Academic Policies

Student Code of Conduct

Fundamental to the achievement of community among the members of the Blackfeet Community College is the recognition by all such members that each shares a responsibility to observe BCC regulations. This obligation, which is an extension of the student’s responsibility to observe the law of the land, is an essential effect to participation in the academic rights afforded to members of the BCC. The following statement of policy and procedure is known as the BCC Student Conduct Code.

The following are some of the offenses outlined, but not limited to, which can lead to serious disciplinary action, including probation, suspension or expulsion from Blackfeet Community College:

  • Dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism or knowingly furnishing false information to the college and/or in the classroom.
  • Forgery, alteration or misuse of college documents, computer programs or accounts, or records or identification.
  • Obstruction of disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures or other college activities; or of any other authorized activities on the college premises. Such obstruction or disruption (whether involving individual or group conduct; whether taking the form of force, trespass, seizure, occupation or obstruction of buildings, facilities or property; or the inciting of others to any disruptive conduct) is directly opposed to academic freedom and the mission statement of Blackfeet Community College.
  • Physical or verbal abuse of any person on college-owned or controlled property, or at college-sponsored functions, or conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any such person.
  • Theft of, or damage to the property of the college, any member of the college community, or campus visitor.
  • Storage or possession on campus of chemicals or materials or devices which by themselves or when in combination could be explosive, toxic, flammable, or dangerous, except as required in scientific research in faculty-supervised laboratories.
  • Unauthorized entry or use of occupancy of college facilities.
  • Violation of college policies, rules or regulations concerning student organization; the use of college facilities; or the time, place and manner of meetings on college-owned or controlled property.
  • Use, sale, or possession of various drugs that are deemed illegal under federal, state, and tribal laws, except as those expressly permitted by law.
  • Use, sale, or possession of intoxicating alcohol is prohibited in the buildings, at campus functions, during college-sponsored events, and on the grounds or use of BCC equipment.
  • Disorderly, lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression on college-owned or controlled property, or at College-sponsored functions.
  • Failure to comply with directions of college officials, who are acting in the performance of their duties.
  • Individual students who owed the college fees and other charges are not permitted to secure transcripts o records, degree(s), certificate(s), and grades until fees/charges are paid or satisfactorily adjusted.
  • Sexual harassment of students by faculty, staff, administration, or to other students.
  • Verbal, emotional, or physical abuse of faculty, staff, administration or to other students.

The BCC finds the following categories of violations extremely serious:

  • Rape, acquaintance (date) rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse.
  • Endangering mental or physical health of other students/staff/faculty.
  • Physical assaults resulting in injury requiring medical attention.
  • Discriminatory or bias-related acts of assault or abuse.
  • Brandishing, threatening or inuring with a weapon (for example, knives, firearms, pellet or bb guns, air pistols/rifles, chukka sticks, fireworks or explosives).
  • Attempts to set or intentionally setting fires that may result in damage or injury.
  • False fire alarms or acts that undermine safety/security equipment of systems.
  • Sales or possession of a saleable quantity of illegal drugs as defined by law.
  • Violations of the campus alcohol policy that result in injury, damage to property, or undermine the safety and security of the campus.
  • Theft of property that exceeds $500.00 in value and/or intentional damage to property resulting in repair or replacement costs in excess of $500.00.
  • Any unauthorized use of a master or control key.
  • Unauthorized use of computing and network facilities.

VIOLATION OF EXPRESSED PROHIBITIONS

Any individual who violates the following expressed prohibitions may be subject to arrest and conviction under applicable tribal, state and federal laws. Students violating these expressed prohibitions may be subject to disciplinary action as set forth by the Blackfeet Community College Student Conduct Code (see Blackfeet Community College Student Handbook), including possible sanction by suspension or dismissal from Blackfeet Community College.

ALCOHOL FREE CAMPUS

The use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs is prohibited on the campus of Blackfeet Community College and at all college-related activities.

FIREWORKS

Firearms, weapons and/or fireworks of any type are not allowed on the Blackfeet Community College Campus at any time.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

Blackfeet Community College’s Sexual Harassment Policy forbids sexual harassment of any member of the college community. The complete policy is on file in the President’s office.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Blackfeet Community College is committed to the creation of an environment wholly supportive of students’ academic and personal achievements. Beyond providing requisite academic resources and support services. BCC seeks to sustain an environment in which the diverse cultural traditions and ideals represented in both the campus community and the nation at large are valued, nurtured, and promoted. In so doing, the BCC fulfills its mandate to prepare students to participate actively and productively in our larger society. The right to participate in all aspects of the BCC experience, both in and outside the classroom, without harassment or discrimination on the basis of religion, age, gender, disability, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Blackfeet Community College welcomes all students to apply for admissions and to enroll for the purpose of training and study. With course enrollment, the student accepts all rights and responsibilities as Blackfeet Community College students.

STUDENT RIGHTS

  • Right to a quality educational environment, that allows learning and growth to take place.
  • Right to participation in decision-making and matters effecting their educational programs.
  • Right to freedom of speech and expression, including expressions concerning areas and length of hair, as long as the expression does not disrupt the educational process, classrooms, or impose upon the rights of others.
    Right to freedom of religion and culture.
  • Right to respect and fair treatment from fellow students and Blackfeet Community College faculty, staff and administration.
  • Right to have transcripts mailed out upon written request, provided there are no outstanding statements.
  • Right to freedom from harassment based on gender.
  • Right to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure of person or property.
  • Right to a reasonable degree of privacy.
  • Right to freedom from discrimination.
  • Right to a grievance procedure and process.
  • Right of due process in every instance of alleged violation of school policies which results in the student’s suspension or withdrawal from school, this right is also extended to any other disciplinary action.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To abide by the rules, acceptable student conduct, regulations & policies of BCC.
  • To treat BCC staff, facilities, equipment and other students with courtesy and respect.
  • To complete the requirements for the classes enrolled in each semester.
  • To uphold the school’s standard of conduct relating to academic honesty.
  • To assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit.
  • Respecting the guiding principle of academic integrity, each student’s submitted homework, examinations, reports, and projects must be their own.STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT

With the freedom that these rights afford comes the responsibility to conduct oneself with civility and respect toward the rights of others. It is also the responsibility of all those given these rights to protect and preserve them for others, so that with vigilance we may move closer to the ideals that these rights promise. With this obligation, which is an extension of the student’s responsibility to observe the law of the land, is an essential effect to participation in the academic rights afforded to members of the campus.

Grievance Policy

The BCC Student Handbook provides a process for filing a grievance. Students should follow this process if they are charged with a violation of the code of conduct or wish to grieve a grade:

A student with a grievance will be provided copies of appropriate policies and procedures pertaining to student complaints and grievances, Student Support Services Supervisor, Counselors, and/or Advisor shall be available to assist the student in understanding the opportunities afforded through the policies and procedures. The student may choose to have an advisor participate in any stage of the grievance procedure, unless otherwise inappropriate. Regardless of their nature, all discrimination grievances are to be filed with the Student Support Services Supervisor. A grievance must have been filed by a student within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. 406-338-5421.

All grievances must be presented in writing and contain the following information:

  • A clear concise statement of the grievance, which includes the name of the person(s) against whom the grievance is made
  • The date(s) of the alleged discrimination and a statement describing the specific supporting evidence
  • A brief summary of the prior attempts to resolve the matter which includes the names of persons with whom the matter was discussed and the results of those previous discussions
  • A specific statement of the remedial action or relief sought.

Within ten (1 0) working days, the original grievance form, with an explanation, will be returned to the student if, in the judgment of the Student Support Services Supervisor, the statements are vague or do not meet the above requirements. The student may make the necessary corrections and resubmit the grievance within ten (10) days. Any grievance not filed within the time limits will be waived by the grievant. The time limits may be extended if the student can show adequate cause. For informational purposes, copies of the grievance will be forwarded to the appropriate offices and personnel who are on the grievance hearing committee. The grievance procedures and documents will be kept confidential. student complaint form 

Students who wish to file a complaint about Blackfeet Community College may contact the following:

Northwest Commission on College and Universities

8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100

Redmond, WA  98052

(425) 558-4224

In accordance with 34 CFT 668.43, the Blackfeet Tribe has confirmed that Blackfeet Community College is a “tribally controlled college or university” and has a process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the College.  The Tribal Council has designated the Blackfeet Community College Board of Trustees as the entity to which complaints may be directed:

BCC Board of Trustees

PO Box 819

Browning, MT 59417

Blackfeetnation.com

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.”

  • Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
  • Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
  • Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
    • School officials with legitimate educational interest;
    • Other schools to which a student is transferring;
    • Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
    • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
    • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
    • Accrediting organizations;
    • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
    • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
    • State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Schools may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.

For additional information, you may call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (voice). Individuals who use TDD may use the Federal Relay Service.

Or you may contact us at the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-8520

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html