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Check out the following links for important RCTC information:
Childcare Costs
Weather Emergency Closings
Student Life
Alcoholic Beverages or Controlled Substances on Campus
Policies and Procedures
NEED HELP WITH CHILDCARE COSTS?
Are your child care expenses taking a toll on your budget? Maybe we can help. If you are a Minnesota resident and not on MFIP contact Renea Kispert in the Financial Aid Office to find out how. She can be reached at 507-285-7337 or at renea.kispert@rctc.edu
When emergency situations – severe weather, power failure, fire, loss of water, or other serious event – force the closing of the campus or the cancellation of day, evening, or weekend classes, local radio and television stations will be notified and announcements broadcast at frequent intervals. The decision to suspend operations and/or cancel classroom instruction and activities is made as early in the day as possible.
Snow/Storm Closings
Weather reports are monitored 24/7 by College officials. The decision to cancel classes is made after an assessment involving the following criteria:
- Severity of the weather conditions
- Expected duration of the storm
- Vehicular travel conditions throughout the service area
- Ability to render campus and outreach center roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots safely usable
If a decision is made to suspend morning classes, notifications will be sent prior to 6 a.m. or as soon thereafter as possible. A decision regarding evening classes may be made by 3 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible.
When inclement weather strikes the area, students are advised to first consider the conditions in their immediate area relative to traveling safely. Conditions may vary significantly within the service area of the College and its outreach centers. Decisions regarding College operations are made on the general status of the overall service area.
Students are ultimately responsible for their own safety and travel decisions. Coursework is also the continuing responsibility of students. A decision to be absent from a class for any reason does not exonerate students from their full responsibility to complete all prescribed coursework. If you decide not to attend class, please notify your instructor(s).
In the event that classes are cancelled, the following notification methods will provide timely information regarding campus status:
- RCTC ALERT (free text message service)
- TV Broadcast Channels/Radio Broadcast
- College’s homepage https://www.rctc.edu/.
- Student Email
Special Note: While a complete campus closure may occur on campus, because of the shared facility space agreement with the City of Rochester, the Regional Sports Center may remain open for scheduled community events.
Faculty individually canceling classes for personal or medical leave will be posted at: https://www.rctc.edu/hr/absences.
The RCTC Student Life program gives students the opportunity to expand their education beyond the traditional classroom. Students who get involved in extracurricular activities tend to do better in the classroom than those who don’t get involved. Major employers across the nation look for “leadership skills” in prospective hires and being involved with RCTC’s chartered student organizations will give you the opportunity to gain these skills firsthand. In a two-year college, many of the students involved in an activity graduate each year. This means that the opportunity for a freshman to immediately become active is much greater than in a four-year college. Many of the activities may also be taken as a class to earn credit toward a degree.
RCTC students can attend sporting events, concerts and theatre productions free of charge.
All RCTC-sponsored events are alcohol and drug-free.
Check out what is going on with student life: www.rctc.edu/studentlife. For further information on student activities, contact Kodi Hoscheit, email: kodi.hoscheit@rctc.edu or call 507-285-7204.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ON CAMPUS
Rochester Community and Technical College seeks to create a campus environment that promotes healthy, responsible living; affirms civility; supports the well-being of each of its members and is respectful of state and federal laws and institutional regulations governing behavior. Respect for campus and community standards and regulations are expected. Alcohol abuse and illicit drug use will minimize an individual’s abilities to develop his or her academic or social relationships and is contrary to the educational process and goals of higher education.
Rochester Community and Technical College recognizes that students, faculty, and staff are responsible for their own conduct, and for the consequences of their behavior as well. The purpose of this policy statement and subsequent information is to provide the campus community with the information needed to make responsible, healthy choices.
Part 1. Policy: The unlawful use, possession, distribution, manufacture or sale of any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance is prohibited on the campus of Rochester Community and Technical College. This campus prohibition includes athletic facilities or athletic events, and applies to any person on campus grounds, whether he or she is a member of the College community or not. Individuals should note that even though they may be of legal age to consume or possess alcohol, RCTC policies prohibit the use or possession of alcohol on the campus. (“Exceptions” to this policy are listed under Minnesota State Policy 5.18, Part 2, D. and Part 3.)
Note: Although the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Law and program allows seriously ill Minnesotans to use medical marijuana to treat certain conditions, the possession and use of marijuana remains illegal under federal law, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the Controlled Substances Act, and the Campus Security Act, and Board Policy 5.18 Alcohol Beverages or Controlled Substances on Campus. Therefore, the use, possession, production, manufacture, and distribution of marijuana continues to be prohibited while on college or university owned or controlled property or any function authorized or controlled by the college or university.
Part 2. Definitions.
Alcohol and other Drug Abuse is defined as the use of alcohol or any mood-altering controlled substances, when resulting behavior or appearance adversely affects work or academic performance.
Adversely Affects Work or Academic Performance and Under the Influence shall be determined to be present if the student or employee is perceptibly impaired; has impaired alertness, coordination, reactions, responses or effort; if the student or employee’s conditions threatens the safety of him/herself or others; or if the student or employee’s condition or behavior presents the appearance of unprofessional or irresponsible conduct detrimental to the public’s perception of the College as an employer as determined by the supervisor or manager or other observing the employee
Controlled Substances means those substances whose possession and distribution is controlled by regulations or statute, including, but not limited to narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, cannabis and prescription medications
Mood Altering and Alter means changed behavior which may limit a student or employee’s ability to safely and efficiently perform his/her job duties or poses a threat to the safety of the student, employee or others.
Part 3. Scope of Coverage: This policy is applicable to any person on campus grounds, whether he or she is a member of the College community or not. RCTC is responsible for monitoring this policy and determining when an infraction has occurred. RCTC is further responsible to determine the appropriate sanctions and impose those sanctions against all offenders in a fair and consistent manner. Questions regarding this policy can be directed to either the Chief Human Resources Officer, a Student Conduct Officer, or a Security Officer.
Part 4. Prohibited Activities: According to the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226) and Minnesota Statutes 152 (prohibited Drugs), 340A (Liquor Act) and 624.701 (Liquor in certain buildings and grounds), RCTC has implemented a program to prevent the use of alcohol and unlawful use of controlled substances on campus or at college-related activities by students and employees.
Students, by their association with RCTC, will abide by college conduct policies. However, this code of student conduct does not replace nor does it reduce any requirements of civil or criminal law imposed upon citizens as members of the larger community. Therefore, students who violate civil or criminal law may be subject to both legal and college sanctions for the same conduct when the conduct occurs off campus but is related to the college community.
While it is not possible to define each instance of misconduct, the following examples are intended to convey offenses:
- No student or employee shall unlawfully manufacture, sell, give away, barter, deliver, exchange or distribute or possess with the intent to manufacture, sell, give away, barter, deliver, exchange, or distribute a controlled substance or associated paraphernalia as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 152 while on campus or involved in a college activity, service, project program or work situation off campus. Also, no employee shall participate in these activities during rest breaks or during overtime work.
- No student or employee shall report to campus while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance except as prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider.
- When an employee or student employee is taking medically authorized controlled substances which may alter job performance, he/she has a duty to notify the appropriate supervisor of that information.
- No student or employee shall transport or use any controlled substances in a state or rental vehicle while traveling to a college sponsored or approved activity (meetings, competitions, entertainment, etc.) except as allowed by law.
- No student or employee shall introduce upon or have possession upon any college campus, or while involved in a college activity, service project, program or work situation, any alcoholic beverage as defined in Minnesota Statute 340.
- Employees, including student employees, conducting the College’s business after the intake of alcohol or other controlled substances shall be subject to sanctions if the resulting behavior negatively affects his/her performance or interaction with others.
- The appropriate law enforcement agency will be notified when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that an individual may have illegal controlled substances in his/her possession on College premises. Where appropriate, the College shall also notify licensing boards.
- The purchase of alcoholic beverages using state or university dollars is prohibited (Foundation funds are neither State nor University funds and are exempt from this prohibition).
- Employees are discouraged from drinking alcoholic beverages during meal breaks when returning immediately thereafter to perform work on behalf of the state. Any employee whose condition or behavior – following alcohol consumption – adversely affects their work performance shall be subject to possible discipline.
Part 5. Legal Sanctions:
Applicable legal sanctions under local, state, or federal law for the unlawful use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances are set forth in the referenced laws. Complete information on criminal penalties in Minnesota for the use, possession and sales of controlled substances may be found at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/152.
Minnesota has a wide range of statutes that regulate the possession, purchase, sale, and consumption of alcohol. Sanction information may be found at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/
Sanctions related to driving while under the influence (DWI) may be found at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169A.20
These sanctions can include probation, fines, driver’s license suspension, and/or incarceration. Future revisions, amendments, or additions to these or other applicable codes are incorporated into this policy by this reference.
Part 6. Health Risks: Students and staff are notified of the health risks associated with the use of alcohol and controlled substances. Additional information can easily be obtained by contacting the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the principal biomedical and behavioral research agency of the United States Government. NIH is a component of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Alcohol consumption causes a number of changes in behavior and physiology. Even low doses significantly impair judgment, coordination, and abstract mental functioning. Statistics show that alcohol use is involved in a majority of violent behaviors on college campuses, including acquaintance rape, vandalism, fights, and incidents of drinking and driving. Continued abuse may lead to dependency, which often causes permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of a healthy lifestyle.
Cannabis (Marijuana, Hashish). The use of marijuana may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time, and reduce coordination and energy level. Users often have a lowered immune system and an increased risk of lung cancer. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, is stored in the fatty tissues of the brain and reproductive system for a minimum of 28 to 30 days.
Hallucinogens. Lysergic acid (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin cause illusions and hallucinations. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased. Phencyclidine (PCP) affects the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. Because the drug blocks pain receptors, violent PCP episodes may result in self-inflicted injuries.
Cocaine/Crack. Cocaine users often have a stuffy, runny nose and may have a perforated nasal septum. The immediate effects of cocaine use include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature, followed by depression. Crack, or freebase rock cocaine, is extremely addictive and can cause delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, severe chest pain, muscle spasms, convulsions, and even death.
Amphetamines (Meth). Amphetamines can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of coordination, collapse, and death. Heavy users are prone to irrational acts.
Heroin. Heroin is an opiate drug that causes the body to have diminished pain reactions. The use of heroin can result in coma or death due to a reduction in heart rate.
Part 7. Disciplinary Sanctions: Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action initiated by the College as outlined in RCTC Policy 3.6: STUDENT CONDUCT and in the student handbook and may be referred for assistance to the RCTC Counseling Office or RCTC Health Services. Employees who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge consistent with the collective bargaining agreement applicable with the employees’ position. The Chief Human Resources Officer and a Student Conduct Officer will ensure that the disciplinary sanctions for violating standards of conduct are enforced consistently.
Part 8. Biennial Review: As required by the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations, a biennial review of the alcohol and other drug programs and policies will be reviewed every two years. This review will determine the effectiveness of, and to implement any needed changes to, the AOD program.
Part 9. Alcohol and Controlled Substance Use Assessment and Counseling: Alcohol and other controlled substance use awareness programs and services are offered through RCTC’s Student Life, Student Health Services, Counseling, Human Resources, and other campus departments. Students or employees in need of assistance with a drug or alcohol problem may contact the following:
RCTC Drug and Alcohol Resources:
Students:
RCTC Counseling Center 507-285-7260
RCTC Student Health Service 507-285-7261
Employees:
State Employee Assistance Program, Rochester office: 651-259-3840 or 1800-657-3719
https://mn.gov/mmb/segip/news-and-updates.jsp?id=1059-280580
National Self-Help Resource
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), U.S. Department of Health www.drugabuse.gov
Local Self-Help Resources:
Alcoholics Anonymous (Rochester) 507- 281-1747 www.aadistrict1.org
Al-Anon 507-281-4729 www.rochrecovery.org/AlAnon.html
MN Narcotics Anonymous 877-767-7676 www.naminnesota.org
Services and Programs:
Olmsted County Adult Chemical Dependency, Adult and Family Services Division: 507-328-6400
Substance Abuse Service Mayo Clinic: 507-538-3270
Alcoholism & Drug Dependence Unit. (Adult Inpatient) St. Mary’s Hospital: 507-536-0534
Cronin Homes, Inc. (Half-way House): 507-282-1204
The Gables Recovery Home (Treatment – Adult Women): 507-282-2500
Outpatient Chemical Dependence Service, Mayo Clinic: 507-538-3270
Family Service Rochester (Assessment, counseling, treatment): 507-287-2010
Zumbro Valley Crisis Receiving Unit (Detoxification): 507-281-6248
Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center (Counseling, education, treatment): 507-289-2089
Part 10. Certification: This policy will be distributed to all new RCTC students and employees and annually to all current students and employees. This policy will be reviewed biannually to assess its effectiveness, implement changes, and insure the disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with College policies and procedures. For a more complete description of the policies, please refer to the RCTC Web Page at www.rctc.edu/policies/ or contact one of the Administrative Offices. A condensed version of RCTC policies can be found in the RCTC Student Handbook online at: https://www.rctc.edu/services/student-affairs/.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, September 28, 2021, U of MN-Rochester Visit
Thursday, September 30, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, October 5, 2021, Meditation in the Compassion Corner
Thursday, October 7, 2021, U of WI-La Crosse Visit
Thursday, October 14, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, U of MN-Rochester Visit and Upper Iowa University Visit
Thursday, October 28, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, November 2, 2021, Meditation in the Compassion Corner
Tuesday, November 9, 2021, U of MN-Rochester Visit and U of WI-La Crosse Visit
Thursday, November 18, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, November 30, 2021, U of MN-Rochester Visit
Thursday, December 2, 2021, Student Senate Meeting
Tuesday, December 7, U of MN-Rochester Visit, Meditation in the Compassion Corner
Thursday, December 16, 2021, Student Senate Meeting