Merced College 2010-2011 Catalog

MERCED COLLEGE
To this end, the Merced Community college District is committed to
free discussion and open inquiry. We recognize that the freedom
to think, to read, to speak, and to question is necessary for the
development of an informed citizenry.
This freedom shall be integral to the philosophy of this district and
is guaranteed to students, faculty, administration, and staff. This
freedom is both a right and a responsibility. As a right, it assures
unimpeded research, study, and inquiry. It also assures the right
to free expression in both public and private settings, including the
right to disagree.
As a responsibility, it obligates members of the college community
to present, discuss, and interpret ideas, knowledgeably, fairly, and
objectively, with openness to the ideas of others, with the intention
to stimulate independent thinking, and with a sensitivity to the
special situations of students.
To ensure these principles of intellectual freedom, the administration
and the Board of Trustees will demonstrate their support by actively
working to foster this freedom.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty is a violation of the Standards of Student
Conduct. The College has the responsibility to ensure that grades
assigned are indicative of the knowledge and skill level of each
student and acts of academic dishonesty make it impossible to
fulfill this responsibility.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating,
plagiarism, collusion, and misuse of College computers and
software. Disciplinary actions may include an oral reprimand;
a failing grade on all or part of a particular paper, project, or
examination; or the assignment of an “F” grade in cases where
the dishonesty is more serious, premeditated, or a repeat offense.
Serious or repeated offenses may also result in suspension from
the College.
The Academic Honesty procedure was developed by the Merced
College Faculty Senate and is administered by the Office of the
Vice President of Student Personnel. Copies are available from
the Office of Student Personnel.
Conduct
The Merced College Standards of Student Conduct, as approved
by the Board of Trustees, is available in the Student Activities
Office, and is published in the current Merced College Student
Calendar/Handbook. Merced College students are expected
to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. Students are
prohibited from using or possessing drugs or alcoholic beverages
on the campus or at any school function held on or off campus.
The Student Code of Conduct (Board Policy 5500) also may be
found on the Merced College web site under the link for Board of
Trustees.
Copyrighted Materials,
Including Music, Video and
Printed Materials
The Merced Community College District (MCCD), supports the
14 • College Policies, Regulations and Procedures •
209.384.6000
Higher Education Opportunity Act and Digital Millennium Copyright
Act, which outline efforts to eliminate the illegal distribution of
copyrighted material. Under the law, college administrators may
be obligated to provide copyright holders with information about
users of the MCCD information network who have violated the law.
Accordingly, MCCD students are prohibited from using the MCCD
information network to illegally download and/or share music, video
and all other copyrighted intellectual property. Be aware that illegal
forms of downloading and file sharing as well as the unauthorized
distribution of copyrighted materials are violations of the law and
may subject you to academic sanctions from the college as well
as criminal and civil penalties, including a lawsuit against you by
the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In addition
to being illegal, file sharing drains the MCCD network’s bandwidth,
which slows computer connections for students and employees
who are using the network for legitimate academic purposes
and ultimately costs the College money. MCCD have developed
policies and consequences to ensure that students properly use
the MCCD information network and respect music and other forms
of intellectual property as well as conduct responsible use of the
Internet. These policies are available from the President’s Office
or the Learning Resource Center.
Crime Awareness and
Campus Security
In compliance with the Federal Campus Security Act, Merced
College makes an annual and three-year security report available
upon request. This report contains procedures for students and
others to report criminal actions or other emergencies occurring
on campus; the institution’s policy in responding to such reports;
a statement of policy on security and access to campus facilities;
and the enforcement authority of security personnel. The security
report also contains policies which encourage accurate and
prompt reporting of all crimes to campus security and appropriate
police agencies; information on programs which inform students
and employees about security procedures and practices and
which encourage them to be responsible for their own security
and that of others; a description of programs to inform students
and employees about crime prevention; and statistics on the oncampus
occurrence of reported criminal offenses. Also included
in the report are policy statements on the possession, use, and
sale of alcohol and of illegal drugs; information on enforcement
of state underage drinking laws and federal and state drug laws;
and descriptions of available drug or alcohol abuse programs.
Copies of pertinent data, program information, and procedures are
available from the Campus Security Office.
Dress
There is no dress code at Merced College, but it is expected that a
student’s dress will follow community standards.
Drug and Alcohol Free
Campus
Merced College is an alcohol and drug free educational institution.
In addition to being a violation of state and federal laws, Merced
College Board Policies and Administrative Procedures #3550,
Drug-free Environment and Drug Prevention Program, and
#5500, Standards of Conduct, make the distribution, possession,
use, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal controlled
substances, or offering, arranging or negotiating the sale of any