5.08 College Sanctions

Warning: Warning is a notice served upon the student advising him/her that she or he is violating or has violated College regulations.
Probation: After a finding of violation of the Code of Conduct, restriction of student’s privileges (i.e., extracurricular participation) for a designated period of time including the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to be violating any College regulations during the probationary period.
Other Disciplinary Sanctions: Fines; restitution; denial of privileges (including extra-curricular activities or holding office in student organizations); educational sanctions such as assignment to perform services for the benefit of the College or community; mediation, letter of reflection, attendance at a workshop, seminar, or training, writing a letter of apology, seeking academic advising; re-assignment or eviction from campus housing; substance abuse screening; re-assignment to another class section, including a potential online section; or other sanction that doesn’t result in the student being denied the right of attending classes, or any combination of these.
Eviction: A student residing in a residence hall may be evicted as a result of a specific violation of this code. Eviction requires immediate removal of all belongings and completion of checkout procedures with maintenance and housing. Monetary penalties will be assessed to include, but not limited to, breakage of contract fee, general hall or room damages, and room deposit. An evicted student may continue present enrollment in classes but will be restricted from one or all residence halls and/or the college cafeteria. The Chief Judicial Officer must give notice of eviction.
College Suspension, Expulsion, Interim Action: An involuntary separation of the student from the College for misconduct for a specified period of time not based on academic performance. It is also an immediate action taken by the Vice President of Student Services to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the college community or preservation of college property, to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being, or if the student poses a definite threat of disruption or interference with the normal operations of the college. In such event, the hearing before the Impartial Decision Maker (if requested by the student), shall occur as soon as possible following the suspension. This hearing may be conducted via a telephone conference if the situation merits.
- Suspension is a separation that shall not exceed three academic terms per suspension for any singular offense or situation. While a student is suspended, he or she is not eligible for admission or re-admission at any of the community colleges within CCCS. Once the suspension is lifted the student is eligible for admission or re-admission. Examples of suspension include, but are not limited to, the following: the college, a department or program, a class, residence hall, use of a college facility, or an activity. Students may be suspended from one class period by the responsible faculty member or adjunct instructor. Longer suspensions can only be implemented by the Vice President of Student Services or designee in accordance with this procedure.
- Expulsion is an indefinite separation from the college. The student is not eligible for admission or re-admission at any of the community colleges within CCCS. In exceptional cases where a student wants to be considered for admission or re-admission after an expulsion has been implemented, the student bears the burden to prove the behavior that resulted in the expulsion has been resolved. It is within the college’s discretion to admit or deny the student.
- Interim action is an immediate action taken by the CSSO to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the college community; preservation of college property; or if the student poses a definite threat of disruption or interference to others or the normal operations of the college. In the event of an interim action, the hearing before the CSSO or designee shall occur as soon as possible following the interim action. If the college issues a permanent sanction, the student shall be afforded appeal rights as discussed below. If the college does not implement a permanent sanction, the interim action will be removed from the student’s record.
- The college may issues a “Cease Communications,” “No Contact,” or “No Trespass” directive.
Restitution: The student is required to make payment to the college or other persons, groups or organizations for damages incurred as a result of a violation of this code. Restitution is required for vandalism, theft, payment for repair, cleaning charge, services rendered, loss and destruction of equipment. Fines for violations are considered restitution.

Student:

All persons currently taking courses at or sponsored by the College(s), pursuing either credit, or non-credit, or both types of courses, including those concurrently attending secondary or post-secondary institutions and College. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a specific term, but who have a continuing relationship with the college are considered students.

Continuing Relationship:

A student who is registered for an upcoming term or has indicated intent via a transaction such as a financial aid application to register for an upcoming term. A continuing relationship also includes students who are first time enrollees who engage in misconduct prior to the time of enrollment. For students in a continuing relationship status, jurisdiction and the reasonable person standard must be considered in pursuing disciplinary charges. The Student Conduct Code shall apply to a student's conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending.

Additional Discipline Process Provisions

The student may have the opportunity to be advised by a personal advisor of their choice, at their expense, at any stage of the process and to be accompanied by that advisor at any meeting or hearing. An advisor may only consult and advise his or her advisee but not speak for the advisee at any meeting or hearing. These procedures are entirely administrative in nature and are not considered legal proceedings. The CSSO may remove or dismiss an advisor who becomes disruptive or who does not abide by the restrictions on their participation.

The student must notify the CSSO of the identity of the advisor at least two (2) days before the date of any scheduled meeting. If meetings are scheduled with less than two (2) days’ notice, the student is expected to notify the CSSO as soon as possible.
The student is responsible for presenting his or her own case and, therefore, advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in any hearing except when the student is under the age of eighteen (18) or incapacitated.
The student shall have the right to identify documents, witnesses and other material she or he would like the CSSO or designee to review before making a final decision.
Any hearing held shall be conducted in private unless all parties agree otherwise.
A record of the hearing should be maintained by the CSSO or designee.
Audio and/or Video Recording- the college, at its discretion, may audio or video record any meeting throughout the process. Should a recording exist, the student may request a copy at the end of the process. No other audio or video recording will be allowed.
If the student has a disability and would like to request an accommodation to assist him/her through the discipline process, they may do so by informing the CSSO or designee. The CSSO or designee will then work with disability support services to accommodate the request.
Proceedings under this procedure may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus.
Standard of proof - the College will use the preponderance of evidence standard in the disciplinary proceedings, meaning the College will determine whether it is more likely than not a conduct code was violated.
All sanctions imposed by the original decision maker will be in effect during the appeal. A request may be made to the CSSO or designee for special consideration in exigent circumstances, but the presumptive stance of the college is that the sanctions will stand. Graduation, study abroad, internships/externships/clinical placements, extra-curricular activities, etc. do not in and of themselves constitute exigent circumstances, and students may not be able to participate in those activities during an appeal. In cases where the appeal results in reinstatement to the college or of privileges, all reasonable attempts will be made to restore the student to their prior status, recognizing that some opportunities lost may be irretrievable in the short term.
The procedural rights afforded to students above may be waived by the student.
All timelines may be extended as agreed upon by both parties.

Retaliatory Acts

It is a violation of this procedure to engage in retaliatory acts against any employee or student who reports an incident(s) of code of conduct violations or any employee or student who testifies, assists, or participates in the discipline proceeding, investigation or hearing relating to such allegation(s) of code of conduct violations.

Revising this Procedure

CCCS reserves the right to change any provision or requirement of this procedure at any time and the change shall become effective immediately.