2. Sample Welcome From the President
Greetings from the President of Erie Community College
Dear Students in Erie Community College: The Handbook for Students is designed to orient you in the
sometimes overwhelmingly rich academic and social world of Erie Community College. It is meant to
be a kind of user’s manual for the College, giving you an overview of the options available to you and
the resources that can help you make good choices. We believe your undergraduate experience will be
more enjoyable and rewarding if you take the time to read through this book. A quick scan of the
Handbook will show you what types of information it contains. The book can be your guide to academic
requirements, our residential system, and the many activities that take place outside the classroom.
Importantly, it clarifies the standards that should inform your conduct within the College. It sets forth the
academic and disciplinary rules that apply to everyone in our community. It also sketches the broad
outlines of the concentrations and secondary fields offered by the College.
As you read this Handbook, I hope you will think about the range of possibilities it suggests. You have
entered a period of tremendous growth and change in your life, years when you will form lasting
friendships, discover absorbing interests, and take great steps toward becoming the person you hope to
be. You will get the most out of spending these years at Erie Community College by venturing far
beyond your “comfort zones.” Take classes in areas about which you know nothing; a subject you
haven’t yet considered might become the passion of your adult life. Participate in activities you have
never tried. Perhaps most important of all, reach past the culture in which you grew up to get to know
people from very different backgrounds. Your fellow students and the rest of the Erie Community
College community are staggeringly diverse; the whole world is here. It takes courage to reach out to
people unlike yourself, but you will find that the effort is supremely worth your while. Life at the
College, as anywhere, can be confusing.
Remember that there are always people standing by to help you think through choices, both academic
and otherwise. Seek out advisers you like and trust, and never be afraid to ask for some of their time.
Everyone at the College wants you to thrive here. If you read this Handbook carefully, and use it to find
the support you need, you will be well on your way. I look forward to meeting many of you at functions
formal and informal. Please feel free to come to my office hours to discuss any issues of concern to you,
or just to get acquainted. We are all privileged to be members of one of the world’s most exciting
communities. If there is anything the administration can do to enable you better to negotiate the
complicated environment of the College, or simply to help you feel welcome and at home here, I hope
you will let me know.
I wish you a happy, healthy, and fruitful year.
Jack Quinn
President of Erie Community College
3. Student Code of Conduct
I. Purpose
II. Authority
III. Proscribed Misconduct
a. Jurisdiction of the College
b. Definitions
IV. Standards of Conduct
a. Physical Violence
b. Honesty
c. Sexual Assault & Other Sexual Misconduct
d. Drugs & Alcohol
e. Student Business Activity
f. Other Regulations
g. Regulations concerning the use of university resources
i.) Libraries & Library Books
ii.) Use of computers & networks
iii.) Use of facilities
iv.) Privacy of Information
v.) Electronic Communication
vi.) Intellectual Property & Copyrighted Materials
vii.) Erie Community College Identification Cards
h. Fire Regulations
i. Threats
j. Firearms & Explosives
k. Betting & Gambling
l. Hazing
m.Examples of Unacceptable Behaviors
4. General Regulations
Standards of Conduct in Erie Community
The rules and regulations affecting undergraduates have been established by the
_________________. Students are expected to be familiar with those regulations covered in
this Handbook that apply to them. The rules of Erie Community College provide a framework
within which all students are free to pursue their work, under the safest and most equitable
conditions the College can create. These rules, then, serve as the guidelines forming the
protection of each individual’s well-being. Whenever violations of the rules occur, the College
will treat them as matters of serious concern because they disrupt the individual lives of
students, and the shared life of this community.
It is the expectation of the College that all students, whether or not they are on campus or are
currently enrolled as degree candidates, will behave in a mature and responsible manner. This
expectation for mature and responsible conduct also encompasses accountability for one’s
own well-being, including responsible decision-making regarding physical and mental health.
Further, the College expects every student to be familiar with the regulations governing
membership in the College community, set forth in the pages that follow. Because students are
expected to show good judgment and use common sense at all times, not all kinds of
misconduct or behavioral standards are codified here. The College takes all these diverse
principles very seriously; together they create a foundation for the responsible, respectful
society that Erie Community College seeks to foster among its students, faculty, and staff.
Careful note should be taken that the College is not, and cannot be considered as, a protector
or sanctuary from the existing laws of the city, state, or federal government.
5. Conduct Within the Community
Conduct Within the Community
a. -Physical Violence
b. Honesty
c. Sexual Assault & Other Sexual Misconduct
d. Drugs & Alcohol
e. Student Business Activity
f. Other Regulations
g. Regulations concerning the use of university resources
-Libraries & Library Books
-Use of computers & networks
-Use of facilities
-Privacy of Information
-Electronic Communication
-Intellectual Property & Copyrighted Materials
-Erie Community College Identification Cards
8. Fire Regulations
9. Threats
10. Firearms & Explosives
11. Betting & Gambling
6. Section 130.52 - Forcible Touching.
This offense involves the forcible touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for the purpose of
degrading or abusing such person; or for the purpose of gratifying the actor’s sexual desire. Forcible touching
includes the squeezing, grabbing, or pinching of such other person’s sexual or other intimate parts. The penalty for
violation of this section includes imprisonment for a period of up to one year in jail.
Section 130.55/.60/.65 – Sexual Abuse.
This series of offenses includes sexual contact with a person by forcible compulsion, or with a person who is
incapable of consent due to physical helplessness, or due to the person being under the age of consent. The
penalties for violation of these sections range from imprisonment for a period not to exceed three months up to
imprisonment for a period not to exceed seven years.
Section 130.65-a/.66/.67/.70 –Aggravated Sexual Abuse.
This series of offenses occurs when a person inserts a finger or a foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis or
rectum of another person by forcible compulsion, when the other person is incapable of consent by reason of being
physically helpless, or when the other person is under the age of consent. The level of this offense is enhanced if
the insertion of a finger or foreign object causes injury to the other person. The penalties for violation of these
sections range from imprisonment for a period not to exceed seven years up to imprisonment for a period not to
exceed 25 years.
Sexual Assault and the Law
Monroe Community College has programs in place to protect all members of the campus community from sexual
assault, including programs for prevention and prosecution of those crimes that occur within the jurisdiction of
Monroe Community College Public Safety.NYS Law contains the following legal provisions defining the crimes
related to sexual assault:
Section 130.20 – Sexual Misconduct.
This offense includes sexual intercourse without consent and deviate sexual intercourse without consent. The
penalty for violation of this section includes imprisonment for a definite period to be fixed by the court up to one
year.
Section 130.25/.30/.35 – Rape.
This series of offenses includes sexual intercourse with a person incapable of consent because of the use of forcible
compulsion or because the person is incapable of consent due to a mental defect, mental incapacity, or physical
helplessness. This series of offenses further includes sexual intercourse with a person under the age of consent. The
penalties for violation of these sections range from imprisonment for a period not to exceed four years up to
imprisonment for a period not to exceed 25 years.
Section 130.40/.45/.50 – Criminal Sexual Act.
This series of offenses includes oral or anal sexual conduct with a person incapable of consent because of the use of
forcible compulsion or because the person is incapable of consent due to a mental defect, mental incapacity, or
physical helplessness. This series of offenses further includes oral or anal sexual conduct with a person under the
age of consent. The penalties for violation of these sections range from imprisonment for a period not to exceed
four years up to imprisonment for a period not to exceed 25 years.
7. If you are sexually or otherwise
assaulted on campus:
• Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
• Try to preserve all physical evidence; do
not bathe, douche, or change your clothes.
• Contact MCC Public Safety immediately
(call 2911 in an emergency, or use a Blue
Light or other campus emergency phone).
Remember, assaults – sexual or otherwise
– are crimes; they are not the victims’ fault.
Victims have the right to pursue adjudication
of crimes that occur on the campus through
criminal courts and/or through the College’s
internal disciplinary process (under the
College Code of Conduct). Campus Public
Safety are trained to assist with prosecution
in both systems.
Disciplinary Action
Where there is probable cause to believe the college’s
regulations prohibiting sexual misconduct have been
violated, the college will pursue strong disciplinary
action through its own channels. This discipline
includes the possibility of suspension or dismissal
from the college. An individual charged with any
sexual offense will be subject to college disciplinary
procedures, whether or not prosecution under New
York State Criminal Statutes is pending.
The college will make every effort to be responsive
and sensitive to the victims of these serious crimes.
Protection of the victim and prevention of continued
trauma is the college’s priority. When the victim and
the accused live in the same residence hall, an
immediate hearing with the College Judicial Officer
will be held to determine the need for modifying the
living arrangements. Assistance for any other
personal or academic concerns will be reviewed and
options provided.
8. During the disciplinary process, the
victim’s rights are:
• To have a person or persons of the victim’s choice
accompany the victim throughout the disciplinary
hearing.
• To remain present during the entire proceeding.
• As established in state criminal codes,to be assured
that his/her irrelevant past sexual history will not be
discussed during the hearing.
• To make a “victim impact statement” and to suggest
an appropriate penalty if the accused is found in
violation of the code.
• To be informed immediately of the outcome of the
hearing.
• During the disciplinary process, the rights of the
“accused” are as described under the -Due Process
Procedure of the College Judicial System
Information and Support
If you are the victim of sexual assault or
sexual misconduct, you may seek support
services as well as the assistance described
above. Free and confidential counseling
is available through the Rape Crisis
Service 24/7 by calling (716) 834-3131.For
additional information and a list of Campus
and other community support resources,
contact the Department of Public Safety at
(716) 851-1133
9. Educational Programs
Educational programs to promote awareness of rape, acquaintance
rape, and sex offenses are presented to the campus community.
Campus Public Safety and Student Development staff provides
programs for the college community and in the Residence Halls.
Sexual Assault Safety & Security
After responsibility has been assigned through investigation, all
perpetrators of sexual assault (including acquaintance rape) will be
aggressively sanctioned. The College will work in close cooperation
with local law enforcement agencies to address this serious criminal
activity. When reported, Daemen College will thoroughly investigate
this violation of individuals' rights and safety. In addition, the College
may terminate the enrollment and/or employment of any perpetrator
of sexual assault, including summarily suspending the violator to
protect the College community. Specific procedural steps to take if
sexually assaulted.
You Should Immediately
1) Get to a safe place.
2. report the incident to Security and Amherst to report the incident to
public safety and the Buffalo Police.
3) Call a friend and/or CRISIS SERVICES at 834-3131 or call another
support agency or office.
4) Go to the Emergency Room for an examination, immediate medical
attention, and for the collection of physical evidence. Do not shower
or change clothes if at all possible prior to examination. Do take a
change of clothes to the medical examination location.
5) Be examined for pregnancy, sexual disease, and physical or
psychological injuries. Reluctance or unwillingness to make a
complete report to the police will make it impossible for either the
police or the College to take appropriate action or safety measures;
this includes reporting the dangers to the College community.
Victim Support
It is very important to seek help for any sexual assault and/or attempts
of sexual assault(including "ACQUAINTANCE RAPE/DATE
RAPE") from any of the following:
SUPPORT AGENCIES AND COLLEGE OFFICES: PHONE
Crisis Services - Victims advocate program 716-834-3131
Crime Victims Board 716-847-7992
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
AND COLLEGE OFFICES:
Amherst Police/Buffalo Police 911
Erie County Sheriff/Dept. of Family
Offenses 716-858-6102
Erie County District Attorney/CARR Unit
716-858-2525
Campus Security or Director of Security
(716) 851-1133
(or “0” from campus phone)
10. ECC Policy Concerns Sexual Assaults
Erie Community College
Erie Community College does not condone any form of sexual assault committed by any member of the College Community.
Sexual assaults are crimes of violence, and men and women of the campus community who commit these crimes are subject to
serve sanctions pursuant to the Penal Law of the State of New York as well as through the campus judicial system of College
Policy and Procedures as established through the collective bargaining agreements, Board of Trustees Policy and/or the Student
Code of Conduct. Internal sanctions may include suspension or expulsion of students, required leave, or termination of
employment.
Definition:
Sexual assault is forced sexual acts or any sexual contact against one’s will as defined in Penal Law S130.00(3).
Procedure:
Reporting—Sexual assault incidents shall be reported to Campus Security, which in turn is required to report such incidents to
law enforcement agencies. When the victim reports the incident, the Victim Assistance Support Team shall be contacted
immediately. This team will consist of the College nurse, a counselor, a victim advocate and a representative of Campus Security.
The team is to make available immediate medical and psychological treatment for the victim. This team will also advise the
victim about his/her rights to initiate judicial proceedings on campus, as well as the right to utilize law enforcement agencies.
Off College Owned or Controlled Property—If the assault occurs off College owned or controlled property and the alleged
perpetrator is a member of the College Community, the College may invoke established procedures as deemed necessary to
protect the institution and those affiliated members.
Confidentiality—All reports of sexual assault will be kept confidential and anonymity of all parties will be maintained to the
extent possible. The names of the involved parties will only be available during the investigation and hearing to those with a
“need to know.” Those with a “need to know” may include: the alleged victim, the alleged accused, the members of the Victim
Assistance Support Team, the hearing officer and counsel for all parties including the College.
Action— If the accused is a student, the procedures detailed in the Student Code of Conduct shall be followed. If the accused is an
employee of the College and/or College Association, the procedures detailed in the respective contractual agreement and/or
according to terms or conditions of employment shall be utilized.
All documents related to the incidents will be kept on file as required by the State of New York.
False Accusations: False accusations of sexual assault are a serious matter and the accuser may be subject to disciplinary action
according to the provisions of the appropriate contract or the Student Code of Conduct as will as the Penal Law of the State of
New York.
Communication of Incident:
The need for notification of the College Community will be determined by the College President and the Director of Security
based on the specific situation and safety of College personnel. In no case will the College release the names of involved parties.
Any communication, both internal and external, will be coordinated by Public Relations and the Office of the President.
