One of the founding tenets of the community college system is that all people, regardless of background and economic means, should have access to a quality and affordable education. As such Tompkins Cortland Community College is open to those who provide the proper documentation with the understanding that they will be treated equally as members of our college community. The range of academic preparation may be more extensive than you may find at a traditional four-year institution. In your classes, you might have students who need more support and students who need a greater challenge. In order to best serve all students, you might want to consult with other instructors in your department or the Provost’s Office for suggestions and best practices.
Unlawful discrimination or harassment based on factors including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, citizenship status, military status, including Vietnam era or special disabled veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected status is strictly prohibited by Tompkins Cortland Community College. The College is committed to maintaining an educational and work environment that is free of any discrimination or harassment and to fostering positive business and personal conduct so that everyone, including students, employees, and invitees, is treated with respect and dignity in a nondiscriminatory environment. The educational environment shall be considered to include all academic and nonacademic programs and activities. Please refer to the college website for all college policies and procedures.
Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment
If you become aware that a student, colleague, or anyone else on campus has experienced, or perceives themselves to have experienced, any form of discrimination or harassment, please refer him/her to one of the Title IX coordinator:
Title IX Coordinator:
Be sure to have clear policies regarding academic integrity in your syllabus. The College offers the following guidelines/resources related to Academic Integrity:
Statement of Academic Integrity Policy
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Resources: For Faculty
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1974. The law grants four specific rights to a college or university student:
FERPA applies to all educational agencies or institutions that receive funds under any program administered by the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA protects education records of students who are or have been enrolled at a college or university. It does not protect records of applicants who did not attend that institution.
A student education record consists of information about a student that is maintained by the institution or by a party acting for the institution. Examples include personal information, emergency contacts, advisor, grades, grade point average, student schedule (i.e., courses, meeting times, and rooms), and emails to, from, or about a student.
A student education record does not include alumni records, law enforcement records, medical treatment and counseling records, personal notes to which only the maker of the note has access, or work records (unless the individual’s employment is dependent on being a student).
Student education rights are considered confidential and may not be released without the written consent of the student. You have access to student education records and the information contained therein only for legitimate use in completion of your responsibilities as a college employee. You have a legal responsibility under FERPA to protect the confidentiality of the student educational records in your possession. You may not release or access education records for personal reasons. Student information stored in an electronic format must be secure and available only to those entitled to access the information. You may not release lists or files with student information to any third party. Student information in paper format must be shredded before disposal or placed in a locked disposal bin.
As an instructor, YOU SHOULD NOT
When a student reaches age 18 or begins attending a postsecondary institution regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer from the parents to the student. The student must grant written permission for you to release or discuss information from the student’s education record. A student who wishes to authorize 10 the release of information to parents or other individuals, must first complete and sign a Permission to Release Education Record Information form in the Enrollment Services Center, Room 101.
TC3 has a policy and a procedure for approval of emotional support animals. You can read more here:
The College’s Information Security Protocol prohibits any personally identifiable information (PII) from being kept on removable media or shared electronically outside of college-owned systems. Dispose of hard copies of confidential files in secure bins for shredding documents located in both full-time faculty office suites. The most critical PII elements are social security number, date of birth, credit card data, and student ID numbers. When in doubt, contact Campus Technology to help you secure this information.
Tompkins Cortland Community College Library 170 North St, P.O. Box 139, Dryden, NY 13053
607-844-8222, ext. 4360 | 1-888-567-8211, ext. 4360 (toll free)
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