Non-Academic Policies and State/Federal Regulations

The following policies have been enacted in order to clarify the seriousness of individual rights, which students may expect to enjoy as members of the College community. Similarly, these policies are intended to make the College community aware of obligations which community membership places upon the community. When the rights of others are infringed upon, the integrity of the institution is compromised. Therefore, policies and procedures have been created to ensure the safety of the campus community. Violations of the codes will result in disciplinary action. The College’s appeal process is also described in detail.

Cori/Sori (Criminal Offender Record Information & Sex Offender Registry Information)

Students accepted into any program or offering of the School of Health and Patient Simulation, the School of Nursing, or other offerings as announced by the college must undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check at least once a year for the duration of enrollment. This policy also applies to students participating in laboratory experiences on and off campus, including field trips and site visits. Depending on the student’s CORI and SORI report, participation in a program or clinical affiliation, laboratory, or practicum experience may be denied. Any student, who refuses to consent to a CORI and SORI check, will be precluded from participating in the corresponding clinical fieldwork, practicum course, and/or laboratory experience. Students who do not complete the required clinical, laboratory or practicum courses will be unable to fulfill requirements for graduation and may be withdrawn from the program. Alternative clinical, laboratory, and/or practicum experiences, on or off-campus, are not an option. For additional information, contact the Dean of the School of Health and patient Simulation, 413-755-4840.

CORI and SORI checks are performed pursuant to the Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 6, Sections 167-178B, and consistent with guidelines promulgated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 6, Sections 178C-178P.

Please note that a CORI/SORI Request Form must be on file at the College before the student can register for classes

Solicitation On Campus

The general policy of Springfield Technical Community College prohibits the selling of merchandise or the solicitation of donations on campus or at off-campus events. Under certain circumstances, exceptions to the rule are made for recognized student organizations, the College, or its departments. Clearance for the disbursement of material aimed primarily at the faculty and/or staff of the College must be secured from the office of the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. Clearance for all other solicitations, distribution of information and literature, must be received from the office of Student Activities and Development, and then may take place only at locations and times specifically designated by the Student Activities and Development Coordinator.

Non-affiliated off-campus organizations may apply for permission to use the campus facilities through the Special Events Coordinator. Approval to distribute and post information must be secured from the Student Activities and Development Office.

Distribution Of Printed Materials And Posting Guidelines

The following guidelines are designed to ensure a smooth flow of information through the use of posted materials on student bulletin boards. All individuals, student groups, and those not directly affiliated with the College are required to follow these guidelines:

1. All materials must be submitted to the Student Activities and Development Office for approval prior to posting. Items of questionable taste, or items, which are obscene or libelous, will not be approved for posting.
2. The materials must include the name of an individual or organization. No anonymous material will be approved.
3. Priority for space will go first to recognized or forming campus organizations and individuals affiliated with the College, and then to others on a space-available basis.
4. All materials will be stamped with the date of approval and the date the materials will be removed. In the case of mass-produced material, a copy will be filed with the Student Activities and Development Office.
5. The final date of posting will be determined as follows: a.) Services (typing, babysitting, etc.) - a mutually agreeable time, not to exceed two (2) continuous semesters; b.) Advertising an event - the day of the event; or c.) Others - two (2) weeks from the initial date of posting, unless prior arrangements are made.
6. Materials may not be posted directly on walls, on glass, where they may cause an obstruction, or outside the building. They should only be posted on specified bulletin boards.
7. The maximum size for signs should be 11” x 14”. The Student Activities and Development Coordinator must approve large posters or banners.
8. Materials not in accordance with these guidelines will be removed. Materials posted over other approved materials will be removed.
9. All questions should be directed to the Student Activities and Development Coordinator.
10. Any organization or individual wishing to distribute or sell literature or products on campus must obtain permission for such distribution or sale from the Student Activities and Development Coordinator.
11. Appeal of any decisions concerning this policy should be directed to the Dean of Student Services.

Copyright Policy

Springfield Technical Community College’s copyright policy and sanctions related to copyright infringement are located at http://www.stcc.edu/academics/policies/General_Policies.htm.asp. Additionally, students responisble for the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, will be subject to sanctions under the following: the STCC Student Code of Conduct, the STCC Accepatble Use Policy for Information Technology Resources, as well as possible civil and criminal liabilites.

Campus Grounds Smoking Policy

1. POLICY
   
   Be it enacted that:

2. EVALUATION OF POLICY
   
   Policy will be evaluated after the Spring Semester of 2004 by Administrative Services and the Student Government, or after Fall Semester of 2004, or any time immediately after the policy has been in effect a full continuous Fall or Spring semester for the first time.
    
3. ENFORCEMENT
   
   The policy will be governed by Article III: Proscribed Conduct, Section b. 8 of the Springfield Technical Community College Student Handbook, covering the “Violation of published College policies, rules or regulations.”
   
   Student violators should be brought to the attention of the Dean of Students.
    
4. FURTHER ACTION
   
   Possibility of review of other campus areas in need of consideration to remain open.

Policy on Service Animals

Springfield Technical Community College generally permits service animals assisting individuals with disabilities in all facilities maintained by the College. Therefore, an individual with a disability shall be permitted to be accompanied by his/her service animal in all areas of the Colleges facilities where members of the public are permitted. The College reserves the right to impose restrictions on the use of service animals on its property in order to maintain safety or to avoid disruption of College operations.

This policy applies only to facilities owned by the College or under its control. Please be advised that there may be restrictions imposed on the use of service animals in non-college facilities, such as hospitals, science laboratories or other clinical or internship experience locations. Such restrictions are established by the individual facilities according to their own policies and procedures and the College has no control over such restrictions.

“Service Animal” Defined

The Americans with Disabilities Acts regulations define service animal as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. However, in certain instances, the use of other animals as a service animal may be permitted under other laws so please consult with the Colleges Disability Services Officer.

Type of Work or Tasks a Service Animal May Provide

Work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to its handler’s disability. Examples of work or tasks performed by service animals include, but are not limited to:

• assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks;
• alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds;
• providing non-violent protection or rescue work;
• pulling a wheelchair;
• assisting an individual during a seizure;
• alerting individuals to the presence of allergens;
• retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone;
• providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities; and
• helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.

Services that do not qualify as work or tasks performed by a service animal include:

• crime deterrent effects; or
• the provision of emotional support, comfort, or companionship, often referred to as therapy or companion animals.

Service Animal Documentation

Consistent with state law, all dogs on campus shall:

• possess an animal license in compliance with Massachusetts law;
• be properly immunized and vaccinated; and
• wear a current license and rabies vaccination tag.

It is recommended that a service animal wear some type of recognizable symbol identifying it as a service animal. However, there is no requirement for documentation to prove that the animal has had particular training or is a certified service animal.

Registration of a Service Animal on Campus

When practicable, a student or employee seeking to use a service animal is requested to notify the Office of Disability Services prior to bringing the animal on to College property. A service animal’s handler will be asked to complete a voluntary Service Animal Registration Form and an Acknowledgement of Responsibility and Waiver of Liability Agreement. These documents shall be maintained confidentially by the College. If the animal qualifies as a service animal, the handler will voluntarily agree to comply with this policy at all times while the animal is on College property. Members of the general public intending to visit the college with a service animal should notify the College’s Office of Disability Services in advance when practicable. Specific questions related to the use of service animals on College property can be directed to Kris Kozuch, Coordinator of Disability Services/ADA Coordinator via email at kkozuch@stcc.edu or by phone at (413) 755-4449.

Permissible Inquiries About a Service Animal

It is permissible for the College to make the following inquiries in order to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service animal:

• Is the animal required because of a disability? and
• What work or task is the animal trained to perform?

The College shall not inquire about the nature or extent of a person’s disability. Further, the College shall not make these inquiries about a service animal when it is readily apparent that an animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability (e.g., the dog is observed guiding an individual who is blind, pulling a person’s wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability).

Control of a Service Animal

The College is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal. A service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. A service animal shall have a leash or other tether, unless the handler is unable because of a disability to use a leash or other tether, or the use of such would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of its work or tasks. Under those circumstances where a service animal is not tethered, the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).

Health, Hygiene and Cleanliness

Service animals must be clean. Daily grooming and occasional baths should be utilized to keep the animals odor to a minimum. Adequate flea prevention and control must be maintained. If a service animals odor is offensive to other individuals, the handler will be requested to bathe the service animal prior to returning to the College. A service animals handler must clean up after the animal. If due to a disability the handler is unable to do so, the handler shall make alternative arrangements to do so.

Exclusion of a Service Animal from College Property

The College may direct an individual with a disability to remove a service animal from the premises if the animal:

• is out of control and its handler does not take effective action to control it (including the animal poses a direct threat to others on campus and/or exhibits behavior that interferes with the educational process;
• is not housebroken, is ill, or presents a reoccurring offensive odor; and/or
• is not properly licensed and/or vaccinated.

If the College excludes a service animal from its premises, it shall still afford the individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in its programs or activity without having the service animal on the premises.

Public Etiquette Rules

Members of the public should avoid:

• petting a service animal as it may distract the animal from its work;
• feeding a service animal;
• deliberately startling a service animal;
• calling or attempting to attract the attention of a service animal; and
• attempting to separate a service animal from its handler.

Grievances

Any person who believes that his/her rights to use a service animal on College property have been violated may file a complaint under the Colleges Affirmative Action Plan by contacting the Colleges Affirmative Action Officer.

IMPLEMENTED JANUARY 2013
Fed law/ADA/service animals/model policy 3-6-12

Latex Allergy Policy (Schools of Nursing and Health and Patient Simulation)

Latex products are common in the medical environment. Allergic responses to latex can range from irritation and allergic contact dermatitis to the possibility of life threatening anaphylactic shock. Guidelines have been established at Springfield Technical Community College to provide information to potential allied health and nursing program applicants and staff who are sensitive to latex.

Latex free environments are seldom available in either clinical or academic settings. Therefore, an individual with a latex allergy/sensitivity wearing alternative vinyl or nitrile gloves is still exposed to latex residue of others working in the area or to latex present in the equipment, models and mannequins. Although latex gloves are the most prominent source of latex allergen, many other products contain latex including, but not limited to:

• Blood pressure cuffs, medication vials, syringe connectors and wound drains

• Stethoscopes, catheters, respirators, and goggles

• Oral and nasal airways, surgical masks, and electrode pads

• Endotracheal tubes, syringes, IV tubing, and tourniquets

Any student who has or develops symptoms consistent with latex allergy/sensitivity is advised to consult a qualified allergist for evaluation prior to enrollment in the Schools of Nursing or Health and Patient Simulation. All such evaluations are at the student’s expense. If it is determined that a student suffers from a latex sensitivity/allergy and the student desires an academic adjustment, including auxiliary aids or service, or reasonable accommodation due to this condition, the student must contact the College’s Office of Disability Services at (413) 755-4785.

As with all matters related to one’s health, the utmost precautions should be taken by the student to reduce the risk of exposure and allergic reactions. This may include the carrying of an epi-pen by the individual or other precautions as advised by the student’s health care provider. It is the responsibility of the student with a latex sensitivity to understand and acknowledge the risks association with continued exposure to latex during a clinical education and healthcare career, even when reasonable accommodations are made and to regularly consult with his/her health care provider.

In an effort to minimize the presence of latex in the College’s lab facilities, Springfield Technical Community College will provide latex-free and powder-free gloves in all College lab facilities. Should a clinical agency site NOT provide latex-free gloves, the College will provide latex-free gloves for clinical use. Additionally, the College is taking the following steps to minimize latex in its lab facilities: 1) replacement of all gloves in use by faculty and students with nitrile or vinyl gloves; 2) maintaining an inventory of all products/equipment and supplies in the School of Nursing that contain or could contain latex; and 3) future purchasing of latex-safe supplies and equipment whenever possible.

As with all students in the Schools of Nursing or Health and Patient Simulation programs, a student with a latex sensitivity or allergy is required to satisfactorily complete all requirements and technical standards of the program to which they have been accepted.