Safety & Security

Alcohol-Free Policy

Animals On Campus

Anti-Harassment Policy

Drug-Free Campus Policy

Firearms Policy

Gambling Policy

Safety Policy

Sexual Assualt Victims’ Bill of Rights

Sexual Harassment Policy

Taser Policy

Tobacco-Free Policy

Video Monitoring Policy

Alcohol-Free Policy

Alcohol is prohibited on any campus, site, property, and/or on/in any vehicle that is owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College at any time.  This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, all facilities, grounds, parking lots, property, and vehicles owned and/or leased by the College, unless authorized by the President for a specific event.

A matter involving students will be referred to the Dean of Student Development.  A student who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including permanent dismissal.

A matter involving employees and/or visitors will be referred to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.  An employee who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.  A visitor who violates this policy will be required to leave the premises and may be denied future access to the College.

Any student and/or employee violation may be referred to the Director of Campus Police and Security.

Animals On Campus

Butler County Community College strives to maintain a safe, secure, accessible and welcoming environment for student, faculty, staff and visitors at all BC3 sites and locations. This policy applies to all students, employees, and visitors to Main Campus and/or any site owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College and outlines the requirements for accessibility, behavior, and treatment of animals.

1. All animals on College property, including open space, athletic fields, playing fields and intramural areas, must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered and under personal control of the owner at all times. Animals are not to be tied to or secured to trees, posts, shrubs and/or left unattended. Each owner is responsible for his/her animal, including clean-up.

2. To protect public health and safety, animals are not permitted in College buildings, subject to the following exceptions:

A. A service animal assisting an individual with a disability;

i. The service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. If it is not readily apparent what service an animal provides, the College may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform;

ii. The College may exclude a service animal if the animal poses a direct threat to the health, safety or property of others that cannot be reduced or eliminated by a reasonable accommodation; is out of control and the individual does not take effective action to control it; would disrupt the academic environment or pose a hazard to others; or is not being cared for the by the individual;

iii. The College is not responsible for the care or supervision of service animals. Individuals handling a service animal are responsible for the control of their animals at all times and for ensuring the immediate clean-up and proper disposal of all animal waste. Individuals must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including vaccination, licensure, animal health and leash laws;

iv. The College may impose charges for damages caused by a service animal in the same manner the College imposes charges for damages to property.

B. Animals used as part of an academic, or college sponsored, program subject to prior approval by the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

3. Emotional support animals are not allowed on campus without prior approval. If an individual has a diagnosis that is included in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or Title II of the American with Disabilities Act, then the support animal will be considered in the request for accommodations that is coordinated by the Coordinator of Access and Disability Resources or the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, whichever is applicable. Students must follow the accommodation request process.

4. All animals on Main Campus and/or any site owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College must have current vaccinations evidenced by a tag on the animal or a vaccination certificate in the immediate possession of the owner.

5. A control agency will be called to remove and impound disruptive, aggressive, unattended or at- large animals. All animals are subject to the Butler County Community College Ordinance No. 1 and applicable county and/or township codes regulating animals.

Complaints regarding a service animal belonging to a student and its behavior should be directed to the Dean of Student Development, who will contact the handler to review the policies regarding service animals and address the complaint. If the animal belongs to an employee of the College, concerns should be directed to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.

Students with allergic reactions to animals that rise to the level of a disability are encouraged to notify the Coordinator of Access and Disability Resources to request accommodations. Employees are encouraged to contact the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer. The College will review the needs of both parties involved, on a case-by-case basis, in meeting its obligation to reasonably accommodate all disabilities and resolve the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Service Dogs in Training: Under Pennsylvania law, individuals with disabilities who use guide or support animals, or trainers of such animals, are entitled to equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and education, as well as equal access to and treatment in all public accommodations, and any housing accommodation or commercial property without discrimination. Violation of this law may result in an award of damages or other remedies pursuant to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. 43 P.S. § 953.

Definitions

Service Animal: A “service animal” is one that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability and the work or tasks performed by the animal are directly related to the individual’s disability. This definition encompasses all “service animals” as defined by the applicable regulations to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Domestic Animal: Domestic animals are those species of animals that normally and customarily share human habitat and are normally dependent on humans for food and shelter. Service Animals are not considered domestic animals for the purpose of this Policy.

Emotional Support Animal: Emotional support animals provide companionship, comfort and emotional support and are not defined as a “service animal.” These functions are not considered work or tasks performed to benefit an individual with a disability. These animals are generally not trained and are not afforded the legal protection of “service animals” under the ADAAA.

Anti-Harassment Policy

The College fosters the quality of life of the College community and will not tolerate disrespectful, disruptive, insubordinate, inappropriate, threatening, harmful, unwanted, or persistent behavior that adversely affects students, visitors, co-workers, supervisors, associates of the College, the President, Board of Trustees, or Foundation Board of Directors.

No student, employee, Trustee, Foundation Board Director, associate of the College, or any individual on College premises or at a College-related event may intentionally harass or abuse a person either physically or mentally with the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or job performance, or create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive academic or work environment.

Consistent with the College’s commitment to equal opportunity, integrity, diversity, excellence, human dignity, and mutual respect, the Anti-Harassment Policy will be consistent with the College’s Nondiscrimination Policy, which includes conduct based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, family status, or other classification protected by applicable law.

For further information or to file a complaint contact the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, by telephone at (724) 287-8711, Extension 8353, or in writing at Butler County Community College, 107 College Drive, Butler, PA 16002.

Drug-Free Campus Policy

The manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and/or alcohol is prohibited at any workplace, course site or campus activity under the authority of the Butler County Community College Board of Trustees. Any employee or student violating the policy will be referred to a rehabilitation program and/or disciplined in an appropriate manner, up to and including termination of employment or expulsion. Discipline, when appropriate, shall be taken under the relevant provisions of Collective Bargaining Agreements and College policies.

Any student convicted of a drug-related offense must notify the Dean of Student Development within five (5) days of conviction and any employee convicted of a drug-related offense must notify the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer within five (5) days of conviction.

The Butler County Community College Policy for a Drug-Free Campus is as follows:

A. The consumption, possession, distribution, transportation, purchase, or sale of any alcoholic beverages, drug paraphernalia, and/or controlled substance on any campus, site, property, and/or on/in any vehicle that is owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College is prohibited.

B. Appearing on any campus, site, property, and/or on/in any vehicle that is owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College, or at an off-campus event under the influence of alcohol and/or any controlled substance is prohibited.

C. Academic content of a College-sponsored course involving the production and/or tasting of alcohol requires support from the respective Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management along with prior written approval from the President.

D. The consumption, possession, distribution, transportation, purchase, or sale of any alcoholic beverages, drug paraphernalia, and/or controlled substance at College sponsored or College recognized events is not supported by the College.

E. The procedures for the enforcement of the Drug-Free Campus Policy are as follows: Any College employee who is responsible for monitoring behavior at both campus and off-campus events will also be responsible for reporting policy violations to the Dean of Student Development for any student matter and the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer for any employee matter. Students or other individuals witnessing policy violations will report those violations to either the College employee in charge of the event or to the Dean of Student Development for a student matter and/or the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer for an employee matter.

F. Students who violate the Drug-Free Campus Policy will:

1. First Offense: The student will meet with the Dean of Student Development to discuss the offense. The Dean of Student Development will then determine the appropriate course of action depending upon the severity of the offense. A report, written by the Dean of Student Development detailing the violation, will be signed by the student, the individual reporting the violation, and the Dean of Student Development. The report will be filed with the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
2. Second Offense: The Dean of Student Development will notify the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President of the College. The student will be expelled from school until he or she can demonstrate rehabilitation acceptable to the Dean of Student Development. It is the student’s responsibility to seek such rehabilitation and Butler County Community College is in no way responsible for such rehabilitation.
3. An appeal may be made by the student according to the Appeals Process outlined in this handbook.

G. Any employee violation of this Drug-Free Campus Policy will be handled by the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.

H. Any student and/or employee violation may be referred to the Director of Campus Police and Security.

Firearms Policy

Butler County Community College (the “College”) strives to maintain a safe and secure environment for members of the student body, faculty, staff, and general public so that they are not unreasonably impeded in their activities by concerns for personal safety. Butler County Community College has made it a policy to prohibit the possession or concealment of any firearms, explosives, or dangerous chemicals on College property. The College recognizes that certain exceptions to this prohibition are necessary. Accordingly, the following exemptions to the Firearms Policy of Butler County Community College are established as follows:

A. Butler County Community College recognizes the importance of the services provided by the local and state law enforcement agencies. The College also recognizes the authority of law enforcement entities to determine the need to arm officers. Accordingly, law enforcement personnel while on duty and acting in their official capacity are permitted to carry firearms as deemed necessary by their employer for the performance of their duties.

B. Members of the Butler County Community College Campus Police Department shall be permitted to carry firearms.

C. Butler County Community College is desirous of cooperating with various law enforcement groups in conducting classes and/or training sessions for such groups on the property owned or licensed for use by Butler County Community College. Accordingly, the possession of firearms on property owned or licensed for use by Butler County Community College will be permitted in the course of law enforcement classes and training sessions provided the following safeguards are met:

1. The firearms in use shall be capped and locked or temporarily disabled by an alternate mutually acceptable method at all times during the classes.
2. No live ammunition shall be permitted on the campus of Butler County Community College during training classes. Ammunition must be removed from weapons prior to transporting the disarmed weapon to campus.
3. The use of blanks in lieu of live ammunition is prohibited.
4. The law enforcement training sessions shall be restricted to the Public Safety Training Classrooms and property owned or licensed for use by Butler County Community College.
5. The law enforcement training sessions conducted shall be restricted to qualified law enforcement entities with its participants being licensed to carry a firearm.
6. Prior to conducting a training class, all participants will be required to sign an acknowledgement of his/her understanding of all rules and regulations of Butler County Community College.
7. Adequate notice must be provided to the Administration of Butler County Community College so as to permit notice to the College Campus Police of the upcoming training session.
8. Non-functional prototypes of firearms may be used in law enforcement training activities. Such training is subject to all of the provisions stated above.
9. Police training devices (including but not limited to flash bang devices and narcotic training devices) are permitted to the extent they are used in conjunction with credit and noncredit course offerings at Butler County Community College.
10. Live ammunition shall be permitted only when used at a College-approved Firing Range, operated under the safety protocols established by Law Enforcement, Military, or the NRA, effective January 14, 2013.
11. According to the EMS & Police Training Standard Operating Procedures, Butler County Community College Campus Police Officers will store and transport ammunition from Main Campus to a College-approved firing range and return the same to Main Campus, effective January 14, 2013.
12. All students participating in the Fire Arms Training Program both in the classroom at Butler County Community College and/or on the Firing Range located on 100 Litman Road, Butler, PA will be required to sign a Waiver of Release of All Claims Form recognizing and acknowledging that there are certain risks of personal injury in participating in the Fire Arms Training Program and voluntarily agree to assume the full risk of any accidental injuries sustained as a result of participating in the Fire Arms Training Program and waive, any and all claims against the College and such individuals, for personal injuries sustained arising out of, connected with, or in any way associated with participating in the Fire Arms Training Program both in the classroom at Butler County Community College and/or on the Firing Range located on 100 Litman Road, Butler, PA.

Violation of this policy shall be handled in accordance with the disciplinary procedures set forth in Butler County Community College’s policies.

Gambling Policy

Gambling, including informal bets on card games or recreational activities, is prohibited on the College campus. Any violation is subject to the appropriate disciplinary action.

Safety Policy

Butler County Community College (BC3) is committed to working collaboratively with our employees to provide a safe, secure, and healthy learning and working environment and enhancing the quality of life of the College Community. The College places a high emphasis on protecting the environment, health and safety of all students, employees, and visitors and requires strict adherence to established College safety policy, procedures and practices and applicable laws and regulations.

Providing a safe, secure, and healthy learning and working environment can only be accomplished by integrating safe, secure, and healthy practices into our daily operations and requiring a commitment from all employees, students, and visitors. Through a collaboration of administrators and employees a Safety Committee will be established to promote protecting the environment, health and safety of all students, employees, and visitors, and ensuring BC3 maintains a safe, secure, and healthy learning and working environment.

The Safety Committee will make recommendations for maintaining a safe, secure, and healthy learning and working environment to the President and his/her Cabinet. Students, employees, and visitors will be encouraged to make suggestions that would enhance protecting the environment and the health and safety of all to the Safety Committee for review and analysis. After thorough consideration, the Safety Committee may forward a recommendation, if warranted, to the President and his/her Cabinet. All recommendations will be considered seriously to ensure hazards, unsafe working conditions and/or practices are remedied and appropriate funding will be allocated, if deemed necessary.

Incidents can and should be prevented by following safe practices to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering, loss of life and/or unnecessary costs. All College students, employees, and visitors are required to abide by this policy and be responsible for ensuring their safety as well as others.

Any violation of this policy by a student or employee may result in disciplinary action. Visitors who violate this policy may be required to leave the premises and may be denied future access to the College.

President and His/Her Cabinet

The President and his/her Cabinet are accountable to the Board of Trustees and responsible for providing a safe, secure, and healthy learning and working environment and protecting the environment, health and safety of all students, employees, and visitors. To carry out these responsibilities they must be informed and made aware of any hazards, unsafe working conditions and/or practices immediately so they can properly address and regularly review the effectiveness of the College’s safety policy, procedures, and practices.

They support and provide direction to supervisors, employees, students, and visitors to ensure BC3 maintains a safe, secure, and healthy learning and working environment by providing resources and training as appropriate to eliminate hazards, unsafe working conditions and/or practices.

Supervisor

Supervisors are accountable to the President and his/her Cabinet and responsible for ensuring employees and students are properly trained and held accountable for adhering to proper procedures and safe, secure and healthy practices. In carrying out these responsibilities they must require strict adherence to established College safety procedures and practices and applicable laws and regulations, take appropriate action to address any hazards, unsafe working conditions or practices, ensure health and safety is not sacrificed, and encourage employees to serve on the Safety Committee and participate in any related activities.

Students & Employees

All students and employees are required to adhere to established College safety policy, procedures, and practices and applicable laws and regulations including, but not limited to:

• reporting all injuries and accidents immediately when they occur;
• reporting all unsafe working conditions or practices;
• reporting all hazardous conditions;
• wearing all required personal protective equipment at all times;
• obeying precautionary signs and warnings;
• taking time to do things safely;
• performing tasks in a safe, secure, and efficient manner;
• complying with this safety policy, procedures, and practices; and
• upholding his/her part to ensure the health and safety of all.

Safety Committee

The President will establish the Safety Committee consisting of administrative and employee representatives who have a desire and commitment to work collaboratively together to enhance and protect the environment and health and safety of the College Community. Members of the Safety Committee will be responsible for making recommendations for maintaining and improving a safe, secure, and healthy learning and working environment. The charge of the Safety Committee includes, but is not limited to:

• establishing procedures for documenting accident investigations and reviewing accident investigation reports;
• establishing procedures for monthly inspections for locating and identifying health and safety hazards, and reviewing newly implemented safety equipment and safety and health procedures;
• evaluating safety program annually and reviewing suggestions that would enhance protecting the environment and health and safety of all;
• reviewing complaints and identifying hazards, or unsafe working conditions and/or practices;
• recommending corrective action plans to improve maintaining a safe, secure, and healthy learning and working environment;
• informing the President and his/her Cabinet of hazards or unsafe working conditions and/or practices;
• reviewing work-related illness and injury to ensure established investigative and resolution procedures were followed;
• encouraging and obtaining employee suggestions and participation in any safetyrelated activities;
• assisting in identifying employee safety training needs; and
• assisting in the management of safety.

Sexual Assualt Victims’ Bill of Rights

Butler County Community College is committed to providing a safe, secure, and healthy teaching, learning, and working environment free from sexual assault by providing sexual assault awareness and prevention programs.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, find a safe environment away from the attacker.  To seek assistance and report a sexual assault call 911, contact Campus Police, and/or notify College administration.  It is imperative to preserve all evidence to be used in proving that a sexual assault occurred.  Seek medical attention and notify those involved that you are a victim of a sexual assault, identify any risks of sexually transmitted infections/diseases and/or pregnancy, and seek counseling, if necessary.  In addition, write down as much as you can remember immediately following the attack.  Understand you are a victim and this was not your fault.  College administration is here to assist you by providing both internal and/or external resources regardless if you choose to criminally prosecute the offender or not.

Butler County Community College will act promptly to protect the rights of all individuals involved in a sexual assault matter.  We support the victim’s right to choose which avenues of assistance are most appropriate for him/her to pursue and the victim’s right not to pursue, if he/she so chooses.  Individuals who have been sexually assaulted have the right to:

• have the same opportunity to have others present during College disciplinary proceeding as does the accused;
• be informed of the outcome of any College disciplinary proceeding as does the accused;
• notify law enforcement authorities, including Campus Police and local police, along with the option to be assisted by College administration in notifying these authorities;
• change academic, working, and/or living situations, if applicable and reasonably available; and
• utilize the available counseling services below:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

Center for Community Resources (CCR)
212-214 South Main Street, Suite 625
Butler, PA 16001
Toll Free Crisis Line: 1-800-292-3866
Telephone Number:  724-431-3748

National Sexual Assault Hotline
1220 L. Street NW, Suite 505
Washington, DC 20005
Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE

Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICe)
111 S. Cliff Street, Suite 1-A
Butler, PA 16001
Hotline:  1-800-400-8551
Telephone number:  724-776-5910

The Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County
1218 W. State Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Hotline:  724-652-9036
Telephone Number:  724-652-9206

Helping All Victims in Need (HAVIN)
P.O. Box 983
Kittanning, PA  16201
Hotline:  1-800-841-8881
Telephone Phone:  724-548-8888

AWARE Inc.
109 S. Sharpsville Avenue, Suite D
Sharon, PA 16146
Hotline:  1-888-981-1457
Telephone Phone:  724-342-4934

CAPSEA, Inc.
PO Box 464
Ridgway, PA  15853
Elk County Hotline:  814-772-3838
Cameron County Hotline:  814-486-1227

PPC Violence Free Network
29 Pearl Avenue
Oil City, PA  16301
Hotline:  814-677-7273
Telephone Phone:  814-676-5476

PA 2-1-1 Southwest
Dialing 2-1-1 from your phone will connect you to a free, confidential referral and information helpline that will provide essential health and human services resources, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Email: info@pa211sw.org

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline provides confidential twenty-four (24) hour assistance.

A sexual assault matter involving a student(s) will be referred to the Dean of Student Development.  A student who violates any College policies will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including permanent dismissal and possible legal action.

A sexual assault matter involving an employee(s) will be handled by the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.  An employee who violates any College policies will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and possible legal action.

Sexual Harassment Policy

A. Policy

The Board of Trustees of Butler County Community College shall not tolerate any behavior by an employee or student that constitutes sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of an individual’s employment or academic success.
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual.
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.

The College is committed to maintaining an academic environment in which its members can freely work together, both in and out of the classroom.  The College cannot thrive unless each member is accepted as an autonomous individual and is treated civilly, without regard to his or her sex or, for that matter, any other factor irrelevant to participation in the life of the College.

Every member of the College community must recognize that sexual harassment compromises the integrity of the College, its tradition of intellectual freedom, and the trust placed in its members.  It is the intention of the College to take all necessary actions to prevent, correct, and, where indicated, discipline sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment by any member of the College community is prohibited.  This prohibition includes peer harassment among students, staff, or faculty.  Sexual harassment by a faculty member, of a student over whom he or she has authority, or by supervisors of a staff member is particularly serious.  Such conduct may easily create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment can take many forms.  Some of these are overt and unambiguous, while others may be more subtle and indirect.  Direct forms of sexual harassment include sexual assault and sexual advances accompanied by an offer of reward or threats of reprisal.  Such behavior constitutes serious misconduct, and a single incident establishes grounds for complaint.  Other forms of sexual harassment include sexual advances, physical or verbal, that are repeated and unwanted.

Romantic relationships that might be appropriate in other contexts may, within a College, create the appearance of an abuse of power or of undue advantage.  Even when both parties have consented at the outset to a romantic involvement, such consent does not preclude a subsequent charge of sexual harassment against the instructor or supervisor.  Because of its relevance to sexual harassment, the College views consensual relations in cases where one person has educational or supervisory authority over another, as unwise and inappropriate.  In matters such as this, appropriate action will be taken.

B. Consensual Relations between Faculty or Staff and Students

Because those who teach or interact with students are entrusted with guiding students, judging their work, giving grades for papers and courses, writing letters of recommendation, advising and supervising co-curricular experiences, faculty and staff are in a delicate relationship of trust, influence, and power.  This relationship must not be jeopardized by possible doubt of intent, fairness of professional judgment, or the appearance to other students of favoritism.

One of the unstated tenets of our policy and our commitment to a climate free from sexual harassment has been the view that it is unwise and inappropriate for faculty or staff who have romantic relations with students to teach such students in a class, advise or supervise them, or recommend them for awards, or employment.  Prudence and the best interest of the students dictate that in such circumstances of romantic involvement, the students should be aided to find other instructional or supervisory arrangements.  Faculty and staff should keep in mind that initial consent to a romantic relationship does not preclude a charge of sexual harassment in the future.

Grievance Procedure

The College is committed to be in compliance with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (43 P. S. §§ 951-962.2) and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (24 P.S. § § 5001-5009).  Employment and educational opportunities at Butler County Community College are available to all as required by Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and all applicable laws and regulations.

Any applicant, employee, or student who has a concern or complaint regarding race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, family status, or other classification protected by applicable law related to admission, treatment, programs, activities, employment opportunities, policies, and practices, access, and/or accommodations at Butler County Community College has the following options:

Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Accommodation Complaint Procedure

These procedures are to provide an avenue to promptly and fairly address issues in the most equitable manner relating to the discrimination of applicants, employees, or students with regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, family status, or other classification protected by applicable law.  An applicant, employee, or student may file a complaint.  An individual filing an alleged complaint is known as the Complainant.  A complaint is an allegation that some type of discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment occurred with respect to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, family status, or other classification protected by applicable law.

Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment

All applicants, employees, and students have the right to be protected from any form of discrimination or harassment, which is based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, family status, or other classification protected by applicable law.  An applicant, employee, or student has the responsibility to avoid participating in any situation that may result in such discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment.

Informal Process

Any applicant, employee, or student who believes he or she has been discriminated against, harassed, sexually harassed, or denied access or accommodation shall request a meeting with the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer within sixty (60) College work days of the occurrence or condition giving rise to the alleged complaint.  A College work day is defined as a day on which College Administrative Offices are open for normal business excluding holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  The informal process includes providing information, counseling, advising, mediation, and possibly fact-finding in an attempt to informally remedy the alleged complaint as early as possible.  Every attempt will be made to protect the privacy of all individuals involved.

Formal Process

A. If the alleged complaint is not resolved through the informal process, a Complainant may, within twenty (20) College work days after the informal process concludes, file a written complaint with the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.  The written complaint should be submitted to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, Butler County Community College, 107 College Drive, Butler, PA 16002, using the Butler County Community College Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Access/Accommodation Grievance Form (Grievance Form).

B. The Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer shall have five (5) College work days following the receipt of the written complaint to schedule a meeting to promptly discuss the alleged complaint with the Complainant.  Following the meeting with the Complainant, the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer shall have fifteen (15) College work days to investigate the allegation, discuss it with the accused individual(s) and other individuals who may be involved or can provide additional information, and submit a written response to the Grievance Form.  A copy of the Grievance Form and the response shall be reviewed with the President and respective Vice President, if deemed appropriate by the President, prior to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer providing a disposition of the alleged complaint.

C. The disposition of a complaint against a student shall be made in accordance with the disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and in consultation with the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.

D. The disposition of all other complaints shall be made by the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer after conducting an internal investigation and convening meeting(s) to discuss the alleged complaint with the Complainant, the accused individual(s), other individuals who may be involved or can provide additional information, and a meeting with the President and respective Vice President, if deemed appropriate by the President, to discuss the grievance prior to providing a disposition of the complaint.  The written decision of the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer regarding the validity of the grievance and the corrective action plan, if any, shall be given to the Complainant within fifteen (15) College work days following the initial meeting with the Complainant unless an extension is necessary and mutually agreed to by the Complainant and the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.  The decision of the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer shall be the final decision rendered through the grievance process.

E. Every attempt will be made to protect the privacy of all individuals involved.

Time Limitation

The filing of any complaint during the informal or formal process shall be completed within the time limits specified above.  In the event additional time is necessary, the specified time limits may be extended upon mutual written agreement by both the Complainant and the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer.

Rights of the Complainant and Other Individual(s) Involved

A. The College will not retaliate or tolerate any retaliatory action(s) against any applicant, employee, or student for filing a harassment or discrimination complaint, or assisting, testifying, or participating in the investigation of such a complaint.  Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for violations of the anti-retaliation policy.  Any suspected retaliation should be reported to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, Butler County Community College by telephone at (724) 287-8711, Ext. 8353, or in writing at 107 College Drive, Butler, PA 16002.

B. The Complainant, the accused, and any other individual(s) involved may be accompanied by a representative during the informal or formal process.  Notice should be provided to the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer in advance of any such appearance.  The College reserves the right to have their attorney participate at any time during this process, if deemed necessary.

C. A complaint may be withdrawn at any time during the informal or formal process by the Complainant.

U. S. Office of Civil Rights

Complaints may also be filed with the Philadelphia Office, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 100 Penn Square East, Suite 515, Philadelphia, PA  19107-3323.

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

Complaints may also be filed with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Pittsburgh Regional Office, 301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 390, Piatt Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Taser Policy

Butler County Community College strives to maintain a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and the general public. To address and/or remove concerns for personal safety, members of the Butler County Community College Campus Police Department shall be trained, certified, and permitted to carry Tasers as outlined in the Campus Police Standard Operating Procedures. Improper use of a Taser will result in disciplinary action.

Tobacco-Free Policy

Butler County Community College is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable and productive environment for all employees, students and visitors. Therefore, smoking and the use of all tobacco and tobacco-related products, including, electronic cigarettes, are prohibited on all campuses and sites owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College and College vehicles effective July 1, 2009. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, students and visitors of Butler County Community College. Any violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

Ordinance No. 8 Tobacco-Free Campus

Section 1: Offenses

It shall be unlawful for any person to:

A. Smoke and/or use any tobacco and tobacco-related products, including, electronic cigarettes, on any campus and/or site owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College and in/on any College vehicle.

Section 2: Penalties

A. Any person found in violation of this ordinance will be subject to penalties as follows:

1. For a first violation of this ordinance, the violating person shall be verbally informed of the Butler County Community College Tobacco-Free Policy and warned of the increased penalties for further violations.

2. For a second violation of this ordinance, the violating person shall be fined $15.00 and will be verbally warned of the increased penalties for further violations.

3. For third and subsequent violations of this policy, the violating person shall be fined $25.00 for each violation.

B. Employees found in violation of this ordinance will be subject to disciplinary action for College policy violation and the Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer will be notified. Students found in violation of this ordinance will be subject to the Student Code of Conduct for College policy violation and the Dean of Student Development will be notified. Visitors who continue to violate this ordinance may be asked to leave any campus and/or site owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College.

Video Monitoring Policy

Butler County Community College fosters enhancing the quality of life of the College Community by providing a safe and secure learning and working environment for all students, employees, and visitors, as well as safeguarding its facilities and assets, through the integration of video monitoring and recording equipment and systems. Video monitoring and recording equipment and systems will be used in a professional, ethical, confidential, and legal manner on all campuses, sites owned and/or leased by Butler County Community College at any time, including but not limited to facilities, grounds, and parking lots, with specific limitations that would not violate the reasonable expectation of privacy as defined by law.

Signage may be posted in the appropriate monitored areas to inform individuals that “THESE PREMISES MAY BE UNDER VIDEO MONITORING.” In the event the College experiences criminal activity, either to property and/or persons, the College may use video monitoring and recording equipment and systems for apprehending violators and/or covert video monitoring and recording purposes within the parameters outlined in this policy.

Information obtained through the video monitoring and recording equipment and systems may be utilized for investigative, safety and security purposes, law enforcement, compliance with College policy and procedures, and compliance with the Student Code of Conduct and will only be released when authorized by the College President, in conjunction with the Executive Director of Campus Police and Security, Executive Director of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, and/or Dean of Student Development, according to the guidelines established in this policy and in compliance with applicable laws. College personnel are prohibited from disseminating or using any information obtained through the video monitoring and recording equipment and systems except for law enforcement and/or official College purposes. Only authorized personnel shall have access to the video monitoring and recording equipment and systems.

This policy is consistent with the College’s commitment to equal opportunity, integrity, diversity, excellence, human dignity, mutual respect, and other related College policies such as Sexual Harassment, Anti- Harassment, and Nondiscrimination. The College prohibits video monitoring and recording based on classifications and characteristics including, but not limited to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, family status, or other classification protected by applicable law.

Any violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action.