Professionalism

Personal Appearance: Refer to Savannah Technical College Dress Code Policy.

Use of Technical College Property
1. Theft and Damage: Savannah Technical College prohibits theft of, misuse of, or harm to College property, or theft of or damage to property of a member of the Savannah Technical College community or a campus visitor on College premises or at a College function.
2. Occupation or Seizure: Savannah Technical College prohibits occupation or seizure in any manner of College property, College premises, or any portion thereof for a use inconsistent with prescribed, customary, or authorized use.
3. Presence on College premises: Savannah Technical College prohibits unauthorized entry upon College premises; unauthorized entry into College premises or a portion thereof, which has been restricted in use; unauthorized presence in College premises after closing hours; or furnishing false information to gain entry upon College premises.
4. Assembly: Savannah Technical College prohibits conducting or participating in an unauthorized gathering that threatens or causes injury to persons or property or that interferes with free access to College facilities or that is harmful, obstructive, or disruptive to the educational process or functions of the College.
5. Fire Alarms: Savannah Technical College prohibits setting off a fire alarm or using or tampering with any fire safety equipment on College premises or at college-sponsored activity sites, except with reasonable belief in the need for such alarm or equipment. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, students must evacuate the building unless otherwise directed by a College official.
6. Obstruction: Savannah Technical College prohibits obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on College premises or at College sponsored or supervised functions. Refer to Savannah Technical College Parking Policy and Regulations.
Drugs, Alcohol and Other Substances
Substances referred to under this policy include all illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, and misused legal drugs (both prescription and over-the-counter).
1. Alcohol: Students must comply with all state and federal laws regulating alcohol as well as TCSG Policy 3.3.6, Alcohol on Campus. Alcoholic beverages may not be served or sold at any student sponsored function. Students being in a state of intoxication on Savannah Technical College premises or at college-sponsored or supervised functions (including off-campus functions), internships, externships, practicum, clinical sites, co-operative or academic sponsored programs or activities or in a technical college-owned vehicle is prohibited.
2. Controlled substances, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia: Savannah Technical College prohibits possession, use, sale, or distribution of any controlled substance, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law. Any influence which may be attributed to the use of drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not in any way limit the responsibility of the individual for the conduct or consequences of his/her actions.
3. Food: Savannah Technical College prohibits eating and/or drinking in classrooms, shops, and labs or other unauthorized areas on college premises, unless otherwise permitted by technical college officials.
4. Tobacco: Savannah Technical College prohibits smoking, or using other forms of tobacco products in classrooms, shops, and labs or other unauthorized areas on college premises. Refer to the Savannah Technical College Tobacco Policy.
Use of Technology
1. Damage and Destruction: Destruction of or harm to equipment, software, or data belonging to Savannah Technical College or to others is considered unacceptable usage. This may include altering, downloading, or installing software on College computers, tampering with computer hardware or software configurations, inserting personal drives/discs containing viruses, malware or other destructive software, improper access to the College's network, and/or disconnection of College computers or devices.
2. Electronic Devices: Unless otherwise permitted by College officials, Savannah Technical College prohibits the use of electronic devices in classrooms, labs, and other instructional, event, or affiliated facilities on technical college premises. Such devices include, but are not limited to, cell phones, beepers, two-way radios, cameras, gaming devices, and other electronic devices, which may cause unnecessary disruption to the teaching/learning process on campus. The College also prohibits attaching personal electronic devices to College computers under any circumstances.
3. Harassment: Savannah Technical College prohibits the use of computer technology to harass another student or College official with obscene, harassing or intimidating messages, communications, jokes, or material.
4. Unacceptable Use: Savannah Technical College prohibits the use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member or College official. This includes the unauthorized use of another individual's identification and password. Savannah Technical College prohibits any additional violation to the College’s Acceptable Computer and Internet Use Policy.
Unauthorized Distribution of Copyrighted Materials is Against Federal Law
The unauthorized copying and distributing of copyrighted materials, including, but not limited to Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing or other technologies by users of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) networks and internet connected systems, is a violation of United States copyright law and may result in civil and criminal liability and prosecution.

Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its direction, also assess costs and attorney’s fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.

Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov and FAQ’s at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.

TCSG Procedure 3.2.3p.

This procedure prohibits the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials via TCSG systems or networks. Maximum penalties under Georgia Law are a $50,000 fine and 15 years of imprisonment, plus civil liability in addition to the potential federal penalties listed above.

Legal Alternatives for Downloading or Otherwise Acquiring Copyrighted Materials

For a list of legal alternative sites for downloading copyrighted materials, please visit the EDUCAUSE website at: www.educause.edu/legalcontent.
Weapons
The Technical College System of Georgia is committed to providing employees, students, volunteers, visitors, vendors and contractors a safe and secure workplace and/or academic setting. The possession, carrying, or transportation of a firearm, weapon, or explosive compound/material in or on college buildings or property shall be governed by Georgia state law. All individuals are expected to comply with the related laws. Failure to follow laws pertaining to weapons is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Relevant Georgia laws to be aware of and compliant with include but may not be limited to:
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-8-12(A)(6)(a)(iii)
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-7-80
- O.C.G. A§ 16-7-81
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-7-85
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-121
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-125.1
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-126
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-127
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-127.1
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-129
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-130
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-133
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-135
- O.C.G.A.§ 16-11-137
- O.C.G.A.§ 43-38-10
Gambling
The Technical College System of Georgia prohibits the violation of federal, state or local gambling laws on College premises or at College sponsored or supervised activities.
Parking
Savannah Technical College prohibits violation of College regulations regarding the operation and parking of motor vehicles on or around College premises (see section on General Policies and Procedures/Automobile Use).
Financial Irresponsibility
Savannah Technical College prohibits the theft or misappropriation of any college, student organization or other assets.
Violation of Technical College Procedures
Violation of Technical College System of Georgia policies or Savannah Technical College procedures rules or regulations including, but not limited to, rules imposed upon students who enroll in a particular class or program, internships, externships, practicum, clinical sites, co-operative, or any academic sponsored programs or activities, student organizations or students who reside in on-campus housing.
Aiding and Abetting
Savannah Technical College prohibits aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to do an activity which otherwise violates this Code of Conduct.
Falsification of Documentation
1. Disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student who falsifies any documentation related to Savannah Technical College, either to the College or to others in the community, including, but not limited to, falsification of college transcripts; documents from other institutions to obtain credit from or admission to the College; college report cards or other grade reports; documentation related to a student’s citizenship status; tests, homework, attendance records; signature of any College employee in his or her official capacity; signature of any employee of a clinical or internship site where the student is participating in an educational program associated with the College or records related to any clinical, internship or other academic activity associated with the College.
Violation of Law
1. If a student is convicted or pleads Nolo Contendere to an on-campus or off-campus violation of federal, state, or local law, but has not been charged with any other violation of the Student Code of Conduct, disciplinary action may nevertheless be taken and sanctions imposed if the violation of federal, state or local law is detrimental to Savannah Technical College’s vital interests and stated mission and purpose.
2. Disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a law that is also a violation of the Student Code of Conduct if both violations result from the same factual situation, without regard to criminal arrest and/or prosecution. Proceedings under this Student Code of Conduct may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following criminal proceedings.
3. When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, Savannah Technical College will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his/her status as a student. The College will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators. Individual students, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives as they deem appropriate.
Abuse of the Student Judicial Process, including but not limited to
1. Failure to obey the notification of the Vice President for Student Affairs or the College President's designee, Hearing Body, Appellate Board or Technical College Official.
2. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information in a judicial proceeding.
3. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a disciplinary proceeding.
4. Initiating a disciplinary proceeding knowingly without cause.
5. Attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in, or use of, the disciplinary process.
6. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a Hearing Body, or Appellate Board prior to, and/or during the course of, the disciplinary proceeding.
7. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a Hearing Body, or Appellate Board prior to, during, and/or after a disciplinary proceeding.
8. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Code.