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 STUDENT GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES

Lansing Community College is an institution of educational excellence. Members of the LCC community strive to create an environment that contributes to academic success and personal growth. All members of LCC’s community are responsible for creating and respecting conditions both in the classroom and on campus that encourages teaching and learning in a positive atmosphere.

A positive and successful learning environment provides opportunities for students to practice good citizenship in the larger society and to practice respectful dissent. These are the practices and qualities that the Student General Rules and Guidelines and the Student Code of Conduct encourages.

The Student General Rules and Guidelines and the Student Code of Conduct serves as a reference and working guide when attempting to resolve student disciplinary issues. Nothing in these documents should be construed as a contract, entitlement or promise. These documents are intended to represent minimum guidelines only; students should be aware of the fact that the absence of a specific policy, statement, procedure or provision should not be construed to be a waiver of such item by LCC.

If students have questions regarding the Student General Rules and Guidelines or the Student Code of Conduct, they should direct all inquiries to the Dean of Student Academic Services/Student Enrollment Management (SAS/SEM) (or his or her designee). When an interpretation issue regarding a provision of the Student General Rules and Guidelines occurs, the Dean of SAS/SEM shall make the final determination as to its meaning. Furthermore, LCC reserves the right to make changes to its policies, rules and guidelines at any time without notice.

Access to College Buildings

Access to College buildings after normal hours of operation is restricted except when the Student has a legitimate purpose and written authorization by a College faculty, staff or administrator. All written authorizations must include information on the specific room or lab that the student is allowed to be in, the date, and the approximate times the student will continue to be on campus. Students found in buildings after hours without proper authorization may be subject to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as prosecuted for criminal trespass.

Access to some areas of College buildings are restricted even when a building is open for normal operation. These areas may include, but are not limited to mechanical rooms, communication closets, storage areas, construction areas, or classrooms or labs that are closed. Any student found in a restricted area without authorization may be subject to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as prosecuted for criminal trespass.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all sessions of each course in which they are enrolled. Failure to do so may result in academic penalty or administrative withdrawal from the class. (See Student Appeals and Complaints section #2 below). Absence for any reason, including illness or late registration, in no way relieves the student of the responsibility for completing all work in the course to the satisfaction of the instructor in charge. When a student receives a faculty-initiated notice of nonattendance, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor.

When a student cannot attend class due to illness or other extenuating reasons, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the class instructor immediately regarding the absence and discuss any required assignments.

Cell Phones

The use of cell phones during class interferes with the instructional process and is therefore prohibited. Camera cell phones and video cell phones are prohibited in locker rooms and restrooms. (See Student Code, Article III(B)(13).)

Children on Campus

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times while on campus. Exceptions are made only for enrolled students whose parent or guardian has signed a written release of responsibility. The learning environment of classrooms and labs must remain free of distractions for students. Children must remain out of these areas. Children enrolled in LCC classes requiring access to labs and classrooms where there is equipment and/or supplies that might prove dangerous will need to provide a signed release form from their parent or guardian.

Classroom Visitation Policy

Only those persons enrolled in a class, or those persons who have authorization to be in attendance for a particular class, will be permitted to attend the class. Authorized persons may include, but are not limited to, those individuals hoping to gain a seat in a particular class pursuant to opening seats, those persons in attendance to assist students identified by the Office of Disability Support Services, guest speakers, and/or a prospective student wishing to attend the college during an upcoming academic year. If an unauthorized visitor refuses to leave a classroom or laboratory, assistance should be sought from the department chair, dean's office, and/or Public Safety.

Faculty members will have discretion as to whether or not a visitor will be permitted in a classroom or laboratory, consistent with department policy. Appropriate consideration should be given to issues of safety, resources, fairness, disruption, etc., before allowing such visits. Due to liability concerns, faculty should notify their department chair or designee about known visitors in the classroom at least 24 hours prior to the class meeting. In situations where 24-hour advance notice is not possible, the department chair or designee should be informed at the earliest opportunity. Departments may establish procedures regarding students sitting in on a closed section.

Computer Resources - Acceptable Use

The LCC Acceptable Use Policy describes the general guidelines for the use of the College's computer resources. Use of College-owned computer resources is a privilege extended by the College to students as a tool to promote the mission of the College. All students must agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the LCC Acceptable Use Policy at the time they are assigned a Technology User ID (TUID). Copies of the LCC Acceptable Use Policy are available at the Library Circulation Desk and may also be accessed on the World Wide Web. The URL is: www.lcc.edu/policies/policies_1.aspx#ACCEPTABLE_USE_POLICY

Students who are using the computers in the library or the computer lab, or any other computer located at any campus, must abide by the rules set forth in each area. Failure to observe the rules may result in loss of privileges and/or a Student Code of Conduct violation.

Contracts

Students shall not enter into any contract in the name of the College except with prior written authorization from College officials vested with the authority to sign a contract on behalf of the College.

Disclosure of Health Concerns

Lansing Community College takes appropriate and reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of students in the classroom. Some courses may require students to complete federal, state and college regulatory training and testing as mandated by law. Students must be in compliance with regulations and laws at both LCC and any off-campus site(s) where they are assigned.

Additionally, some courses may require students to work with chemicals and/or equipment which may be hazardous to some students, such as those with certain medical conditions. Students must inform instructors of any special health-related conditions which may be negatively affected by instructional materials or equipment used in the classroom. Students with special health concerns are strongly encouraged to raise any questions about such matters prior to their enrolling in a class. If a student has any questions regarding disclosing health concerns, they should direct all questions to their instructor.

Discrimination and Harassment

Discrimination, harassment and offensive conduct against any person, student, or staff member on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, creed, ancestry, familial status, age or disability, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation, disability or veteran's status or other protected status (See the College's Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Process available at: www.lcc.edu/catalog/policies_procedures/equalopp) through any mode of communication including, but not limited to, in person, in writing, through telephone, electronic mail or instant messaging is prohibited.

Dress

Students are expected to dress in an appropriate manner. Students should dress keeping in mind the activity in which they are engaged in while on College property and when attending College-sponsored events. Some examples of appropriate dress may include, but are not limited to: footwear, safety glasses, safety hats, shields and aprons (when required for the health and safety of the individual student or other members of the College community).

 

Drugs and Alcohol

In the spirit of providing a safe, healthy and drug-free environment, the College will:
a. Continue to offer educational programs that support a drug-free campus and workplace as a normative social value;
b. Continue to offer opportunities for substance abuse counseling accessible by students (and College employees);
c. Continue to make referrals to appropriate counseling professionals and/or agencies within the community to help students (and employees) who may benefit from such counseling;
d. Incorporate in classes throughout the curriculum, where appropriate, references and class-related assignments related to the medical, legal, social, and wellness issues inherent in a drug-free campus (and workplace);
e. Distribute copies of this regulation to all new students (and employees).

Examinations

Students are required to take examinations at the appointed time and place in order to receive credit for a course. Generally, examinations are given during the regularly scheduled class period during the last week of the semester. Students should direct questions regarding the date and time of their final examinations to their individual instructors.

Examinations taken in the Assessment Center will be subject to the center’s rules as well as the Student Code and General Rules.

Field Trips and College Sponsored Events/Activities

Organizations and individual students participating in College-sponsored activities, including field trips and athletic events, must abide by all College rules. Student organization field trips must be planned, organized, and approved according to the Student Life Policies and Procedures for Student Organizations, and, where applicable, the transportation services unit of the Police and Public Safety Department. Organizations and students who violate these policies may be subject to sanctions listed under the Student Code of Conduct. (See Student Code of Conduct, Article IV(B)(5)(a-c).)

Financial Responsibility

Students shall remain current on their financial obligations to the College. Students owing money to the College in respect to such matters as fees, loans, library fines, driving or parking penalties, etc., at the end of an academic semester, will have the publication of their grade report and/or official transcripts delayed, and the student will not be permitted to register for a succeeding semester until such accounts are paid in full or addressed through a payment plan agreed upon by the college.

Games and Recreational Activities

Outdoor Games and other physical recreational activities may only be played in the recreational or athletic facilities which have been designated for such games. Applications for permission to play such games other than in an area designated for that purpose must be obtained from the Director of Student Life and Leadership when the activity is not connected to a class or as part of a College sponsored activity.

Guest Speakers

In situations involving guest speakers, the College requires orderly conduct, noninterference with College functions or activities, and identification of the sponsoring groups or individuals. Under no circumstances are members of the College community to be forced to be involuntary audiences.

Identification Cards

All Lansing Community College students are eligible for a college identification card, the “StarCard,” provided they meet the requirements for issuance. Failure to provide proper information or identification as required may result in the student not being able to receive an LCC StarCard.

Identification cards remain the exclusive property of LCC and must be presented when requested by a College official. Failure to do so may result in a possible Student Code of Conduct violation. Students are required to show their identification card whenever they check out books at the College Library, use the Abel B. Sykes TLC Computer Lab, or when using any other College service or facility. Being issued a StarCard is a privilege and not a right. Misuse of the StarCard to obtain privileges to which the student or to which others are not entitled under existing regulations is a College offense that may also result in a possible Student Code violation.

Language

Students must remember that LCC is an institution of higher education. Respect for the classroom environment as well as for other students in general is an essential part of the learning experience. Profanity and racial slurs in the classroom will not be tolerated. Any violation of this provision may result in a possible Student Code of Conduct violation.

LCC Email Account

Students are responsible for checking their LCC assigned email accounts on a regular basis. Official notifications and information may be sent to a student’s email account. Students who use other email accounts should make sure they are monitoring their LCC email accounts as well.

Organizations

No student or student organization may use campus facilities; solicit funds, business, or support on the College campus unless such a student or student organization has been authorized by the Director of Student Life and Leadership. Approval of College clubs and organizations must be in accordance with guidelines documented in the Student Life and Leadership Office.

Pets

For the protection, health and safety of the members of the College community and to preserve order on the campus, students are not permitted to bring pets on to campus or into the buildings of Lansing Community College. This provision excludes properly documented service animals or animals designated for laboratory experimentation purposes.

Records

It is the responsibility of the student to give honest and complete replies to all questions included in application forms and other documents required by the College. Alteration, duplication, or falsification of a College document, form, or authorized signature is considered by the College to be an extremely serious offense and is subject to disciplinary action. (See Student Code, Article III(B)(1)(a-c).)

Smoking

Lansing Community College is a "Smoke-Free and Tobacco Free Zone". Except in designated areas, smoking or the use of tobacco products are prohibited on Lansing Community College property, including in any building, facility, or structure and on real estate that is owned or leased. Students who violate this provision may be subject to the sanctions listed in the Student Code of Conduct.

Student Code of Conduct

In addition to being familiar with the Student General Rules and Guidelines, all students are responsible for knowledge of and adherence to, the Student Code of Conduct.

Revised: 5/6/09

 

STUDENT APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS

Student Due Process

Lansing Community College holds firm to the philosophy that matriculation in college does not deny any rights of citizenship to a student. At the same time, matriculation in college does not relieve a student of the essential responsibilities of citizenship. Thus, the College is constantly aware of the joint responsibilities, shared by the student body and the College, to uphold the principles of "due process" in all disciplinary action.

It is the College's intention to foster and promote an environment of cooperation among faculty, staff, and students. However, conflicts that require third-party intervention sometimes exist. While there are formal processes for resolving conflicts, it is the goal of the College to achieve resolution as rapidly and as close to the origin of conflict as possible through mediation. To this end, the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his/her designee) and/or the Director of Equal Opportunity are available to assist with mediating situations at their lowest level or to direct the parties involved to the person(s) or department(s) that can best mediate the occurrence. This mediation is predicated on the voluntary agreement of both parties. Matters that are considered too extreme may require immediate referral to the formal process.

Due Process is the guarantee of student civil rights under the Constitution of the United States and the laws and regulations of Michigan and Lansing Community College. Due Process is that process which prevents rights from being taken away from an individual without “notice” and an “opportunity to respond” to the allegations. Any questions regarding Due Process should be directed to the Dean of Student Academic Affairs/Student Enrollment Management (or his or her designee).

Student Appeals Processes

An "appeal" is defined as a request to review a previous decision and/or the process used in reaching the decision. The line of appeal to be followed will depend upon the type of case involved. In all cases, students are required to state their appeal in writing at the time they begin the appeal process. The following describes the different types of cases and the appropriate lines of appeal to be used in each case. For disciplinary issues, or issues dealing with misconduct, the process described in the Student Code of Conduct, Article IV(D) will be used. Appeals that have gone through the entire line of appeal are considered final and binding on all parties involved.

1. Student Grade Appeals

Students have until the end of the 6th week of the following semester to appeal a grade. At each level of appeal, the student will have up to ten (10) calendar days to appeal a decision after notification of that decision at a prior level. Any appeals received after the tenth calendar day will be dismissed for “failure to submit an appeal on a timely basis.”

The student must use the following line of appeal:
a. The person who initiated the decision or action in question and request reconsideration
b. The chair or head of the department involved (or his or her designee)
c. The dean of the division involved (or his or her designee)
d. The Provost (or his or her designee)

After review of the appeal, if the Provost (or his or her designee) determines that there is insufficient justification to warrant further review, the appeal will be rejected. If the Provost (or his or her designee) determines that the appeal warrants further review, the matter will be referred to a subcommittee of the Deans Council. The Provost (or his or her designee) will inform the instructor, Dean and student in writing of his or her or the Deans Council's decision within 30 days of the date the appeal was submitted.

If a student appeals beyond the initial decision maker, they must submit their appeal in writing and include:
a. Student's full name
b. Student number
c. Student's complete current address
d. Student's current phone number
e. Semester and year enrolled
f. Course number and name
g. Name of instructor
h. Grade received
i. Reason for appeal
j. Supporting documentation

2. Student Appeal of Administrative Withdrawal from Classes (may include, but is not limited to: Nonattendance or Lack of Course Prerequisites, etc.)

Whenever the Enrollment Services Office receives a recommendation for an administrative withdrawal, the Enrollment Services Office will notify the student that he or she is being administratively withdrawn in writing through LCC provided email.

Students will have five (5) working days, excluding Saturday and Sunday, to submit their appeal in writing. At each level of appeal, the student will have up to five (5) working days to appeal a decision after notification of that decision at a prior level. Any appeals received after the fifth working day will be dismissed for “failure to submit appeal for administrative withdrawal on a timely basis”.

Students must use the following lines of appeal for administrative withdrawal decisions:
The dean of the division involved (or his or her designee)
Judicial Board of the College
Dean of Student Academic Services/Strategic Enrollment Management (SAS/SEM) (or his or her designee)

3. Student Appeal of Educational Records

Students have the right to request correction or amendment of information on educational records that are inaccurate, misleading, or which violate privacy rights or other rights as stated in the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.

Students will have five (5) working days to submit their appeal in writing. At each level of appeal, the student will have up to five (5) working days to appeal a decision after notification of that decision at a prior level. Any appeals received after the fifth working day will be dismissed for “failure to submit appeal of educational records on a timely basis.”

The student must use the following line of appeal for educational records issues:
The director or leader of the department responsible for the record (or his or her designee)
The dean of the division involved (or his or her designee)
The Judicial Board of the College
Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee)

If the request for correction or amendment of information is dismissed or denied after the appeal process has been completed, the student may place a brief statement in the record commenting on the decision of the College.

Student Complaints

Before initiating the formal appeal process at the divisional level, students are encouraged to first meet with the initial decision-maker involved (the instructor, for example) to attempt to resolve issues in an informal manner.

Students will have up to ten (10) calendar days to file a complaint in writing to the department office from the date of the alleged incident. At each level of appeal, a student will have up to ten (10) calendar days to appeal a decision after notification of that decision at a prior level.

When a student wishes to lodge a formal complaint regarding a person except in cases of sexual harassment/discrimination (which is found in the College’s Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Process at: www.lcc.edu/catalog/policies_procedures/equalopp) the student must use the following line of appeal:

Chair or head of the department involved (or his or her designee)
The dean of the division involved (or his or her designee)
The Judicial Board of the College
The Provost (or his or her designee)

Revised: 5/1/09

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STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

PREAMBLE

Lansing Community College exists so that the people it serves have learning and enrichment opportunities to improve their quality of life and their standard of living. LCC supports a positive educational environment that will benefit student success. In order to ensure this vision, the College has established guidelines for the redress of grievances by individuals accused in such proceedings. In addition, the College has established this Student Code of Conduct and the Student General Rules and Guidelines to ensure the protection of student rights and the health and safety of the College community, as well as to support the efficient operation of College programs.

In cases of noncompliance with the Student Code of Conduct or the Student General Rules and Guidelines, the College will impose discipline that is consistent with the impact of the offense on the College community (See Article IV (B) below). The College also reserves the right to pursue criminal and/or civil action where warranted. The Student General Rules and Guidelines and Student Code of Conduct shall apply from the time of admission to the college and continue as long as the student remains enrolled at the college. They shall also be applicable to a student's conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending.

If an individual has violated the Student Code of Conduct or the Student General Rules and Guidelines on college property while not enrolled as a student at the college, but then later seeks to enroll, he or she must first contact the Dean of the Student and Academic Support/Strategic Enrollment Management (SAS/SEM) Division (or his or her designee). The same Due Process procedures listed in Article IV below will be followed to determine an admission decision.

ARTICLE I: DEFINITIONS

A. The term “College” means Lansing Community College

B. The term “Student Code” refers to the College’s Student Code of Conduct.

C. The term “General Rules” refers to the Student General Rules and Guidelines.

D. The term “student” includes all persons currently enrolled at the College, either full-time or part-time. This code applies to all current students of LCC regardless of their geographical location.

E. The term “faculty member” means any person hired by the College to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the College to be a member of its faculty union.

F. The term “College official” includes any person employed by the College, performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.

G. The term “member of the College community” includes any person who is a student, faculty member, College official or staff member employed by the College, or any authorized non-employed personnel (such as externs). A person’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee).

H. The term “College premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the College (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).

I. The term “Judicial Board” means a group of persons authorized by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) to consider whether a student has violated the Student Code or the sanction(s) imposed by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee).

J. The term “policy” means the written regulations of the College as found in, but not limited to, the Course Schedule, the College web site and other written regulations and procedures.

K. The term “cheating” includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; (3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the College faculty or staff (4) engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.

L. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

M. The term “Complainant” means any person who submits a charge alleging that a student violated this Student Code or the General Rules. When a student believes that s/he has been a victim of another student’s misconduct, the student who believes s/he has been a victim will have the same rights under this Student Code as are provided to the Complainant, even if another member of the College community submitted the charge itself.

N. The term “Accused Student” means any student accused of violating this Student Code or General Rules, or any other rule or policy of the College.

ARTICLE II: STUDENT CODE AUTHORITY

A. The Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) shall determine whether or not the Judicial Board shall be authorized to hear each matter.

B. The Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) shall develop policies for the administration of the Code of Conduct process and procedural rules for the conduct of Judicial Board Hearings that are not inconsistent with provisions of the Student Code and the General Rules.

C. Decisions made by the Judicial Board and/or the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) shall be final, pending the normal appeal process.

ARTICLE III: PROSCRIBED CONDUCT

A. Jurisdiction of the College Student Code of Conduct

The College Student Code shall apply to conduct that occurs on College premises, at College sponsored activities, and to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the College community and/or the pursuit of its objectives. Each student shall be responsible for his/her conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree, even though conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment (and even if their conduct is not discovered until after a degree is awarded). The Student Code shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending. The Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) shall decide whether the Student Code shall be applied to conduct occurring off campus, on a case by case basis, in his/her sole discretion.

The Student Code applies at all locations of the College, including, but not limited to, the East, West, Livingston and St. John’s Learning Centers. This code also applies to all current students of LCC regardless of their geographical location.

B. Conduct—Rules and Regulations

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article IV:

1. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
a. Cheating (as defined in Article I (L)), plagiarism (as defined in Article I(M)), or other forms of academic dishonesty.
b. Furnishing false information to any College official, faculty member, or office.
c. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any College document, record, or instrument of identification.

2. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other College activities, including its public service functions on or off campus, or of other authorized non- College activities when the conduct occurs on College premises.

3. Physical abuse or assaults, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person (including, but not limited to, messages sent via text messages, emails, or any electronic format including phone, etc).

4. Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the College or property of a member of the College community or other personal or public property, on or off campus.

5. Hazing defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are still violations of this rule.

6. Failure to comply with directions of College officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.

7. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any College premises or unauthorized entry to or use of College premises.

8. Violation of any College policy, rule, or regulation published in hard copy, included in a course syllabus or available electronically on the College website.

9. Violation of any federal, state or local law.

10. Use, possession, manufacturing, distribution, or being under the influence of marijuana, heroin, narcotics, or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.

11. Use, possession, manufacturing, distribution, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by College regulations), or public intoxication. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstance, be used by, possessed by or distributed to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age.

12. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, tasers, stun guns, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on College premises, or use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens or causes fear to others. The definition of a weapon includes but is not limited to a pistol or other firearm or dagger, dirk, razor, stiletto, or knife having a blade over 3 inches in length, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument.

College Property covered by this policy includes, without limitation, all College owned or leased buildings and surrounding areas such as sidewalks, driveways and parking lots under the College's ownership or control. College vehicles are covered by this policy at all times regardless of whether they are on College property.

13. Participating in an on-campus or off-campus demonstration, riot or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the College and/or infringes on the rights of other members of the College community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area.

14. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on College premises or at College sponsored or supervised functions.

15. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace; or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on College premises or at functions sponsored by, or participated in by, the College or members of the academic community. Disorderly Conduct includes but is not limited to: the use of any device to capture audio, video or digital record or photograph of any person while on College premises or College events where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy (i.e. restrooms, locker rooms, etc.). Lewd or indecent conduct includes, but is not limited to: making obscene remarks, exposing oneself in an indecent manner, entering restrooms against the gender designation, engaging in sexual activities in public places.

16. Theft or other abuse of computer facilities and resources, including but not limited to:
a. Unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose.
b. Unauthorized transfer of a file.
c. Use of another individual’s identification and/or password.
d. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member or College Official.
e. Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or abusive messages.
f. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with normal operation of the College computing system.
g. Use of computing facilities and resources in violation of copyright laws.
h. Any violation of the LCC Acceptable Use Policy.

17. Abuse of the Student Code process, including but not limited to:
a. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before the Judicial Board.
b. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a Judicial Board proceeding.
c. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the Student Code process.
d. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a Judicial Board member prior to, and/or during the course of, the Judicial Board Hearing.
e. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a Judicial Board prior to, during, and/or after a Judicial Board Hearing.
f. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Code of Conduct.
g. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the Student Code process.

18. Students are required to engage in responsible social conduct that reflects credit upon the College community and to model good citizenship in any community.

C. Violation of Law and College Discipline

1. College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with conduct that potentially violates both the criminal law and this Student Code (that is, if both possible violations result from the same factual situation) without regard to the pendency of civil or criminal litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under this Student Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus at the discretion of Dean of SAS (or his or her designee). Determinations made or sanctions imposed under this Student Code of Conduct shall not be subject to change because criminal charges arising out of the same facts giving rise to violation of the College’s Code were dismissed, reduced, or resolved in favor of or against the criminal law defendant.

2. When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the College will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his or her status as a student. If the alleged offense is also being processed under the Student Code, the College may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Student Code and of how such matters are typically handled within the College community. The College will attempt to cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators (provided that the conditions do not conflict with campus rules or sanctions). Individual students and other members of the College community, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives as they deem appropriate.

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ARTICLE IV: STUDENT CONDUCT PROCESS (DUE PROCESS)

A. Charges and Judicial Board Hearings

1. Any member of the College community may file charges against a student for violations of the Student Code or General Rules. An allegation of a Student Code or General Rules violation must be directed to the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee). Any report of a violation of the Student Code or General Rules should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place, preferably within a week.

2. The Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) may conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if the charges have merit and/or if they can be disposed of administratively. Such disposition shall be final and there shall be no subsequent proceedings.

3. If it is determined that the charges have merit the student will receive written notification that an alleged violation has occurred. In the letter, the student will be directed to make an appointment with the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his/her designee) to review the facts concerning the alleged violation in order to determine if formal charges should be prepared. After reviewing the facts with the student, a decision will be made whether to prepare formal charges.

4. In the event that the student fails to contact the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his/her designee) within 5 (five) working days of receiving written notification (excluding Saturday and Sunday), a hold will be placed on the student's record which will result in the student's enrollment being delayed. The Dean of SAS/SEM (or his/her designee) will then review the facts available without the student and make a decision whether to prepare formal charges.

5. If a decision is made to prepare formal charges, the student shall be notified by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his/her designee) that he or she is being accused of violating a regulation and that he or she may elect to do one of the following:
a. The student may admit the alleged violation and request, in writing, that the administrative officer take whatever action seems necessary; or
b. The student may admit the alleged violation and request a hearing before the Judicial Board regarding a sanction; or
c. The student may deny the alleged violation, in which case the administrative officer shall refer him or her to the Judicial Board.

6. In the event that the student does not make an election of the three options available within 10 (ten) days, the administrative officer will take whatever actions seem necessary, including the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

7. If the student elects to admit the alleged violation and request a hearing before the Judicial Board to determine the sanction or if the student denies the allegation, a Judicial Board hearing will be scheduled.

8. Prior to a Judicial Board hearing, the student shall be entitled to the following:
a. A written statement of a decision rendered and/or charges so that the student may prepare his or her defense;
b. Written notification of the names of the witnesses directly responsible for having reported the alleged violation (unless to do so would compromise their safety) OR written notification of how the alleged violation came to the College's attention.
c. The student shall be entitled to an expeditious hearing of his or her case.

9. Members of the Judicial Board shall be appointed by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) and shall be comprised of the following:
a. The Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee); and (NOTE: This member will serve as chairperson. However, when the Judicial Board is hearing an appeal based on a disciplinary decision of the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee), the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) will relinquish the chair, and a temporary chairperson will be appointed.)
b. One College administrator; and
c. Two current students from the student body; and
d. Two faculty members appointed by the dean of the division in which the decision or action in question was initiated, with one alternate faculty member appointed in the same way, to serve in absence of any faculty member. If the decision or action in question took place within the college at large, the faculty members will be appointed by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) from the college at large; and
e. In the event two or more divisions are involved, one faculty representative from each division and an equal number of student representatives will be in attendance.

10. Judicial Board Hearings shall be conducted by the Judicial Board according to the following guidelines except as provided by article IV(A)(7) below:
a. Student Conduct Board Hearings normally shall be conducted in private.
b. The Complainant and the Accused Student have the right to be assisted by one advisor or parent they choose, at their own expense (if applicable). However, the advisor may not be an attorney. The Complainant and/or the Accused Student is responsible for presenting his or her own information, and therefore, advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in any Judicial Board Hearing before a Judicial Board. A student should select as an advisor a person whose schedule allows attendance at the scheduled date and time for the Judicial Board Hearing because delays will not normally be allowed due to the scheduling conflicts of an advisor. The Complainant, Accused Student and their advisors, if any, shall be allowed to attend the entire portion of the Judicial Board Hearing at which information is received (excluding deliberations). Admission of any other person to the Judicial Board Hearing shall be at the sole discretion of the Judicial Board and/or the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee).
c. In Judicial Board Hearings involving more than one Accused Student, the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee), in his or her sole discretion, may permit the Judicial Board Hearings concerning each student to be conducted either separately or jointly.
d. The Complainant, the Accused Student and the Judicial Board may arrange for witnesses to present pertinent information to the Judicial Board. The College will try to arrange the attendance of possible witnesses who are members of the College community, if reasonably possible, and who are identified by the Complainant and/or Accused Student at least two weekdays prior to the Judicial Board Hearing. Witnesses will provide information to and answer questions from the Judicial Board. The tone of the hearing should be educational and not adversarial. Questions of whether potential information will be received shall be resolved in the sole discretion of the Chairperson of the Judicial Board.
e. Pertinent records, exhibits, and written statements (including Student Impact Statements) may be accepted as information for consideration by a Judicial Board at the sole discretion of the Chairperson.
f. All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the Chairperson of the Judicial Board.
g. Requests for a continuance shall be at the discretion of the Chair of the Judicial Board.
h. After the portion of the Judicial Board Hearing concludes in which all pertinent information has been received, the Judicial Board shall determine (by majority vote) whether the Accused Student has violated each section of the Student Code which the student is charged with violating.
i. The Judicial Board’s determination shall be made on the basis of whether it is more
likely than not that the Accused Student violated the Student Code or General Rules.
j. Formal rules of process, procedure, and/or technical rules of evidence, such as those that are applied in criminal or civil court, are not used and do not apply in Student Code of Conduct proceedings/hearings.

11. There shall be a single verbatim record, such as a tape recording, of all Judicial Board Hearings before a Judicial Board. Deliberations shall not be recorded. The record shall be the property of the College.

12. If an Accused Student, with notice, elects not to appear before a Judicial Board Hearing, the student shall be considered to have waived the right to appeal, and the decision at the prior level stands. If the Judicial Board is the initial decision maker, the information in support of the charges shall be presented and considered by the Judicial Board even if the Accused Student is not present. The student may still request review by the Provost (or his or her designee; See D1 below).

13. The Judicial Board may accommodate concerns for the personal safety, well-being, and/or fears of confrontation of the Complainant, Accused Student, and/or other witness during the hearing by providing separate facilities, by using a visual screen, and/or by permitting participation by telephone, videophone, closed circuit television, video conferencing, videotape, audio tape, written statement, or other means, where and as determined in the sole judgment of the Dean of SAS/SEMs (or his or her designee) to be appropriate.

14. In addition, the Judicial Board is empowered to make recommendations based on decisions rendered.

B. Sanctions

1. In cases of noncompliance with the Student General Rules or a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the College will impose discipline that is consistent with the impact of the offense on the College community. Progressive discipline principles will be followed in that the student's prior discipline history at the College will be taken into account. Disciplinary action taken against a student may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
a. Verbal Warning - Student is given a verbal warning and a notation is made in the student’s disciplinary file.
b. Written Warning - A notice in writing to the student that the student is violating or has violated institutional regulations.
c. Probation - A written reprimand for violation of specified regulations. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to violate any institutional regulation(s) during the probationary period.
d. Loss of Privileges - Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
e. Restitution - Compensation for loss, damage, or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
f. Discretionary Sanctions - Work assignments, essays, service to the College, or other
related discretionary assignments.
g. College Suspension - Separation of the student from the College for a definite period of
time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
h. College Dismissal - separation of the student from the College indefinitely.
i. College Expulsion - separation of the student from the College permanently.
j. Revocation of Admission and/or Degree - Admission to or a degree awarded from the College may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, or other violation of College standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation.

2. Withholding Degree or Certificate—The College may withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the completion of the process set forth in this Student Code of Conduct, including the completion of all sanctions imposed, if any.

3. More than one of the sanctions listed above may be imposed for any single violation.

4. The following sanctions may be imposed upon groups or organizations:
a. Those sanctions listed above in article IV(B)(1)(a)–(j).
b. Loss of selected rights and privileges for a specified period of time.
c. Deactivation. (Loss of all privileges may be issued, including College recognition, for a specified period of time.)

5. In each case in which a Judicial Board determines that a student and/or group or organization has violated the Student Code or General Rules, the sanction(s) shall be determined by the Judicial Board and imposed by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee).

6. Following the Judicial Board Hearing, the Judicial Board and the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) shall advise the Accused Student, group and/or organization in writing of its determination and of the sanction(s) imposed, if any.

C. Interim Suspension

In certain circumstances, the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee), may impose a College suspension prior to the Judicial Board Hearing before a Judicial Board.

1. Interim suspension may be imposed only in the following circumstances:
a. to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the College community or preservation of College property; or
b. to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or
c. if the student poses an ongoing threat of disruption of, or interference with, the normal operations of the College.

2. Interim suspension will take effect immediately upon the direction of the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) and last for no more than 10 days. The 10-day period may be extended for good cause by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) or by agreement with the student.

3. During the interim suspension, a student shall be denied access to the campus (including classes) and/or all other College activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) may determine to be appropriate.

4. The interim suspension does not replace the regular process, which shall proceed on the normal schedule, up to and through the completion of the Judicial Board Hearing, if required.

D. Appeals

1. A decision reached by the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) may be appealed by the Accused Student(s) to the Judicial Board within ten (10) working days, excluding Saturday and Sunday, of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee).

2. A decision reached by the Judicial Board may be appealed by the Accused Student(s) to the Provost (or his or her designee) within ten (10) working days, excluding Saturday and Sunday, of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee).

3. Except as required to explain the basis of new information, an appeal shall be limited to a review of the verbatim record of the Judicial Board Hearing and supporting documents for one (or both) of the following reasons only:
a. To determine whether the Judicial Board Hearing was conducted in accordance with written processes and procedures.
b. To consider new information, sufficient to alter a decision, or other relevant facts not presented during the Judicial Board Hearing, because such information and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original Judicial Board Hearing.

4. If an appeal is approved by the Provost (or his or her designee), the matter shall be returned to the original Judicial Board and Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) for re-opening of the Judicial Board Hearing to allow reconsideration of the original determination and/or sanction(s). The decision of the Judicial Board, after it has reconsidered the original determination and/or sanction, shall be final and binding upon all involved.

5. If an appeal is not approved by the Provost (or his or her designee), the matter shall be considered final and binding upon all involved.

ARTICLE V: INTERPRETATION AND REVISION

A. Any question of interpretation or application of the Student Code or General Rules shall be referred to the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee) for final determination.

B. The Student Code shall be reviewed every year under the direction of the Dean of SAS/SEM (or his or her designee).

Revised: 5/1/09


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