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Quinsigamond Community College is committed to the academic success of its students. Students are required to maintain a GPA of at least a 2.0 (C average) to remain in good academic standing. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, they will be on either “Academic Notice” or “Academic Pause” status, as outlined below. Students will be notified of their status via mail to their home address on record and via email to their QCC student email. 

Academic Notice: Students who have a cumulative GPA under 2.0 at the end of a fall, spring, or summer semester will be placed on “Academic Notice.” Students placed on Academic Notice will need to meet with an advisor to discuss their academic plans before they can register for the next semester. Students on Academic Notice status will work with their advisor and campus resources to get back into good academic standing. If a student is on Academic Notice for more than 1 semester, their status will update from “Academic Notice” to “Academic Notice 2” and “Academic Notice 3” at the end of their 2nd and 3rd semesters with a cumulative GPA under 2.0 and semester GPAs under 2.2. Students on Academic Notice 2 or 3 may have registration restrictions. 

Extended Academic Notice If a student has a cumulative GPA under 2.0, but a term GPA of 2.2 or higher, they will qualify for “Extended Academic Notice,” meaning they can continue taking courses without going into Academic Pause status. Students may be eligible for multiple semesters on Extended Academic Notice. If a student is on Extended Notice for multiple semesters their Academic Notice level will remain the same. 

Academic Pause: If a student’s cumulative GPA stays below 2.0 for 3 consecutive semesters (not including intersession) and they do not qualify for Extended Academic Notice, at the end of their semester on Academic Notice 3 they will be placed on “Academic Pause” status. Students on Academic Pause must take 1 semester away from QCC. After 1 semester away, a student on Academic Pause can re-join QCC by contacting Academic Advising and meeting with an advisor. Students who wish to return must follow guidelines stated in the Academic Pause letter. Returning students will come back on Academic Notice 3 and will be governed by the rules of “Academic Notice” until their GPA returns to Good Standing. A returning student must earn a term GPA of 2.2 or higher to continue or they would fall back onto Academic Pause status.

Title XII Drug-Free Schools Act: In 1989, Congress amended Title XII of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This amendment, the “Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989,” requires that every educational institution, as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program, certify its adoption and implement programs designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. QCC, in accordance with legal mandates and its commitment to establishing and maintaining a supportive learning and working environment, has established the following policies for students and employees. 

As required by the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Clery Act, this information is provided to all enrolled students and current employees of Quinsigamond Community College. 

Quinsigamond Community College prohibits the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and or alcohol on its property or as part of any campus activity. Students under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or having them in their possession, will be sanctioned under the College Code of Conduct. 

Federal, state and local sanctions for unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs range from probation and forfeiture of property to fines and imprisonment. For example, the sanctions against an individual for distribution of, or possession with intent to distribute, controlled substances include imprisonment for several years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, with fines up to $4 million. Sanctions can increase for repeat offenders or for offenses resulting in death or serious bodily harm, and can be doubled for each of the following occurrences: distribution to persons under 18 years of age, distribution within 1,000 feet of a school, including the College Campus School, or employing someone under 18 in the distribution. Attempt or conspiracy to commit a crime can be treated as severely as the intended offense. Many of the state and federal statutes that prohibit the illegal distribution of controlled substances provide for minimum mandatory prison sentences. Conviction for violation of any state or federal drug law can lead to ineligibility for any federal benefit, including grants and loans. Thus a student can make themselves ineligible for student loans through drug conviction. 

Massachusetts makes it illegal to be in a place where heroin is kept and to be “in the company” of a person known to possess heroin. Any person in the presence of heroin, risks conviction of a serious drug offense. Sale and possession of “drug paraphernalia” is illegal in Massachusetts.

All locks, keys, electronic access cards, and access codes are the sole property of Quinsigamond Community College (QCC). QCC reserves the right to change locks, keys, electronic access cards, and access codes as needed. No one may place a lock that is not part of an approved QCC system on any QCC facility's interior or exterior without the permission of the Director of Public Safety or his/her designee.

Further, duplicating college keys is prohibited except by the authorization of the Director of Public Safety. Any unauthorized person who possesses or duplicates keys to the lock of any Quinsigamond Community College building or property owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.

While Quinsigamond Community College is an open and welcoming campus, it is primarily an educational institution. As a general rule, children will not be permitted in the classroom, or in any other areas of the College where their presence may interfere with the learning or work environment. Students, visitors and staff need to be aware of the following parameters that the College has established concerning children on campus. 

• A parent, legal guardian, or a responsible adult must supervise children at all times on the QCC campus. 
• Children may be allowed in the classroom only with prior approval of the faculty member and not on a recurring basis. 
• Prior approval must be obtained in writing from the appropriate facility manager before a child can utilize campus facilities such as the Fuller Student Center or the Athletic Complex. The parent, legal guardian, or a responsible adult must be present at all times. 
• Children may be allowed in the Learning Centers only with prior approval of the Learning Managers and not on a recurring basis. 
• The staff at the Quinsigamond Children's School supervises only children who are enrolled in the Child Care program. 

Quinsigamond Community College cannot be responsible for the care and supervision of children.

Students are expected to attend their scheduled classes (on-campus and/or on-line). Each instructor defines his/her attendance policy in the course syllabus that is distributed to students during the first week of classes.

1. All use of a QCC owned technology is governed by the QCC Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy. 
2. Access to college owned data will be provided based on the staff member’s job function at the College. 
3. Access to college data will be approved by the appropriate area Vice President or their designee. 
4. Removing confidential information using removable media is prohibited. 
5. Accessing College data and systems other than through approved methods as designed to maintain integrity and security is prohibited. 
6. Annually each employee will be trained on the importance and proper use of personal information security systems.

Quinsigamond Community College recognizes the academic achievement of its students each fall and spring semester. Students who meet the following criteria are eligible for recognition: 

• All grades must be C or higher (no grades of I or X are permitted) 
• Semester QPA must be 3.5 or higher 
• All courses must be college-level 

Students who meet the stated criteria and have earned 12 or more QCC credits in a given semester are named to the Dean’s List. 

Individual honors are noted on the student’s transcript each semester.

Maintain the College's access to capital. Debt financing should only be used to finance those projects that have been reviewed by the Board, are part of the BHE's Strategic Capital Program and which have been approved for financing by the Board. The 2003 study by Eva Klein Associates, Matching Facilities to Missions: Strategic Capital program, equipped BHE With objective criteria and an open process for prioritizing capital projects and justifying them to various constituencies. is vital not only for appealing to the Executive and the General Court for funding and for public accountability, but for justifying the need for debt to bond issuing agencies and the market.

Manage the College's credit to meet its long-term strategies objectives while maintaining creditworthiness consistent with the most favorable relative cost Of capital and borrowing terms. Maintaining the highest acceptable credit rating will permit the College to continue to issue debt and finance capital projects at favorable interest rates while meeting its strategic objectives; 

Limit Risk of the College's debt portfolio. Debt will be managed on a portfolio, rather than a transactional or project-specific, basis. Management's continuing objective of incurring the lowest achievable long-term risk-adjusted cost of capital will be balanced within acceptable budgetary parameters. Financial Feasibility as it applies to specific projects and long term strategic planning Will be review for future projected debt on a portfolio basis. Various types of debt structures and financial instruments will be considered, monitored, and managed within the framework established in this policy and according to internal management procedures; and

Permit the optimization of the investment of the College's working capital and cash balances. Management will explore various options and alternatives to internal cash holdings regarding the optimal funding mechanism for short-term equipment needs, bridge financing and cash requirements. Management recognizes that working capital requirements, debt management, and the investment of cash should be viewed comprehensively in order to optimize overall funding and investment return strategies.

Students and faculty/staff members shall be allowed to bring food and beverages into the classroom at the discretion of the instructor, provided that the instructor assumes responsibility for insuring that no food or drink is left in the room following the class and that all containers, wrappers, and other refuse are disposed of properly.

1. Email is provided to Employees to conduct the business of the college. 
2. The College does not guarantee privacy or confidentiality of any electronic mail. 
3. Use of electronic mail to violate this or ANY College policy is prohibited. 
4. Any use of electronic mail which does not respect the image and reputation of the College is prohibited. 
5. The user bears sole responsibility for all transmissions using their assigned email address. 
6. Assigned email addresses and accounts are not transferable. 
7. Concealment or misrepresentation of names, addresses, or affiliations in electronic mail is prohibited. 
8. Use of the campus-wide broadcast email list, QCC Family, is limited to college related business. 
9. Use of electronic mail to transmit unencrypted confidential College owned information is prohibited. 
10. Use of electronic mail for commercial purposes is prohibited. 
11. Use of electronic mail that is threatening, offensive or for purposes of harassment is prohibited.(see Appendix B of the QCC Information Systems Acceptable Use Policy) 
12. Electronic mail is part of the business record of the College and may be inspected or subject to discovery in litigation and freedom of information act requests. (see Appendix D of the QCC Information Systems Acceptable Use Policy)

Professor Emeritus/a is a lifetime honor that may be awarded to retiring full-time Quinsigamond teaching and non-teaching faculty and former faculty members who have become Quinsigamond administrators with at least fifteen years of full-time teaching service at Quinsigamond Community College, upon recommendation by the Emeritus Selection Committee, the President, and the Board of Trustees, for acknowledged excellence in teaching, personifying the mission of the college, and/or for outstanding service to the college. 

Under unusual circumstances, and at the discretion of the Emeritus/a Selection Committee and the President, retiring teaching faculty and non-teaching faculty members who do not meet the fifteen year criterion, or retiring administrators who do meet the requisite criteria, may also be considered for Emeritus/a status.

Once in a lifetime, if a student returns to Quinsigamond Community College after being away at least two consecutive years, he/she may elect a "fresh start" option. The student's Q.P.A. will be calculated only from this point forward, for the purposes of the College's academic standing policy.

a. If a student elects this "fresh start" option, the former work will remain in the student's file as a matter of record but will not be used in calculating the student's Q.P.A. If a student is requesting federal financial aid and is judged to be ineligible due to the Standards of Satisfactory Progress for Federal Financial Aid, he/she may appeal based upon mitigating circumstances.

b. Under this option, a student's former course work may be transferred into his/her new program under the College's regular transfer policy. However, none of the earlier work will be calculated in the new Q.P.A. and he/she must complete a minimum of 15 credits "in residence" in his/her new program.

c. If a student wishes to have some of his former grades count toward his/her Q.P.A., he cannot elect this policy. In that case, the student's entire former transcript will be calculated as part of the present Q.P.A.

d. The "fresh start" option is available only once in a lifetime to a student returning to the College.

e. For those students granted a "Fresh Start", the transcript will include, at the appropriate chronological point, a statement explaining the Fresh Start Policy.

It is College policy that the approved learning goals for general education are integrated into curriculum of every associate degree program offered by the College.

Quinsigamond Community College is committed to making its campus more sustainable and to contribute to the elimination of global warming by significantly reducing and neutralizing its greenhouse gas emissions. As part of this commitment, Quinsigamond Community College will work in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) to ensure that campus facilities are managed and maintained in a sustainable fashion, and that the Massachusetts LEED Plus standard is applied to all new construction and major renovations, per Executive Order No. 484.

1. All systems hardware and software are the property of Quinsigamond Community College and subject to audit by the College and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
2. Quinsigamond Community College may, at its own discretion, examine, move, or delete files, including email, for purposes of system maintenance or if the files are determined to be disruptive to the system or its users, intentionally or unintentionally. (see Appendix A) 
3. The school makes no warranties of any kind, whether, expressed or implied, for the services it is providing. 
4. For all users, system and storage limitations can be set as needed by the college. 
5. The College will not be responsible for any damages suffered while on this system. Including loss of personal data due to system outages or irresponsible use. 
6. Quinsigamond Community College is not responsible for offensive material created, obtained or distributed by any user using college technology and information systems. 
7. Copying material bearing copyrights or patents without proper licensing or authority is prohibited except as allowed under the fair use provision of the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. 107, as amended. 
8. Accessing material or data belonging to any QCC technology, information systems, and or user information without proper authority is prohibited. 
9. Using College technology and information systems for political lobbying (see Appendix B) or commercial purposes is prohibited. Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy 2 of 3 
10. To copy or remove software from College systems without prior authorization is prohibited. 
11. Installation or modification of system hardware or software by unauthorized personnel is prohibited. 
12. Use of College technology and information systems that is offensive or harassing is prohibited. (see Appendix C) 
13. Use of College technology and information systems, which violates ANY College policy, is prohibited. 
14. Creating, viewing or transmission of any material that violates any state, federal, or international law is prohibited. 
15. Use of College technology and information systems to gain unauthorized access to any system or data is prohibited.

Students who are enrolled for a minimum of twelve credits in a given semester are considered to be full-time. If a student desires to register for more than nineteen credits in a given semester, the written permission of the Vice President of Academic Affairs must be received.

Students who enroll for fewer than twelve credits a semester are considered to be part-time. To qualify for financial aid and/or other benefits, a student must register for and complete a minimum number of credits each semester. For information about financial aid eligibility requirements, a student should contact the Financial Aid Office.

Quinsigamond Community College recognizes the academic achievement of its students each fall and spring semester. Students who meet the following criteria are eligible for recognition: 

• All grades must be C or higher (no grades of I or X are permitted) 
• Semester QPA must be 3.5 or higher
• All courses must be college-level 

Students who meet the stated criteria and have earned 6 or more QCC credits in a given semester but fewer than 12 QCC credits are named to the Merit List. 

Individual honors are noted on the student’s transcript each semester.

Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) and the Quinsigamond Community College Foundation, Inc (QCC Foundation) understand the importance of recognizing individuals and entities who have made significant contributions to support the mission of Quinsigamond Community College. To that end, the College and the QCC Foundation, seek to provide appropriate naming opportunities to donors for their generosity. Facilities and programs at QCC may be named for individuals or other entities, based on a number Of criteria as Outlined in this policy. The primary motivating factor for naming a facility Or program will be to encourage private philanthropic support. Only under unique circumstances should facilities or programs be named without a financial contribution. It is the intention of the College that naming opportunities generally be in perpetuity. However, there may be opportunities for period- specific sponsorships, which would not be considered in the same category as permanent naming of facilities or programs. 

The scope Of this document is to outline the process and policies for those naming opportunities under the control Of QCC for which donations have been made Or are managed by the QCC Foundation. This document neither governs, nor reflects, the policies or decision process Of the Massachusetts Board Of Higher Education (BHE). 

Within the categories as defined below, the decision as to the naming of College-owned buildings rests solely with the Board of Higher Education, who will make their decision after consulting with the President of the College. No commitment for naming of buildings or schools may be made prior to approval by the College Board of Trustees.

The student must be in satisfactory academic standing per individual college entities to participate in extracurricular activities.

The College may confer a posthumous degree/certificate to honor the academic achievement and memory of a student who dies while enrolled in a degree/certificate program, provided the following conditions are met: 

1. 1. Eligibility Criteria: 
   1. The student was actively enrolled or on an approved medical leave in a degree/certificate program at the time of death.
   2. The student had completed a substantial portion of the program requirements, generally defined as at least 75% of the credit hours required for the degree/certificate. 
   3. The student was in good academic standing at the time of death. 
   4. If the decedent does not meet the eligibility criteria for the award of a posthumous degree/certificate/certificate, their academic achievement may be acknowledged through an In Memoriam Recognition 
2. Approval Process: 
   1. A request for a posthumous degree/certificate may be initiated by the student’s family or any QCC faculty or staff member. 
   2. The request must be reviewed and recommended by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and approved by the President of the College. 
   3. Documentation verifying the student’s death and academic record must accompany the request. 
3. Degree/Certificate Conferral: 
   1. The posthumous degree/certificate will be noted as such on the official transcript and diploma. 
   2. The College may recognize the award during commencement or through an alternative ceremony, in consultation with the family. 
   3. Diploma annotation will read as follows: 
      1. Associate of Arts (A.A.) or appropriate credential 
      2. Major: 
      3. Conferred Posthumously 
4. Exceptions: 
   1. In extraordinary circumstances, exceptions to the eligibility criteria may be considered by the President upon recommendation from the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Students who have previously attended QCC and have not attended the College for two consecutive semesters, either due to withdrawal or academic failure, must apply to be readmitted. Students must submit a new application. 

Upon academic failure, or withdrawing from a health or high demand program, students are required to meet with their Program Coordinator to establish guidelines for readmission. Students will be considered only once for readmission to all health programs. Specific steps for readmission can be obtained in the QCC Admissions Office or from the appropriate academic department.

REFUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING LIMITATIONS: 

1. Any class can be dropped at no cost up to the last day of the published add drop period each semester by contacting the Advising Center located in the HLC by email at advising@qcc.mass.edu.

2. All tuition and fee waivers must be submitted to the Business Office, room B07A, prior to the last class day of the term to be considered for a refund or adjustment. 

3. Mandatory compulsory health insurance premiums are not refundable to any student.

 4. Students will be refunded only that portion of tuition and fees paid by them: contracted agency payments will be refunded directly to the paying party. 

5. Official withdrawal after the published add drop period must be made by contacting the Registrar’s Office in room 152A by email at qccreg@qcc.mass.edu . 

6. Financial aid recipients are advised to check with the Financial Aid Office located in the HLC by email at financialaid@qcc.mass.edu prior to withdrawing to determine any impact on their financial aid award. 

7. All costs and refund policies are subject to change without prior notification.

Reimbursement Policy – Interviews 

The College provides partial reimbursement for travel expenses to eligible candidates invited for interviews. Reimbursement is subject to limits determined by QCC’s Human Resources (HR) Department before travel. Consult HR for current reimbursement rates.

Reimbursement Policy – Relocation

It is the policy of Quinsigamond Community College to reimburse certain relocation expenses in a tax qualifying move when a new hire moves his/her residence.

Smoking is prohibited within the confines of college grounds, any college building, or college vehicle (smoking is only to be permitted in private vehicles on campus). This includes usage of E-cigarettes and vaporizers. 

The sale of tobacco products on campus is prohibited.

1. The Institutional Communications Office shall maintain an official Quinsigamond Community College Facebook page and any other official College social networking presence (such as Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) 
2. Only Authorized Individuals may send or post messages on social networking sites on behalf of QCC. 
3. Use of the QCC Social Media presence for personal or political purposes is prohibited. 
4. Only College staff and faculty can act as a Social Media Site Administrator. Authorized Individuals participating must work under the supervision of the assigned Social Media Site Administrator. 
5. The College reserves the right to monitor and/or remove any postings and comments on any official QCC Social Media venue that violate this Policy. 
6. Postings and comments on any official QCC Social Media presence must conform to the Quinsigamond Community College Web and Social Media Guidelines. 
7. Postings and comments on any official QCC Social Media presence that violates any existing College policy, State or Federal law is prohibited and shall be removed at QCC’s discretion. 
8. QCC will not tolerate any posting that infringes on proprietary or confidential information, that is defamatory, pornographic, harassing, libelous, or inhospitable to a reasonable work environment. 
9. The College does not permit explicit or implied institutional endorsements of any kind through the use of its names, trademarks, logos or images.

Students wishing to provide information, collect information, or poll the campus community in general are asked to provide a written letter requesting that such activity take place on campus grounds or in campus buildings to the Director of Student Life and Leadership. The director will provide the requesting student(s) with the Request for Student Action Activity form which must be completed and returned prior to the activity. This allows the college the opportunity to maintain awareness of these actions and to support the ability of the community to make constructive commentary on issues affecting the student body and the greater community. It also allows for the thoughtful preparation of presentations on the part of the student(s) involved.

If a student believes there are unusual or extenuating circumstances which justify the exemption from an academic requirement, the student can obtain a student petition form from the Registrar’s Office (room 152 A on the main campus). After completing the form, the student should return it directly to the Registrar’s Office.

It is the policy of QCC that student participation in Intercollegiate Athletics is dependent upon the student's compliance with the regulations delineated in the Eligibility Rules Of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Massachusetts Community College System's Student Code of Conduct. This policy is subject to, and in compliance with, the eligibility rules of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Massachusetts Community College System Student Code Of Conduct.

QCC shall develop, implement, and maintain a Technology Master Plan to guide the planning, acquisition, maintenance, and development of technology resources. The TMP will be reviewed and updated periodically to accommodate advancements in technology, cybersecurity best practices, evolving institutional priorities, student learning needs and legislative and other changes. The TMP shall: 

1. Align with the College’s Strategic Plan and academic priorities. 
2. Support accessibility, cybersecurity, data privacy and governance, and operational efficiency. 
3. Comply with local, state, and federal regulations regarding technology and data security. 
4. Ensure that technology investments are planned in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner.

All students requesting official college transcripts must do so with a written request including their signature, and the following information: 

1. Name and social security number or QCC student ID number.
2. An estimate of the dates of attendance at Quinsigamond Community College. 
3. The name and address of where the transcript should be sent. 

The fee for each official transcript request is $5.00. The Payment Center will collect the funds and store the fees in a safe in the Payment Center. The Payment Center will accept cash, check, or credit card for the transcript fee.