Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Copyright Infringement Policy

Computers located in the student study areas, media areas and other locations throughout the campus that are designated for student use may ONLY be used for academic pursuits assigned by an instructor. It is against school policy for students to copy or share any copyrighted material. This includes unauthorized peer to peer file sharing. It is prohibited for students to use the school’s information technology systems for these activities.

Copyright infringement is prohibited by the Institute which follows the federal regulation on this issue (excerpt below):

Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code).

These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work.

In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.

For more information, please see the Web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQ’s at www.copyright.gov/help/faq

In addition to the Civil and criminal penalties above the Institute can take disciplinary actions against students who use the school’s technology systems for unauthorized peer to peer file sharing, illegal downloading or distribution of copyrighted material. These disciplinary actions can take the form of a written warning permanently placed in a students’ file, up to six months’ suspension and/or permanent dismissal.

Emergency Response/Evacuation Procedures

The purpose of this plan is to establish a procedure to assure that competent medical care is provided to students and staff in the event of a medical emergency. It is also a goal of the plan to minimize the likelihood of treatment action being taken which harms rather than helps the victim.

The following rules shall govern the response of staff members to a medical emergency arising on school grounds.

A. When the nature of the emergency is such that professional care is indicated, obtaining treatment from qualified EMT or hospital personnel shall be the first priority. An ambulance shall be summoned unless there is no doubt that the person can be safely transported to an emergency treatment facility by automobile. In either case, the goal is to get the person to the emergency treatment facility as safely and as quickly as possible.

B. First aid efforts administered by school personnel should encompass the least amount of treatment necessary in the circumstances. It is the school’s policy that all medical treatment should be accomplished by trained medical personnel unless emergency situations arise which dictate otherwise.

1. School personnel should never dispense any medications to any student at any time.
2. CPR, Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation, etc., should only be attempted by those person who have had training in the techniques.
3. The school shall attempt to notify the person designated by the student whenever an accident or emergency occurs and the student is unable to make the notification.
4. Students shall be responsible for the costs of any medical care, ambulance, fees, or other charges arising as a result of a medical emergency involving the student.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION

FIRE:

In case of fire, persons occupying the facilities will be instructed to proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly manner. A member of the staff or faculty will either call or instruct someone to call 911 emergency.

BOMB THREAT:

In the case of a bomb threat, all will be notified to proceed to exit the building in an orderly manner, getting to a safe distance away from the building. A member of the staff or faculty will proceed to notify the local authorities by dialing 911 emergency.

TORNADO EMERGENCY:

In the event or a tornado warning or sighting, all have been instructed and will be instructed to proceed to the nearest classroom or a room away from the front glass structure of the building. Everyone should stay there until the sign of safety has been given.

PLAN FOR IMPENDING DANGER

SNOW OR FLOOD:

If the students are in school when the threat of snow or flooding is known, the director of the institution or the faculty member in charge will decide on the dismissal of class in compliance with the instructions or recommendations given by the local authorities. Also it is recommended that the staff member in charge during such a crisis, is to follow the lead of the local count public school action of the campus where this type of crisis is occurring.

HURRICANE WARNING:

In the event of an approaching hurricane or strong tropical storm, the director at his/her discretion, cancel classes in order to avoid placing students or employees in peril.

OTHER EMERGENCIES:

In the event of any other emergency situations, please follow the lead of the School Director or the staff member in charge.

ACCIDENT OR INJURY:

In the event that any injury or accident should occur on school premises, the instructors are to immediately attend to the incident at hand, but if it is one of great severity, please notify 911 emergency.

NOTE:

All accidents or injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported to your instructor immediately, a full report will be made to the School Director.

GCI Drug and Alcohol Policies

Drug-Free Awareness Program

Georgia Career Institute is dedicated to providing quality education services to its students and a quality work environment for its employees. In keeping with this commitment, Georgia Career Institute will strive to maintain a workplace free from drug and alcohol abuse.

The manufacturing, possession, distribution, or use of illegal drugs or alcohol is prohibited in the workplace, including school grounds. Any violations of this policy will warrant disciplinary actions, up to and including termination, and may also result in local, state, and/or federal criminal charges.

Employees are to notify management of the school of any criminal drug statue conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction. The employer will notify the United States Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, (ROB-3), Washington, DC 20202, of such conviction with ten days after receiving notice.

The school will assist employees and students in the selection of appropriate counseling, substance abuse assistance or rehabilitation programs. In addition, this school will not discriminate in employment solely on the grounds of prior drug or alcohol abuse or against individuals who have satisfactorily completed a rehabilitation program.

To ensure safety, security, and productivity, employees are to conduct business with the highest ethical standard and treat all students, co-workers, and business associates with fairness and integrity.

Drug-Free Policy Statement

The purpose of this statement is to provide each member of the Georgia Career Institute community (Faculty, Staff and Students) with official notification of the policies and penalties relative to controlled substances (illicit drugs) and alcohol, as required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. As an employee and/or student at Georgia Career Institute, you are required to be knowledgeable of and comply with the Drug-Free Campus/Workplace Policy, the applicable provisions of which are summarized below.

Policy: It is the policy of this institution that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, use or abuse of alcohol and/or illicit drugs on any of Georgia Career Institute’s campuses or on property owned or controlled by the Institute is strictly prohibited. All categories of employees and students are subject to this policy and to applicable federal, state and local laws related to this matter. Additionally, any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary actions as set forth in the applicable sections of this policy.

Standards of Conduct: Georgia Career Institute employees and students are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use or being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol on any Institute campus, and at off-campus facilities owned or controlled by the Institute. At off-campus events, to the extent that off-campus activities are considered to be Institute activities, the standards of conduct (of the act) must apply, and alcohol shall not be abused by those of legal drinking age, nor used, possessed or distributed by those who have not attained legal drinking age.

Legal Sanctions under Local, State and Federal Law: Various federal, state and local statutes make it unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, sell or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute dispense, deliver or sell, controlled substances. The penalty imposed depends upon many factors which include the type and amount of controlled substance involved; the number of prior offenses, if any; whether death or serious bodily injury resulting from the use of such substance; and whether any other crimes were committed in connection with the use of the controlled substance. Possible maximum penalties for a first-time violation include imprisonment for any period of time up to a term of life imprisonment; a fine of up to $4,000,000; supervised release; any combination of the above or all three. These sanctions are doubled when the offense involves either: distribution or possession at or near a school or Institute campus, or distribution to persons under 21 years of age. Repeat offenders may be punished to a greater extent as provided by statute.

Further, a civil penalty of up to $10,000 may be assessed for simple possession of “personal use amounts” of certain specified substances under federal law. Under state law, the offense of possession or casual exchange is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor; if there is an exchange between a minor and an adult at least two years the minor’s senior, and the adult knew that the person was a minor, the offense is classified a felony as provided in T.C.A. S39-17-417. It is unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one (21) to buy, possess, transport (unless in the course of his/her employment), or consume alcoholic beverages, wine, or beer, such offenses being classified Class A misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment for not more than 11 months, 29 days, or a fine of not more than $2,500, or both (T.C.A. SS1-3-113, 57-5-301). It is further an offense to provide alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of twenty-one (21), such offense being classified a Class A misdemeanor (T.C.A. S39-15 -404). The offense of public intoxication is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than 30 days or a fine of not more than $50, or both (T.C.A. S39-17-310).

Biennial Drug-Free Review Checklist

• Determine person responsible for coordinating a program.
• Review signed compliance records to assure that the required packet is being appropriately distributed to all students and employees and that an annual distribution is occurring.
• Review confidential survey responses to measure the program’s effectiveness and determine specific needs.
• Review confidential student and employee records, which contain documentation/treatment referrals, disciplinary actions including expulsions and terminations, and related notifications to law enforcement authorities.
• Determine annual date on which distribution of packet to students and employees will be repeated.
• Determine student and employee files to ensure that copies of acknowledgment have been included.
• Determine that applicable local (city, county, township, etc.) and local, state, and federal legal sanctions for drug and alcohol statue violations are readily accessible.
• Determine that names and home numbers of any substance abuse treatment, counseling, rehabilitation, or re-entry programs in the local area are readily accessible.
• Determine that informative pamphlets are displayed, including “Common Drug Abuse” document. (Attached)
• Determine the “Drug-Free Awareness Programs” statement (attached) is posted on employee bulletin boards.
• Determine that a procedure for addressing this matter with each new student and employee at the time of orientation has been established.

Drug Prevention Memorandum

ATTACHMENT A FEDERAL POSSESSION PENALTIES 21 U.S.C. 844 (a) 1st conviction: Up to one (1) year imprisonment and fined at least $1,000 but not more than $100,000, or both. After 1 prior drug conviction: At least 15 days in prison, not to exceed 2 years and fined at least $2,500 but not more than $250,000, or both. After 2 or more prior drug convictions: At least 90 days in prison, not to exceed 3 years and fined at least $5,000 but not more than $250,000, or both. Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory at least 5 years in prison, not to exceed 20 years and fined up to $250,000, or both, if:

1st conviction and the amount of crack posessed exceeds five (5) grams.

2nd crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds one (1) gram.

3rd or subsequent convictions and the amount of crack posessed exceeds one (1) gram.

21 U.S.C. 853 (a) (2) and 881 (a) (7) Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than one (1) year imprisonment. (See special sentencing provisions re: crack) 21 U.S.C. 881 (A) (4) Forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance. 21 U.S.C. 884A Civil fine of up to $10,000 (pending adoption of final regulations). 21 U.S.C. 853A Denial of Federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses, up to one (1) year for first offense, up to five (5) years for second and subsequent offenses. 18 U.S.C. 922 (g) Ineligible to receive or purchase a firearm. MISCELLANEOUS Revocation of certain federal licenses and benefits, e.g. pilot licenses, public housing tenancy, etc., are vested within the authorities of individual Federal agencies. NOTE: These are only Federal penalties and sanctions. Additional State penalties and sanctions may apply. Attachment A (continued) GEORGIA POSSESSION PENALTIES Georgia State Code 79-A801 (Control Substance Act) Marijuana:

• Less Than an OunceMisdemeanor
• More Than an OunceFelony
• Many Amount Package–
• For Street SaleFelony

Felony Marijuana use and other controlled substance (crack cocaine, etc.) as defined in Georgia State Code 70-A-101 is punishable under Georgia State Code 79-A 801 as follows:

• 1st offense 2 to 10 years and/or up to $10,000.
• Mandatory 5 years up to 30 years and/or $500,000.

Vehicles: When controlled substance is found in any vehicle, regardless of type of vehicle or owner, vehicle will be confiscated and summarily sold.

Georgia State Code 68-B 902 (DUI Statute) 1st Offense $300 to $1,000 — 10 days to one (1) year 2nd Offense $600 to $1,000 — 90 days to one (1) year. Judge can suspend or revoke driver’s license. 3rd Offense (within 5 year period) Mandatory $1,000 Mandatory 120 days up to one (1) year. Judge can suspend or revoke driver’s license

Emergency Response/Evacuation Procedures

The purpose of this plan is to establish a procedure to assure that competent medical care is provided to students and staff in the event of a medical emergency. It is also a goal of the plan to minimize the likelihood of treatment action being taken which harms rather than helps the victim.

The following rules shall govern the response of staff members to a medical emergency arising on school grounds.

A. When the nature of the emergency is such that professional care is indicated, obtaining treatment from qualified EMT or hospital personnel shall be the first priority. An ambulance shall be summoned unless there is no doubt that the person can be safely transported to an emergency treatment facility by automobile. In either case, the goal is to get the person to the emergency treatment facility as safely and as quickly as possible.

B. First aid efforts administered by school personnel should encompass the least amount of treatment necessary in the circumstances. It is the school’s policy that all medical treatment should be accomplished by trained medical personnel unless emergency situations arise which dictate otherwise.

1. School personnel should never dispense any medications to any student at any time.
2. CPR, Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation, etc., should only be attempted by those persons who have had training in the techniques.
3. The school shall attempt to notify the person designated by the student whenever an accident or emergency occurs and the student is unable to make the notification.
4. Students shall be responsible for the costs of any medical care, ambulance, fees, or other charges arising as a result of a medical emergency involving the student.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION

FIRE:

In case of fire, persons occupying the facilities will be instructed to proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly manner. A member of the staff or faculty will either call or instruct someone to call 911 emergency.

BOMB THREAT:

In the case of a bomb threat, all will be notified to proceed to exit the building in an orderly manner, getting to a safe distance away from the building. A member of the staff or faculty will proceed to notify the local authorities by dialing 911 emergency.

TORNADO EMERGENCY:

In the event or a tornado warning or sighting, all have been instructed and will be instructed to proceed to the nearest classroom or a room away from the front glass structure of the building. Everyone should stay there until the sign of safety has been given.

PLAN FOR IMPENDING DANGER

SNOW OR FLOOD:

If the students are in school when the threat of snow or flooding is known, the director of the institution or the faculty member in charge will decide on the dismissal of class in compliance with the instructions or recommendations given by the local authorities. Also it is recommended that the staff member in charge during such a crisis, is to follow the lead of the local count public school action of the campus where this type of crisis is occurring.

HURRICANE WARNING:

In the event of an approaching hurricane or strong tropical storm, the director at his/her discretion, cancel classes in order to avoid placing students or employees in peril.

OTHER EMERGENCIES:

In the event of any other emergency situations, please follow the lead of the School Director or the staff member in charge.

ACCIDENT OR INJURY:

In the event that any injury or accident should occur on school premises, the instructors are to immediately attend to the incident at hand, but if it is one of great severity, please notify 911 emergency.

NOTE:

All accidents or injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported to your instructor immediately, a full report will be made to the School Director.