Policies

Northwest-Shoals Community College has an open-door admissions policy for all U.S. Citizens and eligible Non-Citizens that provides higher education for individuals who meet minimum admission requirements as set forth by the policies of the Alabama Community College system. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability or national origin. However, the College reserves the right to individually review any applicant for admission based on whether a particular applicant’s admission would be prejudicial to the general welfare of the College. For the full policy, visit the current college catalog. More detailed NW-SCC Admissions office policies may be found on the Admissions page.

Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) is partnering with Barnes & Noble College (BNC), a Barnes & Noble Education company, to operate the college bookstore on the Shoals and Phil Campbell campus, effective July 1, 2021. Through this new partnership, Barnes & Noble College will offer a suite of innovative programs and services that will support academic success for students and faculty, while delivering the latest assortment of electronics and school supplies for the NW-SCC community.

Detailed Bookstore information and policies may be found at https://catalog.nwscc.edu/student-handbook/college-bookstore.

A. Reporting Criminal Actions or Other Emergencies

1. It is the policy of the College that any criminal act; act or threat of violence; injury; destruction of college or personal property; traffic accident; or other situation which occurs on any campus of, or any other site operated by, the College, and which may constitute an emergency, a danger to the health, safety, or property of any person, or a threat to the public order be reported to Campus Security at 256.627.1526, Shoals Campus or 256.417.4731, Phil Campbell Campus. If this is unsuccessful, the situation should be reported the Chief Fiscal Officer in Building 100.

2. All witnesses to any situation which fits into any of the above-described categories shall make themselves available to make written statements and otherwise assist college officials and law enforcement officers in the investigation of the situation. It shall be an offense subject to appropriate disciplinary action for any College employee or student to file false report of, knowingly make a false statement about, or interfere with the investigation of, any situation of the nature described in paragraph A.1. above.

3. It shall be the duty of the College, upon its designated official or officials being made aware of any situation of a nature described in Paragraph A.1. above, to immediately take all reasonable action to prevent or minimize any harm or threat of harm to the employees, students, and visitors of the College. Furthermore, it shall be the duty of said official(s) to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency in the event of an act of a criminal nature, or of any other nature (for example, a traffic accident) which would ordinarily involve law enforcement officials. Additionally, it shall be the duty of said official(s) to contact the appropriate fire department, emergency medical agency, or other authority or agency which is due to be notified of the respective incident.

4. Firearms/weapons of any kind are prohibited on all properties of NW-SCC. Violation of this policy will result in being trespassed from the campus and may result in arrest.

B. Security of Campus Facilities

The College has a security system for monitoring buildings.

For more campus security information, refer to the NW-SCC Security website and NW-SCC Catalog/Student Handbook.

Students, faculty and staff are expected to arrange childcare through personal means; however, special needs may arise for the control and placement of children during College activities. Unsupervised children on campus should be reported to Campus Security or the appropriate supervisor. Children are expected to be under the direct supervision and control of the parent, guardian, or adult who has brought the child onto College property.

Students requesting a child be allowed to attend class should address the individual instructor. Each instructor will make the determination on the appropriateness of such attendance. This occurrence should not be routine and is discouraged to the extent possible. A child who is sick should not be allowed
to attend class.

Inclement Weather Procedures

When inclement weather or other conditions indicate that the College needs to close, closing information is posted on the College’s website, College’s social media sites and sent to local radio and television stations before 6:30 a.m. for day classes and before 4:00 p.m. for evening classes.

Patriot Alert – Northwest Shoals’ Emergency Notification System

Northwest-Shoals Community College utilizes “Patriot Alert,” the new emergency alert and notification system. Patriot Alert delivers messages in the event of an emergency to students, faculty members, and staff. This will be the best source for timely information and instructions on what to do in the event of any campus emergency (college closing, delay in opening, etc.). Students no longer need to rely on the media, calls to the college or friends, or coming to the campus to learn about the adverse impact on campus operations due to severe weather, power outages, criminal activity, threats, or other emergency situations. Signing up for Patriot Alert will ensure that this information is automatically delivered to the email addresses and phone numbers (by voice and/or text message) that students provide within moments of any such alerts being sent by the college. Patriot Alert provides this important information directly from authorized members of the college’s administration and security personnel. The Patriot Alert is the official source of the most accurate and current information. Please follow the simple steps below to log-in to your private Patriot Alert “Dashboard” and enter your contact information. Please be assured that all contact information provided will be kept confidential, safe, and secure, and will never be used for any purpose beyond the authorization given by the student. The student information is for the official use of Northwest-Shoals Community College’s emergency alert system only and is never shared with any third parties. To log-in and access the NW-SCC SchoolCast Dashboard account, go to the following secure web-site: https://www.myschoolcast.com/go/nws.

Northwest-Shoals Community College supplies all students with an NW-SCC email account. Communication from the College will be transmitted through this account. To activate, students should click the College’s Student Email page and follow directions as posted.

Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its employees, students and visitors. The College recognizes the right of persons to make their own decisions about their personal use of tobacco products away from the College. However, in light of findings of the U.S. Surgeon General that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and use of tobacco products are significant health hazards, it is the intent of the College to establish a smoke-free environment on its campuses and in its college-owned vehicles. Consequently, the use of tobacco smoking products, including the carrying of any lighted smoking instrument, in College buildings or upon other College premises or inside College-owned, rented or leased vehicles, is prohibited.

For the purposes of this policy, a “tobacco product” is defined to include any lighted cigarette (including electronic cigarettes), cigar, pipe, bidi, clove cigarette, and any other smoking product.

All College employees, students, visitors and contractors are required to comply with this policy, which shall remain in force at all times. Any College employee or student found to be in violation of the clean air policy will be subject to a monetary fine. Tickets will be issued by campus security officer for violations. Monetary fines will be imposed as listed below, depending on whether the offender is an employee or student.

Any visitor or contractor found to be violating this policy shall be asked to discontinue the disallowed activity, and any failure by a visitor or contractor to discontinue the disallowed activity after being requested to do so shall result in the visitor or contractor being escorted off the college premises by campus security.

NW-SCC will continue to uphold the current policy that the use of ALL tobacco products is prohibited in all buildings on each campus. Failure to adhere may result in the below listed fines.

Student Fines

Any NW-SCC student found to have violated this policy shall be subject to the following fines: 1st ticket – Warning, 2nd ticket – $25.00 fine.

All fines must be paid within 7 days of ticketing. Fines that are not paid within the 7 days shall automatically double in amount.

A student who has a pending fine or fines may not register for classes nor have transcripts released until all fines are paid in full.

Any student wishing to appeal a fine arising from the finding of a tobacco-free violation under this policy may do so with the Dean of Students at 256-331-5291.

Employee Fines

Any NW-SCC employee found to have violated this policy shall be subject to the following fines: 1st ticket – Warning, 2nd ticket – $25.00 fine.

All fines must be paid within 7 days of ticketing. Fines that are not paid within the 7 days shall automatically double in amount.

Any employee wishing to appeal a fine arising from the finding of a violation of this policy may do so with the Dean of Academic Affairs.

With the exception of advertising in a newspaper, magazine, or similar publication that is not produced by NW-SCC, no tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall be permitted on college campuses or at college sponsored events. No tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall appear in any publications produced by the College or by any club or association authorized by NW-SCC. For the purposes of this policy, the term “tobacco-related” applies to the use of a tobacco brand or corporate name, trademark, logo, symbol or motto, selling message, recognizable pattern of colors or any other indicia of product identification identical to or similar to, or identifiable with, those used for any brand of tobacco products or company which manufactures tobacco products. 

Purpose of Copyright Compliance

The purpose of Northwest-Shoals Community College’s Copyright Compliance Policy is to provide a summary of U.S. copyright law as it relates to the use of copyright protected materials in the classroom, and to provide guidelines and procedures for obtaining copyright permission to use these works.

U.S. copyright law contains many gray areas, and the goal of this policy is to provide NW-SCC administrators, faculty, librarians, students, employees, and others with a standard approach for addressing complex copyright issues. This policy covers classroom and library issues such as photocopying as well as distance education.

This policy provides practical advice and procedures on copyright-related matters; however, it is not a substitute for legal advice, and proper legal advice should be obtained when necessary.

Policy on Copyright & Intellectual Property Rights 

The full breakdown and policy, is available in the current college catalog.

More detailed NW-SCC Financial Aid office policies may be found on the Financial Aid page.

FERPA provides for the protection of student educational records, including those of distance education students. These records are considered confidential and may not be released without the written consent of the student. However, some information is considered public, and this information may be released without the student’s written permission. Some examples of public information include the student’s name, address, telephone number, date of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, and degrees and awards received by the student. However, the student may opt to consider this public information confidential as well by providing a written, signed request to the NW-SCC Admissions Office.

For more information, visit the FERPA section of the U.S. Department of Education website.

The entire policy is available in the current college catalog.

Medical facilities are not provided on campus for College students. Medical treatment for students and faculty is not to be obtained from the PN instructors, RN instructors or students except when they set up a time and place to check blood pressure or in the case of an emergency. Health services are limited to first aid and the response of advanced life support units from the local hospitals. The College assumes no responsibility for medical treatment to its students. Any accident or injury requiring more than basic first aid treatment is referred to one of the local hospitals or to the student’s private physician. The expense of hospitalization or medical treatment will be borne by the student. For the Shoals Campus, the emergency phone number for the Helen Keller Ambulance Service is 256.386-4601. This service will transport to Helen Keller, Medical Center Shoals, or ECM Hospital. Limited first aid supplies are located in the Admissions Office on both campuses and in each of the Occupational Program Offices on the Shoals Campus. For the Phil Campbell Campus, the emergency phone number for the Phil Campbell Rescue Squad is 205.993.4242 or 911.

Based upon the State Board of Education policy 321.01: copyright, Trademark, and Patent Ownership, it is the policy of NW-SCC that in a situation where a student or college employee develops an intellectual property, and such development arises in whole or in part from the use of college resources (including the work time of any college employee), the College shall have complete and exclusive ownership of all resulting copyrights and/or patents. However, it shall be the policy of NW-SCC that in such a situation, the employee/ student who develops the textbook, workbook, technology, or other product shall be entitled to a designated share of any royalties or license fees received by the College from such a copyright or patent, provided that prior to the development of the respective product, there shall be a contract executed between NW-SCC and the employee by which the employee will be authorized to use the resources of NW-SCC in the product’s development. The full policy is available in the current college catalog.

Charging Books and LRC Other Materials

• A book may be checked out for two weeks on an automated circulation system used by the LRC. A book may be renewed when returned by the student provided that no other students need it. However, one may not renew an overdue book without first paying the fine. No more than 7 books can be checked out by one patron.
• Reserve books are located at the circulation desk. Books on room reserve circulate only in the LRC. Special arrangements must be made with the librarian on duty for permission to keep books longer than the specified periods.
• Books should be returned to the circulation desk of the LRC during service hours. Materials may be deposited in the book return located outside the LRC during non-College hours.

Lost Books

• If a book is lost while it is charged out in a student’s name, the student must pay the replacement value of the book. If a book is no longer in print, the replacement value will not exceed a charge of $25.00. A receipt for payment will be issued by the business office.
• If the book is found and returned to the LRC, the student’s money will be requested for refund from the Business Office upon presentation of the receipt and clearance from the LRC; the student then is liable for the full overdue charge on the book.

Fines

• A book or materials in regular circulation carries a fine of $10 for each class day it is overdue.
• Reserve books carry a fine of $.25 per day overdue.
• Fines should be paid and all LRC obligations cleared before a student will be permitted to charge out a book or materials. Fines must be paid and all LRC obligations cleared at the end of each term; otherwise, the student will not be permitted to register for further studies with the College.
• No fine will exceed the original value of the book.
• Overdue lists are on file and students are notified each term of overdue books.

For a full list of Medical Assisting Technology (MAT) program policies offered at NW-SCC, please see the current college catalog.

More detailed NW-SCC MAT program policies may be found on the MAT webpage.

It is the official policy of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education and Northwest-Shoals Community College that no person in Alabama shall on the grounds of race, color, disability, sex, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. The College complies with nondiscriminatory regulations under Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX Education Amendment of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to participate in college activities.

The College is committed to a Drug Free learning and work environment through education, intervention, and enforcement.

For a full list of Nursing program policies offered at NW-SCC, please see the current college catalog.

More detailed NW-SCC Nursing policies may be found on the Nursing webpage.

Introduction
The College owns and operates a variety of computing systems which are provided for the use of College students, faculty, and staff in support of the programs of the College and are to be used for education, academic development, and public service only. Commercial uses are specifically excluded. All students, faculty and staff are responsible for seeing that these computing facilities are used in an effective, efficient, ethical, and lawful manner.

These regulations establish rules and prohibitions that define acceptable use of these systems. Unacceptable use is prohibited, and is grounds for loss of computing privileges, as well as discipline or legal sanctions under Federal, State, and local law. For the full policy, please see the current college catalog.

Important Note for Perspective Students

NW-SCC offers courses in several programs that lead to state licensure or certification to practice in that particular field. If you reside outside of the state of Alabama, it is highly recommended that you contact the appropriate agency in your state to seek information and additional guidance before beginning these types of programs, either online or in-person. Information is provided below on licensure requirements and additional resources.

Public Disclosure of Licensure Programs

• Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC)
• Diagnostic Imaging
  • Diagnostic Imaging – Radiography
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Electrical Technology
• Emergency Medical Services
• Medical Assisting
• Nursing
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Practical Nursing (PN)
  • Registered Nursing (RN)
• Salon and Spa (Cosmetology)
• Welding

Northwest-Shoals Community College is committed to protecting your privacy and making it easier and more efficient for individuals and businesses to interact with the College. We recognize that it is critical for individuals and businesses to be confident that their privacy is protected when they visit Northwest-Shoals Community College campuses and websites. You can travel through many of the College’s websites without giving us any information about yourself. Sometimes we do need information to provide services that you request, and this commitment of privacy explains our online information practices.

NW-SCC does not collect any personal information about you unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail, completing a request form, accessing online services, or interacting in distance education or web-assisted courses.

Information Collected Automatically When You Visit

When visiting nwscc.edu, the college automatically collects and stores the following information about your visit:

• The Internet Protocol address of the computer that accessed our Web site.
• The type of browser, its version and the operating system on which that browser is Running.
• The Web page from which the user accessed the current Web page.
• The date and time of the user’s request.
• The pages that were visited and the amount of time spent at each page.

The information that is collected automatically is used to improve NW-SCC’s website content and to help the College understand how users are interacting with its web sites. This information is collected for statistical analysis and to determine what information is of most and least interest to our users.

When visiting and interacting with nwsccmoodle.com as an instructor, student, or guest, all information about your visit is recorded and may be accessed via logs by an administrator or course instructor. Some information collected includes the following:

• The Internet Protocol address of the computer that accessed nwsccmoodle.com.
• The date and time of the user’s visit to the site.
• The pages that were visited and the amount of time spent at each page or on each activity such as discussion forums, quizzes, exams, and assignments.
• All communication with instructors, administrators, and students.

The collected information is used in the normal activities of teaching and learning in a distance education or web-assisted course format. Students should be aware that any information posted using course tools such as discussions, blogs, wikis, or videos, will become available to the instructor and may be seen by fellow students. Caution should be exercised when considering posting any personal or confidential information.

When providing feedback to students, instructors will not share specific student feedback or grades on assignments or exams using a tool or method that may be accessed by other students. However, instructors may provide general feedback using online tools such as discussion forums accessible to the entire class. Instructors may request student permission to share portions of work anonymously with other students as an example.

Course evaluations and surveys that students are asked to complete via Moodle link or links on the NW-SCC Website are completely anonymous and accessed via a secure (encrypted) link. Results from these evaluations and surveys are compiled each semester and provided to course instructors without any identifying student information.

Instructors may also provide additional information regarding student privacy and feedback in the course syllabus.

The information collected on NW-SCC websites is not collected for commercial marketing purposes and the college is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose the information collected for commercial marketing purposes.

E-mailing the College

Your e-mail and the contents of your message will be collected. The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information included in the message. Your e-mail address and the information within the message will be used to respond to you. Your e-mail address is not collected for commercial purposes and the College is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose your e-mail address for commercial purposes.

Disclosure of Information Collected Through NW-SCC Websites

NW-SCC will only collect personal information via the NW-SCC website or Moodle Learning Management System if the user has consented to the collection or disclosure of such personal information.

NW-SCC may collect or disclose personal information without consent if the collection or disclosure is:

1. made pursuant to a court order or by law:
2. for the purpose of validating the identity of the user; or
3. information to be used solely for statistical purposes that is in a form that cannot be used to identify any particular person.

NW-SCC may disclose personal information to federal or state law enforcement authorities to enforce its rights against unauthorized or attempted unauthorized access to NW-SCC’s information technology assets.

Information that is collected on NW-SCC websites is submitted from the user and will not be used for any other purpose than what it was intended for (i.e. on- line application, request for information, participation in distance education coursework, etc.), except for the exceptions stated above.

In regard to the disclosure of information you provide as a Learning Management System (i.e., Moodle) user, the information is used in the process of teaching and learning and to improve the content of our website, courses, and services. It is not shared with or sold to other organizations for commercial purposes, except to provide products or services requested, when we have your permission, or under the following circumstances:

• It is necessary to share information in order to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, or as otherwise required by law.

The information collected on NW-SCC websites is not collected for commercial marketing purposes and the college is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose the information collected for commercial marketing purposes.

NW-SCC encourages you to review the privacy statements of websites you choose to link to from NW-SCC websites so that you can understand how those sites collect, use and share your information. NW-SCC is not responsible for the privacy statements or other content on websites outside of NW-SCC websites.

USE OF COOKIES

Your browser must be set to accept cookies to use the Northwest-Shoals Community College Student Online Services and the Learning Management System (i.e., Moodle). We use cookies for session management. Temporary cookies serve to identify the user during each individual visit to the site (“session”). These cookies are temporarily stored in the user’s browser throughout the course of each individual session. This identifier is needed to create a unique server object that represents that specific user session. The ID stored in this cookie is sent to the server each time the browser requests a page so that it can recognize the browser and retrieve the requested information from the website’s database. We wish to make it clear that no other use is or can be made of the information contained in these cookies and they disappear when you close your browser.

SECURITY

NW-SCC is concerned about the security of your transactions. Online Services and the College’s Learning Management System (i.e., Moodle) require a browser capable of 128-bit encryption. By requiring 128-bit encryption, we are assuring the highest level of commercially available security for your transactions.

All information and course materials in the Learning Management System (i.e., Moodle) may only be accessed with a valid NW-SCC login. Students are provided with login information via the college website and/or semester schedule. Faculty and other guest login accounts will be assigned by the Distance Education Office. Students and faculty are responsible for keeping login information secret and confidential and for notifying NW-SCC if they believe that login information has been stolen or might otherwise by misused.

Disclaimer –

The information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided through NW-SCC websites.

Restrooms and locker rooms are designated separately for women or men unless otherwise posted. Any individual using the other biological gender’s restroom or locker room shall be subject to discipline. If unisex or separate facilities are available, they may be offered as an alternative for the transgender individual.

The College has the following physical facilities for disabled students:

1. All parking lots have designated parking areas equipped with wheelchair ramps and guard rails.
2. Restrooms are equipped with holding rails and stalls large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.
3. All buildings have elevated entrances to accommodate wheelchairs.
4. Drinking fountains and lavatories are designed to accommodate wheelchair persons.
5. The residence hall facility has rooms designated to accommodate the physically challenged.

All programs and facilities are available for qualified disabled applicants. Career guidance is available to assist disabled applicants in selecting a program in which they can be reasonably sure of success. Counselors and academic advisors will assist applicants in selecting an appropriate
program of study. If needed, appropriate accommodations are available for disabled students through the ADA office.

Students who believe that special instructional accommodations should be made for them due to a disability should obtain an Accommodations Request Form from the ADA Coordinator, 256.331.5262. Information regarding special accommodations is also included in each course syllabus.
It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations. Documentation of need for accommodation may be required. The College will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations. Contact the ADA Coordinator for more information, 256.331.5262. For the full policy, please see the current college catalog.

It is the policy at the College that all student activities and organizations are non-discriminatory in terms of membership and are in full compliance with all requirements imposed by Title VI, Title IX, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

All extracurricular activities are under the direct control of the College through the Assistant Dean. The Assistant Dean must approve policies and procedures for control and operation of all clubs, organizations and activities sponsored by the institution. Each campus has a Coordinator of Student Activities to assist the Assistant Dean with coordination. The Assistant Dean reports to the Vice President.

The Student Activities program offers events for students to participate in each semester which may include: campus cookouts, SGA elections, Mr. & Ms. Northwest-Shoals elections, Halloween contests, National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Community College Month and Spring Fling – based on student interest.

Student Conduct
The College assumes that entering students are mature adults who have developed mature behavior patterns, positive attitudes, and conduct above reproach. Students are treated in accordance with this behavior. The College reserves the right to dismiss any student whose on or off-campus behavior is considered undesirable or harmful to the College.

For the protection and convenience of all students and the community, regulations prohibit misconduct on the campus and in the classroom. Students participating in any unauthorized mass demonstration, or whose presence and/or actions constitute or abet a general disturbance, or who fail promptly to obey any order to disperse given by any College official are subject to immediate suspension from the College. A reasonably quiet environment shall be maintained at all times in and around College buildings.

Students conducting themselves in such a manner as to disturb or disrupt a class will be told by the instructor to leave the classroom. The student may return to class as soon as he/she is capable of conducting himself/herself as a mature adult. However, the second such offense would require the student to meet with the Assistant Dean and could result in charges being brought against the student. Charges against a student must be resolved by a formal due process hearing. NW-SCC will uphold a disciplinary suspension from another College/institution. Potential students that are currently on disciplinary suspension from another college/institution must have a disciplinary hearing prior to admission to the College. For the full policy, please see the current college catalog.

Identification Cards
New students must have a photo taken for the Higher One ID Card upon registration. ID Cards may be required for use of the library and other campus activities. The following regulations apply to the ID Card System:

1. Students are to carry their cards at all times. When requested by College officials for proper identification, students are to present their cards. Failure to present ID Cards may result in disciplinary action or arrest for trespassing. Student ID Cards are made for personal use only. Students violating the ID Card privileges are subject to probation, suspension, or dismissal.
2. Loss or theft of cards should be reported to the Student Success Center, Shoals Campus; Cashier’s Office, Phil Campbell Campus; or Higher One.
3. Replacement ID Cards cost $20.00 each.
4. Temporary ID cards are $5.00 and valid for 30 days.

Vehicle Registration/Parking Decals
All motor vehicles operated regularly on the campus by students and College personnel must be registered with the College. All operators of automobiles on the campus are subject to the following parking and traffic regulations. (Revisions will be posted.) The College reserves the right to regulate the use of vehicles on both campuses and withdraw the privilege of operating an automobile on both campuses for failure to abide
by the regulations or for other good cause.

1. All motor vehicles, including motorcycles, operated on campus by students must be registered once each academic year. Cost of decal for FA/SP is $8.00, SU $4.00 and is included in the NW-SCC fees during registration of classes.
2. Students will be issued a decal which must be displayed on vehicle.
3. When the owner trades motor vehicles, the currently used motor vehicle should be registered. Replacement decals can be obtained in the Cashier’s office.
4. The person in whose name a vehicle is registered, regardless of who is driving, is responsible for all traffic and parking citations on campus.
5. Any student not enrolled in credit classes who will be on campus on a regular basis will be required to purchase a decal from the Cashier’s Office.
6. State law – mandatory insurance

Parking Violations

1. Unauthorized parking in areas designated as:
   a. Faculty/Staff Parking
   b. Handicap Parking
   c. Yellow Curb
   d. Fire Lane
   e. No Parking Zone
   f. Reserved Parking
   g. Visitors Parking
2. Blocking drive or walkway
3. No decal
4. Parking on grass
5. Any area designated by the College

Other Violations

1. Speeding
2. Running stop sign
3. Littering
4. Loud music
5. Tobacco use/Smoking
6. Firearm/Weapons

Penalties
Violators may be ticketed by Campus Police. Unpaid tickets will result in additional penalties to the students. Grades will be withheld and the student will not be allowed to register until all fines are paid. The school reserves the right to tow violators. The College has implemented a color code system for parking as listed below.

• Red – Faculty/Staff
• Green – Visitor
• White – Students
• Blue – Handicap
• Yellow – No Parking

Crime Reporting and Timely Warnings
In the event of a criminal act, notify Campus Security: Shoals Campus 256.627.1526; Phil Campbell Campus 256.417.4731. It is the responsibility of the College to investigate an incident or criminal act that occurs on campus and to take proper action. The College will notify and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies when appropriate. Numerous and diligent efforts are made to advise members of the campus community of crime-related problems. It is the duty of the college to inform students of threatening situations, in a timely fashion. The Public Relations Office will release information which can be used by students and other college community members to reduce their chances of becoming victims. This information will be released via the Patriot Alert.

All eligible students of Northwest-Shoals Community College are covered for the activities while under the care and direction of the school with the exception of Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit. Visit the Student Insurance Benefits page to learn more and find the Insurance policy flyer. 

It is the College’s policy for all students and College personnel that the possession of, the distribution of, or the use of drugs and alcohol is prohibited. We are committed to providing a drug-free learning and working environment. We have included in our orientation credit course, which is required of all entering students, a section on drug awareness. The College has and shall maintain a drug-free awareness program as an in-service requirement (annually) to inform employees about: 

A. the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
B. the College’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
C. any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, or employee assistance program; and
D. the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.

WARNING: As set out more fully in Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, for anyone convicted of drug distribution or possession, the court may suspend eligibility for Title IV financial aid. Anyone convicted three or more times for drug distribution may become permanently ineligible to receive Title IV financial aid.

Philosophy
The College is concerned with both the welfare of the College community and with the academic and personal development of each student. The College strives to create a safe and healthy environment; one in which the high risk of alcohol and other drugs does not interfere with learning, performance and development. Substance abuse disrupts this environment and places at risk the lives and well-being of the members of the College as well as the potential of students for contribution to society. It is important for all members of the College to take responsibility for preventing the illegal or high risk use of alcohol or other drugs from negatively affecting the College’s learning environment and the academic physical and emotional well-being of its students.

The College assumes that students are mature adults who have developed mature behavior patterns, positive attitudes, and conduct above reproach. Students must assume responsibility for their own actions.

The College recognizes that the use of drug and alcoholic beverages poses potential risk to the health and safety of members of the College and to the community at large. The College policies and procedures regarding standards of conduct and enforcement; legal sanctions regarding unlawful use, possession or distribution; federal, state, and local ordinances; health risks, and where to get assistance are offered here to serve as a guide in Northwest-Shoals’ Drug
and Alcohol Prevention Policy.

Policy
It is the policy of the College that during the month of September of each academic year, information regarding the College’s drug and alcohol abuse prevention policy shall be distributed to each student and employee of the College.

Each year, the Coordinator of Student Success shall review its Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program and shall:

1. Determine the effectiveness of its program and report to the President any revisions needed by the program to make it more effective;
2. Ensure that the standards of conduct described in Part II hereof are fairly and consistently enforced; and
3. Submit a written report to the President stating the findings and recommendations of the Team.

The President shall implement such of the Team’s recommended revisions as he shall deem appropriate and reasonable.

Standards of Conduct and Enforcement
The College is a public educational institution of the State of Alabama and, as such, shall not permit on its premises, or at any activity which it sponsors, the possession, use, or distribution of any alcoholic beverage or any illicit drug by any student, employee, or visitor. In the event of the confirmation of such prohibited possession, use, or distribution by a student or employee, the College shall, within the scope of applicable federal and state due process requirements, take such administrative or disciplinary action as is appropriate. For a student, the disciplinary action may include, but shall not be limited to, probation, suspension or expulsion. For an employee, such administrative action may include, but shall not be limited to, reprimand, or suspension, or termination of employment, or requirement that the employee participate in and/or successfully complete an appropriate rehabilitation program. Any visitor engaging in any act prohibited by this policy shall be called upon to immediately cease such behavior and/or leave the premises, be trespassed by Campus Safety or arrested.

If any employee, student, or visitor shall engage in any behavior prohibited by this policy which is also a violation of federal, state, or local law or ordinance, that employee, student, or visitor shall be subject to referral to law enforcement officials for arrest and prosecution.

Where to get Assistance
Help is available for persons who are in need of counseling or other treatment for substance abuse. Following are several agencies and organizations which can assist those in need of such services.

1. On-Campus Assistance – On-campus assistance is available at the College for students and employees of the College through the Division of Student Services on both the Phil Campbell and Shoals Campuses. The Campus Assistance Program offers initial assessment and counseling services, information on substance abuse, and assistance in obtaining off-campus community services. Services provided on-campus are free of charge to the student and/or employee. Costs for off-campus services are the responsibility of the recipient. Confidentiality is maintained in accordance with state and federal laws.
2. National Toll-Free Hotlines
   1. 1.800.622.2255 – National Council on Alcoholism
3. Local Agencies and Referral Numbers
   1. Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center – 1100 7th Avenue Jasper, Alabama 35501; 205.387.0541
4. Satellites
   1. Northwest Alabama Mental Health – 71 Carraway Drive Haleyville, Alabama 35565; 205.486.4111 
   2. Northwest Alabama Mental Health – 409 1st Street S.E. Hamilton, Alabama 35570; 205.921.2186
   3. Bradford Health Services – 1.800.879.7272
   4. Riverbend Mental Health – P.O. Box 941 Florence, Alabama 35631; 256.764.3431
   5. Sunrise Lodge – 1163 Washington Avenue S.W. Russellville, Alabama 35653; 256.332.0078

Northwest-Shoals Community College follows the regulations of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (“VAWA”) under the Campus Sexual Violence Act (“SaVE Act”) provision, Section 304.

Under VAWA, Northwest-Shoals Community College requires:

• Reporting of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, beyond crime categories the Clery Act already mandates;
• Adopting certain student discipline procedures, such as for notifying purported victims of their rights; and
• Addressing and preventing campus sexual violence.

For the full policy, please see the current college catalog. Also, please visit the Title IX college webpage.

The College welcomes all individuals or groups visiting the campus. Guides will be provided upon request. Check with the receptionist or call the admission offices for a friendly and informed guided tour. The College requires that all visitors register with Campus Security.

The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Board of Trustees and Chancellor provide oversight of the State’s public two-year community and technical colleges, Marion Military Institute (MMI) and the Alabama Technology Network (ATN).

While most complaints should be handled at the local college level, or with the applicable entity, the ACCS System Office, through the Legal Division, also renders assistance to resolve complaints after all local avenues of resolution have been fully exhausted. If the local avenue of resolution included appeal rights to the ACCS Chancellor, then the Chancellor’s decision is deemed final and a complainant may not file a complaint using this process. Each college, MMI and the ATN are charged with providing effective and efficient avenues for employees, community members, and other interested parties to address complaints. The ACCS Formal Complaint Process is not intended to supersede or replace existing processes in place at the local college level.

Complainants seeking to file a report of noncompliance of federal or state law, or system policy should first address the problem by utilizing the local complaint process prior to initiating the ACCS Formal Complaint Process. Complaints of allegation of fraud, malfeasance, presidential misconduct, or other case specific instances, where the local grievance process may not result in an unbiased evaluation, may be filed using the ACCS Formal Complaint Form and will not be required to follow the local complaint process stated above.

Complainants may submit a formal complaint using this process if there is dissatisfaction with the results at the local level, or the complaint deals with allegations of fraud, malfeasance, presidential misconduct, or other case specific instances that necessitate a direct filing through this process. Formal complaints must be submitted on the required ACCS Formal Complaint Form. Complaints may be mailed to:

Alabama Community College System
Legal Division-Confidential Formal Complaint
Post Office Box 302130
Montgomery, AL 36130-2130

The Legal Division will only review completed, signed and dated complaint forms.

The Legal Division will issue a written response within a reasonable time usually between 30-45 business days.

The identity of the complainant will be kept confidential and will be withheld from any information submitted to the ACCS entity identified in the complaint.

Download the ACCS Formal Complaint Form (PDF)