Rights & Responsibilities

As members of the MTI community, students have both rights and responsibilities.
Students have the following rights: The most essential student right is the right to competent instruction under conditions conducive to learning. The most important responsibilities are to respect the rights of other members of the community and to conform to standards essential to the purposes and processes of the Institute. The Institute should endeavor to provide for students those privileges, opportunities, and protections which best promote the learning process in all its aspects. The following statement outlines those academic rights of students essential in helping MTI fulfill this responsibility. These principles found are designed to facilitate communication, foster academic integrity, and defend freedoms of inquiry, discussion, and expression among members of the MTI community. Such principles should safeguard and enhance conditions conducive to learning, and will serve as a guide for students, faculty, and administrators involved in programs of instruction and classroom activities.

Mitchell Technical Institute is committed to serving a wide spectrum of people. Access to the programs and services of the Institute should be governed by the following principles: Within the limitations of its facilities, resources, and personnel, the Institute should be open to all persons who are qualified according to admissions standards. Students should not be refused access to any course of study on the grounds of their beliefs or the possible uses to which they may put the knowledge to be gained in a course. Students are responsible for representing themselves truthfully and accurately at all times. Providing false or misleading information to gain admission to or advancement in a program or course of study violates this responsibility and may result in forfeiture of a student’s right to access to an academic program.

Students have the right to exercise their full rights as citizens without interference or fear of Institute disciplinary action.

Students have the right to be free from discrimination in Institute programs and activities.

Policies designed to eliminate discriminatory practices have been instituted.

The Institute will not exclude any person from participating in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

Students have the right to be free from sexual harassment on MTI property or off school property during an Institute-related activity.

Students have the right to be free from racial harassment on MTI property or off school property during an Institute-related activity.

Students have the right to have classes conducted under the following provisions:

Faculty will maintain clear connections between advance descriptions of courses and actual content.
Faculty will clearly state course goals, testing, and grading which should be intellectually justifiable.
Faculty will plan and regulate class time with an awareness of its value for every student and will meet with classes regularly.
Faculty will be available to students and will announce and maintain liberal office hours convenient to students.
Faculty will model respect for each student as an individual, regardless of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or veteran status.
Faculty will strive to generate respect and understanding for academic freedom by students and at the same time protect students from irrelevant and trivial interruptions or diversions.
Faculty will insure students the right to raise relevant issues, doubts, or alternative opinions during classroom discussion without concern for academic sanctions.
Faculty will be sensitive to students’ personal or political beliefs expressed in a private manner in connection with course-work.
Faculty will not disclose student grades or class standing in a classroom situation without the student's permission.
Faculty will serve as academic advisers and will assist students with registration, class schedules, graduation requirements, and will work to assure academic progress with the assistance of the Special Needs Coordinator.
Students have the right to a clear statement of their basic rights. They have the right to assist in formulating Institute policy by representation on various committees. Students also have the right to be represented by a student government. Other student rights outside the classroom include:
Students may form, join, and participate in groups which promote the common intellectual, social, economic, political, recreational or cultural life of campus. MTI believes group activities to be a positive educational vehicle and recognizes the right of student groups to discuss, express opinions, to assemble, write, and publish within state and federal constitutional guarantees and laws.
A student group may be authorized to use MTI facilities if its officers and a majority of its members are currently enrolled at Mitchell Technical Institute.
Students who publish student publications have the right to be free from censorship. However, students who publish such documents must observe the recognized canons of responsible journalism, including the avoidance of libel, indecency, undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity, and the techniques of harassment and innuendo.
Students have the right to have access to education records maintained by MTI concerning the students. The students may review their own records and challenge the accuracy of the records. Students have the right to have the educational records maintained on a confidential basis with only those employees with a legitimate need to know having access to student educational records.

Students have the following responsibilities:

It is the student’s responsibility to comply with the provisions of the handbook and the operating policies of the Institute and the student’s Department.

It is also a student’s responsibility to:

Review and consider all information about the school's program before enrolling.
Complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time to the appropriate office.

Students have the responsibility for selecting a major field of study, for choosing an appropriate degree program within the discipline, for planning class schedules, and ultimately for meeting the requirements for his/her degree.

MTI will provide advisers to assist students in academic planning, but students are responsible for obtaining copies of appropriate academic bulletins and being thoroughly familiar with all academic requirements that must be met for a degree. Students also have the responsibility to take advantage of the educational opportunities presented by the Institute, to participate in the learning process in a serious and conscientious manner, and to respect the rights of other members of the MTI community.

GENERAL CONDUCT

Students attending Mitchell Technical Institute are expected to abide by the rules and regulations as set forth in this handbook and as prescribed by individual departments. Additionally, students are expected to uphold local, state, and federal laws.

Students may have their enrollment status suspended at MTI for academic deficiencies (unsatisfactory progress), nonpayment of fees, and when their presence in the Institute causes disruption in the teaching/learning process or delivery of classes. The suspension process includes the right to due process as outlined in the student grievance procedure.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Any student having unpaid bills at MTI will not be allowed to register in any new term during the period in which that bill remains unsettled. Indebtedness includes unpaid amounts for tuition, books, fees, locker keys, library, parking, shop/laboratories, and any other charges incurred by the student and owed to the Institute. Grades, transcripts, diplomas, degrees, and certificates will not be issued until the indebtedness is settled.

FINANCIAL AID REGULATIONS

Students should pay special attention to and accurately complete applications for student financial aid. Errors can result in long delays in receipt of financial aid. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code. Please pay particular attention to the following:

Return all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the financial aid office or the agency to which the application was submitted.
Read and understand all forms signed and keep copies of them.
Accept responsibility for all agreements signed.
If a student has a loan, the lender must be notified of changes in name, address, or school status.
Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a College Work Study award.
Know and comply with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
Know and comply with the school's refund procedures.

STUDENT DRESS AND APPEARANCE

Mitchell Technical Institute recognizes the right of individuals to select their own attire. However, the school also carries a responsibility to the industries for which students are being educated. Therefore, dress and appearance in classroom and laboratories will conform to industry standards. This may require the wearing of uniforms in some instances. Uniforms will be at the student's expense. Unsafe or unsanitary dress will not be allowed.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION

Class breaks will be held in the cafeteria or commons area at specified times during the day. Food and beverages should be consumed in the cafeteria or commons area. Due to the nature of the technology located in MTI classrooms and labs, students are strongly discouraged from consuming food or beverages outside of the cafeteria. Cooperation in keeping the cafeteria or commons area clean at all times is requested.

CELL PHONES/TELEPHONES

Cell phone use is inappropriate in classrooms and laboratories. Most departments have policies regarding cell phones. Personal calls should be made outside of classroom/lab areas. If possible, student calls are to be placed with cell phones or at public telephones. Instructional and administrative office telephones are not for student use. Emergency phone calls will only be relayed to the student if the caller has identified him/herself and the nature of the call. Messages will be taken for students and posted on the electronic message board in the cafeteria and/or passed on to the respective student’s department. It is the student's responsibility to check the message board regularly.

LOST AND FOUND

Any items found in the school should be turned in to an administrative office area. Lost articles may be reclaimed after proper identification.

HEALTH INSURANCE

It is strongly recommended that all students have health insurance. Health insurance must be purchased directly from an insurance carrier.

MAIL SERVICE

Mitchell Technical Institute does not forward personal mail received at the school. Please do not use MTI as a mailing address.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS/TELEPHONE

Address and telephone number changes must be filed with the Registrar. A Change of Address form is available at the Reception Desk at the Main Campus. Grade reports are sent to the permanent address supplied to MTI by the student.

SCHOOL PROPERTY

The facilities of Mitchell Technical Institute are modern and up-to-date. Students must take proper care of equipment and respect the property of others. Students will be required to pay for school property that they have lost or damaged. Theft of property will be referred to the appropriate authorities.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Mitchell Technical Institute does not assume responsibility for loss of or damage to personal property of students.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Alcohol is prohibited in all campus facilities and at all MTI-sponsored events. MTI is a Drug-Free Workplace. It is the policy of the Mitchell School District 17-2 that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance on property of the District or while a student of the District is engaged in an activity assigned as part of his/her involvement with the District is prohibited. A description of applicable legal sanctions is listed in Policy #1035. Financial aid may be affected if violations occur.

BOOKS, TOOLS, SUPPLIES

Books, tools, and supplies to be used in programs may be purchased from the Bookstore. Students may purchase tools from sources other than the school provided they meet the standards of the department. Students are expected to have a complete set of tools available during all laboratory experiments.

Students who enroll need to prepare for some initial expenses at the start of the term. Books, supplies, and tools will be required for all classes. MTI and the MTI Bookstore do not allow advances or charging of items from the Bookstore (except with a credit card). Financial aid loans are not available to first time borrowers until the 30th day of the term. Please budget accordingly when making your school plans.

LAPTOP COMPUTERS

Students in some MTI programs are required to purchase approved laptop computers. Any student who purchases a laptop computer through the MTI laptop program must follow all guidelines of the signed purchase agreement.

STUDENT LAPTOP COMPUTERS ON CAMPUS
Required by Program – Full Access
Students who purchase computers from MTI for use in their programs will have full use of the campus network services. This includes the Internet and storage/work folders on MTI host servers. The laptops are loaded, distributed and supported by the MTI Information Technology Office.

Not Required by Program – Full Access
Students enrolled in programs that do not require laptops but would like access to the full range of network services with their own personal laptop are able to do so if the Institutes requirements for network access are met. These requirements are as follows:

The computer must be running a minimum of Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2 with all of the current updates.
The computer must also have up to date virus protection.
The computer will be renamed by campus IT office for identification on the network. MTI will also be able to support VISTA Business or VISTA Ultimate.
Not Required by Program – Limited Access

Students who own computers that do not meet the Windows XP Pro requirement can still use their personal computers to access the Internet through any one of several WiFi hotspots established on MTI campuses (Internet access only). Current hotspots are located at the Main campus in the commons area and the Instructional Services Center. There is also a hotspot located in the commons and foyer area at the Technology Center Campus.

ILLNESS, ACCIDENTS, OR INJURIES

Accidents, injuries, or illnesses occurring during classroom or laboratory time or during a school-sponsored activity must be reported to an instructor or a school official. Each accident must be reported in writing to the Vice-President of Administrative Services (located in the Business office) within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident. Liability regarding accidents is not assumed by the school. Students who are unsafe workers may be terminated from the program. MTI will contact health care personnel when necessary. The expense will be borne by the student.

LOCKERS

Lockers provided for students' use on the main campus are the property of the school. Each student will be issued a key or a combination. Keys must be turned in when the student withdraws or at the end of the school year. Replacement keys will be provided at a non-refundable cost of $10.00 each.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Each student will be issued a photo identification card. Replacement cards are issued for $5.00.

STUDENT EMAIL ACCOUNTS

Each student will be issued an MTI email account for official communication and personal use. Students will be charged $5.00 to change lost or forgotten passwords.

LABORATORY AND CLASSROOM USE

Student use of classrooms and laboratories will only be allowed when a supervisor is present.

BULLETIN BOARDS

All bulletin board items, posters, etc., must be approved by the Student Services office prior to being posted.

SMOKING

MTI is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus. Smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of entrances.

FOOD SERVICE

Meals are served on the main campus for a charge. Vending machines are available at the Technology Center. All meals are to be consumed in the cafeteria or designated area. Meal tickets are available in the Business Office. Tickets may be used to purchase food on the cafeteria line, at the short order window, or in the Oak Room.

TRANSPORTATION

Students are required to furnish their own transportation to and from school. When training requires students to be off campus, students must make their own transportation arrangements. Students wishing to car pool should contact the Student Services office.