Policies & Procedures

The Technical College of the Lowcountry adheres to the policies and procedures of the South Carolina State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE). In addition, the College has developed and regularly reviews policies and procedures (below) that address matters related to governance, academics, student services, and operational standards in support of its mission to provide accessible, high-quality academic education and workforce training to serve the needs of individuals, businesses, and industries in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Students, please be sure to review the Catalog & Student Handbook for important additional information.

---

Section 1: Executive Administration

Area Commission

1.1.1 Commission Authority

Office of the President

1.2.1 Duties and Responsibilities of the President

1.2.2 Personnel Actions – Designation of Authority

1.2.3 Employee Quality Assurance Activities (Morale)

• 1.2.3.1 Employee Quality Assurance Activities

1.2.4 Local Policy Development

• 1.2.4.1 Establishing or Modifying Procedures

1.2.5 Institutional Committees

• 1.2.5.1 Institutional Standing Committees
• 1.2.5.2 Ad Hoc Committees
• 1.2.5.3 Strategic Planning Council
• 1.2.5.4 Curriculum Review Committee
• 1.2.5.5 Safety , Health and Business Continuity Committee Committee
• 1.2.5.6 Alcohol and Other Drug Program Review Committee
• 1.2.5.7 Information Resources Management Committee
• 1.2.5.8 Financial Appeals Review Committee
• 1.2.5.9 Enrollment Management Committee

1.2.6 Alcohol Use – External Groups

1.2.7 Inclement Weather

Institutional Advancement and Fundraising

1.3.1 Institutional Advancement

1.3.2 College Foundation

Information and Records

1.4.1 Dissemination of Information

1.4.2 Records Management

1.4.3 Intellectual Property Rights

• 1.4.3.1 Intellectual Property Rights

1.4.4 Copyright

Section 2: Administrative Services

Tuition and Finance

2.1.1 Tuition

2.1.2 Tuition Refunds

• 2.1.2.1 Student Refunds
• 2.1.2.2 Bookstore Refunds
• 2.1.2.3 Refunds for Special Military Relocations

2.1.3 Tuition Appeal

2.1.4 Student Indebtedness to TCL

2.1.5 Four Percent Fee Waiver

• 2.1.5.1 Four Percent Fee Waiver

2.1.6 Continuing Education Refunds

2.1.7 College Fees

2.1.8 College Club Treasuries

2.1.9 Outstanding Checks

• 2.1.9.1 Acceptance of Checks

2.1.10 Uncollectible Receivables

2.1.11 Auxiliary Enterprises

• 2.1.11.1 Auxiliary Enterprises

2.1.12 Investments

• 2.1.12.1 Investment
• 2.1.12.2 Budget Preparation

2.1.13 Contracts

• 2.1.13.1 Procurement
• 2.1.13.2 Petty Cash
• 2.1.13.3 Accounting Corrections and Journal Vouchers
• 2.1.13.4 Fund Administration/Signatory Authority

2.1.14 Travel

• 2.1.14.1 Travel Authorization within Service Area
• 2.1.15 Financial Information Security

Facilities and Equipment

2.2.1 Property and Equipment

• 2.2.1.1 Acceptance of Donated Property and/or Equipment
• 2.2.1.2 Assets and Inventory Management

2.2.2 Facilities Reservations

• 2.2.2.1 Fee Structure for the Use of College Facilities

2.2.3 College Vehicles

Information Technology

2.3.1 Information Technology Resources

• 2.3.1.1 Allocation of Computer Resources
• 2.3.1.2 Use and Duplication of Computer Software
• 2.3.1.3 Requests for Services
• 2.3.1.4 Acquisition of Computer Hardware

2.3.2 Information Technology Security

• 2.3.2.1 Systems Security and Authorization
• 2.3.2.2 System Backups
• 2.3.2.3 Acceptable Use of Information Resources
• 2.3.2.4 Incident Response Plan
• 2.3.2.5 Student Acceptable Use

Health, Safety, and Security

2.4.1 Campus Safety and Security

• 2.4.1.1 Traffic and Parking
• 2.4.1.2 Accidents Occurring On or Off Campus

2.4.2 Prohibition of Firearms and Weapons

• 2.4.2.1 Firearms – Criminal Justice

2.4.3 Tobacco-Free Campus

Section 3: Academic Affairs

Programs and Curriculum

3.1.1 Academic Programs and Organization

3.1.2 Curriculum Development

• 3.1.2.1 Curriculum Changes
• 3.1.2.2 Syllabus
• 3.1.2.3 Articulation Agreement Reviews
• 3.1.2.5 Self-Certification of a New Program

3.1.3 Program Review

• 3.1.3.1 Program Review

3.1.4 Instructional Program Evaluation

• 3.1.4.1 Instructional Program Evaluation

3.1.5 Advisory Committees

3.1.6 Instructional Projects Generating Revenue

3.1.7 SACSCOC Accreditation

• 3.1.7.1 Substantive Change – SACSCOC Accreditation

Courses

3.2.1 Class Length

• 3.2.1.1 Class Length

3.2.2 Class Attendance – Withdrawal

3.2.3 Grading System

• 3.2.3.1 Grading System – Recording Grades
• 3.2.3.2 Incomplete Grade Requests

3.2.4 Grade Review

• 3.2.4.1 Grade Review
• 3.2.4.2 Grade Review Form

3.2.5 Cancellation of Courses

3.2.6 Exam Schedule

• 3.2.6.1 Exam Schedule

3.2.7 Directed Independent Study

• 3.2.7.1 Directed Independent Study

3.2.8 Auditing a Course

3.2.9 Experiential Credit

• 3.2.9.1 Experiential Credit

3.2.10 Credit by Examination

• 3.2.10.1 Credit by Examination

Faculty

3.3.1 Academic Freedom

3.3.2 Faculty Governance

3.3.3 Academic Advising

• 3.3.3.1 Approval of Student Overloads

3.3.4 Office Hours

Library/Learning Resources

3.4.1 Use of Library Resources

• 3.4.1.1 Charges for Lost or Damaged Library Materials

3.4.2 Library Collection Development

• 3.4.2.1 Library Collection Development

Institutional Effectiveness and Research

3.5.1 Protection of Human Subjects in Research

Section 4: Student Affairs

Admissions

4.1.1 Admissions Criteria

• 4.1.1.1 Admissions Criteria
• 4.1.1.2 Admission Process
• 4.1.1.3 Student Classification for Admissions
• 4.1.1.4 Senior Citizen Enrollment and Tuition Fee Waiver for SC Residents

4.1.2 Residency Classification for the Purpose of Tuition and Fees

• 4.1.2.1 Residency Classification for the Purpose of Tuition and Fees

4.1.3 Admissions to Programs with Limited Admission

4.1.4 Dual Enrollment

• 4.1.4.1 Dual Enrollment

4.1.5 International Students

• 4.1.5.1 Admission of International Students

4.1.6 Re-Admission of Service Members

• 4.1.6.1 Re-Admission of Service Members

4.1.7 SC Illegal Immigration – coming soon

• 4.1.7.1 Admission Requirement: SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act

4.1.8 Catalog Rights

4.1.9 Academic Forgiveness

• 4.1.9.1 – Academic Forgiveness

Registration and Student Records

4.2.1 Registration of Curriculum Students

• 4.2.1.1 Registration of Curriculum Students
• 4.2.1.2 English and Math Placement and Assessment

4.2.2 Transfer of Credit

• 4.2.2.1 Transfer Credit

4.2.3 Resident Credit Requirement

4.2.4 Change of Major

• 4.2.4.1 Change of Major

4.2.5 Dropping and Adding Courses

• 4.2.5.1 Schedule Change: Course Drop & Add

4.2.6 Withdrawal

• 4.2.6.1 Withdrawal

4.2.7 Repeating a Course

• 4.2.7.1 Repeating a Course

4.2.8 Transcripts

• 4.2.8.1 Transcripts

Financial Aid

4.3.1 Student Financial Aid

• 4.3.1.1 Title IV – Federal Assistance and Verification
• 4.3.1.2 Federal Pell Grant
• 4.3.1.3 Dual Enrollment Student Aid
• 4.3.1.4 FSEOG
• 4.3.1.5 William D. Ford Federal Direct Stafford Loan
• 4.3.1.6 Federal Work-Study Program
• 4.3.1.7 TCL Foundation Scholarships

4.3.2 Satisfactory Academic Progress

• 4.3.2.1 Satisfactory Academic Progress
• 4.3.2.2 Academic Probation and Suspension

4.3.3 Lottery Tuition Assistance

• 4.3.3.1 Lottery Tuition Assistance

4.3.4 Abatement of Out of State Tuition – Workforce Development – coming soon

Student Rights, Conduct, and Activities

4.4.1 Grievances and Student Code

• 4.4.1.1 Institutional Complaints
• 4.4.1.2 Student Code for the South Carolina Technical College System (SBTCE 3-2-106.1)
• 4.4.1.3 Student Grievance Procedure for the South Carolina Technical College System (SBTCE 3-2-106.3)
• 4.4.1.4 Student Code Procedures for Addressing Alleged Acts of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX (SBTCE 3-2-106.2)

• 4.4.1.5 Americans with Disabilities

4.4.2 Students’ Right to Know

4.4.3 FERPA

• 4.4.3.1 Student Records
• 4.4.3.2 Distance Learning Student Privacy

4.4.4 Student’s Role in Decision Making

• 4.4.4.1 Student Government

4.4.5 Student Organizations

• 4.4.5.1 Student Organizations

4.4.6 Field Trips: Student or Group Travel

• 4.4.6.1 Study Abroad

4.4.7 Career Development

4.4.8 Commencement Exercises

• 4.4.8.1 Commencement
• 4.4.8.2 Graduation

Section 5: HR

General Information and HR Records

5.1.1 Freedom of Information

• 5.1.1.1 Freedom of Information (SBTCE 8-0-107.1)

5.1.2 Solicitation and Distribution

• 5.1.2.1 Solicitation and Distribution (SBTCE 8-9-100.1)

5.1.3 Affirmative Action – Equal Opportunity

5.1.4 Personnel Files

5.1.5 Sex Offender Discloser

5.1.6 Employment Verification

5.1.7 Contagious Diseases

5.1.8 Children on Campus

5.1.9 Wellness Activity

5.1.9.1 Wellness Activity

Employment

5.2.1 Employee Definitions

5.2.2 Employment Practices

• 5.2.2.1 Employment Practices
• 5.2.2.2 Temporary Employment
• 5.2.2.3 Secondary State/Dual Employment (SBTCE 8-2-100.1)

5.2.3 Background Checks

• 5.2.3.1 Criminal Background Checks (SBTCE 8-7-109.1)

5.2.4 Notification of Employment Status

• 5.2.4.1 Notification of Employment Status (SBTCE 8-2-101.1)

5.2.5 Classified and Unclassified Employment

5.2.6 Classification and Compensation Plan for Classified Positions/Personnel

• 5.2.6.1 Classification Plan for Classified Positions (SBTCE 8-2-110.1)
• 5.2.6.2 Compensation Plan for Classified Personnel (SBTCE 8-2-110.2)

5.2.7 Permanent Status – Probationary Period

5.2.8 Temporary Grant and Time-Limited Positions/Employment

• 5.2.8.1 Temporary Grant and Time-Limited Positions/Employment (SBTCE 8.2.101.1)

5.2.9 Adjunct Faculty Hiring

• 5.2.9.1 Temporary Faculty Employment

5.2.10 English Fluency Requirements – Faculty

• 5.2.10.1 English Fluency Requirements for Faculty Employment

5.2.11 Secondary Employment Outside State Government

• 5.2.11.1 Secondary Employment Outside State Government (SBTCE 8-7-101.1)

5.2.12 EPMS

• 5.2.12.1 Employee Performance Management System (EPMS) (SBTCE 8-4-100.1)

• 5.2.12.2 TEPMS – coming soon

5.2.13 FPMS

• 5.2.13.1 Faculty Performance Management System (FPMS) (SBTCE 8-4-101.1)

5.2.14 Working Hours

5.2.15 Telecommuting

• 5.2.15.1 Telecommuting (SBTCE 8.7.106.1)

5.2.16 Termination Practices

5.2.17 Exit Interview

5.2.18 Break in Service

• 5.2.18.1 Break in Service (SBTCE 8.3.104.1)

5.2.19 Retiree Re-Employment

• 5.2.19.1 Retiree Re-Employment (SBTCE 8.7.107.1)

5.2.20 Reduction in Force

• 5.2.20.1 Reduction in Force (SBTCE 8.7.103.1)

5.2.21 Separation Practices

• 5.2.21.1 Separation Practices (SBTCE 8.8.100.1)

5.2.22 Voluntary Furlough Program

• 5.2.22.1 Voluntary Furlough Program (SBTCE 8-1-101.1)

5.2.23 Mandatory Furlough Program

• 5.2.23.1 Higher Education Furlough Programs (SBTCE 8-1-102.1)

Salary

5.3.1 Compensation

• 5.3.1.1 Compensation Plan for Unclassified Faculty Personnel (SBTCE 8-2-102.1)
• 5.3.1.2 Compensation Plan for Unclassified Non-Teaching Personnel (UNTP) (SBTCE 8-2-102.2)
• 5.3.1.3 Compensation Plan for Unclassified Vice President Positions (SBTCE 8-2-102.3)
• 5.3.1.4 Faculty Teaching – Work Load and Overload Compensation

5.3.2 Adjunct Compensation

• 5.3.2.1 Compensation Plan for Adjunct Faculty
• 5.3.2.2 Adjunct Faculty Longevity Compensation – coming soon

5.3.3 Overtime Compensation

• 5.3.3.1 Overtime Compensation (SBTCE 8-2-104.1)

5.3.4 Salary Supplements – College Employees

• 5.3.4.1 Salary Supplements – College Employees (SBTCE 8-2-106.1)

5.3.5 Salary Supplements – President

• 5.3.5.1 Salary Supplements – President (SBTCE 8-2-107.1)

5.3.6 Salary Supplements – Unclassified Personnel

Leave and Benefits

5.4.1 Annual Leave

• 5.4.1.1 Annual Leave (SBTCE 8-3-100.1)

5.4.2 Sick Leave

• 5.4.2.1 Sick Leave (SBTCE 8-3-102.1)

5.4.3 Other Leave Types

• 5.4.3.1 Court Leave (SBTCE 8-3-103.1)
• 5.4.3.2 Voting Leave (SBTCE 8-3-103.2)
• 5.4.3.3 Military Leave (SBTCE 8-3-103.3)
• 5.4.3.4 Funeral Leave for Death in the Immediate Family (SBTCE 8-3-103.4)
• 5.4.3.5 American Red Cross Certified Disaster Service Leave, Blood Drive and Donation Leave, Bone Marrow Donor Leave, Organ Donor Leave and Administrative Leave (SBTCE 8-3-103.5)
• 5.4.3.6 Workers’ Compensation Leave (SBTCE 8-3-103.6)
• 5.4.3.7 Extended Illness Leave (SBTCE 8-3-103.7)
• 5.4.3.8 Hazardous Weather and Emergency Leave (SBTCE 8-3-105.1)
• 5.4.3.9 Paid Parental Leave (SBTCE 8-3-107.1)

5.4.4 Employee Leave Transfer

• 5.4.4.1 Employee Leave Transfer Program (SBTCE 8-3-106.1)

5.4.5 Holidays

• 5.4.5.1 Holidays (SBTCE 8-3-108.1)

5.4.6 Faculty Non-Work Days

• 5.4.6.1 Faculty Non-Work Days (SBTCE 8-3-101.1)

5.4.7 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

• 5.4.7.1 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (SBTCE 8-3-103.8)

5.4.8 Separation Incentive Program

• 5.4.8.1 Retirement Incentive Program
• 5.4.8.2 Voluntary Separation Program

5.4.9 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

5.4.10 Employee Development

• 5.4.10.1 Employee Development

Complaints, Grievance, and Ethics

5.5.1 Institutional Complaints

5.5.2 Grievances and Appeals

• 5.5.2.1 Grievances and Appeals (SBTCE 8-6-100.1)

5.5.3 Ethics Requirements

• 5.5.3.1 Ethics Requirements for Employees and Public Officials (SBTCE 8-0-105.1)

5.5.4 Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment

• 5.5.4.1 Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct (SBTCE 8-5-101.1)

• 5.5.4.2 Sexual Harassment under Title IX (SBTCE 8-5-101.2)
• 5.5.4.3 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (SBTCE 8-5-101.4)

5.5.5 Fraternization

5.5.6 Nepotism

5.5.7 Alcohol and Drug Use

5.5.8 Workplace Violence

5.5.9 Disciplinary Action

• 5.5.9.1 Disciplinary Action (SBTCE 8-5-100.1)

5.5.10 Political Activity

5.5.11 Personal Benefits from Projects

5.5.12 Social Media