General Policies

Anti-Bullying Policy

Recognizing and addressing bullying is paramount to ensuring a safe and healthy campus environment that is conducive to learning and that protects the rights of individuals. Bossier Parish Community College defines “bullying” as severe or repeated use by one or more individuals of written, verbal, or electronic communication, or a physical act or gesture or exclusion directed at another individual. Bullying may cause physical or emotional harm, may create a hostile environment, and may infringe on a person’s rights, and/ or may disrupt the campus environment.

Any individual who believes that he/she is the subject of bullying or who has knowledge of bullying behavior immediately should report such conduct to Student Services personnel, faculty, staff, or Security personnel. Complaints of bullying will be investigated promptly and in as impartial and confidential manner as possible. Retaliation against any individual reporting such conduct will not be tolerated.

Any individual who is found, after appropriate investigation, to have participated in bullying is subject to disciplinary action per the institution’s current policies which govern faculty, staff, and students.

Complaints of bullying may be reported to the following:

  • Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services: 318-678-6276
  • Security: 318-678-6013
  • Campus Deans
  • Any faculty or staff

Anti-Hazing Policy

In accordance with the law of the State of Louisiana, Bossier Parish Community College will not tolerate hazing by any student, student groups, teams, or organizations. Hazing in state colleges and universities is a violation of the law and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment, as well as dismissal from the College.

  1. Hazing shall be defined as:
    1. Any action taken or situation created, whether on or off College property, which is life-threatening to the individual; and
    2. Kidnapping, paddling, slapping, branding, burning with cigarettes, or any such activities which are life-threatening to the individual or are intended to hurt or to humiliate physically or mentally.
  2. Hazing may include the following activities when these activities are life-threatening or intended to hurt or humiliate physically or mentally:
    1. Physical exercise, scavenger hunts, road trips, any activity resulting in excessive fatigue, physical or psychological shocks;
    2. Wearing apparel which is uncomfortable to the individual, or is worn publicly, is conspicuous or not normally in good taste;
    3. Engaging in public stunts of buffoonery, hair cutting, morally degrading or humiliating games or activities, giving food or drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) which is distasteful or designed to provoke nausea or inebriation;
    4. Any form of verbal harassment, any action or situation which subjugates an individual to a condition where he/she might tend to lose self-respect or suffer injury to personal or religious values;
    5. Any activity which interferes with the student's scholastic responsibilities; and
    6. The use of obscenities and vulgarities in dress, language, or action.
  3. It is the duty of all student organization members to report immediately any violation of this policy to the Vice Chancellor for Student Services. Any violation of this policy shall be investigated and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

Discriminatory and Derogatory Acts

Acts of discriminatory or derogatory nature in relation to race, sex, ethnic background, religious beliefs, age, and physical condition will not be tolerated. Students who believe that they have been subjected to discriminatory and/or derogatory acts may report the incidents to the Vice Chancellor for Student Services.

Dress Code

Although Bossier Parish Community College does not have an official policy concerning dress code, the students, faculty, and staff of the College take pride in exhibiting an appropriate and professional appearance while on campus and while representing the College. Therefore, all BPCC students are expected to dress in an appropriate manner while on campus, while in the classroom, and while representing the College within the community.

Food and Drink in the Academic Areas

Food and/or drinks are not allowed in the theater, classrooms, laboratories, library, and other instructional support areas. Events requiring refreshments in these areas require prior approval from the director of the designated area.

Cell Phone and Pager Policy

Cell phones and other electronic devices are not to be used in the classroom without the instructor’s permission. Refer to the course Section Information Sheet for specific guidelines.

Crisis Intervention and Referral Policy

The Crisis Intervention and Referrals policy represents the current guidelines for safely assessing an urgent or emergency situation where a student is considered to be “in crisis.” All BPCC faculty and staff are expected to perform within these guidelines. Future revisions to this policy will be made as necessary.

Procedures and Specific Information

Should an immediate emergency arise with a student, BPCC faculty and staff should contact the College’s Campus Security. To report a student in distress, BPCC faculty and staff should contact the Office of Student Services. The Mental Health Coordinator or other licensed professional on the Crisis Intervention Team will be contacted and will evaluate the student for life-threatening or potentially life-threatening situation(s). Exceptions to confidentiality are guided by Louisiana state law, ethical standards, and professional practices. Students are informed about exceptions to confidentiality prior to the beginning of the evaluation and referral process.

The Crisis Intervention Team is made up of professional faculty and staff from various areas of the college. The following are represented areas on the team: Student Services, Security, Physical Plant, Risk Management, Human Resources, Disability Services, Workforce Development, and Behavioral and Social Sciences. This team is led by the Mental Health Coordinator. This position reports directly to the Vice Chancellor of Student Services. The Office of Student Services has made available the Referrals for Students—Resource Card/Sticker for faculty and staff to call regarding distressed students. Information on the Resource Card/Sticker and the complete Crisis Intervention Team members and contacts are listed on the College’s website under the Student Services.

Procedures during regular office hours

  1. For immediate emergencies, BPCC faculty and staff will contact Campus Security.
  2. For students in distress, BPCC faculty and staff will contact the Office of Student Services.

    • The Vice Chancellor of Student Services will meet with student to discuss situation.
    • The Vice Chancellor of Student Services will contact the Mental Health Coordinator or other licensed professionals on Crisis Intervention Team to assess the level of need.
    • The Mental Health Coordinator or other licensed professional on CIT will come to the location of the distressed student.
  3. In the event the student requires medical attention:

    • The student’s emergency contact will be notified.
    • In the event the student does not have an emergency contact, Campus Security will provide police transportation to one of the area hospitals.
    • If the student is uncooperative, he/she will be transported to LSU Health Sciences Center.
  4. If a student becomes volatile in the company of the Mental Health Coordinator or other licensed professional, Campus Security will be immediately notified.

Procedures for after regular office hours

  1. For immediate emergencies, BPCC faculty and staff will contact Campus Security.

    • Campus Security will send an officer to the student’s location.
    • Campus Security will notify the student’s emergency contact. In the event the student does not have an emergency contact, Campus Security will provide police transportation to the nearest emergency room.
    • If the student is uncooperative, he/she will be transported to LSU Health Sciences Center.

Referrals

There are a number of community resources available to encourage students to explore and to access these resources. Referral information to community agencies, programs, private practitioners for mental health and/or treatment is available in the Office of Students Services. The Office of Student Services is located on the second floor of Building A, office number 220.

Student Service’s staff can provide students with a list of referral resources outside the College. A range of local treatment services available will be provided to each student so he/she can decide which professional to contact. The expense of using outside resources is borne by the student. This list of referral resources is also available on the BPCC website under Local Community Resources for Students.

Parking Regulations

  1. DURING REGISTRATION, PARKING PERMITS MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE PAYING TUITION. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR VEHICLE REGISTRATION TO OBTAIN THE PERMIT. THERE IS A $30.00 FEE FOR THE PERMIT PER ACADEMIC YEAR.
  2. STUDENT PARKING IS ALLOWED ONLY IN THE WHITE STRIPED AREAS. NO STUDENT MAY PARK IN VISITOR PARKING. FACULTY AND STAFF PARKING IS DESIGNATED BY YELLOW STRIPED AREAS.
  3. All vehicles parked on the campus of Bossier Parish Community College must have a parking permit. Parking permits are valid for an academic school year (summer, fall, and spring semesters). There is a $30.00 fee per academic year.
  4. Campus Security is located in Building F, Room 104. The office is open during school hours.
  5. Parking permits are to be displayed on the bottom corner of the back glass on the driver's side. If there is no back glass, place the permit on the rear bumper, driver's side. All permits must be affixed to the outside of the vehicle.
  6. Parking violation fines may be paid at the Business Office, Building F, 1st floor. Fines may also be paid online. Fines are listed on the violation citation.
  7. If a student does not have a BPCC parking permit, a vehicle registration check will be conducted through the State of Louisiana or officers will identify the student through other means.
  8. In the event that a person locks his/her keys in a vehicle, only a licensed locksmith may unlock the vehicle. No police officer or fire personnel can unlock a vehicle unless it is an emergency or there is no licensed locksmith within that city. (R. S. 36:409C(8) subsection F)
  9. Students indebted to the College will not receive official transcripts and will not be able to register for school until all fines are paid.

Parking violation fines are as follows:

$15.00 - Faculty Parking $20.00 - No Parking Permit
$20.00 - Expired Parking Permit $50.00 - Handicapped Parking
$25.00 - Fire Lane $10.00 - Lawn/Sidewalk
$25.00 - No Parking Zone $10.00 - Blocking driveway/vehicle
$10.00 - Reserved Space $20.00 - Failure to obey officer

Identification Cards

All students must have a valid student ID card. Student ID cards may be obtained during general registration hours and during times scheduled by the Office of Student Life (F-220). Student ID cards are used for admittance to various BPCC functions, are recognized by cooperating community businesses for student discount privileges, and are mandatory in order to use the BPCC Library and the Technology Resource Center (TRC). To ensure the safety and security of all of our students, all BPCC students are required to have their student ID in their possession at all times while on campus. Campus Security and College Administrative personnel have direct authority to request a student to produce a student ID. Failure or resistance on the part of the student to produce a valid student ID may result in disciplinary action. Student IDs are the property of BPCC. Lending an ID to anyone or failure to show a student ID to any College representative upon request is a violation of College regulations.

Student ID Card Policy Student ID Card Schedule

ORIGINAL STUDENT ID CARD
Free upon the completion of registration of classes

REPLACEMENT STUDENT ID CARD
$5.00 replacement fee charged to BPCC student acct.
(Pay at Business Office in Building F or on LOLA)

FREE STUDENT ID CARD REPLACEMENT
Name or student ID number is incorrect
Issue date is over two years from current date
ID is stolen and student supplies a police report
or a BPCC incident report

REGISTRATION WEEK:
During posted on-site general and late registration hours.

FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES:
Monday - Thursday     8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday                          8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

NORMAL DAILY SCHEDULE:
Monday - Friday          9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
                                    1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Student ID cards made in the Office of Student Life (F-220).

Misuse or Abuse of Computer Equipment, Programs, or Data

Unauthorized use of computing resources is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, using the College's computing resources for personal or financial gain; allowing unauthorized non-College personnel access to computing resources on campus; displaying obscene, lewd, or sexually harassing images or text in use of the College's computers; or modifying or copying records or data belonging to the College.

It is the responsibility of the student to check with the lab instructor for policies concerning the specific lab that the student is using. Lab Managers may adopt a more restrictive policy for their areas but may not adopt a policy that is less restrictive. The computers are property of Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) and are operated under BPCC supervision. Therefore, the student should have no expectations of privacy. BPCC Computer Services has the ability to monitor activity on all aspects of its computers, and students need to be aware that the network administrators record the students' activities on the computers. Use of the BPCC computers MUST be related to approved course work or other instructor authorized tasks.

Unauthorized tasks include but are not limited to the following:

  • Making changes to the configuration of the computer including desktop backgrounds, screensavers; installing or uninstalling software unless authorized and supervised by an instructor in a classroom activity.
  • Attempting to counter security measures for any purpose or to hack passwords to gain unauthorized access to a device or to data resources.
  • Installing or using a peer-to-peer file sharing software. Examples include but are not limited to the following: KaZaa, Napster, iMesh, BearShare, Streaming Video, and Internet Radio.

Bossier Parish Community College Library/Technology Resource Center (TRC) provides connectivity to LOUIS (the Louisiana Library Network) and the Internet. All use of the TRC is subject to federal, state, and local law, and BPCC regulations. All students using the Technology Resource Center must have a valid BPCC ID. An acceptable use policy is posted in the TRC.

Sales, Solicitation, Promotion, and Advertising

Sales/solicitation, promotion, and/or advertising of a commercial nature on campus, whether by non-students or students, is strictly prohibited on the campus.

The College allows the posting of official College notices in buildings on designated bulletin boards. No notices may be affixed to glass doors or windows or on painted walls. Placing advertisements on vehicles is prohibited.

Political announcements, campaign literature, signs, handbills, banners, and other promotional materials may only be posted in the designated open announcement areas.

No commercial or non-commercial materials that are not official College notices shall be posted on walls, doors, in the foyers, on cars, or non-designated areas. Persons distributing materials must not block the doorways, passage ways, nor be in the buildings, or create a public nuisance.

Skateboards, Roller Blades, etc.

For the safety of users and pedestrians on BPCC's campus, skateboards, roller blades, etc. are prohibited on the sidewalks and parking lots and in buildings.

Gaming on Campus

It shall be the policy of BPCC to forbid gaming of any nature on campus. Gaming includes the playing of dominoes, cards, dice or any other game of chance.

Students who think they may have a gambling problem can call the following numbers for help:

  • The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling in Shreveport: 222-7657
  • Statewide Hot Line: (800)749-COPE (2673)
  • Nationwide Help Line: (800)522-4700

Smoking and Tobacco Policy

Bossier Parish Community College is dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of all its staff, faculty, and students. Since the U.S. Surgeon General has identified smoking as the leading cause of premature death in the nation, and since recent medical studies indicate that long-term exposure to second-hand smoke may increase nonsmokers' risk of developing severe lung disease, Bossier Parish Community College promotes a tobacco-free environment.

Use of all tobacco products is strictly prohibited in any College building. Smoking and use of smokeless tobacco products by employees, students, and visitors is permitted solely in designated smoking areas.

Visitors to Academic Classes

In order to maintain an academic environment conducive to the well being of all students, Bossier Parish Community College prohibits visitors to the academic classroom, the student lounges, the Library, the Technology Resource Center, and/or the Learning Center without prior approval from the instructor, or director of the service area, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and/or the Vice Chancellor for Student Services.

This policy applies to the presence of children or pets of enrolled students. Such a policy protects the children and eliminates distractions for other students.

Policy violations may result in class dismissal or College suspension.

All visitors to the campus must check in at the office of Campus Security located in Building F.

Weapons Policy

BPCC does not permit the unauthorized possession of, display of, or attempt or threat to use firearms, ammunition, fireworks, or other dangerous weapons on the College facilities property or at any College activity. Students found in violation of the Weapons Policy will be brought before the Disciplinary Hearing Committee for sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion.

For further information you may contact us at studentservices@bpcc.edu.