College Policies and Procedures

Students have a right to use all resources and facilities of the college during normal operating hours with the proper authorization. Students may not utilize resources and facilities of the college after hours without prior official approval and without faculty supervision. The college police must be notified under these unusual circumstances.

All rules and regulations of Wake Technical Community College apply at off-campus instructional sites and distance education, in addition to any rules and regulations specified by those sites or modalities.

The purpose of this policy is to outline the acceptable use of the College's Information Resources, as well as the expected behavior of all Users on the network. The computing, digital technology and digital Information Resources at Wake Technical Community College are reserved for the educational, instructional, research and administrative computing needs of the faculty, students, staff and other individuals authorized by the College. As a User of these Information Resources, you may have access to valuable Information Resources, to sensitive and critical data and to internal and external networks. Consequently, it is important for all Users to understand their responsibilities and act in an ethical and legal manner.

Applicability
This policy applies to all Users of Information Resources owned or managed by the College. Individuals covered by the policy include (but are not limited to) full-time employees, part-time employees, students, contractors, interns, partners, external individuals and organizations.

Policy statement
Wake Tech strives to provide the most secure environment possible for its employees and students, while simultaneously allowing them adequate ability to perform their expected job(s) or academic studies. This policy is compliant with the requirements of several federal and state laws and regulations that apply to educational institutions and institutions that process payment information, including, but not limited to: Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Payment Card Industry (PCI), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This policy will outline what activity is deemed acceptable and unacceptable on any Wake Tech network or computer system.

Definitions

It is not possible for the College to articulate all acceptable or unacceptable behaviors or uses of College Information Resources by its Users. Each User is responsible for reading the list below, as well as other College policies, and ensuring their conduct is acceptable. To assist Users, the following contains a non- exhaustive list of guidelines that Users will need to follow to remain compliant with this policy:

• Users shall use only the Information Resources that they are authorized to access, including (but not limited to) resources needed to perform your educational, research or instructional functions.
• Users shall adhere to the College's password policy and the applicable provisions in this policy to protect their accounts and to secure resources against unauthorized use or access.
• Users are individually responsible for appropriate use of all Information Resources assigned to them and to which they are given access.
• Users shall comply with the policies and guidelines for any specific set of Information Resources to which they have been granted access. When other applicable policies are more restrictive than this policy, the more restrictive policy takes precedence.
• With appropriate authorization, Users may connect laptops and other non-College owned devices to the open wireless network and smart classroom lecterns specifically designed for this purpose. Authorization can be given by the faculty or staff member present, ITS or other individuals in charge of the room.
• Users shall immediately report any actual, suspected or perceived weakness in any Information Resource to ITS. A weakness may include unexpected network behavior, ability to access Sensitive Information or PII or security threats.
• Users must report any suspected violation of this policy, including theft or unauthorized disclosure of information.
• All requests for Information Resource access, maintenance, relocation or provisioning/de-provisioning must be directed to ITS.
• All user accounts are required by ITS systems to be multi-factor authentication (MFA) enforced. Users (faculty/staff, students, contractors, etc.) are required to initially setup and continually ensure the validity of MFA methods.

Unacceptable use

• Use of Wake Tech's computing services and facilities for political purposes, Personal Private Gain or for other activities in violation of the College's student or employee handbook is prohibited. However, Personal Private Gain does not apply if the primary intention of the work being performed is related to the College or has an educational purpose.
• Use of the College's Information Resources to create, access or transmit inappropriate material, including (but not limited to) material that is obscene, illegal, offensive, defamatory or harassing, as well as material that shows aversion, denigration or hostility toward any protected class, including but not limited to race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, veteran status or any other characteristic or classification protected by laws.
• Users shall not attempt to access or provide resources or assistance to others to access Information Resources, restricted portions of the network, an operating system, security software or other administrative applications without appropriate authorization by the system owner or administrator.
• Users shall not provide resources or other forms of assistance to others to allow any unauthorized person to access Information Resources. Sharing of account information, including passwords, is strictly prohibited. Additionally, students (excluding student employees) may not share or otherwise access employee workstations, as these may have access to secured networks or sensitive data.
• Users shall not engage in any activity that could degrade the performance of Information Resources, deprive an authorized User access to Information Resources, obtain extra resources beyond those allocated or circumvent College computer security measures.
• Users shall not utilize unauthorized file-sharing programs or services that incorporate file sharing, including (but not limited to) Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Amazon S3 storage or other services to store Sensitive Information or PII without approval by ITS. The College has no control over these services and cannot guarantee the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the data.
• Users shall not waste, monopolize, interfere with or misuse the Information Resources by, for example, requesting an excessive number of copies from a printer, playing games or participating in chain letters or Ponzi schemes.
• Users shall not access or damage any portion of the College's Information Resources or other College property, such as College records, or use Information Resources for illegal activities.
• Users may not connect personal or non-College-owned equipment to the secure password-protected campus network unless given specific authorization by the Chief Information Officer.

Privacy and personal rights
Users do not have an expectation of privacy regarding their use of the College's Information Resources, and by accessing and using the Information Resources, Users expressly consent to the College's monitoring of, access to and use of information regarding their use of the College's Information Resources. All information transmitted on or from, received or accessed by or residing on the Information Resources is monitored by the College through ordinary course of business. Information contained on the Information Resources and in College accounts, including but not limited to email, files and other documents, may be subject to inspection under the Public Records Law of the State of North Carolina.

The College monitors access to these Information Resources and reserves the right, without prior notice to Users, to access the Information Resources and to use any and all information retrieved from the Information Resources.

Non-completion of annual Security Awareness Training
Security Awareness Training is conducted annually (typically between February and April) for all faculty and staff members. This training is essential to be in compliance with PCI, GBLA, FERPA and other regulations, in addition to being an important part of our overall cyber risk reduction program.

Users who fail to complete the annual security awareness within two weeks of the training campaign will have their account locked and will need to contact the Service Desk to have their account unlocked. The user will then have two weeks to complete the annual Security Awareness Training, or their account will be locked again and their supervisor will need to contact the Service Desk to have the account unlocked. The intent is to encourage all users to accomplish their training in a timely fashion and to reduce risk to the college.

Repeat phishing campaign failures
All faculty and staff members are subject to continuous simulated phishing campaigns. The purpose is to help users successfully identify attempts to gain access or gain account credentials through phishing emails. These campaigns consist of two levels: expert and beginner. All users start in the expert group and move to the beginner group only after failing a simulated phishing campaign. Failures consist of clicking a malicious link or opening an attachment in the phishing email. Users in the beginner group receive more frequent tests, but the simulated phishing emails are designed to be easier to spot then the ones sent to the expert group. After a user successfully passes three consecutive beginner phishing emails, they will be returned to the expert group.

Users who continue to fail the phishing campaign simulations will undergo remedial training and will have disciplinary actions imposed on them. If a user has repeated failures within a one-year time period, the following actions will be initiated:

• First failure: The user receives a pop-up message advising them that they clicked on a simulated phishing campaign and a brief message of items to look out for in the future.
• Second failure: User is required to complete a short remedial training campaign within two weeks, or their account will be locked. User and their supervisor will meet with the ITS Security Team to review ways to spot and prevent falling for phishing emails. At this point, the department's HR representative and division vice president will be made aware of the action.
• Third failure: In conjunction with the supervisor, HR representative and ITS Security Team, the user will be placed on an HR Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
• Any future failure would be handled in accordance with the established PIP.

The intent of the escalating actions are to ensure all users are educated and aware of their responsibility to protect the college. Users who go three months without failing a phishing campaign any time after their first failure will reduce their total failure count by one. The same is true if a User successfully reports a phishing campaign email as suspicious through the Phish Alert button.

Incidental Use
Wake Tech acknowledges that there are a vast amount of resources available to employees, often outside the realm of being directly work-related. Therefore, Wake Tech allows employees and students the benefit of utilizing the College's infrastructure for incidental personal use, with the following constraints:

• Incidental Use of electronic mail, internet access, fax machines, copiers and any other information technology resources is restricted to College-approved Users and does not extend to family members. The practice of sharing credentials for access is strictly prohibited.
• Incidental Use that would result in a direct cost to the College, create the potential for legal action against or liability to the College or cause embarrassment to the College is strictly prohibited.
• Incidental Use that interferes with the satisfactory performance of an employee's work duties is strictly prohibited.
• Incidental Use must not violate any other College policies or procedures or any applicable laws or regulations, must not violate any provision in this policy and must not be used with the intention of Personal Private Gain.

Incidental Use is considered a privilege and benefit of employees and students. If it is determined that it is being used to the detriment of the College or other individuals, Incidental Use privileges and access to the network and Information Resources may be revoked at any time in the College's sole discretion. Additionally, should the College equipment be used to develop intellectual property, the College will retain rights and ownership of a portion of that intellectual property, consistent with the College's Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property policy, North Carolina Community College System regulations, state and federal law.

Legal and regulatory considerations
Users of Wake Tech's resources are expected to abide by all applicable laws, regulations, statutes and ordinances and shall:

• Abide by all applicable copyright laws and licensing requirements. The College may have entered into legal agreements, contracts or licensing terms with providers of software and network resources, which require individuals using them to comply with those agreements.
• Not use, copy or distribute copyrighted works, including (but not limited to) web-page graphics, sound files, film clips, trademarks, software and logos, unless you have a legal right to use, copy, distribute or otherwise exploit the copyrighted work.

Compliance
Individuals found to be in violation of this policy or engaging in any conduct that violates applicable law shall be subject to disciplinary action, including restriction or possible loss of privileges, suspension, termination or referral to law enforcement.

Students violating this policy are subject to disciplinary actions as set forth in the Student Code of Conduct.

The Office of the CIO shall verify compliance with this policy through various methods, including (but not limited to) business tool reports, internal and external audits and feedback to the policy owner. Additionally, this policy will be reviewed as a part of annual compliance submissions as well as internal and external audits.

Any exception to this Policy must be approved by the Office of the CIO in advance.

All Users have the responsibility to stay up-to-date on any changes to this policy as well as other College policies.

Related policies, procedures, references, forms or terms

Contact

Information Technology Services: 919-866-5100 or [email protected]

Ref #E1002a / C1424

Students are not allowed in any campus facility without shoes and shirts. Students are expected to dress and groom themselves in an appropriate manner while on campus or participating in classes and activities sponsored by the college. Additionally, students must meet the specific dress requirements of their programs of study, including uniforms or personal protective equipment, such as goggles, shields, etc., required in laboratory and shop settings.

Display of personal undergarments, lingerie, provocative dress or clothing with profane language or subject matter is not appropriate attire for a college environment. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the college.

Pets, including dogs and cats, create several conditions the college is not equipped to handle. Pets may carry and spread parasites. Pets of any type may not be brought on campus. This policy is in no way intended to restrict access to the campus for animals specifically trained to aid individuals with disabilities.

The college provides common areas for the consumption of regular meals. Light food and drinks with a cover or lid are allowed in campus instructional areas at the discretion of the supervising faculty or staff member under the following conditions:

• The learning environment is not disrupted and classmates are not disturbed.
• Food and drink are kept at a safe distance from instructional materials and equipment.
• All drinks are non-alcoholic and covered with a lid.  
• Light food is pre-packaged or in a container with a lid.
• Noisy, messy and strong-smelling foods are prohibited.
• Nuts, which are known allergens, are prohibited.
• Individuals who have peanut allergies should notify their supervising faculty or staff member as soon as possible.
• No trace of food or drink consumption is left behind, and garbage is placed in appropriate receptacles or removed from the area.
• Hands are cleaned after eating and before handling college property.
• Food or drink spills are reported to the supervising faculty or staff member so that prompt action can be taken to minimize damage.

The college reserves the right to prohibit food and drink in any area (e.g., labs) for safety reasons and to ask anyone who disregards procedures to remove the food or drink from the area.

Contact information

Ref #C1433

Students, college employees, volunteers, visitors, contractors, vendors or any other persons on college property are permitted to smoke or use tobacco products only in designated areas. College property includes any building, facility or vehicle owned or leased by Wake Technical Community College and college grounds, including athletic fields and parking lots.

Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, "tobacco products" include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, cigars, blunts, pipes, smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco and snuff and hookahs, as well as any items containing or intended to mimic tobacco or tobacco products. "Tobacco use" includes smoking, chewing, dipping, ingesting or any other use of tobacco products or the smoking of any other substance.

Exceptions
Tobacco products may be included in instructional or research activities in college buildings if the activity is conducted or supervised by the faculty member overseeing the instruction or research and if the activity does not include "tobacco use" as defined above.

Signage
Signs that indicate "Smoking/Tobacco Use in Designated Areas Only" will be posted in a manner and location to provide sufficient notification to students, employees and visitors.

Violations

• Students: Any student who violates the terms of this policy will receive a reprimand upon his or her first offense. If a second offense occurs, the student will be placed on general probation and required to meet with the Student Conduct Officer. A third offense by the student will incur suspension from the college for three calendar days (weekends and holidays excluded). The student will be suspended for a semester if he or she subsequently violates the terms of the policy.
   
• Employees: Any employee who violates the terms of this policy will receive a written warning upon his or her first offense. If a second offense occurs, the employee will be placed on probation. Any employee who subsequently violates the terms of the policy may be subject to additional disciplinary action.
   
• Visitors: Any visitor refusing to comply may be asked to leave campus.

Students may not engage in any activity that is disruptive to orderly classroom instruction, without limitations to the use of cellphone. Students are therefore required to disengage all such devices when in a classroom.

The college does not have housing facilities.

Wake Technical Community College is supported by public bus service at all campuses except for Western Wake Campus. All routes servicing Wake Tech campuses, including GoRaleigh's Route 40X, can be found in the Green Trek section of Wake Tech's website.

All regional transit fares are suspended until at least December 2023, allowing students and employees to ride local transit at no cost. If fares are reinstated by local transit providers, Wake Tech will offer free regional GoPasses for students and employees. These bus passes are valid on any GoRaleigh, GoTriangle, GoDurham or GoCary bus route. To qualify for a GoPass, individuals must be actively enrolled or employed at Wake Tech.

Through Wake Tech's Green Trek program, the college encourages sustainable transportation and equitable access. To learn more about the alternative transportation options at Wake Tech, please visit the Green Trek section of the college website.

Skateboarding, rollerblading and the use of any type of scooter are not allowed on any Wake Technical Community College campus or site.

Publications are defined to include the following: newspapers, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, fliers, books, posters or magazines. Publications may not be printed or distributed without official approval of the dean of Student Activities and Athletics. Approved campus organizations may post and distribute their publications if said publications have been approved by the president of the organization, the organization's advisor and the dean of Student Activities and Athletics.

All publications (print, electronic or other) containing URLs or references to the Wake Tech website must be sent to the Communications & Marketing Department ([email protected]) prior to finalization to ensure that URLs are listed correctly.

Publications containing profanity, language that is offensive with regard to race, sex or creed, grammatically incorrect statements and misspelled words will be subject to disapproval. All publications must represent the dignity, mission and standards of the college. Organizational publications must also be consistent with the philosophy and mission of the organization.

The college reserves the right to rescind approval for on-campus activity for any organization that violates this policy. Individuals found guilty of not conforming to this policy will face disciplinary action, including suspension from the college.

This policy does not apply to off-campus groups and individuals. Off-campus groups and individuals are allowed to distribute publications in the designated areas of Southern Wake Campus and Scott Northern Wake Campus in accordance with Wake Tech's Solicitation Policy.

Solicitations occur in numerous forms, formats and techniques. For the purposes of this policy, solicitations are deemed to include attempts to address all or portions of the college community to express social, political, religious or other views, disseminate written materials or to request, accept or collect donations or contributions.

Any individual, organization, agency or group that desires to solicit on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college is required to comply with the following procedures:

A. Expressive activities

1. On-campus groups and individuals
   On-campus groups and individuals may reserve designated outdoor space for use in support of their activities, if they wish to reserve space. Arrangements for the use of outdoor space shall comply with campus reservation procedures and Wake Tech protocols.
2. Off-campus groups and individuals
   a.  General provisions
   Speakers will be granted access to designated areas so long as notice has been provided consistent with this policy, granting access will not conflict with any previously scheduled events and the designated area is not temporarily inaccessible or unsafe due to construction, act of God or similar cause.
   
   Access will not be denied because of a speaker’s viewpoint or the content of his or her speech. 
   
   Access will be granted on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. 
   
   Gross, multiple or continued violation of this solicitation policy will result in the soliciting parties loss or suspension of future solicitation privileges on property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college.
   
   b. Notice requirement
   Speakers must provide written notice to the Office of the Executive Vice President of Operations through a Solicitation Request form three business days in advance of an intent to speak.
   Upon arriving on campus, speakers must check in with Wake Tech's College Police Security Services office.
   
   c. Information requirement
   Speakers must provide the names of the persons who intend to speak on campus, the anticipated size of the group that will visit campus with the speaker and the name, address and phone number of a responsible contact person who will be present on campus during the event.
   Disclosure of this information is required to permit proper planning and will not be grounds for denying or abridging the right to engage in expressive activities in the designated area.
   
   d. Designated areas
   The following areas are designated for expressive activities by off-campus groups and individuals:
   • Southern Wake Campus: the paved area directly outside of and adjacent to the north corner of Building B
   • Scott Northern Wake Campus: the paved area between buildings E and F

   e. Scheduling limitations
   At the beginning of the academic year, the president or designee shall establish a schedule of two days per week for expressive activities by off-campus groups and individuals. These areas will be made available to any off-campus group or individual for up to three hours per day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
   
   In order to promote opportunities for a diversity of speakers, a speaker may not reserve the forum more than two weeks in advance.

3. Noise restrictions
   No sound amplification is permitted. Also, noise levels that are reasonably likely to or do cause a material disruption to the learning environment or the normal administration or operation of the college are prohibited.
4. Grounds for denial of access or removal from Wake Tech property
   Speakers will be denied access or will be removed from Wake Tech property for the following:
   • Failing to comply with this policy
   • Communicating "fighting words" as defined in case law
   • Advocating illegal conduct that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action
   • Touching, striking or impeding the progress of pedestrians, except for incidental or accidental contact or contact initiated by a pedestrian
   • Photographing, audio recording or videotaping any faculty, staff or student without first obtaining written permission from the person to be photographed, recorded or videotaped, provided, however, that speakers are allowed to photograph, audio record and videotape themselves and others located within the designated area described in Section A.2.d of this policy and interacting with the speakers
   • Engaging in disruptive or disorderly conduct that is reasonably likely to cause a material disruption to the learning environment or the normal administration or operation of the college
   • Damaging, destroying or stealing college or private property on campus
   • Possessing or using firearms, explosives or dangerous weapons or substances
   • Obstructing the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic

   B.  Distribution of written materials
   Pamphlets, publications, advertisements and any other such materials may not be distributed through any form of the college‘s internal mail system. Such materials may, however, be distributed by hand at such time(s) and at such location(s) as may be designated in writing by the college president or designee, so long as the group or individual has complied with the requirements of Section A above. Distribution of written materials will not be denied based solely on the content or the viewpoints expressed in the materials.

   Any individual, organization, agency or group that distributes written materials on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college shall reimburse the college for any of the college‘s internal or external clean-up costs associated with the distribution of such materials.

   C.  Posting of messages or materials
   It is expressly prohibited for any individual, agency, organization or group not officially affiliated with the college to use any surface, such as walls, bulletin boards, trees or the like, on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college to display any written or otherwise visual materials.

   D.  Commercial use of bulletin boards
   The college provides some bulletin board space for its students and employees to advertise or request goods and services. Other than such limited use by the college‘s students and employees, bulletin boards located on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college may not be used for commercial purposes.

   E.  Donations and contributions
   On-campus individuals, organizations and groups may solicit, accept or collect donations or contributions on property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college for not-for-profit activities only. Prior to engaging in any such activities, individuals, organizations and groups desiring to solicit, accept or collect donations or contributions shall request permission in writing from the Office of the Executive Vice President of Operations.

   F.  Goods and services
   Students who desire to solicit on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college to provide goods or services must make their request in writing to the Dean of Student Life. The request must contain a full description of the activity as to time, benefit, etc., in order to be considered. The decision as to whether such request will be allowed or denied and any conditions attached thereto shall be within the Dean‘s discretion. The Dean shall respond to all such requests in writing within five working days from the date the request is received. All other individuals, organizations, agencies or causes are prohibited from canvassing, selling, offering for sale, soliciting or promoting the sale or advancement of any goods or services on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college.

Contact information

As a public, tax-supported community college, Wake Technical Community College complies with public information law and works with news media to provide coverage of news about the college. Occasionally, media representatives may visit Wake Tech classrooms to interview and photograph students.

The college welcomes these opportunities while respecting the rights of students who may not wish to be interviewed or photographed. Students may be excused from classroom activities, without question, while photographs or video images are being recorded.

The Board of Trustees of Wake Technical Community College has adopted policy statements in compliance with the dictates of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).

The college's police chief is primarily responsible for developing rules and regulations to implement these policies. Crimes on all campuses are reported to the College Police Department, which investigates on-campus murder, criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, liquor law violations, drug abuse violations, weapons possession and other emergencies on campus considered to be a threat to safety. Timely reports of such occurrences are made to employees and students. In the event the perpetrator of a violent crime is subject to discipline by the college, the victim of the crime shall, at the discretion of the college's administration, be permitted to obtain results of the disciplinary proceeding.

The College Police Department prepares, publishes and distributes statistical reports that identify the occurrence of campus crimes and the number of campus arrests involving liquor law violations, drug abuse violations and weapons violations. The policy statements and statistical reports are available upon request to students and employees, as well as prospective students and the higher education community, at Building L, Room 233, Wake Technical Community College, 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Some security patrol and traffic control matters are handled by a private security company under contract with the college. This company is responsible to the college's police chief, whose office is on Southern Wake Campus, in Building L, Room 233, and whose telephone number is 919-866-5532. The college police chief also can be contacted by dialing the college's main switchboard number, 919-866-5000 (from off-campus). Students, employees and visitors are encouraged to report criminal activity and other emergencies on any campus at the college's emergency number, 919-866-5911.

Students and employees are prohibited from bringing onto campus or using alcohol or illegal drugs on campus or during any college activity. Limited exceptions to this policy may be granted by the college president or designee. The college has a Drug and Substance Abuse Council, which offers help to students and employees seeking counseling and/or assistance programs. From time to time, workshops and seminars are conducted on campus relating to the following subjects:

• Crime and safety
• Self-defense
• Drugs and alcohol
• Date rape

Other information is periodically published in the student newsletter, The Eagle's Eye. The student newspaper, The Student Voice, discusses and debates health, safety, self-defense, etc., issues.

Campus safety means protecting people and property. People working together can make our campuses safe and secure working and learning environments. Report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to the College Police Department at 919-866-5911. Students attending classes in the evenings should walk in well-lighted areas with someone or near other people. Extra precaution should be taken by using sidewalks and crosswalks and by avoiding isolated areas. Personal valuables should be marked and not left unattended. Vehicles should be parked in a well-lighted area and locked.

Presentations by local law enforcement personnel
Wake Tech College Police officers can conduct presentations concerning robbery, motor vehicle theft and drugs and alcohol.

Annual report of criminal offenses
Wake Tech complies fully with the Clery Act, which requires the college to gather statistics about crime on campus and publish them in an annual report by October 1 each year. Read the current Annual Security Report.

Wake Technical Community College is committed to providing students, employees, contractors and visitors with a safe and secure environment that is free from threats, intimidation and violence. To that end, the college considers the following behaviors unacceptable:

• Injuring another person physically
• Engaging in behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury to another person
• Engaging in behavior that subjects another individual to undue emotional distress
• Possessing, brandishing or using a weapon that is not required by the individual’s position while on college premises or engaged in college business
• Threatening to injure an individual or damage property
• Committing injurious acts motivated by, or related to, domestic violence or sexual harassment
• Retaliating against any person who, in good faith, reports a violation of this policy
• Any other behavior or activity that creates a threat or danger to a person or the campus

This policy will be enforceable at any property, building or other facility that is owned, leased or used by Wake Technical Community College for any college activity. Violators will be subject to Wake Tech disciplinary policies or North Carolina General Statutes as appropriate, including NCGS 14-33 Assault, NCGS 14-277.3A Stalking, 14-277.1 Communicating Threats, 14-269.2 Possession of Weapons on School Grounds, 14.160 Injury to Personal Property, 14.35 Hazing and 50.B1 Domestic Violence.

Definitions

Note: Certain Wake Tech policies predate the establishment of the process outlined below. They remain official college policies. Employees and students will be expected to comply with the process in the future.

Responsibilities

1. Faculty and staff – Faculty and staff members must be familiar with the Threat Assessment and Violence Prevention Policy and must report violations of the policy to their supervisor or appropriate administrator and the police chief. All employees are encouraged to be alert to the possibility of violence on the part of employees, former employees, students, contractors and strangers. Employees who in good faith report threats, concerning behaviors or violations of college policy will not be retaliated against. Deliberately false or misleading reports of violence will be considered unacceptable personal conduct, and the employee or student making such false or misleading reports will be subject to disciplinary action under the Wake Tech disciplinary policy.
    
2. Threat Assessment Team – The responsibility for assessing potentially-threatening behaviors rests with the college Threat Assessment Team. In making assessments, the team may consult outside resources such as counselors, law enforcement officials, threat assessment professionals, mental health specialists and others who might contribute to a successful resolution. The team will report findings from their assessments, including recommendations for appropriate interventions, to the college president or his designated representative. The Threat Assessment Team is composed of these college employees:
   • Executive Vice President (Team Leader)
   • Vice President of Curriculum Education Services
   • Vice President of Workforce Continuing Education Services
   • Conduct Officers
   • Vice President of Human Resources & College Safety
   • Chief of Police
3. Crisis Management Team – The Threat Assessment Team will recommend activation of Wake Tech's Crisis Management Team in the following instances:
   • A situation poses imminent danger to a person or to the college
   • An act of violence occurs resulting in serious or fatal injuries to one or more campus members
   The Crisis Management Team will consider the impact of the incident on the campus community and initiate appropriate debriefing, counseling and support for victims, co-workers, students and families.

Principle

An educational setting in which everyone respects everyone else promotes safety. It provides a place for open discussion in which diversity and differences are respected, communication is encouraged and supported and conflict is managed and mediated constructively. Problems come to light earlier and can be addressed before they become serious or lead to violence; consequently, the potential for violence diminishes.

Procedures

For the safety of the college community, it is imperative that anyone aware of concerning behavior or perceived threats – from firsthand knowledge, written or verbal communications or any other source – report it immediately to the Wake Tech College Police at 919-866-5911 (65911 from any campus phone). Those reporting may identify themselves or remain anonymous. To the extent allowed by law and policy, any identification provided will remain confidential and will be used only by security officials for follow-up, if necessary. Those choosing to leave an anonymous report should include as much detail as possible to make sure security officials can proceed with an investigation. The police chief will address all reports as quickly as possible and convene the Threat Assessment Team when appropriate. If a report suggests that a law has been violated or that violence is imminent, the chief will immediately refer it to the College Police Department for investigation and crisis response measures, as they deem appropriate.

The Threat Assessment Team will focus its efforts on formulating strategies for preventing targeted violence in two principle areas:

• Developing the capacity to monitor and evaluate information that might indicate a risk of targeted attack
• Using the results of threat assessments to develop strategies for preventing attacks

If the team determines through inquiry that an identified behavior involving a student is non-threatening, the matter will be referred to the Conduct Officer for appropriate action. A Behavior of Concern Intervention Team (BIT) has been implemented to assess student behaviors of concern and low-level threats. Non-threatening incidents involving college employees will be directed to the Executive Director of Human Resources. If the team concludes that a law has been violated or that violence is imminent, it will immediately refer the matter to the Chief of Police.

Threat assessment will be fact-based, relying primarily on the appraisal of behaviors, rather than on stated threats or traits, as the basis for determining if there is cause for concern. The fact-based assessment considers every aspect of the person of concern and is based on the totality of what is known about that person, in four major areas: personality, family dynamics, school dynamics (and the person's role in those dynamics) and social dynamics. 

Examples of concerning behaviors

• Acts of violence
• Threats (direct, indirect, implied, veiled)
• Harassment
• Intimidation
• Hazing
• Stalking, surveillance or unwanted pursuit
• Weapons on campus or recent acquisition of firearms
• Special interest in or identification with the military, survivalist groups or weapons
• Homicidal thoughts or actions
• Preoccupation with violent themes
• Apparent obsession with someone
• Domestic disputes
• Intentional destruction of personal property
• Refusal to accept employment termination
• One-sided contact with others following employment termination
• History of conflict with others
• Documenting the activities of others when not required to do so
• Unusual verbal or written communications to others
• Repeated complaints about working conditions
• Excessive blaming of others
• Excessive or intimidating references to workplace violence incidents or other mass murders

A report should be made to the Conduct Officers if a student displays behaviors that indicate a concern, including but not limited to: 

• Self-injury
• Uttering threatening words or displaying threatening actions
• Writings that clearly communicate intentions to harm self or others
• Actions that endanger the health, safety or well-being of any member of the college community or its guests  

NOTE: If the behavior constitutes an emergency or needs immediate attention, contact College Police at 919-866-5911 (65911 from any campus phone). 

If the behavior is clearly a Student Code Violation, complete the Student Code Violation Form.

When a student behavior of concern takes place in which a student is alleged to have shown concerning behaviors, these steps must be followed by the reporting individual: 

1. If the behavior of concern that the student is displaying or has displayed is not an emergency, search for the Behavior of Concern and Threat Report form, then complete and submit the form electronically.

2. A Conduct Officer will review the report and make a determination on the referral of the report. If the report is a behavior of concern and not a conduct code violation, members of the BIT will schedule a meeting to discuss the case within five business days.

3. Within two business days, a Conduct Officer will notify the person who submitted the report that the information has been received.

4. The student will be contacted, and a determination of the submitted report will be made by the BIT; information will be given to pertinent individuals.

5. If the report is found to be only a conduct code violation, the report will be forwarded to the appropriate Conduct Officer, who will handle the case under the guidelines of the Student Code of Conduct.

In order to assist students in becoming more productive citizens of our community and to provide guidance in addressing behaviors of concern, the following are actions that the BIT may consider (but is not restricted):

• No instant action
• Contacting the student by official email or by telephone to assess his or her status
• Meeting with the student to talk about needs, services available and college expectations
• Refer students to programs and services on campus, e.g., Wellness Services, Student Success Counseling Services, Financial Aid, Disability Support Services and the ILC.

The recommendations of the BIT are final; however, the student may appeal any sanction given by a Conduct Officer.  

Confidentiality

Wake Technical Community College understands the sensitivity of information obtained, provided and/or alleged in such reports as it pertains to an individual’s reputation, privacy and anonymity. Any report of concerning behaviors or threats of violence will be handled in a confidential manner, with information released only on a need-to-know basis. When appropriate, legal guidance will be requested.

Records retention

All Behavior of Concern reports (documents, files, etc.) related to a threat assessment will be maintained by the Conduct Officers in the Maxient system. All criminal reports relating to a threat assessment will be maintained by the College Police.

Visitors and children are welcome at Wake Technical Community College with limitations to protect the health and safety of the college community as well as maintain productivity for employees.

Definitions
 

Visitors are welcome on the Wake Tech campus. For the safety and security of all, immediately upon arriving, visitors are required to register at the reception desk at any campus. At the reception desk, visitors may obtain information and directions as needed. The college cannot accommodate extended non-official visits; individuals who have not registered or who are found loitering on campus may be required to leave.

Visitors, children and any other persons not enrolled at Wake Tech are not allowed in the classrooms, laboratories or any other instructional areas (on or off campus) without prior authorization.

Children under the age of 15 visiting the libraries or other public areas on campus and are not enrolled at Wake Tech must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or another adult at all times and must not be left unattended in any area of the library or college. The accompanying adult should ensure that the child does not cause a disruption to the staff work or student learning environments of the libraries or other public areas on campus, or they will be asked to leave.

At community school sites, only persons attending classes or other college activities are permitted on the premises.

Wake Tech students or employees violating the above regulations on any Wake Tech campus or community schools site will be subject to disciplinary action.

RefID#C1443 and RefID#E1312

If the need should arise to evacuate a building because of fire or other impending danger, a general alarm will be sounded. When such an alarm is sounded, individuals should leave the building by way of the nearest exit. Individuals should become familiar with posted evacuation routes.

The college does not assume responsibility for injuries or losses sustained on or off campus by any student. For this reason, accident insurance is included in the Student Administration Fee for all curriculum students. Students in select Workforce Continuing Education courses shall be required to purchase accident insurance as part of their registration.

All students covered by the insurance policy are responsible for reading the Student Accident Insurance Plan brochure to understand the extent of coverage and the procedures for filing a claim. A copy of the brochure can be obtained from the Registrar's Office. All provisions described in the Student Accident Insurance Plan brochure will prevail in the event of any discrepancy between this policy and the brochure. 

The college requires each person enrolling in a Health Sciences curriculum and students in select Workforce Continuing Education courses to have student malpractice liability insurance coverage in the amount of $2,000,000/$5,000,000. Students enrolled in Health Sciences curriculum may purchase this insurance from a local insurance agency. Proof of coverage must be presented at the time of registration by providing the policy or certification of insurance. In the absence of proof of coverage, students enrolled in a Health Sciences curriculum are required to purchase professional liability insurance through the college’s blanket liability insurance program at the time of registration. Payment for this insurance will be included in the registration fee for Workforce Continuing Education students.

Personal injury insurance is required for students participating in the intercollegiate athletics program. 

Students who would like to purchase health insurance for themselves and/or their families may participate in a group policy through the North Carolina Community College Student Health Plan. More information can be found on Wake Tech’s website by clicking on the Student Services link and then the Student Health Insurance link.

Accident notification and response

All accidents and injuries are to be reported to the College Police Department by calling Wake Tech’s 24-hour call center at 919-866-5911. The College Police will notify Wake County EMS 911 when an accident appears to be severe enough to require professional medical attention.

The call center will assign a case number to each incident. For accidents that occur on a Wake Tech site, a College Police officer will be dispatched immediately to the scene to compile information for an incident report and to assist with or administer first aid. Students who are injured while participating in off-campus activities sponsored and supervised by Wake Tech faculty or staff and those who are otherwise unable to provide information to an officer at the time of their accident are to report the details to a College Police officer upon their return to Wake Tech. The officer responding to the incident (or receiving the student report) will complete an incident report as soon as possible, but no later than by the end of their shift.

Injured students who are unable to drive themselves to an urgent care clinic, hospital or other medical facility will be consigned to the care and transport of EMS personnel. Under no circumstances shall a Wake Tech employee provide transportation for an injured student. Students may seek treatment from a medical facility of their choosing (within plan limitations) providing that the treatment is not rendered by a doctor or nurse who is a family member.

Accident reimbursement claims

Students seeking reimbursement for expenses covered by the student accident insurance plan must obtain an Accident Claim Form from the Registrar's Office within 30 days of the incident or as soon as is reasonably possible. To be eligible for reimbursement, the original completed Accident Claim Form must be submitted to the insurance agency. A copy of the claim form and medical bills must be provided to the Business Office. Additional instructions and contact information for the agency can be found on the back of the Accident Claim Form; the claim procedure is also detailed in the Student Accident Insurance Plan brochure.

No student shall distribute, dispense, possess, use or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, malt beverage, fortified wine or other intoxicating liquor or unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use or be under the influence of marijuana or any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, anabolic steroid or any other controlled substance as defined in Schedule I through VI of Section 202 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. Section 812) and as further defined by regulation at 21 C.F.R. 1300.11–1300.15 or Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes in any college location as defined below.

"College location" means in any college building or on any college premises, in any college-owned vehicle or other college-approved vehicle used to transport students to and from college or college activities, or off college property at any college-sponsored or college-approved activity, event or function, such as a field trip or athletic event, where students are under the jurisdiction of the college. 

Any student who violates the terms of this policy may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the college in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities or may be required to participate in a drug abuse assistance and rehabilitation program approved by the Enrollment and Student Services Administration. If such student fails to satisfactorily participate in such program, the student will be suspended or expelled from the college in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities. 

Drug abuse prevention program

Recognizing the serious consequences resulting from the inappropriate use of drugs and the potential disciplinary action that could result from the possession or consumption of controlled substances on campus, Wake Tech offers a program of activities and services to prevent drug and alcohol abuse on the part of its students. The Dean of Student Development will provide oversight for the content and timeliness of the program as follows:

• An annual notification will be sent by email to all students at the start of each fall and spring semester.
• At least once a year, each campus will conduct a seminar, workshop, presentation or other program of information and awareness that will be open to all students, faculty and staff.
• Each campus will provide readily available brochures and information sheets that may be used by individuals for their own personal information and awareness. These materials will be available at the Enrollment and Student Services area at each campus.
• A list of referral services in Wake County that specialize in assisting persons with substance abuse issues is available through Wake County Crisis and Assessment. Alliance Behavioral Healthcare, which also can be reached at 800-510-9132, will assist students in finding a provider that matches their needs.
• Services available from our Wellness Services.

Biennial review

The Associate Vice President for Student Services is responsible for completing the biennial review as noted in 34 CFR Part 86 by December 31 of each even-numbered year, for the two prior academic years. 

The review will accomplish the following:

• Determine the effectiveness of the education program and implement needed changes. The AVP will collect program information from the Dean of Student Development.
• Attendance, timeliness of subject matter and relevance of content should be considered.   
• Ensure consistent enforcement of disciplinary sanctions for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol as applicable under state or federal laws
• Include evidence that email notification was sent to all students at the start of Fall and Spring semesters

The college recognizes the need to prepare for unexpected situations or respond to weather that may require the closure of all or part of a campus or to reduce operations, identify the decision-making hierarchy for such closures, ensure timely notification to students, staff, faculty and visitors and confirm employee responsibilities in the event of a closure or reduced operations.

Definitions

In emergency situations – inclement weather, power outages or any other conditions constituting an emergency situation – the college may delay opening or close campuses for the day.

• If college campuses are closed, classes at all sites are canceled; however, online classes continue as scheduled, and on-campus instruction may be transitioned to online. All students should check their online course site (Blackboard or Moodle) for class-specific information and assignments.
• If there is a delayed opening, any in-person class with 30 or more minutes of instructional time remaining will meet on campus. Students should check Blackboard or Moodle for information about their courses.
• A campus-specific emergency may result in only one campus being closed, while others remain open. Campus-specific information will be clearly communicated.
• Wake Tech classes and events held at community sites, including Wake County public schools, will follow the protocols enacted at that site.

Notification

Delays and closings will be announced via the Wake Tech Warn emergency alert system. All Wake Tech student and employee email addresses are automatically registered to receive Wake Tech Warn alerts. Students and staff can add other email addresses or phone numbers for voicemail and text message alerts in the system.

Delays and closings will also be posted on Wake Tech's website, social media and local radio and television stations. An announcement will also be recorded on the college switchboard, 919-866-5000. In the event that an emergency situation occurs after the opening of the college, announcements about class dismissals and closings will come from the administrative officer in charge.

Students

When college campuses are closed due to inclement weather or other adverse conditions, students are expected to check their online course site (Blackboard or Moodle) for class-specific information and assignments. Students who are unable to participate in online instruction due to a power outage or other circumstances are responsible for contacting their instructor and making up class assignments

If Blackboard or Moodle become inaccessible or power outages occur, assignment due dates will be clearly posted when service resumes. Due dates may also be extended on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of instructors, and announcements will be posted accordingly.

Employees

When college campuses are closed due to inclement weather or other emergency conditions, employees who can work remotely should do so. The college does not expect employees to work in any environment that is unsafe. Employees who are not able to work remotely due to a power outage or other emergency situation should contact their supervisor. Employees who are not able to work remotely may be required to take annual leave or arrange to make up the time. Depending on the circumstances, the time lost may be counted as an excused absence at the discretion of the supervisor.

Contact information

Ref: E0919 and C1423 

Pursuant to Chapter 115D-21 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the Wake Tech Board of Trustees adopts the following rules governing parking, traffic and the registration of motor vehicles on Wake Tech campuses. These regulations are intended only to supplement the motor vehicle laws of North Carolina, all provisions of which apply to the streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks, walkways, parking spaces, parking areas and parking lots on all Wake Tech campuses.

Revised  October 2015

A. General provisions 

Definitions
Abandoned vehicle: a motor vehicle that has remained parked for more than 10 days, which is determined to be "derelict" under North Carolina General Statute 20-137.7

Employees: faculty members, administrative staff, clerical personnel and all other non-student personnel employed by the college (including temporary, permanent, part-time and full-time employees)

No-parking area: any area not specifically set aside, marked, striped or designated by Facility Services for the permanent or temporary parking of vehicles

Parking area: any area specifically set aside, marked, striped or designated by Facility Services for the permanent or temporary parking of vehicles

Repeat offender: any person committing three or more traffic or parking violations within an academic year

Student: anyone registered or enrolled in full- or part-time academic study who is not an employee

Visitor: anyone not identified as an employee or student according to the definitions above

Authority
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 115D-21, the Board of Trustees of Wake Technical Community College, through their designee, Facility Services, shall be responsible for the registration, flow and parking of vehicles on property owned or leased in whole or in part by the State of North Carolina and under control of the Wake Tech Board of Trustees. Notwithstanding the above, the Registrar shall be responsible for the registration of student vehicles. The provisions of the regulations apply to the operators of all vehicles operated on any Wake Tech campus and shall be in effect 24 hours a day, except as herein provided. 

Wake Tech’s Facility Services Office, as authorized by this ordinance and the Board of Trustees, shall exercise discretion and authority in ensuring that the necessary business of the college is conducted properly and that parking areas and facilities on Wake Tech campuses are used for the benefit and convenience of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Liability
Wake Technical Community College assumes no liability or responsibility for damage to or theft of personal property or of any vehicle parked or in operation on the properties leased by or under the control of the Board of Trustees of the college.

Violation of ordinance
In addition to the criminal penalties set out by the North Carolina General Statutes, any person violating this or any regulation issued hereunder is subject to a civil penalty as set forth in this ordinance.

Rules of evidence
When a vehicle is found to be in violation of this ordinance, it shall be considered prima facie evidence that the vehicle was parked by the person holding the college parking permit for that vehicle or by the person on file as the owner of said vehicle with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or corresponding agency of another state.

B. Vehicle registration and parking permits

Permit eligibility
All faculty, staff and students in good standing with the college are eligible for and may obtain a parking permit. Motor vehicles parked on campus by students, faculty or staff must be registered with the college and must display a valid, official (Wake Tech-issued) vehicle parking permit. 

Handicapped parking permits
The state-issued permit is the only one Wake Tech requires.

Parking permits become invalid under the following conditions:

• Ownership of the vehicle is transferred to another person or entity.
• The permit holder's association with the college ends.
• The time period for which the permit is issued expires.
• The permit holder is issued another permit relating to the same vehicle.
• The permit holder's parking privileges are forfeited as a result of disciplinary sanctions.
• The permit holder commits three or more traffic or parking violations in an academic year.

Registration of motor vehicles
Faculty/staff vehicles must be registered through the Wake Tech Campus Police Department. There is no cost to employees for vehicle registration and no limit on the number of vehicles that can be registered. Contact Sgt. West at 919-866-5867 for more information.

Faculty/staff parking permits are for the exclusive use of employees and do not entitle friends or relatives of employees to park in staff spaces, even with the permit. Faculty/staff parking permits need not be renewed unless worn or illegible.

Student vehicles must be registered as part of the registration process. To obtain a parking permit, students shall provide their vehicle license plate number and the state in which the vehicle is registered. Vehicles brought onto campus after the college registration period has ended must be registered promptly. Students registered for classes at the Perry Health Sciences Campus shall obtain an entry key card for the parking deck. 

Student parking permits will be issued in conjunction with student identification badges.

Faculty, staff and students who have been issued a vehicle registration permit are responsible for parking violations involving the vehicle for which that permit has been issued.

A temporary parking permit shall be obtained when a permit holder’s vehicle is unavailable and he/she drives and parks another vehicle on campus.

Parking permits shall be properly displayed on the vehicles for which they have been issued. Four-wheel vehicles shall display permits on the left side of the rear window or to the rear left bumper. If the vehicle is a convertible or a Jeep with no glass rear windshield, permits may be displayed on the rear bumper or in an interior position within the cabin of the vehicle that would be highly visible to a police officer. Two-wheel vehicle permits shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, if possible, or attached to the front forks or windshield of the vehicle.  

Visitors (as defined in Article I) to any campus shall obtain a temporary parking permit from the reception desk and may park in spaces designated for visitors or general parking only. 

C. Parking and traffic rules and regulations

Faculty, staff and students are subject to discipline in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and Wake Tech policy and procedure.

Rules and regulations

• No vehicle shall be driven in a careless or reckless manner or in a direction opposite to that indicated by appropriate signs or markings on roadways that are designated as one-way streets.
• Wake Tech campuses are deemed business districts, with a speed limit of 20 mph.
• No vehicle may be parked in such a manner as to occupy more than one space. 
• All vehicles shall be parked in the direction of the flow of the traffic pattern. Facing out (backing into) an angled parking space is not allowed. In straight line spaces, vehicles may face out by backing into the space or pulling forward in a double space. 
• Vehicles parking in a designated handicapped parking space shall display a valid handicapped placard or distinguishable license plate issued to the operator or passenger (pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 20-37.6). Any person parking in a designated handicapped parking space shall comply with the requirements of North Carolina General Statue 20-37.6, "Parking privileges for handicapped drivers and passengers."
• Parking is prohibited as follows: on a sidewalk or walkway, along the main driveway entering the college, in the driving lanes of parking areas, in loading or unloading areas, in fire lanes, on grass or landscaped areas, or in approaches or other portions of parking areas that are not clearly marked for parking.
• No faculty, staff or student vehicle may be parked in spaces specifically reserved for certain persons or functions.
• Agents authorized by Wake Tech administration have authority to remove to a place of storage or boot any vehicle illegally stopped, parked or abandoned, at the vehicle owner’s expense.

Enforcement
The college reserves the right to revoke any parking privileges and to remove a repeat offender's valid parking permit for flagrant violation of the Traffic Rules and Regulations, including failure to pay fines. 

Fines
Financial Services is hereby authorized to collect a $25 fine for any of the following violations:

• Backing into an angled parking space
• Driving in a hazardous manner
• Driving wrong way in drive lanes
• Failure to display current parking decal
• Failure to register vehicle
• Failure to heed stop or yield sign
• Improper display of parking decal
• Parking in manner creating a hazard
• Parking in more than one parking space
• Parking in non-parking space
• Parking in unauthorized space
• Parking incorrectly in space

Financial Services is hereby authorized to collect a $250 fine for violation of handicapped parking rules and regulations and a $50 administrative fee for removal of a boot from any vehicle.

Towing
The College Police chief is hereby authorized to have towed or to have a boot (or other lawful means of enforcement) placed on any vehicle in violation of rules and regulations:

• Unauthorized parking in a handicapped space
• Unauthorized parking in reserved space
• Parking in area not designated for parking
• Repeated violation of the parking rules
• Parking in a manner that creates a hazard
• Abandoned vehicles

In addition to any fine assessed for a violation of this ordinance, the owner of a towed vehicle is responsible for payment of any towing and/or storage fees.

Wake Tech provides a petition/appeal procedure for towing and parking violations. Additionally, North Carolina G.S. 20-219.11 provides the following:

When a vehicle with a valid license plate or registration is towed as provided in G.S. 20-219.11, the authorizing person shall immediately notify the last known registered owner of the vehicle of the following:

• Description of the vehicle
• Place where the vehicle is stored
• Violation with which the owner is charged, if any
• Procedure the owner must follow to have the vehicle returned to him/her
• Procedure the owner shall follow to request a probable cause hearing on the towing

The owner or any other person entitled to claim possession of the vehicle may request in writing a hearing to determine probable cause for the towing. The request for a hearing shall be filed with the magistrate in the county where the vehicle was towed, and the hearing will be set within 72 hours of receipt of the request. 

The only issue at this hearing is whether probable cause existed for the towing. If the magistrate finds that probable cause did exist, the tower's lien continues. If the magistrate finds that probable cause did not exist, the tower's lien is extinguished. Any aggrieved party may appeal the magistrate's decision to District Court.

Suspension of parking privileges
The College Police chief may, in addition to any other penalty, suspend for up to one year the parking privileges of any individual found to be a repeat offender in flagrant violation of this ordinance. 

Failure to settle fines, fees and charges
Failure to settle outstanding traffic and parking fines, fees and charges within 14 days after issuance of a citation may result in the collection of fees in the following manner: 

• Penalties owed by faculty members and other employees of the college may be deducted from payroll checks.
• Penalties owed by students will be forwarded to the Registrar, and a hold will be placed on the student's records until the penalties are paid.

Petition/appeal procedure
Individuals issued a parking or traffic citation may appeal by returning a Traffic Violation Appeal form to the Traffic Appeals Review Board within the semester the citation is issued. Untimely appeals will not be accepted for review 

Traffic Violation Appeal forms are available at the reception desk on all Wake Tech campuses. 

Unless otherwise specified in this section, the appeal and all arguments in support of the appeal will be submitted in writing. The Traffic Appeals Review Board Administrator shall review the appeal, considering the written statement of the appellant and relevant documents submitted by the Chief of College Police, and respond by mail to the address provided on the appeal form. 

Appeal hearings
Individuals whose driving or parking privileges have been suspended or revoked, or whose vehicles have been towed, may submit an appeal in writing directly to the Chief of College Police. The appeal must be received within 14 days. Individuals will be notified in writing of the chief's decision within seven days of the appeal.

Traffic Appeals Review Board
Board membership consists of one faculty member appointed by the Faculty Association President, one staff member appointed by the Staff Association President and one student member appointed by the Student Government Association President. The Executive Vice President (or designee) shall serve as chair. The term of office will be one year, with no limit to the number of terms served. Members will serve until successors are appointed. The Chief of College Police (or designee) will attend each hearing to clarify operational questions that arise. 

The Board Chair (or designee) will present subsequent appeal forms to board members and call for a vote from each member. The Board Chair will make note of the decision regarding the appeal. The Board Chair is a non-voting member of the board.

The Traffic Appeals Review Board will meet as necessary. The Board Chair is responsible for notifying the board members of the time, date and location of the hearing. The Board Chair may render decisions on traffic appeals in between regularly scheduled meetings of the board and in emergency situations.

Decisions of the Traffic Appeals Review Board are final. If an appeal is denied, payment of the fine is due immediately.

Judgment factors:

• All facts as stated on the appeal form
• Information provided by the Chief of College Police, to include previous violations
• Information noted on the parking violation notice
• The rules and regulations of this ordinance

Wake Technical Community College requires its faculty, staff and students to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code) (the "Copyright Act"). Faculty, students and staff may download, possess and store only lawfully acquired copyrighted materials and may use, adapt and distribute those materials only in ways consistent with the Copyright Act, associated case law, the Fair Use principle and the intellectual property rights of others. The unauthorized use (downloading, possessing, storing, copying, adapting, sharing or distribution) of copyrighted materials is a violation of federal law and Wake Technical Community College policy and is strictly prohibited.

Definitions

A. Copyrights and infringement
Copyright infringement of any kind is not permitted at Wake Technical Community College and may result in to criminal and civil penalties. Any sharing of copyrighted material without proper licensing or permission from the owner/author/manufacturer is prohibited by law and is not condoned by the college.

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under Section 106 of the Copyright Act. These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work.

In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading all or substantial parts of a copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright holder constitutes infringement.

Students who infringe on a copyright are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from their program of study or from the college. Employees who infringe on a copyright are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment at the college.

NOTE: Copyright infringement may also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment for up to five years for a first offense and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

Intellectual property

Certain intellectual and creative works qualify for protection under U.S. law. The Copyright Act defines federal copyright protection, details original works of authorship protected and outlines the process for protecting such works. Title 35 of the United States Code defines patent protection, details inventions and discoveries protected, establishes conditions for patentability and spells out the process for the granting of patents.
 

1. Independent works
   Works in which the college has no intellectual property rights include those covered by copyright or patent protection produced by a college employee outside the course or scope of his/her employment or by any person (including college employees and students) without college support. An independent work is characterized by, for example, the applicability of the following:
    
   • The work is the result of individual initiative. It is not the product made as a result of employment with the college.
   • The work is not a product of the employee’s job duties.
   • The work is produced by an employee outside his/her work schedule.
   • The work is produced by an employee or by any person (including students at the college) without funds, resources or facilities owned or controlled by the college.
      
2. College-supported works
   College-supported works are works covered by copyright or patent protection produced by a college employee in the course or scope of his/her employment or by any person (including college employees and students) with college support. A college-supported work is characterized by one or more of the following:

• The work is the product made as a result of employment with the college.
• The work is a product of the employee’s job duties.
• The work is produced by an employee during his/her work schedule.
• The work is produced by an employee or by any person (including students at the college) with funds, resources or facilities owned or controlled by the college. College funds include but are not limited to release time, grant funds, salary supplements, leave with pay and other material or financial assistance.

Fair use

Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107 (Fair Use) of the United States Code classifies certain uses of materials copyrighted by others as non-infringing. It states:

• 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use
  Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:
  • the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
  • the nature of the copyrighted work
  • the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
  • the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished will not per se preclude a finding of fair use, if that finding is made on consideration of all factors listed above.

Any employee or student wishing to use copyrighted materials under conditions not permitted by the Fair Use statute must obtain permission from the author or owner prior to using such material. If an employee intends to use copyrighted materials for college-related activities, he or she must file all correspondence and documentation of permission with his/her dean or unit manager. The documentation will consist of no less than the letter requesting approval for use, the letter of response from the author or owner, and the article or materials to be used.

Intellectual property rights

1. Ownership rights
   i. Independent works: The creator of an independent work qualifying for copyright or patent protection owns all intellectual property rights to that work. This includes the right to voluntarily transfer intellectual property ownership, in whole or in part, through a formal written agreement signed by the creator of the independent work.
   ii. College-supported works: Unless otherwise provided for in a written agreement, the college owns all intellectual property rights to a work produced with college support and qualifying for copyright or patent protection. These rights include the right to voluntarily transfer intellectual property ownership, in whole or in part, through a formal written agreement approved by the Board of Trustees and signed by its chair.
    
2. Distribution of revenue and other benefits
   i. Independent works: The creator of an independent work qualifying for copyright or patent protection controls any revenue or other benefits generated by that work.
   ii. College-supported works: Unless otherwise provided for in a written agreement, the college controls any revenue or other benefits generated by college-supported works qualifying for copyright or patent protection.

3. Written agreement
   Notwithstanding the college’s ownership rights in a college-supported work, the college president, normally with the approval of the employee’s supervising administrators and the dean or manager of the employee’s division, may enter into a written agreement with an employee for an equitable arrangement for joint ownership, sharing of royalties or reimbursement to the college for its costs and support. In all such cases, the agreement will provide that the college will have a perpetual license to use the work without compensation to the employee for such use.

The college recognizes that the research and development of an idea frequently requires the expenditure of time and money as well as the use of lab space, equipment or other campus facilities. In order to assist worthy projects, Wake Technical Community College may enter into a written agreement with a college employee or student whose research or other work has demonstrable merit. Assistance may include financial support for the purchase of supplies, payment of patent fees, and other costs deemed necessary to the successful development of the individual’s idea, concept, design or invention. In all such cases, the agreement will provide for the college a basis of ownership or an agreement to reimburse the college for its costs and support as agreed upon by the employee or student and the college Board of Trustees. In no circumstances, however, shall the college agreement deprive, diminish or abrogate the rights of the college as specified in Section 4.a. above.

4. Grant-supported works
   Notwithstanding the provisions of this policy, in the case of a work created under a grant accepted by the college, the ownership provisions of the grant prevail.
    
5. Consulting
   Subject to college policy and prior approval, employees may consult for outside organizations. Any consulting agreement should include a statement that the employee has obligations to the college as described in this Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property Policy, and this policy should be attached to the consulting agreement. In the event of conflict between the consultant’s obligations under this Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property Policy and the consultant’s obligations to the organization for which he/she consults, the obligations under this Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property Policy take precedence.

Wake Tech will utilize best practices related to maintaining a comprehensive Learning Management System records and data archive and retention schedule. The retention schedule will adhere to all applicable regulations and comply with all audit criteria. The retention schedule provides information pertinent to all types of courses offered by the college and provides instruction for storage and destruction of affected data.

Learning Management System Records Retention Schedule (this PDF document is the official version of the policy)

Digital student records generated while delivering online courses are confidential, protected under FERPA regulations, and must be provided to students or legal authorities when requested. North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) §115D, §121, and §132 have no special provisions for the handling or retention of digital academic records or protection from litigation regarding such records. North Carolina General Statutes and current Wake Tech policy require the retention of course and student records for a period of five years. Retaining student-generated data poses legal risks for the college if a student or parent sues or if records are compromised through accidental release or malicious intrusion. The maintenance, security, storage and backup of records in perpetuity and the mechanisms for producing the records in an accessible form constitute a financial burden for the college as well.

Wake Technical Community College recognizes that the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also referred to as drones, is popular for both recreational and educational usage. This policy establishes the minimum requirements for the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems in and around Wake Tech campuses and shall be a reference to assist with compliance with federal law, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, state and local laws and Wake Tech policies.

This policy applies to all members of the Wake Tech community, including but not limited to employees, students, clubs, organizations, vendors and third-party contractors, and any other individuals who are operating a UAS as part of their employment or as part of any Wake Tech-related activity. This policy also applies to any person or entity not affiliated with Wake Tech who may operate a UAS on Wake Tech property or land. This includes recreational and non-recreational aircraft operations. Any person operating a UAS on or above a Wake Tech campus is personally responsible – and bears sole responsibility – for complying with: FAA regulations; federal, state, county and municipal laws; and all Wake Tech policies, including but not limited to those set out in this UAS Policy.

Definitions

General

No individual shall operate a UAS on, in or over any Wake Tech campus without approval from Wake Tech. Before internal UAS activity, a safety risk assessment must also be conducted by the appropriate Wake Tech department or unit. In controlled airspace or any other airspace over land not owned or controlled by Wake Tech, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wake Tech and the landowner must be negotiated and signed prior to UAS use.

A safety risk assessment must be conducted by the Wake Tech department or unit before any internal UAS activity.

External commercial requesters must ensure the following requirements are met and submit them along with the authorization form:

1. Remote Pilot Certificate and Federal Airmen Certificate numbers
2. N.C. UAS Permit number
3. Certificate of insurance, including Wake Tech requirements
4. Registration number visible on drone
5. Flight plan

Complete the appropriate authorization form - external or internal Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Authorization form – and submit it with all required documentation to the Wake Tech Director of Campus Services contact for review.

Upon approval or denial of the request to operate a UAS, the Wake Tech Director of Campus Services will do the following:

1. Provide the requester with a confirmation email indicating the authorization form is approved or denied. If approved, a Wake Tech campus point-of-contact information will be provided for the specific campus.
2. Email the approved authorization form to the College Police and specific campus point-of-contact, as well as the expected UAS activity date, time and flight plan.

If an incident occurs on a Wake Tech campus, contact College Police immediately or no later than 24 hours after the incident occurred. If an accident has occurred, the drone operator must file an accident report with the FAA within 10 days of the incident if either of the following conditions exist:

• Serious injury to any person or any loss of consciousness
• Damage to any property, other than the UAS itself, where the cost of repair (including materials and labor) exceeds $500 or, in the event of a total loss, where the fair market value of the damaged property exceeds $500.

As a Wake Tech UAS pilot, any drone operator involved in an accident requiring FAA reporting must generate and retain in Wake Tech's files, documentation of all relevant flight data stored on the UAS itself and/or its associated remote control and any other attached device.

If a UAS is operating on a Wake Tech campus without receiving prior approval, College Police will advise the operator of the proper procedure, ask them to immediately stop flying and leave the campus immediately. The police officer will write an information report containing the name, date and campus of the violation, and the report will be maintained in the police system.

The first violation will be a verbal warning, as well as asking them to leave campus immediately. The second violation will be a referral to the Student Conduct Office for a student and a trespass from Wake Tech property for a non-student. A third violation could result in a citation.

Privacy

UAS operators shall comply with all federal, state and local privacy laws and regulations, as well as all Wake Tech policies governing privacy.

When operating a UAS for purposes of recording or transmitting visual images, operators bear sole responsibility for all legal risk and must take all reasonable measures to avoid violations of areas normally considered private. A UAS shall not be used to monitor or record areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. These areas include but are not limited to restrooms, locker rooms, changing or dressing rooms.

A UAS shall not be used to monitor or record sensitive institutional or personal information that may be found, for example, on an individual's workspace, on a computer or other electronic displays.

UAS and associated accessories requirements

Wake Tech UAS pilots must also ensure that their UAS satisfies the following requirements prior to proposed UAS operations:

• Ensure that the UAS proposed to be used in the UAS operations is appropriately marked and registered. As of the date of this document, all UAS over 0.55 pound (250 grams) must be registered with the FAA and marked with the assigned registration number visible on the external body of the drone. Registration numbers may not be underneath a drone battery or other external UAS feature that would restrict visibility of the registration number. Compliance with those registration and marking requirements – and all other registration and marking requirements in effect at the time of proposed UAS operations – is strictly required, and the Wake Tech UAS pilot shall bear sole responsibility for ensuring such compliance.
• Ensure that the UAS and its associated accessories (including any battery, remote control and/or external device attached thereto) is fully functional by performing a comprehensive inspection of the UAS, including (but not limited to) verifying that all available safety features on the UAS such as return-to-home and obstacle avoidance functionality are enabled.
• Engage in pre-flight contingency planning, which includes considering safe alternative routes or landing sites in the event of the following:
  • System failure
  • Degraded performance
  • Lost communication with the UAS
  • Lost visual line of sight with the UAS
  • Unavailability of original take-off/landing site
  • Changes in weather conditions

Prohibited operations

UAS are prohibited from operating at Wake Tech's RTP Campus, which lies within controlled airspace.

Unless approved or operated in identified and designated areas, no person or entity shall operate a UAS on, in or over any Wake Tech campus. This prohibition includes commercial flyers conducting commercial photography or filming without first having requested and received approval from Wake Tech.

No person may operate a UAS weighing more than 55 pounds, regardless of FAA approval, without first obtaining permission from Wake Tech.

All UAS operators must ensure that their UAS is registered and marked as required under the then-current laws and FAA rules and regulations; operations with any non-compliant UAS are strictly prohibited.

Termination authority / miscellaneous

Wake Tech reserves the right to terminate UAS permission or operations at any time in its sole discretion.

Wake Tech reserves the right and full authority to interpret all aspects of this UAS policy in Wake Tech's sole discretion, provided, however, that this UAS policy may be construed and enforced only to the maximum extent possible without unlawfully impinging on overriding constitutional rights, if any. To the extent any provision of this UAS policy is found to be unenforceable, such provision shall be severed, and all remaining aspects of the UAS policy shall remain in full force and effect. A failure by Wake Tech to enforce one or more of the provisions of this UAS policy shall neither constitute a waiver of such provisions nor constitute Wake Tech's approval of any non-compliant UAS operations nor cause Wake Tech to incur any liability therefore.

Related policies, procedures, references, forms or terms

Contact information

Ref: #E0924, C0924