Student Conduct Procedures
Students that are alleged to have violated the Student Code of Conduct will be apprised of the allegations and afforded the opportunity to participate in a conduct meeting. After a determination/decision has been made regarding the alleged violation(s), students may request an appeal so long as they (i) attended their original conduct meeting, (ii) have grounds for an appeal as stated in the Student Conduct Process, and (iii) submit the required documentation. At the end of the appeal, a final decision will be issued. The process is concluded after the final decision is rendered. The Vice President of Student Affairs or their designee has the authority to immediately address serious violations of the College’s code of conduct.
The Code of Conduct is outlined in this Handbook. Students are responsible for being aware of these standards of conduct. A plea of ignorance is not an acceptable excuse for violating College policy. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these policies.
When an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct occurs, the incident should be reported as soon as possible. Students have the right to contact local police at any point, however students will still be required to go through the college conduct process (if applicable). The College may notify local and federal authorities when a crime is alleged to have been committed, but such notification will not modify the College’s authority to adjudicate the alleged misconduct through its own student conduct system.
The College conduct process is not meant to be a legal process. The following table outlines the major differences between the Legal System and the College Student Conduct process:
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Legal System
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College Student Conduct Process
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Prosecutes criminals who violate the law
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Discipline students who violate institutional rules
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Higher standard of proof — “beyond a reasonable doubt”
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Lower standard of proof — “more likely than not.” (Also referred to as the "preponderance of the evidence.")
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“Rules of evidence” often applied in state and federal courts
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“Rules of evidence” do not apply to Student Conduct Meetings or Hearings. The college utilizes "the preponderance of evidence" when reviewing a case; The hearing officer will weigh all evidence — including issues of credibility and relevance — when making a determination
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More severe punishment
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Educational and corrective accountability
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Can imprison people
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Maximum consequence is expulsion
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State and federal laws set minimum standards for the safe and orderly operation of society
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Set standards requiring ethical and moral behavior of students to create and maintain a productive College living and learning community
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Legal system may choose not to prosecute a certain action or behavior
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Campus resolution may proceed before, during or after civil or criminal actions are concluded. Civil and criminal processes do not affect the Student Conduct process.
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Punishment
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Action Plan/Assignments/Sanctions
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"Guilty" or "not guilty"
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"Responsible" or "not responsible"
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"Plaintiff" and "Defendant"
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"Complainant" and "Respondent"
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