Student Conduct Process
Student Conduct Process
The Student Conduct Process is thoroughly described in Administrative Procedure 5520. The student conduct process is also an educational endeavor with hopes that the student learns new behaviors to help them succeed at the College.
Here are the steps for the Student Conduct Process:
Student Conduct Process
Notification: Did you receive an email generated from Maxient signed by the Director of Student Development about an alleged Student Code of Conduct policy violation? Here is a step by step guide to what the process involves and things for you to consider.
Read the Letter carefully. This email has important details about the behavior that was reported, how it relates to the Standards of Student Conduct, options for scheduling a meeting, and nature of the sanctions being considered.
Schedule the Meeting with the Director of Student Development or designee. Please see your letter for instructions on how to schedule the meeting. Please schedule the meeting before the date indicated in your letter.
Meeting
If you choose to meet with the Director of Student Development or designee, you will be informed of the facts leading to the allegations and provided an opportunity to respond verbally or in writing to the allegations. The meeting is an opportunity for you to review the information that was reported, as well as share your perspective about it. The outcome of the meeting will determine if you are responsible for the violation and sanction.
Ultimately it is your right to meet with the Director of Student Development or designee – it is optional, not mandatory. Please know that if you decide not to participate, the Director of Student Development or designee will make a decision regarding the allegations based on the information they have available to them.
Advisor options
You may bring an advisor to the meeting. The advisor’s role is to observe, provide counsel or support you but not to speak on your behalf. The advisor may be a parent, College personnel, friend, or an attorney. The advisor is anyone other than the complainant or accused student. While this is an educational and administrative process and not a legal process you have the right to seek legal advice at your own expense. Attorneys may only serve as an advisor when long-term suspension, expulsion, and/or parallel criminal charges are being considered. If you involve an attorney at the meeting, you must notify the Student Development Office in writing at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting.
Notice of Decision
Once the meeting concludes you will receive an email with a Notice of Decision. That email will have details about whether or not any policy violations occurred, sanctions (if any), as well as appeal options available to you. Sanction can range from Warning through Expulsion depending on:
- The nature and severity of the violation(s)
- Prior violations and disciplinary history
- Mitigating circumstances surrounding the violation
- The student’s motive or purpose for engaging in the behavior
- Sanctions which have been imposed in similar cases in the past
- The developmental and educational impact on the student
- The impact of the violation(s) on the complainant, other members of the campus community, classroom, and/or campus environment
Other sanctions may also include restitution, educational sanctions, removal from district facilities, no contact orders, or withdrawal of consent to remain on campus. Educational sanctions may include completing an academic integrity module, reflective essay, and/or community service.
Appeals to External Entities
Most disciplinary matters can be resolved at the college level. This is the quickest and most successful way of resolving issues involving a California Community College (CCC). You are encouraged to work through college process first, before escalating to any external resources.
Issues that are not resolved at the college level may be presented to the:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) at http://www.accjc.org/complaint-process if your complaint is associated with the institution’s compliance with academic program quality and accrediting standards. ACCJC is the agency that accredits the academic programs of the California Community Colleges.
- CCC Chancellor’s Office if your complaint does not concern CCC’s compliance with academic program quality and accrediting standards.
- State Attorney General Online Forms
- Public Inquiry Unit of the California State Department of Justice:
- Public Inquiry Unit
(Toll‐free in California) 800-952‐5225
Fax: 916-323‐5341
- Public Inquiry Unit
Nothing in this disclosure should be construed to limit any right that you may have to take civil or criminal legal action to resolve your complaints.