STUDENT LIFE INTRODUCTION

While students are attending school, they are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which reflects a Massage Therapist’s level of ethics and professionalism.


The MSM Student Conduct Guidelines are set forth in order to help ensure a safe and healthy learning environment which respects both our students and the faculty and professional staff of the Montana School of Massage and include the following, but are not limited to:

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to attend 90% of each class required to complete the program. If you know that you are going to be absent, please call the school as soon as you know to inform the instructor and the Education Director so the class can be made up.

If 90% of attendance in each class is not achieved, a written notice from the instructor will be given to the Education Director for makeup.

CARE AGAINST INFECTIOUS SKIN DISEASE

Faculty, staff or student with an infectious skin disease shall refrain from direct contact with others until the condition resolves. Faculty, staff or student with a lesion that is actively discharging fluids or is weeping dermatitis shall also refrain from direct contact with others until the condition resolves.

CLEANING CLASSROOMS & MASSAGE ROOMS

Each instructor will return the classroom to a neat and clean fashion after the class had ended.


• Educational materials and equipment must be put back in designated storage room.
  
• Place chairs back at each massage table in classroom fashion.
  
• Clean tables after each massage with paper towels and the provided cleaning solution.
  
• Massage Therapists are to place linens in designated laundry receptacle.
  

CONFIDENTIALITY

MSM endeavors at all times to protect the rights of the individual and the well being of all students, faculty, staff and clients. Respect of the individual’s privacy and confidentiality is expected at all times. Students’ and Employees’ files are kept locked and information will not be released from the file to another individual unless written permission release is signed by the file owner. See Education Director or Director for permission release.

While you are a student at MSM, you will work with instructors, administrators, fellow students, massage models outside the program and others who are friends or family members. It is not appropriate to discuss one person’s situation with any others unless there is a health or safety concern, in which case you should consult with your instructor or school Director.

DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE

MSM is committed to providing an environment for teaching and learning that is not impeded by the presence of illicit drugs or alcohol.

Students and employees who are found to be possessing, using or distributing illicit drugs or any other controlled substance will be subject to full criminal penalties under the laws of the municipality, the United States and the State of Montana. Conviction can result in sanctions including probations, fines and imprisonment.

Therefore any MSM student or employee who possesses, distributes, or is under the influence (for purposes of this policy, “under the influence” means having one’s behavior altered by the substance) of illicit drugs or alcohol while in class, on school grounds or at a school-sanctioned event is subject to dismissal.

EDUCATIONAL MAKE-UP

If an educational makeup is done one-on-one with an instructor, the student will be financially responsible for the educational time. If educational makeup is done by the student joining another class, the class will be made up free of charge. The Education Director will notify the student of class needed to make up and form will be filled out for class credit.

Updated attendance is furnished monthly by the Education Director and mailed to each student. If an educational makeup is required it will be enclosed in monthly update. It is the student’s responsibility to change any makeup date or dates.

If students are more than 15 minutes late or voluntarily leave 15 minutes before class is dismissed, they will be counted absent for the class.

GRADES

Students are expected to maintain a grade average of 80% (3.0) or better on all quizzes, tests and exams. It is the student’s responsibility to take and pass all quizzes, tests and exams. Once an exam is given and turned in, the Teacher has 3 days to return the graded test. Final grades are to be given to the Education Director no more than 4 days past the last class date.

GRADE MAKE-UP

If a student receives less than an 80% on a quiz, test or exam the student has one week from the date the test was handed back to retake exam. Retakes are kept in the test file at the front desk and are only for the designated test time. 80% is the highest score a student can receive on a retake exam.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Any student taking psychotropic drugs, mood-altering prescription drugs, or over-the-counter drugs that have behavior altering side effects, is required to inform the instructor, as it may affect the ability to give or receive a massage.

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Inappropriate behavior will result in a progressive discipline process which may end in dismissal from MSM or termination of employment. Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to:


• Violation of Sexual Harassment policy
  
• Violation of Professional Relationship policy
  
• Persistent tardiness or absenteeism
  
• Stealing
  
• Failure to abide by MSM policies
  

Aggressive and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. This includes:


• Threatening body language
• Verbal threats
• Any other behavior as reported and investigated by MSM

NUDITY & DRAPING

MSM respects the modesty of the students, staff and clients of Massage Clinic. Nudity, exposure of the genital areas or of the women’s breasts is not allowed. When disrobing as a recipient for massage work in the classroom, please use the designated cubicle screens. Clients of the Massage Clinic are to undress to comfort level and lay underneath sheets and blanket unassisted by the staff Massage Therapist.

Staff Massage Therapists are not allowed to be present in the massage room while a client is dressing or undressing. During classroom work use a sheet to cover yourself while you get on the table. When on the table you will be draped appropriately and professionally, so as to maintain modesty during the massage experience.

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

MSM strongly discourages and disapproves of social or sexual relationships between a currently enrolled students and faculty or staff members.


• If a relationship between a student and staff/ faculty member is pre-existing, MSM will require schedules that provide as much separation as possible. If it is not possible to arrange different schedules, both parties shall be held responsible for ensuring appropriate behavior and professional distance.
  
  
• If a relationship develops while a student is enrolled in school, the faculty member is subject to dismissal.
  

PERSONAL HYGIENE STANDARDS

Faculty, staff and students are expected to take extra care with personal hygiene in the classroom, at a school-sanctioned activity, and when working with a client outside the school setting. Faculty, staff and students are to maintain the very highest standards of personal hygiene, including, but not limited to, clean hair and body, short fingernails, clean and appropriate clothing and avoidance of body odor, scents, perfumes and colognes.

MSM is non smoking facility. Smoking is expected to be done outdoors.Students and Faculty/ Staff who smoke are expected to wash hands before returning to class or student clinic.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION

MSM sexual harassment policy includes, but is not limited to:


• Unwelcome sexual advances
  
• Requests for sexual favors
  
• Comments written or verbal, of sexual nature
  
• Physical conduct of sexual nature
  
  Sexual harassment will not be tolerated as it is against the law and creates a hostile environment.
  
  Should an allegation be made, the School, with assistance from council of the HR consultant, will investigate thoroughly and promptly. All complaints, concerns, questions or allegation should be promptly brought to the attention of the School Director or designee.

WEAPONS

It is inappropriate to carry any weapon to school. Carrying a weapon in the building or at a school-sanctioned event will result in dismissal from the program. If you have a concealed weapon’s permit, please do not carry the weapon when you are in the building or at a school sanctioned event.