D. STUDENT WELFARE AND RIGHTS
1. Student Organizations
D.1.01 - Registered Student Organizations:
LSCS will provide equal opportunities for all students to participate in courses, activities, and programs without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or disability. Recognition of student groups shall not be denied based on the views expressed by the group. Recognition of student groups may be denied if they violate reasonable System or College rules, disrupt classes, interfere with the opportunity of other students to obtain an education, or if the Chief Student Affairs Officer and/or Chief Student Services Officer reasonably believes that the group poses a threat to the safety of others or a threat of damage or destruction to the System or College. Recognition may be withdrawn if the organization fails to comply with any System or College rules.
LSCS shall ensure that the membership policies and practices of student organizations do not permit discrimination.
D.1.02 - Eligibility:
A group shall be eligible for registration as a student organization at a LSCS campus, if:
a. it does not deny membership to anyone on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or disability;
b. it has a sponsor/advisor who is a full-time employee of LSCS;
c. it is not under disciplinary penalty prohibiting registration; and
d. its membership is limited to currently enrolled students and LSCS faculty and staff. Alumni and LSCS faculty and staff can serve as ex-officio members by invitation.
D.1.03 - Compliance with LSCS Policies:
Registered student organizations must comply with LSCS policies and procedures.
The student organization's activities and programs require sponsor approval.
A registered student organization is not a legal representative of LSCS or LSCS College, unless specifically so designated, in writing, by the Location Executive Officer or his/her designee.
A registered student organization is not permitted to use LSCS’s tax exemption number for its purchases or to bind LSCS through its contracts, without written approval.
D.1.04 - Violation of LSCS Policies:
A registered student organization may be charged with violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The organization, along with its officers, may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations which occur during events sponsored by the organization. The organization, along with its officers, may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations committed by a person representing the organization or associated with the organization.
Sanctions for student organization misconduct may include denial or revocation of recognition as a registered student organization and any other sanction listed in the Student Code of Conduct that applies to individuals.
D.1.05
A student organization held responsible for a group or individual violation may appeal the sanction to the Chief Student Services Officer of the College. If the Chief Student Services Officer has imposed a punishment or sanction, the student organization may appeal it to the Loan Executive Officer.Sale of Taxable Items:
A taxable item sold by a registered student organization, and for which the sales price is $5,000 or less, is exempted from the taxes imposed by Subchapter C of the Tax Code.
A taxable item manufactured by or donated to a registered student organization is exempt from the taxes imposed by Subchapter C of the Tax Code regardless of sales price unless sold to the donor, if the organization:
a. sells the items at a sale that may last for one day only, and the primary purpose of which is to raise funds for the organization; and
b. holds not more than one sale, as described above, each month for which the exemption is claimed for an item sold.
A registered student organization qualifies for the aforementioned exemptions if the organization:
a. is affiliated with LSCS;
b. has as its primary purpose a purpose other than engaging in business or performing an activity designed to make a profit; and
c. files a certification with the State Comptroller.
A registered student organization shall file with the State Comptroller a certification issued by LSCS showing that the organization is affiliated with LSCS.
The storage, use, or consumption of a taxable item acquired tax-free under this section is exempted from the use tax imposed by Subchapter D of the Tax Code until the item is resold or subsequently transferred.
D.1.06 - Raffles:
LSCS shall allow the sale of tickets to a raffle by a registered student organization at LSCS facilities, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.
D.1.07 – Student Travel:
This policy will apply to travel by students to reach an activity or event that is organized and sponsored by a LSCS College whenever the travel is:
a. funded by the College, and the travel is by vehicle owned or leased by the College; or
b. required by a registered student organization.
This policy will apply to scheduled events or activities, such as those that are:
a. a required part of a course (credit or non-credit) offered by LSCS;
b. a college-scheduled sports event or competition; and
c. educational travel abroad programs offered by a College.
This policy does not apply to purely social or optional events organized by a registered student organization or an optional course activity recommended by a faculty member.
“Organized and sponsored by a College” means that college personnel, including faculty, were involved in the planning, communication, and conduct of the activity or event, and such planning, communications and conduct of the activity or event is part of that employee’s official responsibilities.
Travel is considered to be funded by a College whenever a college-maintained budget item or fund is created and used to pay part or all of the expenses associated with the activity or event. Travel is considered to be funded by a College even if the trip is arranged by an outside tour company for a college-sponsored trip and individual travelers must pay their own travel-related expenses to the travel company.
Travel is considered to be required by a registered student organization when the travel is a part of the organization’s official activities, including attendance and participation at conventions, workshops, athletic events, and non-athletic competitions.
Modes of transportation used for student travel shall include, but not limited to, commercial airlines, college-owned or leased cars or vans, and commercially owned and operated buses or vans. Travel arrangements for student groups shall be made in accordance with LSCS travel procedures.
A driver who is transporting students in college–owned or leased vehicles must:
a. be an employee of LSCS or be approved to transport students by an appropriate College Vice President;
b. possess a valid driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle to be driven (a driver of a commercial motor vehicle must have a commercial driver’s license); and
c. have a satisfactory driving record that was reviewed by the College within three months of the scheduled transportation of the students.
The driver shall ensure that the number of passengers does not exceed the designated capacity of the vehicle and that each passenger is secured by a safety belt. A driver shall not drive for more than four (4) consecutive hours without taking a fifteen-minute break or relief from driving. Prior to the departure on a trip covered by this policy, a trip plan and appropriate emergency information shall be submitted to and reviewed by the College Vice President approving the trip.