Student Right-to-Know
All Trenholm State students and prospective students have the right to access important information regarding the College, including graduation rates and campus crime statistics.
In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act (P.L. 101-542), passed by Congress on November 9, 1990, institutions receiving Title IV funding are required to disclose the graduation or completion rates of certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time students. These rates are calculated within 150% of the expected completion time (e.g., three years for a two-year degree program). Trenholm State's graduation rate data is available through the Office of Institutional Research.
All related consumer information, including graduation rates, campus safety, and student rights, can be found on the Consumer Information page at www.trenholmstate.edu.
Change of Name
Academic records at Trenholm State Community College are permanently maintained under the name used at the time of a student’s admission. Students are not required to update their name, and name changes will not be processed for inactive students.
Students who wish to update their name must complete the Change of Personal Information form, available online under Student Forms. Legal documentation is required to process a name change. Acceptable documentation includes:
- A marriage license,
- A divorce decree, or
- If neither is available, a valid driver’s license and Social Security card reflecting the new name.
The name change will be processed by the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management after legal documentation has been reviewed and approved.
Visitor Policy
Visitors should be able to demonstrate a valid purpose for being on campus. They are expected to abide by the regulations of the College. Students are responsible for the conduct of their guests. WHILE CHILDREN ARE ON CAMPUS, THEY MUST BE UNDER THE IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION OF AN ADULT. All visitors are subject to the same code of behavior applied to students. Disruptive visitors will be asked to leave campus, and if necessary, escorted off campus by security.
College Fundraising and Solicitation Activities
Any fundraising or solicitation activity that uses the name, image, or reputation of Trenholm State to secure external financial contributions will be considered fundraising or solicitation on behalf of the College and is subject to this policy. All contributions are the property of Trenholm State.
Restrictions placed on donations will be documented and tracked in accordance with the College’s standard bookkeeping practices. Only gifts, bequests, devises, endowments, trusts, and similar contributions that align with the mission and strategic goals of Trenholm State will be considered for acceptance.
Solicitation of Funds
Formal solicitations of gifts to the College may only be made by authorized representatives, including College staff, departments, divisions, and students.
Fundraising by Faculty, Staff, or College Departments
Faculty and staff who wish to initiate fundraising or solicit gifts-in-kind to support College programs or activities must obtain written approval from the President or the President’s designee before proceeding.
Fundraising by Student Organizations
Student organizations engaging in fundraising activities must adhere to the College’s institutional fundraising policies. Prior to conducting any fundraising, student organizations must receive approval from both the Dean of Students and the President or the President’s designee.
Fundraising efforts must support the organization as a whole or an approved charitable cause. Funds may not be raised for the direct benefit of specific individuals—either within or outside the organization.
Additional Guidelines:
- All on-campus student fundraising activities—whether initiated by a club, department-sponsored group, or campus service area—must be approved by the Dean of Students and the President or the President’s designee before scheduling facilities, advertising, or contracting services.
- Solicitation of external parties—including local businesses, national corporations, alumni, or friends of the College—for donations, sponsorships, or in-kind gifts requires prior approval from the Dean of Students and the President or the President’s designee before any outreach is initiated.
Restricted Gifts
Accepting a restricted gift imposes a legal obligation to comply with the donor’s specified terms. Therefore, the nature and extent of these terms must be fully understood before acceptance.
All restricted gifts will be reviewed carefully to ensure they:
- Retain their intended usefulness, and
- Provide benefit to the College consistent with its mission.
Gifts may be declined or returned if:
- The gift’s purpose is deemed inappropriate or contrary to the best interests of the College, or
- The gift imposes financial or other obligations that the College cannot reasonably fulfill.
Off-Campus Trips
All off-campus trips require prior approval from the appropriate dean, division director, or program coordinator. Students must also complete a Prior Approval Authorization form, which must be approved by the Dean of Students office.
Phone Usage in the Classroom
Students are expected to maintain a respectful learning environment and avoid disrupting the class or fellow students. Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be silenced or set to vibrate during class and lab sessions. Disruptions caused by audible devices may result in the student being asked to leave the classroom.
Student Break Areas
Student break areas are available on each campus and include vending machines for snacks and meals. Many students choose to bring their lunch and eat in these areas or in the designated outdoor spaces. At the Trenholm Campus and Patterson Site, break areas are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until the last class of the day. On Fridays, they are open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Vending machines are located on both campuses. The College is not responsible for money lost in these machines.
Lost and Found
Trenholm State Community College (TSCC) provides a Lost and Found service through its Campus Police Department to assist in returning misplaced property to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Found items should be turned in to Campus Police (Building E on the Trenholm Campus or Building D on the Patterson Site). Students may also give items to faculty or staff, who must forward them to Campus Police within 1–2 days. To report a lost item, contact Campus Police or complete a Lost/Missing Property Report. Providing detailed descriptions—such as brand, color, serial number, or unique features—greatly increases the chances of recovery.
To claim lost property, individuals must present valid photo identification (e.g., TSCC ID, driver’s license) and proof of ownership, such as a serial number or photo. Items that pose sanitation risks or are perishable will not be stored and are discarded immediately. Lost items are held for 60 days; after that, unclaimed items are donated or discarded, and any unclaimed cash is contributed to the TSCC Student Emergency Fund. For help with lost items, visit the Campus Police during regular business hours.
First Aid
Students requiring first aid should report to their instructor. In the event that a person needs emergency medical treatment, a Dean, Division Director or Program Coordinator should be contacted. A person suspected of being seriously ill or injured (broken bones, unconscious, etc.) should not be moved until medical personnel arrive. Any costs, such as transporting seriously injured students to the hospital, hospitalization, or treatment are borne by the student. The College does not provide emergency medical service. All areas are equipped with first aid kits. Any accident should result in an accident form being generated by faculty/staff and forwarded to Safety.
Campus Alerts: Safety, Security, and Weather Notifications
Trenholm State Community College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. In the event of an emergency or potentially hazardous situation, the College will issue timely alerts and notifications to keep the campus community informed and prepared.
Types of Campus Alerts
Alerts may be issued for, but are not limited to, the following situations: Severe weather (e.g., tornado warnings, flooding, extreme heat or cold), Campus closures or delays, Security threats or active incidents, Health and safety concerns, Emergency evacuations or shelter-in-place instructions
Notification Methods
Trenholm State utilizes multiple communication platforms to distribute campus alerts quickly and effectively. These may include text messages and email alerts via Trenholm Alert, the College’s official notification system, public address system announcements (where applicable), Social media updates (official college accounts), College website and student portal notifications, Digital signage across campus
Students are strongly encouraged to ensure their contact information is current in the College's student information system to receive all emergency communications.
Weather-Related Closures and Delays
Decisions to close or delay the opening of the College due to inclement weather are made with the safety of the campus community as the top priority. Announcements will be made as early as possible via the notification methods listed above.
Your Responsibility: Stay alert and follow all directions provided in campus alerts. Update your contact information regularly to ensure you receive emergency communications. Report any suspicious activity or safety concerns to Campus Police immediately (Trenholm Campus: 334-224-2723, Patterson Site: 334-799-6553).
For more information or to register for emergency alerts, visit the www.TrenholmState.edu or contact Campus Police.
Reporting Criminal Actions or Other Emergencies
Contact the following individuals, respectively, to immediately report criminal actions or other emergencies: Campus Police Trenholm Campus- 334-224-2723, Patterson Site- 334-799-6553 or Coordinator of Safety & Security - 334-303-9100 or Director of Facilities - 334-799-6544.
- It is the policy of Trenholm State Community College that any criminal act: act or threat of violence, injury, destruction of college or personal property; traffic accident; or other situation which occurs on college property or any other site operated by the College and which may constitute an emergency, a danger to the health, safety, or property of any person, or threat to public order be reported immediately to Campus Police.
An emergency is hereby defined as any event that is disruptive to the normal affairs of the College. Members of the campus community should be alert to emergency situations and make immediate reports as outlined below.
In reporting an emergency, the caller must: State name, State type of emergency, State location of emergency and Remain in the area until assistance arrives if safe to do so.
- All witnesses to any situation that fits into any of the above-described categories shall make themselves available to make written statements and otherwise assist college officials and law enforcement officers in the investigation of the situation. It shall be an offense subject to appropriate disciplinary action for any Trenholm State Community College employee or student to file a false report, or knowingly make a false statement about, or interfere with the investigation of, any situation of the nature described in Paragraph 1.
- It shall be the duty of the College, upon any employee or official being made aware of any situation of a nature described in the Paragraph 1, to immediately take all reasonable action to prevent or minimize any harm or threat of harm to the employees, students, and visitors of H. College Trenholm State Community College.
Reporting of Emergencies - On Campus
- Medical Emergencies: In the case of major injury or serious illness, (1) Call 911, then (2) Call Campus Police (see published phone list for campus numbers).
- Fire/Explosion/Hazardous Material Spill: In the case of fire, explosion or hazardous material spill,
Activate the fire alarm or otherwise notify occupants to vacate the building.
Call 911 to report the event; (3) Call Campus Police; (4) Call maintenance.
- Bomb Threat: In case of a bomb threat, Call Campus Police.
- Criminal Acts: In case of criminal acts including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary or motor vehicle theft, Call Campus Police and they will make the appropriate notifications and contact appropriate outside agencies. .
- Maintenance Emergencies: In case of maintenance emergencies,
Contact maintenance
Contact Campus Police
Reporting of Emergencies - Off Campus (participation at College functions)
In the case of a major injury, serious illness or other emergency involving a faculty/staff/student participant at a college function:
- Call local medical assistance and local law enforcement personnel, if applicable by dialing 911;
- Call Campus Police in the event such an occurrence is after normal operating hours. The Campus Police will in turn notify the appropriate dean.
Reporting of Emergencies - Off Campus Instructional Sites
In the case of a major injury, serious illness or other emergency involving faculty, staff or students at an off-campus instructional site:
- CALL 911
- Contact Campus Police
Emergency Procedures - Building Evacuation
In the event it becomes necessary to evacuate a building, all occupants are expected to vacate the facility as directed by the signage located in each building.
Emergency Procedures - Tornado Watch
The college will be notified through Trenholm Alert if a tornado watch is issued.
Classes are not interrupted for a tornado watch.
Emergency Procedures -Tornado Warning
The college will be notified through Trenholm Alert to take shelter when a tornado warning is issued.
Building representatives and instructors shall assist in an orderly transition to shelter locations.
Building occupants will from that point, listen for additional instructions through Trenholm Alert until the warning is canceled and the “All Clear” is given.
Building Captains will direct the movement to the designated weather shelter areas for their building.
All occupants should avoid glass areas.
When the tornado threat is over, the all-clear will be given through Trenholm Alert and normal activities will resume.
The College will not send people home during a tornado watch or warning.
Campus Law Enforcement Policies and Practices
Procedure:
- Any criminal act; act or threat of violence; injury; destruction of College or personal property; traffic; or other situation occurring on the College campus or other similar situation shall be reported to Campus Police immediately. In any event, said reporting shall be conducted through the completion of the appropriate incident reporting form.
- The Campus Police, representatives of the local Police Department, Sheriff’s Department, or State Troopers’ office working with official capacity of said agencies shall have full and legal authority to enforce all pertinent state, federal, and local laws at Trenholm facilities and sponsored activities on or off campus.
- The Chief of Police shall be responsible for the investigation of incident reports.
Campus Programs on Security and Safety
The College shall develop and implement formalized programs for students and faculty to provide information about campus security procedures and practices and to encourage them to be responsible for their own security and the security of others. Faculty and staff meetings address the need for security and crime prevention. Law enforcement personnel are invited to address the faculty and staff during in-service training on subjects ranging from drug and alcohol awareness to drug issues in the community.
Information about campus security procedures and practices will be presented to all new students during the orientation course/program conducted at the beginning of each semester. As a minimum, this information shall include:
- Hours of operation
- Emergency contacts and numbers,
- Common security procedures, and
- Reporting security violations.