Disciplinary Procedures

Though most disciplinary charges result from inappropriate classroom conduct or actions, charges may also result from inappropriate conduct or actions reported by security officers, college staff, and/or students, guests, and visitors.

When such reports are made to the Dean of Student Development or the Dean of Continuing Education, Industrial Technologies & Sustainability, as appropriate, the Dean will investigate the charges using the same procedures used in instructor-initiated charges.

Instructors have the authority and the primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and academic integrity, and can order the temporary removal of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or any other conduct that violates the general rules of the College. Such short-term suspensions assume that the instructor witnesses or has first-hand knowledge of the conduct warranting disciplinary action and that the student is given the opportunity to be heard. Such rudimentary due process is generally conducted face to face with the student and any notice of charges or disciplinary sanction may be in written or oral form.

1. The instructor may invoke a warning to the student.
2. The instructor may invoke a judgment against a student by revoking the student’s privilege of further participation in that day’s class, lab, clinical activities, or field/shop work.
3. The instructor or coordinator may suspend a student from participation in class for a longer period of time:
   • Curriculum and Occupational Continuing Education — Not to exceed three consecutive class meetings or three consecutive hours of instruction, whichever is lesser.
   • Basic Skills — Not to exceed three consecutive days.
4. If extended or permanent suspension or further disciplinary action is deemed appropriate and necessary, the curriculum instructor or continuing education director will make that recommendation to the academic dean or dean. After an investigation to establish the facts, the academic dean or dean may make a recommendation for extended suspension or further disciplinary action to the Dean of Student Development or Dean of Continuing Education, Industrial Technologies & Sustainability, as appropriate.
5. The Dean of Student Development or Dean of Continuing Education, Industrial Technologies & Sustainability, in consultation with the academic dean or director, will determine if extended suspension or more serious disciplinary action is appropriate and necessary. Such can be affected through Disciplinary Procedures of the College and due process protections must be afforded all students, as follows.

Where violations are more serious and extended suspension or other disciplinary sanctions are deemed appropriate, accused students must be afforded more robust due process protections. Under such circumstances, the Dean of Student Development or Dean of Continuing Education, Industrial Technologies & Sustainability, will initiate the following administrative procedures:

NOTE: A student may appeal academic dishonesty sanctions 5, 6, and 7 by filing a written appeal with the Dean of Student Development or Dean of Continuing Education, Industrial Technologies & Sustainability, within ten calendar days of being notified of the sanction. The student’s appeal would enter the Disciplinary Procedures process at this point (see Academic Dishonesty).

1. The Dean shall determine whether the charges, if proven, are a violation of College rules and regulations.
2. The Dean shall promptly give the student oral or written notice of the specific misconduct of which he/she is accused, the possible appropriate disciplinary sanctions, and shall request a conference with the student, such to occur within ten calendar days of the notice. At this conference, the student will be given the opportunity to present his/her side of the story and any evidence and/or testimony he/she puts forward shall be duly considered. Failure of the student to meet with the Dean will not prevent the process from moving forward.
3. If the student admits, or fails to deny, the misconduct of which he/she is accused, no further disciplinary hearing or due process is necessary, and appropriate disciplinary sanctions may be imposed.
4. If the student denies the misconduct of which he/she is accused, further investigation into the matter may be needed.
5. If the student’s continued presence endangers persons or property or threatens the harmony of the campus environment or is thought to be a disruption of the academic process, immediate sanctions to remove the student from classes and the college may be imposed.
6. Unless the student adequately refutes the misconduct of which he/she is accused, or unless the evidence collected fails to show a clear violation, appropriate disciplinary sanction may then be imposed.
7. The student will be notified in writing by certified/return receipt mail to the address of record last specified in the student’s permanent file. This letter will clearly state the conduct of which he/she is accused, the factual basis for the charges, the appropriate disciplinary sanction imposed, the right of the student to appeal the decision, and the procedures to be followed to move that process forward. When disclosure of the factual basis of the charges is thought to pose a threat of reprisals against the witnesses, such may be withheld.