Student-Instructor Responsibilities

Durham Tech students and instructors are obliged to meet reciprocal responsibilities as part of the student-teacher relationship and as members of the college community.

Students and faculty are responsible for reviewing and adhering to the College’s policies and procedures.

The student is responsible for the following:

  • Arriving at all classes on time and being prepared to participate in assigned work or activities;
  • Obtaining assignments from the instructor before an absence whenever possible so that work may be submitted upon returning;
  • Requesting to make up assignments missed due to legitimate absences according to procedures stipulated by the instructor at the outset of the course; and
  • Seeking instructor assistance when clarification or additional assistance is needed to complete an assignment.

The College does not permit a student to attend class with a minor or leave a minor unattended on campus except when the minor is a student in a Career and College Promise (CCP) or College and Career Readiness (CCR) program. CCR students must submit a Waiver of Age Requirement Application for approval by the dean.

Students are responsible for personal items. The College is not responsible for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

The instructor is responsible for the following:

  • Preparing for each class, starting the class on time, and providing a full period of effective instruction throughout the term;
  • Providing students with complete information about the objectives and requirements of the course, including the resources available to students outside the classroom or laboratory;
  • Maintaining an accurate record of attendance for all students and consulting promptly with students about any attendance problems; and
  • Being available to students outside of class in the event additional assistance is needed in meeting course requirements.

 

Class Attendance

Durham Tech ensures that all students develop the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to be successful in college, work, and life. Faculty and staff work closely with students from the point of application to the culmination of studies to ensure that they receive the support needed to meet the College’s attendance and course requirements. To ensure successful course and program progression and completion, the College requires students to attend classes regularly and in accordance with the guidelines of this policy. 

Religious observances, military service, and pregnancy/childbirth are defined as excused absences by State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) Code or federal law. 

View the Class Attendance – Credit-Bearing Courses policy and procedure to learn more about class attendance, no-shows, tardiness, early departure, and excused absences.

Student-Initiated  Withdrawals

The timing of when a student officially drops a credit-bearing course determines if the course appears on their transcript or shows a grade of “W”, and if they receive a tuition refund for a credit or non-credit-bearing (Continuing Education) course. 
Students who fail to officially withdraw from a credit-bearing course, but no longer meet course attendance requirements, may receive a grade of “F2”.

A student may request a medical withdrawal from all curriculum (credit-bearing) courses if one or more circumstances arise after the established withdrawal deadline for the applicable term.

View the Student-Initiated Withdrawals procedure. 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Durham Tech upholds and enforces high standards of academic honesty and integrity both in and out of the classroom. The College establishes and follows a process for defining and addressing academic dishonesty when it occurs. The College recognizes plagiarism as a specific subset of academic dishonesty and follows a process for addressing plagiarism.

View the Academic Integrity and Plagiarism policy and procedure.

Student Code of Conduct

Durham Tech has an obligation to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The intent of the Student Code of Conduct is to protect the rights and safety of all individuals on campus.

View the Student Code of Conduct policy and procedure.

Tobacco-Free Campus

Employees, students, visitors, and contractors are prohibited from using tobacco products at any time on college property as well as on any spaces where college-sponsored or college-related activities are held, including during non-instructional and non-service hours.

View the Tobacco-Free Campus policy and procedure.

Drugs and Alcohol

Durham Tech is committed to the well-being of the College community and to promoting and providing a safe and healthy environment. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances or alcoholic beverages is prohibited on College premises and at College-sponsored activities.

View the Drug and Alcohol – Students policy and procedure.

Sexual Misconduct/Title IX

Durham Tech does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, or sexual orientation in its education programs, services, or activities. The institution is committed to maintaining and strengthening an environment founded on civility and respect, and providing a learning, working, and living environment that is free from harassment, discrimination, or other forms of sexual misconduct. Durham Tech is further committed to ensuring all parties are afforded the protections of due process in reviewing complaints of sexual misconduct.

View the Sexual Misconduct policy and procedure and Sexual Misconduct/Title IX webpage.

Appropriate Use of Computing Resources

Durham Tech provides a variety of computing resources to employees, students, and the community. Restrictions or limits placed on the use of college computing resources are intended to protect the resources; maintain the integrity of the networks; and comply with appropriate policies, laws, and regulations. People using college computing resources are expected to use these resources responsibly.

View the Appropriate Use of Computing Resources policy and procedure.

Student Grievance

Students have the right to pursue timely, legitimate grievances against employees of the College. Therefore, the College shall establish, publish, and follow a procedure that delineates the rights and responsibilities of the aggrieved party and the College employee against whom a grievance may be lodged.

View the Student Grievance policy and procedure. Note: The procedure was revised August 22, 2022.

Safety and Security

Campus Police and Public Safety provides 24-hour-a-day patrol protection for college buildings, grounds, and parking lots. The department responds to crime reports, fires, medical emergencies, traffic accidents, and other incidents requiring police or security assistance. The Campus Police and Public Safety office is located on Main Campus in Building 8. Students and employees may report emergencies by calling 919-536-7255, extension 5555 or dialing extension 5555 or 9-911 from any campus phone. To report security or safety hazards that are non-emergency situations, call Campus Police and Public Safety at 919-536-7255, extension 5555.

In times of emergency, the College will provide appropriate College-wide response to assure safety and minimize losses. Up-to-date emergency information and communication options are posted on the Alert Notifications webpage.

View the Safety and Security policy and procedure for information about identification cards, transportation options, campus safety tips, first aid, and lost and found.

Crime Statistics

Information about crime at Main Campus, Orange County Campus, Duke Street North, and Northern Durham Center is available online through the Office of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education. The daily crime log is available upon request in the Police and Public Safety office on Main Campus or at the Security desk at Orange County Campus and the Northern Durham Center.

Your Guide to Safety on Campus, which serves as Durham Technical Community College’s Clery Report, provides information about safety and security on Durham Tech campuses.

States of Emergency

When a state of emergency (e.g., a communicable disease emergency) is declared, the College may modify its instructional methods and operations. Examples of such modifications include temporary suspension of courses, transitioning in-person instruction to online instruction, and/or modification of the attendance policy. Such emergency modifications will be communicated via student communication platforms and the College's website.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records, students have certain rights to inspect and review their education records, request that their records be corrected if they believe that they are inaccurate or misleading, and determine what information about their records can be released. Durham Technical Community College reserves the right to disclose directory information without consent.

View the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policy and procedure.