General Principles
- Purpose: Columbia College has adopted a Student Code of Conduct to protect the rights of students, faculty, staff and the college. This code ensures that the Columbia College learning community is characterized by mutual respect, civility and good citizenship.
- Inherent Authority: Columbia College reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community.
- Interpretation: Having voluntarily enrolled in Columbia College, students are presumed to be knowledgeable of and remain in compliance of all rules and regulations of the Student Code of Conduct, both on-campus and off-campus. The Code of Conduct is not a criminal code; it should be read broadly and is not designed to define misconduct in exhaustive terms.
- Proceedings: Disciplinary proceedings conducted in relation to the Code of Conduct shall be informal, fair, and expeditious. Disciplinary action may be taken regardless of the existence of any criminal proceedings that may be pending. Directors for the Nationwide, Evening and Online Campuses will be responsible for disposition of less serious conduct-related offenses. For more serious offenses dispositions will be handled by the Division of Student Affairs.
- Jurisdiction: Students may be disciplined for conduct which constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, or well-being of members of the college community or which is deemed detrimental to the interests of the college. These sanctions apply whether or not such conduct occurs on campus, off campus, at college-sponsored or non-college-sponsored events.
Student Code of Conduct
Columbia College students, as members of the academic community, are expected to accept and adhere to these high standards of personal conduct.
Students shall:
- Treat all members of the community with courtesy, respect and dignity.
- Comply with directions of college officials acting in the performance of their duties.
- Treat the campus itself including buildings, grounds and furnishings with respect.
- Respect the rights and property of other members of the community.
- Fulfill their obligations through honest and independent effort and integrity in academic and personal conduct.
- Accept responsibility for and the consequences of their actions and encourage responsible conduct in others.
- Respect the prohibition of possession, consumption, distribution and provision of alcohol on campus and the illegal possession, use, distribution and provision of controlled substances.
- Abide by all published policies, including but not limited to, those that appear in the Columbia College catalog, student handbook, Residential Life Handbook, Code for Computer Users and class syllabi.
- Refrain from tampering with fire safety equipment in college buildings and on campus grounds.
- Have no firearms, weapons or any other item designed to inflict harm or damage on campus. Sworn law enforcement and military officials possessing firearms while on duty may be exempt.
- Behave in a manner that does not intentionally or recklessly interfere with normal college sponsored activities, including but not limited to, studying, teaching, research, college administration, or fire, police or emergency services.
- Refrain from behavior that intentionally or recklessly endangers, threatens or causes physical or emotional harm to any person, or that intentionally or recklessly causes reasonable apprehension of such harm.
The Student Code of Conduct, as well as the set of guidelines outlining the adjudication of conduct-related offenses, applies to all Columbia College students.
- Students have the right to access accurate and clearly stated information relating to acceptable academic standing, graduation requirements and individual course requirements.
- In all academic evaluations, students have the right to fair and impartial treatment.
- The college will not interfere with students’ rights to join associations which promote their common interests. However, student organizations which are officially recognized by the college are subject to the policies and regulations established by the college.
- Students have the right to freely discuss, speak, write and exchange ideas and opinions on any subject in accordance with the guarantees and restrictions of federal and state constitutions.
- Student groups on campus have the right to freely select guest speakers or performers. There are no restrictions on the point of view expressed by the speakers other than those imposed by national or state law. The invitation to appear on campus does not imply approval or sponsorship by the college or the group which offers the invitation of the speaker’s expressed views.
- Students and/or recognized student groups have the right to use the facilities of the college as long as established rules and procedures are followed.
- Students are free to engage in peaceful and orderly protest demonstrations and picketing as long as they do not disrupt the functions of the college or violate the rights of others.
- Students have the right to appeal a grade or a disciplinary action by following the procedures established for each.
- Students have the right to discuss problems and concerns with appropriate college officials, free from duress or fear of retribution.
- Students are responsible for all information contained in the Columbia College catalog and other relevant publications of the college.
- Students are responsible for initiating action when necessary to secure their rights.
- Students are responsible for their actions. While students have the right to select from alternatives, they must also recognize the responsibility that freedom implies and accept the consequences that result from their selections.
- Students are responsible for checking their Columbia College assigned CougarMail email account often. All official electronic communications from Columbia College to students will be managed using their CougarMail email account. Students are responsible for all information received through this account from the College.
Behavioral Misconduct Procedures
Students are expected to conduct themselves so others are not distracted from the pursuit of learning. Discourteous or unseemly conduct may result in a student being asked to leave the classroom. Persistent misconduct on the part of a student is subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the student handbook and in the course syllabus. Some examples of classroom misconduct that will not be tolerated include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Disorderly conduct
- Harassment
- Verbal abuse
- Assault
- Interference with the educational opportunity of other students
- Attending class under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- Complaint is filed or report is received.
- Student receives written notice of alleged violations.
- An investigation is conducted into the alleged violations.
- A hearing is scheduled if necessary and held.
- If a respondent is found responsible for violation of policy, sanctions are issued.
- The respondent will receive written notice of the outcome of the hearing.
- The complainant or respondent may appeal the outcome of a conduct hearing.
Personal Conduct Disciplinary Procedures
Generally, allegations regarding a student’s personal conduct will be adjudicated through processes governed by the Division of Student Affairs.
- The assistant dean for Student Affairs or another appropriate college official will investigate the situation and review it with the student. If it is determined that no violation occurred, then the matter will be dropped. If the student admits responsibility or the assistant dean for Student Affairs determines there was a violation, college disciplinary action will ensue. If a student fails to respond to the conduct officer’s request within the time line provided then the case will be heard without the benefit of the students input. The student will be notified in writing of the finding of fact and the disciplinary sanction recommended by the assistant dean for Student Affairs. A student’s entire record of both academic misconduct and behavioral misconduct may be considered in determining appropriate sanctions.
- If facing disciplinary action, the student has the right to accept the assistant dean’s finding of fact and recommended sanction, at which time the matter is closed; or the student may appeal to the dean for Student Affairs for a review of the finding of fact and/or the recommended sanction.
- To initiate an appeal, the student must file an appeal request with the dean for Student Affairs within three (3) business days of the informal disposition meeting with the assistant dean for Student Affairs. The dean for Student Affairs will review the request and determine if there are sufficient grounds for appeal and if evidence submitted warrants reconsideration of the decision. All parties will be notified.
- If a decision is made to reconsider, a Campus Review Board will be assembled to adjudicate the matter. Decisions made by the Campus Appeals Board are final.
Disciplinary Warning
Written and/or verbal notice to a student for violation of a campus rule or regulation.
Restitution
Reimbursement for actual damage or loss caused by violations to the student code of conduct.
Educational Sanctions
Educational sanctions could be an activity, meeting, writing assignment, community service project, letter of apology or other experiential educational activity that a student may be assigned to complete as part of the adjudication of a violation of the student code of conduct. Conditions may be specific for the completion of the assignment and will be assigned by the conduct hearing officer. Reasonable suspicion of violations involving drug use may require the student to participate in scheduled or random drug screenings. All costs associated with the drug screenings will be the responsibility of the student.
Disciplinary Limitation
In some cases a violation of the student code of conduct could result in a student being restricted from participating in certain campus events, student organizations or entering certain campus facilities.
Disciplinary Probation
A student is placed on campus probation for a specified time period. Students holding campus leadership positions who are placed on campus probation may also be removed from that position if recommended by the sanctioning body/conduct officer.
Campus probation may carry over into subsequent semesters and academic years. As a part of the probationary status, conditions to a student’s probation may be established (i.e. restitution, community service, required assessments, etc.)
A student who violates additional campus policies while on campus probation will likely appear before a conduct officer/Campus Review Board and will face a full range of disciplinary actions including suspension or dismissal.
Disciplinary Suspension
A disciplinary suspension results in the separation of a student from the college for a specified time period, usually no more than two years. Other conditions can also be stipulated for a student’s readmission. Suspension applies to all programs, unless otherwise noted. After the suspension period has been served, the student should contact the dean for Student Affairs for directions regarding the possibility of re-enrollment. A student returning from a disciplinary suspension is placed on disciplinary probation for one year.
Disciplinary Dismissal
A disciplinary dismissal results in the permanent separation of a student from the college. Dismissal applies to all programs and campuses.
Interim Suspension
The dean for Student Affairs or designee may suspend a student for an interim period pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings or resolution of health-related concerns. An interim suspension will become immediately effective without prior notice whenever there is evidence that the continued presence of the student in the college community poses a substantial threat to others, or the stability and continuance of normal college functioning.
A student suspended on an interim basis shall be given an opportunity to appear before the dean for Student Affairs or designee within two working days from the effective date of the interim suspension in order to discuss the following issues:
- The reliability of the information concerning the student’s conduct and/or condition.
- Whether the conduct and surrounding circumstances reasonably indicate that the continued presence of the student in the college community poses a substantial threat to him or herself or others, or the stability and continuance of normal college functions.
An interim suspension period can last until final adjudication of the matter through the normal college disciplinary procedures.
The board is composed of faculty members, staff members and students. Its purpose is to ensure due process for students involved in conduct-related offenses, grade appeals or academic dishonesty, and also to uphold the rules of the institution. Procedures for academic related appeals boards are maintained by Academic Affairs and for behavioral related appeals boards are maintained by Student Affairs. Cases involving violations of the student code of conduct may be assigned to the Campus Review Board from the outset of a case by the dean for Student Affairs or designee.
- Students have a right to a fair and impartial hearing of their case. Fundamental fairness includes written notice of the violation and disciplinary action. Students also have a right to speak in their own defense and present substantiating evidence and testimony.
- Students may appeal on the grounds of their innocence or the inappropriateness of the disciplinary action assigned. Appeals may not be made against the college’s accepted standards of conduct or established policies, rules and regulations.
- Students are encouraged to consult with a member of the counseling staff, a member of the Student Affairs staff or a faculty member of the college in deciding whether to appeal.
- Students must assume the responsibility for the development of their case. Students have the right to consultation before and during the hearing with a member of the college community willing to provide support and advice and approved by the chairperson of the committee.
- It is recognized that the hearing is not based upon the strict rules of law and evidence found in a court of law. The hearing will be conducted in a fair and impartial manner and decisions will be based on the evidence presented.
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