Student Handbook

Accommodations AIDS and HIV Attendance  Campus Security Policy Children On Campus Due Process Procedures Mental Health Counseling Services Notices NWF Website Parking Regulations Paying for College Policy Formulation Posting, Circulating and Exhibiting Information RaiderNet

Religious Observance by Students Service Animals Student Code of Conduct Student Email Accounts Student Fundraising Student’s Guide to Reporting Harassment Student Complaint, Grievance, & Due Process Student Ombudsman Student Publications Student Records Student Rights and Responsibilities  Substance Abuse Policy Summary of Reported Crimes on Campus Title IX Grievance Procedures Tobacco Use Policy

Notice of Equal Access / Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination

Northwest Florida State College is dedicated to the concepts of equity and equal opportunity. It is the specific intention of the college not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, genetic information, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or age in programs or activities, in its employment practices or in the admission and treatment of students in its programs or activities.  

If you have questions regarding compliance with the College’s nondiscrimination policy or a complaint regarding harassment or discrimination, please contact the College’s Equity Coordinator:  

Roberta Mackey

Executive Director of Human Resources, Equity Coordinator

100 College Blvd. East, Niceville, FL 32578

Building: 310

Phone: (850) 729-5337

Email: mackeyr@nwfsc.edu  

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681, et seq.) and its implementing regulations (34 C.F.R. part 106) prohibit and are designed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment Discrimination on the basis of sex includes, but is not limited to, sex-based harassment that is sufficiently serious to deny or limit an individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from the program at issue. Examples of sex-based harassment include sexual harassment, sexual violence, and gender-based harassment. Northwest Florida State College complies with all aspects of Title IX and other federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination.  

If you have questions regarding compliance with Title IX or if you have a complaint regarding sexual harassment or sexual violence, please contact the College’s Title IX Coordinator:

Jessica Holley-Guiles

HR Specialist, Title IX Coordinator

100 College Blvd. East, Niceville, FL 32578

Building 310

Phone: (850) 729-5365

Email: holleyj4@nwfsc.edu   

The college environment is an open intellectual forum where varying opinions may be freely expressed and fairly debated. Each member of the college is expected to participate seriously and purposefully in college life. While the freedom to express ideas and beliefs will be respected, conduct and behavior that result in the defacement of property, intimidation of others, or the disruption of any college activity will not be tolerated or permitted and will be subject to disciplinary action. Instructors explain classroom requirements, and students are expected to assume full responsibility for their own actions.

College Accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Northwest Florida State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Northwest Florida State College. 

NWF State College Website

The Northwest Florida State College website is located at www.nwfsc.edu. The website provides access to College information such as admissions, registration, financial aid, bookstore, Raider life, academic resources, academic calendars, instructor websites, and more.

Paying for College

Please refer to the Paying for College section of the College Catalog for information about cost, fees, cost of instruction for third attempts, and refunds.

Student Records

Please refer to the Student Records section of the College Catalog for information about grades, incomplete grades, repeating courses, grade changes/error, grade grievances, and the academic history grade relief option.

RaiderNet

RaiderNet is the student on-line information and registration system. RaiderNet provides access to update contact information, register for classes, view grades, and obtain unofficial transcripts, enrollment verification, degree audit, and financial aid status. To access RaiderNet from the college’s homepage, click the quick link “RaiderNet” on www.nwfsc.edu. For questions concerning access to RaiderNet, call (850) 729-6922.

Student Email Accounts

Students are assigned an NWF State College student email account during the application for admission process. The student email address serves as the official method of communication to the student from the college. This email service is reserved for college business. For more information and to access student email, go to www.nwfsc.edu. Send questions concerning access to student email to helpdesk@nwfsc.edu or call (850) 729-5396.

Attendance

Regular and prompt attendance in all classes is expected. All instructors are free to establish attendance policies for their classes. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor and make arrangements to complete any missed work. (Make-up work is offered solely at the discretion of the instructor.) Excessive absences can affect the success of course completion and financial aid funding. This general policy applies to the student absent from class traveling as a member of a college group, or club or for personal reasons.

Religious Observance by Students

The College shall accommodate recognized religious observances of students under existing State directives. Provision shall be made for students to complete the following activities when their religious observances interfere with the following:

1. Admission and registration
2. Attendance in class, class activities, examinations, and official ceremonies
3. Class work assignments

Students wishing to participate in any recognized religious holiday observances are to let the instructor know, in advance, of their absence. Students will be excused for such absences without penalty. Students are responsible for any material covered during their excused absence. A reasonable amount of time will be allowed to complete make up assignments. Students who believe they have been denied an education benefit because of their religious belief or practice may seek redress as outlined in the Student Grievance Procedures.

Children on Campus

NWF State College values family life and has worked to develop policies that are supportive of families. However, it is the policy of NWF State College that students and visitors should not use the College in lieu of a childcare provider. Accordingly, minor children of employees, students, or visitors may be on campus only under the special circumstances outlined below.  Contact the Vice President of Student Success for any questions or concerns.

• Minor children are permitted on campus when the purpose of their visit is to participate in activities, classes, or events specifically scheduled for their benefit (e.g. Kids on Campus, Children’s Fine Arts Series, Child Development and Education Center).
• Minor children are permitted on campus when with a parent or responsible adult who is conducting routine business at the college.
• Minor children are not permitted in labs, shops, construction/repair sites, classrooms, offices, or other areas where potential hazards exist, unless enrolled in classes or activities scheduled at the site.
• In an emergency or other compelling situation, students or staff may bring children to class or the workplace on an incidental, individual basis, provided advance approval is obtained from the appropriate administrator. In such cases, the children must be directly supervised by the parent/adult and must not disrupt or distract the flow of college work, services or instruction.
• Minor children on campus must be directly supervised at all times.

Service Animals

Service animals are permitted on NWF State College campuses. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) defines Service animals as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.”   Please see the ADA Requirements and Florida Statute 413.08 regarding service animals.

At Northwest Florida State College you will see students and other individuals being assisted by service animals on campus. Service canines are trained to do a job for those with physical or mental impairments. They are not on campus for others to pet or interact with unless the owner says otherwise. Owners of service animals are responsible for keeping the animal under direct control, promptly cleaning up after the animal, and disposing of waste in an outdoor container. State, local government, and/or campus authorities, may request that the handler remove their service animal from college premises, if it is disruptive, aggressive, unhygienic, or behaving in ways outside the duties of a service animal (wandering, barking, etc.)

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are different than service animals because they do not have specialized training to perform specific duties. Due to their lack of training to assist with specific disabilities, Emotional Support Animals are not allowed access to campus and classrooms in the same way service animals are. If you have questions please contact the Accommodations Resource Center at arc@nwfsc.edu.

Accommodations

The Accommodation Resource Center at Northwest Florida State College is committed to providing equal access and opportunities for educational success to all students with disabilities as guided by the American Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws.

Mental Health Counseling Services

Northwest Florida State College has partnered with BayCare Health System to provide mental health counseling, life coaching, and a variety of other services to support and promote the wellbeing and success of students. All active, enrolled students are provided with three (3) therapy sessions at no cost to the student. Students may reach BayCare directly by calling their confidential helpline, open 24 hours a day, at 1-800-878-5470. A student dashboard with access to all services offered may be found by clicking here. No referral is required for this service.

AIDS and HIV

Northwest Florida State College Policy #GP12.00 and FS 1006.68 state that students with AIDS or who are HIV positive are not denied admission to the college. Students are encouraged to confidentially disclose to the Accommodation Resource Center if needed to obtain accommodations in classrooms such as lab classes. HIV/AIDS education information may be obtained from the Department of Health in Okaloosa or Walton County.

Substance Abuse

NWF State College Drug-Free Work Place policy #HR 4.00 states that Northwest Florida State College is alcohol and drug free in accordance with Public Law 100-690, The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of alcohol or a controlled substance is prohibited in and on NWFSC owned and controlled property except for events specifically approved to include alcohol. Students in violation will be subject to disciplinary action as stated in the Student Code of Conduct published in the Student Handbook/College Catalog and may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Tobacco Use

Per NWF State College Smoking and Tobacco policy #HR 23.00 states: 

Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including E-cigarettes, vaping and smokeless tobacco) shall be prohibited from use at all Northwest Florida State College facilities, properties, and vehicles, owned or leased, regardless of location.

This policy shall apply to all students, faculty, staff and other persons on College property, regardless of the purpose for their visit. Further, no tobacco-related advertising or sponsorship shall be permitted on Northwest Florida State College property, at Northwest
Florida State College-sponsored events, or in publications produced by Northwest Florida State, with the exception of advertising in a newspaper or magazine that is not produced by Northwest Florida State College and which is sold, brought, or distributed on Northwest Florida State College property.

Parking Regulations

Please visit the Parking Permits and Restrictions website for information about parking regulations and violations.

Posting, Circulating and Exhibiting Printed and Filmed Information

Students are expected to use mature judgment and a sense of discretion in their selection, publication, display, presentation, and circulation of any printed or filmed materials at any college location, and to realize that they must accept responsibility individually and collectively for the consequences of their choices on these matters. The appearance of the college name, seal or insignia on any material that is not published by the college is not authorized and does not imply college approval or endorsement of the contents.

Beginning July 1, 2021, under Florida Statutes section 1004.097 (2021), a student may, without prior notice, record video or audio of a class lecture for any of three specific purposes:

1. Their own personal educational use,
2. In connection with a complaint to Northwest Florida State College, or
3. As evidence in, or in preparation for, a criminal or civil proceeding.

Class Lecture Defined

A class lecture is a formal or methodical oral presentation as part of a College course intended to present information or teach about a particular subject. A class lecture will occur most often in a course identified by the College as a lecture type course, whether online or in-person, as opposed to a lab course or a course section identified as a discussion section. Class lecture does not include lab sessions or activities, student presentations (whether individually or as part of a group), class discussion (except when incidental to and incorporated within a class lecture), clinical presentations (including any material relating to autopsy, personal health information, or patient treatment or history), crime scene instruction, class exercises or activities involving student participation, test or examination administrations, field trips, private or other classroom conversations between students, or individual instruction, feedback, or conversation between a student and the faculty member.

Recording Guidelines

1. A recorded lecture may not be published without the consent of the lecturer. To publish to share, transmit, circulate, distribute, or otherwise provide access to the recording, regardless of format or medium, to another person, or persons, including but not limited to another student in the class.Additionally, a recording, or transcript of the recording, is published if it is posted on or uploaded to, in whole or in part, any media platform, including but not limited social media, book, magazine, newspaper, leaflet, picket signs, or any mode of print.
2. Recordings are subject to the protections provided in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and Florida Statutes §§ 1002.22 and 1002.225.
3. Students must adhere to classroom behavioral standards while recording. Recording that disrupts the learning environment for other students may violate the Student Code of Conduct and result in disciplinary action.

Publication Notice

A person injured by a violation of Florida law regarding class lecture recording may sue a person who has published, in violation of section 1004.097, video or audio recorded in a classroom. The injured person may be entitled to damages plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees, with the total recovery not to exceed $200,000.

Notices

Notices may be posted by students and recognized student organizations on appropriate bulletin boards. Notices and posters should not to be taped, glued, or pasted on painted or finished surfaces. All such posting must be cleared in advance by the Director of Raider Life at the Niceville Campus. College Center Directors may approve notices at their respective locations. The general distribution of notices is prohibited by anyone other than instructional and staff personnel in the performance of their duties or by recognized student organizations to advertise an approved event.

Student Publications

Student publications (which may include video media newscasts) are intended to foster an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and intellectual exploration. They are a means of bringing student concerns to the attention of faculty and staff members, and of formulating student opinion on various issues at the college and in the surrounding community.

The editorial freedom of student editors entails the corollary responsibility to be governed by the canons of responsible journalism, such as the avoidance of libel, indecency, undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity, and the techniques of harassment and innuendo.

Student publications shall contain a statement to the effect that the opinions expressed therein are not necessarily those of the faculty, staff or student body of the college.

Student Fundraising

Fundraising activities by students and/or student organizations are permissible when the specific purpose is to support institutional scholarships, humanitarian/charitable efforts, or a recognized student organization’s mission and goals. Students/Student Organizations must receive approval by completing the Activity Request Form located on the Raider Life website at least one month prior to the activity’s scheduled date.

Policy Formulation

A student who wishes to suggest a change in any policy of the college should submit a written recommendation to the Student Senate for evaluation. If favorably received by the Senate, the proposal shall be submitted by the Student Senate to the appropriate standing committee/subcommittee of the college for consideration. Students serve on various college committees such as the Budget committee.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

The following rights and responsibilities are afforded and ascribed to all students, regardless of location or mode of delivery.

1. The right to be protected from discrimination and harassment
2. The right to the safety and security of one’s own academic records
3. The right to be informed about completion, graduation, and transfer-out rates for all students, safety, policies and crime statistics.
4. The right to due process if found in violation of a college policy or procedure.
5. The responsibility to abide by the Student Code of Conduct

The right to be protected from discrimination and harassment​​

• The right to be protected against discrimination is covered in Board of Trustee Policy GP 6.00 and is considered “Prohibited Disruption of College Operations”. The right to be protected from harassment is covered by Board of Trustee Policy HR 20.00. Violations of this right should be reported here: https://www.nwfsc.edu/disputes.

The Right to be Informed about Safety Procedures and Crime Statistics

• Crime statistics are published annually in the Student Handbook (see below).

The Right to the Safety and Security of One’s Own Academic Record

• Information about the safety and security of one’s own academic records, as well as complaint procedures, are published annually in the College Catalog and may be found here: https://catalog.nwfsc.edu/content.php?catoid=21&navoid=5828.

The Right to Due Process if Found in Violation of a College Policy or Procedure

• Due process procedures are published annually in the Student Handbook (see below).

The responsibility to abide by the Student Code of Conduct

• The Student Code of Conduct is published annually in the Student Handbook (see below).

Campus Security Policy

All criminal incidents should be reported to Campus Safety, the NWF State College administrator in charge of a function, or an attending faculty or staff member. NWF State College will implement appropriate actions including, but not limited to, contacting the presiding law enforcement agency, any medical services needed or others as appropriate. Reports can be made by phone 729-6888/598-6602 or Incident Forms online. 

Summary of Reported Crimes on Campus

Students may review the annual Safety and Fire Report here.

A Student’s Guide to Reporting Harassment

The purpose of this guide is to ensure an orderly resolution of charges of sexual, racial, or other forms of harassment brought by students at NWF State College. Sexual harassment and racial harassment have been held to constitute a form of discrimination prohibited by the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Applicable law prohibits other types of harassment.

NWF State College upholds the Clery Act and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

NWF State College prohibits all acts of harassment and will properly investigate any claims of harassment.

Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment

NWF State College is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. NWF State College expressly prohibits any form of unlawful discrimination or harassment based on race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, ethnicity, marital status, or disability or genetic information. NWF State College provides ongoing harassment training to ensure everyone the opportunity to work and/or learn in an environment free of sexual and other unlawful harassment.

Definitions of Harassment

Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, including visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This definition includes gender-based harassment of a person of the same sex as the harasser. Examples of conduct expressly prohibited by the policy include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Making unwanted sexual advances.
• Offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors.
• Making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances.
• Leering, making sexual gestures, or displaying of sexually suggestive objects, pictures, cartoons, or posters.
• Making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, or jokes.
• Making verbal commentaries about an individual’s body.
• Using sexually degrading words used to describe an individual.
• Sending suggestive or obscene letters, notes, communications or invitations.
• Touching, assaulting, impeding or blocking movements or violating someone’s “personal space.”
• Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute harassment when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or reward; (2) submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as a basis for making educational, academic, or employment decisions; or, (3) the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with educational, academic, or employment performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational, academic, or employment environment.

Responsibilities

All College employees and students are responsible for creating an atmosphere free of discrimination or harassment, sexual or otherwise. Further, all College employees and students are responsible for respecting the rights of all members of the College community. Any student who experiences or witnesses any sexual or other unlawful harassment or discrimination in the College environment should promptly report the behavior to the Executive Director of Human Resources or the Vice President of Student Success. Reports should be made, in writing, within sixty working days of the incident. This policy applies to all incidents of alleged discrimination or harassment, including those occurring off-campus or during off-hours, when the alleged offender has a relationship with the College.

Investigation

All allegations of sexual or other harassment will be quickly and discreetly investigated and kept confidential to the maximum extent possible. All students have a duty to cooperate fully with the College in connection with any such investigation. If NWF State College determines that an employee or student is guilty of discriminating against or harassing another individual, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the offending employee or student, up to and including termination of employment, suspension, or expulsion.

Retaliation

NWF State College prohibits any form of retaliation against any student or employee for filing a bona fide complaint under this policy or for assisting in a complaint investigation. However, if after investigating any complaint of harassment or unlawful discrimination, the College determines that the complaint is not bona fide and was not made in good faith or that a student has provided false information regarding the complaint, disciplinary action may be taken against the individual who filed the complaint or gave false information.

Student Complaint, Grievance & Due Process

Office of the Student Ombudsman

Per Florida Statute 1006.51, Northwest Florida State College provides a Student Ombudsman with whom students may confidentially discuss complaints, concerns, or problems to reach an informal consensus before proceeding with official college processes. The Director of Raider Life on the Niceville Campus will serve as the Student Ombudsman and may be contacted at 850-729-5277 or ombudsman@nwfsc.edu.

Notwithstanding the confidentiality for many complaints, concerns, or problems, under the Title IX regulations (34 C.F.R. part 106), the Student Ombudsman is a responsible employee. As such, the Student Ombudsman must report potential Title IX allegations to the Title IX Coordinator. 

Student Complaint and Grievance Procedures

These procedures are designed to encourage a prompt and equitable resolution of complaints however it does not prohibit individuals from seeking assistance from other sources. The College prohibits retaliation against any person who files a complaint alleging discrimination or any person alleged to have committed discrimination.

Please refer to the Complaints and Grievances Section in the College Catalog for information regarding the steps to file a complaint or grievance.

Title IX Grievance Procedures

The Title IX Grievance Process differs from the Student Complaint and Grievance Procedures. The procedure under the Title IX regulations (34 C.F.R. part 106) implements Northwest Florida State College policy and state and federal law that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sex and gender in employment and educational programs or activities.   

Any person may make a report of sexual harassment (whether or not that person is the Complainant or alleged victim of the conduct that could constitute sexual harassment). Reports may be made in person or via mail, phone call, or email by contacting the Title IX Coordinator:

Jessica Holley-Guiles

HR Specialist, Title IX Coordinator

100 College Blvd. East, Niceville, FL 32578

Building 310

Phone: (850) 729-5365

Email: holleyj4@nwfsc.edu   

If an individual discloses sexual harassment or discrimination to a Responsible Employee of the College, that employee is obligated to report the alleged harassment to the Title IX Coordinator.  

The Title IX Coordinator will contact each Complainant to discuss the availability of supportive measures and the Complainant’s wishes regarding the supportive measures. The Title IX Coordinator will also discuss with the Complainant the process of filing a formal complaint and whether the Complainant will file a formal complaint.

If a formal complaint is filed either by the Complainant or the Title IX Coordinator, the College will treat Complainants and Respondents equitably and will include an objective evaluation of all relevant evidence. Each party may have an advisor. An investigation will be conducted by a trained investigator who will collect relevant evidence and interview both parties and witnesses. The investigator will provide the evidence to both parties for review, allowing at least ten (10) days for the parties to review and provide a written response. The investigator will consider these written responses before submitting the investigative report.  

The decision-maker, who cannot be the same person as the Title IX Coordinator or the investigator, must allow each party’s advisor to cross examine the other party and all witnesses at a live hearing. Both parties will be given at least ten (10) days between receiving the investigative report and the live hearing. Either party may request that the hearing take place with the parties in separate rooms and technology enabling the parties and decision-maker to see and hear the proceedings. The decision-maker will issue a written determination, which either party may appeal in writing within seven (7) days of the written determination.  

During the formal complaint procedure, the parties may agree to an informal resolution, which is a remedies-based, non-judicial approach designed to eliminate a hostile environment without taking disciplinary action against a Respondent. Both parties must voluntarily consent to the informal resolution process in writing. The College cannot offer or facilitate an informal resolution process to resolve allegations that an employee sexually harassed a student.   

To read the College’s full Title IX procedure, click here. 

Student Code of Conduct

College students are citizens of the local, state, and national governments and of the academic community and are therefore expected to conduct themselves as law-abiding members of each community at all times. Admission to the College carries with it special privileges and imparts special responsibilities apart from those rights and duties enjoyed by non-students. In recognition of the special relationship that exists between the College and the community it seeks to serve; the District Board of Trustees of Northwest Florida State College has authorized the President of the College to take such action that may be necessary to maintain campus safety and preserve the integrity of the College and its educational environment. 

Pursuant to this authorization, the College has developed the following Student Code of Conduct, which is intended to govern student conduct on the campus. The College may enforce regulations the Student Code of Conduct regardless of any proceedings instituted by other authorities. Conversely, violation of any section of the Student Code of Conduct may subject a student to disciplinary measures by the College whether or not such conduct is simultaneously in violation of local, state, or national laws. When a student fails to abide by the Student Code of Conduct or fails to obey the ordinance of local, state, and national governments, disciplinary action may be taken. 

Student Disciplinary Offenses

For the purpose of the Student Code of Conduct, a “student” is any person who is registered for study at the College for any academic period. Generally, through appropriate due process procedures, College disciplinary measures shall be imposed for conduct that adversely affects the College’s pursuit of its educational objectives, which violates or shows a disregard for the rights of other members of the academic community, or which endangers property or person at the College or on any College controlled property. 

All Northwest Florida State College-employed police officers have the authority to control access and to patrol facilities. Failure to leave after instruction to do so can result in trespassing charges. Individual, group, or organizational misconduct, which is subject to disciplinary sanctions, shall include but not be limited to the following offenses: 

Academic Offenses

• Academic dishonesty: Students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the academic community and to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. Academic dishonesty may include but is not limited to:
  • Cheating: During any academic evaluation activity, the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or other devices, information from another student or student’s paper. During any academic evaluation activity, engaging in unauthorized communication of information, including collaborating, contrary to the requirements of a course.  
  • Plagiarism: Presenting work in part or whole of another as one’s own without proper acknowledgment of the source or sources. The sole exception to the requirement of acknowledging sources occurs when ideas or information are common knowledge.

Non-Academic Offenses

• Aiding and abetting the commission of offenses: Any attempt to commit any of the foregoing offenses or the aiding and abetting of the commission of any of the foregoing offenses (an “attempt” to commit an offense is defined as the intention to commit an offense coupled with the taking of some action toward its commission).
• Alcoholic beverages: The unauthorized use and or possession of alcoholic beverages on the College campus, or at any College sponsored event, except College events where the College provides alcoholic beverages.
• Bullying:  Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students. Bullying is further defined as unwanted and repeated written, verbal, or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting or dehumanizing gesture by a student that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment, cause discomfort or humiliation, or unreasonably interfere with an individual’s educational experience.
  • Bullying includes: Teasing; social exclusion; threat; intimidation; stalking; physical violence; theft; sexual, religious or racial harassment; public or private humiliation; and/or destruction of property.
  • Cyberbullying:  Bullying, through the use of technology or any electronic communication, includes, but is not limited to, transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in photo-optical systems, email, internet, webpages, instant messages, facsimile, social networking and/or phone. Bullying is created by the transmission of electronic content, which is communicated and posted to more than one person that interferes with the orderly operation of the educational environment.
• Classroom misconduct: Classroom misconduct includes direct or indirect disruptive, threatening, or otherwise unacceptable social behavior in the classroom. Engaging in or assisting with such activity is prohibited. The instructor has the primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity and can order any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct that violates the general rules and regulations of the College to be temporarily removed or expelled from the classroom.
• Dangerous conduct: Any conduct that constitutes a serious danger to any person’s health, safety, or personal well-being, including any physical or immediate threat to others.
• Dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking:  A type of abuse or violence where there is a pattern of controlling behaviors that is used to establish power over an intimate partner in order to control actions and activities. One can experience trauma where abusive relationships can increase in danger, or dangerous situations where students would not feel safe or secure. Actions include disrespectful and hurtful behaviors that one intimate partner may use against another partner, causing a partner physically harm, stalking, threating, isolating, gesturing and/or demanding unwanted sex practices.
• Disorderly conduct or language: Any individual or group behavior or language which is abusive, obscene, lewd, indecent, violent, excessively noisy, disorderly, or which unreasonably disturbs other groups or individuals.
• Drugs: The unlawful possession or use of any drug or controlled substance, including any stimulant, depressant, narcotic, hallucinogenic drug or substance, marijuana, or sale or distribution of any such drug or controlled substance on college owned or controlled property or at any college sponsored activity.
• Explosives, fireworks, and flammable materials: The unauthorized possession, ignition, or detonation of any object or article, that would cause damage by fire or other means to persons or property.
• Failure to cooperate with College officials: Failure to comply with directions of College officials acting in the performance of their duties.
• Financial misconduct: Conduct, including but not limited to, knowingly passing forms of payment such as a worthless check, debit, credit card, or money order in payment to the College community.
• Firearms/Weapons: Possession, other than legally and securely stored in your vehicle, or use of firearms or other dangerous weapons at any college location or activity except by authorized law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties is prohibited behavior and will subject the offender to disciplinary procedures as well as appropriate action by civil authorities.
• Gambling: Gambling in any form.
• Harassment: Any act of harassment by an individual or group against a student, college employee, campus group, visitor, or guest. Harassment shall include, but not be limited to, insults, heckling, verbal abuse, threats of physical abuse, unwanted suggestions of a sexual nature, repeated teasing or annoyance of another, or other actions intended to disturb others.
• Hazing: Hazing is any intentional or reckless act, on or off the property of the College, by students acting alone, or with others, involving any action which is directed against any other students that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger such student’s mental or physical health or safety. For the purpose of this statement, hazing is defined as those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization.
• Inappropriate dress: College students are mature enough to make wise and appropriate decisions on the type of apparel suitable for a college campus. Attire that disrupts the learning process is not allowed. Dress that includes any words or images that are obscene, offensive, or tend to promote violence, drugs or disrespect is prohibited.
• Misuse of documents or identification cards: Any forgery, alteration of, or unauthorized use of College documents, forms, records, or identification cards including information collected in connection with a student’s admission, enrollment, financial transactions, or status in the College.
• Obstruction of or interference with College activities or facilities: Any intentional interference with or obstruction of any College activity, program, event, or facilities including the following:
  • Unauthorized occupancy of the College, College controlled facilities, or blockage of access to or from such facilities.
  • Interference with the right of way of any college member or other authorized person to gain access to the College or College controlled activity, program, event, or facilities.
  • Obstruction or delay of a campus security officer, fire/rescue service, or any College official in the performance of his/her duty.
  • Acts of misuse, vandalism, malicious or unwarranted damage or destruction, defacing, disfiguring, or unauthorized use of property belonging to the College including but not limited to fire alarms, fire equipment, elevators, telephones, College keys, library materials, and/or safety devices; and any such act against a member of the College community or a guest of the College.
• Theft: Unauthorized possession or sale of College property
• Unacceptable conduct at a College hearing: Any conduct at any College hearing involving contemptuous, disrespectful, or disorderly behavior or false testimony or other evidence at any hearing.
• Violations of general rules and regulations: Any violation of the general rules and regulations of the College as published in an official College publication, including the intentional failure to perform any required action or the intentional performance of any prohibited action.
• Violations of state or federal laws: Any violation of state or federal laws or regulations proscribing conduct or establishing offenses.

Due Process Procedures

Due process procedures are outlined for both disciplinary offenses and student-initiated grievances. Procedures for both disciplinary violations and grievances include the informal resolution procedure and the formal resolution procedure. See Title IX Grievance Procedures for information regarding the Title IX complaint procedure and due process procedure.

Due Process for Disciplinary Offenses

At all times during a Student Code of Conduct disciplinary procedure, all involved individuals will comport themselves with professionalism and courtesy. This section is inapplicable to acts or omissions that do not rise to the level of or do not implicate a Student Code of Conduct violation, such as day-to-day classroom management matters handled by informal instructor intervention, student failure to meet substantive course requirements, management of relationships and participation of students in clinical or other offsite placements, or a student grievance against a College employee or department. When a student or student organization has allegedly violated the Student Code of Conduct, the College will:  

Time Limits for Addressing Violation of Code of Conduct: Any procedure to redress an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be initiated within 60 days after a College employee with authority to initiate such disciplinary procedure has notice of such alleged violation. Notice may arise through written or verbal report, including a Maxient report. That time limit may be extended or waived when required by federal or state law or other written College policy or procedure or when the health, safety, or wellbeing of the student, student organization, or other College student, personnel, or operations necessitates addressing the alleged violation after 60 days has elapsed.   

The Administrator: The Administrator processing the student disciplinary procedure must be an impartial party to the alleged violation and generally within either the Student Success or Academic Affairs departments; such Administrator will generally be a Program Chair or Program Director for academic offenses and a Director or Executive Director for non-academic offenses. When necessary to provide an impartial Administrator, the Vice President of Academic Affairs or the Chief Student Success Officer will appoint an impartial employee with the authority to resolve the disciplinary matter regardless of department. 

Provide Notice of Alleged Violation: The Administrator will provide the student or student organization with timely written notice of the alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The written notice will include the allegations to be investigated, a citation to the specific provision to the Student Code of Conduct at issue, the process used in determined whether a violation has occurred and associated rights, and the date, time, and location of the disciplinary proceeding. The written notice will be delivered to the student at least 7 business days prior to the first meeting of the disciplinary proceeding. If the student is 18 years of age or older, notice will be delivered to the student’s institutional e-mail address. If the student is under 18 years of age, notice will be delivered to the student’s institutional e-mail address and to the student’s parent. If a student organization is at issue, notice will be delivered to the student organization’s e-mail address. 

Provide Known Witnesses and Additional Information: At least 5 business days before the first meeting of the disciplinary proceedings, the appropriate Administrator must provide the student or student organization with a listing of all known witnesses that have provided, or will provide, information against the student or student organization and all known information relating to the allegation, including inculpatory and exculpatory information. Such information will be delivered in writing to the addresses stated in the Provide Notice of Alleged Violation section.  

Conference: The Administrator shall request a meeting with the student for a preliminary conference where the student shall be apprised of their rights and made aware of the student due process procedures; such Conference will follow the notices set out in the preceding two paragraphs. 

The student will be offered the opportunity to explain the conduct in question and provide the Administrator with a detailed written explanation if the student chooses to do so. Failure of the student to meet with the Administrator within 10 days of the request for a meeting will not prevent the process of collecting information or the decision to move forward. 

Investigation: The Administrator shall consider all evidence, determine the facts, render a decision, and impose disciplinary sanction(s) as necessary.

Sanctions: The Administrator will submit in writing the claimed misconduct, infraction, or offense and present a statement of the full penalty or sanction, in addition to a statement of the student’s right to due process. The student shall be provided this information either in person or by college email and registered mail. If the student is 18 years of age or older, notice will be delivered to the student’s institutional e-mail address and registered mailing address. If the student is under 18 years of age, notice will be delivered to the student’s institutional e-mail address and registered address and the student’s parent. If a student organization is at issue, notice will be delivered to the student organization’s e-mail address and mail inbox on campus, if any assigned. 

Appeal: The student or student organization has the right to appeal the final decision of the Administrator (or other hearing officer or any committee or panel) directly to the Chief Student Success Officer (for non-academic offenses) or Vice President of Academic Affairs (for academic offenses), who must hear the appeal and render a final decision. The Chief Student Success Officer or the Vice President of Academic Affairs, or other person designated to hear the appeal, may not have directly participated in any other proceeding related to the charged violation.  

Record of Proceeding: The College shall make, preserve, and have available for copying upon request of the student or student organization an accurate and complete record of every disciplinary proceeding relating to a charged violation of the Student Code of Conduct.  

Additional Due Process Protections of Students and Student Organizations: In addition to the protections set out elsewhere in this section, the student and student organization are provided the following protections in the Disciplinary Process for alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct:  

• The right to a presumption that no violation occurred. The College has the burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a violation has taken place.  Preponderance of the evidence means that the information presented supports the finding that it is more likely than not that the student or student organization violated of the Student Code of Conduct.  

• The right to an impartial hearing officer, which, in most cases, is an impartial Administrator who is designated to address the alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct.  

• The right against self-incrimination and the right to remain silent. Such silence may not be used against the student or student organization.  
• The right to present relevant information and question witnesses.  
• The right to have an advisor, advocate, or legal representative, at the student’s or student organization’s own expense, present at any proceeding, whether formal or informal. Such person may directly participate in all aspects of the proceeding, including the presentation of relevant information and questioning of witnesses.

The advisor, advocate, or legal representative may not serve in any other role, including as an Administrator overseeing the disciplinary process (or investigator, decider of fact, hearing officer, member of a committee or panel convened to hear or decide the charge), or any appeal. 

Disciplinary Sanctions

Upon determination by a preponderance of the evidence that a student or student organization has violated any part of the Student Code of Conduct, the Administrator may impose the following disciplinary sanctions either singly or in combination. 

• Warning: The appropriate College officials may notify the student that continuation or repetition of specified conduct may be cause for other disciplinary action. 
• Reprimand: A written reprimand or censure may be given any student or organization whose conduct violates any part of these regulations. Such a reprimand does not restrict the student in any way but does have important consequences. It signifies that they are in effect being given another chance to conduct themselves as a proper member of the College community and that any further violation may result in penalties that are more serious. 
• Restitution: A student who has committed an offense against property may be required to reimburse the College or other owner for damage to or misappropriation of such property. Any such payment in restitution shall be limited to cost of repair or placement. 
• Restrictions: Restrictions upon a student or organization’s privileges may be imposed for a period. These restrictions may include, for example, denial of the right to represent the College in any way, denial of use of facilities, parking privileges, participation in extracurricular activities, or restriction of organizational privileges. 

• Disciplinary Probation: Continued enrollment of a student on probation may be conditioned upon or adherence to these regulations. Any student placed on probation will be notified of the terms and length in writing. Probation may include restrictions upon the extracurricular activities of a student. Any conduct in violation of these regulations while on probationary status may result in the imposition of a more serious disciplinary action. 
• Suspension: If a student is suspended, he or she will be separated from the College for a stated period and provided with the conditions of readmission to the College. Student must appeal for reinstatement. 
• Expulsion: Permanent removal and exclusion from the College, College controlled facilities, programs, events, and activities. 
• Dismissal: The dismissal of a student whose character and behavior prove unsatisfactory for a period up to two years. 

Some disciplinary actions must adhere to additional state, federal, or organizational and accrediting agency guidelines and regulations. Immediate sanctions, up to and including expulsion, or dismissal may be necessary in some cases to guarantee the safety and harmony of the college environment. To provide and protect a safe learning environment, the College reserves the right to invoke immediate sanctions based upon the nature and seriousness of the offense. At this point, the student can request a final appeal to the President.