Policies and Other Community Standards

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Anti-Discrimination/Ethnic Intimidation Policy

All students are encouraged to participate in College activities regardless of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, social affiliation or age. York College does not tolerate and takes a firm position against all forms of discrimination as noted. Intimidation includes, but is not limited to: threats or bullying of any kind, physical harm or threats thereof, defacing or destruction of campus property or an individual’s personal property. Any student, who feels that he or she is a victim of discrimination or ethnic intimidation, or any such harassment, may initiate a complaint through the student grievance procedure and legal channels. Contact: Campus Safety, Manor Northeast, (717) 815-1314, Student Affairs, Administration Building, (717) 815-1461 or Intercultural Student Life and Global Programming, Student Union, (717) 815-1916.

Consensual Relationships

York College’s policy on sexual harassment includes prohibition of consensual romantic or sexual relationships between York College employees (faculty, staff, or administration) and any traditional undergraduate student and/or any supervisee. Further, such relationships are prohibited between said employees and any nontraditional student (over 25 years of age) or graduate student for whom the employee has or is likely to have an evaluative or supervisory responsibility.

If a situation is potentially in violation of this policy, the employee is required to disclose it to his/her supervisor, who will seek guidance on assessing the matter from the relevant senior administrator. Anyone subjected to acts of sexual harassment should immediately report it to his/her supervisor. Student workers or students in the classroom should report to The Dean of Student Development and Campus Life and/or The Dean of Academic Affairs.

Sexual Harassment and Title IX Compliance 

York College is an equal opportunity employer and an institution of higher education. We support legislation that protects College personnel and students against unlawful discrimination of any kind, including sexual harassment, and affirm the commitment of York College to ensure a fair, humane, and respectful environment for all employees and students.

Sexual harassment is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is illegal, sex-based discrimination under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. It is against the policy of York College of Pennsylvania for any person (faculty, administrator, staff member, or student), male or female, to engage in sexual harassment of another person (faculty, administrator, staff member, or student). Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can be verbal (sexual innuendoes, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, threats), non-verbal (sexually suggestive objects or pictures, graphic commentaries, suggestive or insulting sounds, leering, whistling, obscene gestures), and/or physical (unwanted physical contact including touching, pinching, brushing the body, coerced sexual intercourse, assault). This conduct constitutes sexual harassment in the following circumstances:

1. When it is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of an employee’s employment, or a student’s academic assessment, or progress, or participation in college activities.
2. When submission to or a rejection of such conduct is made the basis for employment decisions or decisions affecting academic assessment, progress or status, or participation in other college activities.
3. When such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment.

All personnel including faculty, administrators, staff members, and students will be expected to comply with this policy and take appropriate measures to ensure that sexual harassment does not occur. Appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion, will be taken against anyone who violates this policy in accordance with relevant York College disciplinary procedures for that person’s cohort group (faculty, administrators, staff members, or students).

York College has a designated Title IX coordinator who is responsible for overseeing all Title IX complaints and identifying and addressing any patterns or systematic problems that arise during the review of such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator is available to meet with students and employees as needed.

York College Title IX Coordinator: Miguel Pereira, Title IX Coordinator​. Phone: 717-815-1440. Office Location: Humanities Building Office 24, Email: TitleIX@ycp.edu

Sex Offender Registration Information 

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000 is a federal law that provides for the tracking of convicted sex offenders enrolled at, or employed by, institutions of higher education. The Act is an amendment to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Act. The federal law requires state law enforcement agencies to provide York College with a list of registered sex offenders who have indicated that they are enrolled, employed or carrying on a vocation at York College of Pennsylvania.

In accordance with Pennsylvania State Law, known sex offenders must register in the community in which they reside. York College also requires that the student or employee register with The Department of Campus Safety. Failure to register may result in immediate expulsion or dismissal from the College. York College reserves the right to dismiss a student or employee if it is deemed necessary in the interests of public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

The Department of Campus Safety will maintain this list and make it available in its office in the Manor Northeast. In addition, a list of all registered sex offenders in Pennsylvania is available from the Pennsylvania State Police at http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us.

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to clarify that nothing in the Act can prohibit an educational institution from disclosing information provided to the institution concerning registered sex offenders.

Confidentiality 

All personally identifiable information related to particular students used to make decisions about students or for transmittal to others outside the College other than directory information as defined above is considered confidential information. This information includes, but is not necessarily limited to: academic evaluations, disciplinary records, financial aid records, letters of recommendation, health or medical records, counseling records, advising records, transcripts, test scores, social security number, employment records, and other academic records. Note: Confidential letters of recommendation are those to which students have waived access.

Third parties do not have access to confidential records without the written consent of the student specifying the records to be released and to whom the records are to be released. Exceptions to this restriction are:

1. Parental rights of access to educational records depend on the student’s financial status, either dependent or independent as defined above.
2. College employees who require access on an internal need-to-know basis for legitimate educational purposes.
3. Records released pursuant to judicial order.
4. Records released in connection with the student’s application for or receipt of financial aid.
5. York College of Pennsylvania’s Counseling Services are confidential and in accordance with the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics. Except as provided above, no information will be released to any person without the student’s written permission.

Parental Notification of Student Records and College Matters

Parents or legal guardians of financially dependent students will be notified by the Academic Affairs Office/College officials, when their son or daughter has been issued two or more warning grades at mid-term. Professors are not required to issue warning grades, and some do not. A copy of the final grades will be sent to the designated parent(s)/guardian(s) in addition to the report sent to the student.

Parents or legal guardians of financially dependent students may be notified by the Student Affairs Office/College officials when their son or daughter has been responsible for a violation of the College’s Student Code of Conduct, especially when a violation of the College Alcohol or Drug Policy has occurred, or when a student has been suspended/expelled from the College. Students and parents are encouraged to discuss these disciplinary matters to assist in the attainment of behavioral improvement.

Fan Conduct At Sporting and Other Campus Events 

In all situations, including, but not limited to, sporting events, concerts, and lectures, etc., students/fans are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the College’s code of conduct, the law, and common decency. Fans, who display inappropriate behavior including profane or vulgar language, or disrespectful gestures towards players, artists, officials, York College administrative or support staff, or other fans will be escorted and evicted from the arena or campus building. In addition, violators of this policy will be subject to the College disciplinary process.

Hazing 

All students, clubs and organizations are required to abide by the Anti-Hazing policy.

Hazing is prohibited and will result in administrative disciplinary action. Hazing is defined as any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which requires, encourages, or permits violation of any federal, state, or local statute or College policy, for the purpose of initiation or membership into, or affiliation with, or membership in any organizations recognized by, or affiliated with, York College of Pennsylvania. This is true regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. For specific information, consult with the offices of Student Activities and Orientation and Student Affairs. Each organization is responsible for informing members (new members, associate members, affiliates or guests) of the hazing policy. Violations of the hazing policy at York College of Pennsylvania will result in disciplinary action and/or legal action. Student(s) and/or organizations will be held responsible for group activity in the event this policy is violated. Violators can be given sanctions of probation up to and including suspension from the College.

Involuntary Withdrawal Policy

The College may involuntarily withdraw a student from their semester courses.  Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Students who initiate the withdrawal process and become unresponsive to outreach;
• Students who show evidence that they cannot participate safely or successfully in the academic and/or campus life of the College; and 
• Students who falsify College and/or Admissions records. 

The Office of Student Development and Campus Life, in consultation with appropriate medical, psychological, or academic services, may administratively withdraw a student from their courses, change the residential status of a student, and/or place conditions on the student’s current and/or continued enrollment.  During this process, the following factors may be considered:

• the likelihood that potential harm will occur;
• the nature, duration, and severity of the risk of harm;
• whether or not other College policies or procedures may be appropriate to address the behavior;
• any assertion by the student of a legally protected disability entitled to reasonable accommodation;
• whether reasonable accommodations can mitigate the risks of allowing the student to remain enrolled;
• whether the student’s continued presence would pose a substantial impairment of other students’ ability to participate in York College’s education programs or activities; and
• whether the student is able to fulfill the minimum essential academic requirements for students at York College of Pennsylvania.

Under certain circumstances, after making the decision to administratively withdraw the student, Student Development and Campus Life may mandate that the student undergo a psychological or medical assessment to assist in evaluating the student’s ability to participate successfully in college life.  Lastly, the involuntary withdrawal process will typically be enacted after students have been counseled on a voluntary withdrawal from the College.  

The decision regarding involuntary withdrawal and the rationale will be shared in writing to the student.  The written notification will include the duration of separation from the College and outline the conditions under which the student may seek to return.  Conditions will include completing a readmission application located on the Admissions website.  

A student may appeal the involuntary withdrawal decision in writing and provide supporting documentation.  The appeal must be submitted within 2 business days of the original decision, to the Dean of Student Development and Campus Life, whose decision is the final decision of the College.  

Students who are involuntarily withdrawn from the College are not automatically eligible to receive any type of financial refund, reimbursement, or credit.  Students who are involuntarily withdrawn will receive ‘W’ grades for the semester.  ‘W’ grades denote that the student has been withdrawn from the course and it does not negatively impact the cumulative GPA for a student.  

Lastly, nothing in this policy is intended to amend or replace the Student Code of Conduct, the Sexual Misconduct Policy and Grievance Procedure, or any other College policy regarding student conduct or academic discipline.

Personal Conduct On Internet Sites 

York College recognizes the Internet as an open, international community. Facebook, MySpace, and other Internet sites are free, creative tools available for students to express themselves and communicate. The College expects its students to exercise good, decent judgment regarding Internet postings and personal representation. In addition, YCP students may not represent York College of Pennsylvania through their personal postings or online communication. While the College does not patrol Internet sites such as Facebook and Twitter, students may be subject to disciplinary action should the College be notified of behaviors posted on the Internet that violate College standards and/or local, state, and federal laws.

Personal Health and Safety Policy 

The College has a personal health and safety procedure which will be put into effect should a student undergo severe emotional, psychological or physical distress that is associated with inappropriate or disruptive behavior, threats or gestures of suicide, attempted suicide, and/or attempts to harm him/herself, others, or property impacting community safety and wellness. This policy also includes excessive drinking that is harmful. The College personal health and safety procedure provides that a student manifesting such behaviors will have his/her circumstances reviewed by a College official. The student is permitted to have an advisor present who must be a family member or a student, faculty, and/or staff member of York College of Pennsylvania. The student will be referred to appropriate treatment providers. The student may be given clearance to return to classes or residence halls with a wellness plan in place or may be involuntarily withdrawn from the College for reasons of personal or community safety. The College personal health and safety procedures may result in actions affecting student status. In such situations as outlined above, parents/legal guardians of students may be contacted and informed regarding the student’s medical/emotional status.

Search and Seizure

A student’s room and/or campus apartment may be searched if a Student Affairs, Residence Life, or Campus Safety staff member or other appropriate College official has reasonable suspicion that a violation of a campus policy has occurred, or is in the process of occurring. A search may also be approved when a College official believes that a student’s welfare may be in question or in other exigent circumstances.

The following procedures constitute guidelines for College officials when conducting an administrative search of a student’s campus residence:

1. The College official will knock on the door and announce their presence including their title.
2. When the student answers the door, the College official will inform the student of their reasonable suspicion that a campus policy violation has occurred or is occurring and will ask for permission to search the room or apartment.
3. If the student consents to the search, a visual search of the room and contents will be made. If further evidence of a violation is observed, a more detailed and thorough search of the room and its contents will occur.
4. If a student refuses to grant consent to search, or if no one answers the door, the College official may contact the Vice President of Student Affairs or the Director of Residence Life or his or her designee, to explain their reasonable suspicion that a campus policy violation has occurred or is occurring. The Vice President of Student Affairs or Director of Residence Life or his or her designee, will consider the facts and circumstances and may request/approve an administrative search, or deny permission to search the room.
5. If the search is approved, the occupants shall be informed of the reason for the search, by whom the search was approved, and that any prohibited item may be seized.
6. All items and materials discovered that violate the College’s housing contract and/or constitute a violation of the student code of conduct will be seized and inventoried. A report will be generated and forwarded to the Office of Student Conduct.
7. Any illegal items and/or materials will be seized by the Department of Campus Safety for storage and/or disposal. Appropriate outside law enforcement agencies may be contacted if deemed necessary.

Student Records 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights are listed below:

• Students have the right to inspect and review their educational records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access.
  • Students should submit to the Director of Records written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Director of Records will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
  • If the records are not maintained by the College official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
  • A nominal fee may be assessed for copies of student records requested.
• Students have the right to request the amendment of their education records that they believe are inaccurate or misleading.
  • Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
  • If the College decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the College will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
• Students have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
  • One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including Security personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
  • A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
  • Parental rights of access to educational records depend on the student’s financial status, either dependent or independent. If the adult student is financially independent, parents have no right of access without the student’s consent. If, however, the student is a financial dependent, a parent/ guardian’s request for educational records is honored by York College.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to clarify and document his/her financial status and acknowledge acceptance of the College’s disclosure policy upon admission and to update such information via the Records Office.
  • Directory information is distributed without prior consent of the student. Directory information is defined as a student’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, date of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, class year and degree, and awards received. However, students who do not wish such information to be released or made public may inform the Admissions Office, if a new student, or the Records Office, if a returning student, in writing by September 1 for the fall semester or January 15 for the spring semester.
  • For further information on circumstances for release of records, and disclosure of information in College records, see below.
• Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by York College of Pennsylvania to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Student Grievance Process

Students who feel they have been mistreated by a College employee, Faculty member or Administrator may initiate a grievance. The purpose of these procedures is to provide students with the ability to express complaints of alleged injustices. Complaints should be resolved following the procedures listed below.

A grievance (Non-Academic or Academic) may be initiated in relation to one of the following:

1. Misinterpretation or discriminatory application of policies and procedures.
2. The misconduct of an employee of York College of Pennsylvania, including a student employee.
3. To express complaints of alleged academic injustices relating to grades and/or professional conduct.

Procedure

Step 1. The student must go to the instructor or staff member where the alleged problem originated. An attempt will be made to resolve the matter equitably and informally at this level. If the student in not comfortable going to the instructor or staff member, they should proceed to step two.

Step 2. If the student is not comfortable going to the instructor or staff member, they may ask permission of the direct supervisor of the staff member or instructor to skip this step. The supervisor will determine if moving directly to step 2 is warranted based on the nature of the complaint, or if the staff member or instructor must first be consulted by the student.

Step 3. If the complaint is not resolved at the conference with the direct supervisor, the student may file a written grievance. This can be done by letter or York College email and should contain information listed below. The grievance must be presented to the Office of Student Affairs. The Office of Student Affairs will refer the grievance form to the chief administrative officer of the division. The chief administrative officer of the division shall respond.

Information to be submitted:

• Who the complaint is against
• The Department in which they work
• Date/Time/Place of incident/complaint
• Sate formal complaint or grievance (provide factual description of the complaint)
• Describe the incident (give a timeline of events leading up to the incident, list of persons involved and any witnesses):
• How have you attempted to resolve this situation or grievance?
• What specific actions or suggestions do you have for resolving this concern/incident/complaint/grievance?

Any additional concerns related to Student Life should be reported to the Student Affairs Office.

Title IX Grievance Procedure

If a grievance is not resolved properly or Title IX policies haven’t been implemented in accordance with the law, individuals may contact the YCP Title IX Coordinator, Dean of Campus Operations, (717) 815-1211.

Smoking Policy and Tobacco Products

York College is now a TOBACCO FREE, SMOKE FREE Campus (except for designated areas on campus).

For the health and well-being of our community members, York College prohibits the use of all tobacco products on YCP property.  This includes:  smokeless tobacco, ‘spit’ tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, or any other smoking material or device including electronic cigarettes, juuls, hookahs, and vapes.

Allegations of violations of this policy shall be directed to the Provost & Dean of Academic Affairs for faculty violations; the Vice President of Finance & Campus Operations for administration and staff members; and the Office of Student Conduct and/or the Dean of Student Development & Campus Life for student violations.