Student Life

Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

Download the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

Student Rights & Responsibilities Code of Conduct

It is the policy of Jackson Community College to foster a spirit of free inquiry and encourage the timely discussion of a wide variety of issues. Restraints of free inquiry should be held to that minimum which is consistent with preserving an organized society in which peaceful democratic means for a change are available. No form of inquiry, communication or organization shall urge any action which is prohibited by the rules of Jackson Community College or which is illegal under federal, Michigan or local laws. Advocating or urging the modification of the government of the United States or of the state of Michigan by violence or sabotage is prohibited. The purposes of this document is to define a student’s basic rights within the College community, state what actions students may expect from the College to protect those rights, and explain the College’s expectations of its students, including the standards by which student behavior is measured. Freedom to teach and learn are basic concepts of education. The rights of students are defined in order to foster an atmosphere of learning, to provide an opportunity for all students to achieve their educational goals, and to protect the College and its property.

Right to an Education

JCC is an equal opportunity, equal-access College with an open-door admission policy.

  • Admission is open to anyone who has graduated from high school or who has a high school equivalency certificate such as a GED.
  • Admission is open to others who demonstrate the capacity and maturity to benefit from programs and courses offered by JCC.
  • International students are welcome at JCC.
  • Students still in high school may attend with the written permission of a parent or legal guardian and school principal or counselor (dual enrolled) by using the High School Dual Enrollment form, available from area schools, online, or at any JCC location.
  • Admission to JCC does not guarantee admission to specific program of study. Students interested in nursing, allied health or apprenticeship programs in particular should consult with an academic advisor.

Rights to Fair Disciplinary Prodecure

All constitutional elements of due process are guaranteed to the student. Refer to the Student Discipline process.

Right of Privacy

The College has the responsibility to students to maintain confidential records and only release information to those agencies who would use it for lawful and legitimate purposes. No records of the student’s political activity will be kept by the College. Student property will not be searched without consent, a search warrant, or in times other than in an emergency when life and/or property of the College are in jeopardy. The College reserves the right to contact immediate family members and appropriate professionals when the student’s health and safety appear to be at risk.

Right of Association

Campus student organizations are open to all students.

College Community Responsibiliies

With freedom comes responsibility. Jackson Community College is deeply concerned about the freedom to learn which, in turn, depends upon appropriate conditions existing in the classroom, on the campus and in the larger community. All members of the College community share a responsibility to secure and respect those conditions conducive to the freedom to learn. The College shall make every attempt to provide a safe working and learning environment that promotes the learning process.

Citizenship

JCC students are also citizens of a larger society. As citizens, students retain those rights, protections, and the guarantees of fair treatment which are held by all citizens. Neither the academic community nor the College may deny these rights. The enforcement of students’ duties to the larger society, however, is the responsibility of the authorities duly established for that purpose and not that of the academic community or the College. The College makes the assumption that students, while attending JCC, will conduct themselves as responsible citizens of the community in which they live. If the student’s conduct is detrimental to the College or its community members, the College reserves the right to take appropriate action.

Educational Rights and Privacy Act

JCC complies with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which governs the release of personally identifiable information of JCC students. This act allows students to view most records on file with JCC and also specifies under what conditions information may be released. Further information about this law and students’ rights and privileges may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office or from the current JCC Catalog.

While JCC does not publish a directory of students, the following items are considered “directory information” and may be released without the student’s prior consent: name, address, e-mail address, terms of attendance, enrollment status, degrees and awards received and most recent previous educational institution attended. JCC will not release any other information concerning a student without written authorization from the student. Other than required by law, JCC does not sell or otherwise provide the names and address of students to companies or agencies outside of JCC. In case of health and safety risks, JCC retains the

Expectations for Students and visitors

A student enrolling in Jackson Community College or the visitors on the campus assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the College’s functions as an educational institution. The following is a list of policy violations and is not meant to be an exhaustive enumeration of inappropriate behavior. Misconduct for which students or visitors are subject to discipline, civil or criminal penalties, is as follows:

  1. Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism or knowingly furnishing false information to the College.
  2. Forgery, alteration or misuse of College documents, records or identification.
  3. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, lecturing, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other authorized activities on College premises.
  4. Obstruction of the free flow of traffic, either pedestrian or vehicular, on Collegeowned or controlled property.
  5. Theft of or damage to property of the College, or injury to a member of the College community, or a campus visitor.
  6. Unauthorized entry or use of College facilities including all buildings and grounds.
  7. Violation of College-established policies or regulations, including regulations in this document and other publications pertaining to students, faculty, administrative staff, non-academic employees, student organizations, the use of College facilities, or procedures concerning the time, place and manner of public expression.
  8. Use, possession or distribution of narcotics or other dangerous drugs, such as marijuana and other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.
  9. Unauthorized possession or use of alcoholic beverages on the College campus or at a College-sponsored events.
  10. Illegal or unauthorized possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals or other weapons on College-owned or controlled property or at College-sponsored or supervised functions.
  11. Disorderly conduct or lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression on College-owned or controlled property or at College-sponsored or supervised functions.
  12. Physical abuse, assault or battery, or unauthorized detention of any person on College-owned or controlled property or at a College-sponsored function, and/or conduct expression “written or verbal” which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any such person.
  13. Discrimination, harassment and offensive conduct against any person, student or staff member on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, and/or national origin.
  14. Failure to comply with directions of College officials, College security personnel or any other officials acting in performance of their duties on behalf of the College or not to identify oneself to these officials when asked to do so.
  15. Behavior that adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the academic community, or has a detrimental effect on the College.

Persons who violate these regulations may be removed from College property, suspended or dismissed from the College, or be subject to legal prosecution. Penalties assessed as a result of these violations shall be imposed according to due process, but action by a court shall not necessarily relieve offenders from College action. Any student of the College charged with committing a crime upon the College premises, except minor traffic offenses, may be subject to immediate suspension, pending an official conduct hearing. The determination of “immediate suspension” is made by the Dean of Student Services or the Critical Incidents Team and would only be instituted in cases where a student’s presence on campus might endanger the health and welfare of other College community members.

Workplace Threats and Violence

Nothing is more important to Jackson Community College than the safety and security of its students, employees and guests. Threats, threatening behavior, or acts of violence against students, employees, visitors, guests or other individuals by anyone on Jackson Community College property will not be tolerated. Violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action which may include dismissal, arrest or prosecution.

Any person who makes substantial threats, exhibits threatening behavior, or engages in violent acts on Jackson Community College property shall be removed from the premises as quickly as safety permits, and shall remain off Jackson Community College premises pending the outcome of an investigation. Jackson Community College will initiate an appropriate response. This response may include, but is not limited to, suspension and/or criminal prosecution of the person or persons involved.

All College personnel and students are responsible for notifying the College administrator designated below of any threats or behavior which they have witnessed, received or are aware that another person has witnessed or received. Even without an actual threat, personnel should also report any behavior they have witnessed which they regard as threatening or violent, when that behavior is job related or might be carried out on College property.

Jackson Community College understands the sensitivity of the information requested and has developed confidentiality procedures which recognize and respect the privacy of the reporting student(s)/employee(s). However, it should be understood that the College cannot guarantee confidentiality in the event proceedings are initiated against the person making the threat by the College and/or any governmental authority.

The designated administrator is:
Diane Fenby
Executive Director of Legal Affairs
517.796.8462 or 787.0800, ext. 8462