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Hagerstown Community College / HCC

Academic Catalog

2018-2019 Catalog 
    
    Dec 03, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Services & Activities


 


Student Services

Academic Advisement and Registration

All new students must meet with an academic advisor for their first semester before registering for classes. Academic advising services are available for each student during his/her period of enrollment at HCC. Academic advisement and career planning are included in those services. Members of the staff are regularly available for day and evening students on both a walk-in and appointment basis, depending on the time of the year and situation. Students can contact HCC’s Academic Advising and Registration Office at 240-500-2240 for appointments and basic academic advising information or email questions to advise@hagerstowncc.edu. Students are initially referred to an advisor for the purpose of developing an academic plan in his/her program, which includes completing developmental courses before reaching 24 credits. Faculty advisors also are available within each instructional division. New students will receive a WebAdvisor login in the admissions letter. All students are strongly encouraged to register online via WebAdvisor, HCC’s online scheduling tool. Advising and registration staff are available to assist students with online registration. Students can make changes to their class schedules through WebAdvisor as long as they meet published deadlines. Transfer students may need to submit copies of transcripts (unofficial or official) in order to register for most courses. For more information about academic advising, registration, and other services provided, please visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/advisement.

Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday:  8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday:  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
*Please note Academic Advising and Registration will have extended hours the week before the start of classes for the fall, spring and summer semester, and will also be available on selected Saturdays and according to a published schedule.

Disability Support Services

Hagerstown Community College provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its amendments. Unlike secondary education, the College’s services are not covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Therefore, more responsibility is placed on the student when moving from secondary education to post-secondary education. In this transition, there is a shift from entitlement services to eligibility services. Students are responsible for self-identification and for obtaining documentation from an appropriate professional to verify the presence and impact of a disability. Students are also responsible for the cost of this verification. The College does not have a special education program for students with disabilities in which those with disabilities are served separately from those without disabilities. The Disability Support Services (DSS) Office coordinates the provision of reasonable accommodations which are determined on an individual basis. These accommodations and services are provided within the framework of student self-determination and self-advocacy. These accommodations allow students to be evaluated not on the effects of their disability, but instead on their knowledge and understanding of course material. In no case, however, will the College modify essential requirements for any course or degree program for students with disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the DSS Office to request accommodations at least two weeks prior to the start of classes to allow time for necessary arrangements to be made. It is expected that all DSS students will meet with the DSS office for advising questions and educational planning to ensure proper course selection and academic guidance. Students may contact the DSS office at 240-500-2628 (TTY 301-739-5813) or email at dss@hagerstowncc.edu.

Job Training Student Resources (JTSR)

The Job Training Student Resources (JTSR) Office, located in the Student Center, is dedicated to providing support services to students that are enrolled and actively registered in courses toward a career program, Pell eligible, and 24 years of age or older (students under 24 may still be eligible if the Financial Aid Office qualifies them as independent students). The mission of the JTSR Office is to empower adult learners to become academically successful through collaborative, individualized services and financially supportive programs that assist in enhancing opportunities to facilitate their success. Some of the services offered to JTSR students are loaner textbooks, childcare or transportation stipends, bus passes, and individualized advising. For more information on this program, contact the JTSR Office at 240-500-2392, or email jtsr@hagerstowncc.edu.

TRiO Student Support Services (TRiO SSS)

The mission of TRiO Student Support Services (TRiO SSS) at Hagerstown Community College is to help ensure the retention and graduation of eligible students. TRiO SSS seeks to guide participants through their first two years of postsecondary education with the ultimate goal of graduation and transfer to a four year university or entry into a chosen career. 

TRiO Student Support Services is a program designed to assist students in reaching their academic goals by providing personalized assistance from program entry through graduation. Students must meet at least one of three eligibility criteria (first-generation status, income eligibility according to federal levels, or a documented disability) and must be pursuing an associate’s degree or certificate at HCC to be eligible for the program. Upon acceptance into TRiO SSS, students will have access to academic, financial, and transfer advising, trips to four-year colleges, specialized tutoring, cultural events, and educational workshops. Additionally, program participants also have exclusive access to the TRiO SSS study area, a quiet study space where resources such as computers, printing, reference materials, and calculators are available. To complete an application or for more information, visit the offices in Student Center Room 131, call 240-500-2659, or visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/triosss to apply online. 

The TRiO Student Support Services grant is intended to aid students in achieving their personal, educational, and financial goals. HCC received the $1.1 million dollar TRiO grant in 2010 and was renewed in 2015. Funds are distributed over a five-year period with 83 percent financed through federal sources, which amounts to $219,999 per year, and 17 percent financed through non-governmental sources, which amounts to $44,762 per year. The contents of this section were developed under a grant from the Department of Education; however, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Student Orientation

All students are required to complete HCC’s New Student Orientation, either on campus or online, before they can receive their student ID card and HCC parking pass. Orientation programs are conducted before each fall and spring semester. Evening and daytime sessions are offered to accommodate student schedules. Registration for orientation can be found here.

These sessions contain a campus tour and combination of general information along with an explanation of support services, policies, and procedures that will enhance the new student’s understanding of college life. Student tour guides lead new students through the orientation activities and allow ample opportunity for interaction and questions.

A virtual orientation option is available on the HCC website for students who are not able to attend orientation on campus, or would like a review of the information given during the on-campus orientation.  

Questions about HCC’s on-campus and virtual New Student Orientation program should be directed to the Student Activities Office at studentactivities@hagerstowncc.edu or 240-500-2225, located in STC-163.

Veterans’ Benefits

Hagerstown Community College has been approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to participate in the training of veterans and the eligible dependents of veterans.

To apply for VA Educational Benefits, a student must first be accepted to the college. In addition to meeting the admissions policies and procedures for all new students, military personnel should submit either a Joint Services transcript and/or Community College of the Air Force transcript, along with forms DD214 and DD295 (if applicable) to the Admissions Office.

Veterans should make contact with the veteran’s recruiter/adviser upon admission to ensure they are properly orientated to the college and are aware of valuable resources to help them during their time of study. This is especially important given the complexities involved with processing VA educational benefits. Students should contact the VA certifying official at 240-500-2519, for information about becoming enrolled in the VA Educational Benefits program and to obtain the necessary paperwork to enroll. To continue to receive benefits, veterans must reapply each semester by submitting a copy of their registration and the college’s VA certification form to the Veteran’s Office. Veterans are responsible for the payment of their tuition, fees, and books.

Veterans wishing to have transfer credits evaluated should request official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions they have attended and/or submit a Joint Services Transcript (JST). After official transcripts are submitted to the Records Office, students may request their official transcripts to be reviewed for transfer credit by meeting with an academic advisor and completing a Transcript Evaluation Request form. Courses presented on a Joint Services Transcripts (JST) military transcript, and have the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendation may be applicable for transfer credit. HCC awards basic training as personal health and fitness credits, and other military training recommendations are reviewed and awarded if they meet the course requirements for a student’s academic program.

Students must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program and are only certified to receive benefits for courses that are required for their major. The veteran’s recruiter/adviser can assist with this process. For assistance in choosing classes that meet these criteria, students should contact an academic advisor. Students must notify the veteran’s recruiter/adviser if they add or drop classes, completely withdraw, or change majors due to impact on receipt of benefits. The veteran’s recruiter/adviser is available in room 140 of the Student Center and the VA certifying official is available in the ASA Building, room 403.  For more information, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/veterans.

Child Care

HCC’s Children’s Learning Center is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, throughout the year except for College approved holidays. Full and part-time schedules are available for children ages two to five years. School-age children (up to age eight) may attend during the summer. Children must be enrolled for a minimum of two half-days per week. The nationally accredited Center offers a child-centered preschool curriculum taught by degreed teachers and support staff. The children of HCC students have priority in enrollment and reduced fees. Students must pre-register for child care before the semester begins. The Children’s Learning Center also serves as a learning laboratory for college students interested in working with young children. Visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/student-services/childrens-learning-center or call 240-500-2322 for information about costs, schedules, and how to apply for child care.

Internship and Job Services

Internships provide excellent opportunities to gain career-related experiences and workplace competencies in a student’s chosen career field, as well as to obtain skills that are valued by employers when hiring new staff.  The internship course serves as a capstone whereby students may apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom.

Minimum eligibility requirements for participation in an internship include:

  • Submission of an application for internship by the publicized institutional deadline
  • Acceptable recommendation by faculty in a related field of study
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.5
  • Completion of at least 50% of the discipline-specific program requirements in a student’s  field of study (at least two of which courses are completed at HCC)
  • Final course grades of A, B, or C in a student’s specialty program courses
  • Acceptable review of the student’s HCC conduct record by the chief student affairs officer (behavioral violations) and the chief academic affairs officer (academic integrity violations)

Internship Application Deadlines:

Fall semester: July 31
Spring semester: December 1
Summer semester: April 1

The internship application is available on the HCC website at www.hagerstowncc.edu/internships.

College Central Network

HCC’s College Central Network (CCN) offers a variety of career development services to students and alumni including resume’, portfolio, interviewing, and job search assistance. CCN can be accessed at www.collegecentral.com/hagerstown. In addition, CCN also provides area employers with the opportunity to post a variety of job and internship opportunities. You can post your resume’, apply for jobs, read career related articles, and even view their library of career development videos. So, if you are looking for a full or part-time job, a job for the summer, or an internship, check out CCN today.

Learning Support Center

The mission of the HCC Learning Support Center (LSC) is to engage and empower students to become independent, resourceful learners. The intention is for the LSC to become a hub where students, learning support specialists, and faculty work as a team to reach common academic goals. Fostering an optimal learning environment for supplemental instruction, the LSC will offer resources which both students and faculty may rely on to impact course success levels.

The LSC provides academic support to all students taking credit and non-credit courses at HCC. The LSC professional staff has content area specialties of English, writing, science, nursing, math, business, accounting, economics, and computer technology. In addition, LSC staff has more than two dozen peer tutors with expertise in a vast array of subjects. The LSC offers individual drop-in tutoring (no appointment necessary), scheduled peer-led small group studies, supplemental instruction, workshops, and specialized assistance with specific populations, such as students in the TRiO: Student Support Services Program. Computers, scientific and graphing calculators, specialized graphics programs, science models, and technology equipment for hands-on training are available for student use in the LSC. The LSC portion of the HCC website is also growing and includes an online tutoring option for writing assignments, as well as many handouts and resources for all content areas.

Both LSC professional staff and peer tutors encourage, inspire, motivate, and enable students to develop confidence in their academic abilities. The goal of tutoring is to enable students to become independent and fearless lifelong learners eager to explore learning and create lives that will inspire others.

For more information about the Learning Support Center including hours of operation, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/lsc, or email lsc@hagerstowncc.edu.

Student Life

Campus Safety

In compliance with the federal government Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, HCC publishes an annual security report containing campus security policies, procedures, and campus crime statistics. The complete report is published in the Student Handbook which is available in the Student Center and on the HCC website at www.hagerstowncc.edu/student-activities/student-handbook.

Use of Surveillance Cameras on Campus

The College provides random camera surveillance both outside and inside campus buildings in order to maintain secure facilities; protect students, employees, and visitors; deter crimes; and to prevent vandalism. The primary use of the cameras is crime and Student Code of Conduct violation investigations and monitoring equipment and facilities to avoid problems. Cameras are not monitored on a continuous basis.

Emergency Management and Response Plan

The safety and security of the College community are of vital concern. Hagerstown Community College is committed to providing and maintaining a safe environment for all employees, students, visitors, and guests. The College will adopt reasonable and practical means to prevent, deter and respond to campus emergencies. The preparation of the Emergency Management and Response Plan (EMRP) and the allocation of resources to support the plan are part of the commitment HCC has for the College community. In order to provide a safe environment, the College seeks to maintain a balance between safety and retaining the openness of a college campus. The College provides an emergency notification system to keep employees, students, visitors, and guests informed of emergencies. Sign up at www.hagerstowncc.edu/emergency.

Student Conduct

Students have rights and responsibilities as members of a learning community. Students have all the rights of citizenship guaranteed by the federal and state governments. They have the right to freedom of expression, inquiry and assembly, subject to reasonable rules regarding time, place and manner. They have the right to propose improvements in college processes through the Student Government Association. Also, they have a right to confidential academic records.

A major responsibility for students is to conduct themselves according to standards of scholarship and morality. These standards are listed and explained in the Code of Conduct, which is published in the Student Handbook and on the HCC website.

The Dean of Students is responsible for implementing the student discipline procedure when the Code of Conduct is violated. Details regarding this procedure and its requirements can be found in the Student Handbook and on the HCC website.

Policy on Alcoholic Beverages and Drug Abuse

The College prohibits the serving of alcohol at all student events on campus. Students of legal drinking age may be permitted to drink alcohol at College sponsored activities off-campus and/or at special campus events designed for non-student audiences.

Use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs on campus property or at College-sponsored events is prohibited.

The College does not protect students from state and federal drug abuse laws and cooperates fully with law enforcement agencies in upholding the law.

The complete statement of the College policy on drug and alcohol abuse including prevention, intervention and disciplinary measures is published in the Student Handbook. Hard copies of the planner are available in the Student Center.

Policy on Smoking

Hagerstown Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on its campus, and is therefore adopting a Tobacco-Free Policy effective January 1, 2015.

The Tobacco-Free Policy applies to all HCC facilities and vehicles, owned or leased, regardless of location. Smoking and the use of tobacco and e-cigarette products shall not be permitted on any HCC property, including all buildings and facilities, walkways, recreational and athletic areas, building entrances, and parking lots. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and other persons on campus, regardless of the purpose of their visit.

Sale of Tobacco Products

The sale or distribution of tobacco products, to include cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, or chewing tobacco is prohibited on any property owned or controlled by HCC.

Enforcement of Tobacco Policy

It is the responsibility of all faculty, staff, and students to enforce the College’s smoking policy. Individuals may request the help of Campus Security in enforcing the policy. Students, faculty, administrators, and staff who fail to obey the smoking policy of the College and Maryland state law regarding smoking will be subject to fines and disciplinary action by the College.

General Grievance Policy

The purpose of the General Grievance Policy for Students is to provide a formal method of recourse to students who feel that a particular action or series of actions on the part of an HCC employee has violated accepted or stated institutional practices and standards. The student begins this process with the Dean of Students and the completion of a Student Assistance Form identifying the complaint as a grievance. More information can be found in the Student Handbook.

College Policies

HCC’s Board of Trustees has approved numerous governing policies for the administrative operations of the college. The following list includes those policies that relate specifically to students. A description of each policy can be found at www.hagerstowncc.edu/student-affairs/college-policies.

  • Anti-Discrimination Policy 4042
  • Campus Police Policies & Procedures 8005
  • Code of Student Conduct Policy 4040
  • Communicable Disease Policy 8041
  • Commercial Solicitation Policy 8069
  • Copyright Infringement Policy 8074
  • Dean’s List Eligibility Policy 4021
  • Drug/Alcohol Free Environment Policy 5092
  • Expressive Activity Policy 8068
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Heroin and Opioid Addiction and Prevention Policy 4039
  • Honor Code Policy 4050
  • Involuntary Course Withdrawal Policy 4011
  • Parking and Traffic Policy 8050
  • Sexual Assault Policy 8071
  • Sexual Harassment Policy 8070A
  • Social Media Policy 8095
  • Student Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy 4041
  • Student Honors Program Policy 4024
  • Student Organization Policy 4036
  • Tobacco Free Policy 8030
  • Use of Computing, Network and Communications Resources Policy 5093

Sexual Misconduct Policies

Hagerstown Community College is committed to preventing incidents of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault and sexual harassment on campus. The College is in compliance with federal laws in its Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment Policies which apply to students, faculty, and staff. The complete policy is available from the Dean of Students and on the HCC website.

Title IX and Campus SaVE Act Information

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

The Clery Act of 1990 amended federal financial aid laws to require all post-secondary schools receiving federal financial aid to annually disclose campus crime statistics and security information.

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 established federal legal definitions of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  In 2013, the Campus SaVE (Sexual Violence Elimination) Act amended the Clery Act to mandate extensive “primary prevention and awareness programs” regarding sexual misconduct and related offenses.

Contact Information for the Title IX Coordinator:
Dr. Christine Ohl-Gigliotti
Dean of Students
Student Center, room 142
240-500-2526
caohl-gigliotti@hagerstowncc.edu

The Title IX Coordinator is the designated College official with primary responsibility for coordinating the College’s compliance with Title IX.  This includes providing leadership for Title IX activities, providing consultation, education and training, and helping to ensure the College responds appropriately, effectively and equitably to Title IX issues.

More information on Title IX and Campus SaVE Act Information is available at www.hagerstowncc.edu/titleix.

Housing

Hagerstown Community College does not assume responsibility for the housing of its students.

College Closings (Emergencies and Inclement Weather)

When severe weather and other emergencies occur that impact classes or other campus activities, announcements are shared via HCC’s text alert system, on local radio and TV stations, on the college social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter), and posted on the College website. Students and others who have business at HCC are cautioned to listen for specific mention of HCC being closed, since the College does not always close when weather conditions make it necessary for the Washington County Public Schools to close.

When class schedules are affected by a delayed opening, the class will meet if 30 minutes or more of the class time remains after the start of the delay. Once the college is open, the regular schedule resumes for that day. When the college has a delayed opening, the first floor entrance of the Learning Resource Center nearest the Washington County Commuter bus stop will be unlocked for students who arrive on campus prior to the college opening. This central campus location enables facility staff and campus police to communicate with students on campus as needed while providing a safe, warm location.

HCC holds classes at various community locations, including its Valley Mall Center, its Commercial Vehicle Transportation Center at Volvo Powertrain, area high schools, and hospitals. Classes held at off-site facilities are subject to the following cancellation or delayed start procedures:

  • If HCC is closed or has a delayed opening due to inclement weather, classes scheduled at off-site locations are also cancelled or delayed.
  • If HCC is closed or has a delayed opening due to an emergency situation which affects only its main campus, classes held at offsite locations will run as scheduled unless specified otherwise.
  • If HCC is open and the off-site facility has issued a closing or schedule change, then HCC classes held there will follow the schedule change issued by the off-site facility.

The College does everything it can to keep the campus safe and productive during inclement weather. During periods when severe weather is forecasted, HCC officials are in regular contact with weather specialists and county and regional roads departments.

Since travel conditions are not the same for all students in the tri-state area, the College policy is to remain open, if possible, for those students who can attend during inclement weather. However, when weather conditions are severe, HCC does close and all classes and campus activities are cancelled.

It is College practice to treat student and employee tardiness and absences very liberally on inclement weather days. All faculty and staff understand that on challenging weather days, students are not to be penalized if they are unable to make it to class or are late to arrive. In such cases, students need to contact their faculty members (preferably through email in advance of the scheduled class) indicating that they have special weather-related circumstances that prevent their attendance. For more information, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/college-closings.

Food Services

HCC has five options for dining on campus, offering a wide variety and varying hours:

The Valley Eatery is in the upper level of the Career Programs Building. The Valley Eatery offers breakfast, cold and hot sandwiches, salad bar and pizza, and is home to the “Hawk Sub.”

Spring and fall semester hours:
Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The Hilltop Grill, located in the newly expanded Student Center, offers, lunch, dinner, and a large selection of grab-n-go items. This is a great option when your time is limited. 

Spring and fall semester hours:
Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Summer semester hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The Hawk Cafe, located adjacent to the Hilltop Gill in the Student Center, offers pastry items, pre-made sandwiches, pre-made salads, and hot and cold specialty drinks.

Spring and fall semester hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Summer semester hours:
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The Courtside Café is located in the ARCC lobby. The café offers sandwiches and light refreshments, and is only open for athletic events.

Food for Thought is HCC’s in-house catering service. All requests for catering service must be made at least 14 days prior to any event and is intended for groups over 20. Pre-paid meal vouchers can be obtained for smaller groups and utilized at the eateries. For more information, contact the Catering Office at 240-500-2281.

Vending machines are conveniently located in most buildings. All vending machines on campus are managed by the HCC Food Service Department and serviced by Black Tie Services, LLP. If you encounter problems with a machine, please notify Food Service staff  in the Hilltop Grill or HCC Coffee Shop, located in the Student Center, or the Valley Eatery in the Career Programs Building.

HCC Campus Store

The HCC Campus Store is located in the Student Center. In addition to textbooks, the Campus Store carries a large variety of school supplies, HCC clothing, greeting cards, gifts, a variety of chargers and electronic accessories and snacks. Students may special order several styles of computers and computer software at educational prices through the Campus Store. More information is available online at www.hagerstowncc.edu/student-services/campus-store. Financial aid can be used to purchase course materials at the Campus Store after students have completed all required financial aid processes and the award is fully processed.

Student Activities

The mission of HCC’s Student Activities Program is to develop a wide range of co-curricular opportunities for students to achieve their highest levels of personal and academic success. The department strives to support the College mission of cultivating civic-minded awareness by engaging students both on campus and in the community through cultural, social, recreational, and leadership enrichment programming.

In addition to programming, the Student Activities Office, located in the Student Center, assists students with identification cards, parking permits, student handbooks, distributing materials around campus, and HCC student organization information.

Student Center

The Student Center has been newly renovated and expanded and now houses academic advising and registration, TRiO Student Support Services, Job Training Student Resources, disability services, the office of the Dean of Students, student activities, the Student Government Association, the campus store, the Hilltop Grill, a coffee shop, game room, student lounge, and other designated student meeting spaces. More information is available here.

Student Government Association

The SGA is a vehicle for involvement in the college and acts as the official student representative body. The Student Government Association serves as the voice of the student body on issues concerning campus life and participates in shaping policies and student regulations. This governing body was created to enhance the quality of student life and the success of students through participation in social, cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities.

All active students can be members of the SGA by participating on the Student Activities Program Board. The SGA Program Board is responsible for planning and implementing campus activities that will be of interest to the wide range of students at HCC. Campus activities include movie nights, lunchtime concerts, family events, gaming days, leadership training, cultural celebrations, and more. Any active student is eligible to serve on the program board, and all ideas for educational, cultural, or social events are welcome. To become a member of the SGA Program Board, please go to the Student Activities Office.

Elections are conducted each spring for the executive officers and four senator positions. All students are encouraged to attend the monthly SGA meetings and participate in SGA events. The Student Government Association office is located in the Student Center, room 171. For additional information, call 240-500-2225, or email sga@hagerstowncc.edu.

Athletics

Intercollegiate

The Hagerstown Community College athletic program includes 14 intercollegiate sports: men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track, men’s and women’s outdoor track, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, and golf.

The Director of Athletics and Leisure Studies in cooperation with the Dean of Students formulates the policies which apply to intercollegiate sports. The Director of Athletics and Leisure Studies reviews and enforces eligibility rules for participation in intercollegiate athletics.

The College is a member of the Maryland Junior College Conference (JUCO) and of Region XX of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Fitness Center

The ARCC houses a full fitness center for use by HCC students and HCC employees and their families. Community memberships are available to individuals for a yearly fee. The center offers a range of exercise equipment and promotes health and wellness through a variety of health education literature and group activity programs throughout the year.

Students and community members may take advantage of the complete fitness/health assessment that serves as the foundation for an individualized activity program by registering for the PED 170  credit series.

Student Organizations

HCC offers students a wide variety of student organizations that are both program-based and interest-based. Membership in all HCC organizations is open to any active student. Student organization participation allows students to meet others with similar interests, learn leadership skills, have an impact on campus, and show co-curricular activity on their resume. For a current list of active organizations, go to www.hagerstowncc.edu/clubs. To find out more about joining or starting an organization, contact the Student Activities Office in the Student Center, room 163, call 240-500-2225, or email studentactivities@hagerstowncc.edu.

Publications

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook is published by the Student Activities Office and is distributed at the beginning of each academic year. The free guide includes student support services, campus policies and regulations, and a planner with important dates for college deadlines and holidays included.

Hedge Apple

The Hedge Apple is a literary magazine of poetry, short stories, artwork, and occasional reviews by Hagerstown Community College students, faculty, and guest authors. The Hedge Apple consists of approximately 60 pages and includes national submissions of poetry. Students may submit poetry, short stories, essays, and artwork. The Hedge Apple may be viewed online at www.hedgeapplemagazine.com.

Website

Current events, course descriptions, class schedules, and general information are available on the College website at www.hagerstowncc.edu.

Social Media and Social Networking Sites

The HCC Public Information and Government Relations (PIGR) Office is responsible for the maintenance and monitoring of official college accounts on several social media sites as a way to provide announcements and information about upcoming events and activities as well as to provide a forum for open discussion among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community. As the administrative gatekeeper of social media, the PIGR Office is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and enforcing HCC’s social media policy and guidelines as necessary.

College staff and faculty administering institutional social media accounts are expected to follow established social media guidelines and procedures. Please note that faculty, staff, and students are NOT permitted to establish their own  department, program, or club social media accounts without written approval from the PIGR Office. Fans and followers of HCC’s social media accounts understand that HCC officials have the right to remove any content deemed to be offensive, inappropriate, of a harassing or threatening nature, or comments that could be construed as defamation of character. Comments that contain profanity will also be deleted. For more information about HCC’s social media policy and guidelines, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/social-media.

College Course Guides and Class Schedules

A credit course guide is printed each semester and non-credit class schedules are printed three times a year. Course guides and schedules can be viewed online at www.hagerstowncc.edu/schedules-catalogs.

View Book

A College view book is produced every two years. This publication is designed to provide prospective students with an overview of what HCC has to offer. Copies can be obtained from the Admissions Office.