Rights and Freedoms of Students
Pellissippi State embraces the following excerpts from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students:
Preamble. Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth.
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. Students should exercise their freedom with responsibility.
The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of the academic community. The purpose of this statement is to enumerate essential provisions for students’ freedom to learn.
In the classroom. The professor in the classroom and in conference should encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Student performance should be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.
Protection of freedom of expression. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.
Protection against improper academic evaluation. Students should have protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation. At the same time, they are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled.
Protection against improper disclosure. Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations which professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisors, and counselors should be considered confidential. Protection against improper disclosure is a serious professional obligation. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances, normally with the knowledge and consent of the student.
Student responsibilities. Pellissippi State Community College students have certain responsibilities to uphold as part of their membership in the academic community. These include the following:
- Students are responsible for their own academic success. This includes maintaining academic integrity and taking advantage of academic support services provided by the College.
- Students are responsible for conducting themselves in an appropriate manner while in the classroom, on campus, and in their communication with other members of the college community. This includes being respectful of others and refraining from disciplinary offenses as outlined by Pellissippi State Policy 04:02:00 (www.pstcc.edu/ppm/pdf/04-02-00.pdf).
- Students are responsible for following College policies relevant to them.
- Students are responsible for meeting deadlines. This includes meeting deadlines in the classroom and meeting deadlines published by the College.
- Students are responsible for reading all communications sent to them by the College. This includes all forms of electronic and written communication.
If students believe their rights have been violated, they may file a written complaint at www.pstcc.edu/complaint.
Student Records
Admission records. Admission files are maintained in Enrollment Services and on an imaging system. Each file contains the application for admission and, for a degree-seeking student, ACT scores if required, high school transcripts, official GED score reports if required, transcripts from all colleges and universities that the student previously attended, immunization documentation and miscellaneous working papers and letters as required. The assistant vice president of Enrollment Services is responsible for the maintenance and security of files in the Enrollment Services office.
A student may obtain a copy of his or her transcript in these ways:
In person: Enrollment Services, Goins 102, Pellissippi Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, Tennessee
By fax: (865) 539-7016
By mail: Enrollment Services, Pellissippi State Community College, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, TN 37933-0990
Online: www.pstcc.edu/departments/records
Include name, signature, Social Security number and the address to which the transcript should be mailed. Transcript Request forms are available online through Enrollment Services: www.pstcc.edu/departments/records.
Disclosure of directory information. Pellissippi State may disclose directory information consistent with this policy to any person requesting such information without the consent of the student:
- Name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Major field of study
- Participation in officially recognized activities
- Dates of attendance
- Degrees and awards received
- Most recent previous educational institution attended
- Email address
Students who do not wish directory information released without consent should provide written notification to Enrollment Services prior to the first day of classes each semester.
Please see the Pellissippi State Policies and Procedures Manual, Policy 04:03:00 Student Records Confidentiality (www.pstcc.edu/ppm/pdf/04-03-00.pdf), for the complete policy.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Please see the Pellissippi State Policies and Procedures Manual, Policy 04:02:00 Academic/Classroom Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions (www.pstcc.edu/ppm/pdf/04-02-00.pdf), for the complete policy.
COMPUTER USAGE GUIDELINES
Please see the Pellissippi State Policies and Procedures Manual, Policy 08:13:05 Computer System Use (www.pstcc.edu/ppm/pdf/08-13-05.pdf), for the complete policy.
MINORS ON CAMPUS
Students, faculty and staff may not bring minors to campus, except for acceptable visitation purposes. Minors may not be cared for on the campus while their parent(s) or guardian(s) is in class or engaged in other college business. Neither may a minor be left unsupervised.
SMOKING AND TOBACCO USE POLICY
Smoking is prohibited in all college buildings and indoor facilities, on campus grounds and walkways, and in all areas where nonsmokers cannot avoid environmental smoke. Additionally, smoking will not be allowed in any college vehicle. All campus entrances are to be posted designating the campus as “smoke-free” and designating areas where smoking is permitted. Please note that smoking is permitted in private vehicles in nondesignated parking areas.
Smoking is permitted in the following areas only (Visit www.pstcc.edu/maps.html for campus directional and parking maps):
- Pellissippi Campus—outer parking areas 01, 02, 03, 06, 08, 09 and 10
- Magnolia Avenue Campus—main Open Parking area
- Division Street Campus—lower Open Parking areas
- Blount County Campus—see postings of designated areas
The use of mouth tobacco (to include dipping, chewing, etc.) is prohibited in all Pellissippi State buildings, facilities and vehicles.
The intent of the policy is to allow a smoke-free environment for all persons using our campuses. Tobacco use even in designated areas must be at 25 feet from walkways, crosswalks and other intended pedestrian traffic areas.
The policy applies to the entire College community, including employees, students and visitors. It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff, and students to adhere to, to enforce, and to inform visitors of the College’s smoking policy. If a student continues to disregard the posting, he/she will be reported to the vice president of Student Affairs or designee. If a nonstudent continues to disregard the posting, he/she will be reported to the appropriate administrator.
TRAFFIC AND PARKING REGULATIONS
See the Pellissippi State Policies and Procedures Manual, Policy 05:11:00 Parking and Traffic Regulations (www.pstcc.edu/ppm/pdf/05-11-00.pdf) for the complete policy. |