Code of Student Conduct

I. Introduction

A. LCCC's goal is excellence in education and scholarly pursuit. It is the purpose of this code to assist in meeting this goal through the protection of health, safety, welfare, and property of the College and its students, and also preserving and providing an intellectual atmosphere and opportunity for all members of the College community to attain their educational objectives. In attempting to meet these goals, the College Board of Trustees seeks to regulate the use of the grounds, buildings, equipment, and facilities of the College, as well as seeks to provide for the appropriate and orderly conduct of students, staff, faculties, and visitors for both campus and College-sponsored off-campus activities. The Board has adopted standards of conduct for students and visitors to the campus, the violation of which may result in suspension from classes, expulsion from the College, and/or ejection from College property of persons who violate regulations.

B. The Board provides for the administration and enforcement of its rules and may authorize the use of College law enforcement officers (as per Ohio Revised Code) and other College officials to assist in enforcing College policy and all civil law on the campus.

C. In accordance with College policy, the President will have the responsibility and authority for the discipline of all students. The authority to impose the formal sanctions specified in this Code may be delegated to College officials or committees by the President. Disciplinary action under this Code may be taken against a person who has been admitted as a student to the College, whether or not the individual is registered for classes. Disciplinary action may also be taken against student organizations.

D. This Code is established to provide guidance for enforcing the policies of the College and all cases which utilize this Code shall be heard by the designated College official or the Student Conduct Committee.

II. Student Responsibilities

Students shall adhere to:

A. Academic standards including College, division/program, and all individual course standards;

B. The college rules and regulations, as well as state, federal and local laws.

III. Discipline 

In order to create and maintain a college environment conducive to scholarship, social growth and individual self-discipline, students are expected to abide by local, state and federal laws as well as College rules and regulations. Examples of violations of College rules and regulations include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Academic Issues:

 Academic dishonesty and any form of cheating, which includes but is not limited to:

• Copying from another student's materials;
• Using unauthorized materials during a test, quiz, exam, or project;
• Collaborating with any person during a test, quiz, exam, project, or assignment without instructor's permission;
• Knowingly obtaining, copying, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or in part the contents of any test, quiz, exam, project or assignment without specific authorization of the appropriate official;
• Bribing or the attempt to bribe any person to obtain any test, any grade(s), any grade change(s), or any related information;
• Soliciting or receiving (buying, selling) unauthorized information about any test, quiz, exam, project or assignment;
• Substituting for another student or permitting any person to substitute for a test, quiz, exam, participate in assignment, project, or other course/College activity;
• Plagiarism of any kind: to steal or pass off as one's own ideas, words, writings, sources of another without giving direct and complete credit; to commit literary theft; to present as new and original ideas, phrases, photos, sentences or products of any length derived from an existing source without citing the quotation as such and listing the complete source;
• Recording any lectures on audio or video tape without instructor's permission;
• Failure to comply with posted college laboratory and facility policies as well as posted programmatic policies;

B. Non-Academic Issues:

• Falsification or misrepresentation of self or other information to a College office or official;
• Forging, altering, or using College and other documents, records, or instruments, with intent to defraud or furnish false information, unauthorized access or attempted access of College records including all computer data, programs and related files;
• Obstruction or disruption of any College activity;
• Destruction, defacing, or theft of College property including all computer programs, data and access to them or property of any person(s) while on College or College-related premises;
• Inflicting bodily harm on any person(s) on College property or while participating in a College-sponsored activity;
• Intentionally or recklessly creating a risk of bodily harm to any person(s) on College property or while participating in a College-sponsored activity;
• Threatening or intimidating any person(s) with bodily harm while on College property or while participating in a College-sponsored activity;
• Harassing any person(s) verbally, in writing, by graphic illustration, or physically, including any abuse, defamatory comments, impersonations, signs or signals intended to mock or ridicule race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin;
• Unauthorized entry to or continued unpermitted presence on College property or its computer system, or at College-sponsored activities;
• Misuse or alteration of fire-fighting equipment, alarms, or any other health and safety device(s);
• Interference or disregard for emergency evacuation procedures such as willful disregard of an emergency or a fire alarm signal;
• Making telephone calls to or from the College with the purpose to abuse, threaten, annoy or harass another person;
• Unlawful possession, use, distribution, or manufacture of any illegal drug and/or controlled substance;
• Unauthorized possession, storage, or use of a firearm on College property or at a College-sponsored activity;
• Unauthorized possession, storage, or use of a dangerous weapon (including but not limited to clubs, dangerous knives, or martial arts weapons), dangerous chemicals, explosives, ammunition of any description, firearms, incendiary devices specifically modified to be used as a weapon on College property or at a College-sponsored activity;
• Unauthorized pets in College facilities;
• Failure to stop and identify oneself upon request by College official acting within the scope of their duties;
• Operating a motor vehicle on campus while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or in a reckless or dangerous manner;
• Violating on-campus traffic rules and regulations;
• Smoking in any College building and enclosed walkways.

Note: All requirements for reasonable accommodation under ADA compliance are excepted.

IV. Rules Regarding Children and Visitors in College Facilities

A. Children on Campus
Classes are limited to registered students only. Children who are in any campus facility must be supervised by a responsible person.

B. Visitors
Only registered students or other authorized persons are permitted in classrooms, labs, or other instructional facilities.

V. Class Attendance

A. Student Absence
Students are expected to attend courses for which they are registered. Students should consult course syllabus or program handbook for the specifics of attendance policy for each course.

B. Instructor Absence
Students should remain in the classroom at least 15 minutes after the class starting time (or according to program or divisional policy) unless notified otherwise.

 VI. Disciplinary Process

The operational procedures for the Code of Student Conduct apply to all students and student organizations. The procedures are:

1	Charges alleging student misconduct are to be filed in writing with the Office of the dean of enrollment services within 14 days after the charging party becomes aware of the alleged offense.
2	Upon receipt of a formal written charge regarding student misconduct, the dean of enrollment services will thoroughly investigate the complaint to determine if disciplinary action is warranted.
3	In instances where the dean of enrollment services determines that a violation of the Code of Student Conduct has occurred, the student(s) involved will be advised in writing of the finding and of the sanctions imposed.
4	A student may request an appeal before the Provost by filing a written request within 14 days from the date on the written notice of finding and sanctions.
5	If the Provost determines that a violation of the Code of Student Conduct exists and upholds the decision of the dean of enrollment services, a student may request an appeal hearing before the Student Conduct Committee by filing a written request within 14 days.
6	Upon receipt of the second written request of appeal, the dean of enrollment services will schedule a hearing of the Student Conduct Committee. The dean of enrollment services will provide the student with written notice at least 72 hours before the hearing advising the student of the time and place.
7	The student will have an opportunity to speak at the hearing, hear the nature of the complaint, ask questions, refute allegations, and be informed of appropriate sanctions and appeal rights.
8	The student may appear alone or with an advisor. Only members of the campus community will be permitted as advisors. Advisors will not serve as an advocate or spokesperson for the student. The role of the advisor is limited to providing advice and assistance to the student during the course of the hearing.
9	All hearings will be closed to the public to protect confidentiality. If a student requests an open hearing, this request may be granted.
10	The Committee will deliberate and reach its decision in closed session.
11	A written copy of the Committee's findings will be provided to the student within 14 calendar days of the hearing.
12	Charges alleging violation of the Code of Student Conduct involving more than one student may be heard separately or together as determined by the Committee.

VII. Sanctions

A. Individual

1	Interim suspension occurs when a student is immediately banned from campus due to a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. A student placed on interim suspension will be given prompt written notice of allegations and the opportunity to appear for a hearing within 14 days of imposition of the interim suspension.
2	Disciplinary probation is invoked for a specified period of time but not to exceed two (2) years from the date of sanction. Notification of sanctions will be made to the appropriate College offices. Students  on disciplinary probation: May not be permitted to participate in an official non-curricular capacity, e.g., intramural sports, fine arts activities, or as an officer of a student organization; May be restricted from entering or remaining in selected campus buildings or in specified College facilities; May be subject to additional stipulations as outlined by the provost/VPALS, dean of enrollment services or the Student Conduct Committee; May be subject to automatic dismissal or suspension if found guilty of any new act of misconduct, including violation of the terms of the disciplinary probation.
3	Disciplinary suspension is a sanction of involuntary separation of the student from the College for a period not to exceed two (2) years from the date of sanction. Notification of sanctions will be made to appropriate College offices. Suspended students will: Be assigned grades which would be appropriate if they were withdrawing voluntarily within College time frames already established; Be required to leave and not return to the land and/or premises of the College effective the date of suspension; Receive any refund of money in accordance with the refund policy and procedure in effect at the time of suspension.
4	Disciplinary dismissal is a sanction of involuntary separation of the student from the College. Such separation will be for not less than two (2) years following the date of sanction. Notification of sanctions will be made to appropriate College offices. Dismissed students will: Be assigned grades which would be appropriate if they were withdrawing voluntarily within College time frames already established; Be required to leave and not return to the land and/or premises of the College effective the date of dismissal. Permission may be granted by the dean of enrollment services, transfer and placement for entrance to College premises for a specified purpose and time; Receive any refund of money in accordance with the refund policy and procedure in effect at the time of suspension; Be reinstated only by the provost/VPALS who will establish criteria for readmission for the student who was on disciplinary dismissal.
5	Additional stipulations are the prerogative of the provost/VPALS or dean of enrollment services or Student Conduct Committee. They may be mandated as part of the strict disciplinary probation listed above. The options that may be considered are as follows: Counseling; Restitution for damages; Educative/rehabilitative program referral.

B. College Organizations

1	Disciplinary admonition is a written statement of warning to the organization to take necessary corrective action to bring the organization into compliance with College rules and regulations. The organization will: Lose selected privileges accorded registered groups; Lose privileges of entering selected campus facilities or meetings in specified College buildings; Make restitution (reimbursement for damage to, destruction of, or misappropriation of College property or property of any other person on College premises) as directed; Receive such additional stipulations as are consistent with the nature of the offense, the organization's own objectives, and the goals and mission of the College. This may be assessed against the group and/or against individuals who constitute the group's membership; Be subject to either disciplinary probation or disciplinary dismissal if involved in any subsequent act of misconduct, including violation of the terms of the admonition.
2	Disciplinary probation is a sanction that places the organizations in severe jeopardy with regard to its continued existence on the premises of the College. Organizations on disciplinary probation will: Receive temporary suspension of charter and/or registration status; Lose selected privileges accorded registered groups; Lose privileges of entering selected campus facilities or meetings in specified College buildings; Make restitution (reimbursement for damage to, destruction of, or misappropriation of College property or property of any other person on College premises) as directed; Receive such additional stipulations as are consistent with the nature of the offense, the organization's own objectives, and the goals and mission of the College.
3	Disciplinary dismissal is a sanction that causes the organization to cease all activity on the property of or in facilities of the College. This sanction will be for not less than two (2) years following the effective date. Organizations on disciplinary dismissal will: Receive suspension of charter and/or registration status; Make restitution (reimbursement for damage to, destruction of, or misappropriation of College property or property of any other person on College premises) as directed. This may be assessed against the group and/or against individuals who constitute the group's membership; Receive such additional stipulations as are consistent with the nature of the offense and the goals and mission of the College. Be reinstated only by the Provost/VPALS who will establish appropriate criteria for any readmission request.
4	Additional stipulations are the prerogative of the Student Conduct Committee or Provost/VPALS. They may be mandated as a part of the disciplinary sanctions listed above. Examples might include loss of funding or performing appropriate service projects.
5	Nothing in the organization sanctions listed above precludes individual members or organizations from being responsible for their own acts in violation of College policies, rules and regulations.

VIII. Appeals Process

A. Academic – Students appealing any academic disciplinary decision are subject to the following sequence:

• A written appeal must be filed within 14 days, as follows:
• Appeal the decision at the level at which a decision was rendered (i.e., instructor first);
• Appeal the decision of the instructor to the appropriate coordina  tor, if applicable;
• Appeal the decision of the coordinator to the appropriate division dean;
• Appeal the decision of the division dean to the Provost/VPALS;
• Appeal the decision of the Provost/VPALS to the Student Conduct Committee;
• The appeals process is to be followed in strict accordance with the above sequence. Any appeals to the Student Conduct Committee is the final step in the process.

B. Non-Academic – Students appealing any non-academic disciplinary decision are subject to the following sequence:

• Appeal must be filed within 14 days;
• Appeal the decision at the next level at which a decision was rendered (i.e., dean of enrollment services);
• Appeal the decision of the dean of enrollment services to the Provost/VPALS;
• Appeal the decision of the Provost/VPALS to the Student Conduct Committee;
• The appeals process is to be followed in strict accordance with the above sequence. Any appeals to the Student Conduct Committee is the final step in the process.

C.  The Student Conduct Committee will be established by the Provost/VPALS. The Committee will be composed of two (2) students, two (2) administrators, two (2) faculty, and one (1) support staff. The chairperson of the Student Conduct Committee will be selected by the Provost/VPALS. In all cases, a quorum of the Committee will consist of three (3) members with a composition of at least one (1) student, one (1) support staff, and one (1) faculty or administrator.

D.  The primary responsibility for the supervision of student conduct at the College has been delegated to the dean of enrollment services.