Section XII - Student Services

XII D 1

Student Matters - Student Code of Conduct

To present the standards of conduct expected of students and procedures for handling misconduct

I. OVERVIEW

Randolph Community College is a community comprised of students, faculty, and staff, and the College reserves the right to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment. Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with generally accepted standards of scholarship and behavior. When in the judgment of college officials, a student's conduct disrupts, or threatens to disrupt, the college community, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to restore and protect the safety, peace, and integrity of the community.

Students at the college are considered responsible adults; therefore, each student should use discretion and common sense in their appearance and behavior. All behavior which is prohibited by federal, state, and local laws is prohibited on campus and may result in immediate dismissal, arrest, or other appropriate action.

College employees are authorized to handle minor violations; however, when student misconduct threatens the health, well-being, function, or orderly conduct of a class, person, activity, or the college as a whole, then the college official will take appropriate corrective and disciplinary action as described below.

II. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

A. Academic Integrity – See policy VIII A 9 Academic Integrity for specific details regarding violations, sanctions and the appeals process.

III. NON-ACADEMIC VIOLATIONS

A. Violations

1. Misuse, damage, or theft of college property; or private property of a member of the College community or a campus visitor on college premises or at college functions.

2. Trespass, which includes unauthorized entry or presence on the property of the College or in a college facility or any portion therefore to which entry or presence has been restricted.

3. Drug and Alcohol policy – See policy VI B 10 Drug-Free Workplacefor specific details.

4. Rude, disrespectful, lewd, indecent, or offensive conduct or apparel.

5. Appropriate dress. Additionally, students must meet the specific dress requirements of their programs of study, including uniforms or personal protective equipment required in laboratory and shop settings.

6. Mental or physical abuse of any person on the college premises or at a college-supervised function.

7. Communicating threats or engaging in any behavior that constitutes a clear and present danger to the physical and/or emotional well-being of other students, faculty, and staff.

8. Unlawful harassment and discrimination, including sexual-based offenses – See policy VI B 9 Unlawful Discrimination and Harassmentfor specific details.

9. Weapons policy– See policy VI B 21 Weaponsfor specific details.

10. Tobacco-Free policy – See policy VI B 18 Tobacco Free for specific details.

11. Acceptable Use (Electronic Access) policy – See policy IX A Acceptable Use (Electronic Access) for specific details.

12. Disruptive Communications – In addition to items addressed in the Acceptable Use (Electronic Access)policy, a student shall not intentionally send electronic communications that disrupt the learning environment. This may include, but is not limited to, the use of profanity, insulting or harassing remarks in e-mail, discussions, chat, text, etc.

13. Intentional obstruction or material and substantial disruption of teaching, administration or disciplinary proceedings, or other college activities, functions, or events.

14. Setting off a fire alarm or using or tampering with any fire safety equipment, except with the reasonable belief there is a need for such an alarm or equipment.

15. Traffic and Parking policy – See policy VII F Traffic and Parking for details.

16. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of college documents, records or instruments of identification with intent to deceive.

17. Failure to comply with instructions of college officials acting in performance of their duties.

18. Financial impropriety such as failure to pay college-levied fines, misuse or failure to properly account for club or student organization funds, or the passing of worthless checks, drafts, or orders to college officials.

19. Gambling on college premises or at college-affiliated activities or events.

20. Violations of federal, state, or local laws occurring while on college premises that may lead to legal actions as well as campus discipline.

21. Other Misconduct – Student behavior deemed by a college official to be a violation of commonly accepted standards of decency and safety or threatens the learning environment of students or the working environment of college employees.

B. Corrective/Disciplinary Procedures for Non-Academic Violations

1. Temporary Suspension

a. The instructor or other College official should immediately suspend the student(s) from the class, function, or activity.

b. If necessary, the School Resource Officer or Sheriff's Department (if the SRO is unavailable) should be contacted to escort the student(s) off campus.

c. Information regarding the incident should be provided to the appropriate Dean/Associate Dean, Director, or School Resource Officer, as soon as possible after the incident. An incident report should also be filed with the Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

d. The Dean/Associate Dean, Director, School Resource Officer, or Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness will immediately forward the report to the Vice President for Student Services for further action. After investigating, the Vice President for Student Services will make the decision as to whether the student may return to campus, is suspended, or is permanently expelled.

2. Disciplinary Procedures

a. Report – Any college employee or student may file a report with the Vice President for Student Services against any student or student organization for violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The individual(s) making the charge should complete and submit a written report within five (5) business days of the incident.

b. Investigation and Determination – The Vice President for Student Services shall investigate the charges and allegations. Within ten (10) business days after receipt of the incident report, the Vice President shall complete the investigation of the charges. To the extent possible, the student(s) should have access to course materials and assignments necessary to maintain success in the course during the disciplinary procedures. After discussing the alleged infraction with the student (or student representative(s) on behalf of a student organization), the Vice President may act as follows:

i. Drop the charges; or

ii. Impose a sanction.

c. All disciplinary actions should be progressive in nature and should consider the totality of the situation; however, depending on the severity of the infraction, even first-time offenses can result in suspension or expulsion.

d. Notification – Upon concluding an investigation into the matter, the Vice President for Student Services shall present the student, or student representative(s), with a written notice of charges that provide a description of the alleged violations. The notice shall also include recommended disciplinary action. If the student, or student representative(s), accepts the recommended disciplinary action, the matter will be closed. If the student is not satisfied with the Vice President's recommendation, within five (5) business days' receipt of the recommendation, the student may request, in writing to the President, a Student Appeals Committee hearing (see Student Disciplinary Appeal Procedure below).

3. Sanctions for Violations

a. Verbal Warning – A verbal warning that the specific behavior/condition will not be continued or repeated, or further disciplinary action will be taken.

b. Warning – A written communication from the Vice President for Student Services that gives official notice to a student that any further disciplinary offense will carry heavier penalties because of a prior infraction.

c. Disciplinary Probation – Results in a loss of good standing and becomes a matter of record. This probation will be in effect for not less than two (2) semesters. Any further disciplinary offenses while under disciplinary probation will result in the student's immediate suspension.

d. Suspension – Exclusion from class(es) and/or all other privileges or activities of the college for a specified period of time. This sanction is reserved for those offenses warranting discipline more severe than probation and for repeated misconduct. Students who receive this sanction must receive written permission from the Vice President for Student Services before returning to campus.

e. Expulsion – Dismissing a student from campus for an indefinite period of time. The student loses his/her student status. The student may be readmitted to the College only with the approval of the President.

f. Restitution – Paying for damaging, misusing, destroying, or losing property belonging to the college, college personnel, or students.

g. Group Probation – 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.

h. Group Restriction – Removing college recognition during the semester the offense occurred, or for a longer period of time (usually not more than one 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.

i. Group Revocation – 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 of the college.

j. Other - Other types of discipline as set forth in campus rules and regulations consistent with the incident involved.

If, as a result of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, a student is dismissed from class(es), the student may receive a failing grade or grades, and the disciplinary dismissal will be recorded in the student's permanent record.

The President and the Vice President for Student Services are authorized to expel immediately any student(s) who commit(s) behavior that is prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. Randolph Community College maintains the right to file formal legal proceedings against any student or individual who commits behavior prohibited by federal, state, or local laws.

An individual who is not a Randolph Community College student and who violates the procedures will be removed from campus immediately and not allowed to return. Any attempt to return to the campus will be considered trespassing.

C. Student Disciplinary Appeal Procedure for Non-Academic Violations

After the Vice President for Student Services decides the recommended corrective/disciplinary action, if the student is not satisfied with the Vice President's recommendation, within five (5) business days' receipt of the recommendation, the student may request, in writing to the President, a Student Appeals Committee hearing.

1. Grounds for appeals are:

a. A procedural or substantive error occurred that significantly impacted the outcome of the Vice President's recommendation.

b. To consider new evidence, which was unavailable during the original investigation that could substantially impact the original finding or sanction. A summary of this new evidence and its potential impact must be included.

c. The sanctions imposed are substantially disproportionate to the severity of the violation.

2. Upon receipt of the student's request for an appeal, the President shall convene a Student Appeals Committee to hear the matter. The committee shall consist of the following members: a Vice President (but not the Vice President for Student Services) who shall serve as the Chair, one faculty member, one staff member, and two student representatives, each appointed by the President of the College who are not an interested party in the issue to be heard. The Chair shall not have a vote unless the committee is equally divided and a tie-breaking vote is necessary.

Members of the Student Appeals Committee who have information that may affect their ability to remain neutral must recuse themselves from the hearing. Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.

In cases where student representatives on the committee may violate FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), the appealing student may need to have a Committee without any students or waive their FERPA rights.

3. Written notice including the date, time and location of the hearing will be sent within ten (10) business days of receipt of the written appeal or later if mutually agreed upon by the parties.

4. At least five (5) business days prior to the hearing date, the student must inform the President whether they will have legal counsel present. If the student does not provide timely notice, the Chair may continue the hearing until the College's attorney can be present. The student is allowed to have legal counsel present but only in an advisory capacity. Legal counsel will not be allowed to address the Committee.

5. The Student Appeals Committee hearing procedure shall be as follows:

a. The Chair shall introduce all individuals present.

b. The student shall have the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses in support of their case. The Student Appeals Committee shall have the opportunity to question the student and, if applicable, their witnesses.

c. The College administrator and/or other College representatives will present their evidence and witnesses in support of their case. The Student Appeals Committee shall have the opportunity to question the College administrator and/or other College representatives and, if applicable, their witnesses.

d. Both sides will have the opportunity to make a closing statement.

e. The Student Appeals Committee shall deliberate in closed session. The College attorney may sit with the committee and provide legal advice should such advice be necessary. All relevant evidence shall be included in the official record; however, in reaching its decision, the committee shall weigh and consider the credibility of the presented evidence.

f. The Student Appeals Committee hearing shall be audio recorded and that recording shall serve as the official hearing minutes.

g. Within five (5) business days of the hearing, the Chair shall, in writing, summarize the Student Appeals Committee's decision and send a copy to the parties and the President.

6. The student may submit a written request to the President to appeal the decision. This request must be submitted to the President within five (5) business days of the decision of the Student Appeals Committee's decision. The President will approve, modify, or overturn the decision of the Student Appeals Committee and notify the student in writing of the decision within ten (10) business days of the appeal.

The President's decision is final.

III. STUDENT VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL

If a student is accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct and voluntarily withdraws prior to the conclusion of the disciplinary matter without the consent of the Vice President for Student Services, the student will not be allowed to re-enroll to the college unless reasonable re-entry restrictions, as determined by the Vice President, are satisfied.

Adopted: 09/15/2011
Revised: 01/19/2012, 03/22/2012, 11/20/2014, 11/2023