This Student Handbook is your guide to understanding GCC’s community, values and resources. Below, you’ll find important information about academic policies, student rights and responsibilities, campus life and the many supports available to help you succeed. Whether you’re here for a single semester or completing your degree, we want you to feel informed, connected and empowered. At GCC every student matters—and together we create an inclusive, respectful and thriving learning environment.
Activities Transportation Policy
The College is not in an “in loco parentis” relationship with its students and assumes each student is a responsible adult in his or her own right. Because the College/student relationship is non-custodial in nature, the College does not guarantee students’ safety in situations requiring transportation, or in any situation that may involve physical risk. When traveling to campus events, student drivers are expected to carry appropriate insurance on their vehicles to guard against such risks. When traveling for classes and College-sanctioned activities students will be required to complete travel approval forms and will be asked to sign waivers of liability before participating in activities involving unusual risk.
Please visit this website to access required forms and additional information related to student travel at GCC.
Children on Campus Policy
Responsibility for the supervision and safety of guests on campus who are minors shall rest with the person who brings that minor on campus. This responsibility is applicable at all times both inside and outside College facilities. Greenfield Community College cannot accept responsibility for the safety or conduct of minors who may visit the College with college employees, students or guests. College public safety personnel will be notified in those cases where conduct is disruptive and/or safety is in jeopardy. The parents, guardians or caretaker of the minor will be located and brought to the situation to secure the child and remedy the problem.
Copyright and Intellectual Property
It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff, students and anyone using the facilities or resources of Greenfield Community College to read, understand and follow the Greenfield Community College Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy. The policy and related information is available on the GCC Library web page at gcc.mass.edu/library/. If you have questions regarding the policy please contact the Library Director at (413) 775-1832.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
The College at all times prohibits the use, possession or sale of illegal substances by any student and the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages on College property or at College-sponsored activities is prohibited except at such times and places as the College may expressly permit. On such occasions, everyone is expected to refrain from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. The failure of any student to abide by this policy shall be grounds for disciplinary action. Under no circumstances are individuals under 21 permitted to consume alcohol.
GCC’s official Drug-Free Workplace Policy is available from Human Resources.
Greenfield Community College is committed to working toward a smoke-free environment. Please note that smoking is permitted only in designated areas.
Parking lots A through F
Gazebos – adjacent to parking lots A and F
Marked “Smoking Area” outside fourth floor North
Smoking is allowed only in designated locations and is not allowed in buildings or in front of doorways or outdoor seating areas or benches.
In November 2012, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question which allows qualifying patients with certain medical conditions to obtain and use medical marijuana. The law went into effect January 1, 2013. Although Massachusetts law permits the use of medical marijuana, federal laws, including the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, prohibit the use, possession, and/or cultivation of marijuana at educational institutions. Federal laws also require any institution of higher education which receives federal funding to have policies prohibiting the possession and use of marijuana on campus. Accordingly, unless the federal law is modified or repealed, the use, possession, or cultivation of marijuana, even for medical purposes, is prohibited on GCC property.
Specific to students, the following is prohibited under the Massachusetts Community College Student Code of Conduct:
Alcohol. Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages, on campus or as part of any college-sponsored program, including public intoxication or the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, in violation of the College’s Alcohol Policy and/or state or federal law.
Cannabis. Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of THC-containing cannabis and THC-containing cannabis products or accessories on campus or as part of any college-sponsored program, including the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis. This Code of Conduct violation also includes the use, possession, manufacture and distribution of marijuana products or accessories, in violation of the College’s Cannabis Policy, Marijuana Policy, and/or Alcohol & Drug Policy.
Controlled Substances. Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances as defined by state and/or federal law.
Facilities Polices
Game playing is not permitted on College computers unless it is an assigned part of an academic course.
Eating or drinking is not permitted in any classrooms, laboratories, the library, lecture halls or music rooms.
For reasons of safety, bare feet will not be permitted within College buildings.
Animals will not be permitted within College buildings (registered service animals excluded). All students and personnel are also reminded that Greenfield has a leash law that applies on College property.
Bicycles should be parked and fastened to the bike rack. In the event of overcrowding, bikes may be fastened to light poles, but in no event may poles near main stairs and main entrances to the College be used.
Bicycles may not be brought into college buildings or fastened to stairway railings or parked near or against College buildings. The walk/bike path is to be used to enter and exit the campus. Please use it for your safety.
In the event that you see something broken or something that appears hazardous, please notify the College’s Facilities Management Department. If unable to reach them, please contact Public Safety and ask that they relay your message to Facilities Management.
Matters involving real or potential criminal culpability must be reported to the Director of Public Safety.
Use of roller skates, skateboards, balls or other athletic or recreational equipment, in or adjacent to the buildings, or use of the premises in any manner so as to interfere with their use by others, or use in such a way as to possibly cause damage to the premises or injury to the user, is prohibited.
Firearms, including their possession and/or display in vehicles, are prohibited from the campus, except by duly authorized police officers in the pursuance of their duties.
Individuals who choose to act in any manner contrary to the above policy may be subject to the disciplinary measures of Greenfield Community College and/or the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
You have certain rights to privacy about the information that we maintain about you. For more information, including a full text of the regulations regarding your records and your right to privacy, please visit the Registrar’s Office. GCC’s directory information consists of the following:
Student’s Name
Student’s Major
Dates of Attendance
Graduation Date(s)
Honors Conferred
State/Town
Under FERPA law, GCC students have the right to be notified annually by the College of what the College designates as “directory information” and the right to request that their information not be designated as directory information. The Solomon Amendment is a federal law that provides an exception to FERPA. Information can be found at gcc.mass.edu/registrar.
A student must notify the Registrar’s Office, in writing, if they do not wish to have their student information designated as directory information by completing the appropriate Non-Disclosure form with the Registrar’s Office.
Note that the FERPA waiver available through Student Financial Services does not provide access to a student’s academic information. A separate release form, Student Academic Information Release Authorization, is available through the Office of the Registrar. With this form a student may grant access to academic records to specified individuals.
Grievance Procedure
GCC adheres to the system-wide Massachusetts Community Colleges Student Grievance Procedure for dispute resolution. Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to this policy.
ID Cards
GCC student ID cards are issued by the library (third floor, core) during regular service hours; no appointment necessary. Registered GCC students may request an ID card in-person at the library, or online through MyGCC. You must be registered for a class in order to receive a GCC photo student ID card. Application and acceptance to the College alone is not enough to issue an ID card. We do not make ID cards for alumni. Your legal first name will appear on the ID card, unless you have entered a chosen first name in MyGCC. Visit gcc.mass.edu/library for more information about obtaining your student ID.
Inclement Weather
The decision to cancel classes because of adverse weather conditions rests solely with the college president. Every effort will be made to announce a cancellation for day classes by 6 am and for evening classes by 4pm. It is recognized, however, that in some circumstances it will be impossible to follow these timelines. Please call the GCC Weather Hotline at (413) 775-1010 after 6am for day class information and after 4pm for evening class information. Please DO NOT call Public Safety for questions on school closures or delays so that the phone lines can be kept open for emergency calls. Information on delayed openings, or cancellations, is available on local television and radio stations. Conditions may vary greatly within the College’s service area and, therefore, when classes are being held, students must ultimately determine if they are able to attend classes. When a class is missed, students are responsible for contacting their instructors to request an opportunity to make up missed work. Each instructor is the judge of the validity of the student’s reason for not attending and will permit make-ups according to their individual policies. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the policies of their instructors.
Institutional Disclosures
Clery Act
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (more commonly known as the Clery Act), Greenfield Community College publishes an annual report that includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security and safety matters. The report is available at the Public Safety Department’s website. A printed copy of the report is available at the office of Public Safety. Students may have a copy of the report mailed to them by contacting Public Safety at (413) 775-1212.
Student Right-to-Know Act
GCC is required to report graduation rate data to the U.S. Department of Education annually. Amongst first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students who enrolled at GCC in fall 2022, 44% graduated and an additional 18% transferred to another institution within three years.
Lockers
Lockers in Main and East Buildings are available for student use. Students can purchase their own lock and are responsible for their own belongings. Lockers need to be cleaned out at the end of the semester.
Parking
All student parking will be confined to parking lots A through E. All parking will be with all wheels wholly within a painted parking space. There will be NO parking within the painted safety zones located at the ends of rows of parking spaces. Students MAY NOT park in Lot F, in Visitor Parking spaces or other restricted parking space, and on any roadway, grassy area, etc. Special Medical Parking Permits spaces require a special permit from Public Safety. See gcc.mass.edu/safety for more info. Parking in Handicapped/Disable Parking spaces requires a valid, state-issued disabled parking plate/placard. Unauthorized parking in such spaces is an automatic $100 parking citation and the vehicle may also be towed from campus.
Vehicles will not be parked overnight (after 11 p.m.) on College property with permission from Public Safety. Vehicles found in violation may be towed away at the owner's expense.
Non-resident students operating a motor vehicle on campus that is registered in another state or country are required to complete a special Non-Resident Driver Statement available at Public Safety. Parking tickets are issued under authority of the General Laws of the Commonwealth. Fines are payable in the College Business Office. Failure to respond as directed will result in the following:
Withholding of grades, transcripts, financial aid transcripts, diploma or certificate, and any other information relating to the individual’s enrollment at the College
Ineligibility for any form of financial assistance
Disqualification from subsequent registration
May also result in revocation of the privilege of operating a motor vehicle on campus
If you lock your keys in your vehicle Public Safety may be able to assist you with getting into your car. Battery booster packs are also available for dead batteries.
Service Animals
Greenfield Community College generally permits service animals assisting individuals with disabilities in all facilities maintained by the College. Therefore, an individual with a disability shall be permitted to be accompanied by his/her service animal in all areas of the College’s facilities where members of the public are permitted. The College reserves the right to impose restrictions on the use of service animals on its property in order to maintain safety or to avoid disruption of College operations. View/download our Service Animal Policy.
Sex Offender Information
In accordance with federal law, the College is required to advise the campus community where information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. Please visit the Public Safety website for more detailed information.
Sexual Assault Policy
Sexual assault, as defined in the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting System, includes forcible and non-forcible offenses for which an individual may be prosecuted under the law and/or disciplined in accordance with campus disciplinary procedures.
When an allegation of sexual assault is made, the College will advise the alleged victim of their option to pursue criminal prosecution under the Massachusetts criminal statutes. In addition, appropriate campus disciplinary action may be pursued. Sanctions for sexual assault violations may include, in addition to criminal charges, suspension, dismissal, or expulsion from the College.
If a person receives a report of or discovers a possible sexual assault on campus he/she should notify the Director of Public Safety immediately; or, if in the evening, the Campus Police Officer on duty or security personnel at the Public Safety Office, or a faculty or staff member. It is extremely important that these procedures be followed to ensure that appropriate and administrative services be provided. Once an assault is reported, the person to whom the report is made becomes responsible for implementing established procedure.
Smoking Policy
Greenfield Community College is committed to working toward a smoke-free environment. Please note that smoking is permitted only in designated areas.
Parking lots A through F
Gazebos – adjacent to parking lots A and F
Marked “Smoking Area” outside fourth floor North
Standards of Behavior/Student Code of Conduct
GCC adheres to the system-wide Massachusetts Community Colleges Student Code of Conduct. Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to this policy.
As an institution of higher learning, Greenfield Community College actively encourages the free and open exchange of ideas and opinions. The college encourages diversity in the belief that, in doing so, it promotes growth and positive change in individuals. The college recognizes, however, that maintaining an atmosphere where such discourse can flourish requires that faculty, staff and students acknowledge and remain sensitive to the needs, beliefs and feelings of others. It therefore expects all individuals to maintain certain standards of behavior as members of its community.
These expectations include the exercise of discretion in the use of language, both in the choice of terms used and in the tone in which discourse is delivered and individuals are addressed. Insulting or demeaning language or gestures, perhaps generally accepted or even common in other social settings, are not suitable in an academic environment. A courteous regard for the differing backgrounds and perspectives held by others is encouraged.
The above expectations hold for behavior throughout the institution and for all of its members. With regard to behavior in the classroom, yet another set of expectations exists. Classrooms are unique environments, places expressly reserved for the exchange of information and ideas. They constitute sanctuaries of learning, gatherings in which students and an instructor or instructors come together for a particular purpose: to grow and develop through personal interaction and directed activity. Because classrooms are unique in this way, they hold particular expectations of their members. Generally speaking, these are extensions of the rules of civility and courtesy that prevail in the institution at large, though the classroom instructor might add to or modify these rules to promote particular goals. Deviation from the expectations or rules set forth in a classroom is not acceptable.
It should be noted that behavior influenced by an individual’s mental state (irrespective of the ultimate evaluation), or use of drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not limit the responsibility of the individual for the consequences of his or her actions.
Finally, Greenfield Community College, while intent on maintaining an environment that promotes learning within a secure and collegial atmosphere, is resolutely committed to defending every individual’s right to personal expression.
Harassment
GCC considers harassment of a student, an employee, or any other person in the College community to be intolerable and prohibited. Those who believe they have been harassed should consult with the Director of Human Resources at (413) 775-1312 to obtain information concerning their rights and the process for filing a complaint and/or pursuing informal means of resolving grievances.
Hazing Act of 1985
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 269, Section 19, requires the College to inform its students annually of the provisions of this Act. Copies of the act are available on the Academic Affairs website.