ST. JOHNS RIVER STATE COLLEGE
SJR STATE CATALOG/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025
23
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
The College reserves the right to change any of its policies,
courses, regulations, and calendar of events without notice when it
is considered in the best interest of the College. In the event such
changes occur, the College will provide notication to students,
faculty, and sta via announcements on the student portal, bulletin
boards and in College publications.
All students are responsible for observing all regulations and
being aware of the information in the College Catalog/Student
Handbook, ocial announcements posted on bulletin boards, and
other applicable documents, such as registration forms. College
regulations and student standards of conduct, as listed under
“Policies and Regulations,” apply to all areas under the jurisdiction
of SJR State, including areas where activities are sponsored by
the College and areas where students of the College community
are guests, and students will make themselves familiar with any
additional regulation of the host institution.
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
1. While on campus, students and student organizations are
expected to obey the instructions of any College faculty, sta member,
or law enforcement ocial performing designated responsibilities
including the identication of oneself when requested to do so.
2. After closing hours, students may not enter any building
unless accompanied by a College employee. Unless otherwise
authorized, all persons must be o the campus by 11:00 p.m.
3. Use of tobacco and smoking, including cigarettes, loose-
leaf tobacco, snu, or other forms of tobacco, and electronic devices
is prohibited. As a tobacco-free campus, the tobacco-free policy
applies to all campus properties, walkways, sidewalks and parking
lots, as well as personal vehicles in these areas.
4. Gambling is prohibited on College property.
5. The College specically prohibits on campus the
possession, sale, exchange, consumption, or giving away of any
beverage of alcoholic content, any stimulant, depressant, narcotic, or
hallucinogenic drug or agent having potential for physical or mental
abuse, except on prescription by a physician or dentist. Florida law
requires the automatic expulsion of a student who is convicted of
unlawful possession of any narcotic drug, central nervous system
stimulant, hallucinogenic drug, or barbiturate.
6. Sleeping in public areas is prohibited.
7. Distribution or posting of any commercial material on
campus must have the approval of the President or his/her designee.
8. Bringing pets or other animals, including emotional
support animals, onto campus, including sidewalks, campus
buildings, classrooms, grounds, or sporting events or practices
is prohibited. Service animals (dog or miniature horse) that are
individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benet of an
individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric,
intellectual, or other mental disability, specically and directly related
to the individual’s disability are exempt from this prohibition. Service
animals must be on a leash or harness unless it would interfere with
the service animal’s ability to perform the tasks it is trained to do, and
it must be under the handler’s control at all times. If a service animal
is disruptive, out of control, is not housebroken, or poses a threat, the
College may request its removal.
9. Student failure to honor nancial obligations to the
College (including but not limited to worthless checks, loans,
veteran deferments, and other fees) will result in a student not being
allowed to re-enroll until nancial obligations are met. If it becomes
necessary for the College to turn over a student’s account balance
to a collection agency for collection, the collection cost (agency
fees) will be added to the student’s account and must be paid by the
student.
10. Students must wear attire in such a manner as not to be
in violation of health laws and/or disrupt the College’s educational
process. Appropriate dress for the appropriate activity is expected.
A student may be asked to leave an area when he/she is not
appropriately attired in the opinion of the College ocial or instructor
who is acting in a supervisory position. Repeat oenders shall be
reported to the Oce of the Vice President for Student Aairs.
11. All students must carry identication and/or proof of
registration.
12. Unless it is part of a structured classroom activity, students
may not bring guests or family members into the classroom.
13. Unless otherwise authorized by Florida law and with the
exception of students enrolled in the Criminal Justice Programs of
the College participating in a College approved training exercise, the
possession of rearms, knives, explosives, reworks, hazardous or
toxic substances, or other dangerous materials is strictly forbidden
on any of the College’s campuses or sites.
14. No student or student organization attending St. Johns
River State College can participate in disruptive activities at the
College. Any such student so convicted, as required by FS 1006.61(2),
will be expelled immediately without recourse for a period of two
(2) years. Any student organization found guilty may be suspended.
This includes the disruption or obstruction of teaching, research,
administration, disciplinary proceedings, trac or pedestrian
movement, other College activities, including its public service
functions on or o campus, or other authorized non-college activities
when the act occurs on College premises.
15. As provided in FS 1006.60(5), any student enrolled or
student organization authorized at St. Johns River State College who
intentionally acts to impair, interfere with, or obstruct the orderly
conduct, processes, and functions of the College on or o any of the
College’s sites shall be subject to severe disciplinary measures, to
include dismissal, at the discretion of the President.
16. Acts of dishonesty are prohibited. Acts of dishonesty
include but are not limited to, the following: cheating, plagiarism,
or other forms of academic dishonesty, furnishing false information
to any College ocial, faculty member, or oce; forgery, alteration
or misuse of any College document, record, or instrument of
identication; and/or tampering with the election of any College
recognized student organization.
17. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation,
harassment, coercion, and/ or other conduct which threatens or
endangers the health or safety of any person are prohibited.
18. The attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to
property of the College or property of a member of the College
community or other personal or public property is prohibited.
19. Hazing, as dened in the Catalog/Student Handbook, is
prohibited.
20. The theft, abuse, misuse, or alteration of the College’s
computer systems and information and records stored on the
computer systems as dened in the Catalog/Student Handbook is
prohibited.
21. The posting of vulgar, abusive, derogatory, threatening,
discriminatory, or gang-related content on any college premises or on
any college-sanctioned social media accounts is strictly prohibited.
The College reserves the right to block users and/ or remove a post
that violates college policies, creates a hostile environment, or
contains content that is vulgar, abusive, derogatory, threatening,
discriminatory, or gang-related.
22. Entering a restroom or changing facility designated for
the opposite sex except as otherwise provided in section 553.865,
Florida Statutes, is prohibited. Students who enter a restroom or
changing facility designated for the opposite biological sex and
refuse to depart when asked by any College ocial, faculty member,
security, or law enforcement personnel will be subject to disciplinary
sanctions as outlined in Article IV of the Catalog/Student Handbook.
23. The abuse of the student judicial system, as dened in the
SJR STATE CATALOG/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025
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POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
Catalog/Student Handbook, is prohibited.
24. Any student or student organization who has unauthorized
possession, duplicates or uses key/key cards to any College premises
or who has unauthorized entry to or use of College premises is
subject to disciplinary sanctions as outlined in Article IV of the
Catalog/Student Handbook.
25. Any student or student organization who violates
published College policies, rules, or regulations is subject to
disciplinary sanctions as outlined in Article IV of the Catalog/Student
Handbook.
26. Any student or student organization who violates federal,
state or local law on College premises or at College-sponsored or
supervised activities is subject to disciplinary sanctions as outlined
in Article IV of the Catalog/Student Handbook.
27. Any student or student organization who participates in a
campus demonstration which disrupts the normal operations of the
College and infringes on the rights of other members of the College
community; who leads, incites others to disrupt scheduled and/
or normal activities within any campus building or area; and who
intentionally obstructs which unreasonably interferes with freedom
of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus is subject to
disciplinary sanctions as outlined in Article IV of the Catalog/Student
Handbook.
28. Any student or student organization who obstructs the
free ow of pedestrian or vehicular trac on College premises or at
College sponsored functions is subject to disciplinary sanctions as
outlined in Article IV of the Catalog/Student Handbook.
29. Any student or student organization who publishes
class lectures without consent of faculty or lecturers is subject to
disciplinary sanctions as outlined in Article IV of the Catalog/Student
Handbook.
The College reserves the right to change any of its policies for student
conduct without notice when it is considered in the best interest of
the College. In the event such changes occur, the College will provide
notication to students, faculty, and sta via announcements on
bulletin boards and in College publications.
ANTI-HAZING POLICY
The District Board of Trustees of St. Johns River State College
prohibits hazing by any student or student organization. As used
in this rule, “hazing” means any action or situation that recklessly or
intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a
student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or aliation
with any organization operating under the sanction of the College.
This includes, but is not limited to, any brutality of a physical nature,
such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to
the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other
substance, or other forced physical activity which could adversely
aect the physical health or safety of the student, and also includes
any activity which would subject the student to extreme mental
stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact,
forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or
other forced activity which could adversely aect the mental health
or dignity of the student.
Student(s) or student organizations convicted of hazing are
subject to signicant penalties which may include the imposition of
nes; the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance
with the rules or pending payment of nes; and the imposition of
probation, suspension, or dismissal. In the case of an organization
at St. Johns River State College which authorizes hazing in blatant
disregard of such rules, penalties may also include rescission of
permission for that organization to operate on campus property or
to otherwise operate under the sanction of the institution.
All penalties imposed by this rule shall be in addition to any
penalty imposed for violation of any of the criminal laws of the State
of Florida or for violation of any other rule of the institution to which
the violator(s) may be subject.
This anti-hazing policy shall apply to acts conducted on or o the
St. Johns River State College campuses or sites, and this anti-hazing
policy will be included in the bylaws of each student organization.
POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The pursuit of scholarly activity, free from dishonesty, fraud,
or deception, is essential to the mission of the College and to the
full exercise of academic freedom. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication
of information or citations, and other forms of unethical conduct
compromise the quality of education and will not be tolerated.
Infractions may result in penalties or sanctions beyond those
imposed by an individual faculty member.
COPYRIGHT PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS
As an institution of higher learning, St. Johns River State College
(SJR State) is dedicated to providing quality educational programs
and services to it students through the formation, discovery, and
dissemination of knowledge. SJR State recognizes that the copyright
holder has exclusive rights to their copyrighted works, but that the
use of copyrighted materials is sometimes necessary to further
enhance the learning, research, and scholarship activities of its
students.
All SJR State students are expected to have a basic understanding
of copyright law and to adhere to all laws regarding copyright, fair
use, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and to act in good
faith when using copyrighted materials to support their educational
and research activities. Copyrighted material includes text, music,
videos, games, movies, and software.
To assist the students, SJR State faculty, administration, and
student government will provide information about academic
honesty, copyright, plagiarism, fair use, and the Digital Millennium
Copyright Act:
• Academic use of the College’s computer network, software
and email is posted in the College Catalog/Student
Handbook under the Student Disciplinary Code section. The
email use policy is available at MySJRstate.
• Information on academic honesty and plagiarism is in the
SJR State Catalog/Student Handbook, under Academic
Freedom and Responsibility, and the SJR State Policy on
Academic Integrity.
• Copyright information is posted on the library tab at
MySJRstate. Students who fail to comply with the
copyright law and willfully infringe it may face nes and
civil or criminal penalties from the U.S. courts, as well as
disciplinary action from SJR State.
Copyright
The owner of a copyright has the exclusive right to do and/or
authorize others to do such things as:
• Make copies
• Distribute the work
• Display the work
• Perform the work publicly
• Create derivative works (other works based on the original
work)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
If you develop a product (of any sort) that could earn revenue and
the product is developed on an SJR State campus, using SJR State’s
facilities or in conjunction with SJR State employees, the College
may own some or all of the product. Ownership of the product is
negotiated between you, the College, and any other interested
parties and stated in a written contract. If you are a student and you
have any questions regarding product ownership, please contact
the Oce of Student Aairs at (386) 312-4127. If you are an employee
and you have any questions regarding product ownership, please
contact the Vice President for Finance and Administration at (386)
312-4116 .
SJR STATE CATALOG/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025
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STUDENT HOUSING
The College assumes no responsibility for providing student
housing. Students must register their local address during each
registration period. Any change of address must be reported to the
Oce of Admissions and Records.
DRESS CODE
Education is a formal process. College men and women are
expected to be appropriately dressed. As the student engages in
the process of gaining an education, his/her appearance should
demonstrate their recognition of that fact. If, in the opinion
of an instructor, a student’s dress is improper and hinders the
educational process, the instructor may refuse to admit the student
to class. The student may be refused admittance to the libraries,
student centers, administrative oces, and college functions if,
in the opinion of a college ocial, he/she is not properly dressed.
Footwear must be worn on campus.
STUDENT SERVICES ELECTRONIC PUBLICATIONS
Student Services publishes the electronic Catalog/Student
Handbook* which provides information concerning student life,
clubs and organizations, nancial aid, college regulations and
procedures.
*SJRstate.edu/catalog
POLICY FOR COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS
SJR State student email is the primary means of communication
with SJR State students. Students are assigned a college email
address when the application is processed. Students must log into
MySJRstate in order to access SJR State student email.
Students are expected to check their email daily in order to
ensure they obtain critical information and assignments. Failure to
do so will not be grounds for an appeal of any action taken by the
College or any requirements established by an instructor, which has
been communicated to the student via SJR State student email.
SJR STATE STUDENT GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE
COMPUTER LAB AND INTERNET USE
Use of computer, network, and Internet equipment and
software at St. Johns River State College computing facilities is
restricted to scholarly activities related to student instruction
and research. The College reserves the rights to limit, restrict,
or extend computing privileges and access to its information
technology resources. Access to these systems is granted to SJR
State students and authorized users subject to adherence to all
College information technology security policies, guidelines and
procedures that govern computer and network use at SJR State
as well as the following statements regarding acceptable use of
computer lab and Internet resources:
1.
Users may access the computers by entering their SJR
State username and password.
2.
Users must obtain an approved device to utilize
multi-factor authentication.
3. User may not use equipment or facilities in a way that is
inconsistent with the general rules of conduct that
govern student behavior at SJR State.
4. User may not damage or mistreat equipment or facilities
under any circumstances.
5. User may not intentionally waste computer resources.
6. User may not employ the network for personal nancial
gain or commercial purposes.
7. User may not engage in practices that threaten the
integrity of the network.
8. User may not write, use, send, download or display
obscene, threatening, or harassing materials or messages.
9. User may not use the equipment or network for any
illegal activities, including violation of copyright laws
and/or software piracy.
10. User may not use anyone else’s SJR State username and
password.
11. User may not trespass into, or in any way alter, anyone
else’s folders, documents or les.
12. User may not load or play games or occupy the lab for
non-scholarly purposes.
13. User must maintain a scholarly atmosphere in the lab;
disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
14. User may not eat, drink, or smoke in the lab.
15. User should not, under any circumstances, expect that
messages or les that are created, modied, transmitted,
received or stored on College equipment are private.
16.
User should ask their instructor about having the IT
Department load any course software that is needed.
Users who violate any of the above conditions will be subject
to the suspension or termination of their internet and computing
privileges, as well as other disciplinary or legal action as determined
by the College.
FULL-TIME CLASSIFICATION
A “full-time student” is registered for 12 or more semester
hours of college credit, developmental education credit, or any
combination of college and developmental education credit during
the fall or spring terms, or six semester hours of credit during a mini
summer session or 12 hours combined over all summer sessions.
MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM LOAD
The recommended maximum load for an entering freshman
is 16 semester hours. The maximum load for all other students is
18 semester hours during fall or spring terms, or 16 semester hours
during the summer term. The 16 hours cannot be taken in one
summer session. Any student desiring to register for more than the
maximum load must have approval from the appropriate academic
dean or director.
CLASS ATTENDANCE
Regular and prompt attendance is expected and required.
Excessive absences may subject the student to administrative
withdrawal, a loss of quality points, loss of credit, or dismissal
from the College. Students who do not attend a course during
the rst week of the semester will be reported as a “no show” and
administratively withdrawn from the course.
If a student accumulates recorded absences totaling three
or more instructional hours (one instructional hour equals 50
minutes) during the withdrawal period (see academic calendar),
the instructor may initiate an ocial warning to the student that
he/she has reached the limit of allowed recorded absences. Further,
the loss of instructional time through absences may result in the
student being withdrawn from the course, unless the instructor,
because of extenuating circumstances, permits the student to
remain in the course. No student may be withdrawn from a course
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
SJR STATE CATALOG/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025
26
for loss in instructional hours without rst being warned in regard
to the limit of recorded absences, unless the student was reported
as a “no show.” Students who are withdrawn from class due to
attendance are not entitled to a refund of tuition and fees related
to that class, nor will they be entitled to the nancial aid related to
their enrollment in that course.
WITHDRAWAL
Students may withdraw from a course without academic
penalty (a grade of “W”) at any time prior to the point in the
semester as published in the academic calendar. A student who
wishes to withdraw from either a single course or from all courses
must follow withdrawal procedures. After the published last date
to withdraw, the student will receive the letter grade earned.
There are special requirements for withdrawal from science with
laboratory corequisites; see the introduction to the science section
of the “Course Descriptions” on page 245 of this catalog for further
information.
A student initiated withdrawal is done online through the
student portal (except dual enrollment students). All student
obligations to the College, such as repayment of nancial aid loans,
return of library items, and payment of nes, must be satised.
Notication is sent to any appropriate agency when a student
withdraws from the College.
The College reserves the right to withdraw a student from one
or more classes when circumstances warrant such an action.
DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES ORIENTATION
AND ATTENDANCE
After registering for a distance learning course with the
College, distance learning students must access their distance
learning course online at MySJRstate on the rst day of the term
to obtain orientation information. Distance learning students
must begin their class by completing the orientation activity prior
to the conclusion of the rst week of the semester. Students who
do not begin a distance learning course by the end of the rst
week of the semester by making contact with the instructor and
completing the specied activity, will be reported as a “no show”
and administratively withdrawn from the course.
Although in distance learning classes students do not “attend”
class in the traditional sense, these courses do have an attendance
policy, and students may be withdrawn for non-attendance.
During a traditional-length semester, three instructional hours of
attendance equals one week’s missed work. If a student misses a
week’s worth of work in a distance learning course, he/she may
receive a warning for non-attendance, and if the student misses
more than one week’s work in a distance learning course, he/she
may be withdrawn from the course due to non-attendance.
POLICY STATEMENT FOR RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Any student who wishes to observe a religious holiday
not in the ocial academic calendar may do so without penalty.
However, the student must follow proper procedures. These
procedures require the student to inform his or her instructor or
instructors one week in advance of the religious holiday or holidays
and make up any required work, including tests, within one week
of the absence for the holiday or holidays. In the case of admissions
criteria or other College mandated functions which may be missed
because of the observance of the religious holiday or holidays,
the student should contact the Oce of Student Aairs to make
appropriate alternate arrangements.
If a student believes that he or she has been unreasonably
denied an educational benet due to his or her religious beliefs
or practices, the student may seek redress through the College
Grievance Committee.
MAKE-UP TESTS/EXAMINATIONS
All make-up tests or examinations are at the discretion of the
instructor.
ACADEMIC PETITIONS PROCESS
A student may petition for exemption to a college policy or
to have an academic issue addressed. The petition, in the form of
a letter addressed to the Oce of Student Aairs, should explain
in detail why an exemption to a policy should be made, or should
describe an academic issue that needs to be addressed. Petitions
usually concern denial of admission to the College, academic
suspension, or issues involving course grades. Depending on the
substance of the issue, a petition might be addressed and resolved
administratively or if appropriate, it might be referred to one of the
College’s standing committees. Committee recommendations are
forwarded to the President of the College, whose decision is nal.
The Oce of Student Aairs informs the student of the decision.
STUDENT OMBUDSMAN
The District Board of Trustees appoints the Vice President of
Academic and Student Aairs or his/her designee as the Student
Ombudsman on the St. Augustine, Palatka, and Orange Park
campuses. The Student Ombudsman, in his/her role as Student
Ombudsman, will serve as the student’s advocate with regard to
a student’s access to courses and credit granted toward a degree.
A student with concerns about course access and credit toward
the degree should report such concerns directly to the Student
Ombudsman either in writing or by email, and the Student
Ombudsman will respond to the student’s concerns as soon as
possible. Should the situation or concern require investigation
and research, the Student Ombudsman will serve as the student’s
representative before faculty, sta, and College administration.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT
Continuing Education Units are awarded for successful
participation in certain non-credit courses and programs.
One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is awarded for each 10
contact hours of participation. The CEU serves as recognition
for participation in non-credit activities. CEUs do not convert to
semester hours of credit. The College can issue to each individual
who qualies for CEUs a record of their CEU activities.
GRADES
Letters are used to indicate the quality of work achieved by
the student at St. Johns River State College. The following system
of grading and assignment of quality points is used:
A - Excellent work; four quality points per semester hour
are assigned.
B - Good work; three quality points per semester hour are
assigned.
C - Average work; two quality points per semester hour are
assigned.
D - Below average work; one quality point per semester
hour is assigned.
F - Failure; no quality points are assigned and no credit is
granted. The credit hours attempted are included in
computation of cumulative grade point average.
I - Incomplete work; not computed on grade point average.
A student receiving an “I” grade must complete the
course within a 30 calendar day period which begins on
the rst day of classes of the next term. Students are not
eligible for graduation or honors lists until all “I” grades
have been removed from their academic records. “I”
grades may also aect eligibility for nancial aid.
IF - Incomplete work will convert to an “IF” if the course work
remains incomplete. Zero quality points are assigned.
W - Withdrawal
N - No Credit
NR - Grade not reported
X - Audited course; no credit hours,
quality points, or hours attempted.
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
SJR STATE CATALOG/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025
27
P - Passed institutional examination; no hours attempted or
quality points assigned, only hours earned. (See also
Credit by Examination section.)
S - Satisfactory performance ranging from average to
superior; no hours attempted or quality points assigned.
Hours may or may not have been earned.
U - Unsatisfactory performance ranging from below
average to no performance. No hours attempted or
quality points assigned; no hours earned.
Final grades will be available on the College website shortly
after each term.
A grade cannot be changed by petition if more than two
calendar years have elapsed since the end of the term in which the
course was taken.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE
A student’s academic standing (good, probation, or
suspension/dismissal) is based only on grade point average or GPA
of college level courses. Developmental education courses do not
count in the calculation of the grade point average or GPA.
A = 4 points D = 1 point
B = 3 points F = 0 points
C = 2 points
W
= no points
The last grade recorded for a course will be the grade used to
calculate the student’s cumulative grade point average. All courses
attempted will appear on the transcript.
To compute the grade point average (GPA), multiply the credit
value of each course by the point value of the grade received.
Divide the result by the total number of credit hours attempted.
An example is provided below.
Course Grade Semester
Hours
X
(Multiply)
Grade
Value
=
(Equals)
Grade
Point
ENC
1101
B 3 X 3 = 9
MAC
1105
D 3 X 1 = 3
CGS
1100
A 3 X 4 = 12
AMH
2010
F 3 X 0 = 0
Totals 12 24
Your grade point average:
24 grade points divided by 12 semester hours = 2.0 GPA
GRADE FORGIVENESS POLICY
WITHDRAWAL/REPEAT OF COURSES
The last grade earned for a course will be the grade used
to calculate the students cumulative/overall GPA. All courses
attempted will appear on the transcript.
A student may repeat a course in which he or she has earned a
grade of “D”, “F”, or received no grade due to withdrawal. A student
may repeat courses where a “C” or better was earned only when
required and approved by a specic SJR State program. If a student
has not received approval and repeats a course where a “C” or
better was earned, he or she will incur additional fees. Any course
in which a student has earned a grade of “D”, “F”, or received no
grade due to withdrawal, may be repeated only twice. Upon third
attempt additional fees will be charged.
In accordance with state requirements, a student attempting
a college credit course more than twice will pay an additional full
cost of instruction fee. First attempts will be counted beginning
with the Fall 1997 semester. Students may appeal paying the full
cost of instruction fee based on extenuating circumstances. This
appeal must be made in writing to the Oce of Student Aairs.
A student may attempt to complete a college credit course
three times. If additional attempts to pass a required course to earn
a degree is required, a student must petition the Oce of Student
Aairs in writing, which should include documentation for the
reason a fourth attempt is required.
Students are cautioned that upon transfer to other public
and private institutions, the manner in which “forgiven” grades are
used in calculating a grade point average may dier. The repeated
course grade may not be accepted at all, or all course attempts may
be used in calculating the GPA. In addition, the repeat of courses
may or may not be covered by some forms of nancial aid.
HONORS LIST (FULL-TIME STUDENTS)
1. President’s List--full-time students only (minimum of
12 college credit hours in a fall or spring term - 6 college
credit hours during both Summer A and Summer B
terms) making a GPA of 3.8 to 4.0 will be placed on the
President’s List for that term.
2. Dean’s List--full-time students only (minimum of 12
college credit hours in a fall or spring term - 6 college
credit hours during both Summer A and Summer B
terms) making a GPA of 3.5 to 3.79 will be placed on the
Dean’s List for that term.
ACADEMIC PROBATION REGULATIONS
A student will be placed on academic probation under
the following circumstances:
1. The student is on academic probation or suspension at
another institution upon transfer to SJR State;
2. The student is re-admitted following a period of
academic suspension from St. Johns River State
College;
3. The student has a cumulative GPA less than 2.0 in
college credit courses once seven college credit hours
have been attempted. Upon attempting seven college
credit hours and thereafter a student must maintain a 2.0
cumulative GPA in college credit courses or the student
will be placed on probation.
After being placed on academic probation, the student must
earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in college credit courses for all hours
attempted each semester. To be removed from academic probation,
a student must achieve an overall 2.0 GPA in college credit courses.
A student on probation should not register for more than 14 credit
hours, and may not ocially represent the College.
ACADEMIC SUSPENSION/DISMISSAL
A student on academic probation who fails to earn a satisfactory
cumulative grade point average in college credit courses, as specied
above, or who fails to earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 in
college credit courses will be placed on academic suspension and
may not enroll the following semester. The student will be notied
of the suspension by letter via student email and U.S. Mail. In order
to return after the one semester suspension, the student must
complete the Return after Suspension Curriculum and must meet
with an academic advisor. Once the Curriculum is completed, the
suspension will be lifted and the student will be allowed to register.
The student will remain on academic probation until the overall
grade point average reaches 2.0 and must achieve a minimum grade
point average of 2.0 each semester.
For a third or subsequent suspension, the student will be on
academic dismissal for three semesters. The student will be notied
of the dismissal by letter via student email and U.S. Mail. In order to
return prior to the three year period, the student must participate
in the Early Return after Dismissal Curriculum. The details will
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28
be outlined in the letter. Once the Early Return Curriculum is
completed, the dismissal hold will be lifted and the student will be
allowed to register. The student will remain on academic probation
until the overall grade point average reaches 2.0 and must achieve
a minimum grade point average of 2.0 each semester.
TRANSCRIPTS OF RECORDS
St. Johns River State College has retained Parchment to
accept transcript orders over the internet. Transcripts are sent if all
obligations have been met. Unocial transcripts may be viewed on
the student webpage at SJRstate.edu and FloridaShines.org.
PRIVACY OF RECORDS
Under provision of PL 93-568, Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act, records of students may be released only to the
student, those to whom the student has authorized release, and
certain specied third parties. The student has the right to access,
explanation, challenge, and hearing. Complete details may be
obtained by contacting the Oce of Student Aairs.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with disabilities are welcome at SJR State and are
encouraged to contact the Academic Advising Oce on their
campus. The purpose of the disability coordinator within the
Academic Advising oce is to ensure access to accommodations
for those students determined eligible. Students must report
to campus disability coordinators at the beginning of each
semester. Special assistance is available with academic orientation,
registration, academic planning, special supplies, and equipment.
In addition, specialized services are available to students whose
disability prevents them from participating fully in classroom
activities. The College provides services relating to student
academic success. Transportation and personal services are the
responsibility of the student.
Relay service for the hearing and vision impaired:
(TDD) 1-800-955-8771 or (VOICE) 1-800-955-8770
DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY
In order to receive services, a student must register with
the Academic Advising Oce and meet with the disability
coordinator. The coordinator will request a reasonable level of
documentation to establish the disability, understand the impact
of the disability on the student’s ability to meet admission or
graduation requirements, develop appropriate accommodations
and forward those accommodations to appropriate faculty
members at the beginning of each semester. If a disabled student
is denied an accommodation, the student should rst meet with
the Dean of Advising. If appropriate, the Dean of Advising may
recommend a written petition be presented to the College’s
Disability Accomodations Appeals Commitee. The matter will then
be heard before the College’s Disability Accommodations Appeals
Committee.
SUBSTITUTE ADMISSION AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
In accordance with Sections 1007.264 and 1007.265, FS, if
appropriate documentation substantiates that a disability can
be reasonably expected to prevent the individual from meeting
requirements for admission to the institution, admission to a
program of study or graduation, a substitution may be granted.
Pertinent educational records may be reviewed prior to granting a
substitution. The College is not required to lower or waive essential
requirements. The Advising Oce is responsible for developing
procedures to insure dissemination of this policy and for initiating
its application.
SUBSTITUTION REQUESTS
A. An eligible student requesting approval for substitution
of one or more course requirements must petition, in writing, and
provide documentation for such substitution. The student must
meet with his or her campus disabilities coordinator, who will then
forward the substitution request to the Dean of Advising. The dean
will then review the documentation.
The substitution packet should minimally include all of the
following:
1. Identication of the specic course requirements for
which the substitution is requested;
2. Documentation of the disability that is sucient to
describe how the condition impacts the student at
the current time and in the current circumstances;
3. Documentation that failure to meet the
requirement(s) for which the substitution is
requested is related to the disability;
4. A reason for the course substitution from the
disabilities coordinator; and
5. A copy of all transcripts/compliance.
B. The completed package should be submitted to the
Dean of Advising, who will then review and approve the request
and forward the request to the appropriate vice president.
C. The appropriate vice president will review the request
and communicate his/her decision, in writing, to the student
and disability coordinator. The letter shall include the rationale
for the decision, and in cases where a substitution is approved,
specication of the substitution, to the student and appropriate
college personnel within ve (5) business days of the decision.
D. The College will accept substitutions granted by other
Florida public colleges and schools. Substitutions granted by other
postsecondary institutions will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Documentation should be requested by the transferring student
and sent from the granting institution.
BASIC SKILLS REQUIREMENT FOR CAREER CERTIFICATE
PROGRAMS
A student with a documented, qualifying disability as dened
in Florida Stature S.1004.02 (06), F.S., that substantially interferes
with the ability to pass the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE),
may request to be exempt from meeting the career basic skills exit
requirements for completion of a career certicate program, once
remediation has been completed.
DUE PROCESS
A student denied substitution of one or more course
requirements may appeal the decision within ten (10) days, in writing,
to the appropriate Vice President who will submit the appeal utilizing
the current petitions process.
STUDENTS CALLED TO ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY
Any student enrolled at St. Johns River State College who is
called to, or enlists in, active military service in service to the United
States of America shall not incur academic or nancial penalties.
Such student shall be permitted the option of either completing the
course or courses in which he or she is enrolled at a later date without
penalty or withdrawing from the course or courses with a full refund
of fees paid. If the student withdraws from the course or courses, the
student’s records shall indicate that the withdrawal is due to active
military service.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips in which students are not actively participating in a
contest or event are limited to one hundred (100) miles.
CATALOG GOVERNING DEGREE/CERTIFICATE
The student may choose to satisfy the degree/certicate
program requirements of either the catalog in eect when initial
registration occurred or the current catalog. Students who change
their program of study or who re-enter after an absence of one
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SJR STATE CATALOG/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025
29
calendar year, or three or more consecutive major terms (the two
summer terms are considered a major term) shall be required to
select the catalog in eect at the time of a program change, re-
entry, or graduation. In addition, students who have been enrolled
for ve or more years may be transferred to the catalog in eect at
the time of graduation.
Note: Since courses and programs may change, it may be
impossible to complete courses or programs that have been
deleted from the curriculum. Therefore, students who are seeking
a degree or a certicate for a catalog year other than when initial
registration occurred, or at the time of graduation, must submit
a catalog year petition change form with the advisor and be
approved by the appropriate vice president.
DEGREE/CERTIFICATE CONFERRAL
Associate Degrees/College Credit Certicates
The College awards the Associate in Arts degree that meets
the requirements of general education necessary for articulation
within the Florida State University System. In addition, the College
awards the Associate in Science degree and certicates in various
occupational elds.
1. All candidates for a degree must complete the minimum
number of hours specied for the degree with a 2.0
minimum overall GPA as of the last day of the term
applied. A minimum of 25% of all credit hours required
for graduation must be completed through St. Johns
River State College.
2. Associate in Arts degree candidates must complete all
general education requirements, choose elective hours
accepted within the Florida State University System and
successfully demonstrate college-level prociency in
communication and computation. A grade of “C” or
higher is required for those courses meeting the area
requirements in English, humanities, and mathematics.
3. All candidates must le an application for degree and
meet all degree requirements by the last date of the term
in which they plan to graduate.
Baccalaureate Degrees
The College awards the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood
Education, the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Applied
Intelligence Studies, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the
Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology and
the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management.
1. All candidates for a degree must complete the minimum
number of hours specied for the degree. Candidates
for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Applied
Intelligence Studies, the Bachelor of Applied Science in
Information Systems Technology, the Bachelor of Applied
Science in Organizational Management and the Bachelor
of Science in Nursing degree must have a 2.0 minimum
overall GPA, whereas those in the Bachelor of Science
program in Early Childhood Education must have a 2.5
minimum overall GPA. A minimum of 30 credits of upper
division (ie 3000 - 4000 level) semester credit hours must
be completed at SJR State. For the Bachelor of Applied
Science in Information Systems Technology and the
Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational
Management degree, this includes the senior year
capstone course. For the Bachelor of
Science in Early
Childhood Education degree, this includes the semester-
long senior student internship.
BSN students are allowed
transfer of up to 9 (nine) credits of upper level BSN courses
as long as a minimum requirement of completing 25% of
total program hours at SJR State can be met. Students are
required to take NUR 3169 and NUR 4949 at SJR State.
2. All degree candidates must complete all general
education requirements and successfully demonstrate
college-level prociency in communication and
computation. A grade of “C” or higher is required for
those courses meeting the area requirements in English,
humanities, and mathematics.
3. All degree candidates must have completed two years of
the same high school foreign OR two semesters of college
level foreign language OR documented prociency of a
foreign language. If you did not take two years of the
same
high school foreign language and do not have
documented prociency of a foreign language, you will
need to register for two semesters of college level foreign
language in order to graduate.
4. All candidates must le an application for degree and
meet all degree requirements by the last date of the term
in which they plan to graduate.
OUT-OF-STATE RECIPROCITY AND PROFESSIONAL
LICENSURE DISCLOSURE
Eective July 2018, St. Johns River State College has been approved
by Florida to participate in National Council for State Authorization
Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to
state oversight of postsecondary distance education. The reciprocity
agreements allow for the open delivery of academic credit-earning
activities in participating states, including academic eld experiences
such as internships or practicums.
SJR State oers a variety of programs designed to prepare
students for employment in various occupations. Programs leading
to licensure meet the educational requirements of the state of Florida.
Completion of these programs may meet licensure requirements for
same or similar occupations in states other than Florida; however,
individual state’s requirements vary. The following is a list of SJR State
programs that lead to licensure:
• Florida Corrections Ocer Academy, C.C. - Florida only
• Early Childhood Education, B.S. - Florida; all other states not
determined.
• Educator Preparation Institute, Certicate - Florida; all other
states not determined
• Emergency Medical Technician, C.C.C. - All states
• Health Information Technology, A.S. - Florida; all other states not
determined
• Florida Law Enforcement Ocer Academy, C.C. - Florida only
• Medical Assisting, C.C. - Florida; all other states not
determined
• Nursing, A.S. - All states
• Paramedic, C.C. - All states
• Practical Nursing, C.C. - Florida only
• Radiologic Technology, A.S. - All states except Maryland
• Respiratory Care, A.S. - All states
Any state not listed as accepting of a program’s licensure may
have dierent educational requirements from Florida.
If you live in any state other than Florida and are a prospective
student interested in one of these programs, please consult NC-SARA’s
Professional Licensure Directory at nc-sara.org/resources/professional-
licensure and contact the appropriate licensing agency in your
state or the state where you intend to work to get its state licensure
requirements before starting a program. SJR State makes every eort to
ensure licensure information is current and is continuing to investigate
out-of-state licensure requirements; however, professional licensure
regulations vary by state and are frequently revised. Please contact the
director of your program of interest at SJR State if you need additional
guidance on identifying licensure requirements in your state.
GRADUATION CEREMONY
The College holds a graduation ceremony at the end of each
spring and fall term. Degree/college credit certicate candidates
are encouraged to participate in the exercise. Degree/college credit
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30
certicate recipients may participate in the graduation exercises by
purchasing a cap and gown through the SJR State Bookstore by the
date specied in the academic calendar. Degree/college certicate
candidates must submit a graduation application by the date specied
in the academic calendar. Cap and gowns ordered from the SJR State
Bookstore are black and are required by all participants. Students
have the ability to also purchase additional tassels. Baccalaureate
stoles are available for purchase along with the appropriate stoles
for Early College Program graduates and dual enrollment graduates.
Students who order a cap and gown through the SJR State bookstore
will be notied in writing prior to the ceremony with instructions for
commencement day.
Graduates from Florida School of the Arts have their own
graduation ceremony, which truly reects the artistic nature of
the school. Participation in the annual June ceremony is required
of graduating students. Candidates must also satisfy all nancial
obligations to the College.
STEPS TO APPLY FOR GRADUATION/DEGREE CONFERRAL
1. Review catalog, Degree Works evaluation, or contact an
advisor to make sure you have met all requirements.
2. Complete a graduation application by the deadline in the
academic calendar.
• If you fail to apply by the deadline, you may be
required to le a petition in order to graduate.
• Applications submitted after the end of term will
be processed for the next term’s graduation.
• You will be notied in writing after the end of the
term with the conferral decision.
3. If you want to participate in either the spring or fall
graduation ceremony, you must purchase a cap and
gown at one of the SJR State bookstores by the deadline
in the College Academic Calendar.
GRADUATION HONORS
Students graduating with associate or bachelor’s degrees are
eligible for graduation honors based on scholastic achievement as
follows:
GPA HONOR
3.5-3.69 cum laude (with honor)
3.7-3.84 magna cum laude (with high honor)
3.85-4.00 summa cum laude (with highest honor)
Calculations for graduation honors will be based on cumulative
GPA.
GRIEVANCES AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
As required by FS 1001.65(22) and FS 1006.62, the Board of
Trustees vests with the College President the authority, after notice
to the student of the charges and after a hearing thereon, to expel,
suspend, or otherwise discipline any student who is found to have
violated any law, ordinance, or rule or regulation of the State Board
of Education or of the Board of Trustees.
In all student grievance and disciplinary proceedings, the
decision of the College President is nal and without recourse.
Any student who has a grievance against the College should rst
contact the Oce of Student Aairs, St. Johns River State College,
5001 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177, telephone (386) 312-4127,
for appropriate procedures. Four committees address student
grievances:
The Academic Petitions - Grade Appeals Committee, for
admission and grade appeal, acting within established rules and
College policy, makes recommendations to the President concerning
student petitions involving grades. Its membership is composed of
faculty members and administrators. The President’s decision is
nal.
The Academic Petitions - Admissions Committee meets at
the request of the chairman relative to new student admissions,
or non-degree, non-high school graduates with fteen (15) hours
attempted. The cases considered will only be the exceptions to
established polices of admissions/registration for course work and/
or college credit programs.
The Disciplinary Committee is appointed by, and meets at
the request of, the Oce of Student Aairs relative to alleged
student behavior serious enough to warrant, if veried, a penalty of
probation, suspension, dismissal, or denial of re-enrollment against
the student. The committee acts in accordance with procedures
set forth in the disciplinary provisions contained in the student
handbook. The decision of the committee is nal.
The College Grievance Committee is organized in compliance
with the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
as amended and as prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act,
Chapter 120, FS. The committee hears student, prospective student,
and prospective employee grievances alleging discrimination on the
basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion,
age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity,
genetic information, disability, or veteran status on the part of the
College or any of its components. This committee is selected as
needed.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Grievance procedures for students, prospective students, and
employment applicants for complaints relating to discrimination
on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status,
religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender
identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status are as
follows:
A. Authority
This grievance procedure is established and adopted by the
Board of Trustees of St. Johns River State College in compliance with
the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as
amended and as prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act,
Chapter 120, F.S.
B. Purpose
This grievance procedure is intended to provide for prompt
and equitable resolution of complaints by students, prospective
students, and prospective employees of St. Johns River State
College alleging actions constituting discrimination on the basis
of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age,
gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic
information, disability, or veteran status, on the part of the College or
any of its components.
C. General Provisions
The following provisions apply to the entire formal grievance
procedure:
1. Reprisals - No reprisals of any kind shall be taken against
any student, prospective student, or prospective employee for ling
a grievance.
2. Condentiality - All participants in a grievance hearing
are to protect themselves and their fellow participants by refraining
from discussion of grievances outside of the proceedings.
3. Storage of Records - All communications and records
dealing with the grievance shall be led separately from the student
and/or personnel les of the participants.
4. Withdrawal - A grievance may be withdrawn by the
grievant at any stage.
D. Filing of Grievance
1. Any student, prospective student, or prospective
employee of the College may le a grievance when he or she believes
a discriminatory action has been taken by the College. The complaint
should be led by the aggrieved person within sixty (60) working
days following the incident which causes the aggrieved to feel that a
grievance should be led.
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31
2. The administration of the College assures prompt and
impartial investigation and consideration of all complaints and/or
grievances, whether formal or informal, verbal or written, that any
student, prospective student or prospective employee may have
and that are communicated in accordance with these grievance
procedures.
3. A formal grievance must be submitted in writing to the
Equity/Title IX Coordinator. The complaint must recite in detail the
nature of and circumstances surrounding the alleged discriminatory
act, the provisions of law, College policy, or other regulation violated
by the action, the employees or components of the College allegedly
responsible for the action, and the relief sought by the complainant.
The complainant should attach to the complaint any documented
evidence, adavits, statements, records, or other pertinent materials.
The complainant must sign the complaint.
E. Investigation of Grievance
The Equity/Title IX Coordinator will, upon receipt of a properly
submitted grievance, conduct an investigation of all aspects of
the complaint. The investigation may include personal interviews,
obtaining of documentation, and examination of pertinent records
of the College. The Equity/Title IX Coordinator will, within fteen
(15) days of the receipt of the grievance, submit a written report of
investigation, including ndings of fact and recommendations, to
the College Grievance Committee.
F. Committee Hearing
1. The College Grievance Committee will, upon receipt of a
report of investigation, hold open hearings on the grievance. The
complainant will be invited to attend and may be represented by
an attorney. The formal rules of evidence will not, in general, be
applicable to the proceeding. The Committee may, in its discretion,
obtain further evidence or witnesses. The complainant may be
heard, may present additional evidence, may examine witnesses and
documentation, and may request the Committee to obtain specied
additional witnesses or evidence.
2. The College, or any individual member of the College
community against whom a grievance has been led, may also
be represented by an attorney and shall have the same rights as
the complainant with regard to the presentation of evidence and
witnesses before the College Grievance Committee.
3. The Committee, after receipt of all pertinent evidence,
will prepare written ndings and recommendations and submit
them to the Senior Vice President of the College, together with all
information and evidence received by the Committee. This should be
accomplished within fteen (15) days after the receipt of the report of
investigation.
G. Decision
The Senior Vice President of the College shall, within ve (5) days
after the receipt of the Committee ndings and recommendations,
take one of the following actions:
1. Return the case to the Committee for further ndings and
recommendations, if deemed necessary.
2. Accept or reject, either partially or in full, the ndings and
recommendations of the Committee. The decision of the Senior
Vice President will be in writing and copies of the decision will be
furnished to the Committee and the complainant.
H. Appeal
1. The complainant may, within ve (5) days after notication
of the decision of the Senior Vice President, submit a written appeal
to the President of the College. The appeal must state the reasons
why the decision of the Senior Vice President is considered in error.
The President of the College will, within ve (5) days after receipt of
the appeal, render his decision. The decision of the President is nal.
2. If the complainant does not le an appeal within the
authorized ve (5) day period, the decision of the Senior Vice
President is nal.
I. Implementation
If the nal decision includes ndings of discriminatory action,
the President of the College will direct the appropriate responsible
College ocial to take required remedial action and to report to the
President the action taken.
J. State Authorization Complaint Resolution
1. Out-of-state distance education students with a complaint
about St. Johns River State College must rst go through the College’s
procedure for resolution of student grievances.
2. If the Out-of-state distance education student is not
satised with the outcome of the complaint, the student may appeal
the decision in writing to the Department of Education, Florida
College System, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1244, Tallahassee, FL
32399-0400 or by telephone at (850) 245-9449. Specic complaint
procedures can be found on the State of Florida Department of
Education College Complaint Procedure Information website.
3. Out-of-state distance education students not satised with
the outcome of the College System procedure may appeal, within
two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the
Florida Postsecondary Reciprocal Distance Education Coordinating
Council. For additional information on the complaint process,
please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page at doe.org/sara/
complaint-process.stml.
4. Complaints about grades or student conduct violations or
other matters not governed by NC-SARA or the Florida Postsecondary
Reciprocal Distance Education Coordinating Council are governed
entirely by St. Johns River State College policies and procedures and
the laws of Florida.
TOBACCO USE POLICY
The College is a tobacco free campus. The use of all forms of
tobacco and smoking, including cigarettes, loose-leaf tobacco, snu
and electronic devices, is prohibited. The tobacco-free policy will
apply to all campus properties, walkways, sidewalks and parking lots,
as well as personal vehicles in these areas and includes the removal
of designated smoking areas.
SJR STATE ALCOHOL AND DRUG NOTIFICATION
SJR State is committed to providing an environment that
enhances and supports student success. The academic community,
including faculty, administrators, sta and students, has the collective
responsibility to ensure that this environment is conducive to the
student’s development. The illegal use of harmful and addictive
chemical substances poses a threat to the educational environment.
Thus, in accordance with the Drug Free Schools and
Communication Act Amendments of 1989, it is necessary to inform
the College community of the harmful and addictive potential
associated with the use of drugs, the incompatibility of illegal drugs
with the educational mission of St. Johns River State College, and the
consequences of the use, possession, manufacture or sale of such
drugs.
St. Johns River State College District Board of Trustees rules
outline the accepted code of conduct for students and employees.
The code, as documented in the College Catalog/Student Handbook,
includes the following:
• Any act or behavior on the part of the student or employee
that tends to interfere with, or otherwise disturb, the orderly conduct,
processes, functions and/or interests of the College is prohibited.
• Possession of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is
prohibited on College property, with the exception of alcohol served
at ocially sponsored College events.
• Any student, or employee, found to have used, possessed,
or distributed a narcotic or other controlled substances, except as
permitted by law, or used, possessed, or distributed any alcoholic
beverage except as expressly permitted by law and college
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32
regulation, or public intoxication, shall be subject to disciplinary
sanctions including, but not limited to, suspension, probation,
expulsion or termination. The College may also make a referral to
legal authorities for appropriate actions. For more information on
penalties and dangers of drug use, go online at: dea.gov. As a public
institution whose mission is to foster human potential, St. Johns
River State College believes it is important to understand the health
risks and other detrimental consequences associated with drug and
alcohol abuse.
SJR State has a licensed mental health counselor on sta, who is
available to assist with issues related to substance abuse. The SJR State
CARE counselor can be contacted at (386) 312-4305.
LOCALLY AVAILABLE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SUBSTANCE
ABUSE COUNSELING, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION
PROGRAMS
The following is provided to students and employees of St.
Johns River State College to communicate some of the substance
abuse services in the tri-county area. This is a partial list and inclusion
of an organization does not imply endorsement nor does omission
imply disapproval:
• Alcoholics Anonymous (904) 399-8535
•
SJR State CARES
(386) 312-4305
• Clay County Behavioral Health Center (904) 291-5561
• First-Coast Narcotics Anonymous (904) 723-5683
• AL-ANON Putnam and St. Johns (904) 315-0233
• AL-ANON Clay (904) 350-0600
• Stewart Marchman Behavioral Health Care (800) 539-4228
• Riverpoint Behavioral Health (904) 724-9202
• St. Johns County Department of Health and Human Service
(904) 209-6000
GUIDELINES FOR MINORS ON CAMPUS
St. Johns River State College, as part of its educational mission,
hosts a variety of events and facilities that attract minors, whether
sponsored by the College, student groups, or by third parties.
Minors require special consideration due to their vulnerability, and
the safety of minors on campus is a high priority for SJR State. This
policy provides guidelines for those in the College community who
work with, or interact with minors. This policy is designed to help
safeguard and protect minors when they are on campus.
“Minor” for the purposes of this guideline means any person
under the age of 18 who is not a registered SJR State student.
Procedures:
1. Use of College Facilities by Minors
a. All supervised minors participating in a College program
or a program taking place on College property
are generally permitted use of identied facilities
(athletic elds, public spaces, academic buildings, food
service areas, etc.), but the College reserves the right to
restrict anyone, including minors, from certain areas or
facilities or from utilizing specied equipment.
b. Minors are permitted at events and venues open
to the public. However, the College reserves the right
to determine, in its sole discretion, whether selected
events or venues are appropriate for unescorted or
unsupervised minors.
c. Minors are prohibited from entering laboratories and
other areas where signicant potential safety hazards
and liabilities may exist and where strict safety
precautions are required except while participating in
properly supervised College-sponsored events or
programs taking place on College property.
2. Employee Guidelines
a. Employees must always obtain supervisor approval to
bring minors into the workplace. If approved by the
supervisor, the following apply:
i. Minors are not to be brought to campus on a regular
basis in lieu of childcare.
ii. Minors may be brought to campus, on rare occasions
for short periods of time.
iii. Supervision by the parent or guardian is required at
all times.
iv. Minors may not be left unattended or with other
employees.
v. Minors may not interfere with workplace activities.
b. Departments may, due to the nature of their operations,
prohibit employees from bringing minors to the
workplace.
3. Student Guidelines
The following guidelines apply to students bringing minors
on campus:
a. Minors are not to be brought to campus on a regular
basis in lieu of childcare.
b. Minors may be brought to campus, on rare occasions
when necessary, for short periods of time.
c. A minor should not be left unattended while the parent
or guardian is attending class or conducting any other
business or social function on campus.
d. Supervision by the parent or guardian is required at all
times.
e. Minors are not allowed in the high-risk areas dened
below.
f. Minors are not allowed in classrooms while classes are in
session.
g. Should a minor become disruptive, College personnel
may ask the student and minor to leave.
4. Visitor and Third Party (Invitee) Guidelines
The College hosts many events that are appropriate for
minors to attend; at these events, the following apply:
a. Supervision by the parent or guardian is required at all
times.
b. Parent or guardian must assure that minors are not
disruptive.
c. Parent or guardian must not leave minors unattended.
d. Minors are not allowed in the high-risk areas dened
below.
5. High-Risk Areas
Unless authorized by an appropriate College employee and
appropriately supervised, minors are not allowed in high-risk
areas, including but not limited to:
a. Laboratories, shops, studios, mechanical rooms, power
plants, garages, and food preparation areas;
b. Any areas, indoors or out, containing power tools or
machinery with exposed moving parts;
c. SJR State vehicles, boats, or motorized equipment;
d. College Security oces or vehicles;
e. Any other high-risk areas (such as stairwells, elevators or
doorways, rooftops, construction zones).
6. Behavioral guidelines for College faculty, sta, students and
volunteers in College-sponsored or College-aliated
programs which involve minors:
a. While it may be impossible to avoid all
circumstances where an adult has direct communication
or instruction with a minor in the absence of other adult
faculty, sta, students and volunteers, all programs and
activities should strive to avoid situations and
circumstances where an adult has direct contact
with a minor in the absence of other adult faculty, sta,
students and volunteers, especially where that access
also presents opportunities for secrecy or privacy.
b. College faculty, sta, students and volunteers may not
hit, administer corporal punishment to, or touch in an
inappropriate or illegal manner, any minor.
c. College faculty, sta, students and volunteers shall not
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33
transport minors to or from the homes of the minors
except when the individual is the parent or
guardian of the minor(s); this is not related to College-
provided transportation.
d. College faculty, sta, students and volunteers shall
not engage in the use of alcohol or illegal drugs or be
under the inuence of alcohol or illegal drugs while
supervising minors at College sponsored or aliated
activities.
e. College faculty, sta, students and volunteers shall not
engage in communications with minor participants
outside of communications related to the promotion
and/or operation of the College sponsored or aliated
program and/or activity. This includes social media,
telephone and personal meetings outside of ocial
scheduled meeting times for said program and/or
activity.
7. Level 2 Background Screening
a. Employees
i. All College employees, including part-time employees,
who will or are working in College programs or
College sponsored or aliated programs with minors
are required to undergo Level 2 background
screening as dened in Chapter 435, F.S., before
being hired or as a condition of continued
employment.
ii. The College will not hire, select, or otherwise allow an
employee to have contact with a minor, or place the
employee in a role that requires background
screening, unless the screening process demonstrates
the absence of any grounds for the denial or
termination of employment, that requires working
with minors, unless the employee has been granted
an exemption from disqualication by the Florida
Department of Families and Children.
b. Volunteers
i. All volunteers, who will be or are working in College
programs or College sponsored or aliated
programs with minors are required to undergo a
Level 2 background screening, as dened in Chapter
435, F. S. before being permitted to volunteer or being
permitted to continue to volunteer in those programs.
ii. The College will not select a volunteer, or otherwise
allow a volunteer to have contact with a minor,
or place a volunteer in a role that requires
background screening, unless the screening process
demonstrates the absence of any grounds for the
denial or termination of permission to volunteer to
work with minors, unless the volunteer has been
granted an exemption from disqualication by the
Florida Department of Families and Children.
c. Level 2 criminal background checks of College faculty,
sta, students and volunteers that are conducted
pursuant to this policy will be used only for purposes
consistent with this policy and will otherwise be kept
condential except as provided by law.
d. Non-College Entities
i. Non-College organizations and entities that operate
programs or activities on campus involving
minors must comply with Chapter 435 and Section
409.175, Florida Statutes.
ii. Any contracts entered into between the College
and a non-College entity for the operation of a
program or activity which will involve minors must
require the non-College entity to comply with section
409.175 F.S. and Chapter 435, F.S.
Authority and Related Documents:
Sections 39.201, 39.203, 39.205, 110.1127, 409.175, 827.03, and
Chapter 435, Florida Statutes
ANIMALS ON CAMPUS
SJR State is committed to providing equal opportunity access to
its programs, services and activities. SJR State is equally committed
to protecting the health and safety of students, employees, and
visitors by prohibiting animals on campus. There are exceptions to
this prohibition under limited circumstances
SJR State shall make reasonable modications to its policies
and procedures as required by law (and including with Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act and Florida Statute
413.08) to accommodate the use of a service animal by an individual
with a disability. The College may also permit the presence of animals
for educational purposes, compliance with statutory requirements,
and other activities approved by the College. The purpose of this
procedure is to dene guidelines for the limited presence of animals
on campus.
General Counsel/Legal Aairs shall serve as the Coordinating
Oce and shall make determinations for animal presence on campus
as dened in this procedure; and, shall coordinate matters relating
to the presence of service animals on campus by visitors. Disability
Support Services for Students in Academic Advising shall coordinate
matters relating to the regular presence of service animals handled
by students. The Oce of Human Resources coordinates matters
relating to the regular presence of service animals handled by
employees.
Procedure:
1. General
a. The College reserves the right to establish conditions for
the presence of animals on campus through application of
policy, procedure, student code of conduct and applicable
law.
b. The handler of the animal always has full responsibility
and liability for the behavior of the animal. The handler is
responsible for any damage that the animal may cause.
c. The handler of the animal has full responsibility and
liability for the care and supervision of the animal. The
animal must be under the control of the handler at all
times, such as in a harness or on a leash. When physical
control is not possible, such as when a handler’s disability
interferes with control, voice control or signaling is
acceptable. In addition, the handler is responsible for the
cleanup of all animal waste.
d. The handler has full responsibility to ensure that the
animal is not disruptive to any program, service, learning
environment, or College activity. The College may require
removal of the animal if it compromises health, safety or a
positive educational or work environment.
e. The College may require the handler to remove an
animal from the campus or events if it poses a threat or is
disruptive, aggressive, or unhygienic.
2. Use of Animals in the Curriculum
a. Curriculum approved by the VP for Academic and
Student Aairs or designee may include the use of
animals. General Counsel shall serve as second and nal
approval.
b. Such animals must not infringe on the health and safety
of the campus community.
3. Service Animals:
a. Individuals with disabilities may be accompanied by a
service animal at the College.
b. There may be rare occasions where an animal, including
a service animal, may be restricted from College facilities
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SJR STATE CATALOG/STUDENT HANDBOOK 2024 - 2025
34
or activities due to health and safety concerns.
c. The handler will discuss with the approving party any
restricted areas when the College has notice of a service
animal accompanying a handler to such setting. When
the College implements a restriction, the approving
party will discuss it with the handler to determine other
reasonable accommodations. That might include another
method of service delivery or attendance without the
animal.
d. The handler is responsible for compliance with any laws
pertaining to animal licensing, vaccination and owner
identication.
4. Faculty and Sta Responsibility:
a. To ensure equal access and nondiscrimination of
individuals with disabilities, members of the College
community should follow these guidelines:
i. Allow service animals to accompany individuals with
disabilities on campus;
ii. Do not ask for details about a person’s disabilities;
iii. Do not pet a service animal, as it distracts the animal
from its work;
iv. Do not feed a service animal;
v. Do not intentionally startle, tease or taunt a service
animal;
vi. Do not ask about the nature or extent of a person’s
disability to determine whether a person’s animal
qualies as a service animal. However, when it is not
readily apparent that it is a service animal, College
personnel may ask two questions to determine
whether the animal qualies as a service animal:
1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the animal been trained
to perform?
If the College employee is still unsure of whether or not the
animal qualies as a service animal, the employee should contact
Human Resources at 4070; or the oce of the Executive Director on
the appropriate campus.
5. Other Provisions and Concerns:
a. The College does not require documentation, such
as proof that the animal has been certied, trained or
licensed as a service animal.
b. Individuals who have concerns about the presence,
behavior, health or handling of an animal should address
them with the appropriate coordinating oce (Executive
Directors, Human Resources, Student Services).
c. A service animal is an accommodation similar to a
note taker or an interpreter. The College maintains
condentiality regarding approved accommodations, but
may discuss the theory of accommodation with observers
who have a concern.
d. The College may take action if the Coordinating Oce
forms a reasonable belief that an individual has engaged
in either of the following behaviors:
i. Misrepresentation that he or she is qualied to use a
service animal,
ii. Interference with the use of a service animal.
e. Training of Service Animals: Florida law allows animals on
campus that are being trained to be service animals.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
A. General
The SJR State parking and trac regulations, supplemented by
the trac laws of the State of Florida, will be enforced on the College
campus, parking lots and adjacent roadways and apply to all faculty,
sta, visitors, and students of the College. Numbered decals will be
issued for identication and regulatory purposes. These rules and
regulations have been established for the benet and safety of each
student and employee. It is the responsibility of the operator to see
that the vehicle he or she is operating is not in violation of any of the
regulations. Any vehicle operated or parked on the campus is at the
owner’s risk. The following general rules will apply:
1. All motorized vehicles belonging to SJR State students,
faculty and sta that park on any SJR State campus must bear a
College parking decal. Parking decal requests are now processed
electronically by logging into MySJRstate. The request parking decal
tab is located on the main page. Fill out the request completely
and print the form. That printed form should be taken to either the
Administrative Oce or the Security Oce at any campus and the
decal will be issued. There is no charge for student parking decals.
Free temporary parking decals are also available at the Security
Oce at any campus.
2. A person with a physical disability must, by state law,
display the disabled parking permit issued by the county tag oce.
The permit must be hung from the windshield center mirror or
properly displayed. Vehicles may be towed o campus if parked in a
restricted parking space.
3. Overnight parking is not allowed on any SJR State
campus unless authorized by the security ocer on duty. The
College assumes no responsibility for injury to persons or damages
to a vehicle or its contents at any time it is operated or parked on an
SJR State campus.
4. Students, faculty and sta who have decals, but
temporarily drive a vehicle without a decal, must still park in
designated areas and place a temporary parking permit on the
front dash of his/her vehicle. Free temporary parking permits are
available at the Security oce on all campuses. Student, faculty and
sta vehicles parked on campus must display a College decal or a
temporary parking permit.
5. All trac crashes on or adjacent to the campus are to be
reported to the on-duty security ocer and law enforcement. A copy
of all trac crash reports will be forwarded to the Director of Campus
Safety and Security for review.
6. The Director of Campus Safety and Security is
designated to coordinate matters of trac and parking. Questions
of interpretation or enforcement of these rules and regulations, or
any concerns related to trac and parking should be referred to the
Director of Campus Safety and Security.
7. Generally, a written warning will be issued for parking or
trac infractions; however, if the operator has illegally parked in a
handicapped space or endangered the safety of others, much more
serious action will be taken.
B. Parking Regulations
1. The Palatka and Orange Park campus parking lots have
designated and restricted parking. Students will park only in parking
places designated by white parking stall lines and/or bumpers unless
marked “Visitors.” Parking for people with disabilities is available on
all three campuses. Faculty and sta on Palatka and Orange Park
campuses shall park only in parking spaces designated by blue
parking bumpers.
2. No parking will be allowed in, or adjacent to, areas
bordered by yellow stall lines, bumpers, or curbs.
3. Parking of vehicles with College decals is prohibited in
areas marked “Visitors” or in areas of the campus other than parking
lots. There will denitely be no parking permitted in the grassy areas
of the campus. Parking on the roadside is prohibited.
4. Two-wheeled vehicles must park in the areas designated
for them unless otherwise authorized. The unauthorized riding or
operating of scooters, bicycles, and other two, three, or four-wheeled
vehicles on sidewalks or walkways is prohibited. Roller skating/
blading or skate boarding is not permitted in parking lots or on
sidewalks.
C. Moving Trac Regulations
1. Operators must drive a vehicle at a speed that is
reasonable and prudent under the conditions, not exceeding posted
speed limits, and must comply with all other trac control devices.
2. Vehicles are to be kept under complete control and
driven safely at all times.
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
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35
PROHIBITION OF FIREARMS AND WEAPONS ON COLLEGE
PROPERTY OR AT COLLEGE EVENTS
Policy/Purpose: St. Johns River State College desires to
maintain a safe environment for all of its students, faculty members,
sta members, contractors, and visitors. This policy seeks to reduce
the risk of injury or death associated with the intentional or
accidental use of weapons.
Applicability/Accountability: This policy applies to all
individuals who come onto property owned or controlled by
St. Johns River State College or who attend events sponsored or
hosted by the College, with exceptions as noted below.
Policy Statement: St. Johns River State College prohibits
the possession, use, or storage of weapons on property owned
or controlled by the College, including in a College vehicle, on
one’s person or in one’s oce. Additionally, SJR State prohibits
the possession, use, or storage of weapons at events sponsored or
hosted by SJR State, except as outlined in this policy.
Denitions: Weapon – Something designed, intended or
which may reasonably be used for inicting bodily harm. The term
“weapon” includes rearms, swords, knives, incendiary devices,
chemical devices, or missiles. The term “weapon” includes any
object legally controlled as a weapon or treated as a weapon
under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the College owned or
controlled property is located. Firearm – any weapon (including a
starter gun) which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted
to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or
receiver of any such weapon; any rearm muer or silencer; any
destructive device; or any machine gun.
Exceptions: Notwithstanding the foregoing, SJR State permits
the following:
1. Approved College and contracted security sta may
possess weapons on College property.
2. A law enforcement ocer may carry onto College
property or into College events those weapons that
his or her law enforcement agency requires to be
carried.
3. Not prohibited under this policy are legitimate tools
appropriately used in authorized work on campus.
4. Faculty for and students enrolled in Criminal Justice
programs may possess weapons while participating
in College approved training exercises.
5. Non-functioning antique or simulated weapons
may be used for classroom or other academic
purposes with prior notice to and approval of the
Academic or Workforce Vice President and with
notice to SJR State Campus Department of Safety
and Security.
6. Individuals who carry a self-defense chemical spray,
which is a device carried solely for the purposes of
lawful self-defense that is compact in size, designed
to be carried on or about the person, and contains
not more than two ounces of chemical.
7. Simulated weapons that are clearly identiable
(whether through design or decoration) to the
casual observer as simulated are permitted for
instructional or academic purposes.
8. Possession of rearms on College property as
permitted by Florida Statutes. See Florida Statutes,
1001.64, Chapter 790.
Violation And Discipline: Any person who violates this rule
may be immediately removed from College premises, prohibited
from returning, and/or referred for prosecution by authorities for
any crime under local, state, or federal law. Violation of this rule by
a student is a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Employees
who violate this rule are subject to appropriate discipline, which
may include suspension and/or termination.
MONITORING AND RECORDING OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
(OFF-CAMPUS)
SJR State Campus Safety and Security ocers do not provide
security services to o-campus locations. Criminal activity is
monitored and recorded by the appropriate law enforcement
jurisdiction of occurrence.
AUTHORITY OF CAMPUS SECURITY
St. Johns River State College security ocers are armed
ocers. They have the right to ask persons for identication and
to determine whether, or not, individuals have the right to be on
campus. Although Campus Safety and Security ocers do not have
arrest powers, they work closely with appropriate jurisdiction law
enforcement personnel concerning criminal incidents. There is no
written memorandum of understanding between the College and
the law enforcement agencies.
All crime victims and witnesses are strongly encouraged to
immediately report crimes to the Campus Safety and Security and
the appropriate law enforcement agency. Prompt reporting of
crimes will assure timely warning notices and timely disclosure of
crime statistics. Criminal incidents that occur in close proximity to
our campuses are communicated regularly to Campus Safety and
Security personnel.
SECURITY AWARENESS
The Campus Safety and Security oce provides security
procedures and information during new student orientation at all
three campuses. Security procedures and security information are
also provided during SJR State’s yearly faculty and sta orientation.
Primary crime prevention and awareness programs, which promote
awareness of rape (sexual battery), acquaintance rape, domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, are oered to
new students and new employees. The Campus Safety and Security
Oce, in conjunction with local law enforcement personnel, also
oers crime prevention and safety/security awareness procedures
programs, upon request, to students and employees. These
programs are geared toward personal safety, theft prevention,
CPR and automatic external debrillator (AED) training. We also
encourage both students and employees to be aware of their
responsibility for their own security and the security of others.
When time is of the essence, concerning an immediate threat,
information is released to the College community through the
various SJR State Emergency Notication Systems.
POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
