Through out this manual you will be asked to refer to SPC Board of Trustees Rules & Procedures, Please use the following link in order to accomplish this task:  http://www1.spjc.edu/central/dbtrules/
 
 

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INTRODUCTION

GOVERNANCE:

Each of Florida’s twenty-eight (28) community/junior colleges has it own Board of Trustees and adopts its own rules. These rules have the force of law. The rules of the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees are the controlling authority over all employees of St. Petersburg College. These rules are all based on a higher legal authority, primarily rules of the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education rules are derived from authority given by the Florida Legislature as recorded in the Florida Statutes.

Volumes containing the Florida Statutes and the Florida State Board of Education Administrative Rules are available in the library on each site. The Board of Trustees Rules and Procedures for implementing these rules are combined in a two-volume manual, the St. Petersburg College BOT Rules and Procedures Manual, and are also available in each of the campus/site libraries, and from program directors.

HISTORY:

St. Petersburg Junior College (SPJC) was founded in 1927 and is the oldest junior college in the state. A group of local citizens, headed by Captain George Lynch, superintendent of Pinellas County Schools, was the prime mover in establishing SPJC, originally a private non-profit two-year college offering three curricula to 87 students. The founders’ major concern was to provide higher education facilities for high school graduates who could not afford to attend college away from home. Tuition fees and an annual grant from the city of St. Petersburg first supported the institution. SPJC was accredited in 1931. A junior year, added in the fall of 1933, was discontinued in 1938. The College then strengthened its philosophy to remain a two-year college.

The College changed from private to public school status in 1948, becoming a part of the Pinellas County school system until 1968. It was then placed under the direct control of the St. Petersburg Junior College District Board of Trustees.

Originally located in the downtown area, the College moved to its present St. Petersburg Campus site in 1942 after a tract of twenty-five acres was donated by the city of St. Petersburg. The Clearwater Campus was opened in 1965 to provide for the rapidly expanding population of upper Pinellas County. A District Office complex, located in Pinellas Park, midway between campuses, was completed in 1968. In 1970 a Tarpon Springs Center was established to serve the people of that area, and in 1980 a Health Education Center was established in Pinellas Park to house all health programs at the College. The Technology Campus in Seminole opened July 1998. The Criminal Justice Institute is housed at the Allstate Center in south St. Petersburg. The College also has a site at Bay Pines, the SPC Center @ USF St. Petersburg and the SPC @ ICOT Corporate Training Center.

In June of 2001, the governor signed the Education bill that contained provisions making us a unique 4-year college, a 2 plus 2 college; hence our name changed to St. Petersburg College (SPC) and our District Board’s name changed to Board of Trustees (BOT).

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PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES:

St. Petersburg College is a comprehensive community college with an open-door policy and is firmly committed to equal access and equal opportunity for all persons. The mission of the College is to provide accessible, learner-centered education for students pursuing selected baccalaureate degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, applied technology diplomas, and continuing education within our service area as well as globally in program areas in which the College has special expertise.

EQUAL ACCESS/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (EA/EO):

St. Petersburg College is dedicated to the concept of equal opportunity. The College will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or marital status, or against any qualified individual with disabilities, in its employment practices or in the admission and treatment of students. Recognizing that sexual harassment constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex and violates this rule, the College will not tolerate such conduct. Should you experience such behavior, please contact the director of EA/EO at (727) 341-3247 or (727) 3261 or by mail at P.O. Box 13489, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-3489.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

St. Petersburg College fulfills its mission led by an outstanding, diverse faculty and staff and enhanced by advanced technologies, distance learning, international education opportunities, innovative teaching techniques, comprehensive library and other information resources, continuous institutional self-evaluation, a climate for student success, and an enduring commitment to excellence. In support of our mission, the specific goals of the College are to:

7. Provide opportunities to improve employability, enhance career skills, and attain personal enrichment through courses, seminars, workshops and other continuing education programs;

The main emphasis in the organization and operation of St. Petersburg College is that the College, with its multiple sites, is a single institutional entity. The sites include District Office (DO), Clearwater Campus (CL), St. Petersburg/ Gibbs Campus (SP/G), Tarpon Springs Center (TS), Health Education Center (HC), Allstate Center (AC), Seminole Campus (SE); SPC Center @ USF St. Petersburg (USF/SP) and the Corporate Training Services Center SPC @ ICOT site (IC).

The relationship of personnel on each site of the College to District Office staff is the same as relationships on a single site to the administrative staff on such site.

There is always present a necessity for close articulation, coordination, and cooperation among the sites of the College. Individual differences among the sites arising from differing student body characteristics, geographic location, or purely local factors will be respected and their effect on procedures or policies will be respected.

With the exception of certain courses in specialized subject matter areas, such as the occupational programs, all sites will offer virtually the same instructional program. Course numbers and descriptions in the College catalog, as well as course objectives, will apply equally to all sites. Close program coordination among sites will help to insure to all students optimum uniformity of quality instruction.

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FACULTY GOVERNANCE:

The Faculty Governance Organization provides a vehicle through which faculty members may have input into administrative decisions of the College. The Faculty Governance Organization Constitution is attached as Appendix C.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS:

Position description information for administrative/professional and career service positions is contained in the College’s position description manual and online under the Human Resources (HR) site on the College’s home page (Web Central). The library and the provost’s office on each site maintain copies of the manual.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION:

The College construction crew under the direction of the Director of Facilities Services accomplishes construction and renovation in-house.

ATTENDANCE AT GRADUATION CEREMONIES:

St. Petersburg College holds graduation ceremonies at the end of Sessions I and II and following the Summer Sessions. The main ceremony is held in May at the end of Session II, and high value is placed on faculty/A&P staff participation. All full-time faculty and A&P staff are expected to participate in May (Session II) academic processional unless approval of absence is obtained in writing from the College President.

To request approval of absence from the May graduation ceremony, a faculty /staff member must provide specific reasons for the request in a letter or e-mail to the president by the deadline which will be published in the Blue & White early during Session II. Notification of the status of requests will be provided within two weeks after the published deadline for submitting the requests. If approval for absence from the may ceremony is granted, the faculty/staff will maintain a regular working schedule on the day the ceremony is held or have completed an appropriate leave form indicating that leave has been authorized. The day of graduation is considered an official duty day with pay, although participation in the ceremony satisfies the duty requirements for that day. If a written request for approval of absence is not submitted and the absence subsequently approved, a day of pay will be deducted from the salary of full-time faculty/staff members who do not participate in the ceremony.

Full-time faculty and staff who are in an "acting" status are strongly encouraged to participate in the processional; however, participation is not mandatory. Those who do not participate will be expected to work the full day the day of the ceremony or complete an appropriate leave form.

Each faculty/staff member is responsible for securing appropriate academic regalia, which may be ordered through the bookstore manager. The faculty/staff member using the forms provided by the bookstore must arrange requests and payment of the rental charges.

Session I and Summer Session ceremonies do not hold academic processionals and, therefore, do not require faculty/staff participation. However, attendance is encouraged to show support of the graduates and the work they’ve done to earn their degrees. Reserved seating is provided for faculty/staff to sit together at these ceremonies.

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CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR FACULTY MEMBERS:

Notice of change of address and/or telephone number should be given to the program director or appropriate supervisor, and a copy should be sent to the Human Resources Office at the District Office or to your campus-based HR representative. Change of college-related information should be completed on the HelpDesk web page in the Contact Directory.

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY:

Each instructor should regulate the classroom lights to conserve electricity. If the classroom is to be vacant for more than twenty minutes, then all lights should be turned off.

CREDIT UNION:

The Pinellas County Teacher’s Credit Union (PCTCU) offers checking, savings and loan opportunities to all College personnel. Information concerning the PCTCU organization can be obtained from the credit union ambassador on your site, directly from the PCTCU or from the PCTCU web site at http://www.pctcu.org.

DATA PROCESSING:

The College administrative data processing services are provided through the Administrative Information Systems Department located at the Allstate Center. Overall coordination is provided through the office of the Vice President for Administrative Information Systems located at District Office.

FACULTY PARTICIPATION IN INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM:

Faculty members of St. Petersburg College are encouraged to participate in the intramural sports program provided this participation is outside the normal workweek.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS:

Employees of the College are expected to handle their personal financial obligations in such a manner as to prevent the involvement of the College or the administration. Failure to comply with this policy may be grounds for dismissal.

PUBLIC VISITATION AND/OR TELEPHONE CONTACTS:

The complexity of program and the physical size of multiple campus operation preclude the general public contacting students or faculty with easy accessibility either by telephone or by visitation. The College shall assume no responsibility for making contacts with students or with faculty who receive phone calls. However, in case of emergency, every reasonable attempt shall be made to aid a caller. It is therefore suggested that when faculty members are expecting special calls or visitors, they should leave word in the program director’s or provost’s office where they may be located if they are to be away from their offices.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO NEWS MEDIA:

The Office of Institutional Advancement is responsible for preparing and/or releasing communications to the news media so that the community served by the College may be kept informed of the developments and activities of the sites of the College. All faculty members are encouraged to release information to the news media through this Office. This does not preclude the answering of routine questions asked of faculty members by the news media.

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SYMBOLIC ABBREVIATIONS OF COLLEGE SITE NAMES:

When it is necessary in the official literature of the College to refer specifically to one of the campuses of the College or to make distinctive designations, the following symbols are used:
 

AC	Allstate Center
CL	Clearwater Campus
DO	District Office
HC	Health Education Center
SP/G	St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
TS	Tarpon Springs Campus
SE	Seminole Campus
USF/SP	SPC Center @ USF St. Petersburg
IC	SPC @ ICOT Corporate Training

Through out this manual you will be asked to refer to SPC Board of Trustees Rules & Procedures, Please use the following link in order to accomplish this task:  http://www1.spjc.edu/central/dbtrules/

ACADEMIC FREEDOM:

See 6Hx23-3.01

ACADEMIC TITLES:

See P6Hx23-3.901

BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS:

See 6Hx23-1.341

BUILDING MAINTENANCE:

(See also 6Hx23-6.01): Building maintenance, including air conditioning, heating and custodial, e.g., cleaning, buffing, vacuuming, window washing, is the responsibility of the director of physical plant on each site. Faculty members should report building maintenance and custodial needs and problems directly to the immediate supervisor who will then contact the appropriate person on each site. Building maintenance does not include construction and renovation, which is coordinated through the office of Facilities Services at the District Office.

COLLEGE INSIGNIA

(See also 6Hx23-4.38) The same nickname (Titans), the same student body symbol, the same colors (royal blue and white), the same official College motto (lux et veritas), and the same official College emblem are used by all sites since the College is a single institution.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES:

See 6Hx23-2.02

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COPY MACHINES:

(See also 6Hx23-5.171 and 6Hx23-5.28): Each site has copy machines. Keys are assigned to designated departments, programs and individuals to operate copy machines and to count the number of copies made. Limited personal copies can be made at a cost of ten cents per copy, plus tax.

GIFTS TO THE COLLEGE:

See 6Hx23-5.13 and P6Hx23-5.13

ENROLLMENT IN CLASS BY EMPLOYEES AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF FEES:

See 6Hx23-2.02

GIFT GIVING TO EMPLOYEES

(See also 6Hx23-2.03): Solicitation for the purpose of giving gifts may be embarrassing to those involved; therefore, the giving of gifts, whether to members of the staff, faculty, or administration of the College, should only be done with circumspection and when the donation is voluntary. Because of possible misinterpretation, solicitation for gifts to members of the administration is discouraged. It is also advisable to examine Section 112.313(2), Florida Statutes, concerning the solicitation of gifts and Section 112.3145(3)(d), Florida Statutes concerning the disclosure of gifts.

INSURANCE:

See 6Hx23-4.53, 6Hx23-5.08 and 6Hx23-5.17

INTERCAMPUS MAIL SERVICE

(See also P6Hx23-5.17): The College maintains its own service for distributing mail, announcements, memoranda, and materials between the sites and the District Office. Delivery service to all campuses and District Office is made daily. All mail, announcements, and ordinary materials are to be sent for local delivery through the central mailing centers on each site and at the District Office.

However, if there are packages or materials too bulky to bring to the central mailing point, site receiving should be notified, requesting pickup of such bulky materials or packages at other points on the site. A schedule is available in the mailroom on each site. The system is not to be used for distributing mail of a personal nature.

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INVENTORY CONTROL AND PROPERTY RECORDS:

(See also 6Hx23-5.13 and P6Hx23-5.13): Each piece of accountable equipment acquired by St. Petersburg College is assigned to a department of the College for accountability purposes. It is the responsibility of each budget supervisor to maintain adequate precautions to safeguard assigned property.

PERMANENT TRANSFER OF ACCOUNTABLE EQUIPMENT

Permanent transfer of accountable equipment between departments or buildings are to be reported on "Report of Permanent Change in Location and/or Ownership of Accountable Property," form PR-413. Temporary transfers of accountable equipment do not need to be reported unless the St. Petersburg College moving crew is to make the move. In cases where the moving crew is involved, the transfer should be reported on "Move Request Form," form PP-420.

WHEN PROPERTY IS STOLEN

When property is stolen, it must be reported on "Report of Lost or Stolen Property," form PR-414, and on "Request for Relief from Property Accountability," form PR-411. When property is lost, damaged, destroyed, or no longer usable or needed, it should be reported on "Request for Relief from Property Accountability," form PR-411.

EQUIPMENT MAY BE USED OFF CAMPUS

College equipment may be used off campus by employees for a College related activity. Form PR-415, Request For Temporary Off Campus Use of College Equipment, must be completed and approved by the site administrator or a member of the President’s Cabinet before equipment may be used off campus.

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

(See also 6Hx23-2.11): Membership in professional organizations is not required of St. Petersburg College faculty members, but is encouraged. The College shall not, however, pay for individual memberships.

OFFICIAL ENTERTAINMENT:

(See also P6Hx23-5.908): Any official entertainment or the hosting of a convention or conference on any campus must be approved by the President, and any possible arrangements for meeting expenses for such activities, either in full or in part, must be considered by the President.

PARKING:

(See also 6Hx23-1.25): Staff members are assigned parking areas at the sites and are expected to cooperate in the observance of parking and driving regulations as required of students. Infractions by members of the faculty and staff will be referred to the appropriate supervisor. Please make sure your hangtag for parking is displayed.

The maximum speed limit on College property is 10 mph.

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PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH PROJECTS:

(See also P6Hx23-3.908 and P6Hx2-3.909) Requests for information of a research nature are often received by faculty members. These requests range from a simple, one-page form, consisting of a few, easily answered questions, to requests for the commitment of a considerable amount of faculty time and effort, up to an in depth, comprehensive research study for a doctoral dissertation, a research foundation, or a governmental agency. Individual faculty members are not required to participate in another’s research project.

The following procedure is for the purpose of screening these requests and processing to completion those that are approved.

Requests received by a Faculty Member:

Faculty member receives a request to supply information or participate in a project.

If a request is from a professional association of which he/she is a member, and does not involve institutional data, faculty member may proceed to complete items and mail. Send a copy to Institutional Research Office.

If requests are to several faculty members and involve the name, influence, or prestige of SPC or involve information normally as part of official records to be sought from students, or otherwise affecting the operation, organization, or future planning of SPC, the faculty member should discuss the request with the appropriate supervisor and, if considered worth pursuing, forward the request to the Institutional Research Officer along with a memorandum indicating the person(s) forwarding the request, and recommendations as to the importance of the request.

• The Institutional Research Office will, in consultation with all person(s) and offices affected, reach a decision as to the need for participation.
• A faculty member who wishes to write a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation that would involve institutional data or would involve information about SPC students or information from SPC students and staff should provide to the Office of Institutional Research:
• A complete Concept Paper or prospectus clearly stating the purposes and objectives of the project, the methodology to be used, and the information being requested from the College.
• An assurance of anonymity of all SPC data in all published reports, unless otherwise cleared by the president.
• Copies of all instruments, e.g., tests or questionnaires to be administered;
• The Director of Institutional Research will present the request at the next meeting of the Research group. The Research Group may accept the requested participation or request additional information. The Director of Institutional Research will notify the faculty member of the decision to reject or accept the requested participation.At any time, if further participation in the project is considered to be not in the best interests of the College, the researcher will be notified of the College’s rejection immediately; and
• Faculty member requesting the College’s participation will be required to provide the Office of Institutional Research with a complete, final copy of the research report for the central research file.

(See 6Hx23-2.02)

RESERVATIONS FOR USE OF COLLEGE FACILITIES BY RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:

(See also P6Hx23-4.911): Please see your supervisor for the appropriate procedures to follow in making reservations for use of College facilities by recognized student organizations.

RESERVATIONS FOR USE OF COLLEGE FACILITIES BY RECOGNIZED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:

(See also P6Hx23-4.911): Please see your supervisor for the appropriate procedures to follow in making reservations for use of College facilities by recognized student organizations.

SMOKING IN COLLEGE FACILITIES:

(See 6Hx23-1.37)

TUTORING:

(See 6Hx23-2.26)

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Any person participating as a member of an official College committee should include the regularly scheduled committee activity as a part of the regular workweek, to be reflected in the class and office schedule.

Committee or subcommittee activities in addition to regularly scheduled meeting times, may be reflected on the on-campus office schedule so the activity is scheduled as a part of the regular workweek.

If committee activities conflict with a teaching schedule and it is necessary that a committee member have a faculty member substitute, the substitute may include the time involved as a part of the regular workweek.

LIST OF COLLEGEWIDE COMMITTEES

• Calendar Committee
• CLAST Appeals Committee
• Curriculum and Instruction Committee
• Disciplinary Board
• Discrimination Grievance Panel
• EA/EO Committee
• Faculty Compensation Committee
• Faculty Grievance Committee
• Insurance Committee
• Library Committee
• Student Grievances Committee
• Wellness Committee

CALENDAR COMMITTEE

(See also P6Hx23-1.905)

Charge: The Calendar Committee is responsible for developing and recommending the College calendar for the ensuing year. The Committee considers State Board of Education Rules that are designed to insure articulation with other colleges, College employment policies and procedures, College events, holidays, registration schedules, beginning and ending dates of each academic term, and other dates that are vital to the successful and efficient operation of the College in the development of the proposed calendar.

Membership: The membership of this Committee normally consists of: two instructional faculty members (from different programs) from CL, SP/G, TS and HC; one instructional faculty member from AC; one student from CL, SP/G, TS, HC, and AC; one career staff member from CL, SP/G, TS, HC, AC, and DO; one Librarian; one Counselor; one Assistant Provost; one Registrar; one representative from Human Resources, one representative from Business Services; one representative from Data Systems; and the Vice President for Educational and Student Services. The President appoints the chairperson and members of the Committees.

Term of Office: One-year terms beginning in August. Meetings normally occur during August and December.

Responsible to: the President.

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CLAST APPEALS COMMITTEE

(See also 6Hx23-4.36, P6Hx23-4.45, and 6Hx23-5.17)

Charge: The CLAST Appeals Committee is appointed to consider all appeals by St. Petersburg College students to waive the requirements of CLAST for the granting of the Associate in Arts degree.

Membership: The Committee will be chaired by the Vice President for Educational and Student Services or designee, and will include four additional appointed members: the institutional test administrator, a faculty member from mathematics, a faculty member from English, and a faculty member from a department other than mathematics or English.

Terms of Office: one-year terms; however, they may be reappointed as often as deemed appropriate by the President to insure continuity on the Committee and consistency in decisions made or recommended by the Committee.

Responsible to: the President and Vice President for Educational and Student Services.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

Charge:The Curriculum and Instruction Committee receives recommendations from the various academic areas regarding proposed curriculum changes. The Committee reviews and recommends action to be taken on curriculum proposals relative to credit courses and programs offered through the various delivery systems.

Membership: The Committee is composed of representatives from the various disciplines and sites. The members rotate on a two-year cycle. (See the Curriculum and Instruction Manual.) The President appoints the chairperson and the members of the Committee.

Term of Office: Two-year, rotating basis. This Committee meets throughout the academic year.

Responsible to: the President and Vice President for Educational and Student Services.

DISCIPLINARY BOARD

(See also 6Hx23-4.35)

Charge: The Disciplinary Board considers all student disciplinary cases that could result in disciplinary suspension or dismissal from College, including alleged violations of student regulations or other student misconduct.

Membership: The Board is composed of representatives from each site including a faculty member, a student, the Associate Vice President of Educational and Student Services and the Vice President for Educational and Student Services. The President appoints the chairperson and Board members.

Term of Office: one-year term beginning in August. The Board meets upon request.

Responsible to: the President and Vice President for Educational and Student Services.

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DISCRIMINATION GRIEVANCE PANEL

(See also 6Hx23-1.34 and P6Hx23-1.34)

Charge: The Discrimination Grievance Panel is responsible for hearing formal complaints of discrimination as identified in Board of Trustees Rule 6Hx23-1.34 and makes recommendations to the College President.

Membership: The President, with advice from the EA/EO Officer, designates a pool of (10) panelists to include an appropriate mix of minorities, women, handicapped and other persons selected on the basis of familiarity with various areas of the College. Each Hearing Panel is composed of three (3) members, two (2) of which are selected by the litigants. The two (2) members select the third member. In addition, the EA/EO officer shall serve on the Hearing Panel as the non-voting chairperson.

Term of Office: one-year term beginning in August. The Panel meets upon request.

Responsible to: the President and EA/EO Officer.

EQUAL ACCESS/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITTEE

(See also 6Hx23-1.34, P6Hx23-1.34 and 6Hx23-2.01)

Charge: The Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Committee participates in the review of the annual reports made by the College, as required by the Office for Civil Rights, reviews other activities of the College that may impact protected groups and makes recommendations to the president for his consideration relating to issues involving equal opportunity for protected ethnic groups, as mandated by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965.

Membership: The membership of the Committee consists of participants representing the faculty, career employees and administrative/professionals from all sites of the College. The President appoints the chairperson and Committee members.

Term of Office: One-year term beginning in August. The Committee meets monthly throughout the year.

Responsible to: The President.

FACULTY COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Charge: The Compensation Committee reviews compensation for faculty and is responsible for making recommendations to the President about issues involving faculty compensation.

Membership: The membership of this Committee is representative of all College sites and is appointed by the President. The Compensation Committee elects its chair.

Term of Office: Appointed annually by the President with the philosophy that some current members can be re-appointed to provide for continuity.

Responsible to: The President.

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FACULTY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

(See also P6Hx23-2.021)

Charge: The Faculty Grievance Committee hears complaints relating to alleged violations of individual rights, benefits, working conditions, appointment, reappointment, tenure, promotion and reassignment of members of the faculty.

Membership: The Committee is composed of one (1) administrative/professional person named by the President, one (1) administrative/professional person selected by the faculty, two (2) faculty members elected by the faculty, and one (1) member unanimously selected by the other (4) members. The Committee elects the chairperson. The Director for Human Resources serves in a non-voting capacity.

Term of Office: Appointed/elected according to College Procedure P6Hx23-2.021. The Committee meets upon the filing of a grievance.

Responsible to: The President.

INSURANCE COMMITTEE

(See also 6Hx23-4.53 and 6Hx23-5.08)

Charge: The Insurance Committee periodically reviews the College’s health and life insurance programs and makes recommendations to the College President.

Membership: The Committee is composed of faculty representatives from the various sites and representatives from Human Resources, Payroll, Business Services and Purchasing. The President appoints the chairperson and CSommittee members.

Term of Office: One-year term beginning in August. The Committee meets on-call prior to insurance renewals, cost increases, etc.

Responsible to: The President and Director of Human Resources.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

Charge: The Library Committee is responsible for providing advice and counsel in the development of library policies, procedures, programs, and services.

Membership: The Committee is composed of one instructional faculty member from each campus and center, one representative from counseling, two representatives from campus or center administrations, two students, and the Director of Libraries (ex officio). The President appoints the chairperson and members of the Committee.

Term of Office: Members (except students) are appointed for two-year terms on a rotational basis. Student members are appointed for one-year terms and normally are second-year students at the College. The Committee meets twice per academic term during Sessions I and II.

Responsible to: The President through the Vice President for Educational and Student Services and Director of Libraries.

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STUDENT GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

(See also 6Hx23-4.36 and P6Hx23-4.36)

Charge: The Student Grievance Committee hears students’ grievances arising from College Rules and Procedures or actions, with the exception of discrimination matters, defined in Board of Trustees Rule 6Hx23-4.36.

Membership: The Committee is composed of four faculty members and two students from the various sites. The President designates two alternate members and appoints the chairperson and members of the Committee.

Term of Office: one-year term beginning in August. The Committee meets upon request.

Responsible to: the President and Vice President for Educational and Student Services.

WELLNESS COMMITTEE

Charge: The Wellness Committee develops recommendations for enhancing the wellness – the well being – of all College employees.

Membership: The Committee is composed of representatives from all classes of employees at the College – usually one to two faculty representatives from each site as well as an appropriate number of career service and administrative/professional representatives. The President appoints the chairperson and members of the Committee.

Term of Office: one-year terms beginning in August. Members may be re-appointed. Meetings are called at the request of the chair.

Responsible to: the President and Director of Human Resources.

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ATTENDANCE REPORTS AND WITHDRAWALS

Instructors must maintain accurate records of student attendance. The following guidelines should apply:

Beginning of each Session: For the College to be able to take required action on "no shows" or students who do not attend any classes, it is important that instructors turn in a completed copy of the Permanent Roll (SR 448 – Attendance Report) no later than Monday of the third week of classes (but preferably on Friday of the second week of classes) for all regular and express sessions and no later than one week after the beginning of modmester and other sessions. The completed report should list in Category B (On roll but not in class) ALL students who have not attended class by that date. Notice of Drop forms are not needed for those students – they will be AUTOMATICALLY dropped. The completed Attendance Report should be submitted to the program director that will transmit the forms to your Campus Registrar.

• During Each Session: For the College to be able to take appropriate action on all other drops, including instructor initiated drops for nonattendance, the instructor must complete a Notice of Drop (SR 409) indicating the LAST DATE OF ATTENDANCE in the class. The Notice of Drop should be submitted as soon as the instructor makes the decision to drop the student so that the information can be processed in a timely manner (no later than two weeks after the last date of attendance) to avoid overpayments of financial aid.
• End of Each Session: Notice of Drop forms must also be completed for ALL "W" grades assigned on the final grade sheets unless the "W" is preprinted on the grade sheet. The Notice of Drop forms, showing the last date of attendance in the class, must be submitted with the grade sheets by the posted time for which grades are due. Notice of Drop forms that are received by the Campus Registrars at least two weeks prior to the final examination period will be processed and will result in preprinted "W" grades on the grade sheets.

(See 6Hx23-1.35 and P6Hx23-1.35) Contact the Library Director’s Office for a copy of the Copyright Manual for Faculty and Staff for the current year.

St. Petersburg College supports and encourages its employees to develop scholarly and creative works and educational materials and products--intellectual property that may be subject to copyright or patent and which may generate royalty income. Such development may involve the use of college time and resources. In order to balance, protect, and define the respective rights of St. Petersburg College and its employees regarding intellectual property that may be subject to copyright or patent, the following policy is established.

COPYRIGHT AND PATENT, MATERIALS SUBJECT TO:

The following types of published and unpublished materials may be subject to copyright:

• All written works, including books, journal articles, texts, glossaries, bibliographies, study guides, resource materials, laboratory and other manuals, syllabi, tests, and proposals as well as works in other media

• Lectures, musical or drama compositions, and unpublished scripts
• Films, filmstrips, charts, transparencies, and other visual aids and teaching devices
• Video and audio tapes and cassettes
• Live video or audio broadcasts
• Programmed instructional material
• Computer programs
• Pantomimes and choreographic works
• Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
• Sound recordings
• Other materials subject to the U.S. copyright laws and controls

COPYRIGHT, FAIR USE

(Board of Trustees’ Rules and Procedures P6Hx23-1.35): The Copyright Act of 1976 gives the status of statutory law to certain use of copyrighted works that prior to January 1, 1978, was privileged only under various court holdings. This is "fair use" as authorized under Section 107 of the 1976 Act, which reads as follows:

"Section 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair Use

• the fair use "factors" set forth as usage standards in Section 107 are not the sole considerations that could justify particular photocopying as fair use;
• not all of the four specific factors set forth in Section 107 need be present to justify as fair use every incident of unlicensed photocopying. Rather, "the courts must be free to adapt the doctrine to particular situations on a case-by-case basis."

1. The performance takes place in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruction.

The growth of the Internet and electronic resources has led to questions regarding Copyright protection of electronic information. The use of computer programs and information available electronically was addressed by the Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights chaired by Bruce A. Lehman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks. The Working Group decided that the current Copyright Act applies to electronic publications as well as traditional publications. The report of this Group, Intellectual Property and the National Information Infrastructure, published in September 1995 states, "With no more than minor clarification and limited amendment, the Copyright Act will provide the necessary balance of protection of rights – and limitations on those right – to promote the progress of science and the useful arts."

GRADE REPORTS:

At the end of the session, each instructor will turn in to the campus registrar’s office a student grade report for each class. Roll sheets for this purpose are distributed to instructors before the close of each session. Grade sheets must be turned in at or before the times and dates shown in the College calendar to avoid creating major difficulties for the College and individual students. (Late grade sheets often result in inappropriate cancellation of registration, notification of placement, probation or suspension, cancellation or reduction of financial aid and other traumatic consequences for students.)

COURSE CONTENT:

(See also 6Hx23-3.04): The objectives and content of any course offered on more than one site of the College shall be the same and shall be taught so as to comply with the course description. The official curriculum content of courses and programs is on the file server. (See current Curriculum and Instruction Manual for further details). It includes course description, major learning outcomes and a core of common objectives stated in performance terms, which will be taught by all faculty. Each instructor is expected to add objectives to the core to completely describe the course offering. Changes to course content and course descriptions must be approved through the curriculum committee procedures and the Board of Trustees. Instructors must comply with the approved course content of the courses they teach.

COURSE CO-REQUISITES AND PRE-REQUISITES:

(See also P6Hx23-3.906): The following definitions and operational criteria for co-requisites and prerequisite courses have been adopted College-wide. Monitoring of prerequisites and co-requisites is accomplished through the registration process. However, instructors often need to be able to explain the requirements to students and grading may be complicated by progress in a co-requisite course.

INDEPENDENT STUDY:

These study programs provide an additional service for students. This type of study program, available to all students, is especially beneficial when circumstances prevent attending a regular course section and the course is needed in that particular session. Independent study course sections must be initiated at the program level and approved by the site administrator. However, an independent study section may be offered only when circumstances prevent offering a regular course section that a student needs in a particular session. Assignment of instructors is the prerogative of the program director or supervisor. Independent study is designed to teach the course content to students who do not already possess course knowledge.

Only Directed Independent Study (DIS) assignments requested by the appropriate program director or supervisor are eligible for supplemental salary payment or for inclusion in a faculty member’s ECH (load) assignment. In order to quality for such purposes the DIS assignment must be documented by the completion of an individualized DIS Agreement Form establishing the commitment on the part of the student and the faculty member. These are available through program directors or appropriate supervisors. When such DIS assignments are made, supplemental payments and load assignments will be calculated on an ECH basis according to the following formula, where SCL = Standard Course Listing:

State Board of Education Rules dictate that tuition fees shall be charged ONLY for instruction provided by the College. Tuition fees shall not be charged for the assessment of prior learning or the award of credit based on prior learning, regardless of whether the prior learning was acquired through instruction provided by the College or through instruction or experience external to the College (SBE Rule 6A-14.54(6), FAC).

Independent study cannot be used as a means of evaluating and awarding credit for existing knowledge from prior learning. For evaluating and crediting existing knowledge from prior learning see the section entitled, "Credit by Assessment of Prior Learning" (Experiential Learning Program).

FINAL EXAMINATIONS:

(See also 6Hx23-4.19): The giving of the final examination shall be left to the discretion of the individual instructor, with the concurrence of the program director or appropriate supervisor. With the exception of the College-wide Common Finals, students averaging an "A" or "B" may be exempted from the final examination by obtaining permission from the instructor.

Final examinations must be administered at the time indicated in the College-wide Final Examination Schedule, unless a change is approved by the appropriate program director and the appropriate site administrator.

Instructors are required to keep final examination papers on file for the duration of the subsequent regular session (Session I or II).

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FINAL EXAMINATIONS, SPECIAL:

Students wishing to take final examinations other than during the regularly scheduled final examination period must obtain permission from the instructor, program director (or appropriate supervisor). If permission is granted, the Business Office is notified in writing of the number of special examinations a student will take, the course and section numbers and the amount of the approved fee(s). After the student has paid the special examination fee(s) at the Business Office, he presents his copy of the validated permission form to the instructor(s) and takes the examination(s) as arranged with the instructor(s).

OPENING CLASS INFORMATION:

At the first class meeting, instructors are required to present in written form vital information to each class. This includes the instructor’s attendance policy, textbooks required for the course, course objectives, and the grading policy.

FIELD TRIPS:

(See also 6Hx23-3.03 and P6Hx23-3.03): Field trips for instructional purposes involving students and instructional staff are planned and organized in the following manner:

The program director or appropriate supervisor concerned presents a recommendation for a field trip to the appropriate site administrator. The recommendation should contain the class or group involved, the number attending, the faculty member(s) in charge, the destination of the trip, the mode of transportation, estimated cost, the purposes of the trip as related to the instructional program and the expected value of the activity.

When an instructor wishes to take classes on a field trip, it is necessary to avoid conflict with student attendance in other classes and to secure proper approval prior to the trip as outlined above. If the trip will cause any student to miss classes in any other course, prior clearance must be arranged with other instructors. After the field trip has received final approval, the program director must coordinate the details of the trip through the office of the assistant provost or his designate representative. Special attention must be given to the modes of transportation used for field trips. See also section entitled, "Authority to Incur Travel Expenses."

CONFIDENTIALITY OF GRADES:

(See also 6Hx23-4.37): Current federal and state laws pertaining to confidentiality of student records prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of any personally identifiable student information covered under the provisions of the laws in question. Therefore, student grades may not be posted in any manner, even using student numbers for identification purposes.

GRADE CHANGES:

(See also 6Hx23-4.20): A student’s grade may not normally be changed except by the instructor who assigned the original grade and except as provided herein. "Grade change" refers to a possible change in grade assigned by an instructor on the basis of academic performance. It does not include possible changes in failing grades assigned "by default" for excessive absences, unofficial withdrawals, withdrawing after the deadline date, or for other administrative reasons in keeping with existing policies. In addition, the Student Grievances Committee may change a grade under appropriate circumstances.

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The Committee on Academic Appeals (SP/G and TS), the Student Appeals Committee (CL) will determine justification for changing a student’s status in a course. In this category are included requests referred to as "belated approval for withdrawal." When such approval is granted, the grades will be changed to "W." All requests for a grade change, from an assigned letter to "X" (audit), must be first submitted in writing by the student to the Committee on Academic Appeals (SP/G and TS) or the Student Appeals Committee (CL) for final action. Students will not be encouraged to contact the instructor directly. The committee will screen requests for grade changes to "X" (audit) to determine the merits in each case. If the committee disapproves the change, the action is final, and the instructors will not be contacted. If the committee feels that the change should be made, the chairperson of the committee will notify each instructor involved, giving a review of the case and requesting the instructor to give written approval or disapproval. No grade change will be made without the written approval and concurrence of the instructor who originally assigned the grade. In cases in which the instructor who assigned the grade is no longer employed by the College, the Committee will make final determination.

MICHAEL M. BENNETT LIBRARIES:

(See also 6Hx23-5.13 and P6Hx23-5.13) The library supports and assists the instructional programs of the College with books, audiovisual materials, electronic resources equipment and services. Campus libraries cooperate to provide College-wide information services with daily delivery of materials from other campuses through the College courier service. Librarians and career library staff assist the teaching faculty with bibliographic instruction, research and development of educational materials. Although the normal circulation period is two weeks, faculty can request extended borrowing privileges. Faculty are provided with bar-coded photo identification cards, which serve as library cards.

Access to library collections is provided through LINCC, the statewide library automation system for community college libraries. Each campus library has public access terminals that allow library users to locate materials at any campus library through author, title and subject searches. The library collections of the other 27 community colleges also are available through the terminals. An "information gateway," part of the automated system, provides access to the state university library collections, an electronic encyclopedia, ERIC, periodical indexes and the Internet. See a librarian for interlibrary loan services. Network file serves managed by the libraries provide access to medline and CINAHL and faculty have telnet access to LINCC through the College network.

VCRs, overhead projectors and other audiovisual equipment are scheduled and repaired by the libraries. Request equipment though the campus library and report broken or malfunctioning audiovisual equipment to the departmental secretary or the library. Videotapes, compact disk recordings and other audiovisual materials are listed in LINCC. Telecourse videotapes also are listed in LINCC and the libraries provide copies of the tapes for student check out as well as reserve copies of the Telecourse syllabi and textbooks.

Materials placed on Library Reserve by faculty are kept at the circulation desks. Faculty are requested to review "Reserves" each term and remove materials that are no longer needed.

A College-wide Library Committee with membership from the faculty, administration and the student body advises the library in developing collections and providing services. Policies and procedures are available in the library and on the Server on the College network in the folder, Library Information (AWS95#1). A student library handbook, pathfinders and other printed guides to library use also are provided.

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A one-hour credit course in electronic library services taught by librarians was added to the curriculum n 1994. LIS 1002, Electronic Access to Information, provides students with in depth experience in searching electronic resources. Contact the campus libraries to schedule bibliographic instruction specific to your courses, general library class tours, or individual instruction sessions.

Selection of books and audiovisual materials is the combined responsibility of the College community including teaching faculty, library faculty, the administrative staff, and students. Librarians serve as liaisons to academic departments to select library materials. Purchase is guided by reviews in professional literature and the library collection development policy. In developing new programs and courses, faculty must determine adequate library support before requesting approval of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee. Periodicals are subscribed to by calendar year. Request periodical subscriptions in Session II for a start date of the following January. Materials are added to the library collections commensurate with budget allocations based on the following considerations;

• The mission, goals, and objectives of the College
• The College curriculum
• Instructional methods
• Special needs of students

• As a responsibility of library service, books and other library materials selected chosen for values of interest, information, and enlightenment of all the people of the community. In no case should library materials be excluded because of the race or nationality or the social, political, or religious views of the authors.
• Libraries should provide books and other materials presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times; no library materials should be proscribed or removed from libraries because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Censorship should be challenged by libraries in the maintenance of their responsibility to provide public information and enlightenment.
• Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and fee access to ideas. This selection policy applies equally to all learning resources materials, whether acquired by purchase, or exchange.

When St. Petersburg College is paying a faculty member on a full-time basis for a given course, another St. Petersburg College faculty member cannot receive remuneration for participating in that same course, except as an approved substitute when the regular faculty member is absent from class.

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When instructors wish to have speakers who are not members of the faculty of St. Petersburg College appear in their classes, they are required to obtain approval from the program director or appropriate supervisor well in advance of the proposed appearance date. Program directors or appropriate supervisors will confer with their supervisor where financial obligations on the part of the College are concerned or where the safety or welfare of the College community may become an issue.

ATTENDANCE OF VETERANS:

(See also P6Hx23-4.912): The Veterans’ Administration requires timely reporting of students who are receiving veterans’ benefits and who are no longer attending classes. To avoid fiscal liability for the overpayment of benefits, the College must report students who have stopped attending within 30 days of the last class attended. To complete the process on time, including personal follow-up with the students, the College needs reports of non-attendance quickly.

BOOKSTORES:

The bookstores stock textbooks and educational supplies for faculty and students. Textbooks are ordered through the programs, not by individual instructors. The regular bookstore hours are as follows: