Sauk Valley Community College is committed to a philosophy that ensures the basic rights of students, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right of inquiry. In consideration of these rights, it is implicit that students should also accept those responsibilities that are inherent with attendance at a public community college. These include such basic responsibilities as:

• Respect for public and private property;
• Respect for the rights and privileges of others;
• Adherence to recognized standards of scholarship; and
• Respect for duly constituted authority.

Students should recognize that the primary educational function of Sauk Valley Community College must be maintained at all times and that ultimate authority rests with the Board of Trustees as elected representatives of the College constituency. The Board also serves as the place of final appeal for grievances in any matter concerning the College provided that the student shall have first exhausted all relevant procedures and appeals provided by College policy or procedure.

Non-Discrimination in Employment and Student Relations

Sauk Valley Community College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an effective policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in all employee and student relations. Except to the extent and subject to the exemptions permitted by law, no qualified employee or student shall be excluded from the employment or educational opportunity, be denied benefits, or be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation (as that term is defined in the Illinois Human Rights Act), marital status, handicap, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service classified as RE-3 or the equivalent thereof.

Sexual Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy (Title IX)

Sauk Valley Community College is committed to fostering a safe, productive learning environment. Title IX and College Policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender or sex. Sexual misconduct including harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, exploitation, and stalking is prohibited. All forms of prohibited conduct under this policy are regarded as serious College offenses, and violations can result in discipline, including  possibility of separation from the College.

SVCC encourages anyone experiencing sexual discrimination or misconduct to talk to someone about what happened, so support/resources can be provided and the college can also respond appropriately. A student wishing to speak confidentially about an incident, should contact one of the campus confidential resources in Academic Advising, TRIO or Disability Support Office (DSO). A student wishing to report an incident or having questions about College policies and procedures regarding Title IX, should contact the College's Title IX Coordinator, (room 3E2, phone 815-835-6256), or Assistant Coordinator, (room 1E21, phone 815-835-6378), or Assistant Coordinator, (room 3L20, phone 815-835-6291).

The college is legally obligated to investigate all reports, and therefore it cannot guarantee confidentiality, but will consider a request for confidentiality and respect it to the extent possible. All SVCC faculty and staff, with the exception of confidential resources, are legally required to report incidents regardless of the source (verbal or written) and thus cannot guarantee confidentiality. Information will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator with relevant details such as the names of those individuals involved in the incident.

A copy of the College's Title IX policy is on the SVCC website under Policies or at svcc.edu/title-ix-policy.

Acceptable Use Policy

Sauk Valley Community College provides technology resources to meet the College's purpose, to support our educational and community values, and to support our programs and initiatives. Sauk Valley Community College's Information Services organization's goal is to provide high quality services to the campus community. To ensure that our high standards are met, we have certain expectations regarding the use of technology resources at the College.

Access to Sauk Valley Community College technology resources--computing facilities, telecommunications and network services, servers, equipment, software, applications, information resources, printing and scanning services, and user and technical support provided by Information Services staff--is a privilege, not a right. This privilege is extended to all users-- faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni/ie, affiliated individuals and organizations, partner non-profits and PK-12 schools. Accepting access to this technology carries an associated expectation of responsible and acceptable use.

The "Acceptable Use Policy" describes activities that Sauk Valley Community College considers violations of use of technology resources. The examples listed are not exhaustive and may change from time to time as technology and applications change. The examples are provided solely for guidance to users. If you are unsure whether any use or action is permitted, please contact Information Services at x298 for assistance.

While there are cases in which use of technology resources is deemed not responsible or not acceptable, there are also cases in which technology resources are used in the conduct of behaviors which violate College policies, codes of conduct, or local, state, or federal law, in those cases, either the Student Code of Conduct or the legal system shall be imposed. Though the use of technology resources is the focus of this document, members of the Sauk Valley Community College community and others using Sauk Valley Community College's technology resources are advised that use may also be governed by other College policies including but not limited to those in the student handbook, College catalog, faculty handbook, other policies governing academic, student life, or personnel matters at the College or agreements between the College and affiliated organizations. Sauk Valley Community College's technology and information resources are not to be used for commercial purposes or non-College related activities without written authorization from the officer(s) of the College that have been so designated (contact Information Services for further information). To ensure proper network performance, and security as well as appropriate use, College staff may monitor and record user activity.

Sauk Valley Community College reserves the right to enforce applicable penalties and/or immediately terminate access to College systems and network services to any user in cases where technology resources have been used in a manner that is disruptive or is otherwise believed to be in violation of "acceptable use" or other College policies or law. As a recognized agent under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the College will act in accord with the provisions of this act in the event of notification of alleged copyright infringement by any user. Instances of inappropriate use of technology resources will be referred to the appropriate official for disciplinary action by the College and will be subject to this policy as well as to other applicable College policies and guidelines. In addition, individuals may be subject to civil suit, and/or local, state, and federal prosecution depending on their actions. Among sanctions that can be imposed for violation of this or other applicable College policies, the College reserves the right to restrict an individual's access to technology resources. The College reserves the right to deny employment to any individual found in violation of this policy.

The College retains control, custody and supervision of all Computer Technology. The College reserves the right to monitor the use of Computer Technology activity by any user. No user shall have expectations of privacy in their use of Computer Technology, including e-mail messages and stored files, except proprietary research by faculty members who need to protect work, product, etc. The complete Acceptable Use Policy can be viewed at svcc.edu/about/policies/aup.html.

Acceptable Use of Technology

Students should turn off all electronic devices while in the classroom unless they have the consent of the instructor. Electronic items include, but are not limited to cell phones, laptops, tablets, MP3 players, voice and video recorders. Students violating this policy may face college disciplinary action. Also, students are subject to the SVCC Acceptable Use Policy: svcc.edu/about/policies/aup.html.

Medical Marijuana

Although Illinois state law permits the use of medical marijuana, the use, possession, and/or cultivation of marijuana remains a crime. As a recipient of federal financial aid and in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the College is required to prohibit the use and/or possession of all federally controlled substances, including marijuana. Therefore, the possession and use of marijuana in any form, even if accompanied by an authentic medical prescription, are prohibited on all College property and/or during any College activities.

Notification of Recording

All classes at Sauk Valley Community College may be recorded for a variety of reasons to include compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) in providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. Students not utilizing accommodations under ADA must obtain instructor consent to record classes. Students who are permitted to record classes for instructional or access purposes may not share, sell, distribute or post the recording to the Internet to include all social media sites. Students violating this policy may face college disciplinary action. Also, students are subject to the SVCC Acceptable Use Policy: svcc.edu/about/policies/aup.html.

Student Complaint Procedures

Step One: Informal Resolution
For students, the first step in resolving a concern or complaint is to directly address the individual and discuss the issue(s) in question. Discuss the issue in a professional, calm, and logical manner.

If the complaint includes areas such as sexual discrimination, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, or stalking, refer to the Sexual Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Policy (Title IX).

Step Two: Informal Resolution Continues
If there is no resolution to the concern or complaint or if the student is not comfortable speaking to the other person, please contact the SVCC employee listed on the following website: svcc.edu/about/policies/complaint-procedure.html. Contacting the correct employee will expedite a possible resolution of your concern or complaint.

Step Three: Formal Resolution
Students who have attempted an informal resolution to their complaint or concern but feel as if their complaint or concern was not resolved may file a formal, written complaint with any of the parties listed on the following website: svcc.edu/about/policies/complaint-procedure.html. Please contact the same employee as in step two in order to expedite the process. The written complaint will be reviewed by the appropriate college employee(s) and the student will receive a written response of the outcome within ten business days.

Student-Right-to-Know

In compliance with the Student-Right-to-Know regulations, SVCC's graduation rate survey, campus crime statistics/security policies, financial aid information, and athletic disclosure report are available in Admissions & Records, the Dean of Student Services, and on the College website at svcc.edu/students/right-to-know.

Unattended Children on Campus

Children must be attended by an adult at all times. Unattended children will be escorted to their parents or the security office.

Voter Registration

Students wishing to become registered voters can visit the Federal Elections Commission Internet site www.eac.gov. Once at this web site, go to Resources for Voters and then Register to Vote. You will be able to download the National Voter Registration Form. After filling out this form, you must send it to a state or local election office for processing. See state-specific instructions included in the form for additional information. Those wishing to register to vote may also visit the following locations:

• County Clerk's office
• Board of Election's office
• City and Village offices
• Township offices
• Precinct Committeemen/women
• Military Recruitment offices
• Driver's License Facilities