Student Policies

Communication Methods

Rochester College may communicate with students via several methods, including (but not limited to) U.S. Mail, phone, fax, e-mail, the RC App, or social media platforms. Students should inform the college whenever a change is made to their contact information. An official RC e-mail address is issued to each student at the time he or she is admitted to Rochester College. This official RC e-mail address takes the form of a person’s first initial and last name, followed by “@rc.edu” (e.g., jcollege@rc.edu).

Students are responsible for activating their RC e-mail accounts; this may be accomplished on the student portal at my.rc.edu. Students must check email regularly in order to receive important messages and notifications; as a general guideline, students should check their RC email at least once a day as certain communications may be time-sensitive. Failure to read and respond to official Rochester College communications sent to the student’s official RC e-mail address may result in discipline sanctions dependent on the nature of the communication. Failure to read and respond to these communications does not absolve the student from knowing and complying with the content of those communications.

Use of e-mail for official communications with students complies with other applicable Rochester College policies and business practices.

Snow Days and Class Cancellations

The following are Rochester College’s policies and procedures for deciding to cancel classes during a severe weather event and announcing closures to students and employees.

The administration adheres to common practices and local warnings in the case of severe weather. We encourage all students traveling to campus to use caution and allot extra travel time if necessary. The following procedures are implemented for severe weather events that result in a campus closure:

1. The administration determines to which classes the cancellation applies: traditional day-time classes only, accelerated program evening classes only, or both. Decisions about traditional day-time classes are typically made before 7:00 a.m., and decisions about accelerated evening classes are typically made prior to 3:00 p.m.
2. A weather cancellation at one campus does not automatically mean that classes at all RC sites are canceled. Classes at the Macomb and Mott University Centers and Specs Howard School are canceled only if the host site/institution closes.
3. A weather emergency text message is sent to those who have signed up for this service. To sign up, please go to your student portal and complete the form under campus alerts. (RC login information is required.)
4. Local media outlets are notified (Fox Channel 2; WWJ 950 Radio; WXYZ Channel 7; WDIV Channel 4).
5. Announcements are posted on the Student Portal (my.rc.edu—student login is required); the homepage of RC’s website (rc.edu); and RC’s weather and class cancellation hotline (248.218.2003).

Code of Conduct

Rochester College is committed to building a campus culture that is in harmony with Christian values. Enrollment at Rochester College serves as the student’s agreement to abide by the college’s standards of conduct. Students are personally responsible at all times for their conduct on the main campus, other RC campuses, and in the RC community. Rochester College encourages good character; therefore, immodest or inappropriate attire, dishonesty, profanity, sexual promiscuity, gambling, property abuse, on-campus or underage use or possession of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or tobacco is not permitted. The Student Handbook, available on the student portal at my.rc.edu, describes additional policies. Violation of college regulations or civil law may lead to dismissal. Students may not agree with all college standards but are nonetheless expected to demonstrate responsibility as well as character through honorable adherence to the policies. Furthermore, all students are expected to observe common courtesy and cooperation with others in the Rochester College student body, collaborative constituencies, and community.