"The choices we make reflect who we are." College is a time for learning, inside and outside the classroom. MCC respects the rights of faculty to teach and students to learn. Maintenance of these rights requires classroom conditions that do not impede the learning process. Classroom behavior that seriously interferes with either the instructor's ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to profit from the instructional program is not tolerated. Each member of the campus community—instructors, staff, and students—contributes to the climate of MCC's locations by:

• respecting fellow students, staff, and faculty;
• practicing honesty;
• being tolerant of differences; and
• demonstrating civility.

The Code of Conduct addresses two areas of behavior: academic and non-academic. Contact the appropriate academic dean regarding questions about academic misconduct; contact the campus dean or executive director regarding questions about non-academic/behavior misconduct. Violations of the academic and non-academic behavior Code of Conduct produce consequences and may include sanctions.

Animals On Campus

Animals are not allowed on campus with the exception of service animals for people with disabilities. At no time should animals be left in vehicles. Questions should be directed to the campus dean or center executive director.

The ADA and Nebraska law [Section 20-127] allows service animals accompanying persons with disabilities to be on MCC's campuses. A service animal must be permitted to accompany a person with a disability everywhere on campus except in situations where safety may be compromised. If there are any questions as to whether an animal qualifies as a service animal, a determination will be made by Disability Support Services counselors. Therapy animals do not assist an individual with a disability in the activities of daily living; therefore, they are not protected by laws for service animals.

Children On Campus

Out of respect for all students and concern for safety and liability issues, children not registered in MCC classes are not permitted to attend class with their parent or guardian or to be left unattended at any College location. MCC police will attempt to locate a parent or guardian of an unattended child. Legal authorities may be called to deal with the situation if the attempt to locate the parent or guardian is unsuccessful. Students who disregard this policy may face disciplinary action.

Drug-Free Schools And Communities Act Notice

MCC's standards of conduct prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and/or alcohol by students and employees on College property or as part of any of the College's activities. Illicit drug use means the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, including anabolic steroids. State and federal laws and any applicable city ordinances pertaining to the possession and use of illicit drugs and alcoholic beverages shall be observed by all College students and employees. A student's violation of the standards stated in this paragraph shall result in disciplinary sanctions.

Provisions of this act require the annual distribution to students of a notice of the standards of conduct. A copy is available online at www.mccneb.edu/police.

Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act

Access to student information

Students' rights concerning access to educational records are outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as amended. These rights include:

• providing students with the opportunity to inspect their educational records (Contact the Records office at 402-457-2353 for an appointment.);
• providing students with the opportunity to challenge through a hearing the content of their educational records if it is believed that they contain information that is inaccurate or misleading (Contact the Records office at 402-457-2353 for an appointment.); and
• limiting disclosure of information from students' records to those who have students' written consent or to officials specifically permitted within the law, such as College officials and—under certain conditions—local, state, and federal officials.

Students who wish to grant parental, spouse, or third-party access to their educational records may do so by submitting an Authorization to Release Student Information form to the Records office. The form can be found at www.mccneb.edu/formsbank.

MCC does not publish a student directory. Pursuant to the Act, the College may, at its discretion, provide directory information to third parties without students' consent. Directory information includes, but is not limited to:

• major field of study;
• credit hour status (full- or part-time for the quarter);
• start and end dates of attendance (start date of first quarter of when classes were taken and end date of the last quarter when classes were completed only);
• degrees and awards received;
• student's name;
• student's address; and
• date of birth.

Students have the right to restrict access to their directory information by completing a Request to Opt Out of Directory Information form. By completing this form, students are requesting that directory information not be released to non-College personnel. As a result of the decision to request confidential status, students should know:

• all address changes must be made in person with a form of ID;
• no information can be given to friends or relatives trying to locate a student through MCC;
• information as to student status is suppressed, so loan companies, prospective employers, family members, etc., are informed that MCC has no record of the student's attendance; and
• the graduation program or any other official publication does not contain the student's name.

Students who object to the disclosure of any of the above information and would like it withheld from disclosure may notify the Records office in writing at:

Metropolitan Community College
Attn: Records office
P.O. Box 3777
Omaha, NE 68103-0777

Annual notice to students

Annually, MCC informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This Act, with which the institution complies fully, was designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act office concerning alleged failures by the institution in complying with the provisions of the Act.