COURTESY POLICY

Courtesy is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior.  Each community or culture defines courtesy and the expectations for members of that community or culture.   As a learning community, it is our responsibility to define courtesy and to live up to that definition.  As a school community, we must hold ourselves and one another accountable for interactions that foster respect and trust.  Discourteous behaviors destroy the community and can result in hurt feelings, anger, and additional poor choices.

In general, courtesy means that we interact with one another in positive, respectful ways.  Consider the following examples of courteous and discourteous behavior.

At HSHMC, it is expected that students treat each other, the faculty and staff, administration, indeed any adult, with respect, courtesy and cooperation.  Further, HSHMC teachers will treat one another, the students and their families, and the administration in courteous ways.

Consequences for engaging in discourteous behavior may include reparations, restoring the environment, meetings with faculty or staff, meetings with administrators, the development of a behavioral contract, removal of privileges, and/or suspension/expulsion from the school.

CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The students of HSHMC, united in a spirit of mutual trust and fellowship, mindful of the values of a true education and the challenges posed by the world, agree to accept the responsibilities for honorable behavior in all academic activities, to assist one another in maintaining and promoting personal integrity, and to follow the principles and procedures in this Code of Academic Integrity . Violations of the Code of Academic Integrity may take several forms.  For example, plagiarism is the “direct duplication, by copying (or allowing to be copied) another’s work, whether from a book, article, Web site, another student’s assignment, etc..”  Any of the following, without full acknowledgment of the debt to the original source, counts as plagiarism and violations of academic integrity:

• Duplication in any manner of another’s work during an exam;
• Allowing another to duplicate your work;
• Paraphrasing of another’s work closely, with minor changes but with the essential meaning, form and/or progression of ideas maintained;
• Piecing together sections of the work of another into a new whole;
• Submitting one’s own work, which has already been submitted for assessment purposes in another subject;
• Producing assignments in conjunction with other people (e.g., another student, a tutor), which should be your own independent work

Note: Students are responsible for clarifying expectations and following the code with all assignments and in all disciplines.  The following provides examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses of sources in writing.
www.oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/plag.htm

This brief guide from the Paul Robeson Library provides an excellent overview.
www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/libs/robeson_lib/flash_presents/text_plag.html

Consequences for not following the academic code of integrity may include receiving a zero on the assignment, failing the course, and/or suspension/expulsion from the school.

INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC MAIL USAGE POLICY

We are pleased to offer the students of HSHMC access to the school computer network for electronic mail and Internet access. Access to e-mail and the Internet will enable students to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with Internet users throughout the world.  Families should be warned that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people. While our intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. We believe that the benefits to students from access to the Internet, in the form of information resources and opportunities for collaboration, exceed any disadvantages. 

But ultimately, parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information resources.  To that end, HSHMC supports and respects each family’s right to decide if their child should not have Internet access, and relies on the family to inform us of that choice. HSHMC staff will teach and promote students’ responsibilities to use the Internet appropriately and safely, which includes immediately backing out of inappropriate sites that might pop up during web searches and reporting inappropriate pop-ups. Students will be held accountable if they intentionally visit or utilize inappropriate websites.

Internet and E-Mail Rules

Students are responsible for good behavior on school computer networks just as they are everywhere in the school environment. Communications on the network are often public in nature. General school rules for behavior and communications apply.

The network is provided for students to conduct research, complete assignments, and communicate with others about academic and school matters.  Access to network services is given to students who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.  Access is a privilege – not a right.  Access entails responsibility. Networks are limited in bandwidth and HSHMC must insure that our network is first and foremost used to support our academic program. Therefore downloading of non-instructional games, programs, and other media is not permitted on campus. In addition, to the extent possible, students are encouraged to download educational programs, web casts, and other large files from home or other non-school settings in order for our network to limit the demand of our server.

Individual users of the computer networks are responsible for their behavior and communications over these networks. It is presumed that users will comply with school standards. Beyond the clarification of such standards, HSHMC is not responsible for restricting, monitoring, or controlling the communications of individuals utilizing the network. 

Network storage areas may be accessed by network administrators to review files and communications to maintain system integrity and to ensure that users are using the system responsibly. Users should not expect that files stored on HSHMC servers will always be private. Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information will be honored.

The following are not permitted:

• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures.
• Using obscene language.
• Harassing, insulting or attacking others.
• Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks.
• Violating copyright laws.
• Using another’s password.
• Trespassing another’s folders, work or files.
• Intentionally wasting limited resources.
• Employing the network for commercial purposes.

Violations may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action, including suspension and/or expulsion.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENT

All intellectual property that is generated at school or related to school, including, without limitation, all equipment, documents, books, computer disks (and other computer-generated files and data), and copies thereof, created on any medium and furnished to, obtained by, or prepared by any student in the course of our incidental to student matriculation at HSHMC, belong to HSHMC.

CODE OF CONDUCT: RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS

Behavior: HSHMC students and staff are expected to respect others and support teaching and learning. Prohibited behavior includes offensive language, ignoring a staff request, threats, slander, sexual harassment or misconduct, lying, theft, and fighting. Willfully causing physical or emotional harm to another member of the HSHMC community, including bullying and cyber-bullying, will lead to an expulsion hearing. Any student who steals from the school, another student, or a staff member will be subject to an expulsion hearing.

Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment. Sexually harassing behaviors are not acceptable at any time and may be grounds for expulsion at HSHMC. Any unwelcome conduct directed toward a student or employee because of his or her gender may constitute sexual harassment. Examples of sexually harassing behaviors may include inappropriate touching, verbal comments about a person’s body or gender, name calling, spreading sexual rumors about a person through graffiti, e-mail, notes, or verbally, suggestive gestures or sounds, pranks such as pulling down a person’s pants/skirt or pulling on the waistband of a person’s underwear, and sexual assault (from groping to rape). Students are responsible for immediately reporting concerns, issues, and incidents that relate to sexual harassment. Reports will be handled by the Dean of Students, Mr. Mike Wegenka, and Provost, Dr. Emily Schell.

Vandalism:  No one is to injure, destroy, deface or trespass on school property. Since we have recently remodeled the school building and because a clean environment is important to all, vandalism will be dealt with severely. All students and staff are urged to treat the building with care and respect.

Parents/guardians will be responsible for paying for any damage done to the building or school property by their child. People with any information about damage done to the building or its contents should report it to the school dean or provost. Writing or spraying inappropriately on or around campus (graffiti), carving on school furniture and/or building fixtures, mishandling a book, breaking a window, destroying equipment or damaging materials are all infringements on the right to the HSHMC community.

Weapons: Guns, knives, explosives, or weapons of any type are not permitted in the school, on the campus, or at off-campus school functions. Violations can lead to suspension or in some cases an expulsion hearing.

Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco: Drugs, alcohol, and smoking are prohibited in the school, on the campus, or at off-campus school functions. Violations can lead to suspension or in some cases an expulsion hearing.

Personal electronics: Cell phones, pagers and/or beepers, PDAs, iPods, digital/camera phones and similar devices must be used in a way that is consistent with the school courtesy policy, the code of behavior, and the code of academic integrity. Failure to comply with these school policies will result in suspension of the use of personal electronics and/or suspension. Repeated failure to comply with the courtesy policy can result in expulsion.

Computer games: Playing computer games or video games on campus is unacceptable, unless assigned by staff for academic or purposes.

DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES

The purpose of disciplinary action at HSHMC is to ensure that both individual students and the HSHMC community stay focused on growth and learning. Prompt resolutions of the problem or issues are expected. Discipline may include a warning to the student, parent/guardian notification, and a written commitment by the student to improve his/her behavior and/or performance. In addition, depending on the nature of the infraction and the student’s past performance, any or all of the following consequences may be appropriate:

Suspension

Students may be suspended for failure to comply with the expectations outlined in the student handbook. Suspension can take the form of in-school or out-of-school time.  Typically suspensions last between 1 and 3 days. Suspensions will be assigned by the Dean of Students or Provost.

Expulsion

After a proper investigation and hearing, a student may be expelled from HSHMC. The following represent typical grounds for expulsion:

• The threat, causation or attempted causation of physical injury to another person, including sexual assault
• Possession of a weapon (e.g., firearms, knives, or explosives) or possession of a replica firearm
• Unlawful possession, use, sale, offer or being under the influence of any controlled substance, alcoholic beverage or any intoxicant
• Theft or attempted theft of school or private property
• Destruction or attempted destruction of school or private property
• Extortion
• Obscene or offensive acts or habitual profanity or vulgarity
• Disruption of school activities or willful defiance of valid school authorities
• Violation by a student and or parent/guardian of a policy or procedure as set forth in this student handbook
• When the student has demonstrated s/he does not value his/her place at the school
• When expulsion is in the greater interest of the school community

DRESS CODE

The purpose of the HSHMC dress code is to foster a professional, safe, and respectful environment at school. The dress code is in effect during all school hours. The dress code applies to field trips, site visits, academic internships and other school-related activities, unless the supervising adult informs the students otherwise. Our dress code requires a collared white shirt and long khaki pants. However, strict adherence to this dress code will only be enforced when students fail to demonstrate that their alternative clothing selections are not appropriate for school.

In all cases, students are expected to dress in ways that meet the following guidelines:

• Text or clothing that promotes violence, alcohol, tobacco or drugs is prohibited.
• Beach sandals and similar footwear are not allowed.
• Exposed midsections are not acceptable. We want you to be respectful of yourself and those around you.
• Hats, hoods, and bandannas are not acceptable.

Appropriate attire for academic internships varies by workplace, and may be different than required by the HSHMC dress code. For example, many internship sites require that all students wear hospital scrubs.

Consequences for Dress Code Violation

Parents/guardians of students who violate the dress code will be notified immediately.  Students who fail to exercise clothing choices that are appropriate for school will lose their opportunity to vary from a strict interpretation of the dress code for at least one week. After one infraction of the dress code, the student will be asked to come to school for one week in a collared white shirt and long khaki pants. These consequences will apply to both girls and boys. Any infraction thereafter will result in at least two weeks of wearing the official school uniform.  Students who violate the dress code are not allowed on campus, unless they are wearing this uniform. Repeated infractions will also be grounds for further disciplinary action.