ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALISM
The professional orientation of Graduate and Professional Programs necessitates that all students demonstrate academic professionalism while engaging in all college-sanctioned activity including during live course meetings, clinical or field-based learning experiences, during curriculum-based learning activities, etc. The required academic professionalism behaviors are housed within each school’s academic professionalism standards in the Graduate Catalog.
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 Affairs 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: David Freedman, 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:
- Parental rights of access to educational records depend on the student’s financial status, either dependent or independent as defined above.
- College employees who require access on an internal need-to-know basis for legitimate educational purposes.
- Records released pursuant to judicial order.
- Records released in connection with the student’s application for or receipt of financial aid.
- 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.
PERSONAL CONDUCT ON INTERNET SITES
York College recognizes the Internet as an open, international community. Social Media 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.
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:
- Misinterpretation or discriminatory application of policies and procedures.
- The misconduct of an employee of York College of Pennsylvania, including a student employee.
- 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.
The 2018-19 academic year will be a transition period with 3 tobacco designated areas, cessation programs, policy education, and enforcement. The complete ‘tobacco free, smoke free’ policy will go into effect June 1, 2019 (with no designated tobacco areas).
Allegations of violations of this policy shall be directed to the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs for faculty violations; the Vice President of Campus Operations for administration and staff members; and the Office of Student Conduct and/or the Vice President of Student Affairs for student violations.
CAMPUS SAFETY
Disclosure Of Campus Security Policy And Crime Statistics
All institutions of post secondary education, both public and private, that participate in federal student aid programs must publish and disseminate an annual campus security report as well as make timely warnings. In compliance with federal law, York College of Pennsylvania makes this information available online or in a printed document available at the Campus Safety and Security Office, located in Manor Hall Northeast.
Parking and Traffic Enforcement
The Department of Campus Safety at York College of Pennsylvania is responsible for enforcing parking and traffic regulations on all College property. These regulations were established to provide York College with a safe and organized community in which to live and learn and are in effect at all times throughout the year. In addition to College policies, all traffic and parking regulations regulated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania apply and are enforced on campus. The Department of Campus Safety maintains office hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Vehicles
Parking at York College is by permit only. All students who wish to park on campus must register their vehicles with the Department of Campus Safety and obtain a valid parking permit hang tag. This allows parking in any area not designated for faculty, staff, visitors or resident parking unless otherwise noted. All parking permits must be renewed at the beginning of each fall semester.
All parking permit hang tags must be displayed from the rear view mirror. Students operating motorcycles must obtain a decal and are subject to the same college regulations as any other motor vehicle. It is not permissible for one person to obtain a permit for another. Traffic and Parking regulations and a campus parking map are distributed with all parking permits and are also available on line at www.ycp.edu/security. The fine for unregistered vehicles is $50.00, which includes a $20.00 fee to identify vehicles through the State Motor Vehicles Department.
When parking on campus, vehicles must be parked between white-lined spaces. Areas on campus without white lines, which include lawn areas, roadways, painted curbs, sidewalks and walkways, and painted no-parking zones are not legal parking areas. Vehicles parked illegally will be issued a parking citation. Stolen, lost, or damaged permits can be replaced for a fee. If original permit is presented for replacement, there is no charge. There are no partial refunds for parking permits. It is the responsibility of the registrant to report lost or stolen permits. Motorcycles must adhere to the same College regulations as any other motor vehicle.
The York College campus has roadways designated for travel to reduce traffic congestion and prevent collisions. All vehicles driven on the YCP campus are subject to the rules and regulations of the campus as well as PA state traffic laws and are to obey all traffic control devices. The speed limit on campus is 15 mph. No person shall operate a vehicle at a greater speed than is reasonable and practical under existing conditions. All students are to drive with caution and adhere to this speed limit.
Drivers are required to obey all traffic signs, signals, devices, and instructions from authorized persons directing traffic. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all times. Anyone operating a motor vehicle contrary to these designations or in a negligent manner will be issued a traffic citation from the Department of Campus Safety. Any offense can result in a judicial hearing if the circumstances of the case warrant. The Department of Campus Safety has the discretion to revoke the privilege of operating a motor vehicle on campus.
Park at Your Own Risk
The College is not responsible for vehicles or personal possessions left in vehicles while parked on campus; however, any theft that does take place should be reported to the Department of Campus Safety immediately.
Emergency Call Boxes
Emergency call boxes are located in various locations on campus. Emergency call boxes are easily identifiable by a blue light located at the top of the call box pole. These call boxes can be utilized 24 hours a day to call the Department of Campus Safety cellular phone.
Campus Escorts
You can request a walking escort by contacting the Department of Campus Safety by phone or call box. Dial ext. 1314 if calling from an on-campus phone or dial 717-815-1314 if calling from off campus. The College also operates a shuttle that transports students between the Main and West campuses 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The shuttle picks up and drops off at Wolf Hall, Tyler Run complex, the foot bridge, Spring Garden Apartments, the Richland Hall parking lot, Grantley Hall, and the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center.
Facilities Use
York College welcomes visitors to campus. For the safety and respect of others we ask that visitors abide by the following guidelines:
- York College athletic and intramural fields are for exclusive use by YCP students, faculty, staff, and alumni; trespassers will be asked to leave.
- The College gymnasiums are for exclusive use by authorized York College students, faculty, staff, spouses, and alumni. A College ID card must be presented for participation.
- The walking path near Tyler Run Creek and the College’s quarter-mile track are available for fitness enthusiasts.
- Pets must be leashed, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
- Prolonged loitering by groups is prohibited.
- Motorized vehicles, such as mopeds and motorcycles, are prohibited on fields and walkways.
- Visitors are prohibited from skateboarding, in line skating, and similar activities anywhere on campus.
Student Identification/Flex Card
It is important for every student to obtain an ID card at York College. The York Flex card will open up many opportunities for you to use the Library, Information Technology, the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center, dining facilities, residence and academic facility access (where applicable) and attend various lectures, concerts, movies, and special activities sponsored by the College.
All new students may obtain a free ID card their first semester of attendance through the Department of Campus Safety. All new students requiring an ID card must present a photo ID, such as a driverʼs license, and a copy of their student schedule/bill bearing their name, address and student ID number.
Returning student ID cards are automatically validated within the administrative computer system and do not require replacing. The fee for a replacement (lost, stolen, or broken) ID card is $20. You must present your receipt and a photo ID, such as a driverʼs license to the Department of Campus Safety for collection of the new ID card.
Parking Permits
Parking at York College is by permit only. All students must register their vehicles and obtain and display a valid parking permit hang tag. All commuter students (daytime and evening, full-time and part-time, undergraduate and graduate) must obtain a blue permit, upper class residents (60 or more credits) of the main campus an orange permit, underclass residents of the main campus and west campus residents a red permit and college house residents a purple permit. The fee for a commuter permit is $40.00 and all resident permits cost $80.00. Permits may be purchased on-line or at the business office. Credit card purchases may be made at the Business office; present receipt with permit application to obtain permit. Students may report to the Department of Campus Safety, located in Manor Northeast, in order to obtain a parking permit during normal business hours.
Designated parking is strictly enforced between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. However, after 5:00 p.m., students may utilize faculty and staff parking with a valid parking permit. It is the studentʼs responsibility to ensure that the permit is properly displayed on their rear view mirror while on campus and that campus regulations regarding traffic and parking are complied with. All parking permits must be renewed at the beginning of each fall semester. The fine for parking an unregistered vehicle on campus is $50.00, which includes a $20.00 fee to identify vehicles through the State Motor Vehicles Department.
Permit hang tags from previous years should be removed from vehicles and returned to Campus Safety or destroyed.
More information about driving and parking at York College may be found on line at www.ycp.edu/security or on the college portal at https://my.ycp.edu/web/campus‐safety/.
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