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Code of Conduct

The purpose of this code is to encourage and promote positive learning and ethical student behavior, define behavior violating academic ethics, specify procedures for the determination of the facts of the alleged misconduct, and to define penalties. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain the highest ethical standards in academic achievement within the positive learning environment provided by the College.

Guideline for academic ethics

Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the course work they submit. The following is a guide to assist students in observing positive behavior in academic ethics:

1. Students must do their own work and submit only their own work on examinations, reports and projects, unless otherwise permitted by instructor.
2. Students can benefit from working in groups. They may collaborate or cooperate with other students during take-home exams, only if specifically authorized by the instructor in the class syllabus or at the time of the exam.
3. Students must follow all written and/or verbal instructions given by instructors or designated College representatives prior to taking exams, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.
4. Students are responsible for adhering to course requirements, including conduct in the course, as specified by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Academic ethics misconduct

Students enrolled in the College assume the obligation of conducting themselves in accordance with the highest ethical standards. Actions constituting violation of the Academic Ethics Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to, the following:

Cheating

Cheating, which is intentional deceit during the pursuit of academic course work, tests, class assignments, activities in any testing area, learning center, clinical setting, tutoring sessions, or in the gathering of research materials. Cheating on a test includes, but is not limited to: copying from another student’s test paper or knowingly allowing your test to be copied; using materials during a test which were not clearly authorized by the person giving the test; collaborating with another student during a test without permission; knowingly using, buying, selling, offering, transporting, or soliciting any of the contents of a test; taking a test for another student or permitting another student to take a test for you; bribing or attempting to bribe another person to obtain a passing grade or a better grade on a test, or for a course; intentional misconstruing facts or incidents relating to an evaluated exercise or assignment that would change the grade given.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is representing the work of others as one’s own, including the use of term papers written by others. The use of another’s words, ideas or information without acknowledgment is also plagiarism. The student should seek guidance from the instructor about acceptable methods to be used to acknowledge the work and ideas of others.

Collusion

Collusion is obtaining or giving to a student unauthorized assistance on material in any course work.

Compromising instructional and test materials

Compromising instructional and test materials is the unauthorized acquisition of instructional and/or testing materials from desks, cabinets, work rooms, classrooms, laboratories, instructors’ offices, tutoring labs, testing areas, assessment areas, secretarial offices, college offices, and/or other areas.

Misrepresentation/Fraud

Misrepresentation/Fraud is using false records, false identification papers, unauthorized identification cards, or computer access to services such as testing areas, placement assessments, tutoring services, and tests or test banks of any type.

If the violation involves the Student Code of Conduct the matter will be referred to the Director of Student Development for investigation and appropriate sanctions.

Sanctions for Academic Ethics Violations

• Penalties as outlined in the instructor’s syllabus or department handbook;
• Disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct;
• Or any combination thereof.

A student that suspects another student of academic misconduct shall report the incident to the instructor. When an instructor suspects academic ethics violations has occurred in their classroom, he/she shall inform the student, in a timely, confidential, manner of the general facts or conduct upon which the allegation is based, including (as appropriate) the date, time and place when alleged conduct took place. If the instructor determines that it did not occur, no further action is necessary. When an instructor believes an academic ethics violation has occurred and has met with the student as outlined in the above paragraph, the instructor will contact the student stating the charge(s) made and the resulting action. The instructor may choose to:

1. warn the student of unacceptable behavior;
2. issue an alternative assignment, project or examination;
3. reduce the grade, or fail the student, for the assignment, project, or examination;

With consent from the Associate Dean, or designee, the faculty:

1. could remove the student from the course and issue the appropriate administrative grade
2. assign a failing grade for the course;

The faculty and Associate Dean can recommend to the Dean, or designee:

1. suspension or expulsion from the program.

The instructor shall notify the student in writing (with a copy submitted to the Director of Student Development, or designee) of the chosen response to academic misconduct.

If the disciplinary action is to remove the student from the course, assign a failing grade or recommending suspension/expulsion, the faculty shall inform the student that they may appeal the decision in the following order:

• The student should attempt to resolve the issue through a discussion with the Associate Dean, or the immediate supervisor within seven (7) college days. A college day is defined as a day classes are in session.
• If the complaint remains unresolved, the student should submit, in writing, the nature and cause of the complaint and desired outcome(s) to the Dean, or designee, and then meet with the Dean, or designee, within seven (7) college days, in an attempt to mediate the problem. After the meeting, the Dean, or designee, will provide a response to the student, in writing, within seven (7) college days.
• If the issue remains unresolved after the written response from the Dean, the student may, within ten (10) college days after receiving the Dean's or other staff member's written response, request in writing, to the Director of Student Development, or designee, a hearing with the Board of Review.
• In order to have a decision reviewed for an appeal, the student must be able to provide, in writing, justification as to why at least one of the following criteria are met:
  • Evidence did not warrant a finding of responsibility.
  • Hearing was not fair or the process outlined in the Code was not followed.
  • Sanction is not appropriate for the violation.

Board of Review for Academic Appeals Misconduct

If a student appeals the determination of the Dean, or designee to the Board of Review, notice of receipt of the appeal from the Director of Student Development, or designee, shall be sent by certified mail to the student’s address as it appears in the official records of the College or shall be delivered personally to the student. The Director of Student Development, or designee, may decline to refer a matter to the Board of Review due to insufficient cause to proceed; may consult directly with the affected parties to reach an appropriate resolution without a hearing, or may refer the matter to committee for consideration and a decision. If the academic misconduct leads to a Board of Review the notice shall inform the student of the following:

1. the date, time and place of the Board of Review, which shall not be earlier than five (5) college days after the date of notice (except when mutually agreed upon);
2. notification that the student is entitled to be present with an attorney or an advisor, and to present witnesses and/or to ask questions of witnesses who appear. If an advocate, or attorney, accompanies the student they may consult with the student but may not be the spokesperson for the student. An attorney/advocate who does not respect this provision will be asked to leave. The student must give the Director of Student Development, or designee, written notice that he/she will be represented by an attorney or any witnesses at least two (2) college days in advance of the hearing. Failure of the student to provide timely notice of his/her intent to be represented by an attorney may result in an adjournment of the hearing;
3. notification that the College may also be represented by legal counsel if it so elects;
4. notification that the student need not answer questions, and that a choice to remain silent will not be taken as an admission of guilt, however, the Board of Review may rely upon credible evidence that the student fails or refuses to rebut;
5. that failure of the student to appear at the hearing before the Board of Review will waive the student's right to appeal and result in the imposition of the recommended penalties without further appeal;
6. the College may convey the results of the investigation to the person who has initiated the complaint.

The Board of Review consists of the following: two (2) students, two (2) administrators, two (2) instructors (from a division not involved in the matter being appealed). The Director of Student Development, or designee, will chair the committee and vote only if there is a tie. The College’s attorney may be present to act as an advisor, but will not be a voting member. In order for student peers to sit as members of the Board of Review, the appealing student must sign a release and authorization to have students sit on the panel. If the student chooses not to have students on the Board, one additional instructor and one additional administrator will be added to the Board.

The members of the Board of Review who initially are present at the meeting will remain on the Board of Review until the completion.

• The Chair of the Board of Review, or the College’s attorney, in consultation with other members, shall maintain order and shall make decisions necessary for the fair, orderly and expeditious conduct of the hearing. The Board of Review may ask questions of all witnesses. When it appears necessary to avoid undue hardship or to avoid injustice, the Board of Review may reconvene to complete the process. The Board of Review meeting will be tape recorded, or minutes of all proceedings will be maintained for a period of two (2) years following completion of the matter.
• Copies of all communications pertaining to the matter being appealed shall be sent to the Chair of the Board of Review. The College’s representative and the student may present and have witnesses, present information, and may question witnesses. The student may, but shall not be ordered to, testify at the Board of Review, nor shall failure to testify be considered an admission of guilt; however, the Board of Review may rely upon credible evidence that the student fails or refuses to rebut. While the Board of Review may question witnesses, the Board of Review members will not be subject to questioning.
• The Board of Review shall, by majority vote, make a recommendation to the Vice President of Learning & Student Services, or designee, to uphold, overturn or modify any disciplinary penalties.
• After a receipt of a recommendation by the Board of Review and within ten (10) college days after the conclusion of the hearings, the Vice President shall render a written decision and shall promptly furnish copies of his/her decision to the student, and to the Director of Student Development, or designee. The decision of the Vice President is final.

These procedures are intended to afford students and the College fair and equal treatment. The failure to follow any of the procedures listed shall not invalidate any action taken by the College unless such action fails to provide fairness to the student or the College.

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