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An addendum to MECC’s catalog and handbook serves as a crucial update mechanism, providing current and prospective students with timely information that may not have been included in the original catalog. An addendum addresses changes in academic programs, course offerings, policies, or institutional procedures that have occurred after the initial publication. By including an addendum, the college ensures that students have access to the most accurate and relevant details, which helps them make informed decisions about their education. This proactive approach maintains MECC’s catalog and handbook’s reliability and relevance throughout the academic year, reflecting the institution’s commitment to keeping its community well-informed and up-to-date.
I. Student Conduct Addendum Effective August 26, 2024
The College’s Student Code of Conduct is hereby amended to include the following provisions and any violation of such shall be grounds for discipline under the College’s Student Code of Conduct policy. All other provisions remain unchanged and applicable:
A. Disruptive Acts
1. Disrupting or obstructing the normal learning, living, or work environments of other members of the College community or the functions or activities of the College (as well as activities conducted on the College’s property with its permission) is prohibited. Examples include: blocking entrances, corridors or exits; interfering with ongoing educational activities, cultural events, or recreational, extracurricular or athletic programs; unauthorized presence in a building after normal closing hours or after notice that the building is being closed; interfering with vehicular or pedestrian traffic; creating unsanitary conditions; and interfering with any other effort to protect the health and safety of members of the College community or larger public.
2. No person may obstruct, disrupt, or attempt by physical force to cancel or discontinue speech by any speaker or the observation of speech by any person intending to see or hear a speaker.
B. Violations of Laws, Regulations, and Ordinances
1. Prohibited conduct includes violations of federal, state, or local laws, regulations, orders, or ordinances.
a. Students have a continuing duty to promptly report to the Dean of Student Services, and subsequently the MECC Threat Assessment Team, any arrests for violations of federal, state, local, or international law, excluding minor traffic violations that do not result in injury to others. This duty applies regardless of where the arrest occurred (inside or outside the Commonwealth of Virginia) and regardless of whether the College is in session at the time of the arrest. An arrest includes the issuance of a written citation or summons regardless of whether the student is taken into custody by law enforcement. Charges related to driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are not “minor traffic violations” and must be reported.
C. Masking to Conceal Identity
1. Consistent with Virginia Code § 18.2-422, any individual who is present on College property or attending a College event who is wearing a mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, must present a valid college or government issued identification document containing both the person’s legal name and photograph when requested by an authorized college employee or otherwise establish the individual’s identity to the satisfaction of the authorized college employee.
D. Encampments
1. The construction or occupation of a Camping Tent is prohibited.
a. “Camping Tent” means any collapsible tent or structure, typically having as its basic components a flexible material supported by a framework, designed, intended, or used as temporary shelter while camping or on recreational outdoor outings. Camping Tents may include tents known as “pup tents,” “dome tents,” “cabin tents,” “hiker tents,” and “backpacking tents.”
b. A “Camping Tent” does not include a tent with all sides entirely open and where there is an unobstructed view into such tent from the outside at all angles. All other conduct provisions apply to the use of open tents.
c. Only tents approved in advance pursuant to the Campus Tent Erection and Use Policy and shall be permitted. No Camping Tents shall be permitted at any time. All tents of any type must be removed no later than 10:30 p.m.
2. Camping is prohibited on property owned, leased, or operated by the College, Virginia Community College System, or their foundations.
a. “Camping” means the act of using any part of the property or facilities for living accommodation purposes, such as establishment of temporary or permanent living quarters, sleeping outdoors overnight or making preparations for overnight sleeping (including the laying down of bedding), storing personal belongings, using any tent, shelter, or similar structure regardless of size for sleeping; sleeping in, on, or under parked vehicles, or setting up temporary or permanent sleeping areas outdoors or in structures not designated for human occupancy.
b. “Camping” does not include the use of College, VCCS, or their foundations’ property that has been wholly or partially designated as sleeping or relaxation areas; a tailgating activity in conjunction with a College, VCCS, or foundation event; or the use of temporary hammocks or lounge furniture for recreation or studying activities outdoors on College, VCCS, or foundation owned property during the hours of 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
3. These prohibitions shall not apply to the College, the Virginia Community College System Office, or the College or System foundations or to Non-Camping Tents erected for their use.
4. These prohibitions shall not apply to federal, state, or local governments or their agencies or to Non-Camping Tents erected for their use.
E. Applicability:
1. The Code of Conduct, including this Addendum, shall apply both to the conduct of individual students as well as student organizations.
2. Each recognized student organization shall represent that its activities and the activities of its members will not violate federal, state, or local law; or the College’s Code of Conduct, including this Addendum.
3. The Code of Conduct, including this Addendum, applies to all student activities within College, VCCS, or their foundations’ programs or activities wherever located. The Code of Conduct, including this Addendum, also applies to all student conduct occurring on the College campus and on any property owned, leased, or operated by the College, VCCS, or their foundations. The Code of Conduct, including this Addendum, additionally applies to any property used as a student residence and in regard to which students have expressly agreed to abide by or provided written consent to be governed by College policies. Violations of other College or VCCS policies may result in disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.
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