Student Code of Conduct - Sauk Valley Community College

The Code of Student Conduct has been established to control action going beyond the exercise of such rights, to maintain order on campus and to guarantee the broadest range of freedom for all who come to learn at Sauk Valley Community College.

Each student is responsible for knowledge of and compliance with this Code of Student Conduct, which is available through Academic Advising, from the Dean of Student Services, and the Vice-President of Academics and Student Services.

The College further recognizes each student's right to procedural due process, including notice, an opportunity to respond to the allegations, and an appeal process. Any student cited for violation of the Code of Student Conduct will:

Receive notice of the alleged violation. The notice will include:
1. the specific code violations; and
2. reference to the process and rights of students as indicated in the Code of Student Conduct;
Be provided an opportunity to respond to the charges;
Be able to appeal the decision, if necessary;
Not be permitted to withdraw from the College and/or class(es) until such charges have been resolved.

Students wishing to discuss the alleged violation before the hearing occurs should contact the Dean of Student Services.

I. Proscribed Conduct

Jurisdiction of the College
The Code of Student Conduct applies and discipline may be imposed for conduct which occurs on College premises, at off campus recreational or instructional sites, at any College-sponsored event, or at any College supervised or provided activity, transportation, or facility.
Conduct-Rules and Regulations
Students at Sauk Valley Community College are expected to demonstrate qualities of morality, honesty, civility, honor, and respect. Behavior that violates these standards for which discipline may be imposed includes, but is not limited to, the following:

In cases involving sex/gender discrimination and/or sexual misconduct such as assault, exploitation, harassment, stalking, or intimate relationship violence, refer to the SVCC Sexual Misconduct Procedures.
1. Acts of dishonesty, including, but not limited to:
  1. Cheating, which includes, but is not limited to:
    1. Use of any unauthorized assistance, resources or materials in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations;
    2. Dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or
    3. The acquisition, without permission, of a test or other academic material belonging to Sauk Valley Community College, to any department, or to any staff;
  2. Plagiarism, which includes, but is not limited to:
    1. Use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment;
    2. Unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person;
    3. Use of any agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials;
  3. Furnishing false information to any College official, faculty member, or office;
  4. Forgery, alteration or misuse of any College document, record, form, or instrument of identification;
  5. Alteration or sabotage of another student's work, such as tampering with laboratory experiments;
  6. Tampering with the election of any College-recognized student organization or the student trustee election;
  7. Class materials including lecture and discussion notes are considered property of SVCC. Students that are permitted to record classes for instructional or access purposes may not share, sell, distribute or post the recording to the Internet to include all social media sites.
2. Disruption or obstruction of any operation of the College, including, but not limited to, teaching, disciplinary proceedings, College activities, public services functions on or off campus, or other authorized non-College activities when the act occurs on College premises;
3. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, hazing coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person;
4. Attempted or actual theft of, or damage to property of the College or failure to return college property, or other property of a member of the College community or other personal or public property;
5. 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;
6. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any College premises, or unauthorized entry to, occupancy of, or use of College premises;
7. Violation of published College policies, rules, regulations, or procedures;
8. Violation of federal, state, local law, or Board policy;
9. Unauthorized gambling in any form;
10. Use, possession or distribution, of a narcotic or other chemical substance except as expressly permitted by law;
11. Use, possession or distribution of illicit drugs or federally controlled substances;
12. Use, possession or distribution, of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by the law and College regulations, as well as public intoxication;
13. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms (including concealed carry weapon permit holders), fireworks, ammunition, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on College premises, off-campus instructional sites, or at College-sponsored or supervised functions;
14. Participation in a campus demonstration, which disrupts the normal operations of the College and 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; intentional obstruction which unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus;
15. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on College premises, or at College-sponsored or supervised functions;
16. Conduct performed in such unreasonable manner as to alarm another and which is disorderly; aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace;
17. Conduct covered in the College Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
18. Abuse of the student conduct review procedure, including, but not limited to:
  1. Failure to obey the summons of a Student Conduct Review Board or College official;
  2. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a Student Conduct Review Board;
  3. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a proceeding;
  4. Bringing about charges without cause;
  5. Attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in or use of the procedure;
  6. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of the Student Conduct Review Board prior to and/or during the course of the proceeding;
  7. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of the Student Conduct Review Board to, during and/or after a proceeding;
  8. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Code of Student Conduct;
  9. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the process.
Violation of Federal, State, or Local Laws and College Discipline
1. College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a federal, state, or local law which is also a violation of this Code; that is, if both violations result from the same factual situation without regard to pending civil litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under this Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus.
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. However, if the alleged offense is also the subject of a proceeding before the Student Conduct Review Board, the College may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Code and of how such matters will be handled within the College community. The College will cooperate fully with the enforcement of criminal law on campus and within the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of violators who are also students.

II. Dean of Student Services Authority

The Dean of Student Services is responsible for administration of the Code of Student Conduct.
The Dean of Student Services has the authority, in the Dean's discretion, to impose discipline as provided herein Sections IV (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10). The Dean of Student Services has the authority and discretion to recommend College suspension or College expulsion. The Dean of Student Services may, in his/her discretion, refer any disciplinary matter to the Student Conduct Review Board.
The Dean of Student Services may delegate his/her authority to one or more other administrators. All references to the “Dean of Student Services” or to the “Dean ” in this Code of Student Conduct include such designees, unless specifically stated to the contrary.
Confidential files should be maintained by the Dean of Student Services for the purpose of recording actions taken incident to Article 616.01.

III. Procedures in Cases Involving Possible Discipline

Charges or Claims of Violation of Code of Student Conduct
Any member of the College community may file charges against any student for misconduct. Charges will be prepared in writing and directed to the Dean of Student Services. Any charge should be submitted within ten (10) business days after the event takes place.
Investigation
The Dean of Student Services will conduct an investigation to determine if the charges should proceed. Following the investigation, the Dean of Student Services shall make a determination by preponderance.
Notice to Student
Any student against whom charges of misconduct have been filed shall be notified of the accusation of violation of the Code of Student Conduct, as provided in this Policy.
Hearing
In the event the Dean of Student Services determines there is cause to believe there may have been a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, the Dean shall determine whether the matter may be resolved informally, without a hearing. If the problem is not resolved informally, the Dean will refer the matter to the Student Conduct Review Board for a hearing. The Dean shall be responsible for the conduct of the hearings he/she holds, and for establishing the rules which shall apply for the particular hearing. The Dean shall inform the student of the rules which shall be applied. The hearing will be recorded utilizing a video camera for possible use during an appeal to the President and/or the Board of Trustees. The video will be disposed of immediately following any last appeal.
1. The Student Conduct Review Board shall consist of one administrator, two student services personnel, one faculty member, and one student representative. The Dean of Student Services will call a meeting of the Student Conduct Review Board at a time arranged in consideration of the schedules of the student and the members, with avoidance of conflict with class schedules. The student will be notified of the scheduled time of the meeting in writing at least ten (10) business days prior to the meeting. The Student Conduct Review Board Chair may request other students or College staff members who have information relevant to this case to appear at the meeting of the Board. The student, victim, or instructor may also make such a request, and the Chair shall decide if such person(s) shall be permitted to appear. All meetings of the Student Conduct Review Board are closed.
2. The student and the victim/instructor involved may each request the removal of any one member of the Student Conduct Review Board from the hearing for legitimate reason. Issues of removal shall be decided by the Student Conduct Review Board at the first meeting, and the Dean of Student Services shall coordinate any necessary replacement(s).
3. If the student gives notice and appropriate justification requesting a rescheduling of the meeting, the meeting may be rescheduled once.
4. The student and the victim/instructor may each have one pre-approved advisor present. (Each party has the right to object to a chosen advisor upon just-cause, i.e., personal conflict issues. The Student Conduct Review Board chair makes the final decision.) The advisor is not permitted to speak or to participate directly in the proceeding before the Student Conduct Review Board and is not permitted to examine or cross-examine witnesses.
5. The hearing shall not be public. For all stages of presentation of evidence and argument to the Student Conduct Review Board, the Dean of Student Services, the appellant student's advisor, the student's parents or legal guardian (only if the appellant student is a minor), the involved instructor, and the involved instructor's advisor, shall be present. Admission of any other person shall be at the discretion of the Student Conduct Review Board.
Imposition of Discipline, and Decision After Hearing
If, on informal resolution there is agreement as to discipline, the Dean shall impose the disciplinary action agreed upon. If the Dean conducts a hearing and determines, by preponderance that a violation of the Code of Student Conduct occurred, the Dean may impose discipline as authorized in Section II. In the event that the Dean of Student Services believes prior to the hearing that the violation warrants College suspension or College expulsion, the Dean shall inform the Student Conduct Review Board of the seriousness of the offense. If, after the hearing, the Student Conduct Review Board determines no violation of the Code occurred, it shall render such decision.
Appeals
Rights to appeal are as provided in Section VI.

IV. Disciplinary Actions

The following are types of disciplinary action which may be imposed, singly or in combination:
1. Warning - Verbal or written notice to the student that the student is violating or has violated institutional rules, policies, and/or regulations and that the continuation of such conduct or actions may result in further disciplinary action.
2. Reprimand - A formal letter of reprimand sent to the student stating the violations of the Code of Student Conduct. Repetition of conduct resulting in reprimand may result in further disciplinary action described below in paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
3. Disciplinary Probation - A specified period of observation and review of conduct during which the student must demonstrate compliance with College rules and regulations. Terms of probation and the probationary period will be determined at the time the sanction is imposed. A student on disciplinary probation is subject to suspension for any further disciplinary referrals.
4. Limitation to Participate in a Selective Admission Program - Suspension or denied access to the opportunity to participate in a selective admissions program.
5. Suspension of Privileges or College Services - Suspension or loss of rights to specified privileges and College services for a specific period of time.
6. Restitution - Compensation for loss, damage, or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
7. Discretionary Sanctions - Work assignments, service to the College or neighboring communities, or other related discretionary assignments.
8. Limited Access - Administrative restriction to selected parts/locations of campus sites.
9. Withdrawal from Class - Administrative withdrawal with consequent loss of tuition and fees from a class or classes.
10. Temporary Suspension from Class - Temporary suspension of the opportunity to participate in a class.
11. College Suspension - Separation of the student, with consequent loss of tuition and fees, from the College for a definite period of time, after which the student may be eligible to return. Conditions for re-admission may be specified.
12. College Expulsion - Permanent separation, with consequent loss of tuition and fees, of the student from the College.
When the student violation is deemed severe enough by the Dean of Student Services to warrant possible College expulsion or College suspension, the Dean of Student Services will file with the President of the College and the chair of the Student Conduct Review Board a notice of the necessity to convene for disciplinary action. Written notice to the student involved shall be served by certified mail, addressed to his/her usual place of abode or hand delivered. The notice shall include or contain the following:
1. A copy of these policies;
2. Specific factual allegations of misconduct and reference to any specific rules which the facts, as alleged, violate;
3. Notification of the Student Conduct Review Board convening time.
Students may be directed to participate in an intervention or educational seminars in lieu of, or in addition to, the imposition of disciplinary actions described in (A) above.
Other than College expulsion, disciplinary sanctions will not be made part of the student's permanent academic record, but will become part of the student's confidential record maintained by the Dean of Student Services.

V. Temporary Suspensions

Class Suspension
An instructor or the Dean of Student Services may temporarily suspend the opportunity of a student to participate in a class, if either determines that the continued presence of the student would disrupt the educational process, or endanger the physical well-being of others in the classroom or immediate area.
1. Communication of Suspension of Student-The temporary suspension of the student will be promptly communicated to the student.
  1. If prompt action dictates that the temporary suspension be only communicated orally due to the urgency of the situation, the student will be given oral notification and then receive written notification of the reasons for the temporary suspension within three (3) business days from the removal.
  2. Except as provided in sub (a) above, the temporary suspension of a student must be communicated to the student in writing, and the written notice shall state the reasons for the temporary suspension.
  3. All temporary suspensions from the classroom initiated by the instructor shall be reported to the appropriate academic administrator or supervisor, and to the Dean of Student Services within one (1) business day of the temporary suspension from the classroom.
2. Any student temporarily suspended from a class by an instructor may be readmitted to that class only by the appropriate academic administrator or the Dean of Student Services, following a conference with the student.
College Suspension
In his/her discretion, the Dean of Student Services may impose a College suspension prior to the hearing before the Student Conduct Review Board. Interim suspension may be imposed only:
1. To insure the safety and well-being of members of the College community or preservation of College property; or
2. To insure the student's own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or
3. To avoid a threat of disruption of or interference with the normal operations of the College.
  During the interim suspension, students will be denied access to the campus (including classes), to off-campus instructional sites, and/or to all other College activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Dean of Student Services determines appropriate.

VI. Appeals

Disciplinary Action by Designees of Dean of Student Services
A decision reached, or discipline imposed by a designee of the Dean of Student Services may be appealed in writing within ten (10) business days to the Dean of Student Services. The College reserves the right to adjust the time-line for appeals to allow “proper” time for the student to gather required documentation. The Dean of Student Services shall render a decision on the appeal within ten (10) business days after receipt of the appeal.
Decision by Dean of Student Services or Student Conduct Review Board
A decision reached or discipline imposed by the Dean of Student Services himself/herself, or by the Student Conduct Review Board, may be appealed to the President of the College.
1. Time and Manner of Appeal - Appeal to the President shall be in writing containing the materials described in subsection 2 below, and must be presented to the Office of the President within ten (10) business days from the date of issuance of the decision of the Student Conduct Review Board, or the Dean of Student Services, as appropriate.
2. Content of Written Appeal - The written appeal shall include such information as the person bringing the appeal deems necessary to show that the decision reached was erroneous.
3. Record on Appeal - In considering the appeal, the President shall have available the report from the Student Conduct Review Board, or the Dean of Student Services as appropriate, along with any written documentation submitted at the hearing, and a video recording of the hearing.
4. Time for President's Decision - The President shall render a decision on the appeal within ten (10) business days after receipt of the last to be received report and written documentation.
5. Referral to Board of Trustees - Upon review of the materials, if the College President deems it necessary, the President may defer the responsibility for decision on the appeal to the Board of Trustees of the College. In the event of such deferral, the President shall notify the accused student, and the Dean of Student Services, and the matter shall be presented to the Board for its consideration at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The Board shall render a decision on the appeal after due consideration.
Rehearing - The right to appeal does not entitle a student to a full rehearing of his/her case.
Scope of Appeal - An appeal will be limited to review of the initial process except when appropriate new evidence is presented.
Change of Disciplinary Action on Appeal - If discipline is imposed, the Dean of Student Services, the President, or the Board of Trustees (as appropriate), who hears the appeal, may not impose a more severe disciplinary action than the original disciplinary action imposed. A disciplinary action may be reduced on appeal.
Finality of Decision - The decision on appeal of the Dean of Student Services under paragraph A above shall be final. The decision of the President on appeal pursuant to paragraph B shall be final, unless the President shall defer the decision to the Board of Trustees of the College, in which case the decision of the Board of Trustees shall be final.

VII. Definitions

The term “College” means Sauk Valley Community College.
The term “student,” for the purposes of this code, includes all persons applying for entrance or taking credit or non-credit courses provided by the College both full-time and part-time.
The term “faculty member” means all full- or part-time teachers, excluding interns and student teachers.
The term “official” includes any person employed by the College performing assigned administrative or professional staff responsibilities.
The term “member of the College community” includes any person who is a student, faculty member, College official, or any other person employed by the College. A person's status in a particular situation will be determined by the Dean of Student Services.
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).
The term “organization” means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for College recognition.
The term “will” is used in the imperative sense.
The term “may” is used in the permissive sense.

VIII. Interpretation and Revision

Any question of the interpretation regarding the Code of Student Conduct will be referred to the Dean of Student Services or a designee for final determination.
The Code will be reviewed periodically and amended as necessary under the direction of the Dean of Student Services.