Student Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights
You have the right to know the following:
- what financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs;
- the deadline for submitting applications for each program;
- how financial aid will be distributed, and the criteria used by the College to select financial aid recipients;
- how financial need is determined - this includes how costs for tuition and fees, travel, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc. are considered in the budget;
- the amount of financial need that has been met;
- the school’s refund policy;
- what portion of the financial aid package received must be repaid and what portion is grant;
- what resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, assets, etc.) are considered in the calculation of his/her need;
- how the school determines if students are maintaining satisfactory progress, including the 150% rule, and how to re-establish progress.
Student Responsibilities
You are responsible for the following:
- reading, understanding, signing, and accepting responsibility for all forms and official documents you are asked to provide;
- completing all application forms accurately and submitting them on time to the appropriate office;
- returning additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by the Financial Aid Office;
- informing the Financial Aid Office of any additional assistance received for educational expense;
- accepting responsibility for all agreements and/or certifications signed;
- notifying the lender, if a loan is included in the aid package, of changes in name, address, or school enrollment status;
- knowing and complying with the College’s refund policy and the Return of Title IV Funds;
- notifying the Financial Aid Office of changes in enrollment status, including a complete withdrawal from the College;
- complying with all application deadlines;
- paying any costs not covered by financial aid.
Student Appearance Statement
As part of its mission, Central Carolina Technical College recognizes the importance of preparing students for the workplace and the importance of maintaining an appropriate learning environment that connects the classroom to the workplace. In support of this recognition, Central Carolina technical College encourages its students to dress in such a manner that is respectful of others, representative of the workplace, and promotes a positive learning environment as supported in the SC Technical College Student Code of Conduct. Students are expected to dress in a manner which is not offensive to others, does not endanger their personal safety, and does not cause unnecessary disruption of the educational process. Proper attire may vary between departments depending on safety regulations, professional standards, and hygienic requirements.
Students who would like to update their wardrobe with campus appropriate or work appropriate attire are encouraged to participate in the Titan Attire Program with the Career Services Center (M500 Rm M523). The Titan Attire Program includes a FREE clothes closet for enrolled students in any academic program.
Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act
Public Law 101-542 as amended by Public Law 102-26, the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991, is known as the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act. Section 103 of Title I of the Act requires institutions to produce the completion or graduation rate of certificate, diploma, or degree seeking, full time undergraduate students entering the institution and make this rate readily available to current students and to prospective students enrolling or entering into any financial obligation. Central Carolina reports the College’s most recent graduation rate annually. This report is available on the College’s website at www.cctech.edu at “About - Institutional Effectiveness and Planning - Institutional Effectiveness & Reporting - Student Achievement Goals and Reporting.”
The Clery Act (formerly known as the Federal Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990) requires colleges and universities to publish and distribute an Annual Security Report. The College’s Annual Security Report describes security practices and procedures at all campuses of CCTC, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking policies, programs and procedures, and lists crime statistics for the most recent calendar year and the two preceding calendar years by campus. This report is available online at http://www.cctech.edu/resources/campus-security/, or the College will provide a paper copy upon request. The College also maintains a Daily Crime Log where individuals can access crime reports for any of the CCTC campuses. This crime log is available is available online at http://www.cctech.edu/service-and-support/campus-security/crime-log.
Crime statistics reported in this publication can also be requested by:
Mail: Campus Security Department
506 N. Guignard Dr. Sumter, SC 29150
Phone: (803)778-6655
Email: Direct inquiries to Securityoffice@cctech.edu
Online: You can view the Annual Security Report by visiting the Security web page at http://www.cctech.edu/resources/campus-security/ or through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Post-Secondary Education Campuses Security website at http://ope.ed.gov/security.
Release of Student Information (FERPA)
The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student educational records. According to FERPA, when a student is 18 years of age or older or is enrolled in a postsecondary institution, the consent to release records and the rights to viewing those records belong to the student alone. Therefore, only you may view your record or request in writing a release of your record. If parents or other designated individuals wish to have access to your records, they must have your written permission specifying the purpose of disclosure, what records may be disclosed. To authorize CCTC to release information from your educational record, you must complete the FERPA Waiver located in the Forms Library at www.cctech.edu. Student Records is the office authorized to release student information.
Separate records are maintained in the following categories: (1) academic, (2) disciplinary, (3) counseling, (4) financial aid, and (5) testing placement. When justified by legitimate law enforcement needs, the campus security agency may maintain confidential records relating primarily to its investigative function.
Central Carolina Technical College will not release information to any other party without your written consent except in the following cases which are permitted under FERPA:
- School officials with a legitimate educational interest
- Agents acting on behalf of the college (contractors, consultants, etc.)
- Federal, state, and local educational and governmental agencies including the Department of Defense
- Attorneys upon subpoena issued by proper court authorities
- Names and academic records of those students who graduated the previous spring may be forwarded to their respective high schools for statistical purposes.
- Organizations conducting studies for educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests, student aid or instruction.
- Accrediting agencies
- Parents if their student (under 21) has violated the College’s alcohol or drug policy
FERPA also permits the release of certain directory information may be released for currently enrolled students. This directory information, which Central Carolina can release without permission, includes the student’s name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, program of study, date of enrollment, honors and awards received, degree/diploma awarded, unique student identifier numbers (not Social Security Number), and photographic, video graphic, and electronic images. This information will only be released while exercising extreme caution, so as not to cause you harm. If you wish not to have your directory information released, you must complete the Nondisclosure of Directory Information form located in the Forms Library at www.cctech.edu.
Students have the following rights under FERPA:
- The right to inspect and review your educational records
- The right to request an amendment to your records if believed to be inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of your privacy or other rights
- The right to limit disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in your records (except in certain situations specified in the FERPA regulations)
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with FERPA Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
Each of these rights, with any limitations or exceptions, is explained in the College’s policy statement which may be obtained from Student Records.
Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC) students are members of our college community. As members of the college community, students are subject to the obligations that accrue to them by virtue of this membership. Each student is responsible for understanding their rights and responsibilities and to act in accordance with the Student Codes of Conduct and college policies and procedures. The Student Code of Conduct is outlined in the college catalog at https://www.cctech.edu/service-and-support/academics/college-catalog/.
Student Code
Student Code for the South Carolina Technical College System
The Student Code for South Carolina Technical College System (SBCTE Procedure 3-2-106.1), sets forth the rights and responsibilities of the individual student, identifies behaviors that are not consistent with the values of college communities, and describes the procedures that will be followed to adjudicate cases of alleged misconduct, except cases of alleged acts of sexual violence and sexual harassment. Cases of alleged acts of sexual violence and sexual harassment will be adjudicated through SBTCE procedure 3-2-106.2 or SBTCE procedure 8-5-101.1. This Code applies to behavior on college property, at college-sponsored activities and events, and to off-campus behavior that adversely affects the college and/or the college community. The Code applies to all students.
View the full Student Code at http://www.sctechsystem.com/faculty-and-staff/policies-and-procedures/procedures/3-2-106.1.pdf
Student Code Procedures for Addressing Alleged Acts of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681) and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. 106), sexual harassment is a form of prohibited sex discrimination. 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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The South Carolina Technical College System is committed to fostering an environment that is free from unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment and sexual assault. Any questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the college’s Title IX Coordinator. Each college must prominently display the contact information required for the Title IX Coordinator (name or title, telephone number, e-mail address, and office address) on its website, if any, and in each handbook, catalog, or publication that it makes available to persons entitled to a notification. In addition, colleges should include contact information for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.
The Student Code for the South Carolina Technical College System (SBTCE Procedure 3-2-106.1) sets forth the rights and responsibilities of the individual student, identifies behaviors that are not consistent with the values of college communities, and describes the procedures that will be followed to adjudicate cases of alleged misconduct. The Student Code for Addressing Alleged Acts of Sexual Harassment (SBTCE Procedure 3-2-106.2) applies to behavior or complaints alleging acts of sexual harassment on college property, or in an education program or activity. This Code does not apply to persons outside of the United States. In order to proceed through the sexual harassment grievance process detailed herein, a formal complaint must be filed with or by a Title IX Coordinator and meet the following elements:
- The alleged activity falls within the definition of sexual harassment as defined in Section II (CC.);
- The alleged activity occurred within a college’s education program or activity; and
- The alleged activity occurred against a person physically located in the United States.
Complaints reported to the college’s Title IX Coordinator which do not meet the above elements shall be adjudicated under the grievance process outlined in the Student Code for the South Carolina Technical College System (SBTCE Procedure 3-2-106.1). The Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct procedure of the South Carolina Technical College System (SBTCE Procedure 8-5-101.1) shall apply in situations where complaints are made against employees of a college.
Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment) to the Title IX Coordinator at any time, including non-business hours, via the phone number, e-mail address or office mailing address listed for the Title IX Coordinator.
Irrespective of whether a report of sexual harassment is anonymous, a college with actual knowledge of sexual harassment or allegations of sexual harassment in the college’s education program or activity against a person in the United States must respond promptly in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent, meaning not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances.
In some cases, campus authorities may become aware of allegations of sexual harassment via local law enforcement. These allegations may also be addressed by this Procedure. The State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education and its member colleges encourage the prompt reporting of sexual harassment to campus security and local law enforcement. The complainant may also file a criminal report regarding the alleged conduct. However, Title IX investigations are separate from criminal investigations. In some cases, colleges may need to temporarily delay the fact-finding portion of a Title IX investigation while law enforcement gathers evidence. Contact information for local law enforcement and campus security is available on the colleges’ websites.
Retaliatory acts, which may include giving students failing grades, preventing students from participating in school activities, and threatening expulsion against any individual who exercises his or her rights under Title IX are considered to be discrimination and are unlawful. Colleges are prohibited from intimidating, threatening, coercing, or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX.
View the full Student Code Procedures for Addressing Alleged Acts of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX here: http://www.sctechsystem.com/faculty-and-staff/policies-and-procedures/procedures/3-2-106.2.pdf
Student Grievance Procedure for the South Carolina Technical College System
The purpose of the student grievance procedure is to provide a system to channel and resolve student complaints against a college employee concerning decisions made or actions taken. A decision or action can be grieved only if it involves a misapplication of a college’s policies, procedures, or regulations, or a state or federal law. This procedure may not be used in the following instances: (1) to grieve a claim against a college employee for any matter unrelated to the employee’s role or position at the college; (2) for complaints or appeals of grades awarded in a class or for an assignment, unless the complaint is based upon alleged discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, other categories protected by applicable law or on the basis of alleged sexual harassment/violence; or (3) to grieve a decision for which other grievance or appeal procedures exist (e.g., appeal of a disciplinary case, a residency appeal, a financial aid appeal, FERPA grievances, transfer credit evaluations).
The student filing the grievance must meet the definition of a “student” at the time of the decision or action being grieved and must be the victim of the alleged mistreatment. A grievance cannot be filed on behalf of another person.
View the full The Student Grievance Procedure for the South Carolina Technical College System here: http://www.sctechsystem.com/faculty-and-staff/policies-and-procedures/procedures/3-2-106.3.pdf
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