Student Handbook

The Community College of Rhode Island is an institution of higher learning concerned with achieving and maintaining the highest standards of education excellence. Community College of Rhode Island recognizes the necessity for continuous process of evaluation and revision of its policies regarding institutional and student rights and responsibilities. Codes of conduct and statements of student and institutional rights and responsibilities are a practical reflection of this concern for protecting the standards for educational excellence. Such excellence in an academic community presupposes mutual awareness of the respect for both institutional rights and duties and individual liberties and responsibilities.

Each student has the right to expect the College to fulfill its educational responsibilities as effectively as its capacity and resources will permit. Correspondingly, the college must exercise the right to establish and maintain standards of conduct, which will promote an atmosphere conducive to learning and meaningful individual development.

Since rights carry with them certain responsibilities, the following rights and responsibilities are set forth with accompanying procedures for implementation.

Contact:

Dean of Students Office
Warwick Campus: 825-2221s: 825-2221
Providence Campus: 455-6050
Lincoln Campus: 333-7159

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STUDENT DISCIPLINARY CODE

Article I: DEFINITIONS
  1. The term "College" means Community College of Rhode Island.
  2. The term "Student" includes all persons taking courses at the College, both full-time and part-time. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term, but who have a continuing relationship with the College are considered "students".
  3. The term "Faculty member" means any person hired by the college to conduct classroom activities.
  4. The term "College official" includes any person employed by the College, performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
  5. The term "Member of the College community" includes any person who is a student, Faculty member, College official or any other person employed by the College. The Dean of Students Officer shall determine a person’s status in a particular situation.
  6. The term "Organization" means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for recognition by the College.
  7. The term "College premises" includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the College, including adjacent streets and sidewalks.
  8. The term "Conduct Hearing Board" means any person or persons authorized by the Dean of Students Officer to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code and to recommend imposition of sanctions.
  9. The term "Conduct Hearing Officer" means a College official authorized on a case-by-case basis by the Dean of Students to impose sanctions upon students found to have violated the Student Code. The Dean of Students may authorize a conduct-hearing officer to serve simultaneously as a conduct-hearing officer and the sole member or one of the members of a conduct hearing board. Nothing shall prevent the Dean of Students from authorizing the same conduct-hearing officer to impose sanctions in all cases.
  10. The term "shall" is used in the imperative sense.
  11. The term "may" is used in the permissive sense.
  12. The "Dean of Students" is that person designated by the College President be responsible for the administration of the Student Code.
  13. The term "policy" is defined as the written regulations of the College as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code, the College Catalog and this brochure.
  14. The term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to:
    1. Use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations.
    2. Dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments.
    3. The acquisition, without permission, of the college faculty or staff.
  15. The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

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Article II: STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. To have the opportunity to pursue higher education in a safe atmosphere
  2. To have the freedom to express opinions, beliefs, and attitudes
  3. An applicant for admission to the College shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or beliefs. Moreover, no otherwise qualified person with a disability will be denied admission solely because of the person's disability.
  4. An applicant for, or a recipient of, College financial aid or College scholarship, shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age or beliefs. Moreover, no otherwise qualified person with a disability will be denied financial aid solely because of the person's disability.
  5. A student shall be free from searches and seizures of person and possessions while on College property unless there is a case of imminent danger or when there are reasonable grounds upon which to believe it is necessary to conduct a search immediately in order to protect life or property, Searches may be conducted in the presence of the Dean of Students or another member of the dean's staff acting as the dean's authorized representative.
  6. A student's disciplinary record shall be kept separate and confidential unless the student consents in writing to have it revealed. However, the Dean of Students may disclose the student's disciplinary record without the student's consent if legal compulsion or the safety of people or property is involved,.
  7. Student Health Service medical, surgical and mental health records and information are strictly confidential and will not be released to anyone without the student's knowledge and signed authorization.
  8. Official records and information maintained by the Dean of Students Office are treated in a confidential manner. A student has the right to view disciplinary records maintained
  9. General information about a student will not be released if the student has filed with the Records Office of the College, in writing, a request stating the information to be withheld.

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Article III: AUTHORITY
  1. The Dean of Students shall determine the composition of conduct hearing boards and determine which conduct hearing board and conduct-hearing officer shall be authorized to hear each case.
  2. The Dean of Students or designee shall develop policies for the administration of the program and procedural rules for the conduct of hearings, which are not inconsistent with provisions of the Student code.
  3. Decisions made by a conduct hearing board or conduct-hearing officer shall be final, pending the normal appeal process.
  4. A hearing board may be designated as arbiter of disputes within the student community in cases, which do not involve a violation of the Student Code. All parties must agree to arbitration, and to be bound by the decision with no right of appeal.
Article IV: PROSCRIBED CONDUCT
  1. Jurisdiction of the College.
    Generally, College jurisdiction and discipline shall apply to conduct which occurs on or off College premises and which adversely affects the College community and the pursuit of its objectives.
  2. Conduct—Rules and Regulations.
    Any student found to have committed misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article V, Section C. Misconduct is defined as but not limited to the following:
  1. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
    1. Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty.
    2. Furnishing false information to any college official or faculty member.
    3. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any College document, record, or instrument of identification.
    4. Tampering with the election of any college recognized student organization.
  2. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other College activities, including its public service functions on or off campus, or other authorized non-college activities, when the act occurs on College premises.
  3. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion and/or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.
  4. Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the College or property of a member of the College community or other personal or public property.
  5.    Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization.
  6. Failure to comply with directions of college officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.
  7. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any college premises or unauthorized entry to or use of College premises.
  8. Violation of published College policies, rules or regulations.
  9. Violation of federal, state or local law on College premises or at College sponsored or supervised activities.
  10. Use, possession or distribution of narcotic or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.
    1. Use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by the law and College regulations, or public intoxication.
    2. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on College premises.
    3. Participation in a campus demonstration which disrupts the normal operations of the College and infringes on the rights of other members of the College community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area; intentional obstruction which unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus.
    4. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on College premises or at College sponsored or supervised functions.
    5. Conduct which is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace; or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on College premises or at functions sponsored by or participated in by, the College.
  11. Theft or other abuse of computer time, including but not limited to:
    1. Unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose.
    2. Unauthorized transfer of a file.
    3. Unauthorized use of another individual’s identification and password.
    4. Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member of College official.
    5. Use of computing facilities to view or send obscene or abusive messages.
    6. Use of computing facilities to interfere with normal operation of the College computing system.
    7. Any breach of computer ethics.
  12. Abuse of the disciplinary system, including but not limited to:
    1. Failure to obey the summons of a conduct hearing board or College official.
    2. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a conduct hearing board.
    3. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a meeting of a conduct hearing board.
    4. Institution of the disciplinary process knowingly without cause.
    5. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the disciplinary process.
    6. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a conduct hearing board prior to, and/or during the course of, hearing.
    7. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a conduct hearing board prior to, during and/or after a hearing.
    8. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Code.
    9. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the disciplinary process.
  1. No Tolerance Behavior
  1. There is no tolerance for the following types of misconduct:
    1. Fighting
    2. Sexual Harassment
    3. Sexual Assault
    4. Possession of a weapon
    5. Hate Crimes
  2. Behavior related to any of these types of misconduct may result in immediate suspension or expulsion from the College.
  1. Violation of Law and College Discipline.
  1. If a student is charged only with an off-campus violation of federal, state or local laws, but not with any other violations of this Code, disciplinary action may be taken and sanctions imposed for grave misconduct which demonstrates flagrant disregard for the College community. In such cases, no sanction may be imposed unless the student has been found guilty in a court of law or has declined to contest such charges, although not actually admitting guilt (e.g., "no contest" or "nolo contendere").
  2. College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with a violation of law which is also a violation of this Student Code, for example, if both violations result from the same factual situation, without regard to the tendency of civil litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under this Student Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceeding off-campus.
  3. When federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law charge a student, the College will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his or her status as a student. If the alleged offense is also the subject of a proceeding before a judicial body with the Student Code, however, the college may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Student Code and of how such matters will be handled internally within the College community. The college will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators. Individual students and faculty members, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives, as they deem appropriate.

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Article V: JUDICIAL POLICIES
  1. Charges and Hearings
  1. Any member of the College community may file a complaint against any student for misconduct. Complaints shall be prepared in writing and directed to the Dean of Students. Any charge should be submitted as soon as possible after the vent has taken place, preferably within ten (10) business days.
  2. The Dean of Students may conduct an investigation to determine if the charges have merit and/or if they can be disposed of administratively by mutual consent of the parties involved on a basis acceptable to the Dean of Students. Such disposition shall be final and there shall be no subsequent proceedings. If the charges cannot be disposed of by mutual consent, the matter will be referred to the Conduct Hearing Board.
  3. All charges shall be presented to the accused student in written from. A time shall be set for a hearing, not less than five (5) nor more then fifteen (15) calendar days after the student has been notified. Maximum time limits for scheduling of hearings may be extended at the discretion of the Dean of Students. 
  4. The Student Judicial Committee shall conduct hearings.
    1. Hearings normally shall be conducted in private.
    2. Admission of any person to the hearing shall be at the discretion of the Student Judicial Committee and/or its Conduct Hearing Officer.
    3. In hearings involving more than one accused student, the chairperson of the Student Judicial Committee, at his or her discretion, may permit the hearings concerning each student to be conducted separately.
    4. The complainant and the accused have the right to be assisted by any advisor they choose from within the College Community. The complainant and/or the accused is responsible for presenting his or her case and, therefore, advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in any hearing before the Student Judicial Committee.
    5. The complainant, the accused and the Student Judicial Committee shall have the privilege of presenting witnesses, subject to the right of questioning only by the Student Judicial Committee.
    6. The Student Judicial Committee at the discretion of the chairperson may accept pertinent record, exhibits and written statements as evidence for consideration.
    7. All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the chairperson of the Student Judicial Committee.
    8. After the hearing, the Student Judicial Committee shall determine within ten (10) days of the hearing (by majority vote if the Student Judicial Committee consists of more than one person) whether the student has violated each section of the Student code which the student is charged with violating.
    9. The Student Judicial Committee's determination shall be made on the basis of whether it is more likely than not the accused student violated the Student Code.
  5. There shall be a single verbatim record, such as a tape recording, of all hearings before the Student Judicial Committee. The record shall be the property of the College.
  6. Except in the case of a student charged with failing to obey the summons of the Student Judicial Committee or College official, no student may be found to have violated the Student Code solely because the student failed to appear before a hearing board. In all cases, the evidence in support of the charges shall be presented and considered.
  1. Appeals
  1. A decision reached by or a sanction imposed by the Student Judicial Committee may be appealed by the accused student(s) or complainant(s) to the Vice President for Student Affairs within five (5) school days of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Conduct Hearing Officer or his/her designee.
  2. An appeal shall be limited to review of the verbatim record of the initial hearing and supporting document for one or more of the following purposes:
    1. To determine whether the original hearing was conducted fairly in light of the charges and evidence presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures giving the complaining party a reasonable opportunity to prepare and present evidence that the Student Code was violated, and giving the accused student a reasonable opportunity to prepare and to present a rebuttal of those allegations.
    2. To determine whether the decision reached regarding the accused student was based on substantial evidence, that is, whether the facts in the case were sufficient to establish that a violation of the Student Code occurred.
    3. To determine whether the sanction(s) imposed were appropriate for the violation of the Student Code which the student was fund to have committed.
    4. To consider new evidence, sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such evidence and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original hearing.
  3. If the Vice President for Student Affairs upholds an appeal, the matter shall be remanded to the original Student Judicial Committee and Conduct Hearing Officer for re-opening of the hearing to allow reconsideration of the original determination and/or sanction(s).
  4. In cases involving appeals by student’s accused of violating the Student Code, review of the sanction by the Vice President for Student Affairs may not result in more severe sanction(s) for the accused student. Instead, following an appeal, the Vice President for Student Affairs may, upon review of the case, reduce, but not increase, the sanctions imposed by the Student Judicial Committee.
  5. In cases involving appeals by student complainants, the Vice President for Student Affairs may, upon review of the case, reduce or increase the sanctions imposed by the Student Judicial Committee or remand the case to the original hearing officer or hearing board.
  1. Sanctions
  1. The following as well as other appropriate sanctions may be imposed upon any student found to have violated the Student Code:
    1. Warning—A notice in writing to the student that the student is violating or has violated institutional regulations.
    2. Probation—A written reprimand for violation of specified regulations. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to be violating any institutional regulation(s) during the probationary period.
    3. Loss of privileges—Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
    4. Fines—Previously established and published fines may be imposed.
    5. Restitution—Compensation for loss, damage or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
    6. Discretionary Sanctions—Work assignments, service to the College or other related discretionary assignments (such assignments must have the prior approval of the Conduct Hearing Officer).
    7. College Suspension—Separation of the student from the College for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
    8. Interim Suspension--In certain circumstances, the Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee, may impose a College suspension prior to the Hearing before the Student Judicial Committee. It may be imposed: a) to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the College community or preservation of College property; b) to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or c) if the student poses a definite threat of disruption of or interference with normal operations of the College.
    9. During the interim suspension, students shall be denied access to the campus (including classes) and/or all other College activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee may determine to be appropriate.
    10. College Expulsion—Permanent separation of the student form the College.
  2. More than one of the sanctions listed above may be imposed for any single violation.
  3. Other than college expulsion, disciplinary sanctions shall not be made part of the student’s permanent academic record, but shall become part of the student’s confidential record. Upon graduation, the student’s confidential record may be expunged of disciplinary actions other than College suspension or College expulsion, upon application to the Conduct Hearing Officer. Cases involving the imposition of sanctions other than expulsion or suspension shall be expunged from the student’s confidential record five years after final disposition of the cases.
  4. The following as well as other sanctions may be imposed upon groups or organizations:
    1. Those sanctions listed above in Section C 1, a through e.
    2. Deactivation—Loss of all privileges, including College recognition, for a specified period of time.
  5. In each case in which the Student Judicial Committee determines that a student has violated the Student Code, the sanction(s) shall be determined by that board and imposed by the Dean of Students.
Article VI: INTERPRETATION AND REVISION
  1. Any question of interpretation regarding the Student Code shall be referred to the Vice President for Student Affairs.
  2. The Student Code shall be reviewed every three- (3) years under the direction of the Dean of Students.

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ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The purpose of this grievance procedure is to provide students who believe they have been denied fair and equitable treatment in academic affairs an organized method to resolve their problems.

Faculty and students shall be kept informed of the grievance procedure by the Dean of Instruction (or the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Programs) and the Dean of Students, respectively, and all parties shall be encouraged to resolve problems at the first level.

The word "recommendation" in this procedure shall not be constructed to mean a directive. The word "days" shall mean the academic days Monday through Friday.

If any decision or recommendation from the first three-(3) levels is not completed within the time limits specified, the grievance shall automatically move to the next higher level.

  1. Student and instructor must meet by appointment within five (5) days after the grievance arises, attempting to settle the grievance at that meeting. The instructor shall give his/her decision to the student in writing within three (3) days after the meeting. If the grievance is not resolved at the first level, or if the instructor’s decision is not received within three (3) days, the student must contact the Dean of Students for assistance.
  2. The student may request a meeting with the Department Chairperson if the grievance is not resolved. The request shall be written, stating the nature of the grievance and the desired resolution on a standard form from the Dean of Students and made within six (6) days after the meeting with the instructor. The Chairperson shall confer with the instructor, getting his/her decision in writing, and meet with the student within three (3) days of receipt of request. The Chairperson shall attempt to resolve the problem and must render his/her recommendation in writing to all parties within the next three days. If the Chairperson is the instructor being grieved, the third level shall replace the second level of this procedure.
  3. If either the student or the instructor is dissatisfied with the Chairperson’s recommendation, he/she may request inquiry by either the Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dean of Business and Technology Programs, or Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Programs, as appropriate. This request must be made in writing to the Dean within three days of receipt of the Chairperson’s recommendation. A copy of the request shall be sent to the Chairperson, who shall immediately send all documentation and his/her recommendation to the Dean. The Dean shall meet with the instructor, the Chairperson, the student, and the Dean of Students (or his/her designee within five (5) days of receipt of request, attempt to resolve the problem, and make a recommendation in writing to all parties within three (3) days of the inquiry’s completion.
  4. If either the student or the instructor is dissatisfied with the Dean’s recommendation, he/she may request a hearing before the Student Grievance Committee. This request must be made to the appropriate Dean in writing within three (3) days of receipt of the Dean’s recommendation. The Dean shall immediately notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the request, and shall forward all documentation and his/her written recommendation to the administrative member of the Student Grievance Committee. The administrative member shall call a meeting of the Student Grievance Committee to be held within five (5) days of receipt of request. Before the hearing convenes, the student has the right to challenge one faculty member of the Student Grievance Committee, and the instructor has the right to challenge one student member of the Student Grievance Committee. In the case of a challenge, that board member shall be immediately replaced by an alternative selected in the same manner as the original member. If a faculty member of the Student Grievance Committee belongs to the same department as the instructor being grieved, he/she shall be automatically replaced by an alternate before the hearing convenes. The Student Grievance Committee shall review the documentation, hear all parties concerned, use any or all means to ascertain the facts, and make a final recommendation concerning the grievance. Within five (5) days of the hearing’s adjournment, the Chairperson of the Student Grievance Committee shall send written recommendations to all parties and to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Student Grievance Hearing Committee shall be the last appeal at the Community College of Rhode Island.

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  1. * Time
    The number of days indicated at each level is considered a maximum. All efforts should be made to expedite the process. The time limits may only be extended in extenuating circumstances by the Dean of Students or by mutual agreement between the grievant and the person against whom the grievance is directed.
  2. * Grade Appeals
    A student who alleges an error of injustice in the grading process may present a formal grievance in writing to the instructor. Grading reflects careful and deliberate assessment of a student’s performance by the instructor (s). No complaint challenging a grade may be initiated later than twenty-five (25) calendar days following the last day of the instructional period for which the grade was granted. If the faculty member who assigned the challenged grade is no longer employed at the institution or is not contacted within the 25 day time span, the student may present the complaint to the Dean of Students.
  3. * Withdrawal
    Students may withdraw their informal or formal complaints in writing before a hearing.

COMPOSITION OF THE HEARING BOARD

In May of each year the Vice-President for Academic Affairs shall establish a Student Grievance Committee for the ensuing 12 months. The Committee’s members shall be one administrator selected by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, two faculty members selected by the Faculty Association, and two students (having a G.P.A. not less than 2.5) selected by the Student Senate. As soon as possible after establishment, the Committee shall meet to elect a chairperson and to formulate rules of hearing procedure for its 12-month incumbency. The administrative member shall be responsible for scheduling meetings and providing secretarial assistance.

POLICY ON CONFIDENTIALITY AND REVIEW OF RECORDS

The "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act" of 1974 guarantees to the student, and in certain cases, to a student’s parents: (1) protection against disclosure of the student’s records without prior consent of the student and (2) the right of parents to review his/her students' record if the student is under the age of 18. It is the policy of the College not to indulge information concerning a student without his/her consent within the limits specified by the Act. Consult the Dean of Students for details.

POLICY ON ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The faculty and administration of the Community College believe that academic cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses, which should not be overlooked. Students are cautioned that violations of academic integrity may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.

If an instructor believes that cheating or plagiarism has taken place, he will refer the matter to the Dean of Students Office where a determination of facts as to the existence of cheating or plagiarism will be made. Disciplinary sanctions (if any) will be imposed following procedures outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities page contained in this brochure.

The Dean of Students will notify the instructor when the decision about the facts of cheating or plagiarism has been made and if that decision is in the affirmative. The instructor, bearing in mind that there are different degrees of academic dishonesty, may assign the academic penalty he/she considers most appropriate from the options listed below:

  1. Give a warning and/or require that a makeup test is taken or a makeup paper is written.
  2. Reduce the grade on the paper or exam or in the course by one or more levels.
  3. Assign a grade of "F" to the exam or paper.
  4. Assign a grade of "F" for the course.

The grade of "incomplete" will be awarded temporarily if the matter cannot be resolved before the final grades are due.

The appropriateness of the particular academic penalty chosen by the instructor may be appealed by the student through the academic grievance process.


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POLICY ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT

CCRI does not tolerate harassment of its students. This type of behavior may result in immediate suspension or expulsion from the College. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, slurs, jokes, and other verbal, graphic or physical conduct relating to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, or handicap. If you feel that you are being harassed in the above manner, you should notify your instructor or the Dean of Students immediately. Your complaint will be kept as confidential as possible and you will not be penalized in any way for reporting such conduct. Please do not assume that the College is aware of your problem. It is your responsibility to bring your complaints and concerns to our attention so that we can help resolve them.

POLICY ON COMPUTER CRIME

Any persons who directly or indirectly access any computer system for any fraudulent purpose, or alters, damages or destroys any computer or parts of its systems without authorization shall be charged with a felony according to the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island. (Chapter 52, section 11-52-2, 11-52-5) This crime may also result in suspension or expulsion from the College.

Theft of a computer or any parts of its systems is a felony. In addition to disciplinary action taken by the College, the individual will be subject to prosecution by the State of Rhode Island.

COMPUTER NETWORK AND USAGE POLICY:

General Principles

Access to computer systems and networks owned or operated by the Community College of Rhode Island imposes certain responsibilities and obligations and is granted subject to College policies, and local, state and federal laws. Acceptable use always is ethical, reflects academic honesty, and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of data, system security mechanisms, and individual rights to privacy.

Guidelines
In making acceptable use of resources you must:
In making acceptable use of resources you must NOT:
  1. Intentionally using the computer to annoy, harass, terrify, intimidate, threaten, offend or bother another person by conveying obscene language, pictures, or other materials or threats of bodily harm to the recipient or the recipient's immediate family;
  2. Intentionally using the computer to contact another person repeatedly with the intent to annoy, harass, or bother, whether or not any actual message is communicated, and/or where no purpose of legitimate communication exists and where the recipient has expressed a desire for the communication to cease;
  3. Intentionally using the computer to contact another person repeatedly regarding a matter for which one does not have a legal right to communicate, once the recipient has provided reasonable notice that he or she desires such communication to cease (such as debt collection);
  4. Intentionally using the computer to disrupt or damage the academic research, administrative, or related pursuits of another;
  5. Intentionally using the computer to invade the privacy, academic or otherwise, of another or the threatened invasion of privacy of another.
Enforcement

The Dean of Students will review alleged violations of acceptable use policies on a case-by-case basis. Violations of policy will result in appropriate actions and may include suspension or expulsion from the College.

Users who breach this code of practice may, after due process, be be refused access to the College's computer and communications networks and may be subject to further disciplinary action. In an emergency, in order to prevent further possible unauthorized activity, the College may temporarily disconnect that user from the network. If this is deemed necessary by College staff, every effort will be made to inform the user prior to the disconnection, and every effort will be made to re-establish the connection as soon as the College determines it is appropriate.

The College considers any violation of acceptable use of principles or guidelines to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and examine any files or information resident on College systems allegedly relating to unacceptable use. Offenders also may be prosecuted under laws including (but not limited to) the Privacy Protection Act of 1974, The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, The Computer Virus Eradication Act of 1989, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1223g), Massachusetts Wiretap Statute (G.L. c.272, Section 99), Massachusetts Privacy Statute (G.L. c 214, Section 1B), Copyright Infringement laws (17 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.), the Communications Decency Act of 1996 [47 U.S.C. Section 223 (d) - (h)], and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (18 U.S.C. Sections 2510-21, 2701-10, 3121-27).

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POLICY ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

The Community College of Rhode Island seeks to encourage and sustain an academic environment that both respects individual freedom and promotes the health, safety and welfare of all members of its community. In keeping with these objectives, the College has established a policy governing the possession, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the campus and conforming to the laws of Rhode Island. Possession and/or consumption of alcohol is strictly controlled by the College. Rhode Island law states that no alcoholic beverages can be sold, delivered or in any way be given to a person under 21 years of age. Anyone under the age of 21 who knowingly makes false statements as to his/her age in order to purchase or in any way procure alcoholic beverages shall be subject to appropriate prosecution existing under state law. Consistent with its educational mission, the College sponsors programs that promote awareness of the physical, psychological, social and behavioral effects of alcohol consumption. Assistance is available in finding community resources for those who are experiencing alcohol related difficulties.

The use of narcotics or dangerous drugs on the College campus violates campus policy and Rhode Island State Law. The law prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, sale, possession or use of any illegal drug. Educational programs and seminars are developed which provide significant information and literature regarding the implications and consequences of drug use.

Any student who violates institutional policy or law as it relates to the use of alcohol and drugs may be subject to disciplinary action taken by the college including suspension or expulsion.

POLICY ON OFF-CAMPUS AFFAIRS

The College shall have jurisdiction over student conduct which occurs on campus property or in correlation with College functions and affairs.

The College shall also have discretion to exercise jurisdiction over conduct which occurs off-campus and which would violate student conduct and discipline policies or regulations if the conduct occurred on campus when (1) the alleged misconduct indicates the student may be a threat to the safety or security of members of the College community or College property, functions or facilities, or (2) the alleged misconduct involves academic work or any records, documents, or identifications of the College.

Specifically, Student Judicial Affairs may choose to exercise jurisdiction over off-campus incidents under section (1) above where the alleged misconduct involves:

  1. rape or sexual assault, any other physical assault, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person;
  2. stalking or sexual harassment;
  3. possession or use of weapons, explosives, or destructive devices;
  4. manufacture, sale or distribution of controlled substances;
  5. hate crimes;
  6. hazing; and
  7. conduct which would constitute felony burglary, robbery, theft, etc.

Students involved in any of these offenses are subject to suspension or expulsion from the College.

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