Policy for the Use of Alcohol and Other Drug
Download the SC Technical College Systems Policies and Information

It is the policy of the South Carolina Technical College System to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe and secure work and educational environment. Employees and students are required and expected to report to work, class or student activities in appropriate mental and physical condition to meet the requirements and expectations of their respective roles.

The South Carolina Technical College System prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of narcotics, drugs, other controlled substances or alcohol at the work place and in the educational setting. Unlawful, for these purposes, means in violation of federal/state/local regulations, policy, procedures, rules, as well as legal statutes. Work place means either on agency premises or while conducting agency business away from the agency premises. Educational setting includes both institutional premises or on approved educational sites off campus.

In order to prevent the consequences of alcohol and other drug abuse at the work place and in the educational setting, the South Carolina Technical College System has implemented this policy to ensure a drug free work and educational environment. The South Carolina Technical College System recognizes that chemical dependency through use of controlled or uncontrolled substances, including alcohol, is a treatable illness. The agency supports and recommends employee and student rehabilitation and assistance programs and encourages employees and students to use such programs.

All locations will also implement drug-free awareness programs for employees and students. Such programs will annually ensure that employees and students are aware that:
 

1. Alcohol and other drug abuse at the work place and in the educational setting is dangerous because it leads to physical impairment, loss of judgment, safety violations, the risk of injury, poor health or death. Information on health risks and effects of controlled substances and alcohol will be provided to students and employees.

2. Alcohol and other drug abuse can also significantly lower performance on the job and in the classroom, thus impacting the agency and the college mission as well as seriously affecting educational and career goals of the student.

3. Employees must report any personal conviction under a criminal drug statute for conduct at the work place to the Human Resources Office within five days.

4. It is a condition of employment and admission that all employees and students must abide by the policy on alcohol and other drug use as well as related procedures, statements, laws and guidelines. Violation of any provisions may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion, respectively, and may have further legal consequences consistent with federal and state laws and regulations. Additionally, management may require an employee or student enter an employee/student assistance or drug rehabilitation program as a condition of employment or enrollment.

5. Use of employee assistance programs (EAP), student assistance programs (SAP) or drug/alcohol rehabilitation is encouraged.

 

Use of Computers

It is the policy of Piedmont Technical College to allow students to use the computer resources for educational purposes or for conducting college business, such as registration or processing financial aid applications. Students who use the computer resources for any other activity deemed to be inappropriate will be asked to suspend such activity. Continued inappropriate use may lead to disciplinary action according to the South Carolina Student Code of Conduct.

Use of Cell Phones

It is inappropriate for students to use cell phones during any class, clinical or laboratory activity, in the college library, or in any college office. Students who refuse to abide by this policy will be subject to the sanctions of the South Carolina Student Code of Conduct.

Dress and Personal Appearance

Students are encouraged to use their own discretion and judgment in selection of clothing to be worn and personal appearance at the college. If, however, extreme styles of dress interfere with the educational process, or are found to be offensive by another student, appropriate attire will be suggested to the student. Each department head has the prerogative to require dress appropriate to the career field for which the student is preparing.

Piedmont Technical College is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive campus for all faculty, staff and students. The college affirms the principle that individuals have the right to be free from any form of harassment or discrimination. Harassment consists of unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical or visual, that is based upon a person’s sex, color, race, religion, national origin, age, disability or other protected status. Piedmont Technical College will not tolerate harassing conduct that interferes unreasonably with a student’s educational process; an individual’s work performance; or that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive campus environment.

Definitions

Sexual Harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; and other physical, verbal or visual conduct based on sex. Sexual Harassment is indicated when: (1) submission to the conduct is an explicit or implicit term or condition of learning or employment; (2) submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for evaluating learning or for an employment decision; or (3) the conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s learning or performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive campus environment. Sexual Assault is any physical contact of a sexual nature up to and including rape, which occurs against a person’s will and/or without a
person’s consent.

Sexual Harassment Reporting Procedures

If a student is sexually assaulted while at Piedmont Technical College, he/she should not change clothes or bathe before seeking medical attention or reporting the crime. Immediately contact Public Safety at (864) 941-8000, who will complete an incident report and refer the victim to the emergency room. They will also refer the student to the local County Sheriff’s Department if the student wishes to press charges. The student will also be referred to the Sexual Trauma and Counseling Center. The vice president for Student Development will investigate all allegations involving students for appropriate disciplinary follow up. The director of Human Resources will investigate all allegations involving faculty, staff or administration. If a student at Piedmont Technical College is facing sexual harassment, he/she should contact the vice president for Student Development in 239A. A conference will be held with the student to determine the appropriate action that is required. Students can review the Student Grievance Procedure in this Student Handbook, pages 21-23.

Victim Assistance

Campus Security will advise a sexual assault victim of their option to file criminal charges with local law enforcement authorities. They will also assist victims with transportation to the nearest designated sexual assault treatment center. The college will provide victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment with counseling and information about victim support services, such as the Sexual Trauma and Counseling Center.

The college will grant victims’ requests for reasonable and appropriate alternative accommodations to allay their security and safety concerns. Possible accommodations may include alternative classes, campus relocation, work reassignments and/or schedule changes.
 

The victim may choose to exercise the option to file formal disciplinary actions against the alleged assailant under the Student Code and the Student Grievance Procedure.

Disciplinary Procedures

Disciplinary actions imposed for sexual assault and sexual harassment offenses vary according to the severity of the conduct and may include expulsion of a student or termination of employment for a faculty or staff member. Due process under established college disciplinary procedures will be accorded all parties. Both the complainant and the accused have the right to counsel, but solely for offering advice. Both parties will be notified of the resolution of any disciplinary proceedings regarding sexual assault and both parties have the right to appeal. All procedures are found in the South Carolina Student Code found on pages 16-22 of this Student Handbook.

Educational Programs

Piedmont Technical College provides programming to enhance the awareness and prevention of harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment. Designated staff members and community experts give presentations and provide resources on request. In addition, pamphlets and brochures are available in the Student Success Center.

At this time, Piedmont Technical College is not able to offer child care services to students with children. As a result, students must make arrangements for child care while they are attending classes or working in labs. The presence of children in classes or labs is disruptive for the instructor and fellow classmates, and we want everyone to gain as much as possible from the educational experience at Piedmont. Thank you for helping to ensure the academic success of all of our students, including your own.

The college is committed to providing a safe and secure campus for students, employees and visitors. To that end, college personnel will take appropriate actions to prevent conditions that could result in the harm of lives and/or property. WATCH – means that conditions are present for severe weather to develop, e.g. thunderstorm, tornado. WARNING – means that severe weather is imminent and that a tornado or funnel cloud, for example, has been sighted. When a warning is issued, students will be directed to the many SAFE zones throughout campus. SAFE zones are interior classrooms, offices or hallways that do not have windows or outside doorways. Students should NOT attempt to leave campus during this period. When weather conditions return to normal, students, faculty and staff will be directed to return to their classrooms and offices. In the case of severe weather conditions during the night, such as snow and ice, students should monitor local radio stations to determine whether the college will be open, closed or on a late start schedule. This information is also posted on the homepage of the Piedmont Technical College Web site at http://www.ptc.edu.

Tuition Refund

Students who are members of the National Guard or Reserves and have been ordered to active military duty will be provided a full refund of tuition and fees or will be provided a credit to be used against future terms. The adjustment of tuition will be made on an individual student basis, taking into consideration the date of withdrawal and the source of the student’s funding. All students who have to withdraw due to military call-up should be referred to the Business Office to ensure that all adjustments can be made to the appropriate program and through the appropriate college offices.

Textbooks

Students or their families will need to coordinate any return of books through the Campus Shop manager. Book refunds will
be based on the condition of the books returned.

Standards of Satisfactory Progress

The term in which the student is withdrawing will not count against the maximum allowable terms for that program. The student’s file will be noted with the term affected by the military call-up. This term of withdrawal will be waived in monitoring the Title IV Standards of Satisfactory Progress.

Grading

Students called to military service in the middle of a term will be awarded the non-punitive grade of W. If the call to duty is near the end of the term, and the student has completed most of the course objectives, it is the instructor’s discretion to award a grade of A, B, C or D rather than a W.

If you have questions regarding the refund policy, please contact Diane Partlow at (864) 941-8550.

Full payment of fees is expected before the term begins. For your convenience, the college accepts cash, personal checks, Mastercard, Visa and Discover for payment of tuition and fees. A late fee of $50 will be charged to all students who pay once the term begins. Registration on accounts not paid in full by the tuition payment deadline will be
deleted.

Students are responsible for the management of their financial accounts. If a student decides not to attend a class before the semester begins, it is the student’s responsibility to drop the class. Students who do not initiate the drop or withdrawal process may still owe the tuition and fees to the college. If financial obligations to the college are not met by the student and the account is turned over to a collection agency or the S.C. Tax Commission, the student will be responsible for paying all collection fees involved. Also, future registrations will be blocked and all grades will be withheld for any debt to the college.

Students who are applying for financial aid have the responsibility of insuring that the entire financial aid process is completed prior to the tuition deadline. Students who have missing information or have been selected for verification must submit all of the required paperwork by the tuition deadline. Failure to supply the necessary paperwork will result in students being dropped from their classes.

How to pay using Financial Aid

If you receive a grant, loan or scholarship, your award will be posted directly into your student account to offset tuition and fees. If the aid posted is not enough to cover tuition and fees, it is your responsibility to pay the remaining balance before the term begins to avoid being charged a late fee.

For additional financial aid information on programs and policies, refer to our Web page at http://www.ptc.edu/fininfo.