Academic Honesty | Disciplinary Procedures
Dress Standard | Excuses | Family Rights and Privacy
Harassment | Sexual Misconduct | Confidentiality and Retaliation
Nondiscrimination Policy | Speakers | Withdrawal
Solicitation and Fund Raising | Campus Organizations | Illness and Disease
Alcohol Policy | Drug Policy | Tobacco Policy
Withdrawal for Medical Reasons

Back to Student Resources

Heidelberg College is a community engaged in the business of learning. As a member of a community of scholars, there are a number of norms, policies and procedures which guide our actions. All members of the Heidelberg College community are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these expectations and working to uphold them.

The following norms, policies and procedures provide a framework within which our community can grow. Overrideing all is our common desire to be fair and just. It is through our desire to be fair and just that we learn to understand and come to appreciate the virtue of civility.

If there is doubt as to the interpretation of the community expectations, the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs will assist you in understanding. In any situation not specifically covered by the guidelines in this handbook, the college reserves the right to take action that will most effectively protect the welfare of the members of the community and the interests of the college.

Campus Community

Academic Honesty

Heidelberg College values integrity in academic pursuits. It expects students to complete their work honestly and to report academic dishonesty.

Dishonesty in any form, including but not limited to academic cheating or falsification on any official college record, will result in disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty is punished according to the procedures outlined below.

Academic dishonesty is submitting the work of another person as your own, allowing another person to submit your work as his or her own, or assisting another person to do either. It includes such behaviors as the following:

1. Plagiarizing. Plagiarism is quoting from a source or using ideas paraphrased from a source without proper documentation according to the standard set by your instructor. This includes internet sources and computer sources, such as CD-ROM encyclopedias. Submitting another person's work, -for example test, lab report, or paper - as your own is plagiarism.
2. Giving or receiving assistance during an exam.
3. Using unauthorized materials during an exam.
4. Acquiring copies of an exam illegally.
5. Stealing materials from another person's files, including computer files, or using such stolen materials.
6. Using other dishonest methods to complete course work.
7. Signing a faculty member's name or initials on registration materials.

Disciplinary Procedures

The following shall be the order of procedure for dealing with cases of academic dishonesty:

1. Conference between the instructor and the student:
   If an instructor believes that he or she has appropriate evidence to bring charges of academic dishonesty against a student, the instructor will meet with the student and discuss the evidence. After conferring with the student, if the instructor is convinced that the student has cheated on a piece of work, the instructor will record a grade of "F" or zero, as appropriate, for the particular piece of work and will notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs of that action.
2. Meeting of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the instructor and the student:
   After such notification, the Vice President for Academic Affairs will review the evidence to determine if a violation of academic honesty has occurred. The Vice President may decide to impose an additional penalty. Depending on how serious the incident is and on whether the incident is a first or subsequent offense, the Vice President may impose any of the following penalties:

1. a lowered course grade,
2. dismissal from the course with a grade of "F,"
3. special research or service assignments appropriate to the case,
4. notification of the student's parents,
5. probation,
6. dismissal from college.

3. Appeal to the Educational Policies Committee:

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, he or she may appeal to the Educational Policies Committee within 48 hours of receipt of the decision. An appeal may be made if there is new evidence, if the proper procedures were not followed, or if the penalty involves dismissal from the College. This committee will review the evidence and will make its recommendation for dismissal of charges or for penalties to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs.

4. Appeal to the President of the College:

The student has final recourse for appeal to the President of the College. An appeal may be made under the same provisions as Paragraph C, above. The President will review the evidence and either uphold or change the earlier decisions.

In all cases, a statement of the action taken against the student will be entered in the student's file in the Office of Student Affairs. A copy will be sent to the instructor and to the student's facilitator.

Airport Shuttle Service

Heidelberg offers a free shuttle to the Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit airports. To reserve a seat, students pay a $20 deposit prior to the scheduled trip.  The deposit is good for the entire academic year.  Deposits will be returned at the end of the academic year unless the student is using the shuttle only once, in which case the student can obtain the deposit after his or her return.  Deposits are returnable as long as the student complies with the following rules:

1. Students are asked to plan their air transportation to match the shuttle times.  (For specific times, contact the Dean of Students Office.)
2. If plans have been changed, the student must notify the Dean of Students Office 72 hours prior to departing time.
3. When making reservations for the shuttle, the student must provide the flight information as to the arrival and/or departure time, airline and flight number.
4. All shuttle reservations must be made at least seven (7) days before the shuttle departure.

Dress Standards

Heidelberg College encourages attire that is clean, neat and appropriate for classrooms and dining halls. Faculty members teaching courses and coaches or organization advisors may require or proscribe certain forms of dress.

Excuses

Students need to negotiate directly with faculty members relative to absences. If the student will miss classes for an extended period of time, the student should contact the Dean of Students' Office (Campus Center328).

Family Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as FERPA or the "Buckley Amendment") guarantees a student (1) access to his or her educational record, (2) the right to challenge the accuracy of the record, and (3) the right to limit release of information from the record.

The Educational Record includes all records, files and documents directly related to the student and maintained by Heidelberg College. These records include, but are not limited to, biographical data and address information; the admission application and supporting documents; the academic record including departmental files, class schedules, grade reports, and transcript of record; athletic records; disciplinary records; financial records; placement credentials; public safety records; and residence life records. Not covered under FERPA are medical and counseling records, and security records.

Under FERPA, contents of a student's academic record can be distributed on a "need to know" basis within the College. Recipients might include faculty and peer facilitators, department chairpersons, staff and administrators, individuals conducting institutional research, student employees, etc.

Directory Information, as designated by Heidelberg College, includes:  name, home address, enrollment status, local address, local telephone, email address, Campus Center mailbox, photo, date and place of birth, dates of attendance, class (academic level), major field of study, degrees at this institution, date of graduation, honors and awards, and statement of good academic standing.  In addition, for athletes, participation on specific teams, height and weight are also released.

NOTE:   All items of Directory Information are subject to release without prior written consent unless the student notifies the Office of the Registrar in writing during the first week of the academic year of his or her objection to release of the information.  This objection is good for the entire academic year, and must be renewed at the start of the next academic year.  The Directory Information list is purposely brief to allow maximum comfort to students, and ease of processing standard inquiries.  A student should think carefully about the consequences of requesting that this list not be released.

Access to Educational Records is provided under FERPA.  Within 45 days of receipt of a written request to the Office of the Registrar, the appropriate College official will make arrangements for access, and will notify the student of the time and place where the record may be viewed (copies are not required by law).  If the records are not maintained by the Registrar, the request will be forwarded to the appropriate College official.  Depending on the record in question, the request will likely be processed by one of the following individuals:  Registrar, VP for Student Affairs, VP for Academic Affairs, VP for Enrollment, Honors Program Director, Athletic Director, or the academic department chair.

FERPA also guarantees the right to request amendment of the student's educational records that the student believes is inaccurate.  After inspecting the record, if a student wishes for the college to consider an amendment to his or her record, he or she should complete the Request for Record Amendment form available in the Office of the Registrar.  This written request should clearly identify the specific part of the record a student wishes to have changed and should specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the College decides not to amend the record as requested, 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.

Grade Appeal Policy

If a student believes that a final course grade has been assigned in an erroneous capricious, or discriminatory manner, the student may appeal the grade. No grade appeal may be initiated until the Registrar has released the official grade to the student. For the complete policy, see the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Harassment/Sexual Misconduct

Heidelberg College does not and will not tolerate harassment of our students on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disability. The college recognizes the adverse impact of harassment on academic and residential success, and recognizes that those being harassed may personally suffer adverse affects. All students are entitled to an environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. In order to properly educate students about harassment and sexual misconduct, programming is offered in college residence halls and through the Commuter Club organization. This policy demonstrates the College's commitment to addressing this important concern.

Harassment

Harassment is physical conduct, verbal conduct or other expressive behavior, including written or pictorial expression, that explicitly demeans any person(s) and 1) interferes with education, employment or other College-authorized activity or 2) creates an intimidating, hostile or demeaning environment for education, College-related work, or other College-authorized activity.  It is a violation of College policy to engage in harassment, or to retaliate against anyone bringing forth an honestly perceived complaint of harassment.

Verbal harassment includes, but is not limited to, name calling, slurs, and epithets, jokes or other remarks that demean the victim and/or discourage the individual's full participation in the College's community.  Physical harassment occurs when a person's body, possessions, or residence are threatened or abused.

In addition to the preceding definition, harassment refers to behavior that is not welcome, which is particularly offensive, which debilitates morale and which therefore interferes with the work, academic effectiveness, or living environment of its victims, their co-workers or peers.

Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct, in a college setting, is "non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature," such as acts using force, threat, intimidation, or advantage gained by the offended person's mental or physical incapacity or impairment of which the offending person was aware or should have been aware.

Investigative Procedures

Sexual misconduct between students will be investigated by the Office of the Dean of Students.

Sexual misconduct between students and staff or students and faculty will be jointly investigated by the appropriate Vice Presidents. Students are also free to contact the Tiffin City Police Department to file appropriate charges.

All complaints will be investigated in a timely and responsible manner. Students charged with harassment or sexual misconduct will be referred to the appropriate judicial body. Confidentiality of all information obtained during the investigation will be protected, as much as possible, to the extent the investigation is not compromised. All witnesses and those interviewed during the investigation are expected to treat the matter as confidential. All students (and others) who are part of the investigation have the duty to answer all questions honestly and completely. Individual(s) alleged to have committed harassment have the right to be presented with the allegations and have a responsibility and a right to respond to the allegations. Both the person(s) claiming harassment and the accused have the right to a prompt and complete investigation of the claim as well as learning the result of the investigation.

Disciplinary Action

If evidence indicates that a student is responsible for harassment, the sanction may include suspension from Heidelberg College. If evidence supports a finding that a charge of harassment is false, the student responsible for bringing the false charge may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension.

Confidentiality And Retaliation

The College will keep all complaints of harassment and all communications, such as interviews and witness statements, in strict confidence. The College will not tolerate retaliation against any student who complains of harassment or provides information in connection with any such complaint. Any student who impedes an investigation, covers up the truth, or retaliates against a complainant shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension from Heidelberg College.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The current nationwide emphasis on nondiscrimination, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action is entirely in keeping with Heidelberg's belief in the dignity of each individual. Throughout its history, Heidelberg College has been a nondiscriminatory institution.

The President appoints an Affirmative Action Council representing the various groups of which the college is comprised.

The Council, which is advisory to the President, developed the Heidelberg College Affirmative Action Plan and carried out the self-evaluations required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  It continually reviews College policies and practices and recommends procedures which will fulfill the College's commitment to nondiscrimination, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action.

The Heidelberg Affirmative Action Grievance Procedure was set up in 1975 to consider grievances concerning any type of alleged discrimination. The College is subject to federal affirmative action regulations, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  This grievance procedure is published here in compliance with those regulations.

For Students

Contact Person: Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs

Grievance Procedure: Judicial Body

For Faculty

Contact Person: Vice President for Academic Affairs

Grievance Procedure: Faculty Grievance Procedure, Faculty Manual

For Non-teaching Employees

Contact Person: Vice President for Administration

Grievance Procedure: Subcommittee of Affirmative Action Council

Campus Organizations

Membership - Student membership in organizations shall be reflected in confidential, accurate membership records filed with student government and the Office of Student Organizations and Leadership Development.

Contractual Agreements - Contractual agreements made by a campus organization must be in writing and on file with the student government. Any contractual agreement over $100 or which creates a long-term relationship between an outside party and the College or campus organization must be approved by the Office of Student Activities, the campus organization's student representative, and the campus organization's faculty or staff advisor.

Outside Speakers

Outside speakers scheduled to address a Heidelberg College audience must be invited and sponsored by a campus organization, academic department or administrative division with advance approval from the groups faculty or staff advisor(s). Guests from outside the College community are expected to adhere to College policy while on campus or otherwise representing Heidelberg College.

The sponsoring organization is responsible for making arrangements for publicity, scheduling, preparation for, and conduct of, the speaking event in a manner appropriate to this campus.

Solicitation & Fund Raising

To protect members of the campus community from annoyance, soliciting is not permitted on campus without the written authorization of the Director of Student Activities. In general, no solicitation requests involving personal gain, or by agencies or individuals from outside the College are approved. In addition, door-to-door solicitation in residence halls by campus clubs, organizations, or individuals is prohibited.

If fund-raising is done entirely on campus, soliciting only students and staff, the project must be approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs. If the fund-raising project involves any solicitation at all of off campus persons including parents, business, alumni, or any other off campus constituency, it must be approved by the Office of Institutional Advancement and the Vice President Student Affairs.

Vehicle Policy

First year students are not permitted to bring vehicles to campus without prior consent of the Security Office. Request forms are available through the office. Upperclass students, who choose to bring vehicles to campus, must follow these guidelines:

1. Motorized vehicles (autos and motorcycles) must be registered at the Security Office in the Campus Center within five class days following a student's first enrollment in each academic year, or five class days following the acquisition of the vehicle. Part-time and commuting students, who drive vehicles to campus, must register as well. A vehicle must be registered even if it is on campus for a short period of time
2. The registration parking pass must be displayed at all times so that is clearly visible hanging from your rear-view mirror. Contact the Security Office to make arrangements on a motorcycle.
3. According to Ohio law, all motor vehicles must carry personal and property liability insurance. The College has no liability, and assumes none, for a student driving or riding in a private car, nor does the College assume any responsibility for the loss or damage to motorized vehicles brought to campus or for liability whatsoever related to the ownership or use of student vehicles.
4. The owner and/or operator of a motor vehicle is responsible for any fines and costs incurred by the user of the vehicle.
5. Any fines incurred must be paid at the Business Office five days from the date of issue. Fines not paid within five days will be posted to the student's account.

Weapons

Withdrawal from the College

To formally withdraw from the college, a student must:

1. Contact the Dean of Student Affairs Office on the 3^rd floor of the Campus Center, extension 2062.
2. Complete a pre-withdrawal interview with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
3. Talk to and obtain signatures on the required withdrawal form from a representative of the Financial Aid Office and the Business Office.
4. Return required forms to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. The official withdrawal date is determined by the Associate Dean based upon the student's last date of attendance and circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.
5. The Dean of Student Affairs Office will communicate the official withdrawal date to the appropriate campus offices and individuals.

Life Threatening Illness, Serious Infectious Diseases

Heidelberg College recognizes that students with life-threatening illnesses or serious infectious diseases may wish to continue to engage in as many of their normal pursuits as their condition allows, including academic pursuits.

As long as these students are able to meet acceptable performance standards, and medical evidence indicates that their condition is not a threat to others, the College will be sensitive to their conditions and ensure that they are treated consistently with other students.

In order to help the College ensure the safety and well being of an individual student and the College community as a whole, students are encouraged to report cases of life-threatening illness or serious infectious diseases to the head nurse. The head nurse will act in accordance with the guidelines of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (1974) in developing a plan of support for the student and ensure that the student's condition does not present a health or safety threat to others.

Alcohol

The consumption of alcohol is not condoned by Heidelberg College. The College expects all students to comply with the Ohio law regarding possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

To comply with state and local law and College policies, the following guidelines are established:

1. The possession of empty alcohol containers in the residence halls is prohibited. Prohibiting empty containers supports the enforcement of the College alcohol policy, combats health and odor issues in the residence halls and helps to maintain a higher image of Heidelberg College and its students. For the purpose of consistently meeting these goals, all empty containers, including but not limited to alcohol, beer and wine containers, are prohibited.
2. No one under the age of 21 is permitted to possess or consume alcohol on the College campus.
3. Students who are under the legal drinking age of 21 may not possess alcohol in their room. This includes alcohol brought to the room by any guest or visitor over the age of 21.
4. Although students under the age of 21 are not restricted from a room of students 21 or over who are consuming alcohol, one's presence in a room under such circumstances is reasonable grounds for residence life staff or Security to question and/or document all present as alleged violators. As such, those under 21 are cautioned to use good judgment within a setting where alcohol is being consumed or is present.
5. Persons over the legal drinking age of 21 may not consume alcohol in rooms of underage students under any circumstances.
6. Those of legal age may possess only reasonable quantities of alcohol for their personal use in their rooms. No large quantities (greater than one 6-pack per person) of beer or its equivalent will be permitted on College-owned property. Kegs, party balls and large quantities of alcohol are not permitted on College-owned property.
7. No alcohol is permitted to be possessed or consumed in any public area. Public areas are defined as areas, indoors and outdoors, that are used in common by the College community, such as lounges, hallways, parking lots, and athletic facilities. In some instances, private spaces, such as residence hall rooms, may become public by action of the occupants.
8. Any student who appears at a College function or on campus in an intoxicated condition, or who creates a disturbance when it is apparent the student has been consuming alcoholic beverages, will be subject to disciplinary action.
9. Under no circumstances is a person of legal age permitted to furnish alcoholic beverages to a minor.
10. Hosts of private social gatherings are responsible for insuring adherence to state law and College regulations.
11. Students are responsible for carrying their College identification card at all times and presenting it, upon request, to any College official.
12. Overnight and weekend guests' ages must be validated by the resident assistant on duty. The host assumes all responsibility for his or her guest. (See "Guests & Visitation".)
13. No recognized student organization, or individual students using the school name, shall obtain an F-1 permit in order to sponsor an off-campus activity at which alcoholic beverages are served.
14. Any recognized student organization, or individual student which sponsors an off-campus activity at which alcoholic beverages are served under the alcohol permit of another agent (e.g., a hotel, a country club, or a restaurant), shall observe the following guidelines:

1. Each organization sponsoring an off-campus activity at which alcoholic beverages are served should consider the following:
   *Checking identification of individuals who are being served alcoholic beverages to ensure that alcoholic beverages are not accessible or served to persons under the legal age of consumption.
   *Ensuring that alcoholic beverages are not served to individuals who appear to be intoxicated.
   *Arranging transportation for those individuals who appear to be intoxicated.
   *Arranging for the presence of security personnel at all times during the activity.
2. No one in the sponsoring organization shall be designated as a server of alcoholic beverages.
3. The consumption of alcoholic beverages shall occur only within the approved area for the activity.
4. Nonalcoholic beverages shall be available at the same place as alcoholic beverages and shall be featured as prominently as alcoholic beverages.
5. A reasonable allotment of the budget for an activity shall be designated for the purchase and serving of food.
6. No activity shall include any form of alcoholic drinking contest in either its promotion or its program.
7. No advertisements promoting the serving of alcoholic beverages at off-campus activities shall be displayed or distributed on campus.
8. Informational materials (e.g., invitations, memoranda, or advertisement fliers) used by student organizations to announce off-campus activities shall not make reference to the amounts of alcoholic beverages (e.g., the number of kegs of beer) to be served.

15. No recognized student organization shall use alcoholic beverages at its membership recruitment activities or initiation activities.
16. There shall be no consumption of alcoholic beverages at Heidelberg College athletic events or in the college athletic facilities.

Drug-Free Campus

The unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees is prohibited by Heidelberg College. The College adheres to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989.

Violations (e.g., possession, sale, use, transfer, purchase and/or delivery of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia) will result in an administrative hearing and/or a hearing before a Judicial body. Refer to the Student Code of Conduct section (red line pages) of this handbook for information on the social judicial system process and the disciplinary sanctions.

In addition to the College's disciplinary sanctions, violators are subject to legal sanctions under local, state, or federal law.

The College recognizes drug abuse not only as a likely safety and security problem, but as an illness and major health problem. Consistent with the concern related to all life threatening illnesses and serious diseases, the College offers a range of resources and services as follows:

Student education and information is available through the Stoner Health Center; counseling and support services are available through the Counseling Center; referral to agencies and organizations which offer supportive services is available through the Counseling and Health centers, as well as the office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs; and education programs dealing with controlled substance abuse are sponsored by the Student Affairs staff.

Tobacco-Free Campus

Heidelberg College remains committed to the health and wellness of its students and the broader campus community. Among the efforts to be implemented by the College are efforts to promote and assist health awareness, wellness, and smoking/tobacco cessation and to enhance air quality and concern for the health and wellness of others throughout campus.

Smoking and use of all tobacco products are prohibited in all Heidelberg College buildings and structures, in all Heidelberg College owned or rented vehicles, and in all sports, recreation, or other designated outdoor areas of campus.

Withdrawal For Medical Reasons

A. Appropriate action may be implemented when there is clear and convincing evidence that certain physical, psychological, or emotional health conditions interfere with the student's ability to function effectively in the academic environment, i.e.:

1. The student's state of health poses a substantial danger to the health or well- being of other members of the college community; or
2. The student is suffering from a mental disorder and as a result of that disorder engages or threatens to engage in behavior which:

1. Poses a substantial danger or risk of causing harm to self or to others;
2. Poses a substantial danger or risk to college property, or to the property of another member of the college community; or
3. Results in conduct which substantially impedes or disrupts the authorized activities of other members of the college.

B.When the health of a student is alleged to be as defined in paragraph (A) above, the Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee, shall consult with the student about the student's health status.  If the Vice President for Student Affairs decides it is necessary, the student may be required to submit to examination(s) deemed sufficient by the college health service, or other person/agency deemed by the Vice President for Student Affairs, to evaluate such condition.  The office of the Vice President for Student Affairs will then review the case, including any medical evidence or opinion available, and determine appropriate college action.  If the student fails to submit to an examination, or fails to furnish relevant health condition information, or if the review by the Vice President for Student Affairs discloses the existence of an immediate danger to the college community as set out in paragraph (A) above, the student may be subject to one or more of the following measures:

1. judicial action
2. an immediate involuntary order to leave the campus;
3. conditions appropriate to protect the college community may be placed upon continued enrollment; or immediate involuntary withdrawal from the college with an order to leave the campus.

In arriving at appropriate action, the Vice President for Student Affairs will take into account reasonable action on the part of the college to accommodate the student's condition. Involuntary withdrawal will be used as a last resort.

C. If a student has been ordered to leave the campus, withdraw, or otherwise experienced modification of enrollment status by reason of health conditions enumerated in paragraph (A) above, the student may petition for revision of that status through the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

1. Such request must be accompanied by supporting documentation that the conditions for revision of enrollment status have been fulfilled, and/or that the health condition has changed sufficiently to make such revision appropriate. Upon receipt of such request, the Vice President will evaluate the evidence, or consult with appropriate college health service and administrative officials for that purpose, and decide to:

1. Revise the status, without condition;
2. Revise the status, with specified conditions of continuation, such as medical treatment or disciplinary action; or
3. Not revise the status.

2. The student must in addition meet all normal and appropriate standards for admission or enrollment set by the academic requirements of the College.