Policies and Procedures for Students

Central Community College policies and procedures, are in place to provide guidance and support to students as they pursue their education at CCC.  Students should become familiar with College policies and procedures and are encouraged to follow-up with CCC staff regarding any questions or concerns.

Animal Use and Presence at CCC Facilities and Events Policy

Bona fide service animals may accompany students, employees, and visitors with disabilities to all Central Community College (CCC) events, activities, and locations. Local, state and federal laws regulate the use of service animals at CCC locations and/or events. Animals associated with a college-related program of study (e.g., livestock) or research laboratory activity are not allowed. Specific procedures related to animal use and presence at CCC facilities and events can be found below.

Animal Use and Presence Procedures

Definitions

• Service Animal - A bona fide service animal is any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.
• Therapy Animal/Emotional Support Animal (ESA) - A therapy/emotional support animal does not assist an individual with a disability in the activities of daily living and generally does not accompany a person with a disability all the time.
• Pet - A domesticated animal (e.g., dog, cat, ferret, snake, bird, etc.) kept for pleasure or companionship.
• Partner/handler - A person with a service or therapy animal, or pet.
• Responsible Administrator - Campus Administrator (for on-campus events), or Dean of Community Workforce Education (for off-campus classes/activities).

Pets and Therapy Animals at CCC Facilities and Events

Pets and therapy animals are generally not permitted in College facilities or at CCC events. Requests for exceptions to this general rule must be submitted to the responsible administrator prior to the event/activity and will be reviewed/decided on a case-by-case basis. Requests for Emotional Support Animals for residential students must be submitted to the campus Disability Services Director.

Requirements for all Animals and/or their Partners/Handlers

• Vaccination: The animal must be immunized against diseases common to that type of animal. Other animals must have had the appropriate vaccination series for the type of animal.
• Health: The animal must be in good health.
• Under Control of Partner/Handler: The partner/handler must be in full control of the animal at all times.

Cleanup Rule

The partner/handler must clean up after the animal, including proper disposal of voided waste. Persons with disabilities who physically cannot clean up after their own service animal will not be required to do so. However, these individuals are to notify the appropriate person for the event/program of this circumstance when necessary.

When an Animal Can Be Removed

Service/assistance animals, therapy animals, and pets may be removed or restricted at a CCC location or event for reasons of disruption, health, uncleanness, and safety. For example, a partner/handler will be asked to remove the animal from the college facility or event if the animal is ill and/or when that animal’s behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of other persons and/or animals.

Areas Off-Limits to Animals

For safety and other reasons, all animals are restricted from certain areas, including laboratories, maintenance rooms/custodial closets, and areas where protective clothing is required. Requests for exceptions to this restriction must be submitted to the responsible administrator and will be reviewed/decided on a case-by-case basis.

Children on Campus

Unless appropriate to course content, children are not to be brought into a class/lab. Children should not be left unattended elsewhere on campus.

Civil Rights Violations/Title IX and Campus SaVE Act

Title IX is a landmark 1972 federal civil rights law that prohibits sexual harassment, gender -based discrimination, and sexual violence. 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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Under Title IX, Congress can withhold federal funds from colleges or universities that allow sexual discrimination or fail to take appropriate measures in response to such discrimination.

Members of the Central Community College (CCC) community, guests, and visitors have the right to be free from all forms of gender and sex-based discrimination, examples of which can include acts of sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. All members of the CCC community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. When an allegation of misconduct is brought to an appropriate administrator’s attention, and a respondent is found to have violated this policy, sanctions will be used to reasonably ensure that such actions are never repeated.

The Campus SaVE Act, a dramatic expansion to sexual violence reporting, was signed into law on March 7, 2013. CCC prohibits criminal offenses, including, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. CCC takes any complaint about sexual harassment or sexual assault very seriously. The college follows all of the guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights (OCR). A more complete explanation of CCC’s procedures related to these issues is available online https://www.cccneb.edu/what-is-title-ix. The specific Civil Rights Procedures and Policies that address how the college handles these types of reports for college employees and students can be found online at www.cccneb.edu/CivilRights.

Copyright-Digital Copying Law Policy

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA), a federal law designed to protect the authors of intellectual works such as books, movies and music, prohibits sharing these files. This policy at CCC extends to all staff, faculty, and students. Copying and sharing someone else’s work may violate an author’s rights even when you are not selling the copies. For more information about CCC’s procedures regarding the DMCA please reference the Copyright Policy online at http://www.cccneb.edu/Copyright/.

Disciplinary Processes/Due Process

Students recommended for disciplinary action are entitled to due process of law. However, immediate interim action may be taken when necessary to protect the safety and/or rights of others or the College. Copies of the CCC Code of Student Conduct, including due process procedures are available upon request on each campus at the office of the Associate Dean of Students or online at www.cccneb.edu/StudentCodeOfConduct.

Financial Aid Policy

Central Community College participates in multiple financial aid programs. These programs include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Grant, Federal Direct Loan, Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Nebraska Opportunity Grant, and various institutional, private and organizational scholarship programs.

Gambling Policy

Students are expected to abide by the federal laws and the laws of Nebraska prohibiting illegal gambling, including online gaming. Gambling for money or other things of value on campus or at College-sponsored activities is prohibited, except as permitted by law. Such prohibited activity includes, but is not limited to: betting on, wagering on, or selling pools; possessing on one’s person or premises (e.g., residence hall room, car, etc.) any card, book or other device for registering bets; knowingly permitting the use of one’s premises or one’s phone or other electronic communications device for illegal gambling; knowingly receiving or delivering a letter, package or parcel related to illegal gambling; offering, soliciting or accepting a bribe to influence the outcome of an athletic event; and involvement in bookmaking or wagering pools with respect to athletic events.

Graduation/Completion Rates

A summary of important facts regarding graduation/completion rates may be viewed online at www.cccneb.edu/GraduationCompletionRates. A printed copy of this report is available on request from the Institutional Research Office.

Guests and Visitors on Campus 

Visitors/guests of the college or visitors/guests of CCC students are subject to the policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the College.

Hazing Policy

All acts of hazing, by any individual student or sanctioned or promoted by any Central Community College registered student club or organization and any of its members or alumni, are prohibited. Students are entitled to be treated with consideration and respect, and no individual may perform any act that is likely to cause physical or psychological harm to any other person within the Central Community College community. Accordingly, any such behavior is expressly forbidden when related to the admission, initiation, pledging, joining, or any other group-affiliation activity.

A student or organization found to be involved in any hazing activity will face conduct proceedings and may be subjected to sanctions including suspension or expulsion from the College. A violation of this policy may exist irrespective of any alleged voluntary or consensual participation in the activity by the person(s) involved.

Communicable Illness

More information can be found online at https://www.cccneb.edu/consumerinfo

Intercollegiate Athletics Policy

Intercollegiate athletics is allowed on Central Community College campuses following National Junior College Athletic Association and CCC procedures.

Loss of Personal Property Policy

Central Community College is not liable for damage, theft, or loss of personal property. CCC is not responsible for loss of student data, software, or hardware caused by computer viruses. Students are advised to check their personal or family insurance for coverage.

Military Recruitment/Solomon Amendment Policy

The Solomon Amendment is a federal law that allows military recruiters to request and access certain recruiting information from institutions about students. The recruiting information data is considered directory information under FERPA or data that would normally be collected by Central Community College. The 1995/1996 National Defense Authorization Act and the 1997 Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act gave branches of the military access to student information including student’s name, address, telephone number, age or date of birth, class, and major. In compliance with the Solomon Amendment, CCC shall cooperate and comply with requests from military recruiters for student information.

Missing Student Policy

Central Community College places high priority on student safety. The college has established procedures to assist in locating CCC students living in on-campus housing facilities who, based on the facts and circumstances known to the college, are determined to be missing. This policy is in compliance with the Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, section 485 (j). The full Missing Student Procedures may be found online at  www.cccneb.edu/MissingStudentProcedure.

Official Communications for Students

Each student is responsible for monitoring his/her Central Community College (CCC) email account for official communications from the College. Communications to the entire student body are considered properly delivered when they are placed on official campus bulletin boards, Canvas, CCC email, and/or on the student portal or the CCC website. Each student is responsible for regularly checking email, bulletin boards and websites.

A request that a student report to an administrative or faculty office may be made by letter, email or telephone. Failure to comply with such a request may result in disciplinary action under the CCC Code of Student Conduct which is available in the Office of Student Development or online at www.cccneb.edu/StudentCodeOfConduct.

Open Flames on College Property Procedure

Please read our procedure on this topic linked in the College Information  section.

PaperCut/Printing

The print management software “PaperCut” has been installed and provides management and use information on all Multi-Functional Devices (MFP’s) and printers. Students are allotted $10.00 for printing each semester as a part of the fees paid for each semester. Additional printing needs, beyond that set amount, may be purchased at Student Accounts. For more information about how PaperCut works, please check with a staff member at any Student Accounts Office.

Password Assistance and Service Center

Students may re-set their passwords either on-campus or off-campus. Instructions on how to do this as well as access to the Student Helpdesk is available online at https://comsc.service-now.com/ccc.

Privacy of Educational Records/FERPA Policy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (PL93-380), affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. FERPA defines “education records” as those records: directly related to a student; and maintained by an institution or a party acting for the institution.

FERPA provides students who reach the age of 18, or who attend Central Community College, with the right to inspect and review their own education records. Students also have the right to request an amendment to their education records and to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in these records.

CCC’s complete FERPA procedure can be found online here.

Public Records Request Policy

Information requested under the Buckley Amendment or the Nebraska Public Records Act will be responded to only after a written request has been received by either the Senior Director of College Communications or the College President. A copy of the written request, along with a copy of the information being released, will be maintained by the Vice President of Administrative Services for a period of two years from the date of the request.

Recommended Assessment and Placement Procedures

All certificate, diploma, and degree-seeking students, and those enrolling in math, reading, writing, chemistry, or physics courses are encouraged to take a pre-enrollment assessment. Assessment scores will be used to recommend proper course placement in math, reading, and writing courses to help ensure academic success. Math scores may also be used as one option to meet the prerequisite for higher level math courses and some chemistry and physics courses.

Assessment scores will be accepted for three years from the date of the test.

Registered Sex Offenders Policy

Registered sex offenders who plan to attend classes at any location of the College must register with the Associate Dean of Students Office or his/her designee within ten (10) days of enrolling or on the first day of class attendance, whichever is earlier. Failure to register within this time frame constitutes a basis for exclusion from the College. The College reserves the right to deny admission or continued enrollment to any student who may create an unreasonable risk of harm to the health, safety, welfare, or prosperity of CCC, members of its community, or themselves. Individuals who are required by the state of Nebraska to register as a sex offender shall also not be permitted to reside in any College residence hall.

Anyone who disagrees with a decision made pursuant to this policy may appeal that decision to the Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Management, by making a request in writing for review within seven (7) calendar days of the date of any decision made pursuant to this policy. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. Section 1232g does not prevent educational institutions from disclosing information concerning registered sex offenders provided under the Wetterling Act, October 25, 2000, including information made available under the Campus Sex Crimes Preventions Act (CSCPA) 42 U.S.C. 14071(j), amendment (October 28, 2002) to that Act, and as any of the foregoing statutes may from time to time be amended.

Student Active-Duty Service Policy

Central Community College shall ensure a penalty-free process for withdrawing/leaving for any CCC student who is called to active duty with the United States Armed Forces. The student is responsible for providing written evidence of being called to active duty, normally in the form of activation orders. If orders are not immediately available, a letter from the student’s Commanding Officer, stating the student is being called to active duty and awaiting pending publication of orders, is acceptable. This policy applies to all students regardless of service branch or affiliation (National Guard, Reserves or Active duty). Activation means the call to duty of a member of the United States Armed Forces for either state or federal service.

Specific procedures related to Student Active-Duty Service can be found online at www.cccneb.edu/studentpoliciesandprocedures

Student Background Check Policy

Central Community College offers certain programs of study which require background checks to be completed by students within the program. Central Community College Background Check Procedures can be found online at www.cccneb.edu/studentpoliciesandprocedures

Student Concern and Complaint Policy

 Students may submit an online concern or complaint related to instruction or any College offices or services. Students may submit such concerns online at www.cccneb.edu/studentcomplaintprocess

Student Conduct, Disciplinary Processes, and Due Process Policy

Central Community College has established rules and regulations for student conduct and behavior, both inside and outside the classroom. Students recommended for disciplinary action are entitled to due process of law. However, when necessary, immediate interim action may be taken to protect the safety and/or rights of others or the College. Copies of the CCC Code of Student Conduct and Community Standards, which include details on due process procedures, are available upon request on each campus at the office of the Associate Dean of Students or online at www.cccneb.edu/StudentCodeOfConduct.

Student Death Procedures

In the event of a death of a currently enrolled credit-bearing student, whether the death occurred on or off-campus, the College shall initiate the CCC Student Death Protocol and related response measures under the oversight and direction of the Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Management.  CCC Student Death protocols provide guidance related to support interventions, communications, and completion of any postvention processes. All calls from the media regarding a student death shall be referred to the College Communications Office.

Student Governance Procedures

The College values a system and structure which allows for student involvement in various college/campus committees that recommend procedural and policy actions. Student participation on these committees has had a significant impact on the operation of the college. Students may actively serve on or meet with the following committees: Student Government Association, President’s Quality Action Council, college cabinet, campus cabinets, food service, safety, diversity, residence hall and ad hoc committees. Some of these committees plan special events and social activities, voice student concerns, make recommendations to the college faculty and administration, and address problems. Membership, election/selection processes, and operating procedures vary among the campuses. More information can be found in the Student Handbook online at www.cccneb.edu/StudentHandbook.

Student Illness or Accident on CCC Owned or Controlled Property

Central Community College (CCC) reserves the right to call for emergency services in the case of student illness or accident a physician in case of student illness or call for ambulance service if, in the judgment of a college official, the situation merits such action. The student will be responsible for any costs related to medical or ambulance service.

Student Insurance

Students are responsible for their own health and accident insurance coverage. Students enrolling in allied health, nursing, or other specialized program may be charged for the cost of providing professional liability insurance. Students should check with faculty and/or administrators responsible for their program of study regarding the need for insurance coverage.

Student Right to Know - Crime Statistics and Fire Safety Procedure

The Campus Annual Security Report can be viewed online www.cccneb.edu/AnnualSecurityReport. Notifications of the availability of this document are sent to all faculty, staff, and students in the fall of every year. A printed copy of this report is available on request from the College Security Office or from the Associate Dean of Student Sucess and Enrollment Management’s Office. An important part of the report is the fire and crime statistics for the previous three calendar years. These statistics include events that occurred on campus and also on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

In addition, the report contains information about safety policies and procedures, including CCC’s missing student policy, substance abuse prevention, what to do in the event of severe weather, lockdown procedures, how to report sexual misconduct, and other important definitions and procedures related to student safety.

Student Travel/School Sponsored Trip Policy

Central Community College provides opportunities for students to engage in off-campus travel to enhance their educational experiences. Such travel broadens perspectives, contributes to one’s academic development, and helps foster an interest in lifelong learning.

Detailed procedures for student travel trips can be found at www.cccneb.edu/studentpoliciesandprocedures.

Student/Visitor Medical Procedure

The college has established student/visitor medical procedures which address how injury and illness emergencies should be handled. This information should be reviewed and followed by all college employees. More information and specific guidelines can be found online in the College Information  pages of the Catalog.

Tobacco Free Policy

Visit our tobacco free policy at www.cccneb.edu/ccc-smokefree.  

Veterans Administration and Department of Defense Student Benefits Policy

CCC will not impose any penalty, assess late fees, deny access to classes, libraries or other CCC facilities or require a benefit recipient to borrow additional funds due to the student’s inability to meet financial obligations to CCC because of delayed payments from the Veterans Administration or the Department of Defense. This applies only to the amount paid to CCC by the VA or the Department of Defense for specific educational expenses, not to any balance due to CCC accrued by a benefit recipient for expenses not covered by their benefit.

For additional explanation and benefit definitions, refer to the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense CCC Student Benefits Procedures located at www.cccneb.edu/studentpoliciesandprocedures

Video Surveillance and Recording Policy

The College Board of Governors authorizes the use of video cameras on or about College property for security and safety purposes. The President, or designee, shall approve the location of video cameras and notify employees, parents and students through handbooks, information guides and/or other means of communication that video surveillance may occur on or about College property.

All video recordings and/or surveillance shall be without audio and shall remain the property of the College.

No employee shall record, by any means, the conversation of another employee without a legitimate purpose for the recording, the recording device in plain view, and the other employee’s full knowledge and consent of the recording. For additional details on the video surveillance and recording procedures, please visit www.cccneb.edu/studentpoliciesandprocedures