Objectives
These regulations have a dual purpose:
- To foster the student’s adjustment to the working conditions he or she will face on the job.
- To provide an environment that is conducive to concentration, learning and high productivity.
Professional Appearance
Porter and Chester’s expectations of professional appearance mirror those of the related industry (the student’s future employer) and form the basis for our policy on proper dress. The following is a guideline for what is and is not permissible based on programmatic rules regarding safety and professionalism:
Uniforms
- Medical Assisting and Dental Assisting: Students must wear scrubs and/or lab coats as required.
- Practical Nursing: Students must wear nursing uniforms while in attendance at all classes as well as lab coats while attending clinical facilities. A white or navy blue cardigan may be worn in classrooms.
- For the allied health programs above: Only small, non-dangling earrings and modest rings are allowed. Facial and oral piercings must be removed and tattoos covered completely. Footwear may be white or black sneakers or nursing shoes worn with socks or hose.
- Automotive, CICRE, ELT, HVACR, LVT, Plumbing and Welding: Students must wear Porter and Chester uniform shirts and long jeans or khakis. Work boots or safety shoes covering the ankle required ; steel toed boots with oil resistant soles preferred. No sneakers, hiking boots or canvas boots allowed.
General Expectations
- Generally accepted standards for personal cleanliness and grooming apply. Nursing students must cover tattoos.
- Hair and nails need to be clean and well groomed. Hair longer than collar length needs to be safely tied back. Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting and Practical Nursing students must keep nails trimmed short and unpolished and no artificial or gel nails are allowed.
- Uniform shirts must be buttoned and tucked in and pants worn with a belt. All clothing must be clean, unwrinkled and free of stains, holes or tears.
- Shorts, hoodies, sweatshirts, coats, loose clothing and dangly jewelry are not allowed. No undergarments should be visible at any time or show through the uniform. No flip-flops or open toed shoes allowed at any time in any program. No head wear in the lab or class room (unless meeting religious or medical exemptions). Navy or black scrub caps are acceptable for nursing.
- If cold, students may wear an appropriately colored long sleeve shirt under a uniform shirt. (White for nursing students)
- Safety glasses which meet program specifications must be worn during shop and/or lab time. Students are expected to follow their Instructors directions involving any other safety equipment or precautions (e.g. masks, gloves, ear protection.)
Instructors, Supervisors and Campus Directors of Operations and Education (CDOE) have the authority to determine what constitutes appropriate or inappropriate professional appearance and require students to make corrections. Failure to comply with established professional appearance guidelines can lead to disciplinary actions including warning, probation, suspension or dismissal.
Theft, Property Damage
The Institute is not responsible for the loss of personal property or equipment. Property owned by a student may not remain on the premises after the student has left for the day. Theft of personal or institute property by a student will result in suspension or dismissal. Students who fail to return loaner iPads or laptops have committed theft of company property. All thefts will be reported to the appropriate police department.
The student must pay the cost of restoration and/or replacement for any damage the student does to the Institute’s property. The following actions are some of the things considered “damage to the Institute’s property.”
- Scratching, gouging, or writing on walls, furniture, or equipment.
- Abusive treatment of doors, windows, equipment, etc.
- Tampering with the plumbing, clogging the toilets, etc.
- Affixing cartoons, diagrams, etc. to the walls, doors, etc.
Equipment Maintenance, Cleanliness
Each student is responsible for assisting with the upkeep and maintenance of the Institute-owned equipment the student uses in the classroom and lab, including electronic devices. Any equipment replacement or repair costs that are traceable to the student’s neglect or abuse will be charged to the student.
The student is responsible for keeping the immediate area he or she is occupying neat and orderly. Nothing is to be thrown on the floor. In particular, care should be taken that gum, scratch paper, and soda containers are disposed of in the appropriate recycle bins or trash barrels. Nothing is to be affixed to the walls.
At the end of each session, and at the time specified by the instructor, work stops and the students return any borrowed books or equipment to the instructor , return chairs to their original positions and put their immediate areas into order.
Unauthorized use of computer equipment is strictly prohibited. The following actions are some of the things considered unauthorized use of computer equipment.
- Installation or use of unauthorized software or hardware, desktop backgrounds, or screensavers.
- Computer games.
- Use of the network to illegally download music or other illegal peerto- peer files sharing.
Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject students to civil and criminal liabilities. Penalties for violating Federal copyright laws include the payment of monetary damages, fines of up to $250,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment. Students who engage in illegal downloading or distribution of copyrighted materials using the Institute’s technology system are subject to disciplinary measures up to and including dismissal.
Professional Preparedness
Students are expected to come to class each day appropriately dressed and prepared to learn. To this end, they are provided the books, tools and supplies necessary for them to master the technical and professional skills of their program. Students are responsible for safeguarding and maintaining these items. Lost, stolen or damaged tools, uniforms, books or equipment must be replaced by the student at the student’s expense. Stolen items may be covered under home-owner or auto insurance. Replacement uniforms may be ordered via the Institute’s web site. Other items may be purchased though standard retailers. Students who come to school out of uniform or without the proper tools and equipment are subject to disciplinary actions including warning, probation, suspension or dismissal.
Conduct
The environment of the Institute is the same as that of the student’s future employer. Mature, professional behavior is expected at all times. Accordingly, conduct that disturbs other students is not tolerated. Speaking in a disturbingly loud voice or shouting across the room, using profanity, playing a radio or portable musical device in class, shoving, pushing, or horseplay are all examples of unacceptable behaviors
Instructors, Supervisors and Campus Directors of Operations and Education (CDOE) have the authority to determine what constitutes appropriate or inappropriate conduct and require students to make corrections. Failure to comply with conduct directives can lead to disciplinary actions including warning, probation, suspension or dismissal.
Conduct which endangers other students, the student him or herself, the Institute, its faculty or staff, or the academic integrity of the classroom is prohibited. Violation of this regulation will result in the student’s suspension or dismissal and, if appropriate, notification to the proper authorities. Actions in this category that cannot be tolerated include but are not limited to:
- The use of drugs or alcohol on premises, or in the sole judgment of the Institute, the student arriving on campus under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Violence, or the threat of violence
- Physical, verbal or sexual assault or harassment; bullying or hazing
- Unsafe behavior in classroom or lab; failure to follow safety precautions given by the Instructor
- Willful damage or destruction of the Institute’s property
- Theft, or attempted theft, of personal or company property
- Bringing a firearm or other weapon on to campus. Federal and state laws stipulate that it is illegal to carry a firearm without a permit. Porter and Chester’s policy is that under no circumstances will any firearms be allowed on the premises.
- Adhere to HIPPA, school and affiliate policy regarding patient care and rights
Beverages, Food
Soft drinks, coffee, tea, etc., may be consumed only during class breaks. Paper cups, cans, wrappers, etc., must be disposed of in the appropriate recycle bins or trash containers. There is no eating or drinking in any lab or shop at Porter and Chester.
Smoking
Smoking or the use of oral tobacco products or e-cigarettes is not permitted inside the building.
Snow Days
Like your future employer, the Institute rarely closes due to inclement weather. It is up to the student to decide when coming to school would be hazardous. Online lecture will never be cancelled. If the campus closes, students who had a scheduled lab day will attend an online class, instead. Television stations will announce closings; postings will also be made via the RAVE alert system. If class is cancelled, and there is no buffer time left in the term, a rescheduled lab class will be held on a date set by the Institution. Students who do not attend a rescheduled class will accrue an absence.
Miscellaneous
Video or audio recording of lectures or labs is prohibited without the express consent of the instructor and the Campus Director of Operations and Education (CDOE).
Students address the instructors and other Institute staff personnel as Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss, as the case may be. Instructors’ or supervisors’ directions, requests, or orders must be complied with promptly.
Except for break periods, while students are on the Institute premises cell phones must be turned off. Except for an emergency, students are not allowed to make or receive phone calls. Emergency use of an Institute phone must be approved by the Instructor.
Once having arrived, students may not leave their assigned locations unless prior approval is received from their instructor. Loitering at the vending machines, in the lavatories, etc., is prohibited.
Students must return to class promptly from breaks. If released from class for assemblies, students must report directly to the assembly room and return promptly to class at the end of the presentation.
Students may not solicit instruction from another student. Students should raise a hand, and the instructor will assist them.
Windows, air conditioners, radiators, blinds, shades, heat controls, etc. are operated by instructors only.
Visitors and former students must sign in at the front desk and be accompanied by a member of the Institute staff to their destination.
Interpretation
This list of behaviors is meant to be illustrative and not exhaustive. Misconduct not specifically listed here could still subject the student to disciplinary measures. In the case of a dispute over the meaning of a regulation, or the applicability of discipline, the interpretation of the Institute prevails.
Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with these regulations will result in disciplinary measures up to and including warning, probation, suspension or dismissal. Students misbehaving in lab or shop may be required to return to the classroom for the rest of the day. Any conduct violation could result in the student being sent immediately to meet with the CDOE. Students exhibiting flagrant violation of conduct or professional preparedness standards may be sent home for the remainder of the day (suspension), with a disciplinary meeting with the CDOE the following day. Egregious violation of conduct standards (e.g. violence or theft) can result in immediate dismissal.
Suggestions, Complaints
The Institute solicits students’ suggestions and criticisms. It is one of the methods we use for continually improving the Institute. It is also one of the ways by which students gain a deeper insight into the policies and objectives of the Institute.
Students should give improvement suggestions or criticisms to the Instructor or Program Coordinator . He/she will take the actions necessary to make sure the suggestions are considered carefully by the appropriate Institute officials. If the Institute agrees with the suggestion it will be gratefully implemented. If the Institute does not agree, an explanation will be provided to the student.
From time to time, the Campus Director of Operations and Education will visit classes and give students the opportunity to ask questions about the Institute or give us suggestions for improvement. This is another opportunity for students to express their views about things.
Complaints
If the student does not wish to give a complaint to the Instructor or Program Coordinator, it may be submitted in writing to the Campus Director of Operations and Education. The Director will explain how the complaint will be handled. If the student is not satisfied with the response, he or she may submit the complaint in writing to the Director of Operations and Educations or the Vice President of Academics. The Institute will respond in writing within 10 days of receiving a written complaint. If a student still feels that the Institute has not adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may want to contact the Accrediting Commission or the Connecticut Office of Higher Education or the Massachusetts Office of Private Occupational School Education.
Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd. Suite 707
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 947-1816
ct.gov/StudentComplaint
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure,
Office of Private Occupational Schools
One Federal Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 701-8719
File a complaint against an occupational board licensee |
Mass.gov
Occupational.schools@state.mass.gov
The Institute does not have any policy nor does it act in any manner which discourages or prohibits complaints or inquiries regarding the school’s operation to the state Offices of Higher Education or the Accrediting Commission .A complaint to any of these agencies must be made in writing or it won’t be considered.
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges requires that this box be printed in school catalogs exactly as it appears below.
STUDENT COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
Schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges must have a procedure and operational plan for handling student complaints. If a student does not feel that the school has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Accrediting Commission. All complaints reviewed by the Commission must be in written form and should grant permission for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the school for a response. This can be accomplished by filing the ACCSC Complaint Form. The complainant(s) will be kept informed as to the status of the complaint as well as the final resolution by the Commission. Please direct all inquiries to:
Accrediting Commission of
Career Schools & Colleges
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(703) 247-4212
www.accsc.org | complaints@accsc.org
A copy of the Commission’s Complaint Form is available at the school and may be obtained by contacting the Campus Director of Operations and Education or by contacting complaints@accsc.org or at https://www.accsc.org/Student-Corner/Complaints.aspx.
Hamden - Anthony Greaves
Bridgeport- Rafael Centeno
Brockton-Henry Przybylowicz
Chicopee - Sheri-Lynn Toner
New London - Kim Aylett
Waterbury - Ben Almaguer
Worcester - Paul Petritis
Annual Security Report
The Annual Security Report is distributed to all enrolled students and current employees directly by intranet posting and email notification. The notice includes a brief description of the report, which includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported major crimes that occurred on campus or on public property immediately adjacent to campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and other matters. If requested, a hard copy of the report is provided. The annual report is available to a prospective student or employee on the Institute’s website, www.porterchester.edu
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