissed from college.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Possession or Use of

The use or possession of any alcoholic or intoxicating beverages is prohibited on campus. If a student-sponsored and approved social activity is held off-campus where alcohol is served, alcoholic beverages may be purchased by those students of legal age.

BULLETIN BOARDS

Bulletin boards for display of posters, informative literature, student activities, notices, etc., are located on each floor of the college. Boards are designated for specific uses and are for officially approved notices only. Approval for student notices and posters can be obtained from the Office of Student Services. All materials must be dated or they will be removed.

COLLEGE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Extra-curricular activities are an integral part of student life at Gogebic Community College. The college encourages student participation in these activities. Interested students may sign up for the activity of their choice by contacting the faculty advisor or Student Senate officers.

All student activities including dances, assemblies, concerts, and club meetings must be scheduled through the office of the Student Senate Advisor following approval of the Student Government and the Dean of Students.

At the beginning of each semester, all clubs and organizations of the college are requested to submit to the Dean of Students and to the Student Senate a list of proposed club meetings, events, and social activities indicating the time and place of these activities. Additional meetings may be planned but must be scheduled in advance so that room assignments may be made.

Dances and all other social activities sponsored by clubs and organizations of Gogebic Community College shall be held only for registered students of the college and their guests. In special instances, invitations may be extended to other groups. Any college-sponsored activity must be chaperoned with the club sponsor serving as the official chaperon in addition to at least one other faculty member present to assist at the function. The responsibility of admitting duly registered students and the conduct of the student during the event rests with the sponsoring club or organization. Students may be asked to present their activity cards at any college function and should carry it with them at all times.

In the inauguration of new activities, clubs and organizations, students and faculty and advisors should present organization plans to the Dean of Students and the Student Senate. All new college organizations and/or publications, in order to receive official sanction, must be approved by: (1) the Student Senate, (2) Director of Student Activities, (3) President's Advisory Council, (4) the President, (5) Board of Trustees. Approval by the Board of Trustees will officially grant recognition and sanction to the organization as a part of the college activity program.

CONDUCT DISRUPTIVE OF COLLEGE AFFAIRS

Act No. 26, Public Acts of 1970 on Campus Disorders, passed by the Michigan Legislature and signed into law June 2, 1970, is hereby enforced by Gogebic Community College and reads as follows: This act provides penalties for certain conduct at public institutions of higher education.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT

Sec. 1. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $500, or by incarceration in the county jail for not more than 30 days, or both:

  1. When the chief administrative officer of a publicly owned and operated institution of higher education, or
  2. his designee, notifies the person that he is such officer of designee and that the person is in violation of the properly promulgated rules of the institution; and
  3. When the person is in fact in violation of such rules; and
  4. When, thereafter, such officer or designee directs the person to vacate the premises, building, or other structure of the institution; and
  5. When the person thereafter willfully remains in or on such premises, building, or other structure; and
  6. When, in so remaining therein or thereon, the person constitutes (1) a clear and substantial risk of physical harm or injury to other persons or of damage to or destruction of the property of the institution, or (2) an unreasonable prevention or disruption of the customary and lawful functions of the institution, by occupying space necessary therefore or by use of force or by threat of force.

Sec. 2. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $1000, or by incarceration in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or both, who enters on the premises, building, or other structure of a publicly owned and operated institution of higher education, with the intention to, and therein or thereon does in fact, constitute (a) a clear and substantial risk of physical harm or injury to other persons or of damage to or destruction of the property of the institution, or (b) an unreasonable prevention or disruption of the customary and lawful function of the institution, by occupying space necessary therefore or by use of force or by threat of force.

Sec. 3. This act shall take effect August 1, 1970.

This act is ordered to take effect immediately:

Act No. 328 Sec. 552 reads: Any person who shall willfully enter upon the lands of premises of another without lawful authority, after having been forbidden so to do by the owner or occupant, agent or servant of the owner or occupant, or any person being upon the land or premises of another, upon being notified to depart therefrom by the owner or occupant, the agent or servant of either, who without lawful authority neglects or refuses to depart therefrom, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days or by a fine of not more than $50, or both, in the discretion of the court.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect:

Act No. 155, Sec. 17 of Act 307 reads, and is hereby enforce by Gogebic Community College: Any student who receives scholarship funds under the provisions of Act No. 208 of the Public Acts of 1964, as amended, being sections 390.971 to 390.980 of the Compiled Laws of 1948, or receiving tuition grants under the provisions of Act 313 of the Public Acts of 1966, as amended, being sections 390.991 to 390.999 of the Compiled Laws of 1948, for or while in attendance at an institution of higher education, which receives appropriations under this act, and is either convicted in a court of law of the violation of any penal statute or ordinance prohibiting disorderly conduct, violence to a person, or damage to property, which violation is committed while participating in any disorder, disruption of the administration of or the rendering of services, or giving of instruction at any such institution, or by the proper authorities of such institutions of violating it's rules and regulations while so participating shall forfeit any right or qualification which he may otherwise have for the receipt of further benefits under either or both said acts upon final conviction of any such student of any penal violation or determination of violations of such rules or regulations, the president of such institution of learning shall cause report of same to be forwarded forthwith to the awarding authority under said acts, which authority shall forthwith terminate any such assistance provided under either or both of said acts to such students.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESOLUTION

The following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of Gogebic Community College and is hereby in effect in accordance with the acts passed by the Michigan Legislation on Campus Disorders:

  • As attendance at a tax-supported institution is not compulsory, it must be considered to be optional and voluntary. By voluntary attendance at this institution, the student assumes the obligations of performance and behavior reasonably imposed by the rules and regulations of Gogebic Community College relevant to its lawful function.
  • The Board of Trustees recognizes the desire of students, faculty and administrators for involvement in a relevant college program. They recommend that students, faculty, and administrators use tolerance in arriving at the goals desired by each. Student involvement in affairs of the college will be encouraged, and avenues of communication will be provided, but student, faculty, and administrative abuse of the democratic process will be firmly resisted.
  • The Board, therefore, directs faculty and administration to carry our their assignments so as to avoid discrimination, deprivation of due process, or capricious, clearly unreasonable or unlawful actions. It wished to emphasize that no person may, without liability to lawful discipline, intentionally act to impair or prevent the accomplishment of any lawful function of Gogebic Community College.
  • An employee arrested and convicted of rioting, inciting to riot, or interfering with authorities establishing or restoring law and order, will be discharged.
  • Any student who willfully or knowingly causes destruction of college property, or who materially and substantially disrupts the work and discipline subject to the provisions of Board Policy #429, Student Conduct/Discipline and Policy #429.2, Guidelines for Disciplinary Procedures.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

The administration of discipline at Gogebic Community College is designed so that decisions in disciplinary matters will formally meet essential standards of fairness, and so that students involved in misconduct will realize that their cases have been processed in a fair and judicious manner.

  1. Upon receipt or development of a complaint or violation of a college regulation, the accused will be notified in writing by the Office of the Dean of Student.
  2. The written notification will state the nature of the misconduct and/or the law which the accused is alleged to have violated.
  3. The student charged with the infraction will be requested to appear before the Dean of Students for an initial hearing to allow the administrative officer an opportunity to evaluate the case and convey to the accused the rights and choices to which he/she is entitled, and to refer him/her accordingly to the campus Conduct Committee. The student shall be entitled to:
    • a written notification of the time and place of hearing.
    • written notification of the names of the complainants and/or witnesses who are directly responsible for having reported the alleged violation, of if there are no such persons, written notification of how the alleged violation came to the official's attention.
    • elect not to appear before the conduct Committee; in which case the hearing will be held in the student's absence.
    • the Conduct Board will assure the student "due process of the law" including a written statement of charges, an opportunity for the presentation of witnesses in behalf of the student, and an opportunity for the presentation of witnesses in behalf of the student, and an opportunity for the student to see his/her accuser.
    • The Conduct Board will inform the student in writing of its results and findings.
    • the student shall also be informed of his/her final right to appeal before the Board of Trustees. The written appeal must be received within ten (10) business days of the date of the written notification of the Conduct Board's decision. This appeal shall be directed to the President, who shall convene the Board of Trustees and direct its hearing.
    • the decision of the Appeals Board shall be to uphold the decision of the Conduct Board; return the case to the conduct Board; to establish a new decision pursuant to the original recommendation.
    • for all cases the decision of the Appeals Board is final.

DISHONESTY, CHEATING

Dishonesty of any kind, including cheating on examinations or any assigned work, may be dealt with in any manner deemed suitable by the instructor, including the recording of a failing grade for the course. Cheating on examinations may also result in the student appearing before the Conduct Committee and possible suspension from school if circumstances warrant.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ACTIVITIES

A student is qualified to hold office in a student organization and to participate in any activity by meeting the following requirements:

  1. S/he must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student and passing in all credit classes in which enrolled at the time the student list for the activity is certified.
  2. S/he must be in good academic standing with minimum cumulative and prior semester grade point average of 2.00.
  3. Students who participate in varsity athletics must meet NJCAA eligibility requirements.
  4. All students who pay the student activity fee and comply with Items 1 to 3 above are eligible for participation and office-holding in student activity.

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN - BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS

Gogebic Community College has established procedures in accordance with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard (29CFR1910.1030) regarding blood in the work site. The purpose of this new standard is to limit occupational exposure to blood and other potentially disabling infectious materials, and applies to all employees. The full Exposure Control Plan is available for review in the college library. The format for the standards includes staff training and practice of universal precautions, emphasizing engineering and work practice controls. For additional information, contact Tom Cvengros, Dean of Business Services.

FALSIFICATION OF RECORDS

Falsification of official college records, either by providing erroneous information or by withholding pertinent information, is a serious offense and constitutes grounds for disciplinary action, including possible suspension or dismissal from college.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Students are expected to meet their financial obligations to the college promptly and fully. As a condition of enrollment students shall be held responsible for all fees, fines, maintenance and damage charges, or other financial obligations which they have incurred with the college. Those who have financial obligations will be denied registration for the subsequent and following semesters and their official records and transcripts will be withheld by the Dean of Students until payment is made.

The college may elect to cancel enrollment and shall withhold information on academic transcripts for students who fail to meet financial obligations by specified deadlines.

GAMBLING

Gambling on the campus or in any college-affiliated building or sponsored activity is prohibited.

ILLEGAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

The possession, sale, or use of illegal controlled substances on campus or at college-sponsored events or classes shall not be tolerated by Gogebic Community College. Students violating this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action and dismissal. The Drug-Free School and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 require clear and consistent sanctions for violation of this policy. Separate publications regarding Drug/Alcohol use/abuse are available to each student through the Office of Counseling and Placement.

NON-COLLEGE SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

The college does not recognize or approve non-sanctioned activities, nor will it be held liable for non-college sponsored activities which may involve students. No club or organization is permitted to affiliate or use the college name for any event which has not been sanctioned or involves the consumption or purchase of alcoholic beverages.

PARKING REGULATIONS

The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees has determined that motor vehicle operation and parking needs to be controlled to protect public safety and college facilities and grounds. Accordingly, the Charter Township of Ironwood has adopted Township Ordinance #42, which governs the operation, parking and speed of motor vehicles upon the Ironwood Township campus of Gogebic Community College. This Ordinance was adopted pursuant to the provisions of Public Act 175 of the Public Acts of 1958, As Amended. The provisions of this Ordinance include:

Operation of Motor Vehicles

  1. No person shall operated any motor vehicle on any roadway, street or in any parking area at a speed in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour.
  2. All roadways intersecting with county roads and all roadways posted with "stop" signs on the Campus are designated "stop" streets. Every driver of a vehicle approaching a "stop" sign at a designated stop street shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection and shall proceed into the intersection only when such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.
  3. A driver approaching a "yield right-of-way" sign upon the approach to an intersections shall slow to a reasonable speed for existing conditions of traffic and visibility, yielding the right-of-way to all traffic on the intersection street which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
  4. Pedestrian crosswalks shall be designated by paint upon the surface of the roadway. The driver of every motor vehicle approaching a marked pedestrian crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian within said crosswalk.
  5. No motor vehicle shall be operated on the sidewalks of the college except those vehicles used for law enforcement, fire suppression and prevention, instructional demonstration, construction, maintenance, loading, or unloading purposes while engaged in such use.
  6. No person shall operate any vehicle upon any roadway, street or in any parking area in a careless and reckless manner, or without due caution and circumspection, and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or to be likely to endanger any person or property.
  7. Vehicles shall not be driven in areas where traffic is restricted except for delivery or pick-up of large parcels or transport of handicapped persons.
  8. Driving on the lawn or other unpaved areas is prohibited under this ordinance except for law enforcement, fire suppression and prevention, instructional demonstration, construction, or maintenance purposes.
  9. Recreational vehicles and trucks shall be constrained the same as motor vehicles under this ordinance.
  10. Snowmobiles, all-terrain, and off-road vehicles shall not be operated on the College Campus except for those vehicles of this type used for law enforcement, fire suppression and prevention, instructional programs, and the operation and maintenance of college facilities.

Parking of Motor Vehicles

  1. No motor vehicle shall be parked on any roadway or sidewalk of the Campus.
  2. No motor vehicle shall be parked upon the shoulder of any roadway on the Campus.
  3. No vehicles shall be parked on any maintained grassy areas on the Campus.
  4. Where marked, motor vehicles shall be parked entirely within the painted stalls on paved areas of designated parking lots.
  5. No motor vehicle shall be parked within any parking lot between the hours of 1:00a.m. and 6:00 a.m. without prior written permission obtained from the Director of College Facilities.
  6. No motor vehicle shall be parked within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant.
  7. No motor vehicle shall be parked in parking spaces designated for the use by handicapped persons only unless that vehicle displays a valid handicapped parking permit.
  8. No motor vehicle shall be parked in restricted areas without a valid permit.
  9. No motor vehicle shall be parked in the Automotive Service area unless that vehicle displays and Automotive Parking permit obtained from the Automotive Laboratory.
  10. No vehicle shall be parked in such a manner or under such condition as to interfere with traffic entering or leaving a designated parking area, traffic lane, roadway, fire lane, or sidewalk.
  11. The College may, at the owner's expense, tow away vehicles which are improperly parked under the terms of this Ordinance or when such parking endangers the safety of the Campus and may hold said vehicles as security for the payment of said costs.

Enforcement

  1. The authority to enforce an operation, parking, and speed regulations as contained in this Ordinance shall be exercised by personnel as designated by the Sheriff of Gogebic County.
  2. Any person violating any of the foregoing sections or subsections of this Ordinance shall be alleged to be responsible for a civil infraction, unless otherwise provided by Michigan State Law, and subject to a fine of not exceeding one hundred ($100.00) dollars, or as otherwise provided under Michigan State Law, excluding the costs of court proceedings. The Gogebic County District Court shall have jurisdiction over said infractions.
  3. Each act of violation and every day upon which any violation shall occur shall constitute a separate offense. Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall be responsible for the costs of prosecution incurred by the Charter Township of Ironwood.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

It is the policy of Gogebic Community College that no employee, staff member, or student shall be subject to sexual harassment while on college premises or in connection with or related to his/her education or employment at Gogebic. Sexual harassment has absolutely no place in an academic environment and will not be tolerated by the college.

Any employee, staff member, or student engaging in such prohibited activity shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination from this institution, as determined by administrative or Board action.

This policy applies to acts of sexual harassment of any member of one sex against a member of the opposite, or same sex, at all levels of the college community.

SMOKING

Gogebic Community College believes in offering a clean air environment to students. In accordance with this policy, smoking is not permitted in any campus buildings.

SOLICITING

Soliciting funds, clothes, books, subscriptions, tickets, or similar items on campus or in college buildings must be approved in writing by the Office of the Dean of Students.

STUDENT CONDUCT/DISCIPLINE

Enrollment in Gogebic community College carries with it obligations of conduct. The responsibility for maintaining good conduct rests upon each individual student, and it is expected that students will perform in a manner so as to be a credit to themselves and to the college. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the rules and regulations of the college and observing the standards of conduct set by the college.

Whenever a student acts in such a manner as to give college officials reasonable cause to believe that the student presents a danger to himself, to others, or to college property, or if a student's activities adversely affect any legitimate college interest, that student shall be liable to disciplinary action and possible suspension or dismissal from college.

The college expects that each student will abide by the regulations governing student conduct. This handbook and the college catalog state some of the general regulations. Such statements cannot be all inclusive and individual student conduct violations may need to be determined on a case by case basis within the scope of this policy. The college will not be held liable for non-college sponsored activities which may involve students. No club or organization is permitted to use the college name for any event which has not been sanctioned by the Dean of Student Services.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY

It shall be the policy of Gogebic Community College to implement the following program to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees. The program shall include:

  • The annual distribution to each student and employee of standards of conduct that clearly prohibit, a minimum, the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on college property or as part of any of the college's activities;
  • A description of the applicable legal sanctions under local, state, or federal law for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol;
  • A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the use of alcohol;
  • A description of any drug or alcohol counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation or reentry programs that are available to employees or students; and
  • A statement that Gogebic Community College will impose sanctions on students and employees consistent with local, state, and federal law, up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral for prosecution for violations of the standards of conduct required in said policy.

This program shall be reviewed biannually to determine its effectiveness and to implement changes to the program, if they are needed; and to ensure that the sanctions required by the policy are consistently enforced.

Gogebic Community College shall, upon request, make available to the Secretary of the United States Department of Education and to the public, a copy of each item required above, as well as the results of the biannual review herein required.

As regulations are published and implemented by the United States Department of Education, the same shall be periodically reviewed by the President of the College and submitted to the College Board to assist in the implementation and review of appropriate policy changes and amendments.

The following actions shall be taken against students and employees for violation of the standards of conduct:

First Offense: Instruction and cautioning and attendance in available drug or alcohol counseling rehabilitation and/or assistance program, plus a three-day suspension.

Second Offense: Termination of employment or expulsion and referral for prosecution for violation of the standards of conduct required by said policy.

Note: Consideration shall be given to the severity of the offense, the cost involved, the time interval between violations, the length and quality of the service record, and the ability of the employee or student involved. In each case where the penalty deviates from the recommended standard penalties, the reasons for such deviations shall be noted.

The written standards distributed to the students and employees shall be reviewed by the Board annually.

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