Policies & Procedures

Policies & Procedures


This section of the website is the centralized location for all Highland Community College policies and procedures as initially compiled from the following sources:

  • Highland Community College Student Handbook (printable version)
  • Highland Community College Policies and Procedures as published and revised by HCC Board of Trustees, Leadership Council, & Human Resources
    • Including but not limited to unclassified professional personnel and classified staff policy and procedures, student employment policies and procedures, and other formally approved documents not included in the list above.

 

College Structure & Revisions

Mission

HCC, the first college in Kansas, provides lifelong learning opportunities and contributes to economic development to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve.

 Vision

Highland Community College is recognized as the college of choice in Northeast Kansas.

Shared Performance Expectations

Students, faculty, and staff at HCC are expected to grow both academically/professionally and personally in their ability to work and associate with other members of the HCC Community. HCC has defined six “Shared Performance Expectations” (see below) that are essential for all members of the community to exhibit in order for HCC and all its community members to realize their full potential.

  1. Be Competent at your Work - Know your area of work or study, consistently perform to expectations, use constructive feedback to improve.
  2. Communicate Effectively - Demonstrate the ability to create and understand messages in written, oral, or visual form.
  3. Respect Others - Show respect for other people and the environment, be open to perspectives different from your own, treat people and the environment with courtesy.
  4. Make Good Decisions - Apply critical thinking processes-examine assumptions, gather relevant and reliable data and information, make decisions based on evidence.
  5. Act Responsibly - Within your role or roles at HCC, meet your commitments and be accountable for your own behavior and performance.
  6. Work Effectively in Teams - Contribute productively-as a leader or member of a team.

Academic Conduct

HCC wants students to succeed and encourages students to make responsible academic choices. A student’s course load will be appropriately limited as defined in the course load policy (found in the College Regulations section of the HCC catalog). Students must maintain at least a 2.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) to remain in good academic standing.

The following policies and procedures relate to academic conduct at Highland Community College. 

 

Questions regarding Academic Policies can be sent to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@highlandcc.edu 

Employee Code of Conduct

As outstanding employees of Highland Community College, we are bound together by a shared mission: to create an environment that  empowers our students, fosters innovation, and promotes the ideals of knowledge, respect, and community. The work we do here is more than just a job—it is a commitment to the future of our society. And with that commitment comes the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect.

  1. Respect and Dignity for All: We are a diverse community, and that is our strength. We must treat everyone—students, colleagues, and community members—with fairness, respect, and dignity. Discrimination, harassment, or any behavior that undermines the values of inclusion has no place here. Let us remember that each person is valuable, and we are all better when we lift one another up.
  2. Integrity and Accountability: We are entrusted with the important task of guiding minds, shaping futures, and fostering intellectual curiosity. With that trust comes the responsibility to act with honesty and integrity in everything we do. We must hold ourselves accountable—not just to the policies of this institution, but to the higher ideals that define us as educators and professionals. If we make a mistake, we own up to it and strive to do better.
  3. Collaboration and Unity: We are stronger when we work together. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do—whether it’s working alongside fellow educators, supporting our students, or contributing to the success of the college. Let us approach each task with the understanding that we are part of something larger, and our success is bound up in the success of others.
  4. Commitment to Excellence: Excellence is not an endpoint; it is a journey. We strive not just to meet the standards but to exceed them. We embrace continuous learning and growth, both personally and professionally. We must remain committed to our students’ success and to creating a space where their potential can flourish. The work we do today shapes the leaders of tomorrow.
  5. Transparency and Open Communication: We value transparency and open communication, for these are the cornerstones of trust. We encourage honest dialogue, and we listen to one another with respect. If challenges arise, we face them together. We seek solutions through cooperation, not division. Let us speak truthfully, act with purpose, and engage with one another in a spirit of collaboration.
  6. Service to the Community: Our work extends beyond the classroom and the campus. We have a responsibility to serve not just the students who walk through our doors but the communities that we are part of. We are role models, and the example we set reverberates far beyond these walls. Whether through mentorship, civic engagement, or outreach, we must always remember that our efforts are part of a larger mission to build a better society.
  7. Confidentiality and Trust: As educators and staff, we often have access to sensitive information. Whether it’s about a student’s academic record or a colleague’s personal circumstances, we must handle that information with the utmost care and discretion. Trust is the foundation of everything we do, and it is our responsibility to protect it.

In conclusion, we must be mindful of the impact we have as individuals and as a community. Each action, every word, and every decision matter. When we live up to these principles, we create a campus culture where all of us—students, faculty, and staff—can thrive.

Let us move forward together, with purpose and with respect, and continue to build a college that reflects the values we hold dear: integrity, excellence, collaboration, and service.

Student Code of Conduct

Highland Community College is committed to fostering a campus environment conducive to academic inquiry, a productive campus life, and thoughtful study and discourse. The Highland Community College Student Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as “the Code of Conduct” or “the code”) student conduct program within the Office of Student Conduct is committed to an educational and developmental process that balances the interests of individual students with the interests of the HCC community.

Review Code of Conduct

Overview of Student Conduct Process

Prohibited Conduct

Highland Community College considers the behavior described in the following sub-sections as inappropriate for the HCC community and in opposition to the Shared Performance Expectations set forth in this document. These policies, expectations, and rules apply to all students, and the College encourages community members to report all incidents that involve the following actions to HCC officials. Failure to comply with any of the rules/regulations governing the following areas may place a student in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, and subject them to disciplinary action.

Prohibited Conduct Policies

Information Technology

IT Help Desk & Support