General Policies

Credits for Non-Traditional Learning

Students who have acquired college-level learning through work or other non-collegiate activities may earn BCCC credits for these life experiences by taking BCCC’s departmental exams or through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). A maximum of 30 credits may be earned through departmental exams; 15 through CLEP. Students should contact the Associate Dean of the appropriate department and the Test Center for information and requirements for departmental and/ or CLEP exams.

Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

Plagiarism means presenting the words or ideas of others without giving credit. A student should know the principles of plagiarism and the correct rules for citing sources. In general, if a paper states or implies that the student is the originator of the words or ideas, the words or ideas must in fact be the student’s own. If someone else’s exact words are used, they should be enclosed in quotation marks with the exact source listed. Someone else’s idea may be put in the student’s own words if it is clear whose idea it is (for example, “As Jane Smith points out…”). If the proper ways to give credit to sources are not clear, the student should ask the instructor.

The following conduct constitutes misconduct (not limited to course work) subject to sanctions under the Student Code of Conduct:

• cheating on an examination.
• collaborating with others in work to be presented, contrary to the rules of the course.
• submitting a paper or assignment as one’s own work when part or all the paper or assignment contains ideas or research of others without appropriately identifying the source of those ideas.
• stealing examinations or course materials.
• submitting work previously presented in another course, if contrary to the rules of a course.
• tampering with laboratory experiments or computer programs of another student.
• knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above, including assistance in an arrangement whereby any work, classroom performance, examination or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose name the work is submitted or performed.
• removing materials from the library without proper authority.
• infringing on the rights of other students to fair and equal access to academic resources.
• duplicating course materials expressly forbidden by the instructor.
• using tape recorders or other recording devices in a classroom when not specifically authorized to do so by the faculty member.
• ignoring or willfully violating class or laboratory instructions or policies.

Sexual Harassment Policy

It is the policy of the State of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College that sexual harassment is an unlawful practice and will not be tolerated in any form in the workplace and/or on the campuses. The policy governs any unwelcome and unsolicited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The policy applies to faculty, administrators, professional staff, other employees, vendors, and students. Any employee or student who believes that sexual harassment by an employee or faculty member has occurred should promptly report the incident to the College’s Title IX Coordinator. Students who believe they have been sexually harassed by another student should report the incident to the College’s Title IX Coordinator. In either case, the Title IX Coordinator will determine the appropriate course of action. A copy of the complete Sexual Harassment Policy may be obtained from the College’s Title IX Coordinator.

Student Religious Accommodations

BCCC will provide reasonable accommodations so that students may: (i) observe faith-based or religious holidays; or (ii) participate in organized religious activities. Reasonable accommodations may include missing or rescheduling class time(s), examination(s), or other class requirement(s). BCCC also provides a designated space on campus to accommodate individual students’ faith-based or religious practices. Students should request a religious accommodation from the Vice President for Student Affairs or Designee.

Smoke-Free Environment Policy

For BCCC to fulfill its role and responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for faculty, staff, and students, it is essential to eliminate exposure to the toxic substances produced by tobacco smoke.

Facilities and Areas Affected

Smoking (including vaping) is prohibited inside all facilities owned, leased, or operated by BCCC including (but not limited to) such space as classrooms, halls, laboratories, studios, open and private offices, corridors, dining areas, restrooms, parking lots, and common areas. This prohibition also includes all vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the College and vehicles parked on college-owned or leased property.

The Use of College Facilities by Outside Parties

All contracts and agreements will include a clause that states that BCCC is a smoke-free environment and, as such, prohibits smoking in all facilities for events including but not limited to conferences, meetings, seminars, concerts, colloquia, receptions, sporting events, and parties.

Tobacco Sales on College Property

There will be no sale of cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco at any facility, location, or vending machine owned, leased, or operated by BCCC.

Progressive Counseling/Enforcement

While responsibility for the implementation and effectiveness of the policy lies with all BCCC faculty, staff, and students, ultimate administrative responsibility to achieve Collegewide compliance rests with vice presidents, directors, and staff in charge of the various divisions, units, offices, and facilities. To effect adherence, members of the BCCC community must be willing to inform those unaware of the policy directly and politely or to remind those in disregard of it. If these approaches and efforts are unsuccessful, the individual in violation of this policy will be brought to the attention of the vice president, director, staff member, or other persons in charge for further discussion and progressive counseling.

Smoking Cessation Programs

It is recognized that smokers who wish to stop smoking may require assistance and support. BCCC will sponsor smoking cessation programs and related health promotion activities to help faculty, staff, and students overcome their reliance on and addiction to nicotine.

The Importance of a Collegewide Commitment

For a smoke-free policy to be effective and successful, the commitment of BCCC must be visible, substantial, and total. It is essential, therefore, that the College support and articulate this policy at all levels by all means through appropriate publications, announcements, advertisements, signs, and communications.

Evaluation and Follow-Up

The Smoke-Free Policy will be reviewed and evaluated periodically to determine its impact and effectiveness.

A Drug-Free Campus Plan

1. Policy
   1. In keeping with its commitment to an environment free of the illegal or abusive use of drugs and alcohol, it is the policy of Baltimore City Community College that the illegal or abusive use of drugs or alcohol is prohibited on all College property or at any College-sponsored activity.
   2. In order to inform students of their responsibilities under this policy and to meet the College’s responsibilities as set forth in the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1993 (Public Law 101-226) and the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Policies Concerning Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control, the following information is provided.
2. Prohibited Conduct
   1. Drugs
      1. Baltimore City Community College prohibits on all campus premises and at all College-sponsored activities the distribution, possession for the purpose of distribution, use, or possession of any controlled substance or illegal drugs.
         Note: Controlled substances and illegal drugs prohibited under the Code are those listed in Schedule I through V, Article 27, Part 279, Annotated Code of Maryland., as well as marijuana, which continues to be a controlled substance under federal law.
   2. Alcohol
      1. Baltimore City Community College prohibits on campus premises and at all College-sponsored activities the unauthorized distribution, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages.
      2. The Office of Student Life may authorize the use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages by students on College premises or at College- sponsored activities but prohibits possession or use of alcoholic beverages by any student under the age of 21 or the providing of alcoholic beverages to a person known to be under the age of 21. Alcoholic beverages may not be possessed, consumed, or distributed at events on College campuses or College-sponsored events unless advance written approval has been obtained from the Director of Student Life & Engagement.
3. Disciplinary Sanctions

Sanctions for the violation of College drug and alcohol policies include disciplinary reprimand or suspension from the College for a first offense and possible expulsion or dismissal for a repeated offense. Students may be accountable to both civil authorities and the College for acts which constitute violation of the law and of College policy.

In addition, there may be additional legal Sanctions under Federal, State, and Local Laws.

4. Health Risks
   1. Substance abuse is recognized as a leading public health problem in the United States.
   2. Between 1999-2017, over 700,000 people died of drug overdoses in the US.
   3. Early detection can minimize or prevent the devastating consequences of substance abuse
5. Available Drug and Alcohol Programs
   1. Drug and Alcohol Programs on Campus
      1. Students seeking drug or alcohol abuse counseling or referral may contact the College’s Health and Wellness Center, Liberty Main 26, 410-462-8384.
   2. Alcohol and Other Drug Workshops
      1. The Director of Human Resources and the Coordinator for Student Life will jointly sponsor workshops for students and staff on various alcohol and drug topics. Announcements of these workshops will be presented at both campuses.
6. Responsible Administrative Offices
   1. The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for overseeing all actions relating to the Plan. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall conduct a biennial review of the Plan and its implementation to determine its effectiveness, make necessary changes, and see that disciplinary sanctions are enforced.

9/18/90; rev. 1/97

Student Code of Conduct

Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) is a diverse community of students, faculty and staff. We recognize the importance of a Student Code of Conduct that promotes the growth and development of its members, guides actions, and defines sanctions that will be imposed if rules and regulations are violated. For the benefit of the community at large, the Student Code of Conduct limits certain behaviors and activities. Any student whose conduct violates this Student Code of Conduct (the Code) will be subject to disciplinary action. Therefore, all students attending BCCC are expected to conduct themselves in a civil manner. Civility at BCCC is defined as behavior that demonstrates respect for the rights, needs, and feelings of others. The standards of behavior set forth in the Student Code of Conduct allow the College to promote civility within its community.

Student Athletic Eligibility Policy

It is the policy of Baltimore City Community College to comply with eligibility rules and regulations of the NJCAA, the Maryland Junior College Conference and Region XX. The Registrar has the responsibility to make the final determination of Athlete Academic Eligibility. The Athletic Director has the responsibility to verify that all Athletes meet all other NJCAA and BCCC’s eligibility criteria including compliance with the Student Code of Conduct. 

Student Computer Use and Internet Policy

1. Introduction

1.1. The computer and network facilities of BCCC are provided to support the student’s educational experience. These guidelines set forth standards for responsible and acceptable use of College computing resources. Computing resources include host computer systems, College-sponsored computers and workstations, communication networks, software, and files.
1.2. Violation of this policy constitutes unacceptable use of computing resources and may violate College policies and/or State and Federal law. Suspected or known violations should be reported to the Director of Computer and Information Technology Services or his/her designated representative. Violations will be forwarded to the Student Affairs Division to be adjudicated in accordance with the Student Handbook. Violations may result in revocation of computing resource privileges, student disciplinary action, or legal action.

1. Users Responsibilities

2.1. Users are responsible for safeguarding their logins and passwords and for using them for their intended purposes only. Each user is responsible for all transactions made under the authorization of his/her login. Users are solely responsible for their personal use of computing resources and are prohibited from representing or implying that their content constitutes the views or policies of BCCC.
2.2. Users must comply with all software licenses and copyrights and all other State and Federal laws governing intellectual property.

2.2.1. Any copyrighted electronic information retrieved from computer or network resources must be used in compliance with applicable copyright and other law. Use of electronic versions of text, pictures, icons, etc. must have the proper citation that lists the owner of that material. Plagiarism of electronic information is subject to the same sanctions as apply to plagiarism in other media.
2.2.2. Users may not install software onto the network without first receiving express authorization to do so from the Director of Computer and Information Technology Services.
2.2.3. All software protected by copyright must not be copied except as specifically stipulated by the owner of the copyright or otherwise permitted by copyright law. Protected software may not be copied into, from, or by any BCCC faculty or student, except pursuant to a valid license or as otherwise permitted by copyright law.

2.3. Users are responsible for using standard e-mail and Internet etiquette. This etiquette includes not forwarding private or confidential e-mail to any other person without permission of the sender; not altering or copying a file without first obtaining permission from the owner; not sending chain mail; not sending unsolicited mass mail.
2.4. BCCC provides access to an area on its servers where BCCC students can publish their own personal WWW pages. Web pages published by students in this personal area will not be reviewed by BCCC staff and do not constitute official College communications. The content of those WWW pages is the sole responsibility of their publishers. BCCC shall not be responsible for the material or opinions expressed in these homepages.

2.4.1. When a user creates and publishes a web page, the user is responsible for adding the following text to any web pages published: “Individual faculty, staff, or students have created this web page. Baltimore City College (“BCCC”) makes absolutely no guarantee as to the currency, accuracy, or quality of the information published and/or archived; nor will BCCC accept any responsibility for other organizations, businesses, or private persons who provide information on the BCCC system. The views and opinions expressed on this page or any links made available are strictly those of the web page author and do not necessarily state or reflect those of BCCC. The contents of these pages have not been reviewed or approved by Baltimore City Community College.” This disclaimer can be part of the web page, or there can be a hyperlink from the page to the disclaimer. When using the hyperlink option, the following should be used: “BCCC is not responsible for the content of this page. Click here for the official disclaimer.”
2.4.2. Pages must be used for educational or professional purposes only. No pages created solely or partially for commercial purposes will be allowed without the express written consent of the Director of Computer and Information Technology Services.
2.4.3. In the event that a web page or other Internet resource causes interruption of other BCCC Internet services, the appropriate staff will remove that resource until the cause of the interruption is eliminated.

2.5. Users are expected to follow any additional rules in effect at specific labs.

1. Users are prohibited from:

3.1. Sending unsolicited mass mail (spamming)
3.2. Altering system or hardware configurations without authorization or disrupting or interfering with the delivery or administration of computer resources
3.3. Attempting to access another user’s account, private files, or e-mail without the owner’s permission; or misrepresenting oneself as another individual in electronic communication
3.4. Misrepresenting oneself as another individual for the purpose of completing an online test, computer or online assignment. Suspected or known violations will be reported to the Director of Computer and Information Technology Services and will be forwarded to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall forward any violations to the Vice President for Student Affairs to be adjudicated in accordance with the Student Handbook.
3.5. Using computing resources to engage in conduct which interferes with others’ use of shared computer resources or disrupts other computer users.
3.6. Using computer resources for illegal activities. Criminal and illegal use may include obscenity, child pornography, threats, harassment, copyright infringement, defamation, theft, and unauthorized access. Conveying threats or harassment is defined as any speech that falls outside the scope of First Amendment protection.
3.7. Using computer resources for political, personal or commercial use.
3.8. Intentionally developing and using programs that disrupt other computer users or which access private or restrictive portions of the system and/or damage the software or hardware components of the system. Computer users must use great care to ensure they do not use programs or utilities which interfere with other computer users or which modify normally protected or restricted portions of the system or user accounts. The use of any unauthorized or destructive program may result in legal civil action for damages or other punitive action by any injured, including BCCC, as well as criminal action.

1. Administration

4.1. A firewall is a part of the College’s computer network. Its purpose is to protect the confidential nature of the College’s computer network. The firewall logs and documents all traffic between BCCC network and the Internet (i.e., user id’s and web pages read). These logs will be used to research violations of the Computer/Internet guidelines.
4.2. The maintenance, operation, and security of computing resources require responsible College personnel to monitor and access the system. To the extent possible in the electronic environment and in a public setting, a user’s privacy will be preserved. Nevertheless, that privacy is subject to the Maryland Access to Public Records Act, other applicable State and Federal laws, and the needs of the College to meet its administrative, business, and legal obligations.

Board of Trustees approval: February 17, 1999

Summary of Financial Aid Recipients’ Rights and Responsibilities

Students who receive financial aid from the College have the right to:

• Know the costs of attendance at the institution
• Know all available sources of financial aid
• To speak with the financial aid officer who has determined their need
• Be informed of all aspects of financial aid packages, including disbursement of aid
• Know the academic expectations of the institution

Students who receive financial aid from the College are responsible for:

• Complying with the College’s deadlines
• Reporting any outside awards to the College’s Financial Aid Office
• Remaining in good Academic Standing
• Complying with loan repayment schedules
• Reporting any changes in the family’s or student’s financial status to the Financial Aid Office.

Transfer Policy

General Transfer Policy

It is the policy of Baltimore City Community College that students who have successfully completed college level courses at a regionally accredited college or university will receive credit toward an associate degree or certificate. In addition, exemption from relevant placement tests will be granted. The total number of allowable credits toward an associate degree is 45 or half the credits required for a certificate. Only credits that apply to the chosen program may count toward graduation. Students can earn up to 30 of these transfer hours through transfer of nontraditional credit. Such credits must be evaluated and approved for transfer credit by the appropriate associate dean of Academic Affairs and the Registrar’s Office.

Award of Credit for Prior Learning

Transfer credit is reviewed by the Registrar’s Office to determine the institution where the course was taken, the completion date, catalog course description including the course number, title and grade.
Students with a cumulative grade point average from a previous institution that is less than a 2.0 on a 4.0-point scale will not be reviewed by BCCC. Any course with a grade of C or better will be accepted. Exception: BCCC will accept credits in which a grade of D is earned for general education courses from a student with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0-point scale from a regionally accredited Maryland public institution. BCCC will convert transferable courses taken at institutions that operate on a quarter system to semester credit hours. Quarter hours are multiplied by 2/3 to equal semester credit hours. Transfer credit cannot be awarded for a course if credit has already been earned at BCCC. In some cases, BCCC will need to review the official course description or course syllabus to determine equivalency. Upon request, the student must submit the required information.

Transfer Criteria

Credit may transfer if one of the following is met:

1. The institution is regionally accredited by the commission on higher education. BCCC recognizes the following regional accreditations:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Note: Credit may be accepted from institutions that are candidates for regional accreditation or for courses taken while an institution was not regionally accredited on a course-by-course bases.

2. In addition to traditional articulation agreements with other institutions of higher education, BCCC can establish articulation agreements with high schools, business and industry. Articulation agreements specify award of credit for meeting certain criteria and presenting certain documents.

3. Military Training: The American Council on Education (ACE) must evaluate military training and experience before college credits are awarded.

4. The institution is legally authorized to grant standard college degrees and accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The College may award transfer credit based upon course equivalencies, expected learning outcomes and applicability to BCCC curricula, standards and course offerings. BCCC transfer credit policy complies with COMAR 13B.02.02.16

5. Foreign institutions: Transcripts must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by a professional transcript evaluation service before transfer credit will be reviewed. BCCC accepts only the following transcript evaluation services:

• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• World Education Services (WES)

Reverse Transfer

Reverse Transfer Students registered at a four-year college or university can take applicable course work and transfer that work back to the College in accordance with BCCC’s transfer policy. Prior Learning/Work Experience Assessment College credit through evaluation of noncredit prior learning or work experience is evaluated by the relevant department. Reverse Transfer Students registered at a four-year college or university can take applicable coursework and transfer that work back to the College in accordance with BCCC’s transfer policy. Apply Credits Toward Graduation Only transfer credits that apply to the chosen program may be used toward graduation. Student must meet with an academic advisor to discuss options and track their academic progress. Official transcripts from other institutions must be current and received by BCCC within one year of the issue date to be considered for transfer credit.

Maryland Higher Education Commission General Education and Transfer Regulations

Authorization

These Student Transfer Policies, as adopted by the Maryland Higher Education Commission on December 4, 1995, shall be effective and applicable to students first enrolling in Maryland public post-secondary educational institutions in Fall 1996, and thereafter.

Applicability of Policies

These transfer policies and procedures apply to admission, credit transfer, program articulation, and related matters for undergraduate students who wish to transfer between Maryland public colleges and universities. The Maryland Higher Education Commission also recommends them to Maryland independent institutions.

Rationale

A major premise of the Maryland public higher education system is that a student should be able to progress from one segment of higher education to another without loss of time or unnecessary duplication of effort. The Maryland Higher Education Commission’s objective is to ensure that a student who intends to complete a baccalaureate degree and who begins his or her work at a community college, is able to move toward the completion of that degree by transferring to a baccalaureate degree- granting institution without loss of credit or unnecessary duplication of course content. At the same time, the Commission recognizes that some students change their educational objectives as they progress in their studies, indeed, sometimes because their studies expose them to new ideas and possibilities. These students should also be able to complete their general education courses and have them transfer without loss of credit.

One means of accomplishing this objective is through the development of recommended transfer programs between two- and four-year institutions. A recommended transfer program, developed by careful planning and agreement between specific two-and four-year institutions, identifies a recommended sequence of courses which a student takes at a community college, which will constitute the first two years of a baccalaureate degree program at a Maryland public institution of higher education.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission recognizes that students select institutions of higher education for a variety of reasons. These policies also recognize that each Maryland public college or university has a separate and distinct mission, and that each has the responsibility to establish and maintain standards of expectations for courses, programs, certificates, and degrees consistent with that mission. Nevertheless, effective and efficient transfer of credits between and among these institutions must occur within the larger context of the statewide structure of baccalaureate and community college education.

Successful and harmonious articulation depends upon:

• Firm agreement that the needs of the student should be a primary concern in developing articulation procedures, while maintaining the integrity of educational programs;
• Establishment of clear and equitable policies to assure optimum accessibility for transfer students with minimal loss of credits and minimal duplication of course content;
• Mechanisms for evaluation and resolving difficulties students may encounter in moving from one school to another;
• Free and continuous communications among institutions;
• Mutual respect for institutions and their missions;
• Adaptability, within a context of understanding that changes affect not only the institution making changes but also the students and institutions impacted by the changes;
• Free exchange of data among institutions;
• Timely exchange of information relative to students’ progress.

The intended principal benefactor is the student, whose uninterrupted progress toward a degree - based on successful academic performance- is best served by the open exchange of current information about programs, and is best protected by a clear transfer policy pertaining to the public segments of higher education in Maryland.

The State’s interests are similarly served through such a policy, which results in the optimal use of its higher education resources by reducing the costly duplication that results in the needless waste of the valuable time and effort of Maryland students, faculty, and administration. Institutional interests and missions are also protected by this systematic approach, which permits them to incorporate into their academic planning more accurate projections about the programmatic backgrounds of transferring students.

In more specific ways this document’s purpose is to:

• Define broad areas of agreement among the public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education pertaining to facilitating the transfer of students within these segments;
• Provide a mechanism for continuous evaluation of programs, policies, procedures, and relationships affecting transfer of students; 
• Provide such revisions as are needed to promote the academic success and general well-being of the transfer student;
• Provide a system of appeals beginning on the campus level to resolve difficulties that students experience in transfer.

While policies and procedures can be established which facilitate the transfer of students, it is the responsibility of the student, as the principal in the process, to know and follow the procedures defined.

Notification of Rights under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The College official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the College official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate.Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the College determines that the record is accurate and denies the request, the College will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

     Family Policy Compliance Office
     U.S. Department of Education
     400 Maryland Avenue, SW
     Washington, DC 20202-5901

Resolution on Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance

Baltimore City Community College intends to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other laws protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.  Students requiring information or assistance on account of disabilities, should contact the Office of Disability Support Services.