Part 3: Student PoliciesRules & Regulations
Student Handbook
Please take time to review the Student Handbook, which includes the Student Code of Conduct. You'll find valuable information on student services and official college policies that apply to all students.
Clery Act
The STC Department of Public Safety prepares an Annual Security Report and compiles local crime statistics in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and the Violence Against Women Act. The College must notify all faculty, staff, and enrolled students with the reports annually. Copies of the report may also be obtained in-person by appointment only at the South Texas College Department of Public Safety, located at 2509 W. Pecan Blvd., McAllen, TX 78501 or call 956-872-4444.
Copies of the Annual Security Report and campus-specific crime statistics can be found on the Clery Act webpage.
Title IX
Title IX 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.”
South Texas College is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy community free of discrimination, as well as to providing a fair and prompt process for those accused of any violations.
All new and incoming students must complete a one-hour Sexual Violence Prevention training during their first semester of enrollment. This training is mandatory. Students will receive an email with more information, including login instructions and a link to the training.
Campus Carry
The 84th Legislative Session, Senate Bill 11, Campus Carry law concerning concealed carry became effective on August 1, 2017 for South Texas College.
The 84th Legislative Session, House Bill 910, Open Carry law took effect in the state of Texas on January 1, 2016, but does not apply to university or college campuses, therefore the open carry of handguns is not allowed on college property.
The 87th Legislative Session, House Bill 1927, Firearm Carry Act law took effect in the state of Texas on September 1, 2021, eliminating the requirement to obtain a license to carry handguns if a person is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun. However, Campus Carry law still requires a license to carry permit on College property. Additionally, Open Carry law prohibits open carry of handguns on College property.
Visit the Campus Carry webpage.
Police & Security
For the South Texas College Department of Public Safety, the security and safety of students is top priority. For questions concerning lost and found property, incident reports and general questions, comments or concerns, email stcdps@southtexascollege.edu. For parking-related questions, please email dps_parking@southtexascollege.edu.
Smoke/Tobacco/E‑Cigarette Free Environment
South Texas College, including all its facilities and grounds, is a smoke/tobacco/e-cigarette free environment except in designated areas and parking lots. Persons violating this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. See Board Policy GDA.
Non-Discrimination Notice
South Texas College does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, disabilities, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law. Conduct that excludes participation, denies benefits or subjects others to discrimination is prohibited. The College complies with all applicable policies and state and federal legislation in order to combat discrimination.
Hazing
“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization if the act:
- Is any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
- Involves sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other similar activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
- Involves consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance, other than as described by item 5, that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
- Is any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.
5. Involves coercing, as defined by Penal Code 1.07, the student to consume a drug or an alcoholic beverage or liquor in an amount that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the student is intoxicated, as defined by Penal Code 49.01.
