Allegany College of Maryland is required to inform prospective and current students of important College policies, including Non-Discrimination, Title IX, Child Abuse Mandated Reports, Clery Act, Heroin & Opioid, Drug and Alcohol Use, Academic Disabilities, FERPA, Accreditation, Faith-Based/Religious Academic Accommodations, and Medical Disclosure Procedure.
Please read below for more information on these important College policies.
TITLE IX
Allegany College of Maryland prohibits sexual harassment and sex discrimination by
or against all students, employees, and campus guests. If you have any questions or
concerns or if you need to make a complaint, contact ACM’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr.
Renee Conner in CC-12, by email at rconner@allegany.edu , or by phone at (301) 784-5206. For detailed information about policy, procedures,
and prevention education, see
https://allegany.edu/title-ix/index.html
Prohibited behaviors include: sexual assault, stalking, relationship violence, quid
quo pro sexual harassment, hostile environment sexual harassment, gender discrimination,
and attempts to commit such acts.
CHILD ABUSE MANDATED REPORTS
Allegany College of Maryland complies with Maryland law which requires all educators to report suspected child abuse. By law, educators are mandated reporters which means that if an educator suspects child abuse has occurred or if a person discloses that child abuse has occurred, the educator is required to make a report to Child Protective Services. A report must be made if regardless of when, where, or by whom the abuse occurred. For detailed information about Mandated Reporters including how to make a report, see here.
The College provides free counseling services. Also, the College's Title IX policy may also apply, so be sure to see the Title IX information.
CLERY ACT
A report on Allegany College of Maryland's Campus Security Policies and Crime Statistics (34 CFR Part 668) and the Clery Act, 20 U.S.C. 1092 (a) and (b) in accordance with the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR)/National Incident-based Reporting System (NIBRS) is available in the Office of the Dean of Student & Legal Affairs (College Center, room CC-12) or through the Department of Campus Safety and Special Police webpage.
HEROIN & OPIOID POLICY
Allegany College of Maryland recognizes drug and alcohol abuse/addiction as a health risk; the dangers associated with heroin and opioids are gravely concerning to this institution. The college urges everyone to be informed and offers educational resources (including treatment information). All new, full time students are required by Maryland law to participate in heroin/opioid training. In an overdose emergency, call 911. If you have any questions or concerns or if you need help, contact the Department of Campus Safety and Special Police by email or by phone at 301-784-5252 or the Office of Student & Legal Affairs by email, or by phone at 301-784-5206. *Allegany College of Maryland prohibits the possession and use of drugs and alcohol on all college property and in all college-affiliated activities without the express permission of the College President.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE
Allegany College of Maryland & Willowbrook Woods is a dry, clean, and clear campus.
Allegany College of Maryland supports the efforts of the State of Maryland and the United States to provide workplaces and learning centers free of illicit drug use and free of unlawful alcohol use. The College supports and complies with the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, and drug and alcohol abuse policies of the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
It is the College’s intention to provide and maintain a work environment for employees and students that is drug-free, healthful, safe, and secure. When any person is on College property and/or participating in a College-sponsored or College-sanctioned activity, the person is expected to be free of any illegal drugs/alcohol and capable of fulfilling their responsibilities unimpaired by any substance. Although the College recognizes drug/alcohol dependency as an illness and a major health problem affecting society, it also recognizes drug use and activity as a potential health, safety, and security problem. Students and employees requiring assistance in dealing with drug or alcohol abuse or dependency are encouraged to seek treatment.
ACADEMIC DISABILITIES
In compliance with federal ADA/504 requirements, Allegany College of Maryland supports the belief that all otherwise qualified citizens should have access to higher education and that individuals should not be excluded from this pursuit solely by reason of handicap. The College is committed to the inclusion of students with disabilities within all areas of college life. Therefore, support services are intended to maximize the independence and participation of disabled students. Further, the College complies with applicable state and federal laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in the admission and treatment of students.
Any student who wishes to receive accommodations must register with the Academic Access & Disability Resources Office, providing documentation of the declared disability. Once documentation is received, the Director will establish eligibility for specific accommodations based on the student's documented functional limitations and the essential functions of each course. Any student who wishes to declare a disability should contact the Academic Access & Disability Resources office at 301-784-5234. For more information visit the Academic Access & Disability Resources webpage.
ADA/504
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability; this legislation established comprehensive standards that were expanded per 2008 Amendments. The Rehabilitation Act of 1972, Section 504 prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of a “handicap” by entities receiving federal funds.
If you have a disability, we urge you to contact the appropriate office/person to request reasonable accommodations. You will need to complete some paperwork, provide documentation, and meet with the designated College Official who will help you with the process to determine the appropriate accommodations. For questions, referrals, or to file a complaint, contact ACM's ADA/504 Coordinator, Dr. Renee Conner in CC-12, by email at rconner@allegany.edu, or by phone at (301) 784-5206. For detailed information about policy, procedures, and prevention education, see https://www.allegany.edu/student-and-legal-affairs/ada-504.html.
FERPA
In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Allegany College of Maryland will not disclose any information from the students' educational records without the written consent of students except to personnel within the institution, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, and to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students, other persons, or other lawful exception. At its discretion, the institution may provide directory information to include: student name, address, email address, photo, dates of attendance, credentials earned, honors awarded, and alumni status. Students’ rights, the College’s obligations, and disclosure standards are detailed in the FERPA policy. View ACM's FERPA policy.
ACCREDITATION
Allegany College of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2680; 267-284-5000. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The College is also accredited and approved for operation by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, 6 North Liberty Street, Baltimore, MD 21201; 1-800-974-0203. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has granted certification to the Allegany College of Maryland campus in Bedford County and to the academic programs offered.
FAITH-BASED/RELIGIOUS ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS
The College’s two, companion First Amendment Policies detail how ACM honors constitutional protections for speech, expression, assembly, and religion. The second policy (effective 7/1/23) is ACM’s First Amendment Religious Freedom Policy. It also codifies Maryland law which requires all faculty/programs to provide these academic accommodations for sincerely held faith-based/religious practices:
An information sheet with details is located on the Student and Legal Affairs webpage. Direct any questions or concerns/grievances to the Dean of Student and Legal Affairs by calling 301-784-5206.
MEDICAL DISCLOSURE PROCEDURE
Students are responsible for their own health and should always consult a qualified health care provider if a health or medical condition interferes with the students’ ability to attend class in excess of what is permitted by the course syllabus or program requirements or to participate in an essential class function. Medically necessary absences will be excused with documentation from a qualified health care provider; students are responsible for contacting the instructor about if/how to complete any missed work. An information sheet with additional details is located on the Student and Legal Affairs webpage under both the Title IX tab and the ADA/504 tab.
