At NLTCC Campuses, the safety of students, personnel, and visitors is of great importance.  The campus assumes the primary role of providing a safe atmosphere in which to work and study.  Students and employees should contribute to the safe atmosphere by assuming their own responsibility for safety.  While it is the college's objective to train for skill and speed, it is policy that safety shall not be sacrificed for speed or shortcuts.  Every attempt shall be made to reduce the possibility of accidents; therefore, the teaching of safe practices shall be integrated into the curriculum of all programs.

It is the intent of the College to comply with safety laws and applicable standards mandated by the State of Louisiana, applicable OSHA standards, and standards set by the manufacturers of equipment used in training.  Each student should be alert to prevent injury to themselves and to others.  Students should avoid damaging equipment, tools and buildings.  All safety practices should be followed at all times in the operation of equipment.

Instructors will provide specific rules for each program area.  Students should not attempt to operate machines or equipment on which they have not received training by the instructor.  Students may work in the shop areas only when the instructor is on duty in the shop.  Students are to stay in their department at all times, except when ordered to another department by the instructor.  Visiting from shop to shop is not permitted.  In case of sickness or minor accidents, students should first inform the program instructor.  If necessary, college personnel will telephone emergency contact or emergency personnel to come to the school for the injured or sick student.  No emergency or sick room is maintained on campus.

A first-aid kit is located in each department and in the office and is readily available for student use.  In case of a serious accident, an ambulance may be summoned.  All medical expenses are borne by the student.  The campus safety coordinator shall be conferred with in all safety/accident situations.

In addition to general safety rules, each department or shop has rules pertaining to their program which are frequently discussed in classes and in safety meetings.  The general safety rules at NLTCC for employees and students are as follows:

• All NLTCC campuses are smoke free. ACT 211
• Horseplay and fighting will not be tolerated on campus.
• Possession of unauthorized firearms, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or unauthorized medically prescribed drugs will not be tolerated on the campus grounds. Inform your instructor if you are required to take medication during class hours.  Written medical evidence stating that the medication will not adversely affect your decision making or physical ability is required.
• Before beginning work, notify your instructor of any permanent or temporary impairment that may reduce your ability to perform in a safe manner.
• Use personal protective equipment to protect yourself from potential hazards that cannot be eliminated.
• Operate equipment only if you are trained and authorized.
• Inspect the workstation for potential hazards and ensure that the equipment is in safe operating condition before using it.
• Immediately report any recognized potentially unsafe condition or act to your instructor and also document it on the Hazard Control Log posted in the department.
• If there is any doubt about the safe work method to be used, consult the instructor before beginning work.
• Immediately report accidents and property damage to an instructor regardless of the severity so an Incident/Accident Report can be completed.
• Follow recommended work procedures outlined for the job including any safe work methods described in the job safety analysis.
• Maintain an orderly environment and work procedure.  Store all tools and equipment in a designated location.  Put scrap and waste material in designated refuse container.
• Report any smoke, fire, or unusual odors to your instructor or administration.
• Use proper lifting techniques.  For objects exceeding 50 pounds in weight, specific methods for safe lifting must be determined by the instructor.
• Never attempt to catch a falling object.
• If your work creates a potential slip or trip hazard, correct the hazard immediately or use safety tape to tag the area before leaving it unattended.
• Fasten restraint belts before starting any motor vehicle.
• Obey all driver safety instructions.
• Know departmental rules regarding first aid, evacuation routes, and fire department notification.
• Adhere to departmental rules and procedures specific to departmental operations.
• Assist and cooperate with all safety investigations and inspections and assist in implementing safety procedures as requested.

Students who do not comply with campus safety rules will not be allowed to remain on campus.

NLTCC conducts programs to prepare individuals for employment.  Employers from business and industry consider good appearance and good personal hygiene prerequisites for employment.  All students must wear clothing that is appropriate for the occupations in which they receive training.  Personal hygiene should be a daily practice.  While in training, the students should groom themselves for acceptance by future employers.  Dress codes for shop areas are to be consistent with safety standards.  Students dressed inappropriately will not be allowed in the lab/shop and may receive a failing grade on any assignments or quizzes for that day.  Specific instructions concerning attire will be provided to each student by the program instructor or program dean.

The College is committed to maintaining a safe learning and working environments for all students, faculty and staff that is fair, humane, and responsible- an environment that supports career and educational advancement on the basis of job and academic performance.  Sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or any other type of harassment subverts the mission of The College and offends the integrity of our college.  In accordance with the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE Act) and 2013 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, the College is actively working to increase transparency about the scope of sexual violence on campus, guarantee survivors enhanced rights, and provide College-wide prevention educational programming. NLTCC Policy 2.015

The College will not tolerate threats or acts of violence, including but not limited to acts of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and harassment on any campuses.  There will also be no harassment and/or violence based upon the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions and sickle cell trait.  Such harassment is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. NLTCC Policy 8.001

All firearms and dangerous weapons are banned from all campus buildings and grounds. This policy applies to all college employees, students, and to all individuals who, while not NLTCC employees, perform work at The College for its benefit.

The Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) and NLTCC are committed to providing a supportive educational environment free from hazing; one that promotes its students’ mental and physical well-being, safety, and respect for one’s self and others.  In an effort to maintain safety and in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 17:1801, 17:1801.1, 17:1805, 14:40.8, 14.502, mandatory Acts 382, 635, 637 and 640, as well as the Board of Regents’ Uniform Policy on Hazing Prevention and LCTCS Policy #2.003, hazing in any form is prohibited at NLTCC for all students who participate in the institutions’ activities and organizations.

Harassment, including sexual harassment, is prohibited by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office for Civil Rights, and state regulations (R.S. 23:301, 312, 332), and therefore, it is the policy of the LCTCS (approved by B.O.S. on June 13, 2001) that unlawful harassment of employees and students is prohibited.

Harassment is physical, verbal, and visual conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment, which interferes with work performance.  This includes harassment because of race, sex, sexual orientation, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability or medical condition, age, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance or regulation.

Sexual Harassment is defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment,
2. Submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or
3. Such conduct has the purpose and effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

LCTCS applies this definition to the areas of academic advancement, academic standing, or academic performance.

Workplace harassment infringes on employees’ right to a comfortable work environment, and it is a form of misconduct that undermines the integrity of the employment relationship.  No employee - male or female - should be subjected to unsolicited and unwelcome overtures or conduct, either verbally, visually, physically, or electronically transmitted.  Although this list is not all-inclusive, an example of conduct that is prohibited includes:

1. Taking any personnel action on the basis of an employee’s submission to or refusal of sexual overtures
2. Unwelcome or unwanted conversations
3. Unwelcome or unwanted touching
4. Continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature
5. Explicit or degrading verbal comments, suggestions, or slurs about another individual or his/her appearance
6. Offensive comments regarding sexual or private matters
7. Display of sexually suggestive pictures, objects
8. Offensive jokes
9. Verbal abuse, comments, names or slurs that in any way relate to an individual’s race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or disability
10. Any other offensive or abusive physical, visual, or verbal conduct

This policy applies to all members of the LCTCS Board of Supervisors, unclassified employees, students, supervisors, managers, faculty, vendors, and all other individuals doing business with the LCTCS. It is the policy of the LCTCS that no member of the LCTCS community may harass another.  This includes harassment of an employee by another employee, of a student by an employee, of an employee by a student, of a student by another student. Additionally, under appropriate circumstances, LCTCS may take action to protect its employees and students from harassment, on LCTCS property or at LCTCS-sponsored events, by individuals who are not students or employees of LCTCS.

A complaint of harassment should be presented as promptly as possible after the alleged harassment occurs.  Any employee who believes he/she is the subject of harassment or who has knowledge of harassing behavior must report such conduct to their direct supervisor, and the institution’s human resource department.  All institutions are required to develop a system of recording all formal written complaints to be submitted and kept on file at the institution’s Vice Chancellor’s Office and in the office of the system president for the LCTCS system office staff.  Any student who believes he/she is the subject of harassment or who has knowledge of harassing behavior must report such conduct to student services personnel or to the Vice Chancellor of Academics, Student Affairs, and Workforce.  No student or employee is required to report or make a complaint of harassment to the person who is allegedly engaging in the problematic conduct.  In the event that an individual feels uncomfortable making a complaint at the institution level, such complaint may be made at the system level with the LCTCS Director of Human Resources.

LCTCS Director of Human Resources

(225) 922-2800

Louisiana Community and Technical College System

265 South Foster Drive

Baton Rouge, LA 70806-4104.

Complaints of harassment will be investigated promptly and in as impartial and confidential a manner as possible.  A member of human resources will conduct investigations, unless otherwise deemed necessary, in order to assure an impartial and confidential investigation.  LCTCS will not tolerate any type of discipline or retaliation, direct or indirect, against any employee or other person who, in good faith, files a complaint or responds to questions in regard to having witnessed prohibited harassment.  False charges are treated as serious offenses and may result in disciplinary and/or civil action.  Any employee or member of management who is found, after appropriate investigation, to have engaged in harassing conduct is subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and/or student standing per the institution’s policies in place governing students.

Social media from the College is intended to supplement, not replace, the channels currently in place for press, news, events, announcements, and student communication.  Social media are defined as media designed to be disseminated through social interaction, created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques.  Examples include but are not limited to LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.”

The College may take corrective action when it receives notice of social media conduct or content by a student (including an admitted student and/or applicant for admission) which violates:

1. Any College policy.
2. “Established and published standards for professionalism” (as defined below); and or state/federal law (where there is sufficient connection to and/or justified concern related to the College).

Prohibited conduct includes:

1. The use of social media involving the use of NLTCC Technology resources in a manner inconsistent with the policies and procedures applicable to such use, including a NLTCC email account, NLTCC electronic media (including official College, departmental and student organization social media pages and accounts), and official NLTCC websites.
2. The use of social media involving a true threat, which occurs where the speaker communicates a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals, such as threatening to assault an individual or group, or other conduct that substantially disrupts another’s work performance or the College’s ability to execute its mission in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, Threat Management Policy, or other College Policy.
3. The use of social media involving statements directed to inciting or producing imminent violations of law under circumstances such that the statements are likely to actually and imminently incite or produce violations of law or are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, Threat Management Policy or other College Policy.
4. The use of social media involving the publication or posting of materials, including comments or conduct constituting discrimination, harassment, retaliation or other conduct prohibited by the College’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment or state/federal law; or the use of social media is used to intentionally share false information about another in violation of College policy, that could damage their reputation, result in financial loss or cause mental suffering (otherwise known as defamation); or the use of social media  to intentionally inflict severe emotional distress on another individual as defined by state law; or the use of social media to violate an individual’s privacy as defined by state and/or federal law. Harassment may include incidents such as “cyberbullying” and “doxing,” if such conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive and objectively offensive as to affect an individual’s access to the College’s education program and activities and otherwise meets the definition of a form of harassment under the College’s policies.
5. The use of social media to cause a material and unreasonable interference with the education, public service and outreach missions of the College. In determining whether conduct meets this standard, the College will consider evidence that the conduct is (a) unconnected to any legitimate educational purpose and (b) made with the purpose and effect of causing a material and disruption of an individual’s participation in the College’s educational program and activities. In determining whether conduct meets this standard, the College may, in its discretion, consider evidence that the conduct is connected to a well-founded expectation of disruption—especially one based on past incidents arising out of similar conduct.
6. The use of social media in a way that violates the College’s Student Code of Conduct or any established and published standards of professionalism for a student defined as: any department, program, course, instructor, classroom or club/organization rules, standards or expectations addressing ethical and professional conduct standards of a student’s prospective/current profession and/or affiliation, as set forth on the College’s website, in a course syllabus, in student/club/organization handbooks/expectations, or in other materials distributed or communicated to students by the College (which rules, standards or expectations may be more restrictive than the standard College student policies).

The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226) requires the College to certify to the Department of Education that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees.

1. This program must include the following:
2. Standards of conduct concerning the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs, and the illegal use of alcohol by students and employees on College property or at any College activity;
3. Description of legal sanctions;
4. Clear statement of the College's sanctions for violations;
5. Description of any drug and alcohol counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation services;
6. Description of the health risks associated with use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol.

The information below is in compliance with the requirements of the Act.

Alcohol and Drug 101 information may be found in the appendix

In an effort to assure compliance with Public Law 101-226, all facilities of The College are designated as Drug Free Zones.  It is unlawful to possess, use, or distribute illicit drugs on college property or at any college-sponsored event.  Alcohol and drug use is a major issue in the community and on college campuses.  Alcohol and drugs can seriously damage physical and mental health, as well as jeopardize personal and public safety.  In addition, excessive alcohol consumption may lead to physical abuse, date rape, auto accidents, violence, and other behaviors which lead to self-destruction.

The College abides by all state, federal, and local laws pertaining to alcohol and will enforce underage drinking laws.  College policy prohibits the consumption, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or other drugs in or on any College property or while participating in any College-sponsored trip or activity.  All state, local, and federal laws are enforced and may result in disciplinary action by the College as well as criminal prosecution.  Violation of the underage drinking laws will be enforced.

Upon acceptance into a program with a clinical component, each student will be required to sign an Authority to Release Drug and/or Alcohol Testing Records release form and is assessed a non-refundable drug screen fee.  Drug testing can be performed randomly, selectively or as a group.  Refusal of the program student to submit to a drug test or a positive drug screen indicating alcohol or drug use will result in the student's immediate dismissal from the program.  Students are responsible for paying all drug screen related fees.

A student who has been dismissed from a program for a positive drug screen indicating alcohol or drug use may reapply to the program from which he/she was dismissed or to another clinical program after a period of one year with the understanding that the positive drug screen will remain on his/her record.  Should a student have another positive drug screen, the student will be dismissed from the program immediately and shall not be permitted to apply to any NLTCC allied health program.

Programs with a clinical component also abide by regulations set forth by accreditation agencies, state and federal regulatory boards/agencies, and state and federal law.  Program specific management of positive drug/alcohol screen results may vary due to these external requirements.  Program specific management is outlined in the program handbook.

The College’s tobacco-free policy prohibits all faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors, contractors, and all others from using tobacco products of any kind (cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes, etc.) on any property owned, leased or controlled by the College.  Act 211 of the 2013 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature

Lockers and desks are the property of The College campuses and are loaned to students for the purpose of assisting them in obtaining an education.  As the property of the campus, they are subject to search for any contraband at any time, upon the reasonable belief of campus administrators that said lockers and desks may contain material which is not allowed on campus.  Bringing a toolbox and operating a motor vehicle are privileges granted to students.  The granting of these privileges is conditioned upon the consent of the students to a search by the campus administration of said toolboxes or motor vehicles that may be on campus in order to determine if said tool boxes or motor vehicles contain material which is not allowed on campus.  This search and seizure policy applies to materials such as weapons, illegal substances or drugs, alcoholic beverages, and other similar material.  Local law enforcement authorities may be included in this process if the campus administrators determine a need for such involvement.

Students are not permitted to solicit money from the student body for any cause unless permission is granted by the campus administration.  Students should not solicit donations, loans, cigarettes, or rides in personal cars from faculty, staff, or other students.

The college is public property, owned by the State of Louisiana and each citizen of the State of Louisiana.  It is the responsibility of each student to take care of the property of the college as though it were personal property.  Maintenance personnel are employed to maintain the building, but it is also incumbent upon each student to do their part in "housekeeping."  Students should pick up their own trash and dispose of it properly-this includes in the classroom, shop areas, student lounge, restrooms, and outside on the campus grounds.  Students should take pride in the appearance of the entire facility.  An added incentive in good housekeeping practices is safety.  Safety is not possible in a disorganized class or cluttered shop.  Housekeeping, closely related to

safety, is part of each student's training.  Cleanup time is incorporated into the daily routine for each program. All students are required to participate in this cleanup.

College vehicles will not be operated by unauthorized personnel, except in emergencies.  Unnecessary use of equipment, fuel, or electricity will be avoided.  Equipment and commodities will be properly stored.  Lost or stolen property will be reported immediately to the program instructor or campus administration.  College property will not be taken from the premises.

The college will not be held responsible for personal property of students.  Automobiles and other items cannot be left on campus property without permission from campus administrator.  No illegal or hazardous property is allowed.  Lost or stolen property should be reported to the program instructor.  Items that are considered a deterrent to studies are not allowed.

The college will not be held responsible for personal property of students.  Automobiles and other items cannot be left on campus property without permission from campus administrator.  No illegal or hazardous property is allowed.  Lost or stolen property should be reported to the program instructor.  Items that are considered a deterrent to studies are not allowed.