I. Overview
The Vice President of Student Services is responsible for implementing these Procedures.
These Procedures apply to non-academic violations defined in Student Code of Conduct Policy. For academic-related violations, see Discipline and Appeal for Academic Violations Procedure. For issues regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence, see Title IX Sexual Harassment Procedure and for issues related to other forms of unlawful discrimination, see Unlawful Discrimination Procedure.
II. Sanctions For Violations
The following sanctions may be imposed for non-academic violations:
- Verbal Warning. Verbal warning which if the student continues or repeats a specific behavior/condition further disciplinary action will be taken.
- Reprimand. A written communication which gives official notice to the student that any subsequent offense against the Student Code of Conduct will carry heavier penalties because of this prior infraction.
- Disciplinary Probation. Disciplinary probation results in loss of good standing and becomes a matter of record. While on disciplinary probation, the student will not be eligible for initiation into any local or national organization and shall not receive any College award or other honorary recognition. The student may not occupy a position of leadership or responsibility with any College or student organization, publication, or activity. This sanction prohibits the student from officially representing the College or participating in any extracurricular activities including intramural competitions. Disciplinary probation will be in effect for not less than two (2) semesters including the current semester. Any further disciplinary offenses while under disciplinary probation will result in the student’s immediate suspension.
- Restitution. Restitution is paying for damaging, misusing, destroying, or losing property belonging to the College, College employees or students. Restitution may take the form of financial payment or appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for such damages.
- Temporary Suspension. Temporary suspension is the exclusion from all College property and all College activities pending the resolution of a disciplinary proceeding.
- Disciplinary Suspension. Discipline suspension is the exclusion from all College property and all College activities for a specified period of time. This sanction is reserved for those offenses warranting discipline more severe than disciplinary probation. A student under disciplinary suspension must receive specific written permission from the Vice President of Student Services before returning to campus. Disciplinary suspension appears on the student’s academic transcript.
- Expulsion. Expulsion is dismissing from the College. The student may be re-admitted to the College only with the approval of the Vice President of Student Services. Expulsion appears on the student’s academic transcript.
- Group Probation. Group probation is given to a College club or other organized student group for a specified period of time. If group violations are repeated during the term of probation, the charter may be revoked or activities restricted.
- Group Restriction. Group restriction is removing College recognition during the semester which the offense occurred, or for a longer period (usually not more than one other semester). While under restriction, the group may not seek to add members, hold, or sponsor events in the College community or engage in other activities as specified.
- Group Charter Revocation. Revocation is the removal of College recognition for a group, club, society, or other organization for a minimum of two (2) years. Re-charter after that time must be approved by the President.
In addition to the above stated sanctions, the College may require counseling. The student may be required to attend one or more counseling sessions with a licensed professional counselor. The student may be required to complete counseling before returning to the College after a period of suspension or expulsion. The student must provide written documentation from the licensed professional that the requirement has been met. Additionally, if required by the Vice President of Student Services, the student must also provide a statement from the licensed professional that the student is able to return to class based on his/her professional judgment.
III. Immediate Removal from Campus
If an act of misconduct threatens the health, safety or well-being of any member of the academic community and/or seriously disrupts the function and good order of the College, an instructor will immediately notify the Vice President of Student Services and Chief of Campus Police, who will immediately meet with the student and direct the student to cease and desist such conduct and advise the student that failing to cease and desist will result in an immediate removal from campus. If the student(s) fails to cease and desist, or if the behavior is such that the student(s) needs to immediately be removed from campus, the Vice President of Student Services and Chief of Campus Police may then immediately have the student(s) removed from campus.
If the misconduct requires an investigation, the Vice President of Student Services shall place the student on temporary suspension pending the outcome of the disciplinary matter. Temporary suspension may be imposed only: (a) to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the College; (b) to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or (c) if the student poses a direct threat of disruption or interference with the normal operations of the College.
IV. Disciplinary Procedures
In order to provide an orderly system for handling student disciplinary cases in accordance with due process and justice, the following procedures will be followed:
A. Incident Report
Any College employee or student may file written charges with the Vice President of Student Services against any student or student organization for violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The individual(s) making the charge must complete and submit an Incident Report within five (5) business days of the incident given rise to the alleged violation.
B. Investigation and Determination
The Vice President of Student Services shall conduct an investigation into the charges and allegations. Within ten (10) business days after receipt of the incident report, the Vice President of Student Services shall complete his/her investigation of the charges and shall meet with the student (or student representative(s) on behalf of a student organization), present the results of the investigation and provided the student (or student representative(s)) with an opportunity to present his/her side. After discussing the alleged infraction with the student, the Vice President of Student Services may act as follows:
- Drop the charges;
- Impose a sanction; or
- Refer the student(s) to a College office or community agency for services.
All disciplinary actions should be progressive in nature and should take into account the totality of the situation; however, depending on the severity of the infraction, even first-time offenses could result in suspension or expulsion.
C. Notification
The Vice President of Student Services shall provide the student with their written decision and instructions governing the appeal process. Such notice shall be given in person or sent to the student’s College email address or mailing address of record.
V. Disciplinary Appeal Procedure
A. Appeal to the Chief Academic Officer
A student who disagrees with the Vice President of Student Service’s decision may request an appeal before the Chief Academic Officer. This request must be submitted in writing to the Chief of Academic Officer within three (3) working days after receipt of the Vice President of Student Service’s decision. The Vice President of Student Services shall refer the matter to the Chief Academic Officer together with a report of the nature of the alleged misconduct, the name of the complainant, the name of the student(s) against whom the charge has been filed, and the relevant facts revealed by the Vice President of Student Service’s investigation. The Vice President of Student Service’s decision is upheld pending an appeal. The Chief Academic Officer shall provide a written decision to the student and Vice President of Student Services within ten (10) business days from the receipt of the student’s appeal.
B. Appeal to the President
VI. Student Voluntary Withdrawal
If a student is accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct and voluntarily withdrawals prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary matter without the consent of the Vice President of Student Services, the student will not be allowed to re-enroll to the College unless reasonable re-entry restrictions, as determined by the Chief Academic Officer, are satisfied. For students who withdrew prior to a determination regarding alleged misconduct that threatened the health, safety or well-being of any member of the academic community and/or seriously disrupted the function and good order of the College, in addition to other reasonable re-entry restrictions, the student must provide proof from a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist, at the student’s expense, that the student no longer poses a direct threat.
Approved by the Board of Trustees June 08, 2015
Amended November 13, 2023
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