Reedley College Catalog 2018-19

48 Administrative Policies 2018-2019 Catalog leased property. Each member of the Reedley College community, including, students, faculty, staff, and volunteers, is responsible for observing and adhering to the smoke and tobacco free environment policy. State Center Community College District will support and assist efforts to stop smoking by providing literature, referrals to community cessation programs, and by sponsoring periodic campus smoking cessation programs. Tobacco products will not be sold on campus either through vending machines or campus establishments. Every student, faculty member, staff person, and visitor on campus is authorized to implement the District’s smoke free environments policy and regulation. Drug- and Alcohol-Free Campus Reedley College is committed to maintaining a drug- and alcohol- free campus. To that end, the college prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of controlled substances (as defined in Schedules I through V of the Controlled Substances Act {21U.S.C812} and as further defined by Regulations 21 CFR 1308.15 in the workplace). Behavior which violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with campus policies and regulations (BP 5410). Persons who seek information and/or resolution of alleged violations are directed to the Vice President of Student Services in the Student Services Building. (559) 638-0300, ext. 3217, or campus police, ext. 3330. Academic Freedom GENERAL PRINCIPLES The State Center Community College District is unequivocally and unalterably committed to the principle of academic freedom in its true sense which includes freedom to study, freedom to learn and freedom to teach and provide educational professional services to students. Academic freedom encompasses the right of an instructor to discuss pertinent subjects within his or her field of professional competency in the classroom, consistent with course objectives, and for counselors, librarians and other academic employees to provide appropriate student services within their fields of professional competency and consistent with sound educational principles. Neither District officials nor outside individuals or groups may interfere with or censure an academic employee because of the employee’s proper treatment of pertinent subjects, or provision of proper educational professional services to students is precluded by the principle of academic freedom. Faculty must, however, accept the responsibility that accompanies academic freedom. The right to exercise any liberty implies a duty to use it responsibly. Academic freedom does not give faculty freedom to engage in indoctrination. Nor can faculty invoke the principle of academic freedom to justify non-professional conduct. An essential point that pertains to academic freedom and that must be considered in relation to subject matter or to professional services to the student is the criterion of suitability. The subject matter, material to be studied, or educational professional services to the student must contribute to the attainment of course objectives or achievement of an educational principle. The special interests of faculty or the opinion of a person or persons in a class should not supersede the right of other students to be protected against irrelevant or obscene materials or presentations. TEXTBOOK SELECTION Each campus shall develop a procedure for the selection of textbooks that recognizes the basic right and duty of the faculty to be the primary agent in the process. Since students in most instances must purchase books, the procedure should take cognizance of the financial consideration that may be imposed upon the student. PUBLIC FORUMS In keeping with the philosophy of intellectual freedom and the responsibility of the Community College District for services to its community, public forums presenting speakers with varying points of view may be offered to the local community as part of the educational program. All proposals for special programs and projects, involving requests for financial assistance from outside funding sources such as governmental agencies, foundations or special organizations, shall be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval prior to the submission of a formal application to such outside groups. Academic Dishonesty Students at Reedley College are entitled to the best education that the college can make available to them, and they, their instructors, and their fellow students share the responsibility to ensure that this education is honestly attained. Because cheating, plagiarism, and collusion in dishonest activities erode the integrity of the college, each student is expected to exert an entirely honest effort in all academic endeavors. Academic dishonesty in any form is a very serious offense and will incur serious consequences.