College Catalog

Compliance Statements

Sandhills Community College is committed to the elimination of all discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. While aware that the College bears a significant responsibility for aggressively pursuing an equal opportunity policy designed to ensure the employment of qualified men and women, Sandhills Community College is also firmly committed to day-by-day policies that ensure that students, faculty, and staff members of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression (including a transgender identity), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law will receive fair, courteous, and congenial treatment commensurate with the atmosphere of the College as a whole. Denial of such treatment to any individual on the Sandhills campus will not be tolerated.

In terms of hiring practices, the College has established policies and procedures to ensure that no person who is qualified shall be excluded from employment on the basis of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression (including a transgender identity), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. In addition, Sandhills has established a college-wide outcome that states, “The diversity of Sandhills faculty and staff will reflect the respective diversity in the college service areas of Moore and Hoke Counties.” Employees should at least be equal to their proportionate representation in the relevant labor markets for faculty, administrative, and non-academic staff positions. This outcome has been approved by the Trustees of the College. The President of the College shall oversee and monitor the use of this outcome assessment through the Senior Director of Human Resources in cooperation with the faculty and staff.

Equal employment opportunity is viewed as an integral part of the mission and purpose of Sandhills Community College. The College is dedicated to the upward mobility and advancement of all people within its reach and seeks to comply with all federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and orders, including those that promote equal protection and equal opportunity for students, employees, and applicants.

It shall be the policy of Sandhills Community College to comply with all federal and state statutes that are pertinent to the operation of institutions of higher learning. These statutes include but are not limited to those listed on the following pages.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Sandhills Community College complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity in programs and activities.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

Sandhills Community College complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), which protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, and compensation; or in the terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Age Discrimination Act of 1975

Sandhills Community College complies with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The Act, which applies to all ages, permits the use of certain age distinctions and factors other than age that meet the Act's requirements.

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

Sandhills Community College complies with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (PL 91-596). The College shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to college policies developed for the purpose of implementation of the Act.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Policy

Sandhills Community College complies with OSHA regulations requiring that college employees who may encounter occupational exposure to Hepatitis B through contact with blood and/or other bodily fluids be provided – at no cost– the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Sandhills Community College provides equality of treatment and access for disabled students as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which guarantees protection of disabled persons against discrimination. Employees and students are expected to assist disabled students in ways that will facilitate their participation in campus life and their access to programs and activities.

Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1973

Amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy (P.L. 95-555).

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)

To prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

Definition of the Law

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy and accessibility rights of eligible students enrolled in a postsecondary institution in relation to their education records.

“Eligible student” is defined as a student 18 years of age or older, or a student who enters a postsecondary institution at any age.
“Education record” is defined as those records that contain information directly related to the student and that are maintained by the educational institution.

Specific FERPA Rights

The law provides eligible students with specific rights under FERPA:

The right to inspect and review information contained in their education records within 45 days after the institution receives the request.
The right to challenge the contents of their education records, which are believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy right under FERPA.
The right to have a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory.
The right to submit explanatory statements for inclusion in their files if they feel that the decisions of the hearing panel are unacceptable.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education (Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 20202) concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with FERPA requirements.
The right to provide written consent prior to the institution disclosing personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

Limitations for Record Review

Students may not inspect and review the following:

Education records of other students, even if they are contained within the same record of the student requesting the review
Financial information, including parental records
Confidential letters and recommendations associated with admission, employment, or academic honors

Directory Information

FERPA permits the release of some general student information known as “directory information” without written approval of students.

Sandhills Community College considers the following directory information:

The student’s name
City and county of residence
Photograph
Major field of study
Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
Dates of attendance
Grade level
Degrees, honors, and awards received
The most recent educational agency or institution attended by the student
Student email address

Students who do not want any or all of this information released to the general public must sign a request form in the Office of Records and Registration no later than two (2) weeks after the first day of class each semester.

Third Parties Exempt from Consent Requirements

The College does not provide access to or disclose a student’s education records to third parties without the student’s written consent except in cases of:

Authorized personnel within the institution, including administrators, faculty, and staff members with legitimate educational interest seeking to fulfill their job responsibilities.
Authorized officials of other institutions in which student seeks to enroll.
Persons or organizations providing the student financial aid.
Accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function.
Persons involved in an emergency situation in order to protect the health or safety of students or of other persons.
Persons in compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
Federal, state and local authorities involved in the audit or evaluation of compliance with educational programs.
Organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of the institution.
Parents of a dependent student as defined by the IRS for tax purposes.
Directory information being released
An alleged victim of a violent crime or non-forcible sex offense, to whom the results of a disciplinary hearing may be disclosed.
Parents of a student related to the student’s violation of any Federal, State, local or institutional law or policy regarding the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substance if the student perpetrated a disciplinary violation, as determined by the institution, and the student is under that age of 21 years of age.

Personnel Contact Information

The Director of Records and Registration directs the procedures for students interested in inspecting or reviewing their education records and for student who do not want their directory information released by the institution.
The Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Student Services has been designated by the College to consider and coordinate inspection and review requests from third parties for students’ educational records.
The Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Student Services oversees the process and maintains the records of FERPA release forms for eligible students.

Drug-Free Workplace Act and the Drug-Free Schools & Communities Act of 1988

In accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 (Public Law 101–226), as well as the Underage Drinking Laws and the laws of the state of North Carolina, the College has endorsed the following drug and alcohol policy.

The abuse and use of drugs and alcohol are subjects of immediate concern in our society. These problems are extremely complex and ones for which there are no easy solutions.

From a safety perspective, the users of drugs or alcohol may impair the well-being of all employees, students, and the public at large; drug and alcohol uses may also result in damage to college property. Therefore, it is the policy of this College that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance or alcohol is prohibited while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activities. Any employee or student violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution.

The specifics of this policy are as follows:

Sandhills Community College does not differentiate between drug users or sellers. Any employee* or student who possesses, uses, sells, gives, or in any way transfers a controlled substance to another person or manufactures a controlled substance while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution.
The term “controlled substance” means any drug listed in 21 CFR PART-1308 and other federal regulations, as well as those listed in Article V, Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Generally, these are drugs that have a high potential for abuse. Such drugs include, but are not limited to, heroin, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, and “crack.” They also include “legal drugs” that are not prescribed by a licensed physician.
If any employee or student is convicted of violating any criminal drug statute while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity, the employee will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion. Alternatively, the College may require the employee or student to successfully finish a drug abuse program sponsored by an approved private or governmental institution as a precondition for continued employment or enrollment at the College.
Each employee or student is required to inform the College, in writing, within five (5) days after they are convicted for violation of any federal, state, or local criminal drug statute wherein such violation occurred while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity. A conviction means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or the imposition of a sentence by a judge or jury in any federal or state court. Students may lose federal student aid eligibility as a result of drug violations. The institution must provide notice describing the ways in which the student can regain eligibility.
Convictions of employees working under federal grants, for violating drug laws in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity shall be reported to the appropriate federal agency. The Senior Director of Human Resources must notify the U. S. government agency with which the grant was made within ten (10) days after receiving notice from the employee or otherwise receives actual notice of a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace. The College shall take appropriate disciplinary action within 30 calendar days from receipt of notice. As a condition of further employment on any federal government grant, the law requires all employees to abide by this policy.
Any employee or student who unlawfully possesses, uses, sells, or transfers alcoholic beverages to another person while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion and referral for prosecution.
If an employee or student is convicted of violating any alcoholic beverage control statute while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity, they will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion. Alternatively, the College may require the employee or student to complete successfully an alcoholic rehabilitation program sponsored by an approved private or governmental institution as a precondition for continued employment or enrollment at the College.
The term “alcoholic beverage” includes beer, wine, whiskey, and any other beverage listed in Chapter 18B of the General Statutes of North Carolina.
Each employee or student is required to inform the College, in writing, within five (5) days after they are convicted of any alcoholic beverage control statute where such violation occurred while in the workplace, on college premises, or as part of any college-sponsored activity.

*Students employed under the College Work Study Program are considered to be employees of the College if the work is performed for the College in which the student is enrolled. For work performed for a federal, state, local public agency, a private non-profit or a private for-profit agency, students are considered to be employees of the College unless the agreement between the College and the organization specifies that the organization is considered to be the employer.

Educational Programs & Activities: The College provides a variety of opportunities for students to learn more about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

Annual written notification during registration informing every student of the college policy concerning alcohol and substance abuse.
A variety of special events, speakers, workshops, and programs that address current issues as related to alcohol and substance abuse.
Academic courses in health, physical education, and wellness.
Academic courses in drug abuse prevention, chemical dependency, and family therapy.
Academic courses in student success.

Counseling Provisions: In addition to providing counseling for students with alcohol/drug-related problems by members of the counseling staff of the Student Services Division, the College also provides the following assistance to those with abuse issues.

Referral resource for students requiring long-term counseling or hospitalization
Schedules for area meetings of AA, NA, Al-Anon support groups
Schedule AA meeting on campus upon request
Materials for dissemination on related topics

Student Right-to-Know, the Campus Crime and Security Act, and the Jeanne Clery Act

Sandhills Community College fully complies with the disclosure and reporting requirements of the Student Right-to-Know, the Campus Crime and Security Act of 1990, and the Jeanne Clery Act, 1990, amended 1992, 1998, and 2000. These requirements include graduation or completion rates, campus security policies and procedures, and statistical reports on security matters. The Jeanne Clery Act expands on the security requirements and affords victims of campus sexual assault certain basic rights. SCC stands in full compliance with this Act.

The SCC sexual assault policy is detailed in the Sandhills Community College Catalog and in the Policy and Procedures Manual. It is also published online at www.sandhills.edu. Further information or copies of this policy can be obtained by calling (910) 692-6185.

The College endeavors to provide an environment that is safe for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Under the reporting provisions of the Student Right-to-Know, the Campus Crime and Security Act, and the Clery Act, the College is required to provide information about serious crimes on campus, as defined by the Act, which have occurred within the last three years. A full copy of the college’s annual report on this subject is available free of charge to all students, potential students, and other interested parties. Those interested are invited to call the College at (910) 692-6185. The full annual security report is also published online at www.sandhills.edu.

Violence Against Women Act and the Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act

The College complies with the Violence Against Women Act (1994; Renewed 2013, reauthorized in 2021) and the SAVE Act in providing campus awareness of these acts. “SaVE requires that incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking be disclosed in annual campus crime statistic reports. Additionally, students or employees reporting victimization will be provided with their written rights to:

Be assisted by campus authorities if reporting a crime to law enforcement;
Change academic, living, transportation, or working situations to avoid a hostile environment;
Obtain or enforce a no contact directive or restraining order;
Have a clear description of their institution’s disciplinary process and know the range of possible sanctions;
Receive contact information about existing counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, and other services available both on-campus and in the community.”

Students may reference information about sexual violence at http://www.sandhills.edu/safety-security/what-is-sexual-assault/.

IPEDS Graduation Rate

To determine its graduation rate, Sandhills Community College used the Federal cohort of students who entered fall 2019 as first-time diploma or degree-seeking full-time students and who graduated by August 2022. This graduation rate was 40%.

This rate is comparable with those of other community colleges. Students enrolled in community colleges often take several years to complete a degree as they balance studies with employment and other activities. Some choose to transfer instead of completing a degree.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Sandhills Community College seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted July 26, 1991, as an extension of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the disabled and as amended in 2009 and 2011. The College is committed to removal of physical barriers, psychological barriers, and policies or procedures that hinder full access to enrollment or employment opportunities.

The Office of Disability Services also manages services for disabled students. Responsibilities of this office include advising the administration concerning academic barriers and the adequacy of policies and procedures for protecting and providing access for disabled students and prospective students, planning and developing training for ADA awareness concerning accommodations for the disabled, and providing suggestions for “reasonable accommodations” to faculty and staff members.

The College expects that all students and employees will be aware of, and sensitive to, the needs of persons with disabilities and that the administration and staff will make every effort to make those “reasonable accommodations” that permit disabled persons to participate in the various programs and services offered by the College.

Procedure for Complaints of Discrimination

In accordance with Federal and State Guidelines, any staff member or student who believes that a Sandhills Community College employee has discriminated against him/her on the basis of gender, gender identity, genetic information, or disability, thus violating Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 including the SaVE Act, which is an amendment to the Cleary Act regarding sexual assault and other intimate partner violence, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity), The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) , Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability), and The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may file a complaint.

Complainants should be made through our online Incident Reporting Form (http://www.sandhills.edu/incident-reporting/) or to the Senior Director of Human Resources, who is the designated Title IX Coordinator, at (910)246-2868 or at scchr@sandhills.edu. The title IX policy and procedures are located at www.sandhills.edu/title-ix/.

Constitution and Citizenship Day

On September 17 of each year (or at the first opportunity should that date fall on a weekend), Sandhills Community College commemorates the September 17, 1787, signing of the United States Constitution by holding a variety of educational programs for students, faculty and staff. This Congressional initiative is authorized by Section 111 of Division J of Pub. L. 108-447, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, “Dec. 8, 2004.”

Public Complaints

In accordance with its Policies and Procedures Manual, Sandhills Community College offers a range of policies and procedures to address both student and public complaints.

The Student Grievance Policy,
The Student Grievance Procedure,
The Mission Statement commitment to public satisfaction with the practices of the institution, and
The associated Public Complaint Policy.

Procedure for Responding to Public Complaints

Sandhills Community College recognizes its obligation as a tax-supported member of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) to provide the public the opportunity to direct both informal and formal complaints related to its adherence to its core values and its mission. To that end, the College has established the following procedure for addressing such complaints:

When a member of the public wishes to address an informal or formal complaint, that person should contact the Office of Human Resources, who will gather information as necessary and convene the appropriate dean or administrator from that area of the college to which the complaint is linked.
When possible, the Senior Director of Human Resources will convene the concerned parties to reach an informal resolution to the complaint. If an informal resolution cannot be reached, complainant will be apprised of his or her right to initiate a formal complaint.
The member of the public will draft and submit a letter to the Senior Director of Human Resources detailing the nature of the complaint. In instances in which the complaint is related to Human Resources, the letter should be submitted to the Chief Operating Officer.
The Senior Director of Human Resources will submit a written response to the complainant acknowledging receipt of that complaint and will provide a copy of the complaint and the written response to the academic or administrative officer under whose purview the complaint is directed.
In such cases, the administrative officer will gather information and provide a written response to the complainant within one week of receiving the complaint, addressing the issue and, where applicable, offering reasonable resolution to the complaint.
If the complainant is not satisfied with the response, the complainant may file a written complaint with the President. In such cases, the President will gather information and provide a final written response to the complainant.

Individuals are strongly encouraged to make every attempt to resolve matters through the aforementioned administrative processes. However, when matters cannot be resolved through these, the student or member of the public has these avenues of further recourse:

For complaints associated with the institution’s compliance with academic program quality, fulfillment of its mission, or adherence to accrediting standards, individuals should complete the Student Complaint Form (NCCCS) found at www.sandhills.edu/about/general/ and send it to the NCCCS per directions in the text of the form.
For issues related to specific compliance with SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation, Core Requirements and Standards, and policies and procedures, individuals should compose written evidence that all remedies available at the institution have been exhausted and then submit that evidence with the SACSCOC Complaints Against Institutions: Information Sheet and Form to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as directed in the front of the college Catalog and online at www.sandhills.edu. The Commission should be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support SCC’s non-compliance with a SACSCOC requirement or standard.
Residents outside the state of North Carolina enrolled in online courses from SCC who wish to resolve a grievance should first follow the college’s student grievance procedure outlined in the college Catalog. If the complaint is still not satisfactorily resolved, the final step would be for the student to file a complaint with his or home state.

Each year, Sandhills Community College (Institution #199364) files an annual report via survey in accordance with the federal government’s Equity in Athletic Disclosure Act (outlined below):

Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) Survey

The 2014 Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act is designed to make prospective students aware of a school’s commitment to providing equitable athletic opportunities for its men and women students. Any co-educational institution of higher education that participates in a federal student aid program must prepare an EADA report by October 15. Institutions must also report data to the U.S. Department of Education via this online survey. This is a mandatory survey.

Data collected in this survey will be published by the Office of Postsecondary Education on the Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool website located at http://ope.ed.gov/athletics.

As part of the federally mandated Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information about athletic programs available at the college – including annual coaching participation specifics – can be found by visiting https://www.sandhills.edu/equity-in-athletics/.

EADA and Title IX Compliance

The data collected in this survey are provided by institutions in accordance with the EADA and may not be the same as data used for determining compliance with other Federal or state laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

The compiled data for the most recent academic term is posted on the SCC website so that students and the public have access to this information related to SCC compliance; it is updated prior to October 1^st each year.

Completion/Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Receiving Athletics-Related Student Aid

Information on Sandhills Community College’s completion/graduation, retention, and transfer-out rates can be found by visiting the National Center for Education Statistics website at https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=sandhills+community+college&s=NC&id=199634.

Graduation and Transfer-out rates must be provided to student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when an athletics-related student aid offer is made. As an NJCAA Division III institution, Sandhills Community College does not offer financial aid to student based on athletic ability. For more information, please contact the Athletic Director at (910) 246-2864.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA 38 U.S.C. 4301-4335)

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Ace of 1994 was passed by U.S. Congress and signed into law by U.S. President Bill Clinton on October 13, 1994, to protect the civilian employment of active and reserve military personnel in the United States called to active duty. USERRA is a federal statute that protects servicemembers’ and veterans’ civilian employment rights. Among other things, under certain conditions, USERRA requires employers to put individuals back to work in their civilian jobs after military service.

Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986

The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) was passed by Congress in 1986 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on November 6, 1986. The law made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire individuals unauthorized to work in the United States and established a system for verifying the legal status of employees.

State Authorization

Sandhills Community College has been approved by North Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). SARA is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education. SCC is approved to serve students in 49 states (all but California), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John).

Students who live in a state or pursue programs of study other than those for which we are approved will be admitted to SCC but will not be allowed to register until authorization has been obtained. Students are encouraged to consult with their state prior to enrolling in programs that require licensure or certification.

Sandhills Community College determines a student’s location for the purposes of state authorization at the time of a student’s initial enrollment. If a student’s location changes, a Change of Student Information Form is completed by the student and is processed by the Registrar’s Office.