Code of Conduct for Visitors & Guests

• This policy extends to all individuals who do not meet the definition of a member of the College community. This would include visitors to campus, applicants for admission, and former students who are not currently registered or those who have registered for a subsequent term but have not yet paid or made arrangement to pay tuition and/or fees.
• Persons not officially enrolled in the College, who by their actions on campus violate their status as invited visitors or guests, are subject to disciplinary action by the College and/or law enforcement.
• Certain criminal or civil offenses or other behavior may by their very nature, pose a serious and substantial danger to the College community. Violations of laws, ordinances, policies, rules, procedures, and regulations will subject the violator to appropriate criminal or civil action.
• College jurisdiction regarding discipline under this Policy extends to conduct that occurs on College premises or at off-campus-sponsored activities.
• The President of the College authorizes the Office of Safety and Security to enforce this policy including issuing no trespass orders against College visitors and guests.
• Visitors and guests whose behavior leads to subsequent action by Campus Security, including those who are issued a Letter of No Trespass or are escorted from campus, must meet certain requirements before regaining access to College-sponsored events or other campus activities. 

• “College community” includes trustees, students, and all employees of the College as well as any independent contractors or other third parties to the extent articulated under contractual agreements.
• “College” means Blackhawk Technical College and, collectively, those responsible for its control and operation and applies to all sites at which the College conducts classes and/or activities. 
• “Student” means an individual who is registered at the College, either full or part-time, in a credit or non-credit course or courses, who has either paid or made arrangement for payment of tuition and/or fees.
• “Visitors and guests” means persons who are not members of the College community who are on College premises.
• “College-sponsored activity” means any activity that is initiated, authorized, or supervised by the College, or that involves representation of the College.
• “College premises” means buildings or grounds owned, leased, operated, controlled, supervised, or temporarily used by the College.
• A “Letter of No Trespass” is an order given to a visitor or guest indicating they have violated a College policy or procedure and that they are prohibited from participating in a College-sponsored activity or being present on College premises. A Letter of No Trespass prohibits the recipient from returning to any College-sponsored event or location until rescinded. 

• Visitors and guests have the right to freedom of speech, assembly, advocacy, and inquiry. They are responsible for complying with applicable College policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Visitors and guests are responsible for exercising their right of personal expression in a manner that is not disruptive or defamatory.
• Visitors and guests are responsible for respecting the rights of others.
• Blackhawk Technical College is a family-friendly institution that welcomes children to participate in a number of programs and activities. The College recognizes that visitors often need to bring children (defined as persons under the age of 16 who are not students at the College) to campus. Children must at all times be under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or an adult. Children must observe the Code of Conduct for Visitors and Guests. 

The Code of Conduct for Visitors and Guests addresses behavioral actions. The College reserves the right to take criminal and civil action against visitors and guests for misconduct not specifically identified in this Code.

When the actions of visitors and guests rise to the level of criminal behavior or, when they fail to respond to a directive issued by campus security personnel, they are issued a written order or subsequently sent a Letter of No Trespass. In these instances, visitors and guests are escorted from campus or the College-sponsored activity, and the Letter of No Trespass is sent to the appropriate law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. Letters of No Trespass are in effect for a period of no less than one year from the moment they are ordered. 

Any visitor or guest who is issued a Letter of No Trespass must meet with specific College personnel to seek permission to return. Visitors and guests who have been issued a Letter of No Trespass and wish to return to any campus location for any reason must first meet with the Manager of Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness or his/her designee prior to the event and if the no trespass notice is withdrawn, a withdrawal letter will be issued at that time.

Any visitor or guest issued a no-trespass order may appeal the order to the Office of the Vice President for Administrative Services. The Vice President for Administrative Services will make a final determination on the order.

Appeal requests must be made in writing to the Vice President of Administrative Services within five (5) business days after verbal or written notification of the order. A visitor or guest may appeal based upon new evidence that was unknown or unknowable at the time of the investigation and decision to issue the order.

An appeal must include the following information:

• The name, address and telephone number of the party
• A clear statement explaining the nature and circumstances of the appeal, including the new evidence.

The Vice President of Administrative Services will render and cause a decision to be sent to the visitor/guest within three (3) business days after receipt of the appeal. The appeal decision shall be considered final.

Appeals will be conducted in accordance with the following guidelines:

• The visitor/guest will be provided a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised by the visitor/guest relating to the subject matter of the appeal
• The Vice President of Administrative Services will issue a decision within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the hearing
• All parties have the right to be assisted by legal counsel at any time during the process

The preponderance of evidence standard (more likely than not) is used to evaluate complaints.

The decision will be:

• Provided in writing
• Based solely on the evidence presented in the appeal notice and will include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision

The decision shall be considered final. The College recognizes the right of all parties involved in a complaint to a fair and equitable resolution of complaints. Falsification, distortion or misrepresentation of information during the course of a complaint resolution process may be grounds for additional action.