catalog - Prairie State College

2006-2008 CATALOGPOLICIES & GUIDELINESPOSSESSION OF WEAPONS (BOARD POLICY C-8)No employee, student or visitor shall possess on the PrairieState College campus or in any other location during Collegesponsoredactivities any dangerous or deadly weapon as enumeratedin Section 24-1 of Chapter 38 of the Illinois CriminalCode.This prohibition shall extend to carrying such weapon(s)about the person, in any vehicle or in any place of storage onthe campus.A violation of this policy by an employee or student shall bean irremediable offense warranting disciplinary action up to andincluding dismissal or expulsion.Any violator of this policy shallbe subject to being reported promptly to appropriate authorities.The prohibition set forth in this policy does not apply tosworn peace officers with proper credentials, College personnelwho are required as a condition of employment to carry aweapon, or anyone who obtains express written approval inadvance from the College President.STUDENT CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIESThe following guidelines have been established by the PSCfaculty in an effort to ensure the best learning environment foreveryone:1. Do your homework; be prepared for class; turn yourwork in on time.2. Arrive to class on time and don’t leave early.3. Pay attention, listen, ask questions and take notes duringclass.4. Respect the rights of the professors and other students.5.Attend class regularly.6. Be a positive and active participant in the learningprocess.7.Avoid disruptive behaviors; private conversations withfriends are not permitted.8. Actively contribute in class discussions.9.Take responsibility for your own learning. Seek help fromfaculty or tutorial staff.10. Bring necessary textbooks and equipment to class.ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT (BOARD POLICYF-25)Education at Prairie State College is a privilege. The students atthe College are assumed to have the maturity to behave in amanner appropriate to a variety of classroom settings. Facultymembers define, communicate, and enforce reasonable standardsof behavior in classrooms, laboratories, offices and otherinstructional areas.When a student’s behavior interferes with an effectivelearning climate, the student shall be subject to the loss of theprivilege of attending or receiving credit in the course and maybe subject to more severe disciplinary actions, including suspensionor expulsion from the College.Violations of the Academic Code of ConductViolations of the Academic Code of Conduct include:A. Academic Dishonesty: Use of, attempt to use, orknowingly assisting in the use of false or misleading information;cheating, any attempt to cheat or use unauthorizedmaterial and/or information in the taking of atest(s); or to submit material to meet any course requirementswhich is not one’s own work.B. Disruptive Behavior: Any activities which constitutean unreasonable interruption of the learning process,including, but not limited to, the following:1. Behaviors that are inconsistent with commonlyacceptable classroom conduct including tardiness,leaving and returning during class, or leaving class earlywithout prior authorization;2. Personal discussions and conversations that distractfrom the learning process, or impede or inhibit theability of other students to obtain the full benefit ofthe educational presentation;3. Use of abusive language or epithets directed specificallytoward other persons with the purpose or effectof creating a hostile environment or which mayreasonably be expected to incite verbal or physicalviolence;4. Failure to comply with the directions of faculty;5. Unauthorized use of electronic devices such as cellularphones, pagers and beepers. All such devices areto be turned off while in the classroom or laboratory;and6. Bringing children into the classroom, laboratory orother instructional areas.C. Unauthorized Use or Misuse of Equipment: Theftor abuse of computer software and hardware, instructionalmaterial, and laboratory equipment including, butnot limited to the following:1. Unauthorized use or copying of software;2. Unauthorized use of computer time for personal orbusiness purposes;3. Interfering in any way with the work of another individual;4. Modifying the computer program or systems withoutauthorization;5. Use of the computer system to send obscene, abusiveor inappropriate messages; and6. Unethical, unlawful, or irresponsible use of theInternet.Sanctions for Violation of the Academic Code ofConductIn instances of Academic Dishonesty, the faculty member shalldetermine the academic sanction, which may include a failinggrade on the test or assignment and/or a failing grade for thecourse. In instances of Disruptive Behavior or UnauthorizedUse or Misuse of Equipment, the faculty member may discussthe matter with the student, issue verbal or written warnings,or refer the student to the appropriate College official fordisciplinary action, in accordance with Policy F-16, Discipline ofStudents.The severity of the disciplinary action shall be determinedon a case-by-case basis and may not require progressivediscipline.POLICIES &GUIDELINES23