General Student Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and courteous manner. It is understood that students who enroll agree with the mission and purpose of the College and accept and follow its policies, regulations, and operational procedures. Students are expected to comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Student behavior which, after due process, is found to be disruptive to classes or interferes with the rights of others or causes damage to property may result in probation or suspension.
The College retains the authority to withdraw any student from an internship, clinical area, or observation whose grades, work conduct, or health may have a detrimental effect on themselves, the College, customers, clients, or patients of the cooperating agency.
Students should conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the College’s educational mission. The following specifically, but not limited to, will result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary action will vary depending on the degree of severity of each situation.
- Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and academic cheating
- Forgery, alteration, or misuse of College documents, records, or identification
- Knowingly furnishing false information to the College
- Obstruction or disruption of College operations
- Obstruction or disruption of College-authorized activities on property owned or supervised by the College
- Violent physical or verbal abuse of any person on property owned by the College or at any functions sponsored by or supervised by the College
- Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person, including oneself, on property owned by the College or at functions sponsored by or supervised by the College.
- Theft or damage to College property
- Unauthorized entry to College facilities or property
- Unauthorized use or misuse of College property, including attempting to leave the library with materials which have not been properly\borrowed, unauthorized use of computers, equipment or tools, or misuse of College telephones
- Violation of College regulations or campus policies
- The possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of illegal drugs, alcohol, or controlled substances including cannabis used or possessed for medical purposes on property owned by or supervised by the College
- Lewd, indecent, or obscene speech or conduct on property owned by the College, at functions sponsored by or supervised by the College, verbal harassment of any Mitchell Tech employee, or violation of any College regulation or policy pertaining to such conduct
- Intimidating behavior directed toward any student, faculty member, staff member, or administrator
- Failure to comply with the directions of an College official acting in the performance of his/her duties
- Unauthorized possession or use of firearms, other dangerous weapons, explosives, or fireworks on property owned by the College or at functions sponsored by or supervised by the College
- Knowingly circulating a false report or false warning that property under College control or supervision may be subject to a bombing, fire, crime, emergency, or other catastrophe
- Smoking or the use of any tobacco or smoking-type product inside College buildings
- Failure to report to the Mitchell Tech Administration Office or local sheriff and/or police agencies, any knowledge of or criminal activity on campus: i.e., murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, or motor vehicle theft. Such a report shall be provided in a manner that is timely and that will aid in the prevention of similar occurrences.
Emergency Procedures
It is the student’s responsibility to become familiar with the building and plans for emergencies. Instructors are in charge of emergency plans for each classroom, shop or laboratory. An Emergency Procedures flier is posted in each classroom, shop or lab and provides brief instructions for a variety of emergency situations.
General Information
Pregnancy Birth or Adoption of a Child
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and parental status in educational programs and activities. As a pregnant or parenting student, you have certain rights under Title IX as outlined at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.html. Additional MTC guidelines to support the birth or adoption of a child are outlined below.
Enrolled students may elect to take a leave of absence for up to two (2) weeks for the birth or adoption of a child. The leave term may be extended with proper medical documentation due to extenuating circumstances or medical necessity. Students taking a leave of absence under this policy should provide notice of the intent to take leave to the Dean of Student Success 30 calendar days prior to the initiation of leave but it is understood that certain circumstances will not allow for a 30-day notice. The “Pregnancy, Birth, or Adoption of a Child Leave of Absence” form can be found in MyTech under Forms.
Intermittent leave for bed rest, doctor appointments, etc. may be taken prior to the leave of absence with proper documentation submitted to the Dean of Student Success.
The student is encouraged to complete coursework prior to the excused absence and stay as current as possible with the coursework during the excused absence. However, during the excused absence, the student will not be penalized for missing class and will be allowed to make up all missed work including points given for class attendance, class projects, class activities, extra credit, etc. Upon returning to class, a schedule to complete any missing coursework will be determined.
General Conduct
Students attending Mitchell Tech are expected to abide by the rules and regulations as set forth in this publication and as prescribed by individual departments. Additionally, students are expected to uphold local, state, and federal laws.
Students may have their enrollment status suspended at Mitchell Tech for academic deficiencies (unsatisfactory progress), nonpayment of fees, and when their presence in the College causes disruption in the teaching/learning process or delivery of classes. The suspension process includes the right to due process as outlined in the student grievance procedure.
Books, Tools and Supplies
Books, tools, and supplies to be used in programs may be purchased from the Campus Store. Students may purchase tools from sources other than the school provided they meet the standards of the department. Students are expected to have a complete set of tools available during all laboratory activities.
Students who enroll need to prepare for some initial expenses at the start of the term. Students may charge the cost of books at the Mitchell Tech Bookstore against their financial aid IF the award exceeds the amount due to the school. In order to do this, the financial aid process needs to be completed and the Business Office must approve the charge. Please budget accordingly when making your school plans.
Bulletin Boards
All bulletin board items, posters, etc., must be approved prior to being posted. Approval may be obtained in the Center for Student Success. Items are preapproved for display for up to one month. Any item left after that date may be destroyed. All boards will be cleared at the end of each semester.
Cell Phones/Telephones
Cell phone use is inappropriate in classrooms and laboratories. Most departments have policies regarding cell phones. Personal calls should be made outside of classroom/lab areas. Instructional and administrative office telephones are not for student use. Emergency phone calls will only be relayed to the student if the caller has identified him/herself and the nature of the call.
Change of Address/Phone
The address and telephone number a student provides at the time of application will be considered the current address and phone number of the student. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Registrar if the address or telephone number changes from that provided at application. For federal compliance purposes, Mitchell Tech will determine the location of its distance education students using the current address provided to Mitchell Tech. Students attending classes on campus will be assumed to be residing in South Dakota.
Classroom and Laboratory Use
Student use of classrooms and laboratories will only be allowed when a supervisor is present.
Financial Aid Regulations
Students should pay special attention to and accurately complete applications for student financial aid. Errors can result in long delays in receipt of financial aid. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code. Please pay particular attention to the following:
- Return all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the financial aid office or the agency to which the application was submitted.
- Read and understand all forms signed and keep copies of them.
- Accept responsibility for all agreements signed.
- If a student has a loan, the lender must be notified of changes in name, address, or school status.
- Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a Work Study award.
- Know and comply with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
- Know and comply with the school’s refund procedures.
Food and Beverage Consumption
Food and beverages should be consumed in the commons areas. Due to the nature of the technology located in Mitchell Tech classrooms and labs, students are strongly discouraged from consuming food or beverages outside of the commons areas. Cooperation in keeping the commons areas clean at all times is requested.
Food Service
Meals are served for a charge during the hours students are in attendance. Mitchell Tech has implemented a payment system called Café Cash. You can put money into your Café Cash account and use your student ID card to make food purchases. More information is available from The Center for Student Success or from the Business Office.
Illness, Accidents or Injuries
Accidents, injuries, or illnesses occurring during classroom or laboratory time or during a school-sponsored activity must be reported to an instructor or a school official. Each accident must be reported in writing to the Vice-President within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident. Liability regarding accidents is not assumed by the school. Students who are unsafe workers may be terminated from the program. Mitchell Tech will contact health care personnel when necessary. The expense will be borne by the student.
Insurance
Mitchell Tech DOES NOT carry insurance on students. Health insurance is the responsibility of each student and Mitchell Tech urges each student to carry some type of health insurance. Injuries sustained while in class or lab are the responsibility of the student. Students have the responsibility to communicate with their individual health insurance providers to make sure that coverage requirements are met. Dropping classes or withdrawing from school can have an impact on insurance coverage. Students and their parents should be aware of these issues.
Student Laptop Computers on Campus
Mitchell Tech-Issued Laptop Required by Program
Students who purchase computers from Mitchell Tech for use in their programs will have full use of the campus network services. The laptops are distributed and supported by the Mitchell Tech Technology Office.
BYOD Programs
Students enrolled in some programs are required to bring their own device (laptop) at their own expense. Students may choose to purchase a laptop from Mitchell Tech. See the Campus Store for information.
Student Technical Support
Students who purchase laptops as a program requirement may contact the Help Desk for technical support. The Help Desk is located in the Technology Center.
The campus Help Desk will not provide technical support to students using laptops/ tablets not purchased and managed through Mitchell Tech beyond network connectivity to our Wi-Fi network. Students must seek support through their vendor or a commercial computer support service.
Lockers
Lockers provided for students’ use are the property of the school. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a padlock. Mitchell Tech is not responsible for the contents of student lockers.
Lost and Found
Any items found in the school should be turned in to the Center for Student Success. Lost articles may be reclaimed after proper identification.
Mail Service
Mitchell Tech does not forward personal mail received at the school. Please do not use Mitchell Tech as a mailing address.
Parking and Driving On Campus
Parking signs are large and visible, with VISITOR PARKING clearly designated. All loading and unloading zones will be identified with signs.
Students parking in fire lanes will be ticketed and fined. Students parking in non-designated areas may have vehicles towed away and are responsible for towing expenses.
The speed limit on campus is 10 mph unless otherwise posted.
Traffic violations will be handled at Mitchell Tech in cooperation with the Mitchell Department of Public Safety.
Payment of Bills
Any student having unpaid bills at Mitchell Tech will not be allowed to register in any new term during the period in which that bill remains unsettled. Indebtedness includes unpaid amounts for tuition, books, fees, shop/laboratories charges, and any other charges incurred by the student and owed to the College. Official transcripts, diplomas, degrees, and certificates will not be issued until the indebtedness is settled.
Personal Property
Mitchell Tech does not assume responsibility for loss of or damage to personal property of students.
School Property
The facilities of Mitchell Tech are modern and up-to-date. Students must take proper care of equipment and respect the property of others. Students will be required to pay for school property that they have lost or damaged. Theft of property will be referred to the appropriate authorities.
Service Dogs on Campus
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties.
Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and as such are not allowed in Mitchell Tech classrooms or labs.
Student Email Accounts
Each student will be issued an Mitchell Tech email account for official communication and personal use. Students will be charged $5.00 to change lost or forgotten passwords.
Student ID Cards
Each student will be issued a photo identification card. Replacement cards are issued at the Help Desk for $30.
Transportation
Students are required to furnish their own transportation to and from school. When training requires students to be off campus, students must make their own transportation arrangements. Students wishing to car pool should contact The Center for Student Success.
Weather-Related School Closings
It can be assumed that Mitchell Tech classes will be held as scheduled. Students should use their own best judgment regarding road conditions. If weather is threatening, students are not advised to jeopardize their safety by traveling in from outlying communities. Weather-related messages will be sent via the campus alert system (MTECH) and will be broadcast on Mitchell radio stations. Local television stations will also be notified.