College-Sponsored Student Publications Policy and Procedures 

Table of Contents

 

1. Philosophy and Scope
   
   
2. Definitions for the Purpose of this Policy and Procedures
   
   
3. Responsible Senior Leader and Responsible Office
   
   
4. Entities Affected by this Policy and Procedures
   
   
5. Categories of College-Sponsored Student Publications
   
   
6. Procedures

 

I. Philosophy and Scope

Frederick Community College (“FCC” or the “College”) protects students’ exercise of free expression in accordance with Maryland State Law, the First Amendment to The United States Constitution, and Article 40 of the Maryland Constitution Declaration of Rights. Because FCC values the open and free exchange of ideas, and aspires to represent the interests and perspectives of all members of the college community with integrity and ethical intent, the College sponsors student publications that serve as outlets for the sharing of ideas, information, and artistic expression by the College community. This Policy and Procedures applies to all current and future College-sponsored student publications.

II. Definitions for the Purpose of this Policy and Procedures

1. “College community” refers to trustees, students, and all employees of the College as well as any independent contractors or other third parties to the extent articulated under contractual agreements.
   
   
2. “College-sponsored student media” refers to any material that is:
   • prepared, written, published, or broadcast by a student editor or journalist at a public institution of higher education;
   • distributed or generally made available to members of the student body; and
   • prepared under the direction of a student media advisor.
     
     College-sponsored student media does not include material that is intended for distribution solely within the course in which the material is produced.
     
     
3. "College-sponsored student publication” refers to a publication, printed or digital, produced and distributed by or through the collaborative work of enrolled students, under the direction of a student media advisor.
   
   
4. “Faculty member” refers to any person hired or retained by the College to conduct classroom instruction.
   
   
5. “Student” refers to an individual who is registered at the College, either full or part- time, in a credit or continuing education class or classes who has either paid or made
   arrangement for payment of tuition and fees.
   
   
6. “Student editor” refers to a student who compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records, or prepares content for dissemination in College-sponsored media or College-sponsored publications.
   
   
7. “Student journalist” refers to a student who gathers, compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records, or prepares content for dissemination in College-sponsored media or College-sponsored publications.
   
   
8. “Student media advisor” refers to an FCC employee assigned to support the publication process and provide instruction relating to College-sponsored student media or College-sponsored student publications.
   
   
9. “Student publication staff” refers to the body of students that produces a College-sponsored student publication.

 

III. Responsible Senior Leader and Responsible Office

Provost and Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success
Office of the Provost (Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts)

IV. Entities Affected by this Policy and Procedures

FCC employees, students, and alumni
FCC community of readership

V. Categories of College-Sponsored Student Publications

The College supports student publications aligned with one of the following categories:

1. Literary Magazine Aligned with Curricula for Course Credit
   
   
   1. Tuscarora Review is a literary magazine produced through a credit-bearing course. Students produce The Tuscarora Review under the direction of a student media advisor. 
   2. Tuscarora Review is produced by FCC students for the College community. The magazine provides a visible outlet for the literary and visual arts, while also emphasizing the value of arts and humanities education to the College community.
      
      
2. Journalistic Publication Aligned with Curricula for Course Credit
   
   
   1. The Commuter is a journalistic publication that provides experiential learning to students through a credit-bearing course at FCC. Students produce The Commuter under the direction of a student media advisor.
   2. The Commuter is published by students of the College to provide news and information, while also emphasizing the value of journalism education to the College community.
      
      
      

VI. Procedures

1. Opportunities for Student Expression in College Sponsored Student Publications
   
   
   1. FCC student editors and student journalists determine the content of Tuscarora Review and The Commuter.
      
   2. The Commuter and Tuscarora Review are open to submissions from current and former members of the College community during the academic year. The Commuter may entertain submissions from community members that are directly relevant to the College community.
   3. Submissions are subject to a rigorous editorial review process that does not infringe upon the free speech and press rights of student editors and student journalists.
   4.  Tuscarora Review selects submissions for publication and awards based on creative, artistic, and compositional merit. The Commuter selects submissions for publication based on journalistic, graphic, photographic, and compositional merit.
      
      
2. Freedom from Reprisal
   
   
   1. A student journalist may not be disciplined for exercising rights protected under this Policy and Procedures or as set forth in Section 15-119 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
   2.  A student media advisor may not use the media advisor’s position to influence a student journalist or student editor to promote an official position of the College.
   3. A student media advisor may not be disciplined for acting to protect a student journalist for exercising rights protected under this Policy and Procedures or as set forth in Section 15-119 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
      
      
3. Unprotected Expression
   

    

   The following types of content or expression are not protected in College-Sponsored Student Publications:

   1. Content that is libelous or slanderous.
   2. Content that unlawfully invades a person’s right to privacy.
   3. Content that intends to harass, threaten, or intimidate an individual.
   4. Content that incites students to create a clear and present danger through the commission of an unlawful act.
   5. Content that incites students to create a clear and present danger of the violation of College policies and procedures.
   6. Content that incites students to create a clear and present danger of a material and substantial disruption of College activities and learning environment.
   7. Content that violates federal or state law.
      
      
4. Circulation 

1. 1. The Commuter and Tuscarora Review may circulate print editions on the main campus and Monroe Center.
   2. The Commuter may circulate digital editions through its website, the FCC student publications website, and social media channels.
   3. Tuscarora Review may circulate digital editions through the FCC student publications website, and social media channels.
   4. The student media advisor will provide printed versions of The Commuter and Tuscarora Review to the FCC Learning Commons for archival purposes.