Student Handbook

STUDENT HANDBOOK & CODE OF CONDUCT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. STUDENT SERVICES

  • Intercollegiate Athletics
  • Lost and Found
  • Security of Personal Property
  • Identification Cards (ID’s)
  • Mail
  • Telephones & Messages
  • Visitor Policy
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Substance Abuse Prevention
  • Counseling Referrals
  • Sexual Assault
  • Communicable Diseases

II.   STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

  • Policies for Clubs and Organizations
  • New Organizations
  • Tenure of Student Organizations
  • Policies Governing Social Events
  • Unauthorized Student Group Gathering
  • Clubs/ Organizations
  • Co-Curricular Activities

III.  STUDENT HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS

IV.  STUDENT RECORDS POLICY

V.   COLLEGE REGULATIONS

  • Student Rights
  • Non-Discrimination Policy
  • Grievance Procedure
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Disciplinary Action
  • College Disciplinary Committee
  • Hearing Procedure
  • Disciplinary Actions Defined
  • Parking and Driving Regulations

VI. RESIDENCE HALL

  • Staff
  • General Information
  • Rules and Regulations
  • Cafeteria Policy
  • Misuse of Meal Tickets

Student Handbook Disclaimer

Failure to examine the Student Handbook/ Code of Conduct does not excuse students from the policies and procedures described herein. Individual factors, illness, or conflict- ing advice from any source are not satisfactory grounds for seeking exemptions from these policies and procedures. All policies contained in the Student Handbook/ Code of Conduct are subject to change without prior notice.

Student Services Division at Southern Union State Community College is proud to offer extensive opportunities for our campus community. We seek to offer services that support and supplement the college experience and learning that is fundamental to student success.

Student Services has the major responsibility for helping to create an encouraging campus environment that enhances and supports learning. The quality of our student’s experience is significantly affected by the availability, diversity, and integrity of services and co-curricular support programs. It is our objective to build alliances between the classroom and campus life, and to provide an opportunity for students to experience the excitement and responsibility that comes from being an active member of a college community.

Student Services mission is consistent with the College’s general mission to provide quality academic programs which are affordable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the community, business, industry and government. We provide programs and activities for the College’s diverse student populations, and unique support services for minority, non-traditional, and students with special needs. Student Services contributes to the comprehensive educational experiences of students by fostering an environment in which students can discover and test their ideals, interests, and skills. We strive to assist our students in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and insights that facilitate life-long learning and a sense of personal and interpersonal skills.

Explore the web site and stop by our office. When you do, you’ll be sure to find that we are making a difference “one student at a time!”

 

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

Southern Union is a member of both the National Junior College Athletic Association, which is composed of colleges throughout the nation, and the Alabama Community College Conference, which is composed of public two-year colleges in the State. The College par- ticipates in intercollegiate men’s and women’s basketball, men’s baseball, women’s softball, and volleyball. The Mascot for Southern Union is THE BISON.

 

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and found articles should be taken to campus police on the Wadley and Opelika campuses. The lost and found is located in the Administrative office on the Valley campus. Items may be claimed upon proof of ownership.

 

SECURITY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY

The college cannot be responsible for personal property, nor can the college assume responsibility for the protection of vehicles or their contents. Campus police recommends the following safety tips:

  • Create a safety plan.
  • Listen to and act on your intuition. It’s better to be safe and risk a little embarrassment, than stay in an uncomfortable situation that may be unsafe.
  • Have your keys ready when approaching your car or building.
  • Vary your routine: drive or walk different routes every day. If you suspect that some- one is following you, by foot or in a car, don’t go home (or they will know where you live). Go to a trusted neighbor or to a public place to call police, or go directly to the police station.
  • Do not label keys with your name or any identification.
  • Don’t talk about your social life or vacation plans where strangers can overhear you.
  • Be aware of your surrounding when using your personal information: Student #Social Security # Date of Birth Home/ Cell #Bank/ Credit Card Information
  • Do not display cash openly, especially when leaving an ATM machine.
  • Be aware of telephone scams.
  • Don’t give personal or financial information to anyone over the phone.
  • If you are a woman living alone, don’t reveal that information to anyone on the phone.
  • Hang up on nuisance callers and report chronic nuisance calls to the phone company.

NEVER LEAVE VALUABLES UNATTENDED!!!!!

Visit the college website for a detailed review of the Emergency Preparedness Plan and Procedures.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS (ID’S)

All students are required to obtain and carry a Southern Union State Community College Identification (ID) Card. ID cards are used for checking out books, residential hall, admission to social, cultural and athletic events, voting in student elections, dining hall and other campus or community activities. Students are encouraged to have some form of a photo ID while on campus.

MAIL

Residence hall is distributed Monday through Friday. This schedule is functional when classes are in session and students are in the residence hall. Mail for the residents should be addressed as follows:

NAME

SUSCC PO Box1000
Wadley, AL  36276

The college does not maintain mail service for non-residential students and cannot be responsible for their mail delivery. Non-resident students should not provide the college address as their mailing address.

TELEPHONE USAGE AND MESSAGES

Students are permitted to use faculty and staff telephones in emergency situations only.  Emergency phone calls and messages should be directed to the Dean of Students at extension 5150 (Wadley Campus) and 5350 (Opelika Campus) or the Chief of Police at extension 5823.  Telephone calls and messages on the Valley campus will be coordinated through the administrative office at ext. 5402.

VISITOR POLICY

Southern Union State Community College welcomes visitors.  Visitors are expected to abide by the regulations of the college.  Students are held responsible for the conduct of their guests.  CHILDREN MUST BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND ARE NOT TO ATTEND CLASSES. Visitor’s parking permits are available from the campus police on Wadley and Opelika campuses and administrative office on the Valley campus.

 

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Southern Union State Community College is committed to the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff who can help the college safeguard the campus by taking preventive measures to ensure safety.

The following guidelines are not intended to be a comprehensive list of instructions, rather a reminder of the basic steps that should be taken to minimize the risks associated with a given hazard. Since emergencies can vary greatly, the instructions provided by Southern Union State Community College and emergency personnel at the time of the incident may change or even conflict with those listed in these procedures.

 

Always follow the instructions of college and emergency personnel.

Safety Tips

  • If you smell or see smoke or fire, pull the nearest fire alarm.
  • Trust your instincts. If a place or situation doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Leave.
  • Avoid shortcuts and isolated areas when walking after dark.
  • Don’t walk alone after dark. Early evening to late evening, travel only in groups of three or more in well-lit and heavily traveled areas.
  • When traveling in your vehicle, keep windows up and doors locked.
  • If approached, don’t resist a robber - especially if he/she has a weapon.
  • Never venture into or through dark or undesirable neighborhoods.
  • Don’t carry large sums of cash.
  • If attacked or approached by someone suspicious, contact the police immediately by calling 911.
  • Get a good description of the person and their direction of travel.