college policies – left
By enrolling at Massasoit Community College, students agree to uphold high standards of academic integrity and scholarly conduct. Plagiarism, which involves using someone else's words or ideas without proper acknowledgment, is strictly prohibited. This includes properly citing sources in all forms of student work, whether oral, written, technical, or artistic. Guidance on proper documentation can be found in most writing handbooks and is typically covered in composition courses.
Academic dishonesty also encompasses actions such as giving or receiving assistance during exams or on assignments, unless explicitly permitted by the instructor.
Instructors are responsible for enforcing this policy. If a violation occurs, the instructor may take actions ranging from a verbal warning to assigning a failing grade for the course.
Additionally, instructors may refer cases of academic dishonesty to the Assistant/Associate Dean, who may escalate the matter to the Vice President of Faculty and Instruction for further disciplinary action.
Students are guaranteed due process in any disciplinary actions involving faculty and administration. If a student has a complaint or grievance, they should contact the Dean of Student Services. The Student Grievance Procedure, detailed in the Student Handbook available in the Student Life Office and the Office of the Assistant Dean of Student Services, outlines the steps for filing a grievance.
The Community Colleges have carefully developed and outlined the major elements of an effective Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity Policy with the understanding that a successful plan requires more than the knowledge of laws, regulations and current government requirements. It demands leadership, vision, and commitment to fully comprehend what challenges Community Colleges face in preparing students for the twenty-first century. The Colleges, both collectively and individually, commit themselves to not only the valuing of human dignity, but to the appreciation of the necessity of providing all members of the College Community an experience that equips them to relate to all persons and groups in the increasingly global and diverse world in which we all live and work.
The Community Colleges wish to take a role of leadership in providing an environment where equity and diversity are truly valued beyond verbal commitments and mere tolerance. This leadership role requires that we all share responsibility for making constructive campus-wide changes in response to the principles set forth in this Policy. By turning our collective energies into making Affirmative Action an integral part of campus life, we continue to fulfill our mission in developing the talents and potential of all members of our College Communities and our society.
Affirmative Action Statement
Massasoit Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to Amee Synnott, the Title IX and Compliance Officer, 508-588-9100 1304 Brockton Campus, Student Center, A219, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
If you believe you have been subjected to sexual harassment, you may file a formal complaint with the governmental agencies set forth below. Filing a complaint under this Policy does not prohibit you from filing a complaint with these agencies.
You can read the full Policy on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity as a PDF.
United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
If you believe you have been subjected to sexual harassment, you may file a formal complaint with the governmental agencies set forth below. Filing a complaint under this Policy does not prohibit you from filing a complaint with these agencies.
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”)
One Congress Street, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
617-565-3200.
The Office For Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education (“OCR”)
Department of Education John W. McCormack Post Office and Courthouse Room 222
Boston, MA 02109
617-223-9662
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (“MCAD”)
| Boston Office: One Ashburton Place Rm. 601 Boston, MA 02108 617-727-3990 | Worcester Office: Worcester City Hall 455 Main Street, Room 101 Worcester, MA 01608 508-799-8010 |
| Springfield Office: 424 Dwight Street Rm. 220 Springfield, MA 01103 413-739-2145 | New Bedford Office: 800 Purchase St., Rm 501 New Bedford, MA 02740 508-990-2390 |
Students are expected to be punctual and attend all scheduled classes and lab sessions. At the start of the semester, the professor will provide a written attendance policy in the course syllabus.
The College has the authority to dismiss a student for disciplinary or academic reasons if it is deemed in the best interest of the College or the student. In such cases, the College will explain the reason and inform the student of their right to a hearing.
If a student's behavior disrupts the learning process, an instructor may remove the student from the class or course. Before dismissal, the student is entitled to a warning from the instructor and can request an explanation for the dismissal. The student also has the right to request a hearing.
Bathroom and Locker Room Use
All students may utilize bathroom or locker room facilities on campus that are designated as gender-neutral or that are consistent with a student’s sincerely held gender identity. Use of a bathroom or locker room by any student for an improper purpose will result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.
Changing Biographical Data
Students seeking to update their Legal Name, or their Chosen Name (also referred to as Preferred Name) should view our Name Change Process.
Sex Designation – In order for any student to change their sex designation in official College records, a student must provide a certified copy of a court order, or other legal identification, such as a Massachusetts driver’s license, reflecting the change in sex.
Updated August 3, 2022
All Private Investigators, Auto Repossession Agents, and their employees must obtain authorization from the College’s Chief of Police or their designee before entering any property owned or operated by Massasoit Community College.
Upon entering the property, these individuals must immediately and properly identify themselves if requested by a Massasoit Community College Police Officer.
Private Investigators or Auto Repossession Agents are strictly prohibited from entering the property with firearms or any other weapons, as defined by Massachusetts General Law, without prior written permission from the Chief of Police.
The College Police Department has the authority to deny access to crime scenes or incident locations to Private Investigators without prior authorization from the Chief of Police or without an escort from a Massasoit Community College Police Officer.
In 1985, the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court enacted a law prohibiting hazing. Chapter 269 of the General Laws was amended to include three new sections.
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Section 17: Anyone who is a main organizer or participant in hazing, as defined here, will face a fine up to $3,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Hazing refers to any initiation activity into a student organization that endangers the physical or mental health of any student or person, whether on public or private property. This includes actions like whipping, beating, branding, forced exercise, exposure to weather, forced consumption of substances, or any brutal treatment or forced physical activity that could harm someone's health or safety, or cause extreme mental stress, such as prolonged sleep deprivation or isolation.
Section 18: Anyone who knows that someone is being hazed and is present at the scene must report the crime to law enforcement as soon as possible, provided they can do so without risking their own safety. Failure to report hazing can result in a fine up to $1,000.
Section 19: Every secondary school and public or private school or college must provide a copy of Sections 17 and 18 to all groups or organizations under its authority, and to every member or applicant of such groups. Recipients must sign an acknowledgment of receipt. Schools must annually report compliance with these provisions to the Board of Regents or the Board of Education, including certification of a disciplinary policy for hazing organizers and participants. The Boards will set regulations for these reports and notify the attorney general of any non-compliance.
Disciplinary Policy: Massasoit Community College will apply the following procedures to any individual or organization involved in hazing:
- Review by the Student/Faculty Judiciary Council
- Review by administrative or security staff, as appropriate
- Criminal prosecution by law enforcement
For questions about the College’s Hazing Policy, contact the Dean of Student Services.
Employers have numerous responsibilities regarding employees' health information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and related regulations establish federal standards to protect the privacy of individually identifiable health information. Additionally, state laws protect workers' financial and other personal information.
Companies must regularly review their policies and procedures to ensure compliance. HIPAA privacy rules, outlined in 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, aim to promote electronic transactions and restrict how health plans, pharmacies, hospitals, and other covered entities can use patients' personal medical information. These rules also apply to employees' personal medical information, safeguarding medical records and other "individually identifiable health information."
Massasoit Community College treats any breaches of privacy and confidentiality in handling private health information (PHI) seriously and will take disciplinary action in accordance with its code of conduct.
Home-schooled students without a high school diploma or GED can apply for admission to a degree or certificate program if they have completed an approved home school program according to Massachusetts General Laws or the laws of their home state.
To verify participation in an approved home school program, students must submit evidence with their application that the program was approved by their school district’s superintendent or school committee. Additionally, if the home-schooled student is under the age of 16, a letter from the superintendent or school committee is required, stating that the student is not considered truant and is not required to attend further schooling or continue home schooling if they have completed their program before turning 16.
The College may limit or deny enrollment of students under 16 based on factors such as maturity, life experience, placement test scores, prior education, course content, instructional methods, and associated risks.
Youth Learner Enrollment: Students younger than the traditional college age are welcome at Massasoit Community College and must follow the Youth Learner Enrollment Policy and Procedures to register for credit and non-credit courses.