II. Code of Conduct Policy

A. Weapons

Augusta Technical College is designated as a school safety zone. This means that it is illegal to possess any explosive compound or weapon in or on any property owned or used by Augusta Technical College. This includes off-campus property, off-campus instructional sites, and state owned vehicles. It can be a felony to break this law, and the penalties can be severe. The law does provide exceptions for weapons in private vehicles and those who have permits, certain objects commonly used in sporting competitions and for individuals who are authorized to carry firearms in the commission of their official duties. If you legally possess a firearm in your vehicle, please do not remove it from your vehicle while on campus. This could lead to criminal charges under this law. Please refer to sub-section (c) of O.C.G.A 16-11-127.1 or contact the Augusta Technical College Police Department for a complete explanation of these circumstances.

Weapons come in many forms, and simply possessing one these objects can be considered a violation of the law. Unless an exception is expressly granted in O.C.G.A 16-11-127.1, the following items are prohibited on campus:

• any pistol, revolver, or any weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind
• any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches,
• straight-edge razor, razor blade
• spring stick, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, blackjack, any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon
• any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any weapon of like kind
• any stun gun or taser as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 16-11-106 unless the person is 18 years of age or older or currently enrolled in classes on the campus in question and carrying, possessing, or having under such person's control an electroshock weapon while in or on any building or real property owned by or leased to such public technical school, vocational school, college or university or other public institution of postsecondary education; provided, however, that, if such person makes use of such electroshock weapon, such use shall be in defense of self or others. The exemption under this paragraph shall apply only to such person in regard to such electroshock weapon. As used in this paragraph, the term "electroshock weapon" means any commercially available device that is powered by electrical charging units and designed exclusively to be capable of incapacitating a person by electrical charge, including, but not limited to, a stun gun or taser as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 16-11-106.

For a complete list of prohibited items, please refer to OCGA 16-11-127.1.

If you know of anyone who is in violation of this law while on campus please let the campus Police Department know immediately.

B. No person shall abuse, threaten, or intimidate any member of the faculty, staff, student body, visitor, or any person in College approved setting. Infringement of rights of others is defined to include, but not limited to, the following:

1. physical or verbal abuse inflicted on another person;
2. disorderly/disruptive behavior;
3. severe emotional distress inflicted upon another person;
4. theft, destruction, damage or misuse of the private property of members of the College community or non-members of the College community occurring on campus or off campus during any College approved activity; and
5. sexual harassment -No person shall abuse another by unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which interferes with an individual's academic work or ability or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

C. The taking, damaging, or malicious destruction of property belonging to the College, visitors to the College, or to any member of the College community is prohibited.

D. No persons shall assemble on campus for the purpose of creating a riot or any disruptive or disorderly diversion which interferes with the normal educational processes and operations of the College. This rule shall not be construed so as to deny any student the right to peaceful assembly.

E. Gambling on the campus is prohibited. Recreational card playing is permitted in the Cafe, Building 1300, but is not allowed in other buildings.

F. No person shall interfere with, fail to cooperate with, or fail to make proper identification when requested to do so by any properly identified administrator or staff person in the performance of their duties.

G. Unauthorized entry into, use, or occupation of College facilities which are locked, closed to student activities, or otherwise restricted as to use, or which have not been reserved for use through the proper College authorities, is prohibited.

H. Falsification, alteration, fabrication, or misuse of College forms, documents, records, or identification cards is prohibited.

I. The operation of student organizations not approved by the College administration is prohibited.

J. The dissemination on campus of publications which do not bear the name of the originator or which are not printed in accordance with College rules and regulations is prohibited.

K. Students shall not attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead an instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment. Initial violation of this policy may result in a lowered grade. All forms of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism, collusion and falsification of information will call for discipline.

1. Cheating on tests is defined to include the following:
   1. copying from another student's test paper;
   2. using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test;
   3. collaborating with any other person during a test without permission;
   4. knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting or soliciting in whole or in part the contents of an un-administered test;
   5. bribing any other person to obtain tests or information about tests; and
   6. substituting for another student, or permitting any person to substitute for oneself.
2. "Plagiarism" is defined as the appropriation of any other person's work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one's own work offered for credit.
3. Collusion is defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing work offered for credit.

L. Intellectual Property

Policy:

To further the Technical College System of Georgia’s goal of making education accessible to the public, the Technical College System of Georgia owns the intellectual property rights in any and all works produced by or for the Technical College System of Georgia and its constituent colleges.

Definitions:

“Copyrighted Materials” shall refer to materials or works other than software which qualify for protection under the copyright laws of the United States (17 U.S.C. § 102 et seq.) or other protective statutes whether or not a registered copyright.

“Intellectual Property” shall refer to patentable or copyrighted materials, trademarks, software and trade secrets as defined by the Georgia Trade Secrets Act of 1990, the Georgia Open Records Act or other Georgia law whether or not formal legal protection is sought.

“Patentable Materials” shall refer to items other than software which reasonably appear to qualify for protection under the patent laws of the United States (35 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.) or other protective statutes.

“Software” shall refer to computer programs in any form, including but not limited to applications for phones, tablets or other devices, or any associated operational procedures, manuals, or other documentation associated with the software, whether or not protectable or protected by patent or copyright.

“Trademarks” shall refer to all trademarks, service marks, trade names, seals, symbols, designs, slogans or logotypes (15 U.S.C. § 1127).

“Trade Secrets” shall be defined as in the Georgia Trade Secrets Act of 1990 (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-760 et seq.) or the Georgia Open Records Act. (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.)

Procedure:

Intellectual property may be protected under United States’ law and the laws of other nations. Intellectual property created by the faculty, staff or students of the Technical College System of Georgia and its constituent colleges may have come about because of the aid or participation of the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its colleges. The respective rights and obligations of the Technical System of Georgia, its constituent colleges and their faculty, staff and students, will be determined in accordance with the provisions of this procedure. Adherence to this procedure and the State Board Policy II.E is a condition of employment or enrollment.

1. Sponsor Supported Efforts: Projects sponsored by third parties often have contracts containing specific provisions with respect to ownership of any resulting intellectual property. In such cases, if the support provided is sufficient to cover the cost of developing the portion of the intellectual property to be owned by the third party, the intellectual property rights shall be as set forth in the underlying contract. Should the contract be silent as to intellectual property rights or in the absence of a contract, all rights in Intellectual Property shall vest in the Technical College System of Georgia.
2. Technical College System of Georgia or College Assigned Efforts: Intellectual Property Rights in Intellectual Property created as a result of projects undertaken at the direction of the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges shall vest with the Technical College System of Georgia.
3. Individual Efforts: Rights to Intellectual Property created solely through the efforts of faculty, staff or students without any contribution from the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges shall vest in the individual creator(s). However, the creator(s) shall not be able to claim ownership rights in Intellectual Property created during work time for the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges or created using any resources of the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges that are not readily available to members of the public. It shall be the responsibility of the creator(s) to establish that he or she produced the Intellectual property solely with individual effort and without any contribution from the Technical College System of Georgia or the college.
4. Sponsor Supported Efforts: Projects sponsored by third parties often have contracts containing specific provisions with respect to ownership of any resulting intellectual property. In such cases, if the support provided is sufficient to cover the cost of developing the portion of the intellectual property to be owned by the third party, the intellectual property rights shall be as set forth in the underlying contract. Should the contract be silent as to intellectual property rights or in the absence of a contract, all rights in Intellectual Property shall vest in the Technical College System of Georgia.
5. Technical College System of Georgia or College Assigned Efforts: Intellectual Property Rights in Intellectual Property created as a result of projects undertaken at the direction of the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges shall vest with the Technical College System of Georgia.
6. Individual Efforts: Rights to Intellectual Property created solely through the efforts of faculty, staff or students without any contribution from the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges shall vest in the individual creator(s). However, the creator(s) shall not be able to claim ownership rights in Intellectual Property created during work time for the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges or created using any resources of the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges that are not readily available to members of the public. It shall be the responsibility of the creator(s) to establish that he or she produced the Intellectual property solely with individual effort and without any contribution from the Technical College System of Georgia or the college.

Proof of Individual Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights:

In any case where an employee, staff member or student of the Technical College System of Georgia or one of its constituent colleges claims a personal right to intellectual property, he or she must provide evidence of his or her ownership as provided herein. Failure to follow this procedure shall result in all Intellectual Property rights vesting in the Technical College System of Georgia.

The employee, staff member or student must file in writing his or her request for approval of his or her claim of individual right of ownership. Decisions regarding who holds the right to Intellectual Property shall be made by the Assistant Commissioner of Technical Education or designee, utilizing the standards outlined in paragraphs 1-3 above, for employees and staff of the Technical College System of Georgia’s System office. Decisions for employees, staff and students of the colleges shall be made by the college president or designee utilizing the same standards.

Individuals may appeal the decision regarding Intellectual Property rights to the Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. Appeals should be sent to the Commissioner in writing with all supporting documentation within ten (10) business days of receipt of the president’s decision. The Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia shall consult with the Office of Legal Services prior to making a final decision. The Commissioner’s decision should in most cases be made within thirty (30) business days after his/her receipt of the appeal.

Proposed Changes to Ownership Rights Established by This Policy:

Any proposed changes to the Ownership Rights of Intellectual Property must be submitted in writing to the Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia for his or her consideration. The Commissioner may establish a committee to consider such requests. The decision of the Commissioner or designee shall be made within thirty (30) days after the written submittal of the request for altered ownership rights.

M. Students shall not eat or drink inside any area of any building other than snack bars, the cafeteria, or other designated areas.

N. Tobacco Policy

Tobacco use causes enormous financial, social and public health harm to the citizens of Georgia. Accordingly, tobacco use is prohibited at Augusta Technical College

O. Students will exercise all safety precautions given by the instructor regarding the use of supplies, tools, and equipment. Students are not to use any equipment except under the supervision of the instructor. It is desirable that no accidents occur; but should an accident occur, regardless of how minor, the student shall report it to the instructor immediately. Instructors will make an accident report to the appropriate dean or director. All students shall assist in maintaining safe working conditions by notifying their instructors of any dangerous conditions that exist or any unsafe practice(s) being conducted.

P. Every class is to clean their training area at the conclusion of the period. Every instructor will have a routine for this activity, and students will carry out their share of this duty with a cooperative attitude. In addition to housekeeping in the training areas, every student will practice good housekeeping throughout the buildings and grounds.

Q. Students are expected to dress appropriately at all times. Dress requirements will vary in the classroom, laboratory, and shop areas. Students enrolled in internships and clinical courses are required to dress appropriately according to the requirements of the work for which they are being trained. Students shall not dress, groom, wear or use emblems, insignias, badges, or other symbols where the effect thereof is to detract unreasonably the attention of the other students or otherwise to cause disruption or interfere with the operation of the College. The instructor, supervising dean, director, campus liaison, or duly authorized College official shall determine whether any particular mode of dress, apparel, grooming, or use of emblems, insignias, badges, or other symbols result in such interference or disruption, as to violate this rule and shall give notice of such interference or disruption, and its cause, to all students by announcements or posting at the College.

The following shall be used as a guide by College officials in enforcing the dress policy:

1. The student will at all times observe rules governing body cleanliness, neatness of appearance, good grooming, and safety.
2. The student will at time wear clothing that reflects good taste and is to avoid extreme designs, styles, and colors. Where appropriate, students are allowed to wear "walking" or "Bermuda" shorts when not prohibited by safety factors. Some examples of inappropriate clothing include, but are not limited to, short or tight shorts and/or skirts, tight fitting pants and/or tops, low‐cut tops and/or blouses, swimsuits, tank tops, bare midriffs, bare feet, and baggy pants. These examples of clothing are not considered appropriate and could be a safety problem or cause disruption of classes.

R. Noise-Augusta Technical College is an educational institution and loud noises disturb classes and study activities. In order to ensure a quiet educational atmosphere, the playing of radios or CD/tape players in the classrooms, lab areas, library, or study areas is not permitted. Radios and CD/tape players in automobiles, open areas or in the student center must be kept at a low volume so as not to disturb classes or studies. Playing radios or CD/tape players at a high volume or the creation of a continuous loud noise shall be considered disruptive behavior. Beepers and cellular phones should be kept on silent alarm while in classrooms, lab areas, library, or study areas. A student may be asked to remove a beeper or cellular phone from the educational setting if an instructor or administrator deems the beeper or cellular phone to be disruptive to the educational atmosphere.