Collegewide Policies
Affirmative Action Policy
It is the policy and commitment of Fitchburg State College not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, marital status, or national origin in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies, and to comply with the requirements of Federal Executive Orders 11246 and 11375 as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Title IX of the Educational Act of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 402, Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and pertinent laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, directives of the Board of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and other applicable state and federal statutes.
Inquiries concerning the application of, or compliance with, the laws and regulations prohibiting such discrimination should be addressed to:
- Human Resources Office
Jessica Murdoch, Interim Director, Human Resources and Affirmative Action
Designated Coordinator for Title IX, Section 504 and Title II of the ADA
(978) 665-3172
- For inquiries regarding sex, gender, disability, age, race, color and/or national origin, you may also contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-01111
FAX: (617) 289-0150
TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Sexual Harassment Policy
It is against the policy of Fitchburg State College for any member of the college community, male or female, to sexually harass another employee or student. The college is committed to providing a working, living, and learning environment that is free from all forms of abusive, harassing, or coercive conduct. This policy seeks to protect the rights of all members of the college community (faculty/ librarians, administrators, staff, and students) to be treated with respect and dignity.
Sexual harassment consists of unsolicited verbal, non-verbal, and/or physical conduct, which has the effect of interfering with student or employment status or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. The college’s Affirmative Action Grievance Procedures will serve as a system of review and resolution for both formal and informal complaints. Further information or advice may be obtained by contacting the associate vice president of human resources/ Affirmative Action at (978) 665-3172.
Institutional Discrimination Complaint Procedures
The Massachusetts State Colleges have established specific internal Discrimination Complaint Procedures to help resolve claims and complaints of discrimination on the campus. These Procedures will serve as a system of review and resolution for both informal claims and formal complaints of discrimination. Any member of the College community and/or any applicant for employment who believes she/he has been a victim of discrimination, discriminatory harassment or retaliation may initiate an informal claim or formal complaint as outlined in the Discrimination Complaint Procedures.
Hard copies of the Discrimination Complaint Procedures are available in the Human Resources and Affirmative Action Office. The Discrimination Complaint Procedures are also available at: www.fsc.edu/humanres/aaeop.cfm.
Further advice or information regarding the College's Discrimination Complaint Procedures may be obtained by contacting Jessica Murdoch, Interim Director, Human Resources and Affirmative Action, and Designated Coordinator for Title IX, Section 504 and Title II of the ADA, at (978) 665-3172.
Privacy and Confidentiality Regulations
A Fair Information Practices Act (FIPA) administrator directs the Privacy and Confidentiality Regulations. Copies of the regulations as part of FIPA Chapter 766 (of the Acts of 1965) are posted on bulletin boards at the college and kept on file at the Registrar’s Office.
Students should note that if any of these regulations should conflict with applicable provisions of the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, or with any regulations promulgated pursuant to said act, the provisions of said federal act or federal regulations shall control.
Institutional Review Policy
The college has established an Institutional Review Board and Institutional Review Policy which reviews and approves the adequacy of protection provided for human subjects serving as research subjects. The college is cognizant of its responsibility to protect the privacy, safety, health, and welfare of such subjects. A copy of this policy may be obtained in the Office of Academic Affairs and on the Grant Center Web site.
Drug-Free Environment
Fitchburg State College is in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989. Information regarding these acts and the college’s compliance with them is distributed to the college community yearly and is also available from the associate vice president of Human Resources.
Alcohol Policy
Fitchburg State College enforces all state laws and city ordinances regarding the possession, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages including those prohibiting drinking by individuals under 21 years of age. College policy restricts when, where, and how alcohol may be served and the amount of alcohol that a resident student may bring into the residence halls.
The Fitchburg State College community recognizes the importance of personal and communal responsibility with regard to its alcoholic beverage policy. It assumes that any student who has consumed alcohol accepts responsibility for their consequent behavior. Being intoxicated will not be accepted as an excuse for erratic, irresponsible behavior either to an individual or others’ person or property. Any student found to be intoxicated will be considered in violation of the Alcohol Policy and will be subject to the Student Discipline System.
Massachusetts law forbids the possession of, use, and sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age. The law also forbids falsifying age and identification cards. The college enforces the law and expects all students, faculty, administrators, and staff to abide by it.
Use or possession of alcoholic beverages in public areas (campus grounds, athletic events, parking lots, academic buildings, dining hall, Campus Center) regardless of age, except at approved functions, is prohibited. Open containers of any alcoholic beverage is a violation of this policy.
A complete copy of the Alcohol Policy is available in the Undergraduate Student Handbook or from the Office of Student and Academic Life.
Substance Abuse Policy
In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Fitchburg State College has adopted the following Substance Abuse Policy:
Only in an environment free of substance abuse can the college fulfill its mission of developing the professional, social, cultural, and intellectual potential of each member of its community. The use of illicit drugs and alcohol impairs the safety and health of students and employees, inhibits personal and academic growth and undermines public confidence in the college. For these reasons, it is the policy of Fitchburg State College that all college activities and college property shall be free of the unlawful use of drugs and alcohol.
Prohibited Conduct
The students and employees of Fitchburg State College shall not unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use controlled substances or alcohol. Any individual who violates this prohibition will be subject to disciplinary action. Sanctions may include expulsion or firing from the college, mandatory participation in an alcohol/drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program, as well as referral of the matter to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
Students and employees are required to notify the vice president of human resources (and, in the case of students, the director of financial aid) within five days of being convicted of violating a criminal drug statute in the workplace.
A complete copy of the Substance Abuse Policy is available in the Undergraduate Student Handbook or from the Office of Student and Academic Life.
No Smoking Policy
Effective July 1, 1994, Fitchburg State College became a smoke-free environment. Smoking is not allowed inside any college building, including residence halls.
Those members of the college community who have special difficulties in complying with a smoke-free environment are urged to seek the assistance of either the Human Resources Office or the Health Services Office.
Inclement Weather Policy
Whenever inclement weather, usually in the form of snow and/or ice, makes driving conditions exceptionally hazardous, classes for that day will be canceled. In the event that day classes (on-campus and/or off-campus sites) are canceled, all evening classes and programs for that date are automatically canceled. Make up sessions are required.
Cancellation announcements can be heard on:
| WEIM | 1280 AM | Fitchburg |
| WXLO | 104.5 FM | Fitchburg/Worcester |
| WSRS | 580 AM, 96.1 FM | Worcester |
| WBZ Storm Center | 1030 AM, TV News 4 | Boston |
| WCVB-TV5 | | Boston |
| WRKO-7 News | | Boston |
| WXPL | 91.3 FM | Fitchburg State
College Campus
Radio (after 8 a.m.) |
Or by entering your contact information into Blackboard which will prompt the Connect Ed System to send you notification of any school cancellation/delay.
or by calling (978) 665-3006 (residence students),
or (978) 665-4003 (off-campus, commuter students.)
The decision to cancel classes scheduled for weekends or holidays rests with the instructor. Students should consult with their instructors for their class cancellation and make up policies.
Technology: Acceptable Use Policy
The Technology Department supports computing, networking and information resources for the students, faculty, and staff of Fitchburg State College. Computer facilities and services are offered in support of teaching and learning, research and public service. Access to the computer systems and networks owned and operated by Fitchburg State College imposes certain responsibilities upon users, in accordance with existing Fitchburg State College policies and local, state and federal law. Users accept the responsibility for utilizing services in ways that are ethical, that demonstrate academic integrity and respect for others who share this resource. This policy is established in an effort to help users understand what is expected of them. It sets guidelines regarding the issues of privacy and respect for property, ownership of data, system security, and misuse of the system.
Academic Integrity
Just as in any other aspect of a student's academic work, Fitchburg State College expects that students will use computing and network resources in ways that are honest and ethical. Actions that constitute academic dishonesty include:
- Turning in someone else's work as your own
- Allowing someone to represent your work as his or her own
- Several people working on one paper and submitting it individually, as if each had done the paper alone
- Using another's work without proper acknowledgment
A Shared Resource
Fitchburg State College's computer and network services are available to all faculty, staff and students. Because there are so many individuals who utilize this shared resource, respect for the rights and needs of others is central to this policy. To ensure access and service for all users, users must refrain from any of the following specifically unacceptable uses:
- Use for for-profit activities (sales, consulting for pay, and so on) or use by for-profit institutions unless covered by the general principle, or as one of the specifically acceptable uses
- Use for private or personal business in violation of college policies
- Chain letters, or any illegal schemes or activities
- Mailings to large numbers of people that contain unwanted solicitations or information. These mailings are often referred to as spams
- Communication that constitutes illegal harassment
- Anonymous mailings, or mailings which impersonate another individual
- Allowing anyone else to use your account
- Any communication which adversely impacts the communications of the college by overloading
the network
- Knowingly acting in a manner that will disrupt normal operations of computers or the network
Privacy
Technology should not be used in a manner that infringes upon an individual's right to privacy. The following restrictions are imposed to protect your privacy, as well as the privacy of others. Users are prohibited from:
- Using computer or network services in a way that violates copyrights, patent protections or license agreements
- Gaining unauthorized access to information that is private or protected, or attempting to do so
- Running programs that attempt to identify passwords
or codes
- Interrupting programs that protect data or secure systems, or attempting to do so
- Monitoring or tampering with another person's e-mail
- Reading, copying, changing or deleting another person's work
- Using another person’s password, or allowing others to use yours
- Attempting to gain network privileges to which you are not entitled
Respectful Exchange of Ideas and Information
Computer systems and networks allow for a free exchange of ideas and information. This exchange serves to enhance learning, teaching, critical thinking and research. While the constitutional right of free speech applies to communication in all forms, we encourage civil and respectful discourse. College policy and local, state and federal law do prohibit some forms of communication, to include:
- Obscenity
- Defamation
- Advocacy directed to incite or produce lawless action
- Threats of violence
- Disruption of the academic environment
- Harassment based on sex, race, disability or other protected status
- Anonymous or repeated messages designed to annoy, abuse or torment
Personal Responsibility
Each individual who obtains a computer/e-mail account, or uses the computers and network resources made available by Fitchburg State College, must understand that they are accountable for the policies set forth in this document. In addition, users assume responsibility for:
- Protection of his or her password
- Reporting any breech of system security
- Reporting unauthorized use of his or her account
- Changing his or her password on a regular basis
- Frequently making back-up copies of your work to ensure against loss
- Clearly label works and opinions as his/her won before they are widely distributed
Authority
The Fitchburg State Technology Department may access other's files for the maintenance of networks, computers and storage systems. In all cases, individuals rights to privacy will be respected to the greatest degree possible. Office staff may also routinely monitor and log usage data, such as network connection times, CPU and disk utilization for each user, security audit trails and network loading. Data collected may be reviewed and further investigated should evidence of violation of policy or law occur. If necessary, staff may monitor the activities and files of specific users on their computers and networks. Any staff member who believes such monitoring is necessary should discuss the problem and strategy for investigation with the Chief Information Officer.
Fitchburg State's Information Technology Department will review alleged violations of the Acceptable Use Policy on a case-by-case basis. Violations of policy will result in appropriate action, such as: loss of electronic mail privilege, loss of computer privilege, loss of network privilege or referral to appropriate authorities.
Disclaimer
All parties submitting materials to the Technology Department network represent and warrant that the submission, installation, copying, distribution and use of such materials in connection with the Fitchburg State College network will not violate any other parties proprietary rights. The user understands and agrees that Fitchburg State is not responsible for any errors created in or damage to materials as a result of the installation or maintenance on the Fitchburg State College network servers, or their use by anyone accessing Fitchburg State servers. All use of the Fitchburg State College network must be in accordance with existing college regulations for computer use. Official Fitchburg State College network pages may contain links to other pages not sanctioned by the college. Find more information at www.fsc.edu/it/policies/acceptable use.html.
Syllabus Guidelines/Course Information
Prior to the end of the first week of the semester, the instructor will distribute to each student in each course and section a written and dated course syllabus, which must contain at least the following information:
- The instructor's name, department/program, course number and title, credit hours, semester/days/time of class, office location, office hours, email address and telephone number.
- Official course description.
- Course goals and learning objectives, as defined by
the instructor.
- The instructor's attendance policy for the course (e.g. no attendance taken, number of absences allowed, any penalty for extensive absence, etc.).
- A list of texts and/or additional resources such as software for the course, indicating which are required and which are optional.
- The course requirements for assessment, such as papers, projects, and examinations (with due dates if possible).
- A statement regarding whether the instructor will include a final and the form that final will take (e.g. exam, project report, presentation, etc.)
- A list of topics to be covered and the activities expected from the students.
- The method by which student's final grade in the course will be determined.
- The instructor's policy on work handed in late, makeup examinations, and the like.
- Any special rules, regulations, or procedures of
the course.
- A statement indicating each student is responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all activities of the course (whether a student is present or not).
- A statement regarding the College Academic
Integrity policy.
- An informational statement about disability services available to students.
Waiver of Academic Regulations
The college acknowledges that extenuating circumstances relative to rules, regulations, and programs occasionally require a waiver of regulations. Although students may petition for a waiver, they should understand that the justification for a waiver should be as exceptional as the granting of one.
Petitions for a waiver of regulations begin with the dean of Student and Academic Life and /or dean of education.
The provisions of this catalog are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the college and its students.
Notice of Catalog Changes
The rules, regulations, policies, fees and other charges, courses of study, and academic requirements that appear in this catalog were in effect at the time of its publication. Like everything else in this catalog, they are published for informational purposes only, and they do not constitute a contract between the college and any student, applicant for admissions or other person.
Whether noted elsewhere in this catalog or not, the college reserves the right to change, eliminate, and add to any existing (and to introduce additional) rules, regulations, policies, fees and other charges, courses of study and academic requirements. Whenever it does so, the college will give as much advance notice as it considers feasible or appropriate, but it reserves the right in all cases to do so without notice.
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