Tag: Appendix

Privacy Notice

Prospective Students, Applicants, and Enrolled Students

College for Creative Studies (CCS) understands that storing and tracking personal information is a sensitive topic, and it is committed to safeguarding privacy. CCS collects and processes certain types of personal information from prospective students, applicants, and enrolled students and their families in connection with its programs in the United States. This privacy notice explains what information is collected, how it is used, and how the College safeguards the information. You should contact the Registrar (kladucer@collegeforcreativestudies.edu) with any questions or concerns regarding this notice.

Whose Information Is Collected?

CCS collects information about prospective students, applicants and enrolled students in its programs (referred to herein collectively as “students”) , as well as their family members or guardians.

What Information Is Collected?

CCS collects:

  • Contact information for students and their family members or guardians, including names, titles, telephone numbers, email, and home addresses;
  • Demographic information for students, including race, ethnicity, date of birth, citizenship status, birthplace, veteran status, information about family, marital status, and gender;
  • Academic information for students, including information about school or college, grades, transcripts, coursework, study abroad, contacts with Blackboard per course enrolled, and judicial sanctions;
  • Information and recommendations from faculty or advisors concerning students’ performance and suitability for a particular program;
  • Information about students’ abilities and interests, including information used for housing and roommate placements and for identifying potential internship and other experiences and opportunities; this may include language ability, interests, skills, preferred work environment, strengths and weaknesses, prior employment experience, and the like;
  • Financial information of students and their families for students who seek a grant, loan or scholarship to help pay for the program, including social security numbers;
  • Information about students’ individual health conditions or needs, including physical or mental health conditions, treatment or prescriptions, allergies, limitations or necessary accommodations, dietary restrictions, and the like;
  • Information about students’ disciplinary history at secondary school or a previous institution of higher education or at the College, including any actual or potential violation of the Code of Student Conduct by a matriculated student or directed towards such matriculated student. Those types of incidents may require the College to collect sensitive information about the student, including about sexual orientation or sexual activities, use of drugs or alcohol, or religious or philosophical beliefs or issues.
  • Via FAFSA, information about students’ income, assets, household size, citizenship information, limited information about drug related convictions, and confirmation of selective service registration;
  • Information about students’ career interests;
  • Information about students’ post-graduation career choices, address, email address, employment, and educational pursuits;
  • Information about students’ eligibility for federal loans, past and current;
  • Information about students’ participation in student government or official student organizations;
  • When students and their families make payments to the university, payment information;
  • For applicants to graduate programs, criminal history and information about past military service.
  • For international students, travel documents, including passport and visa information, and the like; and
  • For students taking online courses, IP addresses.

Why Is Personal Information Collected?

CCS is an institution of higher education that provides a variety of programming for students. To provide a meaningful, engaging and safe experience, CCS must collect personal information about students in its programs to permit the College to develop and administer academic programs, facilitate internships and other experiences, identify and provide housing arrangements, help students budget and pay for the programs, assess and provide any necessary accommodations for academic or living conditions, and to help students ensure a healthy and safe experience.

It is necessary for CCS to collect each piece of personal information identified above to perform the contract to provide and support CCS’ programs. Students cannot be admitted into CCS without providing contact information, academic information described above, and the College cannot assess whether to award a grant or scholarship without the financial information described above. It is highly unlikely that the College can place students in an internship program without the information about abilities and interests described below. Students may decline to provide information about health conditions or any need for accommodations, but in that event the College will not be able to make accommodations and may require students to sign a waiver regarding health issues. Students enrolled in CCS programs are bound to follow the College’s Code of Student Conduct and the College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy. The College will investigate and document all allegations of violations of those policies.

How Is Information Collected?

Information is collected through a variety of sources, including:

  • Student-provided information through CCS online applications or request for information form, or in response to questions posed by CCS staff;
  • Information from a student’s secondary school or previous institution of higher education;
  • College Board, ACT, Educational Testing Service, International English Language Testing System, and other similar third parties, which provide information to CCS and other colleges and universities at the student’s request;
  • U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs and other government agencies; and
  • Existing CCS student educational records.

How is Collected Information Used?

Collected information is used only for purposes of CCS operating its programs, including facilitating the educational experience and safety of students in the programs.

Who has Access to Collected Information?

  • CCS faculty and staff;
  • Third-parties who provide services to CCS or to students, pursuant to a contract with CCS;
  • Federal, state and local government agencies, as required by applicable law;
  • If a student will participate in an internship facilitated by CCS, the internship providers, as applicable; and
  • Certain kinds of information may be disclosed to third parties or made available publicly pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

How is Information Stored and Secured?

CCS uses College-managed, secure information technology systems to store electronic personal information, including systems that permit creating shared spaces that are accessible by CCS faculty and staff. CCS employs appropriate administrative, technical and physical security measures to protect paper or other physical records that contain personal information, including locked offices and file cabinets. CCS uses encrypted SecureMail for Restricted Use information that is subject to the College’s Data Protection Standards.

How Long Is Information Saved?

CCS maintains records as specified in its Record Retention Policy.

Correcting Information

Students who are or have been in attendance at CCS may request changes to their educational records or restrict the information disclosed as directory information as provided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Other Rights

Under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you may have the right to access personal data that we store and process about you, and to request correction of that information if it is inaccurate. If the GDPR applies, you may also have the right to request deletion of certain personal data; ask that we restrict our use of the data; or object to automated decision-making using your data. Access includes, where applicable, the ability to download your personal data in a commonly-used format.

Please note we may not be able to grant your request in all circumstances, including when it would adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.

Concerns?

If you have questions or concerns about the use of your personal data please contact the CCS Registrar at kladucer@collegeforcreativestudies.edu or contact the Academic Advising and Registration Office at 201 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202.

Updates to this Notice

The College may change this Privacy Notice from time to time. If the College makes any significant changes in the way it treats your personal information, the updated notice will be posted on the College’s website through the Policy Database.

Alcohol and Other Drug Policy for Students, Faculty and Staff

Updated July 2023

Introduction

The College for Creative Studies is committed to providing a safe, healthy learning community for all its members. The College recognizes that the improper and excessive use of alcohol and other drugs may interfere with the College’s mission by negatively affecting the health and safety of students, faculty and staff. Due to the harm caused by excessive and illegal use of alcohol and other drugs, the College has a vested interest in establishing polices to prohibit unlawful behavior and sanctions to address policy violations by members of the CCS community.

Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the College is required to have an alcohol and other drug policy and must distribute this policy annually to all employees and students. This Policy must outline the College’s prevention, education and intervention efforts, and consequences that may be applied by both the College and external authorities for policy violations. The law also requires that individuals be notified of possible health risks associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, and sources of assistance for problems that may arise as a result of use.

Scope

This policy applies to all faculty and staff, as well as students enrolled in credit bearing and non-credit bearing courses at CCS, including any and all programs located off site. Guests, on campus or at College events, who are violating a College policy, may be asked to leave campus/the event and their CCS host will be held responsible for their guest’s actions.

Students visiting other countries to attend academic programs are reminded that they may be subject to arrest and legal sanctions for alcohol and drug offenses under the laws and regulations of that particular country or institution in addition to the judicial process of the College.

Definitions

The following terms are defined for the purposes of this policy and are important for purposes of expressing the College’s policy on a drug and alcohol-free environment:

College refers to the College for Creative Studies.

College activities include programs affiliated with the College, including study-abroad programs, and any on-campus or off-campus event or function conducted, approved, sponsored or funded, in whole or in part, by the College or any officially recognized student organization.

College premises includes all buildings and land owned, leased, or used by the College (including adjacent streets and sidewalks), and motor vehicles operated by employees, including personal motor vehicles, when used in connection with work performed for or on behalf of the College.

Controlled Substance means a controlled substance in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812), as further defined by regulations at 21 CFR 1300.11 through 1300.15.

Contract means a legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the federal government and a recipient whenever the principal purpose of the instrument is the acquisition by purchase, lease, or barter, of property or services for the direct benefit or use of the federal government; or whenever an executive agency determines in a specific instance that the use of a type of procurement contract is appropriate.

Conviction means finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the federal or state criminal drug statutes.

Criminal drug statute means a federal or non-federal criminal statute involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, use, or possession of any controlled substance.

Drug For the purpose of this Policy, the term “drug” includes:

  • controlled substances, as defined in 21 USC 812, which cannot be legally obtained
  • legally obtainable controlled substances which were not legally obtained, including:
  • Prescribed drugs when prescription is no longer valid (e.g. use of medication after a course of treatment is completed);
  • Prescribed drugs used contrary to the prescription;
  • Prescribed drugs issued to another person.


Federal agency or agency means any United States executive department, military department, government corporation, government-controlled corporation, or any other establishment in the executive branch, or any independent regulatory agency.

Guest means a person who is not a direct member of the College community, such as a student or employee.

Host means the person who is responsible for a guest being on campus or at a College event.

Illicit drug use means the use, manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, or possession of illegal drugs.

Over the Counter Substances means items that are available for purchase from retailers that do not need a prescription.

Prescribed Drug means any substance prescribed for use by a licensed medical practitioner.

Student means an individual registered or enrolled for a credit or non-credit course or program offered by the College.

CCS Alcohol and Drugs Policy

All members of the CCS community also are governed by laws, regulations and ordinances established by the state and local municipalities and will be held accountable by law enforcement representatives of those entities for any illegal activity. It is the responsibility of all campus members to be aware of these laws.

Alcohol

Employees, students, and campus guests, regardless of age, are expected to refrain from the possession, consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages while on any part of the campus or at College-sponsored/supported events, while driving a College vehicle or while otherwise engaged in College business. Possession of an empty container of an alcoholic beverage will be dealt with as though the individual responsible for the empty container consumed the contents.

The only exception to this Policy is that individuals of legal age may consume alcohol on College property in a manner consistent with College policy and State of Michigan law within the approved designated area of events coordinated by the President of the College. To request an exception to this Policy for events not coordinated by the President, approval must be obtained from the employee’s Vice President or Dean with final approval given by the President of the College using the Request for Approval to Serve Alcohol at a CCS Sponsored Event form (see link at the end of this paragraph). For all College related events involving alcohol, a licensed, third-party bartender must be present to serve the alcohol and the bartender must refrain from using a tip jar.

CCS Request Approval to Serve Alcohol – Revised Feb 2020

Drug/Controlled Substance

Students, CCS employees and guests are prohibited from using, possessing, transferring or selling any illegal drug, controlled substance, or related paraphernalia, including hookahs, while on any part of the campus or at College sponsored/supported events.

Any person taking prescription drugs or over-the-counter medication is personally responsible for ensuring that while taking such drugs or medications, he or she is not a safety risk to themselves and others while on College property, while driving a College or privately owned vehicle, or while otherwise engaged in College business. It is illegal to misuse prescription medication, i.e. continue to use medication when the prescription is no longer valid, use prescribed drugs contrary to the prescription, and give or sell prescribed drugs to another person. Misusing prescription drugs can result in conviction with jail time.

CCS Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Strategies 

The College uses the following strategies to provide a positive influence on the campus culture regarding alcohol and

drug abuse:

  • Students, employees and campus guests, regardless of age, are expected to refrain from the possession, consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages on campus. (see details and exceptions described in the above section)
  • Alcohol and drug awareness education is provided to all new students during New Student Orientation
  • Providing education and awareness activities
  • All student social, extracurricular, and public service options are substance-free
  • Prohibiting the marketing and promotion of alcohol and other drugs
  • Developing and enforcing campus policies and enforce laws to address high-risk and illegal alcohol and other drug use
  • Providing early intervention and referral for treatment

Health Risks

The use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs increases the risk for a number of health-related and other medical, behavioral and social problems. Below is a general description of the health risks associated with drug use.

ALCOHOL: Can cause short-term effects such as loss of concentration and judgment; slowed reflexes; disorientation leading to higher risk of accidents and problem behavior; long-term effects include risk of liver and heart damage, malnutrition, cancer and other illnesses; can be highly addictive to some persons.

AMPHETAMINES: Can cause short-term effects such as rushed, careless behavior and pushing beyond your physical capacity, leading to exhaustion; tolerance increases rapidly; long-term effects include physical and psychological dependence and withdrawal can result in depression and suicide; continued high doses can cause heart problems, infections, malnutrition and death.

CANNABIS: Can cause short-term effects such as slow reflexes; increase in forgetfulness; alters judgment of space and distance; aggravate pre-existing heart and/or mental health problems; long-term health effects include permanent damage to lungs, reproductive organs and brain function; can interfere with physical, psychological, social development of young users.

COCAINE: (crack) Can cause short-term effects such as impaired judgment; increased breathing, heart rate, heart palpitations; anxiety, restlessness, hostility, paranoia, confusion; long-term effects may include damage to respiratory and immune systems; malnutrition, seizures and loss of brain function; highly addictive.

DESIGNER DRUGS/SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS: (bath salts, K2, spice) Can cause short-term effects such as elevated heart rate, blood pressure and chest pain; hallucinations, seizures, violent behavior and paranoia; may lead to lack of appetite, vomiting and tremor; long-term use may result in kidney/liver failure, increased risk of suicide and death.

HALLUCINOGENS: (PCP, LSD, ecstasy, dextromethorphan) Can cause extreme distortions of what is seen and heard; induces sudden changes in behavior, loss of concentration and memory; increases risk of birth defects in user’s children; overdose can cause psychosis, convulsions, coma and death. Frequent and long-term use can cause permanent loss of mental function.

INHALANTS: (nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, chlorohydrocarbons, hydrocarbons) Can cause short-term effects such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, slurred speech, hallucinations or delusions; may lead to rapid and irregular heart rhythms, heart failure and death; long-term use may result in loss of feeling, hearing and vision; can result in permanent damage to the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

OPIATES/NARCOTICS: (heroin, morphine, opium, codeine, oxycodone, china white) Can cause physical and psychological dependence; overdose can cause coma, convulsions, respiratory arrest and death; long-term use leads to malnutrition, infection and hepatitis; sharing needles is a leading cause of the spread of HIV and hepatitis; highly addictive, tolerance increases rapidly.

SEDATIVES: Can cause reduced reaction time and confusion; overdose can cause coma, respiratory arrest, convulsions and death; withdrawal can be dangerous; in combination with other controlled substances can quickly cause coma and death; long-term use can produce physical and psychological dependence; tolerance can increase rapidly.

TOBACCO: (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco) Can cause diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular smoking being a major risk factor for a myocardial infarction (heart attack), diseases of the respiratory tract such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema, and cancer, particularly lung cancer and cancers of the larynx and mouth; nicotine is highly addictive.

For an extensive list of health-related risks please visit The National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.drugabuse.gov/

Counseling and Treatment Programs

Students

All students are encouraged to seek help early if they feel they have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol, and to learn how to assist others with substance abuse problems. With early assistance it is less likely that serious consequences will result from an alcohol or drug problem.

The College offers the following alcohol and drug abuse services:

Information and Referral

All students are eligible to consult with the professional staff of the Wellness Center; personal counselors and/or health care professional, regarding the availability of drug abuse assistance programs. Drug and alcohol abuse counseling and rehabilitation program referrals are made to mutual help organizations, private hospitals, public treatment programs, and private drug treatment practitioners.

Individual Counseling

Individuals are seen on a short-term basis for assistance with drug-related problems. However, it is likely that students will be referred out for alcohol and drug dependence. This service is available to students at no charge.

Contact Information

Personal Counseling – 313-664-7852 or 313-664-7838
College Nurse – 313-664-7982

Employees

Alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation and assistance programs are available through the College’s health benefit program and Ulliance (employee assistance program) with both in-patient and out-patient programs. Employees with alcohol or drug abuse problems are strongly encouraged to participate in these programs. Employees may contact the Office of Human Resources to seek counseling assistance and/or referral to an appropriate outside agency. All communications between employees and CCS or outside agencies are strictly confidential.

Contact Information

Human Resources – 313-664-7652
Ulliance (Employee Assistance Program) – 888-333-6269
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan – 800-637-2227
Blue Care Network – 800-662-6667

Community Resources

Narcotics Anonymous – http://www.na.org/
Alcoholics Anonymous – http://www.aa.org/
Al-anon – http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/

For friends, relatives and domestic partners who are coping with a loved one’s alcohol or drug use.

Free Rehab Centers – Detroit – https://www.freerehabcenters.org/city/mi-detroit

CCS Sanctions

The use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs also increases the risks for behavioral and social problems such as negative effects on academic work performance; conflicts with co-workers, classmates, family, friends and others; conduct problems resulting in disciplinary action, including loss of employment or dismissal from an academic program; and legal problems resulting in ticketing, fines and imprisonment.

Students

When a student is found responsible for violating the CCS Alcohol and Other Drug Policy, their case will be evaluated and an appropriate sanction will be implemented.

The sanctions described are minimum sanctions and do not limit the disciplinary power of the College in any matter involving Code of Conduct violations.

A Warning is a written notification that a particular action is not acceptable.

Disciplinary Probation is a formal written notice that a student is in poor judicial standing with the College.

Loss of College Housing Eligibility (if applicable) is the termination of a student’s admissibility to live in College housing.

Suspension is the termination of an individual’s status as a student, with the loss of all rights and privileges, for a specific time period.

Dismissal is the permanent termination of an individual’s status as a student, with the loss of all rights and privileges.

Community Service Hours is a required number of hours to be worked in unpaid College or public service within a specific period of time.

Educational Project is a project that is focused on educating the student about a particular issue.

Employees

CCS will take appropriate action, up to and including immediate termination, with employees in violation of this policy. Employees are notified that action under this policy may include requiring successful participation in an alcohol or drug rehabilitation or assistance program as a condition of continued employment.

External Sanctions

Federal Law

Violations of laws and ordinances may result in misdemeanor or felony convictions accompanied by the imposition of legal sanctions, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Fines as determined under local, state, or federal laws;
  • Imprisonment, including up to life imprisonment, for possession or trafficking in drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs;
  • Forfeiture of personal and real property;
  • Denial of federal benefits such as grants, contracts and student loans;
  • Loss of driving privileges;
  • Required attendance at substance abuse education or treatment programs.

A full description of federal sanctions for drug felonies can be found at: https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-policy.  This section is not intended as legal advice; consult with an attorney regarding your specific legal issues.

Michigan Law

Alcohol: Under Michigan law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, consume or possess, or have any bodily content of alcohol. A first-time conviction may result in a fine, substance abuse education and treatment, community service and court-ordered drug screenings. There also is a provision for possible imprisonment or probation for a second or subsequent offense. Use of false identification by minors in obtaining alcohol is punishable with a fine, loss of driver’s license, probation and community service.

Individuals can be arrested and possibly convicted of Operating While Intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at .08 or higher, or the lesser offense of Operating While Visibly Impaired for BAC less than .08. Operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .17 or higher may subject an individual to a charge of Operating While Intoxicated with a High BAC. All of these drunk driving charges are misdemeanors that carry potential jail time. If a student is under 21, there is a “zero tolerance” law in the state of Michigan and any blood alcohol level of .01 or higher can lead to a minor in possession (MIP) citation as well as being cited for Operating While Intoxicated, if applicable. All of these driving offenses can result in the suspension of driving privileges in the State of Michigan.

Medical Amnesty as a result of alcohol intoxication: To better ensure that minors at medical risk as a result of alcohol intoxication will receive prompt and appropriate medical attention, the State of Michigan provides for medical amnesty to remove perceived barriers to calling for or seeking help. 

Michigan law continues to prohibit a minor from purchasing, consuming, or possessing, or attempting to purchase, consume, or possess, alcoholic liquor and from having any bodily alcohol content.

The medical amnesty law provides an exemption from prosecution for the following:

  • A minor (under the age of 21) who, after consuming alcohol, voluntarily presents themselves to a health facility or agency for treatment or observation, including medical examination and treatment for any condition as a result of sexual assault (as defined in Michigan law).
  • Any minor (under the age of 21) who accompanied an individual who, after consuming alcohol, voluntarily presented themselves to a health facility or agency for treatment or observation, including medical examination and treatment for any condition as a result of sexual assault (as defined in Michigan law).
  • Any minor (under the age of 21) who initiated contact with law enforcement or emergency medical services personnel for the purpose of obtaining medical assistance in connection with a legitimate health care concern.

Medical Amnesty as a result of an overdose of any controlled substance, including a prescription drug: To better ensure that individuals at medical risk as a result of an overdose of any controlled substance, including a prescription drug, will receive prompt and appropriate medical attention, the State of Michigan provides for medical amnesty to remove perceived barriers to calling for or seeking help.

The medical amnesty law provides an exemption from prosecution for the following when the amount of the drug possessed is sufficient only for personal use:

  • Any individual who voluntarily seeks medical assistance for themselves as a result of an overdose of any controlled substance, including a prescription drug.
  • Any individual who accompanies or procures medical assistance for another individual as a result of an overdose of any controlled substance, including a prescription drug.
  • Any individual who as a result of an overdose of any controlled substance, including a prescription drug, is presented for medical assistance by a third party.

The College for Creative Studies maintains the discretion to refer the individual for appropriate educational intervention(s).

Marijuana: On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters passed Proposal 18-1, which legalizes possession and use of limited amounts of recreational marijuana by individuals 21 years and older. Neither this new state law, nor the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, authorize the use or possession of marijuana on any property owned or managed by CCS and by CCS’ faculty, staff, or students on any CCS property or during off-campus CCS business or events. 

Marijuana possession and use remains illegal under federal law and is categorized as an illicit substance under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989. Therefore, even though the State of Michigan has legalized limited amounts of marijuana for recreational or medicinal use for some individuals, the possession, use, storage, and cultivation of marijuana remains prohibited for all faculty, staff and students under CCS policy.

Employees and students who violate CCS policy prohibiting the use or possession of illegal drugs on campus will continue to be subject to disciplinary action.

Sanctions for Illegal Use, Possession and/or Delivery of Controlled Substances

A full description of the State of Michigan sanctions for the controlled substances (Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978) can be found at: Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978 Part 74 Offenses and Penalties. This section is not intended as legal advice; consult with an attorney regarding your specific legal issues.

Employee Reporting Requirement

Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act, in addition to the other requirements of this Policy, the College requires all employees who work in any capacity under a federal grant or contract to notify his or her supervisor or department head in writing of his or her conviction for a violation of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace or on work-related activities no later than five (5) calendar days after such conviction. The supervisor or department head will notify the Office of Human Resources.

Distribution of Policy

A copy of this Policy statement will be distributed to all faculty, staff and students annually via email at the beginning of fall and winter semesters. New employees will receive this information from Human Resource when they are hired. Prospective students and employees are made aware of this policy upon their initial connection to the College.

Review of the College’s Prevention Program and Policy

Annually, the College shall review its Alcohol and Other Drug Policy and prevention strategies to determine effectiveness and to ensure that the College’s disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced. This annual review will be conducted in May and the minutes from the review are available to students and employees upon request.

For More Information

For more information concerning this Policy, employees should contact the Office of Human Resources at 313-664- 7652 and students should contact the Office of Student Affairs at 313-664-7879.

Electronic Communications

CCS continues to adopt and make use of new means of communication and information exchange. This means that many of our employees have access to one or more forms of electronic media and services, including: computers, e-mail, telephones, voice mail, fax machines, external electronic forums, wire services, on-line services, the Internet, and the World Wide Web.

CCS encourages the use of these media and associated services because they can make communication more efficient and effective and because they are valuable sources of information. However, all employees and everyone connected with CCS must be aware that electronic media and services provided by CCS are for the purpose of facilitating and supporting CCS educational and business use.

This policy cannot establish rules to cover every possible situation. Instead, it is designed to support CCS’s Mission Statement and set forth general principles employees should apply when using electronic media and services.

The following procedures apply to all electronic media and services that are:

  • accessed on or from CCS premises;
  • accessed using CCS computer equipment or via CCS paid access methods; or
  • used in a manner that identifies the individual with CCS.

Prohibited Communications

Electronic media cannot be used for knowingly transmitting, retrieving, or storing any communications that are:

  • discriminatory, annoying, or harassing;
  • derogatory to any individual or group;
  • offensive, obscene, defamatory, or threatening;
  • attempting to test, circumvent, or defeat security or auditing systems;
  • SPAMMING, the method of mass distribution of communications, that does not support CCS related business;
  • engaged in for any purpose that is illegal, fraudulent, malicious, or contrary to CCS policy or educational and business interests.
  • CCS reserves the right for interpretation of the above prohibited communications.

Personal Use

Electronic media and services are provided by CCS primarily for employees’ educational and business use. Limited, occasional, or incidental use of electronic media (sending or receiving) for personal, non-business purposes is understandable. Personal use of CCS’s electronic media and services cannot interfere with an employees’ position responsibilities. Employees are expected to demonstrate a sense of responsibility and not abuse this privilege.

Access to Employee Communications

CCS does not routinely access or monitor employee communications directly. However, individual use patterns – telephone numbers called, sites accessed, call length, and time at which calls are made – are monitored for the following purposes:

  • cost analysis;
  • resource allocation;
  • optimum technical management of information resources; and
  • detecting patterns of use that indicate employees are violating CCS policies or engaging in illegal activity

CCS reserves the right to review any employee’s electronic files and messages at any time to ensure electronic media and services are being used in compliance with the law, this policy, and other CCS policies. Employees should not assume that electronic communications are private.

Software Use

CCS licenses the use of various computer software for educational and business purposes and does not own the copyright to this software or its related documentation. The employees of CCS, do not have the right to reproduce such software for use on more than one computer, or use the software for purposes other than those authorized by the license.

Employees may only use software on local area networks or on multiple machines according to the software license agreement. CCS prohibits the illegal duplication of software and its related documentation.

Security / Appropriate Use

Employees must respect the confidentiality of other individuals’ electronic communications. Except in cases in which authorization has been granted by CCS management, employees are prohibited from engaging in, or attempting to engage in:

  • monitoring or intercepting the files or electronic communications of other employees or third parties;
  • hacking or obtaining access to systems or accounts they are not authorized to use;
  • using other people’s log-ins or passwords; and
  • breaching, testing, or monitoring computer or network security measures

No e-mail or other electronic communications can be sent using CCS equipment that attempt to hide the identity of the sender or represent the sender as someone else.

Electronic media and services should not be used in a manner that is likely to cause network congestion or significantly hamper the ability of other people to access and use the system.

Anyone obtaining electronic access to other organizations’ or individuals’ materials must respect all copyrights and cannot copy, retrieve, modify, or forward copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the copyright owner.

Confidential Information

The confidentiality of student and employee records is protected by state and federal laws. No employee may access confidential information unless authorized to do so. CCS confidential information should never be transmitted or forwarded to outside individuals or organizations without authorization. Employees are required and expected to protect CCS confidential information.

Participation in On-Line Forums

Employees must be aware that any messages or information sent on CCS provided facilities to one or more individuals via an electronic network (i.e.: Internet mailing lists, bulletin boards, and other on-line services) are statements identifiable and attributable to CCS.

CCS recognizes that participation in some forums might be important to the performance of certain employees’ positions. Employees should include the following disclaimer in all of their postings to public forums:

The views, opinions, and judgments expressed in this message are solely those of the author. The message contents have not been reviewed or approved by CCS.

Employees should note that, even with a disclaimer, connection with CCS exists and a statement could be imputed legally to CCS. Therefore, employees should not rely on disclaimers as a way of insulating CCS from the comments and opinions they contribute to forums. Instead, employees must limit their discussion to matters of fact and avoid expressing opinions while using CCS systems or a CCS provided account. Communications must not reveal information about CCS’s business or confidential information and must not otherwise conflict with this or other CCS policies.

Policy Violations

Employees who abuse or violate the privilege of CCS facilitated access to electronic media or services are subject to corrective action, up to and including termination.

Intellectual Property Rights

Policy Goals

The College for Creative Studies (“the College” or “CCS”) is committed to nurturing students’ creative and intellectual abilities. This is best done in an environment that encourages exploration and experimentation and in which artistic and academic freedom are respected and protected. As artists, designers, writers, and scholars, the College’s faculty and students continually produce creative works in the course of their academic activities. These works constitute Intellectual Property (“IP”). It is important that the rights to ownership and use of this Intellectual Property are understood by all members of the CCS community and by those members of the public who support their work. This policy explains those rights. It proceeds from the basic principles that the College’s primary responsibility is the education of its students and not the commercialization of their work, and that creators should in general retain intellectual property rights in their works subject to reasonable use rights held by various members of the CCS community. The policy is intended to promote innovation and excellence in educational and artistic pursuits, to encourage the best educational experiences for students, to allow faculty and students to reap the benefits of their own creativity, and to enable the College to celebrate the work of its faculty and students in order to promote the College to its varied constituencies.

Policy Overview

This policy covers work created at or in connection with CCS and sets forth the intellectual property rights of faculty, students, staff, and CCS in that work. It describes the categories of works subject to the policy and specifies the ownership and usage rights for each of those categories. This policy also describes when and how the ownership and usage rights applying to a particular work may be changed, typically by mutual agreement of the relevant parties.

Categories of Works

Several categories of Works that may be subject to Intellectual Property Rights are covered by this policy. “Works” refers to all designs, works of authorship, works of art, literary works, writings, student theses, inventions, software, discoveries, and other work products that may be subject to Intellectual Property Rights. The categories include the following:

  • “Scholarly and Artistic Works”—Works created by faculty or students in the scope of their respective employment or student status at the College, including instructional materials produced by faculty for use in the course of classroom and studio activities, Works of art or scholarship produced by faculty or students in the course of classroom and studio activities, and other Works created using more than a minimal amount of CCS facilities or equipment. Should a faculty member choose to leave the College, CCS retains the right to use course materials for two subsequent semesters after their departure. 
  • “Sponsored Works”—Works created by faculty or students with the sponsorship or special support of a Sponsor pursuant to a written sponsorship agreement.
  • “Commissioned Works”—Works created by faculty or students at the specific request of CCS and not in the course of their individual scholarly, academic, and artistic pursuits, including materials created for use in or as CCS publications and promotional materials, logos, graphic or other designs, commemorative items, and the like. Course description and architecture of syllabi (for example: weekly schedule, assignments, outcomes) are owned by CCS. If CCS commissions for curriculum development, the College owns the course and content within.
  • “Administrative Works”—Works created by employees in the course and scope of their employment other than Scholarly and Artistic Works, Sponsored Works, and Commissioned Works, including evaluations of student work, correspondence and memos, materials prepared in connection with work on CCS committees, materials created for use in CCS bulletins, brochures, and catalogs, and the like; and Works created by staff (including student employees) in the course and scope of their employment. Teaching material content (for example: classroom content, pedagogical content generated by the instructor – i.e. lectures, PowerPoints, videos)  is the property of the instructor.
  • “Non-Covered Works”—Works created by faculty, staff, or students outside the scope of their employment or student status at the College using minimal or no CCS facilities or equipment, without the sponsorship or support of a Sponsor, and not created at the request of CCS.

General Rules on Intellectual Property Ownership and Usage

The following explains who owns the intellectual property rights in the Works described above:

  • Faculty own the IP Rights in their own Scholarly and Artistic Works.
  • Students own the IP Rights in their own Scholarly and Artistic Works. However, in a case where the College provides resources in the development of a Work that go beyond what the College typically provides to students in their daily academic activities, the College may share in the ownership of the IP Rights in that Work.
  • Ownership of IP Rights in Sponsored Works is determined by a written agreement between the College and the Sponsor. Sponsored Projects are accepted in CCS classes only when they provide educational value and are approved by the course instructor and department chair. In cases where the College agrees to transfer to or share with a Sponsor the ownership of the IP Rights in a Sponsored Work or Works produced by students, the College will inform students of this agreement prior to the commencement of the Sponsored Project and will obtain their informed consent to the terms of the agreement. If a student is unwilling to relinquish his/her IP Rights, the College will find an equivalent class in which the student can enroll. Students should never be coerced into taking a class with a Sponsored Project or relinquishing their IP Rights. Regardless of who owns the IP Rights in Sponsored Works, students must be permitted to include the Work products in their portfolios for purposes of self-promotion, subject to certain limitations in Sponsorship agreements, such as removing company logos.
  • CCS owns all Intellectual Property Rights in all Commissioned Works and all Administrative Works.
  • CCS does not claim any ownership or use rights in Non-Covered Works.

Use Rights

Although the IP Rights in a Work may be owned by an individual, a Sponsor, or the College under this policy, others may have the right to make use of that Work or the IP rights to it. These rights are called “Use Rights” and are as follows:

  • Faculty and Students have the right to make, distribute, display, perform, and otherwise use reproductions of, and make derivative works based on, their own Works for noncommercial educational and scholarly purposes, as examples of their own work, and for purposes of exhibition.
  • Faculty also have the right to make photographic or similar representational reproductions of their students’ Works; and to distribute, display, perform, and otherwise use those reproductions for noncommercial educational and scholarly purposes and as examples of their students’ work.
  • CCS has the right to make, distribute, display, perform, and otherwise use photographic or similar representational reproductions of faculty and student Works for noncommercial purposes of education, scholarship, exhibition, accreditation, development, alumni relations, promotion, and the like; as examples of faculty and student work; and for inclusion in CCS’s permanent collection and archives.
  • A Sponsor has the right to make, distribute, display, perform, and otherwise use reproductions of, and make derivative works based on, Works for commercial and non-commercial purposes pursuant to the terms of a written sponsorship agreement.

Modification of the General Rules With Respect to Particular Works

It is anticipated that members of the CCS community may on occasion wish to modify the General Rules of this Policy with respect to specific Works, particularly in cases involving Sponsored Works. Such modification is allowed if all of the parties having an ownership interest in the Work under the applicable General Rules agree in writing to the desired modification. The burden of seeking and obtaining such written agreement is on the party seeking the modification. If all of the parties having rights in the Work under the applicable General Rules are unable to reach a written agreement, then the allocation of ownership and usage rights in the Work provided by the relevant General Rule will remain in effect.

Patent Policy

In a case where the College shares in the ownership of the IP Rights in a student’s Work, the College may, from time to time, at its own initiative or upon request, elect to pursue the registration of a patent on the Work in one or more jurisdictions, and shall do so entirely at CCS’s cost; no creators of a Work shall be charged or assessed any fees or cost in connection with that registration. In furtherance of this policy, the creator(s) of the Work may be required to execute formal paperwork relating to the registration process, and CCS shall be responsible for the costs associated with execution. CCS will share with the creator(s) of the Work any monetary proceeds that are derived from the patented Work, according to an agreement that the College will reach with the creators, prior to filing the patent application. Any third parties interested in licensing a Work for commercialization should consult the Senior Director for Corporate Relations in the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Procedures

This policy will be administered by the Academic Affairs Office. The Academic Deans will establish procedures to be adopted by CCS to ensure compliance with this policy, including a procedure for considering in a timely manner any questions, objections, complaints, or other challenges arising from or relating to this policy. We welcome any questions or concerns that you may have concerning this policy or its application.

This policy is complete and effective as of the date set out above, and may be amended from time to time in consultation with the faculty and with the approval of the President and Board of Trustees. This policy and all amendments thereto will be published on and made available through the CCS Policy Database. Amendments will be effective as of their date of publication.

Social Security Number Privacy

The College for Creative Studies, in order to properly secure and protect employee Social Security number/identification information, holds all employees that use or have access to any employee’s Social Security number and information to the highest degree of confidentiality.

In addition to the College’s normal security and confidentiality policy/practices, employees are prohibited from accessing, viewing or using other employees’ Social Security information. No employee is permitted to access or use Social Security numbers without express permission of the College.

Only authorized personnel may access records and documents, both internal and external, that contain employee Social Security number and identification information.

Any employee who accesses Social Security data without authorization, or for illegal purposes, shall be disciplined up to and including termination and, if illegal intent is determined, referred to authorities for possible criminal prosecution.

All documents and records containing Social Security numbers and information will be kept in a secure environment with need to know access by authorized personnel only. When necessary, documents containing this and other confidential information will be properly destroyed through shredding or other means before disposal.