General
Robeson Community College publishes this catalog and student handbook in order to provide students and others with information about the College and its programs. The provisions of this publication are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between student and RCC. The College reserves the right to change any provisions, requirements or schedules at any time or to add or withdraw courses or program offerings. Every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience such changes might create for students.
Dress Code
Robeson Community College stresses a standard of neatness, cleanliness, and appropriateness of attire.
The following regulations are given for proper dress:
- Dress should be neat and appropriate at all times.
(Appropriateness of dress will be dictated by the specific occasions.)
- Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times on campus.
- Academic programs may require students to adhere to defined dress code expectations as detailed in program handbooks.
Alcohol and Drug Use on Campus Policy
The illegal use of controlled substances, substances that cause impairment, and abuse of alcohol are harmful to the health, well-being and safety of the College’s employees and students. The College is committed to maintaining a safe workplace and an educational environment free from the influence of illegal controlled substances, substances that cause impairment and alcohol.
I. Visitors and Guests
Unless specifically permitted by the College pursuant to Policy 2.2.5, all visitors and guests are prohibited from unlawfully possessing, using, being under the influence of, manufacturing, dispensing, selling or distributing alcohol, illegal or unauthorized controlled substances or drug paraphernalia. Using or being under the influence of substances that cause impairment is also prohibited. Violation of this prohibition could lead to the visitor or guest being asked to leave campus and/or campus authorities contacting campus security or law enforcement.
For more specific definitions of “controlled substance”, “alcohol” and “impairing substance”, consult Policy 3.4.4 – Alcohol and Drugs on Campus.
II. Employees and Students
Unless specifically permitted by the College pursuant to Policy 2.2.5, all College employees and students are prohibited from unlawfully possessing, using, being under the influence of, manufacturing, dispensing, selling or distributing alcohol, illegal or unauthorized controlled substances or drug paraphernalia. Using, or being under the influence of substances that cause impairment is prohibited for all employees and students. Violation of this prohibition could lead to disciplinary action under the Employee and Student Codes of Conduct.
For more information regarding employees, including student employees, consult Policy 3.4.4 – Alcohol and Drugs on Campus. For more information regarding students, consult Policy 5.3.5 – Alcohol and Drugs on Campus.
Any employee or student violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referred for prosecution.
Evacuation Instructions
Numerous natural and man-made conditions could make it necessary to evacuate the buildings from time to time. Plans have been formulated to provide for the orderly and rapid evacuation of RCC buildings. Evacuation instructions and diagrams are posted in each building and available at Safety and Security [opens in a new window] >Safety Procedures>Emergency Evacuation. Each student and employee are encouraged and expected to read, be knowledgeable of, and comply with these instructions and directions.
Student Grievance Policy
The purpose of the Student Grievance Policy [opens in a new window] is to provide a system for students seeking equity for what he/she perceives to be unfair treatment in student-student, student-faculty or student-staff interactions. Grievances to be considered through this process include those arising from Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the American Disabilities Act of 1991, or other similar legal requirements. For additional information concerning the guidelines of this procedure, please contact the Dean of Enrollment Management & Student Support Services in Building 13.
After a student has exhausted the college’s grievance policy procedures, and the matter remains unresolved, please refer to the Filing a Complaint Against the College After Completing the College’s Grievance Polciy Procedure for more information.
Filing a Complaint Against the College After Completing the College’s Grievance Policy Procedures
After a student has exhausted the college’s grievance policy procedures, if a matter remains unresolved, a formal complaint may be filed with the online Student Complaint Portal [opens in a new window](https://studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu).
A student can also complete a printable Student Complaint Form [opens in a new window] and submit the complaint to:
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh, NC 27603
For more information, send an email to: studentcomplaint@northcarolina.edu.
The Process After Filing a Complaint
- The Student Complaint Portal will forward community college student complaints to the North Carolina Community Colleges System Office (NCCCSO). Before initiating an inquiry, the NCCCSO must receive the following:
- Fully completed student complaint form. (Complaints from students with disabilities must also include an authorization to disclose medical information if the complaint in any way involves alleged discriminatory treatment as a result of the disabilities);
- Documentation of the student’s completion of the college’s grievance procedures, including the ultimate outcome after completing the procedures; and
- Evidence to support the complaint, such as copies of correspondence, enrollment agreements, course catalog information, and any other information believed to be relevant to the matter of the complaint.
Students are required to work through the campus grievance process before escalating issues to the NCCCSO through the Student Complaint Portal. The NCCCSO cannot offer legal advice to complainants and does not act as a student’s agent, advocate, or attorney. Any information provided by NCCCSO staff is not to be interpreted as legal advice. The scope of the review done by the NCCCSO will be limited to a review of the complaint, ensuring the college processes have been followed, and ensuring that State Board code has been followed. In some cases, the NCCCSO may have a discussion with a college to obtain further details about the complaint.
Consumer Protection Division
Complaints regarding fraud, false advertising, or other violations of State law will be referred to the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice. Students can also file a complaint directly with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, by visiting the State Attorney General’s consumer complaint page [opens in a new window] (https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/). North Carolina residents may also call (877) 566-7226. Outside of North Carolina, please call (919) 716-6000. En Espanol (919) 716-0058.
If you would like to file a complaint via hard copy, please call us on our consumer assistance line at (919) 716-6000, and we will mail you a complaint form.
Title IX [opens in a new window] of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities which can include: Rape, Sexual Violence, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Dating Violence, Stalking, Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Coercion, and Pregnancy. Grievances arising from Title IX claims should follow the procedures outlined in Make a Title IX Claim [opens in a new Window].
Hazardous Chemicals
It is important that each student enrolled in a classroom which may expose the student to hazardous chemicals be knowledgeable of classroom hazards and the appropriate control measures. Students are encouraged to review hazardous chemical safety procedures described in the Emergency Procedures/Safety Plan; Chemical Hygiene Plan; and Exposure Control Plan Handbooks. All Safety Data Sheets/Chemical Inventory Management information is accessible via the RCC website for campus compliance.
ID Cards
Rule 14 of the Student Code of Conduct requires students to carry identification cards issued by the College and identify themselves to college officials upon request.
The library issues RCC College I.D.’s for all current RCC students, staff, and faculty, as well as for community patrons upon request. RCC I.D. cards double as library cards for borrowing privileges. To obtain an RCC I.D., users must fill out a RCC ID Registration Form, which is available online or at the library. To apply for an I.D. online, users can use the Online I.D. Card Application Form located on the RCC website. Note that proof of course registration, and payment thereof, are required for all current students, and proof of employment is required for employees.
An RCC ID card is required for entry into the campus bookstore (Building 9), to obtain a campus parking tag, to checkout materials at the library, and for entry into SGA sponsored functions. ID cards are valid for a period of two years from the date issued. The replacement cost to the student for an ID card is $5.00, which is payable to the Cashier in Building 13.
Pertaining to RCC students, ID cards will only be made for those who are registered and have paid for their courses. Please allow 24 hours from your date of registration before applying for an ID. Per campus security, all headgear (headwear and/or facial scarves, etc.) must be removed for ID photos. Exceptions can be made with special permission for cultural or religious reasons. Finally, when submitting headshots with the online application form, please utilize a plain-colored background and refrain from using filters of any kind. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery of I.D. cards which are requested online.
Library Systems
The RCC Anne Moss-Biggs Library maintains an online catalog of materials and users through a library integrated management system. Users are reminded that the “acceptable use” statement and other policies contained in this guide also apply to the use of library resources.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Robeson Community College’s Board of Trustees and staff recognize the importance of equal opportunity in all phases of the College’s operations and has officially adopted a position of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other non-relevant factors. This policy applies to both students and employees at all levels of the College’s operations.
All faculty, staff and student vehicles shall be registered and shall display a current RCC parking decal on the rear view mirror post. The decals are issued to students, staff, and faculty by the Cashier located in Building 13. A decal must be displayed on all vehicles to be operated on campus. If a decal is lost or stolen, it should be reported immediately to the Institutional Services Office in Room 502B, Building 5.
Vehicles are not allowed in the spaces reserved for disabled persons, visitors or areas reserved for official school vehicles. Any vehicle that is double parked, parked on curb, parked in unmarked areas, parked over the designated parking lines, blocking a drive way or in any way disrupting the orderly flow of traffic will be subject to a fine of $5 and/or be towed away at the owner’s expense. Parking in a space designated for handicapped persons is an infraction and carries a penalty of at least $50.00 but no more than $100.00. Please click Parking Regulations [opens in a new tab] for a detailed list of parking regulations.
Handicapped Parking
Special parking facilities are available for students with physical disabilities in cars and vans. Spaces are marked appropriately throughout campus. All vehicles parked in a designated handicapped parking area must display a Handicapped License Plate or Handicapped Parking Placard. Persons parked illegally in designated handicapped parking spaces are in violation of General Statute 620-37.9 and will be issued an illegal parking ticket by the Lumberton Police Department with fines up to $100.00.
Privacy Rights of Parents and Students
Robeson Community College adheres to the guidelines developed by the Department of Education regarding the Privacy Rights of Parents and Students.
The College provides students and parents of dependent students access to official records directly related to them and limits dissemination of personally identifiable information without the student’s consent. Students enrolled at Robeson Community College may review guidelines and procedures regarding the disclosure of student information in the Educational Records [opens in a new tab] section of this publication or on our website’s Registration Page [opens in a new tab]> Student Privacy & FERPA.
Robeson Community College Logo
Robeson Community College owns its name, its seal, logo and images, and no one may use the name, seal, logo or images of Robeson Community College on print or electronic communications without explicit permission. Permission is implied for uses related to work at Robeson Community College; examples distinguishing such uses: using letterhead is permitted for official correspondence but not for personal letters, and in the same way in cyberspace, using the college name and logo generally would be permitted for official web pages but not for personal web pages. Similarly, while the name “Robeson Community College” might appear on individual addresses or resumes for identification purposes, the official name of the college may not be used in ways that imply endorsement, oversight or ownership without explicit agreement with the college. Robeson Community College owns the domain name robeson.edu, and no one may use this domain address other than persons authorized by Robeson Community College.
The following is an overview of basic student rights. For more specific information concerning these and other rights, students are directed to review the specific policy or procedure dealing with the issue of concern.
A. Students are free to pursue their educational goals. The College shall provide appropriate opportunities for learning in the classroom and on the campus. Student performance will be evaluated solely on an academic basis and not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards
B. Students have the right to freedom of expression, inquiry and assembly without restraint or censorship, subject to reasonable and non-discriminatory rules and regulations regarding time, place and manner.
C. Students have the right to inquire about and to propose improvements in policies, regulations and procedures affecting the welfare of students through established student government procedures, campus committees and College offices.
D. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”) provides safeguards regarding the confidentiality of and access to student records and the College shall adhere to the FERPA laws and regulations. Students and former students have the right to review their official records and to request a grievance if they challenge the contents of these records. No records shall be made available to unauthorized personnel or groups outside the College without the written consent of the student involved or if a legal exception applies. Detailed information on FERPA and educational records can be found at Educational Records [opens in a new tab] .
E. No disciplinary sanctions, other than temporary removal from class or activity (only for duration of said activity) may be imposed upon any student without due process.
F. Students have the right to voluntarily withdraw from courses under certain criteria.
G. Students have the right to be free from discrimination, harassment and sexual violence while attending the College and accessing the College’s programs and opportunities. If you need to file a complaint, click on the following link: How to file a Title IX Complaint [opens in a new window].
Smoking, Eating, Drinking and Radios
Smoking or any tobacco use to include vaping is not permitted at Robeson Community College. Detailed information is contained in the institution’s Tobacco Use Policy [opens in a new window] .
Snack machines are located in the Student Center and various locations on campus. Eating and drinking are not allowed in classrooms, shops, or laboratories. Please use the trash containers located in the Student Center and throughout the campus to properly dispose of trash.
Visitors
Visitors are defined as anyone other than RCC personnel, officially enrolled students, members of the Board of Trustees, and members of the Foundation Board.
Visitors are permitted (and welcomed) on RCC property for participation in or attendance at RCC sponsored or approved activities/events and for use of the RCC library facility.
Employers wishing to recruit on campus must coordinate their visit with Counseling and Career Services or the Workforce Development Center.
Media representatives are encouraged to inquire with the Public Information Officer prior to interviewing, photographing, or videotaping employees or students on the various RCC campuses.
Vendors/Contractors working for RCC must physically report to the Maintenance office upon arrival/departure to sign in/out and receive a visitor’s badge. This guideline applies to all contractors and vendors hired by Facilities who are performing work on the main campus or any satellite buildings.
Any unauthorized personnel on campus can be requested to leave the College’s premises. Refusal to leave the campus when asked will result in a request to the appropriate law enforcement personnel for removal and trespassing charges may be filed.
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