Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Harassment

Ocean County College is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination based on protected characteristics, harassment, and retaliation for engaging in protected activity.

The College values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the Parties in the resolution process during what is often a difficult time for all involved.

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the education program or activity, Ocean County College has developed policies and procedures that provide for prompt, fair, and impartial resolution of allegations of protected characteristic discrimination, harassment or allegations of retaliation.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Ocean County College adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in public institutions of higher education.

Ocean County College does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of actual or perceived: race, religion, hearing status, personal appearance, color, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, political belief or affiliation, source of income, place of business, residence, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including family medical history), veteran or military status (including disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, and Armed Forces Service Medal veteran), domestic violence victim status, height, weight or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process within the institution, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human/civil rights agencies.

This policy covers nondiscrimination in both employment and access to educational opportunities. Therefore, any member of the Ocean County College community whose acts deny, deprive, or limit the educational or employment or social access, benefits, and/or opportunities of any member of the Ocean County College community, guest, or visitor on the basis of that person’s actual or perceived membership in the protected classes listed above is in violation of the Ocean County College policy on nondiscrimination. 

Treatment of Complaints

Ocean County College will promptly and effectively address any such discrimination of which it has Knowledge/Notice using the appropriate resolution process(es) associated with this policy (Policy #2410) and/or other referenced in the procedure including the Progressive Discipline policy (Policy #3006), the Formal Student Complaint policy (Policy #5230), and/or the Student Discipline policy (Policy#5247).

Any student, staff, or faculty member who believes he/she has been subject to possible harassment on the basis of sex should file a report with the Title IX Coordinator through any one of the following methods:

• Online by completing the Title IX Violation Reporting Form;
• In person by visiting the office of Eileen Buckle, Title IX & ADA/504 Coordinator, located in the Library building (#3), room L002.
• By phone: (732) 255-0400 extension 2944
• By email: TitleIXCoordinator@ocean.edu
• By postal mail:
  • Ocean County College
  • Attn:  Human Resources (Title IX Coordinator)
  • PO Box 2001
  • Toms River, NJ 08754

 The Title IX Coordinator will initiate the college's response to the complaint in accordance with Policy #2410. 

Retaliation

It is prohibited for Ocean County College or any member of Ocean County College’s community (in collusion with or on a party’s behalf) to take materially adverse action by intimidating, threatening, coercing, harassing, or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by law or policy, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under the policy. In accordance with Federal Title IX law, the College can and may require staff and faculty to participate in any Title IX investigation in which they are named a complainant, respondent, or witness.

Protected activity under this policy includes reporting an incident that may implicate this policy, participating in the complaint process, supporting a Complainant or Respondent, assisting in providing information relevant to an investigation, and/or acting in good faith to oppose conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy.

Academic Integrity Policy

All students of the Ocean County College community are responsible for their conduct and for the truthful representation of their individual or group work submissions which may include content and material used in preparing documents and assessments, data, scholarly or creative works, research project data and findings, or other academic, research exercises. 

Students are responsible for the complete, accurate, specific, and truthful acknowledgement of the work of others, including, but not limited to, their words, ideas, phrases, sentences, or data, which include written or non-written sources. 

Violations of Academic Integrity include four categories: Cheating, Plagiarism, Fabrication, and Academic Misconduct. Such violations will be addressed in accordance with Policy #5180 and its associated Manual.

In distance learning courses, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) may not be used to mask a student’s IP location. Accessing the College’s network through a VPN can possibly compromise College security.

Student Obligation to Know

All Ocean County College students have the responsibility for being fully aware of college policies and regulations affecting students. In addition to this catalog, students should consult the Student Handbook and the Ocean County College website for current policies and procedures of the college.

Drug Policy

Ocean County College is an educational institution committed to maintaining an environment which allows students to enjoy the full benefits of their learning experience and to understand the negative consequences of the illicit use of alcohol and drugs on their lives. In accordance with Policy #8600, approved by the Board of Trustees of Ocean County College, and in accordance with Public Law 101-226, the college declares that it will make every effort to provide its students with an environment that is free of the problems associated with the unauthorized use and abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs.

The college is committed to promoting the wellness and positive self-development of its students. The unauthorized use and abuse of alcohol and the illegal use and abuse of drugs inhibit students from attaining the benefit of their learning experience, expose them to serious illnesses and health risks, and therefore are prohibited. Counseling Services provides direct assistance and confidential referral services for students seeking help with a substance abuse problem. Copies of the policy are available from Counseling Services, The Advising Office and the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Formal Student Complaints

A formal complaint is a request for the resolution of a problem, conflict, concern, or issue that negatively impacts a student(s). Student formal complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding college policies, procedures, services, offices, and staff/faculty behavior and discrimination based on marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, and veteran status. Formal complaints should be filed using OCC's online Formal Student Complaint Form.

All complaints will be handled in accordance with the college’s Formal Student Complaints Policy, #5230, available in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.

The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 sets out requirements designed to protect the privacy of students. Specifically, the statute governs:

1. access to records and
2. the release of such records.

Ocean County College has developed policies and procedures which comply fully with the intent of this legislation, thereby ensuring students access to their educational records and protecting such individuals’ rights to privacy by limiting the transferability of their records without their consent.

The other major aspect of the Privacy Act of 1974 refers to the release of information concerning students. Other than the information listed below, hereafter referred to as “directory information”, the written consent of the student must be obtained before data can be released about that student. This applies to potential employers, schools where students may wish to transfer, reference checks, parents, spouses, etc. “Directory information,” on the other hand, is information which may be released by the college unless a student notifies the Registration & Records Office that such information in part or in whole is not to be released. “Directory information” includes the following: student’s name; student’s address; student’s telephone listing; date and place of birth; major field of study; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height, if a member of an athletic team; dates of attendance; degrees and awards received; and most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Registration & Records Office if he or she does not wish to have any or all of the above information released.

All inquiries regarding established policy and procedures relative to this act should be directed to the Registration & Records Office, located in the Student Enrollment Building.

Additionally, the following information is available for the privileged use of the members of the Vice President of Student Affairs’ staff and the faculty of Ocean County College. This information may not be released to any other parties without the written consent of the student and is considered confidential:

1. Test results (standardized intelligence tests, aptitude tests, interest inventory tests, etc.)
2. Health data
3. Faculty evaluations including mid-term reports and attendance reports
4. Counseling reports and evaluations
5. Disciplinary reports, including disciplinary actions
6. Any and all information maintained in a student’s permanent education record

For a complete listing of all college policies and procedures, go to https://www.ocean.edu/about-us/facts-stats/policies-and-procedures/