Reading Area Community College Student Handbook

2013-2014 Student Handbook

Campus Directory

Academic Affairs ................................................................... 610.607.6214 ...................................................... B 315

Academic Testing Center .................................................. Yocum Library

Enrollment Services .............................................................. 610.607.6224 ...................................................... B 111

Assessment Center .............................................. 610.372.4721, Ext. 5103 ...................................................... B 111

Bookstore............................................................................... 610.372.2284 ........................................... Berks Lobby

Business Services ................................................................... 610.607.6230 ...................................................... B 301

Career Center ........................................................................ 610.607.6246 ...................................................... B 209

Cashier’s Office ..................................................................... 610.607.6235 ...................................................... B 107

Center for Academic Success ............................................... 610.607.6245 ...................................................... B 209

Community Education ......................................................... 610.607.6232 ....................................................... S 318

Computer Help Desk .......................................... 610.372.4721, Ext. 5171 ...................................................... P 209

Computer Lab (Penn Hall) ................................ 610.372.4721, Ext. 5022 ...................................................... P 129

(Yocum Library) ........................... 610.372.4721, Ext. 5116 ...................................................... Y 119

Disability Services ................................................................. 610.607.6245 ..................................................... B 209

Financial Aid ......................................................................... 610.607.6225 ...................................................... B 107

Fitness Center Office .......................................... 610.372.4721, Ext. 5333 ................................................. SUB 100

Human Resources ................................................................. 610.607.6241 ...................................................... B 303

Library Circulation Desk ............ 610.607.6237/610.372.4721, Ext. 5056 ................................................. Y 2nd Fl.

President’s Office ................................................ 610.372.4721, Ext. 5011 ...................................................... B 321

Raven’s Nest .......................................................................... 610.607.6250 ................................................. SUB 112

Records Office ............................. 610.607.6225/610.372.4721, Ext. 5465 ...................................................... B 107

Security ................................................................................. 610.607.6230 .................................................. P Lobby

Student Activities .................................................................. 610.236.3943 ................................................ SUB 110

Student Affairs ...................................................................... 610.607.6244 ...................................................... B 127

Student Government Office ................................................ 610.607.6250 ................................................ SUB 110

Transfer Center .................................................. 610.372.4721, Ext. 5271 ...................................................... B 216

Tutorial Center/Math-Science ............................................ 610.607.6248 ...................................................... B 209

Tutoring Center ................................................................... 610.607.6245 ...................................................... B 209

Yocum Library ............................. 610.607.6237/610.372.4721, Ext. 5056 ................................................. Y 2nd Fl.

Toll-Free Number .............................................................. 1.800.626.1665

• B - Berks Hall • P - Penn Hall • SUB - Student Union Building • Y - Yocum Library • S - Schuylkill Hall

Please Note: Information included in this handbook is subject to change without notice and is accurate as of July 2013.

2013-2014 RACC Student Handbook 3

table of Contents

2013-2014 Academic Calendar ................................................................................................................................ 4Handy Information .................................................................................................................................................. 5General Information: myRACC Portal ................................................................................................................................................... 7 WebAdvisor ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 Student ID Cards ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Parking ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 Payment Refunds and Adjustments .................................................................................................................. 8 Personal Notifications ....................................................................................................................................... 8 e2Campus ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Class Attendance Policy ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Student Absence for Religious Holiday Observance ....................................................................................... 9 Accessibility and Accommodations ................................................................................................................... 9 Campus Safety ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 Red Flag System ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Smoking Policy .................................................................................................................................................. 10College Student Expectations: Student Bill of Rights ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Student Responsibilities ....................................................................................................................................17 Academic Honesty Policy ..................................................................................................................................19 Discrimination and Harassment Including Title IX Compliance ................................................................. 21 Computer Usage Policy ..................................................................................................................................... 22 Perkins Grievance Procedure .......................................................................................................................... 26 The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act of 1079 ................................................................................... 26 Student Right-to-Know Act .............................................................................................................................. 27 Human Research .............................................................................................................................................. 272013-2014 Clubs and Organizations ...................................................................................................................... 28Student Leadership Program ................................................................................................................................. 29Stress and Time Management ................................................................................................................................ 30Honoring Diversity .................................................................................................................................................. 31

Reading Area Community College, an equal opportunity college, does not discriminate against persons in employment, educational programs or activities, vocational programs or awarding of contracts based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age, color, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability. This Board of Trustees policy #840 on nondiscrimination extends to all other legally protected classifications and is published in accordance with state and federal laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sec-tions 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Affirmative Action inquiries should be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer, RACC, P.O. Box 1706, Reading, PA 19603 (610.372.4721).

All colleges and universities, in compliance with the Pennsylvania College and University Security and Information Act of 1988 and the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, are required to provide information regarding safety and security procedures and sta-tistics on campus. A copy of this report is available by contacting the Dean of Students office, Room 126, Berks Hall.

Warranty Disclaimer. The College and its affiliates hereby disclaim all warranties, whether express, implied or statutory, including, with-out limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose employability, future employment, licensure, certification or availability of courses, program, instructors or curriculum.

4 2013-2014 RACC Student Handbook

Pre-Fall - 2013Pre-Fall Begins .........................................Wednesday, July 31Pre-Fall Ends .........................................Thursday, August 15

Fall SemeSter - 2013Fall Semester 1 Begins ......................monday, august 19Saturday Classes Begin .........................Saturday, August 24Mid-Term Grades (Fall 1) Due ....... Wednesday, October 9Fall Semester 2 Begins .................... Monday, September 23Mid-Term Grades (Fall 2) Due ...........Tuesday, October 29Fall Semesters 1 & 2 End .................................Friday, Dec. 6Saturday End and Final Exam ......... Saturday, December 7Final Exam Week ................................ Monday, December 9

through Thursday, December 12Final Grades Due .............................. Tuesday, December 17No Classes Monday, September 2 Monday, October 14 & Tuesday, October 15 ~ Fall Break—College Open Wednesday, November 27 – College Open Thursday, November 28 - Saturday 30 ~ Thanksgiving Break—College Closed

InterSeSSIon- 2014Intersession Begins ................................Thursday, January 2Intersession Ends .................................Thursday, January 16

SPrIng SemeSter - 2014Faculty Return ..........................................Friday, January 17Spring Semester 1 Begins .....................Tuesday, January 21Saturday Classes Begin ........................Saturday, January 25Mid-Term Grades (Spring 1) Due ... Wednesday, March 12Spring Semester 2 Begins .................. Monday, February 24Mid-Term Grades (Spring 2) Due .................Friday, April 4Spring Semesters 1 & 2 End ............................Friday, May 9

Saturday End and Final Exam ..................Saturday, May 10Final Exam Week ........................................ Monday, May 12

through Thursday, May 15Graduation ......................................................Friday, May 16Grades Due ...................................................Tuesday, May 20No Classes Monday, January 20 ~ Martín Luther King Day—College Closed Sunday, March 9- Saturday, March 15 ~ Spring Break I—College Open Friday, April 18-Sunday, April 20 ~ Spring Break II—College Closed

Summer SeSSIon - 2014Summer 1 – Five-Week SessionClasses Begin ............................................... Monday, May 19Classes End .................................................. Monday, June 23Grades Due .............................................Wednesday, June 25No Classes Monday, May 26 ~ Memorial Day—College Closed

Summer 2 – eight-Week SessionClasses Begin ................................................. Monday, June 9Classes End ..................................................Thursday, July 31Grades Due ................................................ Tuesday, August 5No Classes Friday, July 4 ~ Fourth of July—College Closed

Summer 3 – Five-Week SessionClasses Begin ............................................... Monday, June 30Classes End ..................................................Thursday, July 31Grades Due ................................................ Tuesday, August 5No Classes Friday, July 4 ~ Fourth of July —College Closed

2013-2014 academic Calendar


Handy Information

If SectIon meetS at tHIS tIme: fInal exam durIng fInalS perIod wIll be:

8 MWF Monday 8-10am

9 MWF Wednesday 8-10am

10 MWF Monday 10:30am-12:30pm

11 MWF Wednesday 10:30am-12:30pm

12 MWF Monday 1-3pm

1 MWF Wednesday 1-3pm

2 MW Monday 3:30-5:30pm

3:30 MW Wednesday 3:30-5:30pm

8 TR Tuesday 8-10am

9:30 TR Thursday 8-10am

11 TR Tuesday 10:30am-12:30pm

12:30 TR Thursday 10:30am-12:30pm

2 TR Tuesday 1-3pm

3:30 TR Thursday 3:30-5:30pm

6 MW or 6-8:45 M Monday 6-8pm

7:30 MW or 6-8:45 W Wednesday 6-8pm

6 TR or 6-8:45 T Tuesday 6-8pm

7:30 TR or 6-8:45 R Thursday 6-8pm

Saturday finals are the last Saturday of the semester at class time. Summer/Winter Semester finals will be scheduled during regular class times.

5-5:30 classes will be scheduled by the instructor.

www.racc.edu1.800.626.1665

FINal eXaM tIMes BY seCtIoN tIMe

Fall/sPRING 2013-2014


Handy Information


General Information

myRaCC PoRtalmyRaCC is your portal to RACC online! Through myRaCC, you can access your Ravens email, WebAdvisor, ANGEL Learning, library databases, e2Campus and more. Because myRaCC and Ravens email is used to share important campus information with all students, you are expected to log into myRaCC daily.

logging into myRaCC for the first time 1. Select the myRaCC option at www.racc.edu 2. Enter your user name and password. New students are sent

a letter with their myRaCC user name and password once their application to the college is processed. Students who have forgotten their user name and password should contact the HelpDesk at 610.372.4721 ext. 5171.

3. Set up 3 security questions and click Save. These questions will be used for security. Then enter your new password and hit Save again.

4. Use the links on the left to navigate the portal.

Using aNGel in myRaCCTo be able to access ANGEL through myRaCC, follow these steps: 1. Log into ANGEL and note your ANGEL user name and

password. This will be different than your myRACC user name and password.

2. Log into myRaCC. 3. Click on the ANGEL icon. 4. Enter your ANGEL user name and password, then click

save. Once you have saved your ANGEL user name and password in myRaCC, you won’t have to enter it again as long as you continue to access ANGEL through myRaCC.

WeBaDvIsoR4 Check it out at www.racc.edu and click on the link for WebAdvisor. Use it to:

• Register for classes • Change your schedule • Find out your grades • Get your advisor’s name and contact information • Check your financial aid and pay your bill

Please be sure to use WebAdvisor to locate your classrooms before the first day of classes! CLASS LOCATIONS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE NO LATER THAN A WEEK BEFORE THE TERM BEGINS.

Instructions for accessing your personal information via Web Advisor are listed below. If you have any difficulties, please contact our system administrator at [email protected] for assistance.

• Be sure you are following the directions for WebAdvisor login. The directions are prominently featured on the RACC Login Center page. The actual “Log In” link is in the upper right hand corner of the WebAdvisor main menu screen - this will bring you to the screen that asks for your username and password.

• Usually, your username for WebAdvisor will be your first and last name, in all lower case letters, with no spaces (example: janesmith). You can find your username by clicking on WebAdvisor for Students, then clicking on “What’s my user ID?” Enter the info it asks for, and your username will be displayed.

• The first time you login to WebAdvisor, your password will be the last six digits of your Social Security number. After login, you will be asked to create a new password. The new password must be 6-9 characters, including both letters and numbers. Be sure to remember it!

• If you are still unable to access WebAdvisor, email the RACC Webmaster at [email protected]. Emails are answered Monday through Friday.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE YOUR CLASSES ON WEBADVISOR, PRINTOUTS OF ALL CLASSES AND THEIR LOCATIONS WILL BE POSTED IN THE LOBBIES OF ALL BUILDINGS AND BY THE ELEVATORS IN BERKS HALL, PENN HALL AND THE YOCUM LIBRARY BEGINNING THE FIRST DAY OF THE TERM.

Note: For those students who do not have computer access, the Student Government Association has purchased a number of student kiosks located throughout campus (Berks Hall cafeteria, Student Union Building and the Yocum Library), which will allow you to access WebAdvisor.

stUDeNt ID CaRDsA student ID is required for all students. ID pictures are taken at the beginning of each semester at the security desk in Penn Hall. Students are required to show their student IDs to access the library, computer labs, testing center, fitness center, all events that are free to students, and other campus resources. Students must present their student ID to purchase books in the Bookstore.

PaRkINGPlease adhere to the following regulations regarding student parking at Reading Area Community College. (See campus map on inside back cover.) Students must obtain a parking permit from the Penn Hall lobby guard within the first two weeks of the semester. Additionally, students will need to present their student ID to access parking in the garage.


Students may park on any of the following lots (see campus map on the back cover):

Lot B (enter from Franklin or Second Street) Lot E (enter from Front Street) Parking Garage (enter on Front & Washington Streets)

Parking spaces for students with disabilities are located on the east side of Berks Hall; and on the north and south sides of The Yocum Library. This parking is designated by a blue sign and painted pavement symbol. Only vehicles displaying a special license plate or tag issued by the State or a temporary parking permit issued by the security guard in the lobby of Penn Hall are authorized to use these spaces. IMPROPER use of these parking areas will result in ticketing and/or towing by the Reading Parking Authority. The fine for improper parking in a space reserved for students with disabilities is $135.00.

Visitor parking spaces are reserved for visitors (non-students, non-employees) on the east side of Berks Hall. Reserved visitor spaces are signed and the pavement is painted indicating visitor. Signage indicates that visitors must register with the receptionist in the lobby of Berks Hall and obtain a temporary parking permit. College offices must make inquiry of their visitors to ensure that they have obtained a temporary parking permit. If a parking permit has not been acquired, the receptionist in the lobby of Berks Hall should be called by College offices to have security place a temporary permit on the vehicle.

Warning tickets will be issued to anyone violating the parking procedures during the first two weeks of classes. Beyond this time frame, tickets will be issued by the Reading Parking Authority.

PaYMeNt ReFUNDs aND aDJUstMeNts

Refunds for overpaymentIf the total amount of financial aid a student receives in each semester from all grants and loans exceeds the student’s unpaid charges, the student will receive a refund check.

Refunds for the semester are mailed on a Tuesday, or you can take advantage of our Direct Deposit option. The earliest dates refunds will be available for each semester follows:

Fall 1 - October 8, 2013 Fall 2 - November 5, 2013

Spring 1 - March 11, 2014 Spring 2 - April 8, 2014

Funds (loans, scholarships, grants) received after the above semester day are typically refunded by the following Tuesday.

Refunds after Dropping ClassStudents who drop a course before the first day that the class begins for which she/he is enrolled will receive a 100 percent refund of tuition and fees. The student must submit the Schedule Change Form to the Records Office, located in Berks Hall, Room 107.

Once the day of class begins, students who drop a course before 10 percent of the time has elapsed between the starting and ending date of the course will receive a 95 percent refund of tuition and fees.

Students who drop a course before 20 percent of the time has elapsed between the starting and ending date of the course will receive a 50 percent refund of tuition and fees.

There will be no refund for any course dropped after the 20 percent date has lapsed.

Direct Deposit for RefundsStudents can now sign up to have their financial aid refund deposited automatically into their checking or savings account. Log in to WebAdvisor, select Bank Information (U.S.) located in the Financial Information section.

Bank information must be received in a timely manner to allow sufficient time to prenote your account prior to the expected release of your refund.

More details on direct deposit are available by calling 610.372.4721; ext. 5063 or stopping by Berks Hall, Room 107.

term adjustmentsTerm adjustments (refunds of tuition and fees and/or grade changes, contingent on approval) are available to students with extenuating circumstances. The request should include documentation supporting your request and a cover letter explaining the issue. Any request not received timely may result in a denial. A term adjustment form is available on the College website www.racc.edu/Tuition/pdf/ReversalOfTuition.pdf.

PeRsoNal NotIFICatIoNsPlease be aware that the College does not have a public address system; therefore, students cannot be contacted while on campus for any reason other than in cases of severe emergencies. Make sure you have a plan in place in the event of an emergency.

e2CaMPUsBe sure to sign up for e2Campus to receive any emergency/weather announcements. Go to www.racc.edu and click on link.

Class atteNDaNCe PolICIesThe College expects all students to attend classes regularly. Specific attendance policies for any course are determined by each instructor. Students must complete all assignments, examinations, and other requirements in all of their courses. Absence does not constitute exemption from such obligations, and it is the responsibility of the student to take the initiative in making up any work missed. Excessive absence may be cause for dismissal from a course or the College.


stUDeNt aBseNCe FoR RelIGIoUs HolIDaY oBseRvaNCeThe College will attempt to accommodate students for participation in religious observances. Students shall be allowed, whenever practicable, to make up academic assignments missed due to such absences - with the understanding that some programs have limitations on student absence for any reason. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor for each course in which work will be missed and to make arrangements for make-up work or examinations.

ProcedureThe student is responsible for providing written notification to the professor within the first two weeks of the semester. If the absence will occur within the first two weeks of the semester, then notification should be made no later than the class session before the absence. The notification must identify the religious holiday(s) and the date(s). The student shall hand the written notification to the instructor personally to avoid problems with collecting mail from mailboxes or email. The process should be confidential.

examinations and assignmentsThe make-up examination or substitute assignment must be at a time and place mutually agreeable to the instructor and student, cover only the material for which the student was originally responsible, and be at a comparable level of difficulty with the original examination. In the event that a group of students requires the same make-up examination or substitute assignment, one time and place may be scheduled. The make-up assessment or substitute assignment must not interfere with the student’s regularly scheduled classes or final examination.

ClassworkStudents are responsible for information and material missed on the day(s) of absence. Students absent for religious observance may request any materials given out during the absence. Students shall be given a reasonable time to make-up class assignments.

academic scheduleDuring advising appointments, advisors and students should work together to avoid religious holiday scheduling conflicts. When planning their classes, students should consider the likelihood that they might be absent from a given course and the consequences involved. Students should choose sections accordingly.

stUDeNt aCCess aND aCCoMMoDatIoNs tHRoUGH DIsaBIlItY seRvICesReading Area Community College follows the mandated guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act (ADA-AA - 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) as they apply to postsecondary institutions. These laws stipulate that a college or university must operate each program or activity so that it is accessible to individuals with disabilities. The laws apply to all aspects of student life.

Students who qualify as a disabled person under the ADA-AA, because of a substantial limitation of one or more major life activity must provide documentation of the disability from a qualified professional. The student’s responsibility is to obtain the supporting disability documentation and to submit the documentation to the disability services staff within a reasonable time frame. Academic accommodations will be decided on a case by case basis after a review of the submitted documentation.

Students should contact the Disability Services staff to discuss eligibility for services and accommodations. Information pertaining to services for students with a disability may be found on the college’s website at www.racc.edu.

CaMPUs saFetYReading Area Community College is continually concerned with creating a supportive atmosphere that is safe and secure for all students, staff and visitors. Taking steps to protect yourself from crime is very important and prevention is your best protection against crime.

The College offers the following information to help ensureyour safety:– Wear your Student ID– Walk confidently and assertively.– Walk in pairs/groups to your car, particularly at night.– Have your car keys ready prior to approaching your car.– Notify Security if you would like to be escorted to your car.

Contact the Security Desk (ext. 6291) at Penn Hall to assist you.– Share your class/activities schedule with your family and a

network of close friends. (Create a buddy system and share the network list with others on the list.)

– Avoid large bushy areas or doorways where someone could be hiding.

– Avoid shortcuts.– Register your vehicle with the Penn Hall Security Guard within

the first two weeks of every semester and display your parking tag on your rear-view mirror.

– Be sure to lock your vehicle.– Do not leave books or other valuables visible in your vehicle.– Do not leave books or other items that need to be secured while

you are on campus.– Never display cash openly, especially when leaving the ATM.– Program your cell phone’s speed dial to include the police,

family and friends.– Utilize the red phones on campus in each building to report

any incident or suspicious behavior, the cell boxes located in the parking lots, or report the behavior immediately to a staff member or a security guard. Report any suspicious activity immediately to the Security Desk (Ext. 6291)

If at any time a student has concern they may address it with the Director of Safety who is located in Berks Hall.


ReD FlaG sYsteMAll enrolled students at the college are considered to be members of the campus community, and must abide by all rules and regulations of the college. Student behavior inside and outside of the classroom must comply with the Code of Conduct found in the Student Rights and Responsibilities document, www.racc.edu/ Academics/Catalogs/StudentBillofRights.pdf.

Student behavior that violates the Student Code of Conduct, such as, disruption of the learning environment, aggressive behavior, and harassment may be reported by students, faculty, and staff online through the the Red Flag Incident Reporting System.

The reporting page for Red Flag reporting is accessed on the RACC home page by clicking on the small Red Flag icon in the lower right corner of the home page. Reporters should follow the directions for entering an incident report and should submit factual information if they have witnessed or experienced actions on campus that are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

The Red Flag Reporting System does not replace emergency notification systems such as campus security and 911. The purpose of the Red Flag Incident Reporting System is to promote campus civility and to help create a positive learning environment for all students.

sMokING PolICYReading Area Community College is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable and productive environment for all employees, students and visitors. To this end Reading Area Community College has adopted the following policy related to smoking and tobacco use. Effective with the beginning of Fall 2006, smoking and the use of tobacco products will be prohibited in all buildings and on all grounds of the campus of Reading Area Community College. This includes any College owned or leased vehicles. As of Fall 2006 Reading Area Community College became a smoke free and tobacco free campus. Employees and students engaged in activities at other locations utilized by Reading Area Community College are to follow the regulations established for those facilities.

Policy No. 880 Approved by Board of Trustees


College student expectations

stUDeNt BIll oF RIGHtsThe pursuit and acquisition of knowledge is a lifelong process. The creation of Reading Area Community College by the people within its service boundaries represents the depth of conviction and concern of the citizens to make possible a place where students can develop their intellectual capabilities and insights, which will enhance their self-respect and their ability to relate amicably and productively to others.

The College community– faculty, students, and staff– must exist in a true democratic form for the development of all concerned. Freedom of expression in speech and actions with regard to the rights of others must be insured by all members of the College community.

With freedom comes responsibility. All members of this institution must remember they are a part of the whole, and their ideas and actions reflect upon the institution. Students are afforded the opportunities to make recommendations on various matters affecting their future. In this document are the ways and means by which the students of Reading Area Community College can become full participating members of this College community. These guidelines are established with the understanding that the President of the College and the Board of Trustees has the ultimate responsibility for the total maintenance and conduct of this institution.

article I: Freedom of association, expression, and Inquiry1.1 Students are free to organize and join associations to promote

their common interest. Affiliation of a college group with an organization outside the campus does not itself disqualify a student organization from institutional recognition. In order for an organization to be recognized and approved, it must meet the established criteria of the Student Government Association. Most approved organizations are free to choose their own staff advisor. In cases where an approved organization loses its staff advisor, the Student Government Association will assist it in securing an advisor if necessary. The Vice President for Student Affairs and the Advisor to the Student Government Association should be notified immediately when an organization is without a staff advisor. Institutional recognition will not be withdrawn during the time the student organization is seeking an advisor. The time allotted for this will not exceed one academic semester. During the time in which an organization is without an advisor, the Vice President for Student Affairs will appoint a staff member on a temporary basis, who will be relieved of that duty when the organization makes its choice. Approved organizations are required to keep a current membership list to be made available upon the request of the Student Government Association and College officials. All organizations should be open to all students without respect to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, color, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability.

1.2 Students and organizations are free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. They are free to support causes in an orderly manner so long as they do not disrupt the operations of the College or violate the rights of others. An opinion of a student or a student group is not necessarily that of the College. The College encourages the airing of all facets of issues and topics.

1.3 All College–related student activities, occurring on/off campus, must be sponsored by either a sanctioned club/organization or be part of programming activities delivered by professional staff and approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs. This includes participating in national days of observance, flag-raisings, demonstrations, etc. Consideration of event timing, scheduling and location are also subject to approval by the Vice President for Student Affairs and must be deemed an acceptable use of facilities in accordance with the College’s operating policies.

1.4 Organizations are allowed to hear any person of their choosing providing the person or program is not in violation of local, state, or federal law; i.e., the College is free to serve as a forum where new ideas are explored, investigated, and put to the scrutiny of critical analysis. The invitation of any person or persons to the campus does not imply that their position is supported or condoned by either the institution or the sponsoring group. When a controversial topic is presented, every effort will be made to use a format which also will provide for the presentation of dissenting views. The College will only use its authority over the facilities as a device of censorship as permitted by established College regulations, rules, and procedures, or local, state, and federal law.

1.5 Students have an opportunity to participate in the formulation and application of College policy through the Student Government Association and the College Governance System. The final authority for the establishment of College policy and governance of the College rests with the Board of Trustees and the President of the College.

article II: student Responsibilities2.1 In order to provide the maximum opportunity for learning and

to support the mutual respect necessary within the teaching/learning environment, students are expect to adhere to the following guidelines within the classroom, laboratories, library and any other College facilities.

a. Students are expected to report to class on time and remain for the duration of the class.

b. Students are responsible for all material covered and announcements made within class, even when absent from class(es).

c. Students should refrain from conversations whenever the instructor or another student is speaking.

d. Any type of distractive or disruptive behavior detracts from the teaching/learning process and should be avoided.

e. Radios and earphones are not permitted in class. Cellular telephones and pagers should be turned off during class.

f. Lap top computers should only be used for class-related activities.

g. Students should not read newspapers or other materials in class that are not directly related to class.

h. Each individual instructor establishes a classroom attendance policy.

i. Children are not permitted in classrooms, laboratories, or the testing center. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times when on College property.

j. In order to ensure full class participation, students with any type of disabling condition that requires special


accommodations should immediately contact Disability Services (B209).

k. No animals are permitted in the classroom or in the library unless needed by a person with a disability.

l. Appropriate dress is required: shirts and shoes must be worn at all times.

m. All buildings are smoke free. n. Eating and drinking are not permitted within the

classrooms or the library. Areas are provided within Berks and Penn Halls and the Student Union.

o. Students are expected to abide by rules and regulations that may be specific to that class, laboratory, or library.

p. Students are expected to abide by the code of conduct contained within the document.

q. Students are expected to come to class prepared (complete homework and readings).

r. Students should notify their instructor when absent. s. Students are expected to turn in assignments on time (in

the proper format), participate in class discussions, and prepare for tests.

t. Academic success within the classroom generally requires two hours of work outside class for each hour spent in class.

u. Students are responsible for reading course syllabi thoroughly.

v. Students are expected to adhere to the College’s “Academic Honesty Policy.”

w. In the interest of maintaining an atmosphere conducive to the teaching/learning process, it is imperative that students maintain the appropriate behavior within the classroom. Faculty members are authorized to remove disruptive students from class.

2.2 The relationship between the student and the instructor should be based on mutual respect and understanding. Both students and instructors should attempt to resolve differences in informal direct discussion.

2.3 Students have the right to orderly expression in the classroom without penalty.

2.4 Students have the right to a course grade based on the instructor’s documented judgment of demonstrated performance in the course. Students who believe that their grades were not fairly determined may appeal the grade using the procedure set forth in Article 2.7 of this document.

2.5 Students have a right to protection against disclosure by instructors of the students’ grades, beliefs, political association, health, or character.

2.6 Course and program selection is the responsibility of the students. They have a right to accurate and clearly stated information on:

a. Calendar dates for achieving specific academic standing. b. Their own academic standing in the College. c. Graduation requirements for their particular curriculum

and major program.

2.7 Students who feel that their academic rights (as outlined in Article II) have been violated may file a complaint and make an appeal for review according to the following procedures:

a. A student should first meet with his/her instructor in an attempt to resolve the situation.

b. If the situation is not resolved with the instructor, the student has the right to meet with the appropriate Assistant Dean.

c. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Assistant Dean, s/he had the right to appeal to the Academic Affairs Committee of the College -Governance system.

d. If the student is not satisfied, they have the right to meet with the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost. All complaints or appeals made to the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost or the Academic Affairs Committee of the College Governance system must be made in writing, citing the complaint, class, faculty member, remedy sought, and any available evidence pertaining to the grade in review. All complaints concerning a final grade must be made by the last day of classes of the semester following the semester in which the grade in question was earned.

2.8 Although the appellate procedure is set forth above, the faculty shall have final authority and responsibility for course content, classroom procedure, and grade determination. No power to change any grade given to a student is vested in any other person or any judicial body established under this document.

article III: student Records3.1 Permanent academic records are kept in the Records Office,

where they are made available only upon the request to the proper officer by:

a. Administrative officers of the College assigned to the areas of academic affairs or student success.

b. The students themselves, in accordance with the family educational rights and privacy act (FERPA).

c. A federal, state, or local official who presents a subpoena for the records.

d. The current academic advisor of the student. e. Any faculty member from whom a recommendation has

been requested by the student in writing. f. Any other person with written permission from the

student.

3.2 No disciplinary action or health record will appear on a student’s permanent academic record.

3.3 Student disciplinary records are kept by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

These records are: a. Held confidential. b. Available for examination by the student upon request. c. Held indefinitely d. Excluded from an academic transcript and placement

record. e. Disclosed to all persons only upon subpoena, by written

permission of the student, or as provided for elsewhere in this document.


article Iv: the student Code of ConductReading Area Community College is committed to the advancement of learning and to the development of responsible individuals. The College has an interest in student conduct on-campus and at off-campus functions sponsored by the College. Each student has a right to seek an education on a campus which is safe and at a college that does not tolerate misconduct. Each student is considered to be a responsible person and is expected to uphold appropriate standards of behavior. Consequently, a student has the responsibility to follow the Student Code of Conduct.

Students who demonstrate the inability to conform to acceptable conduct may lose the right to enjoy the educational, social, and recreational opportunities of the College.

Criminal violations which occur on campus or at college sponsored events may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. A student may be subject to the sanctions of the Student Code of Conduct in addition to being subject to possible action in criminal and/or civil court.

Any student engaging in the following types of conduct on campus or at a college-sponsored activity or event may be subject to disciplinary sanctions. This listing is intended to give students notice of the types of conduct which may result in sanctions. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather is intended to be a guide to the student.

IMPRoPeR CoNDUCt/UNaCCePtaBle BeHavIoRAny student found to have committed the following types of misconduct is subject to disciplinary sanctions (as defined in Article VII):

1. Failure to comply with the College’s policy on academic honesty.

2. Forgery, alteration, falsification, and/or misuse of College documents, records, or identification fraud; intentionally or maliciously provide false information and/or documentation to the College.

3. Possession, use, sale, or exchange of alcoholic beverages on College property and/or at College-sponsored functions; being intoxicated on College property or a College sponsored or supervised functions.

4. Illegal/unauthorized use, possession, sale, or exchange of drugs, narcotics, or other controlled substances on campus.

5. Assault and battery upon another person while on College-owned or controlled property.

6. Deliberate destruction of, damage to, malicious misuse of, or abuse of College property or any individual’s private property physically located on College-owned or controlled property.

7. Attempted or actual theft, concealing, defacing, tampering with, or intentionally damaging College property, or the property of a student, College employee, or campus visitor, or threatening to do so.

8. Tampering with fire alarms or firefighting equipment on campus, including issuing false alarms of any nature.

9. Illegal/unauthorized possession or use of fireworks, firearms, knives, explosives, weapons, and/or facsimile weapons on College premises.

10. Failure to comply with reasonable directions of College officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties including refusing to provide valid identification upon request.

11. Disruption of the learning environment. This includes but is not limited to overt disrespect for the ideas and opinions of others, disruptive talking during class, deliberate and/or continuous interruption of instruction, and disruptive use of electronic devices.

12. Physical, written or verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.

13. Physical abuse or injury of another member of the College community.

14. Lewd, indecent, obscene, or disorderly conduct 15. Violation of the College’s “Acceptable Use of Technology

Policy” that includes unauthorized use of the College’s email system, server, internet access, network, hardware, software, and other technology. Other prohibited uses include but are not limited to: bullying/cyber bullying, offensive communication, and access to obscene or pornographic material, transmission of offensive material.

16. Intoxication due to alcohol, narcotics, etc., on College-owned or operated property.

17. Participation in or organization of any unauthorized activities on College-owned or controlled property.

18. Hazing defined as an act which endangers the 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.

19. Unauthorized entry to, or use of, College property, including the failure to leave any of the College buildings or grounds after being requested to do so by an authorized representative of the College while in the performance of their duties.

20. Harassment, which includes but is not limited to sexual/racial harassment, of any student, employee, organization, or officer of the College or any individual or organization visiting or passing through the College campus.

21. Utterance of false testimony or submission of false written statements at any proceeding authorized by this document.

22. Persistent infraction of College regulations, policies, or procedures intended for the safety of buildings and/or personnel (i.e. smoking in prohibited areas.)

23. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any College premises or property and/or unauthorized entry to or use of College premises or property.

24. Violation of other published College policies, rules, or regulations including federal, state, or local laws constituting felonies or misdemeanors.

25. Intentionally impeding normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on campus.

26. Violation of the “Clean Air Policy”. 27. Tampering with the election of any College-recognized

student organization. 28. Gambling on campus or at any College sponsored activity. 29. Disruption or interference with the discipline process. 30. Hateful graffiti and other offensive expressions of

prejudice and ignorance.


article v: Due Process5.1 Educational institutions, through the regulation of the use

of their facilities and the setting of standards of conduct and scholarship of students, have an inherent mission to carry out the educational purposes of their charter. The principles of counseling, example, and due process should be followed. Proper safeguards should be provided to protect individual or group rights of students from the imposition of unjust penalties.

5.1.1 Any student or group of students charged with violating a College regulation have the right to due process.

5.2 Civil Rights 5.2.1 College students have the same freedom of speech,

peaceful assembly, and the right of petition as other citizens enjoy, and are subject to the same civil laws and due process as other citizens.

5.2.2 A college campus is not, and cannot be, a sanctuary. Its students are governed by federal, state, and local statutes. Illegal activity by students, whether on or off campus, subjects the individual to prosecution by authorities. College officials may advise students who are in violation of the law with sources of legal counsel. The principle of Dual Jurisdiction may apply in some disciplinary matters where a student is charged for the same act (1) by law enforcement agencies of violating a law, and (2) by college officials for violation of a College regulation, policy, or procedure on campus only.

5.2.3 Students charged with or convicted of any violation of law which requires their presence off campus will have the right to make up their work if it can be done within the normal time period for resolving incomplete grades.

5.3 Procedural Due Process 5.3.1 The following procedures shall be established in order

to ensure due process in resolving disputes and disciplinary charges.

a. Any persons whose rights have been violated as a result of another’s violation of written College regulation, policy, or procedure may file charges.

b. All charges must be filed in writing within five (5) working days of the date of the discovery of the alleged violation unless an extension is granted in writing by the Vice President of Student Affairs/Enrollment Services. Such an extension will indicate the date (not to exceed five [5] working days after the last day of the semester) by which action will be taken.

c. Disciplinary action is the responsibility of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). Within the BIT team, only the Vice President of Student Affairs/Enrollment Services or designee has the authority to suspend a student or remove him/her from campus.

5.3.1.a After disciplinary action has been taken which can include anything from a warning to expulsion depending on the severity of the offense, a letter is sent to the student, both regular and certified mail and to the student’s ravens email account, within five (5) working days of the disciplinary meeting between the student and the BIT team member informing the student of the disciplinary action.

5.3.1.b. Upon receipt of the letter, the student has five (5) working days to appeal the disciplinary action by writing a letter to the:

Behavioral Intervention TeamC/o Vice President of Student Affairs

Reading Area Community College10 South Second St. P.O. Box.1706

Reading, PA 19603

The letter should specifically indicate that the student is intending to appeal the disciplinary action taken against him/her. If the student does not file an appeal with the BIT Team in the appropriate time frame, the student loses the opportunity to appeal the disciplinary action.

5.3.1.c The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs will contact the student to conduct an appeal hearing within five (5) working days of receipt of the appeal letter. Three (3) College staff will hear the student’s appeal. The staff attending the appeal hearing will consist of members of the BIT team minus the individual who originally issued the disciplinary action.

5.3.1.d. A student has the right to counsel (at no charge to the College); however, it is important to note that the hearing is not a legal proceeding. A student can chose to have a parent/guardian/advocate attend the hearing in lieu of counsel.

5.3.1.e. The appeals committee will issue a letter informing the student of the outcome of the appeals hearing within five (5) working days of the hearing. The letter will be sent both regular and certified mail and to the student’s ravens email account. The decision of the appeals committee is final.

article vI. appeals Procedure for Considerationfor Re-admission after suspension6.1 Disciplinary action is the responsibility of the Behavioral

Intervention Team (BIT). The Vice President of Student Affairs or designee are the only staff members who have the authority to suspend a student or remove them from campus.

6.2 Students who want to be considered for re-admission after having been suspended from Reading Area Community College should plan to inform the College in writing of their intent/appeal and send their request for consideration of re-admission to:



Reading, PA 19603

This appeal must be received by the following dates for each designated semester in which s/he wishes to be considered for re-admission:

Fall Semester July 15 Spring Semester November 15 Summer Sessions April 15

6.2.1 It is important that a student understand this appeal process is for consideration for re-admission after suspension from the College; readmission is not an automatic process.

6.2.2 The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs will contact the student within ten (10) working days after the request for an appeal has been received to set up an appeals hearing date. The BIT Team will conduct the hearing minus the individual who originally issued the disciplinary action.


6.2.3 The student will be required to submit, in writing, responses to the following questions. Other questions/documents may be asked for or required based on each individual student’s case.

6.2.4 The document containing the written responses and any other requested documents must be sent or hand delivered to:



Reading, PA 19603

6.2.5 The student is required to answer the following questions in writing and bring the written responses to the scheduled hearing

6.2.5.a Discuss what the student has learned from the suspension and the behavior/situation that caused the suspension.

6.2.5.b The student must describe what s/he would do differently given what s/he has learned.

6.2.5.c. How would the student handle the situation today?

6.2.5.d.Provide evidence of documentation which was identified in the letter informing the student of the suspension and is a requirement to be considered for re-admission (as appropriate).

6.2.6. This written document as well as all other documentation required by the appeals committee will be reviewed by the staff conducting the appeals hearing and will be entered into evidence as part of the appeals hearing. Students will then be interviewed by the appeals committee.

6.2.7. A student has the right to counsel (at no charge to the College); however, it is important to note that the hearing is not a legal proceeding. A student can choose to have a parent/guardian/advocate attend the hearing in lieu of counsel.

6.3 If the student is re-admitted, the BIT team will determine under what conditions and time frame the required actions must occur. All conditions and time frames must be explicitly stated in the follow-up letter sent to the student.

6.4 If the student is permitted to be re-admitted, the BIT team will respond in writing within ten (10) working days of the hearing informing the student of the outcome of the hearing and any conditions related to the re-admission. The letter will be sent by both regular and certified mail. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the appeals body has the current mailing address of the student.

6.5 If the student’s appeal for re-admission is denied, the BIT team will inform the student within ten (10) working days of the hearing. The letter must identify why the appeal was denied, what the student needs to do to be considered for re-admission in the future and when the next appeal can occur.

6.6 The decision of the appeals committee is final.

6.7 Students may only be permitted to be re-admitted one time after a suspension. Should the student conduct himself/herself in a

manner which requires a second suspension, the student will then be permanently expelled from the institution.

article vII. Penalties7.1 The judiciary body or administrative officer determines the

guilt of the accused and may impose only the following:

a. Disciplinary Warning: Oral or written notice to the student that the conduct in question is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. It also serves as a warning that future misconduct could result in a more severe disciplinary action. A disciplinary warning may be issued by a BIT Team member without the right of appeal.

b. Disciplinary Probation: A disciplinary probation is a disciplinary warning with the added stipulation that if the student is found guilty of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct during a specified probationary period, the student’s continued enrollment at the College will be in jeopardy. Disciplinary probation may include the loss of privileges, use of specific college facilities, mandatory meetings with specified staff, and/or restitution for damages incurred. The probationary period is limited to a maximum of one year from the date of the written notification of the decision.

c. Interim suspension: Exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities (not to exceed 5 working days) pending final determination of an alleged violation. This action will be invoked only when

i. –the presence of the student on campus is

detrimental and/or poses a threat to oneself and/or the members of the College community.

ii. when a student fails to comply with a College official’s request to meet with the student for the purpose of investigating an incident. Failure to comply with this meeting request may result in a suspension from the College for the remainder of the semester.

This action does not exempt the student from any course attendance policies and the student is still obligated to complete the missed coursework.

d. Suspension: Exclusion from the College and College-sponsored activities and/or exclusion from other privileges or activities from campus for a specific period of time (up to a maximum of one year from the date of the written notification of the decision). If the student is found guilty of violating the Code of Conduct and is suspended from the College, the student is still responsible for any outstanding debt owed to the College.The student must submit a written request for consideration for readmission to the college and must comply with the reinstatement requirements.

e. Expulsion: Permanent exclusion from the College and College-sponsored activities. An expulsion sanction will remain on the student’s permanent academic record.

7.2. Written record of all penalties imposed upon a student is kept on file in the office of the Vice President of Enrollment Services.

7.3 Penalties may include any combination of a, b, c, d, e, and f.


article vIII: Communications Media8.1 Student communication media are valuable aids in the

dissemination of information as well as in establishment and maintenance of an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and of intellectual exploration on the campus. They are a means of bringing student concerns to the attention of the faculty and the institutional authorities and of formulating student opinion on various issues on the campus and in the world at large.

8.2 As safeguards for the editorial freedom and responsibility of student communication, the following provisions are necessary:

a. The student communication media are free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and its editors and managers are free to develop their own editorial policies and news coverage. At the same time, the editorial freedom of student editors and managers entails corollary responsibilities to present all facets of a given issue in an objective manner to be governed by the canons of responsible journalism, such as the avoidance of libel, indecency, or undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity, and the techniques of harassment and innuendo. In the delegation of editorial responsibility to the students, the College should provide sufficient editorial freedom and financial autonomy for the student communications media to maintain their integrity and free expression in the academic community.

b. Editors and managers of student communication media are protected from arbitrary suspension and removal because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval. However, violations of the canons of responsible journalism as cited in Article 8.2.a will result in editors and managers being subject to removal.

c. Such violations will involve the presentation of charges to the Campus Life Committee of the College Governance System.

d. All student communication media will explicitly state that opinions expressed are not those of the College or student body.

article IX: Definition of terms9.1 Accused: The person(s) accused of violating a College

regulation, policy, or procedure.

9.2 Civil and Criminal Law: Includes all laws, regulations, and ordinances made by the United States Government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its political subdivisions.

9.3 Governing Groups: Those representative bodies which are delegated primary responsibility by the College for the formulation and execution of policies within their jurisdiction.

9.4 Administrative Officer: Employee of the College under the authority of the President. Such personnel may include administrators as well as faculty when performing administrative functions.

9.5 Written College Regulation, Policy, or Procedure: An official rule established by an appropriate College authority governing the conduct or behavior of a member of the College community.

9.6 Members of the College Community: Includes all full-time and part-time credit and non-credit college officials, faculty, non-instructional staff, and all full-time and part-time credit and non-credit students.

9.7 Quorum: The established minimum number of members required to conduct business.

article X: amendment Procedure10.1 Upon approval of the Student Government Association,

the amendment of this document will be submitted to the Campus Life Committee of the College Governance System. Upon approval, the amended document will be submitted to the President. Upon approval by the President and the Board of Trustees, the amended document will be posted on the College’s website.

Approved by Campus Life CommitteeJanuary 30, 2012


stUDeNt ResPoNsIBIlItIesReading Area Community College (RACC) is pleased that you have chosen to begin or continue your college experience. It is important to remember that you have made a choice to attend college and it is a privilege to be at RACC; not a right. As a member of the college community, you now have certain responsibilities to yourself, your fellow students, faculty, staff and all others persons who visit this institution daily. The College expects you will embrace your new role as a college student and meet your responsibilities with dignity, respect, care and concern for all.

Reading Area Community College (RACC) considers the following principles essential to our educational mission and community life: • Mutual respect among students, faculty, and staff• Pursuit of studies with honesty and integrity• Respect for College and personal property• Compliance with all rules and regulations

These standards are intended to promote responsible student conduct and fair play. In order to foster these standards RACC students are expected to assume the following college-wide and course-related responsibilities:

College-Wide student ResponsibilitiesResearch indicates that responsible and successful students demonstrate a good attitude toward their studies and come to class prepared to learn and actively participate in all aspects of a course. They engage in self-discipline, take initiative and responsibility for their own learning, maintain an open mind, develop/utilize critical thinking skills and perhaps of greatest importance, manage their time effectively. Working toward the development and/or improvement of these areas of your life will significantly contribute to your academic success.

1. In the interest of maintaining an atmosphere conducive to the teaching/learning process, it is imperative that students maintain the appropriate behavior while on the RACC campus, attending any RACC sponsored class or event off campus as well as in any virtual classroom/college related activity.

Examples of inappropriate behaviors that will not be tolerated include, but are not limited to, the following:

• willful disobedience; • profanity or vulgarity; • disorderly conduct (verbal and/or physical); • lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression; • open defiance of authority; • abuse of College personnel including Security staff,

maintenance; • harassing or discriminatory behavior based on race,

gender, religion, national origin, age, color, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law; or

• any type of behavior that detracts from the teaching/learning process in or outside of the physical and/or virtual classroom.

Faculty members and staff are authorized to have Security staff remove students who exhibit any of the above behaviors from offices, classrooms, laboratories, testing centers, the library, and anywhere on campus or at College sponsored activities. Students who are unable to conduct themselves appropriately in virtual situations/classrooms will be removed from that setting as well.

2. Appropriate dress is required. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Clothing and accessories with offensive language, racial comments or slurs, or other inappropriate language, logos and/or pictures are unacceptable dress and if worn, the student will be asked to leave campus. (Students should review the College’s Code of Conduct contained on pge 11 for specific information regarding inappropriate dress.)

3. The use of cell phones or other electronic devices is not permitted in classrooms, laboratories, and testing centers. In the library, acceptable uses of such items and their acceptable noise levels are determined by Activity Zone Guidelines that are posted in the library.

4. Permission of the instructor must be obtained before audio taping or videotaping a class.

5. Students must follow the College’s Computer Hardware & Software Usage Guidelines in classrooms, laboratories, testing centers, library and at any other locations on campus as well as in RACC online/virtual environments.

6. Children under 18 are not permitted in classrooms, laboratories, or the testing centers unless they are participating in a RACC-sponsored course/event.

7. Children under 18 are not allowed in the library and public

areas of the College unless they are participating in a RACC-sponsored course/event or are directly supervised by an adult at all times.

8. Accommodations for programs of study are considered on an individual basis. Obtaining documentation of a disability from a qualified professional is the responsibility of the student and is a prerequisite for receiving accommodations. Students must work with the Center for Academic Success/Office of Disability Services in Berks Hall, room 209 so the correct procedures are followed.

9. No animals are permitted in the offices, classrooms, laboratories, computer classrooms or labs, testing centers, and the library unless they are trained service animals.

10. Congregating at and/or blocking entrances/exits of buildings, walkways, etc. such that students have difficulty moving throughout the campus, particularly on the walkway from Berks Hall to the Yocum Library, is strictly prohibited. Common courtesy is expected from students as they move throughout the campus.

11. Smoking is not permitted on the RACC campus. Security staff has the right to escort students off campus/require them to relocate to public areas if they are smoking on campus. Students will be subject to disciplinary action for failure to comply with this regulation and/or repeated violations of this regulation.

12. Students are expected to abide by rules and regulations that may be specific to a RACC office, classroom, laboratory, testing center, library or any other campus area or RACC online/virtual environment.

13. Students are expected to adhere to the College’s Academic Honesty Policy as posted on the College’s web site at www.racc.edu.


14. Students are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct contained within the Student Bill of Rights as posted on the College’s web site.

15. Students are expected to provide their current contact information (name changes, mailing addresses, phone numbers, etc.) to the Records Office as well as the Yocum Library in order to facilitate College-related communication. This information should be reported in a timely fashion.

16. Students must carry their RACC student identification (ID) card with them while on campus or at College-sponsored events. A RACC ID card must be presented when using the College library, testing center, Fitness Center, computer labs, tutoring center and other facilities. A separate Yocum Library Card is also required to access library services and resources.

17. Email is the official means of communication within the RACC community. Students are expected to utilize their ravens.racc.edu College email account for conducting any electronic business with College faculty, staff and students. Students are expected to check their College email account daily. College personnel are not obligated to respond to any personal emails after the College has issued a raven’s email account.

Course-Related student Responsibilities1. Individual instructors have the right to establish classroom

attendance policies. Instructors will specifically state their attendance policies in their syllabi. Students are expected to report to class on time and remain for the entire duration of the class. Repeatedly coming to class late disrupts the teaching/learning environment in the classroom and adversely affects the other students in the class. Repeatedly coming to class late will not be tolerated and may result in a referral to the Division Assistant Dean or the Behavioral Intervention Team. Students are expected to notify their instructors by voice-mail or e-mail when they are absent from class. Failure by students to attend classes, including online classes, may result in faculty initiated withdrawals.

2. Students are responsible for thoroughly reading course syllabi and understanding their content.

3. Students should refrain from conversations whenever the instructor or another student is speaking. Any type of distractive or disruptive behavior interrupts (distracts) the teaching/learning process and must be avoided.

4. The use of cell phones or other electronic devices is not permitted in classrooms, laboratories and testing centers. In the library, acceptable uses of such items and their acceptable noise levels are determined by Activity Zone Guidelines that are posted in the library. (In the event a student is expecting a call due to a family emergency, the cell phone/electronic device must be placed on vibrate and this information should be shared with the instructor prior to the beginning of the class.) Additionally, texting is not permitted while class is in session.

5. Students should not be reading any material in class that is not

directly related to the content of the day’s discussion.

6. Students are expected to come to class prepared with homework and readings completed. Academic success within the classroom generally requires two hours of work outside of class for each hour spent in class.

7. Students are expected to turn in assignments on time and in the format stipulated by instructors, to participate in class discussions, and to prepare for tests.

8. Students are responsible for all material covered and announcements made within classes, even when absent from classes.

9. Students are expected to wait for 15 minutes before leaving if their instructor does not appear for class as scheduled or does not leave instructions to await his/her arrival.

10. Program and course selection is the responsibility of the student. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor for guidance about program and graduation requirements. Failure to meet with the faculty advisor may result in a delay in graduation.

11. Students are expected to adhere to the College’s “Acceptable Use of Technology Policy”. The RACC email system is an official means of communication within the college community. Therefore, the College has a right to send communications via email and the right to expect that those communications will be received and read in a timely manner. Students are expected to use email with good judgment and to be aware that email messages are not confidential, are owned by the College and privacy cannot be guaranteed.

students are also required to review and abide by the College’s Code of Conduct contained within the student handbook oN page 11. Failure to comply with either the Code of Conduct or any of the items identified in this document may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion from the institution.

Revised July 2010 by the offices of the Senior Vice President/Provost and the Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management/Student Development in conjunction with the Academic and Enrollment Management Teams.

7/26/2010


aCaDeMIC HoNestY & CoPYRIGHt PolICYThe principles of truth and honesty are expected to be followed in all academic endeavors. This assumes that all work will be done by the person who purports to do the work without unauthorized aid and in an ethical and legal manner. Students are expected to be well-motivated and constructive in their pursuit of learning in the instructional situation.

College attendance is a privilege, not a right; students, by the act of registration, accede to the College the right to require the withdrawal of any student at any time when it is necessary to safeguard the College’s ideals of scholarship and character and to secure compliance with its regulations.

Academic dishonesty and copyright infringement are behavioral misconducts. All students should be familiar with the College’s policy on Academic Honesty & Copyright. Copies are available on the College website, in the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs (Berks Hall, Room 127), and in the Office of the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs / Provost (Berks Hall, Room 315).

Faculty should acknowledge the College Policy on Academic Honesty & Copyright as a component of the course syllabus. In the event of an alleged violation of this Policy, individual instructors are responsible for completing the “Violation of Academic Honesty & Copyright Policy Incident Report” form and forwarding copies to the student, the Instructor’s Division Dean, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will maintain a central file and monitor all policy violations.

Academic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

I. PlagiarismPlagiarism is the inclusion of someone else’s words, ideas or data as one’s own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through the use of quotation marks as well. By placing his/her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgements. Plagiarism covers unpublished as well as published sources. Examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to:

A. Quoting another person’s actual words, complete sentences or paragraphs, or entire piece of written work without acknowledgment of the source.

B. Using another person’s ideas, opinions or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in one’s own words without acknowledgement of the source.

C. Borrowing facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials that are not clearly common knowledge without acknowledgement of the source.

D. Copying another student’s essay test answers.

E. Copying another student’s written work and submitting it, in part or in it’s entirely as one’s own.

F. Copying or allowing another student to copy, a computer file that contains another student’s assignment, and submitting it, in part or in its entirety, as one’s own.

G. Working together on an assignment, sharing the computer files and programs involved, and then submitting individual copies of the assignment as one’s own individual work when such collaboration has not been expressly permitted.

II. FabricationFabrication is the intentional use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

A. Citation of information not taken from the source indicated. This may include the incorrect documentation of secondary source materials.

B. Listing sources in a bibliography not directly used in the academic exercises.

C. Submitting in paper, thesis, lab report or other academic exercise, falsified, invented, or fictitious data or evidence, or deliberate and knowing concealment or distortion of the true nature, origin, or function of such data or evidence.

D. Submitting as one’s own any academic exercises (e.g., written work, printing, sculpture, etc.) prepared totally or in part by another.

III. CheatingCheating is an act or an attempted act of deception by which a student seeks to misrepresent that he/she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he/she has not mastered. Examples may include:

A. Copying from another student’s test paper.

B. Allowing another student to copy from a test paper.

C. Using the course textbook or other material such as a notebook brought to a class meeting but not authorized for use during a test.

D. Collaborating during a test with any other person by receiving information without authority, or collaborating with others on projects where such collaboration is expressly forbidden.

E. Using or possessing specifically prepared materials during a test, e.g., notes, formula lists, notes written on the student’s clothing, etc. that are not authorized.

F. Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone else to take a test for you.

G. Using electronic devices to obtain information during a test without permission of the instructor.

Iv. Unauthorized Distribution of Copyrighted MaterialCopyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

If a student is found to have infringed copyrighted materials, he/she may be subject to the College’s sanctions and/or disciplinary


procedures. In addition, the student may be subject to penalties for copyright infringement including civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

v. other MisconductOther misconduct shall include, but not be limited to, the intentional violation of College policies, by tampering with grades, or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of an unadministered test. Examples include but are not limited to:

A. Stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining all or part of any test without permission of the instructor.

B. Selling or giving away all or part of any test including answers to an unadministered test.

C. Bribing any other person to obtain any test including answers to an unadministered test.

D. Entering a building or office for the purpose of changing a grade in a grade book, on a test, or on other work for which a grade in a grade book, on a test, or on other work for which a grade is given.

E. Changing, altering, or being an accessory to the changing and/or altering of a grade in a grade book, on a test, a “change of grade” form or other official academic records of the College which relate to grades.

F. Entering a building or office for the purpose of obtaining an unadministered test.

G. Continuing to work on an examination or project after the allotted time has elapsed without permission of the instructor.

vI. enforcement, administration, and PenaltiesNotwithstanding any other provisions of the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, the procedures in this section apply to cases involving academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials:

A. The instructor confers with the student or students suspected of academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials. The student is advised of the suspected infraction and the reasons why academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials are suspected. The student is given an opportunity to admit or deny the academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials. If the academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials are not admitted, the instructor may make a finding, based on substantial evidence as to whether or not the student committed academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials.

B. In making such a funding, the instructor considers all credible evidence, including, but not limited to the instructor’s own observations and those of others, any materials which the

student may have been using or attempting to use, and any documents or assignments submitted by the student. The instructor shall give the student an opportunity to be heard, to furnish evidence in rebuttal, and to explain any actions.

C. If academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials is not admitted, and the evidence is insufficient for the instructor to find that a student committed academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials; the instructor has the right to give a student a substitute assignment if the instructor believes that the grade on the original assignment is not truly representative of the student’s work.

D. If academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials are admitted or if the instructor determines that a student has committed academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials, the instructor may take one of the following actions pending appeals in accordance with this policy:

1. assign a grade of zero (0) for the assignment; 2. assign a grade of “F” for the assignment; 3. give the student a substitute assignment; 4. make a proportional reduction of grade for the

assignment; 5. assign a grade of “F” for the course; 6. in instances of a more serious nature, assign

responsibility for the appropriate sanction(s) to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

E. In addition to the actions taken under section VI, D, 1-5, the instructor may refer the matter to the Vice President of Academic Affairs:

1. for further disciplinary proceedings by a committee composed of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, a faculty member appointed by the Academic Affairs Committee of the Governance System, and a student appointed by the Student Government Association; or

2. directly to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for other appropriate action.

F. If the instructor imposes sanctions (VI, D, 1-5) he/she must notify the student in writing of any findings made and of the action taken within seven (7) regular class days (exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays). This notification shall be accomplished by completing the “Violation of Academic Honesty & Copyright Policy Incident Report.” This notice contains a brief statement of the reasons for the decision. The notice may be delivered in person, or may be sent by certified mail to the student’s last known address, which appears in the files of the Student Records Office. A copy of this notice is sent to the Vice President of Academic Affairs to be retained for reference purposes.

G. The student is entitled to appeal the instructor’s findings, and/or the action(s) taken by the instructor. This appeal must be submitted in writing to the instructor. This appeal must be made no later than seven (7) regular class days (exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays) after the instructor gives notice to the student in person or sends such notice by certified mail. A copy of the letter should be given by the student to the appropriate Division Dean. If the student appeals the finding(s)/action(s), then the instructor has seven (7) regular class days, (exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays) in which to make a decision on the student appeal. The instructor must notify the student in


writing of any findings made and of action taken. The notice may be delivered in person or may be sent by certified mail to the student’s last known address which appears in the files of the student Records Office. A copy of this notice is sent to the Vice President of Academic Affairs to be retained for reference purposes.

H. In the event that the instructor denies the appeal of his or her decision, the student has the right to appeal to a committee composed of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, a faculty member appointed by the Academic Affairs Committee of the Governance System, and a student appointed by the Student Government Association. This written appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs must be received in the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs no later than seven (7) regular class days (exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays) in which to render a decision. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will notify the student in writing of the Committee’s decision. The notice will be delivered in person or may be sent by certified mail to the student’s last known address, which appears in the files of the student Records Office. A copy of this notice will be retained by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. A copy of this decision will be sent to the instructor. The decision of the Committee is final.

sanctionsStudents who have a prior record of offenses regarding academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary procedures as well as instructional sanctions. A committee of three individuals (The Vice President of Academic Affairs, a faculty member appointed by the Academic Affairs Committee of the Governance System, and a student appointed by the Student Government Association) shall have the discretion to impose the following types of discipline:

Probation: Exclusion from participation in privileges or extracurricular College activities as set forth in the notice of probation for a specified period of time. If a student, while on probation, violates any of the terms set forth in the notice of probation or violates the Code of Conduct, as determined after the opportunity for a hearing, he/she shall be subject to further discipline in the form of suspension, dismissal or expulsion;

Suspension: Exclusion from classes and exclusion from other privileges or activities or from the campus as set forth in the notice of suspension, for a definite period of time, with reinstatement thereafter dependent on a showing of observance during the period of suspension of the terms set forth in the notice of suspension. If a student, while on suspension, violates any of the terms set forth in the notice of suspension or violates the Code of Conduct while on the campus of the College or in relation to a College-sponsored activity, as determined after the opportunity for a hearing, he/she shall be subject to further discipline in the form of dismissal or expulsion;

Dismissal: Termination of student status for an indefinite period. The student may be readmitted to the College only with the specific approval of the sub-committee on reinstatement (Academic Affairs Committee) and the College President. If a dismissed student violates the Code of Conduct while on College property in relation to a College-sponsored activity, he/she shall be subject to further discipline in the form of expulsion;

Expulsion: Permanent termination of student status without possibility of readmission to any campus of the College.

Disciplinary ProceduresThe procedures are designed to assure procedural fairness in student conduct cases, and offer procedures appropriate to the nature of the case and the severity of the potential discipline.

Note:1. Any incident pertaining to cheating or plagiarism and/or

infringement of copyrighted materials shall be documented by the instructor in writing and recorded in the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

2. No information pertaining to the offenses or sanctions imposed by the instructor shall be disclosed to any external agencies.

3. Any member of the College community may charge any other member with academic dishonesty and/or infringement of copyrighted materials. However, the charge must be filed in writing in the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs within seven (7) regular class days (exclusive of Saturdays and Sundays) of the date that the alleged violation was discovered.

4. Students are permitted to continue to attend class until all internal appeals have been exhausted.

November 12, 2012

DIsCRIMINatIoN & HaRassMeNt INClUDING tItle IX CoMPlIaNCeIt is the policy of RACC (Board of Trustees Policy 840 – Discrimination & Harassment including Title IX Compliance) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran in regard to the administration of all campus programs, services and activities and the admission of students, employment actions, or other sponsored activities. Furthermore it is RACC’s policy not to tolerate harassment of any type, including sexual harassment, of or by any employee, student, contractor, vendor, and/or visitor to RACC. In addition, it is the policy of RACC not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX provides that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault. In support of our commitment to an environment free from harassment and Board of Trustees Policy No. 840, RACC is committed to investigating claims of harassment, and taking appropriate action when the facts show that harassment has occurred. If you have a complaint of harassment, please complete the form on the website as completely and accurately as possible in order that we may conduct an appropriate investigation of your complaint. ProceduresAnyone who believes that s/he, or any other member of the College community, to be a victim of sex discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence prohibited by this policy, whether by a supervisor, a co-worker, faculty member, student, vendor, contractor or any other person with whom s/he comes in contact at the College, in the course of any educational program or activity of the College, should report the incident directly to the Title IX Coordinator for the College. Any person who has knowledge of a complaint of sexual harassment or discrimination or sexual


CoMPUteR UsaGe PolICY

I. PurposeThis policy defines the general terms and conditions for access to the College’s information assets and for the use of RACC computing assets, including networks, systems, and applications, by all users. The purpose of the Computer Usage Policy is to ensure an information infrastructure that promotes the Mission, Core Values, and Institutional Commitments of the College. This Policy codifies what is considered acceptable usage of the College’s computer hardware, software, databases, and networks.

II. scope and applicabilityThis Policy applies to staff, faculty, and students who have permitted access to the RACC network and computing resources. Each user has a responsibility to be aware of and to comply with this Policy and the access granted to each user. The Information Technology Area maintains comparable policies regarding vendors, contractors, and service provider personnel.

III. acceptable and Unacceptable Uses of RaCC computer technologyThe use of Reading Area Community College computer technology is a privilege extended to all users, including faculty, staff, and students. Computer hardware and software are to be used for approved purposes in the conduct of the College’s Mission. Users may not utilize RACC computing resources for personal gain or commercial business.

Access to computing and information assets is based upon responsible use, and may be subject to federal and state regulations as well as RACC policies, procedures, and regulations. Faculty and staff will be granted a unique College network ID and where appropriate, application or system IDs. Faculty and staff computer access shall be granted based on a clearly defined request that is approved by the employee’s supervisor and the responsible system administrator. User access is granted to an individual and may not be transferred to or shared with another user.

The intent of this Policy is to define broad categories of use which are acceptable, not to provide an exhaustive list of inappropriate or unacceptable uses. At any time the College may make determinations that specific uses are or are not acceptable.

A. Acceptable uses promote an environment in which access to all College computing resources is shared equitably among computer users of the RACC community; an environment conducive to teaching and learning; an environment free of illegal or malicious acts; a non-hostile and safe work environment; and a secure computer environment

B. Unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, 1. violating or attempting to violate the College’s

information technology security, including, but not limited to circumventing data protection schemes, gaining unauthorized access, or decrypting secure data.

2. violating or attempting to violate license agreements, including, but not limited to, making unauthorized copies of software or data owned by or licensed to the College.

3. using or installing any software that has not been authorized by the College.

4. failing to abide by the policies, procedures, and regulations of the computer labs, library, classrooms, or other facilities in which computer equipment is located.

5. creating, reproducing, or transmitting materials that are

violence or retaliation from an employee, student, or third party who otherwise knows or has reason to believe that an employee or student has been subjected to sexual harassment or discrimination or sexual violence or retaliation, is expected to report the incident promptly to the Title IX Coordinator for the College. The Title IX Coordinator will ensure a prompt and equitable investigation into any allegation of sex discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence or retaliation, so as to enable a prompt and equitable response under all circumstances and in a fair and expeditious manner. Upon completion of the investigation and the determination by the Title IX Coordinator, any case of sex discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence or retaliation, will be referred to the Human Resources Office for faculty/staff or to the Vice President for Student Affairs for students for proceedings consistent with the College’s relevant workplace conduct policies, the College’s Collective Bargaining agreements, or the College’s Student Code of Conduct. Contact Information

Patricia R. Helfenstein, Title IX CoordinatorPresident’s Office Area10 South 2nd St., Box 1706, Reading, PA.19603Phone: 601.372.4721 Ext. 5016Fax: 610.372.4264Email: [email protected]

Maria Dodson, Title IX Deputy Coordinator Penn Hall, Room 409, S. Front St., Box 1706, Reading, PA 19603 Phone: 610.372.4721 Ext. 5435 Email: [email protected]

Sue Costa, Title IX Deputy Coordinator Gateway Center, Room 422, Box 1706, Reading, PA 19603Phone: 610-372-4721 Ext. 5708 Email: [email protected]


slanderous or defamatory in nature, that threaten violence or that otherwise violate existing laws or regulations.

6. collecting, retaining, and transmitting materials unrelated to the individual’s role and responsibilities that are authorized by the individual’s supervisor.

7. transmitting sensitive or confidential information by faculty and staff unless authorized by supervisors. The transmissions will be encrypted according to RACC encryption standards.

8. storing sensitive or confidential information by faculty and staff onto non-RACC storage devices such as personal computers, hand held devices, memory sticks and attachable storage devices not authorized or provided by the College.

9. failing to secure all mobile computing equipment such as College laptop computers and notebook computers. Theft of such equipment represents a serious risk if they contain confidential information and a significant cost to RACC.

10. wasting network resources including consuming large amounts of bandwidth for prolonged periods of time; consuming large quantities of College supplies for non-academic purposes; or time spent on non-academic or non-work purposes during class time or work time.

11. creating, reproducing, or transmitting unauthorized reproductions or uses of copyrighted materials using the College’s computers or web site; unauthorized duplications or uses of copyrighted software using the College’s computers or website.

12. creating, reproducing, or transmitting materials that are fraudulent, malicious, threatening, harassing, or obscene; any actions that can be interpreted as sexual harassment or that contribute to a hostile work environment.

13. accessing the College’s network, databases, or computers without authorization; failing to report a possible computer related security lapse to the College; refusing to cooperate with any computer system security investigation; or creating or intentionally distributing harmful programs such as computer viruses, worms, or Trojan horses.

14. utilizing RACC computing resources for commercial, political, or private business purposes.

C. Sanctions for unacceptable computer usage 1. Students who violate the RACC Computer Usage Policy

are subject to the penalties in Article VII of the Student Bill of Rights. These include the following sanctions.

a. Disciplinary Warning: Oral or written notice to the student that the conduct in question is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. It also serves as a warning that future misconduct could result in a more severe disciplinary action. A disciplinary warning may be issued by a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) Team member without the right of appeal.

b. Disciplinary Probation: A disciplinary probation is a disciplinary warning with the added stipulation that if the student is found guilty of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct during a specified probationary period, the student’s continued enrollment at the College will be in jeopardy. Disciplinary probation may include the loss of privileges, or use of specific college facilities, mandatory meetings with specified staff, and/or restitution for damages incurred. The probationary period is limited to a maximum of one year from the date of the written notification of the decision.

c. Interim suspension: Exclusion from classes and other

privileges or activities (not to exceed 5 working days) pending final determination of an alleged violation. This action will be invoked only when

i) the presence of the student on campus is detrimental and/or poses a threat to oneself and/or the members of the College community.

ii.) when a student fails to comply with a College official’s request to meet with the student for the purpose of investigating an incident. Failure to comply with this meeting request may result in a suspension from the College for the remainder of the semester. This action does not exempt the student from any course attendance policies and the student is still obligated to complete the missed coursework.

d. Suspension: Exclusion from the College and College-sponsored activities and/or exclusion from other privileges or activities from campus for a specific period of time (up to a maximum of one year from the date of the written notification of the decision). If the student is found guilty of violating the Code of Conduct and is suspended from the College, the student is still responsible for any outstanding debt owed to the College. The student must submit a written request for consideration for readmission to the college and must comply with the reinstatement requirements

e. Expulsion: Permanent exclusion from the College and College-sponsored activities. An expulsion sanction will remain on the student’s permanent academic record.

2. Disciplinary proceedings involving faculty alleged to have violated this Policy shall be conducted as provided for in accordance with relevant provisions of controlling law as well as the Faculty Contract. Disciplinary proceedings alleging violations of this Policy by staff shall be conducted in accordance with relevant provisions of controlling law as well as the Staff Contracts. The College may suspend the rights of access to the College’s network pending the final disposition of any employee disciplinary action. Depending on the severity of the violation, employees of the College may be subject to formal personnel warnings, suspension, and even dismissal.

Iv. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) File sharingA. The purpose of this section of the Policy is to detail the

College’s plans to effectively combat the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material by users of the College’s computer network and information technology resources, without unduly interfering with the legitimate educational and research use of the network; and to provide for annual disclosures to students on the College’s policies and sanctions related to unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA). Additionally, this section is intended to mitigate the College’s potential exposure to security risks and liabilities associated with the exploitation of P2P applications to illegally use, distribute and/or store copyrighted materials on the College’s network.

B. This section of the Policy applies to students, faculty, staff, College volunteers, and other members of the public who use the College’s network and/or information technology resources.

C. This section of the Policy also applies to the College’s network


a. bandwidth or traffic shaping b. traffic monitoring to identify abnormally high

bandwidth users c. Internet content filtering to block or reduce illegal file

sharing d. other commercial products designed to reduce or

block illegal file sharing

3. For the purpose of implementing this Policy, the Director of Information Technology shall have directive authority over all vendors to the College to direct that such vendors use appropriate deterrents to reduce or prevent illegal file sharing and other violations of this Policy. When exercising such directive authority, the Director shall consult with the appropriate contract administration officer of the College and ensure that all corrective actions are taken in accord with relevant contract documents.

H. Summary of civil and criminal penalties for violation of federal copyright laws 1. Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without

permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under Section 106 of Title 17 of the United States Code. These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. Students, staff, and faculty who misuse computer technology resources in ways that violate the exclusive rights of copyright holders may be subject to the civil and criminal penalties listed in Section IV. H. 2. a-f. of this Policy. In addition, students who violate copyright laws and other misuses of computer technology resources are subject to the RACC disciplinary code that is included in Section III.C. 1. a- e of this Policy. Faculty and staff who violate copyright laws and other misuses of computer technology resources are subject to the RACC Employee sanctions listed in Section III.C.2. of this Policy.

2. Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. A summary of the civil and criminal penalties for violation of Federal copyright laws is as follows:

a. Infringer pays the actual dollar amount of damages and profits; or

b. The law provides a range from $750 to $30,000 for each work infringed, unless the court finds that the infringement was willful. In such cases, the maximum penalty is increased to $150,000.

c. The court may award attorneys’ fees and court costs. d. The court can issue an injunction to stop the infringing

acts. e. The court can impound the illegal works. f. The infringer can be sent to jail for up to 10 years.

3. The College will make readily available to enrolled and prospective students the College’s policies and sanctions related to copyright infringement including: a statement that explicitly informs its students that the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject the student to civil and criminal liabilities; a summary of the penalties for violation of Federal copyright laws; and this Policy.

4. Information Technology Services Department will publish and maintain a webpage devoted specifically to this Policy

and P2P file sharing. Such webpage shall contain a list of FAQs and

and all other College information technology resources; any other information technology resource made available to the College community through a College vendor-sourced network; and other electronic device regardless of ownership when such device is actively using the College network or is otherwise interfacing with a College information technology resource. The physical location of any computer or other device is irrelevant to whether or not a violation of this Policy exists.

D. The College is committed to preventing, in so far as practicable, the misuse of the College’s computer network and other information technology resources, including but not limited to the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material by users of its computer network. It is the College’s intent to maintain the integrity of its computer network, without unduly interfering with educational and research use, by utilizing the methods described in this Policy. This Policy does not ban legal P2P file sharing through use of the College network, and the College will continue to support technologies that facilitate legitimate information dissemination and academic collaboration.

E. Prohibited actions include 1. The installation and use of peer-to-peer file-sharing

programs on computers attached to the College network. 2. The installation or operation of any program or service

which assists others in the use of P2P file-sharing programs.

F. Enforcement and Administration 1. RACC reserves the right to monitor the network and all

attached computers to ensure compliance with this policy. The College firewall recognizes most popular forms of P2P traffic.

2. Students will be considered in violation of this policy if their Internet traffic is identifiable as using P2P programs or protocols and subject to disciplinary actions as set out in student disciplinary procedures.

3. The College reserves the right to block the use of any application on the College’s network when it has a reasonable basis to conclude that such application is being used for improper purposes in violation of this Policy.

4. The College will comply with all valid subpoenas seeking the identity of a person alleged to have misused the College’s information technology resources for illegal purposes.

G. Technology-based Deterrents 1. The Director of Information Technology will utilize

technology-based deterrents to combat the unauthorized distribution, downloading, uploading, streaming, scanning, storage or sharing of copyrighted material by users of the College’s network, and will periodically confer with the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs/ Provost to ensure that all such technology-based deterrents then employed by the College do not unduly interfere with legitimate educational and research uses of the College’s network.

2. At least one technology-based deterrent must be in use at all times with respect to the College Network. As determined appropriate from time to time by the Director of Information Technology, technology-based deterrents may include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following:


How-To Guides that instruct the campus community about appropriate and inappropriate uses of P2P applications; a summary of penalties for violation of Federal copyright laws; a summary of the results from the periodic review of the effectiveness of the College’s plans to prevent the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials by users of the College’s network; and a list of legal alternatives for downloading or otherwise acquiring copyrighted material.

I. Enforcement Procedures For Handling Unauthorized P2p File SharingThe federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) establishes certain requirements for online service providers (OSP) such as RACC concerning copyright infringement violations including registration of an agent with the U.S. Copyright Office; development and posting of updated copyright policies; adoption of “notice and takedown” procedures for alleged copyright infringing materials; and accommodation and non-interference with standard technical measures utilized by copyright owners to identify and protect their works.

A. Under DMCA, RACC is considered an online service provider (OSP) for its students, faculty, and staff. DMCA requires the college to expeditiously respond to complaints it receives of copyright infringements. When notified, under penalty of perjury, by a copyright owner of infringing materials on a computer attached to the university network, the college will take immediate action to block network access to the computer and notify the owner of the computer. Network access will be restored after the infringing material is removed from the computer or within 14 days after receiving a proper counter-notification, unless the copyright owner files an action seeking a court order against the computer owner. A second violation may result in an extended loss of access privileges to the college network. Additionally, as an OSP, RACC may be served with a subpoena for the identity of the owner of a computer determined to contain infringing materials. RACC will comply with the subpoena.

B. All copyright infringement notifications will be acted upon in accordance with the requirements of the DMCA. Allegations of copyright infringements found on RACC computer resources should be sent to the RACC DMCA Agent. The Senior Vice President of Business Services/Treasurer for Reading Area Community College shall function as the College’s DMCA agent.

C. Alleged violations of the DMCA shall be received by the College’s Agent for the Receipt of a Claimed Infringement (“Designated Agent”). The College’s Agent shall document all alleged violations. IT shall respond to all DMCA notices. The receipts of such notices are to be logged in and tracked by IT. Attempts to identify the suspect computer(s) and user(s) will be made by IT staff. In the case of suspected offenders who are students, if successful identification is made, a copy of the notice and name of student(s) identified shall be referred to the Office of the Vice-President of Student Affairs. In the case of suspected faculty or staff who are successfully identified, the notice and name of the staff or faculty member(s) and relevant identifying information shall be referred to the employee’s supervisor. In circumstances when criminal activity is suspected, the Director of Human Resources shall consult with legal counsel notifying any party.

v. IMPleMeNtatIoNA. A full version of this Policy will be found on the College’s

website, through the College’s Learning Management Software system (LMS), in the Student Handbook, the Employee Handbook, and the Faculty Handbook.

B. A statement regarding this Policy will be placed in all documents related to computer usage and Internet services provided by the College.

C. Information Technology will publish and maintain a webpage devoted specifically to this Policy and P2P file sharing. Such webpage shall contain a list of FAQs and How-To Guides that instruct the campus community about appropriate and inappropriate uses of P2P applications; a summary of penalties for violation of Federal copyright laws; a summary of the results from the periodic review of the effectiveness of the College’s plans to prevent the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials by Users of the College’s network; and a list of legal alternatives for downloading or otherwise acquiring copyrighted material.

D. This Policy will be prominently displayed in every computer lab, tutoring lab, and in the library.

E. At the beginning of each semester and session, Information Technology will send all College students, faculty and staff an email through the RACC email system regarding computer usage policies and related issues.

vI. PolICY RevIsIoN sCHeDUleA. The Director of Information Technology shall be responsible

for the maintenance of this Policy and will recommend changes and revisions to the Academic Team and Student Affairs Area on an annual basis.

B. In order to ensure that this Policy fulfills the requirements of the HEOA, the Campus Life Committee of the College’s Governance System will review the Computer Usage Policy every year and recommend any changes or revisions to the Administration.

19 November 2012(Amended)


tHe FaMIlY eDUCatIoNal RIGHtsaND PRIvaCY aCt oF 1974Reading Area Community College has adopted a policy to uphold the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This federal law guarantees the confidentiality of students’ education records, establishes the right of students to inspect and review their records, and provides for the hearing of complaints pertaining to alleged, inaccurate or misleading information in the education records. In compliance with the Act, the College has prepared this policy statement to inform students of their rights under the Act and describe the procedures in effect for reviewing records and hearing complaints.

The College accords all rights under this law to eligible students attending the institution. An eligible student is defined as one who is eighteen years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education; in either event, the student receives less than half of his or her support from a parent or guardian. Education records maintained by the College will be treated confidentially. No person outside the College, including the parents of eligible students, will be permitted access to such records without the student’s written consent. Nor will the College disclose any information from a student’s education records unless authorized by a written request from the student. Records of such authorized disclosures will be maintained by the College and will list the parties who have requested and obtained access to student records as well as the legitimate reasons for gaining access. Records of disclosures may be inspected by students.

Under the law, education records can be released without the student’s consent to certain individuals in specific circumstances. Such individuals include: officials of another educational institution in which the students seek enrollment; representatives of the federal, state, and local educational agencies which require the reporting and disclosure of information; officials who determine the eligibility for and amount of financial aid for students; organizations conducting studies for educational agencies or institutions to develop, validate, and administer predictive tests, to administer student aid programs, or to improve instruction; accrediting associations while carrying out their accrediting functions; persons who are complying with a judicial order or subpoena; and persons who would protect the health or safety of students and other individuals in an emergency.

Within the College itself, education records are accessible and may be disclosed without the student’s written consent to other staff members who have legitimate educational interest in the students. Such staff members include personnel in the offices of Student Development, Financial Aid, Admissions, Veterans Services, Administrative Services, Cooperative Education, Career Services, and the appropriate individual faculty members.

The College may designate certain personal information from student education records as Directory Information and may disclose such information at its discretion. However, the College will not release such information for commercial use. Directory information consists of: the student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation of officially sanctioned activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and honors received, and the most previous school or college attended by the student. Students may request that any or all of this Directory Information be withheld by completing the FERPA waiver form available in the Records Office (Room 107, Berks Hall). Requests

PeRkINs GRIevaNCe PRoCeDUReA student who has a documented disability (as certified by an appropriate agency) and believes he/she is not receiving adequate accommodations has the right to file a grievance using the following procedures:

1. The student must file a written complete with the Director of Disability Services and Student Behavioral Intervention outlining the nature of the grievance, desired services, and supporting documentation regarding the nature of the disability. The Director (or designee) will meet with the student within three working days of receipt of the complaint and render a decision in writing within three working days after the meeting occurs.

2. If the student is not satisfied with the results of Step No. 1, then a written complaint should be filed with the Chair of the Campus Life Committee of the College Governance System. A special meeting of this committee will be called to review the grievance and meet with the student. The meeting will take place within five (5) working days of receipt of the complaint and a decision will be forwarded to the student, in writing, no later than three (3) working days following the meeting.

3. If a decision cannot be reached by the committee or if the student is not satisfied with the committee’s decision, the student has the right to forward his/her grievance to the Vice President of Student Affairs. The Vice President of Student Affairs will meet with the student within three days of receipt of the complaint and render a decision, in writing, the student immediately following the meeting. The decision of the Vice President of Student Affairs is final.


The decision of the hearing panel will be made within a reasonable period of time and will be based solely upon the evidence presented at the hearing. This decision will be in writing and will be circulated to the parties concerned. It will include a summary of the evidence and reasons leading to the decision. Should the decision favor the students, the education records will be amended or corrected in compliance with the recommendations of the hearing panel. If the hearing panel finds the information to be neither inaccurate nor misleading, the students may place in their education records a statement commenting upon the information and explaining any reasons for disagreeing with the decision of the hearing panel. Any information placed by students in their files under these circumstances will be maintained as part of the student’s records and will also be disclosed when the records in question are disclosed.

stUDeNt RIGHt-to-kNoW aCtPublic Law 101-542 requires colleges and universities to report the graduation/college transfer rates for new fulltime students who enrolled during a specific Fall Term (now Semester). Accordingly, the graduation and college transfer rate for new full-time students entering during the 2005 Fall Term was 35%. The Right-to-Know Act also permits institutions to publicize persistence (re-enrollment) rates for this same student group. Thus 37% of the entering 2006 Fall Term student group re-enrolled during the 2007 Fall Term.

HUMaN ReseaRCH at RaCCFederal regulations (45 CFR 46) require RACC to have policies and procedures to review and approve research conducted with human subjects. Research is a systematic collection of information about someone’s actions, personal information, personal views, or physical response to a treatment where there is an intent to create generalizable knowledge usually for inclusion in a report, presentation, or publication. After being informed about an approved research project, RACC students and employees have a right to consent or deny participation as subjects and remain anonymous in the research data, results, and disclosure.

Some research at RACC is exempt from review and does not require consent, and in general, this research uses student success data, student services data, or survey evaluations with the intent to improve the College or its services, programs, courses, or instruction. Other research involving students, employees, or data about them may require approval through the RACC Research Administrator. Proposed research (internally or externally initiated) that has not been reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and poses risk to the participants may require a full review and approval by an IRB at RACC. Research that has already been approved by an IRB external to RACC or poses minimal risk to the participants may only need approval by the RACC Research Administrator before collecting data. If you are wishing to conduct research with human subjects at RACC, you should contact the Research Administrator, Dr. Stephen Waller, [email protected].

for nondisclosure of Directory Information will be honored for one (1) academic year only, and must be filed annually at the Records Office. Please refer to the College Catalog for additional information.

Besides guaranteeing the confidentiality of student records, this law also gives students the right to inspect and review their education records, challenge the contents of these records, have a hearing should the student find the outcome of the challenge unsatisfactory, and add explanatory materials to their records should the outcome of the hearing prove unacceptable. The Vice President Student Affairs at Reading Area Community College is in charge of coordinating the inspection and review procedures for student education records, which includes admissions, financial, academic, personal files, cooperative education, and placement records. Students who wish to review their records may do so by visiting the Records office and requesting to see their records file. The file will not be given to the student for review until the student provides his RACC ID card to a professional staff member in the Records Office or the Vice President of Student Affairs. The file may not be removed from the office; the student must review all records in the office to determine if any documents need to be photocopied. Any copies the student requests must be paid for by the student at the prevailing rate of the campus copiers. Under no circumstances, can any document (original or otherwise), in the student’s records file be given to the student.

Students may not inspect or make copies of: financial records and statements submitted by their parents; confidential letters of recommendations placed in the student’s file prior to January 1, 1975; and transcripts or reproductions of a document that exists elsewhere in the original. Education records do not include: records of instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible to any other individual, except one who serves as a temporary substitute for the original maker; records of a law enforcement unit; employment records (excluding work-study employment); alumni records; and student health records. However, health records may be reviewed by a physician of the student’s choice. Also, in the case of records containing information on more than one student, an individual student will be permitted access only to that part of the record pertaining to the inquiring student.

After inspection of their records, students who feel that the information in their files is inaccurate, misleading, or violating their privacy or other rights may request that the records be amended. Students should first discuss the problematic information with the Vice President of Student Affairs. Should their requests be upheld, then the appropriate records will be amended. If not, students will be advised within a reasonable time period that the records in question will not be amended and that they have the right to a formal hearing. Students must then request a formal hearing, in writing, from the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost. Students will be informed of the date, place, and time of the hearing within a reasonable period of time, in advance, by the Academic Affairs Office. Students are guaranteed a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issue at hand and may be assisted or represented by individuals of their own choosing, including an attorney, at their own expense. The hearing panel will be composed of disinterested and impartial College officials under the leadership of the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost.


2013-14 Clubs and organizations

Front Street JournalThe Front Street Journal is the student newspaper of Reading Area Community College. Its mission is to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas and information among all members of the college community. In addition to the editorial staff opportunities, FSJ is always looking for reporters, photographers, as well as a marketing/business manager.

Contact: Al Walentis [email protected]

HealtH ProFeSSIonS CluBThis organization is designed for students in a health-related curriculum such as Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, Respiratory Care, and Medical Laboratory Technician. Members of the club participate in the annual Health Fair at RACC. The club plans programming on health issues and sponsors an information table monthly in the Berks Hall lobby.

Contact: Alayne Fessler (610) 372-4721, ext. 5428 [email protected]

multICultural InternatIonal CluBThis club is open to all credit students who are attending Reading Area Community College, not exclusively international students. The club promotes diversity on campus and an awareness of other cultures and ethnicities. The club also helps new international students in adjusting to college life, a new language, and a new country. The club plans events such as the Multicultural International Festival and activities including visiting nearby attractions and museums.

Contact: Dawn Gieringer [email protected]

LEGACYLegacy is an annual scholarly journal written, edited, and published entirely by students of Reading Area Community College. Legacy publishes well-written, researched papers representative of the college’s diverse student body and curriculum. Opportunities exist for students interested in writing, editing, graphic design, illustration, photography, public relations, and finance. Join Legacy to share your skills or to learn new ones

Contact: Dr. Bahar Diken (610) 372-4721, extension 5035 [email protected]

PHI tHeta KaPPa InternatIonal Honor SoCIetY(alPHa SIgma rHo CHaPter)Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges, is foremost a recognition of academic achievement. The local chapter also provides members with many opportunities for scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship as an active club on campus. Membership can be beneficial in terms of a variety of scholarships, at the two-year school as well as future four-year colleges. Currently enrolled students are invited to join when they have completed at least twelve hours of associate degree coursework at RACC with a grade point average of 3.60 or higher.

Contact: Dr. Donna Singleton (610) 372-4721, extension 5096 [email protected]

StuDent aCtIVItIeS BoarDThis board was created to allow members from all clubs and organizations on campus to plan and implement activities on and off campus throughout the school year. The board is comprised of one elected member from each sanctioned club/organization on campus and allows for at-large members (not to exceed the number of club representatives) who must be part of the Student Leadership Program. Activities planned for the 13-14 academic year include lectures, picnics, yoga, roller skating, bingo, Spring Fling, our annual talent show, RACC Idols, and Celebration of the Arts. At this time we are looking at changing guidelines to allow students from the college community at large to join SAB.

Contact: Sue Gelsinger (610) 236-3943 [email protected]

StuDent goVernment aSSoCIatIonThe Student Government Association (SGA) of Reading Area Community College consists of a diverse group of students who are the voice of the student body. SGA works hard to ensure that your concerns and interests about campus life are met. Advocacy and campus life improvement are the main focus of SGA. All students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible to petition to become a senator of SGA after attending three consecutive meetings; completing a petition signed by twenty (20) currently enrolled RACC students; & obtaining a letter of recommendation from staff or faculty at RACC. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome to attend an SGA meeting and voice their concerns or suggestions. Only members of SGA will be able to vote on the issues raised. In 2005-06, SGA started its signature “Discount Card Program” by teaming up with local businesses to provide discounts to RACC students, staff, and faculty. Check out the website (www.racc.edu) for current participating businesses as the program grows. Get your discount card from any SGA member in SUB 112.

Contact: Sue Gelsinger (610) 236-3943 [email protected]


stUDeNt leaDeRsHIP PRoGRaMThis program is open to current students with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must complete an application to the program, write a short essay, and obtain a faculty recommendation. The program consists of four components: spring leadership retreat, summer leadership institute, fall leadership retreat, and winter leadership institute. Students may register for any or all of the components when they are accepted into the program and with acceptance into the program, they are granted a full scholarship for all program costs.

In addition to participating in the program, students are able to apply for leadership certification and wear leadership cords at graduation. For more information, go to the RACC website under Student Activities and Leadership Program or stop by Z112 or email Sue at [email protected].

student leadership Program


Manage your stress as you manage your college experienceThe students of 2013-14 are busy. In addition to classes, homework, and participation in experiences outside of the classroom, our students manage personal relationships including caring for elderly parents, significant others, children, siblings, friends, and others. Most of our students maintain full or part-time employment and volunteer many hours of their time to their community.

The administration, staff, and faculty encourage our students to take care of their personal, physical, mental, and emotional health. This is not always easy with the stress related to homework deadlines and tests added to normal daily life. Managing stress is a critical part of maintaining your health.

Some important things to remember that will help to reduce stress: • Get plenty of rest • Exercise – take a walk, dance, clean the house, take advantage of RACC’s fitness center • Take time to take a deep breath and meditate, pray, or do simple yoga exercises • Laugh – laughter is a great stress reducer • Keep a gratitude journal – it’s amazing how much thinking positive helps with your mental

attitude and reduces stress • Surround yourself with positive influences • Prioritize your commitments and don’t overcommit

Remember, stress is not caused by the events in your life – it is caused by how you react tothose events.

Manage your time wisely – it’s easy to waste time!Have you ever said, “There are not enough hours in the day!”? Take a time out and track what you do with your day to find out where time is wasted and how that affects your ability toaccomplish your goals.

Some great ways to help you manage your time are: • Set goals and prioritize your time to meet deadlines • Use a planner to keep track of your commitments • Organize your daily actions • Don’t procrastinate • Minimize distractions • Multitask when possible • Don’t overcommit

A highly recommended video on time management by Randy Pausch can be found online athttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5784740380335567758#


“Diversity enriches the life of our campus, empowers students to value differences and elevates us to celebrate uniqueness in our communities and in our world. It is in understanding the difference in one another

that we can build human relations.”~Alexis Jardine ~ Danelle Bower ~ Esmine Townsend

20 tHINGs YoU, as a RaCC stUDeNt,CaN Do to HoNoR DIveRsItY

1. Start a conversation with a student who is different from you.

2. Utilize campus resources to learn more about diversity.

• The Yocum Library has fantastic books, films and academic journals on a variety of

multicultural topics.

3. Attend cultural events on campus.

4. Talk to someone of Latino heritage.

5. Try different ethnic restaurants.

• The Reading/Berks County area has a plethora of such

restaurants; Indian, Ethiopian,

Vietnamese,Thai, Mexican . . .

6. Learn sign language and learn about deaf culture.

• RACC offers American Sign Language courses.

7. Read or listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

8. Ask an international student about his or her home country.

• RACC has an International Student Club . . . attend a meeting!

9. Read books with a different cultural background than your own.

10. Watch a foreign film.

• The GoggleWorks is a fantastic resource for this.

11. Sign up for a language class.

12. Attend events in the gay community.

• Allies in the straight community are welcome at Gay Pride events.

13. Learn about the contributions minorities have made in our area.

14. Learn about differences within cultures representing Spanish-speaking countries.

15. Share with your family the value of diversity.

16. Explore your own heritage.

17. Use culturally appropriate language when you refer to students from other cultures.

18. Get out into your community and volunteer.

19. Connect with someone from abroad through an online networking site.

20. Make a list of ten things unique to your culture and share them with someone who wants to learn about

them.

RaCC Multicultural awareness Initiative

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Documents

Reading Area Community College Student Handbook