Student
Rights & Responsibilities/Student Code of Conduct
I.
Student Rights
Students of Illinois Valley Community College have the
same rights accorded all citizens under the Constitution of the United States.
Included among these are the right to free, open and responsible
discussion and inquiry.
At IVCC, we believe that students are entitled to expect a
program of quality education provided by competent instructors.
It is therefore the right of each IVCC Student to:
A.
study any controversial issue with a political, economic or social
significance
B.
have open access to all relevant information
C.
study under competent instructors in an atmosphere free of bias and
prejudice
D.
form and express personal opinions on controversial issues without
jeopardizing their relationship with their instructors or the College
E.
be treated fairly and with respect
F.
be accorded the best efforts of instructors, including access through
regular office hours
II.
Student Academic Complaints
As members of the College community, students have the
right to express their opinions as to the fair treatment of their academic
achievement. Students who wish to
dispute a grading matter, or another academic matter (e.g. violation of
the plagiarism policy) related to their courses, shall express these
concerns to the appropriate faculty member as follows:
A.
The student should discuss the matter with the faculty member in an
informal matter.
B.
When feasible, the initial informal meeting between
the student and faculty member should occur within five (5) class days
(normally Monday through Friday when classes are in
session) after notification of the grading matter or other academic matter
by the instructor.
C.
If the complaint is not resolved after the informal discussion, the
student may appeal informally (usually a conference), the Division Chair of the
faculty member involved. Where feasible, this appeal to the Division Chair should be
made within five (5) class days of the informal discussion with the faculty
member.
D.
If the nature of the complaint is personal, involving a faculty member
directly and his/her behavior or demeanor, the student may appeal informally
directly to the faculty member's division chair as outlined in item C above,
bypassing the informal discussion directly with the faculty member.
The student should understand that anonymity cannot and usually will not
be protected.
E.
If the complaint is not resolved after the normal informal discussion,
the student may appeal to the in writing to the division chair of the faculty
member involved within five (5) class days after the informal discussion.
In filing the written complaint, the student may request a meeting with
the division chair.
F.
The division chair shall review the complaint and respond in writing to
the student within five (5) class days after receiving the student's written
statement.
G.
If the results of the division chair's review are unsatisfactory to the
student, the student may appeal to the Vice President for Academic Affairs
within five (5) class days of receiving the written response of the division
chair. The student may request a
meeting with the Vice President.
H.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall issue a written response to
the student within five (5) class days of receipt of the student's appeal.
I.
The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs shall be
considered final with regard to student academic complaints.
III. Student Non-Academic Complaints
The Vice President for Student Services shall be
responsible for responding to complaints from students on non-academic (non
classroom and grading) issues which would fall outside of the Student Code of
Conduct (section VI following). These
issues include, but are not limited to:
A. parking violations
and towing
B. refunds of tuition
and fees
C.
admission, registration and records matters
D. financial aid
matters
E. counseling matters
F. job
placement matters
G. activities and
athletics matters
H. bookstore refunds
The student is expected to initiate her/his complaint with
the staff member immediately responsible for the area in which the problem
occurred, in an effort to resolve the issue in an informal manner.
If the issue is not resolved in an informal manner, the
student may appeal the matter to the Vice President for Student Services.
The decision of the Vice President for Student Services with regard to
student non-academic complaints shall be considered final.
IV. Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible
members of the College community. Disruption
of the educational process and violation of the rights of others constitutes
irresponsible behavior. Specific
responsibilities of IVCC students include, but are not limited to:
A.
attending class regularly as specified per class requirements and/or
syllabus, and explaining reasons for absences to instructors
B.
exercising care of College equipment and facilities
C.
actions characterized by honesty
D.
treating all college personnel, and fellow students, fairly and with
respect.
Students are responsible for knowing and abiding by all
College regulations along with federal, state and local statutes.
Students in doubt about any particular matter should consult the Vice
President for Student Services.
V. Academic
Integrity
Academic Integrity is directly linked to the Core
Values of Illinois Valley Community College, three of which are RESPONSIBILITY,
RESPECT, and HONESTY. It is the
RESPONSIBILITY of each student to RESPECT the academic integrity of each
class/course by doing their own work, and by refusing to assist others in
deception. Academic dishonesty
violates the academic integrity expected of all students.
A.
Academic dishonesty is defined as, but is not limited to:
1.
CHEATING—using or attempting to use unauthorized materials,
study aids, or information in any academic exercise, including copying from
another person's work or preparing work for another person that is to be
presented as the other person's own work.
2.
FABRICATION—furnishing false information to a College official
relative to academic matters, including but not limited to, misrepresentation of
written information provided in admission documents.
3.
PLAGIARISM—comes from the Latin word plagiare,
which means “to steal.” Therefore, plagiarism is a form of cheating.
Plagiarism is defined as using the words or ideas of another as one’s
own either on purpose or unintentionally. This
includes, but is not limited to, copying whole, portions or the paraphrasing
(rewording) of passages or information from any source in any academic exercise
(written or oral) without giving credit to the author or source using an
appropriate citation style. Students
must be able to prove that their work is their own.
4.
FACILITATING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY—helping or attempting to help
another to violate any provision of this code.
B.
Academic dishonesty violates the Student Code of Conduct.
The faculty member has full authority to identify academic dishonesty in
his/her classroom, and to impose any of the following sanctions:
1. Failure of any assignment,
quiz, test, examination or paper, project or oral presentation for
the work in which the violation occurred.
2. Lower grade.
3. Involuntary withdrawal from
the course.
4. Failure of the course.
5. The faculty member may
report extreme cases of academic dishonesty (such as, but not limited to,
collusion among a number of students, selling or providing papers or repeated
violations of academic dishonesty, etc.) directly to the Vice President for
Student Services for disciplinary action as outlined in section VII Disciplinary
Process.
6. Other sanctions as
determined by the faculty member. The
sanction will be put in writing and signed by the student, faculty member and
the Division Chair.
C. The
instructor shall normally attempt to notify (if possible) the student within
five (5) class days of identifying the act of dishonesty to discuss the applied
sanction.
D.
Students have the right to appeal through the Vice President for
Academic Affairs office as outlined in section II. Student Academic
Complaints.
E. Each time a faculty member documents an incident of academic dishonesty, he/she will submit to the Office of Academic Affairs the following information (in hard copy to protect student confidentiality): student name, class, date, description of incident and action by faculty and/or student, faculty signature. The faculty member will retain the documentation.
The Office of Academic Affairs will keep a file of these submissions.
When a student has been identified as committing an act of academic
dishonesty twice, the VPAA and VPSS will conduct an investigation, which may
include a formal hearing, and will recommend or impose appropriate discipline.
The purpose of this provision is to identify students who commit multiple
acts of academic dishonesty in different courses, which the student might
otherwise avoid. The assumption is that multiple acts constitute a more
grievous offense than a single incident, which would constitute a learning
experience for the student.
VI. Student
Code of Conduct
Discipline may be imposed whenever a student commits or
attempts to commit any act of misconduct on the College campus, or at a sporting
event, activity, function or other event sponsored or supervised by the College.
A.
Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
1. Possession, use or distribution
of an illegal or controlled substance, or look-alike drug.
2. Unauthorized and/or illegal
possession, use or distribution of any alcoholic beverage.
3. Theft of property or
services.
4. Intentional or willful and
wanton destruction of property.
5. Assault and/or battery.
6. Conduct which constitutes
harassment, sexual or otherwise, or abuse that threatens the mental well-being,
health or safety of any individual, to include peer harassment of fellow
students.
7. Possession of a firearm or
other weapon, dangerous chemical or explosive substance or device.
8. Trespassing on College
property or other unauthorized use of College property or services.
9. Academic dishonesty (see
also section V. entitled Academic Integrity).
Such matters will be addressed by the Office of Academic Affairs.
10. Disruption of the educational process or related activity.
11. Failure to comply with the direction of an authorized College
employee or representative who is performing her/his duties.
12. Verbal abuse to any individual.
13. Stalking any individual.
14. Gambling.
15. Unauthorized use of College
phones or facsimile (fax) machines.
16. Intentional willful or wanton
tampering with computer equipment or networks, to include but are not limited to
destruction of files, illegal or unauthorized file transfers or copying,
introduction of a computer virus, unauthorized use of copying of copyrighted
software, altering or attempting to alter official College computer records,
accessing offensive web sites, and malicious tampering, or any other violation
of the computer use policies.
17. Gang recruitment and/or
activities.
18. Any conduct which constitutes a
violation of the terms of any discipline imposed in accordance with this
procedure.
19. Any conduct which constitutes a
violation of a Federal, State law, local ordinance or College rule or
regulation.
20. Gross misconduct by any
standard.
VII.
Disciplinary Process
Any person may initiate a complaint against a student for
violation of the Code of Conduct by filing a written complaint with the Vice
President for Student Services. (Academic
complaints shall be addressed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.)
The complaint shall describe the conduct which allegedly violates
the Student Code of Conduct. It
should be noted that the complaining person may also pursue civil action in the
courts.
A.
The Vice President for Student Services will investigate the complaint
and conduct a hearing. The Vice President may request the assistance of another
College official in conducting or witnessing the hearing. The Vice President will call such witnesses, including the
accused student, as deemed necessary to adjudicate the matter.
The accused student may present witnesses.
B.
If in the opinion of the Vice President for Student Services a violation
has occurred, he/she may administer sanctions.
Sanctions applied will depend upon the severity of the offense and the
student's previous conduct record. Disciplinary
procedures and sanctions may be implemented with the assistance of other
professional staff members as deemed necessary or appropriate by the Vice
President for Student Services. Sanctions
include one or a combination of the following:
1. ADMONITION--An
oral reprimand.
2. WARNING--A
written reprimand.
3. CENSURE--A
notice, written or spoken, stating that further misconduct will bring more
serious action.
4. DISCIPLINARY
PROBATION--A written statement disqualifying the student for a specific time
period from extracurricular or co-curricular activities.
5. RESTITUTION--A
written requirement that the student provide reimbursement for misappropriation
or damage to College property, or that of an individual.
6. SUSPENSION-Suspension
of tuition waiver or scholarship.
C.
In applying the above sanctions, the decision of the Vice President for
Student Services shall be considered final.
D.
College Suspension or Expulsion, when recommended by the Vice President
for Student Services, shall require a due process hearing prior to being
applied.
1. COLLEGE SUSPENSION--A
written notice of exclusion from the Campus, classes, privileges and College
activities for a specified period of time.
2. EXPULSION--A written
termination of a student status, as indicated for College suspension, for an
indefinite period of time.
VIII.
Athletics, Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities
Athletics, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities
exist as an outlet in which students can develop leadership skills, human
relationship skills, time management, team work, and provide service to others
and to the College. Students who
participate in College clubs, organizations, athletics, plays and concerts, the
student newspaper, and organized academic competitions represent the College.
As representatives of the College, those participating in College
activities must recognize and accept the responsibility to uphold the very
highest standards of behavior.
A.
If a student involved in College activities as specified engages in
activity on campus or off which violates campus rules and regulations, state or
federal laws, the student will be disciplined in an appropriate manner.
In a case where the student is arrested for any offense specified in the
Code of Conduct or an equally serious offense, the student may be suspended from
participation in the activity until such time as the matter is adjudicated by
the courts. If the student is found
guilty, she/he may be suspended from participation in the activity for a number
of events or for the balance of the year or season.
B.
The coach, faculty sponsor or director will discuss the circumstances
surrounding the misconduct with the Vice President for Student Services.
The Vice President will consider factors which might increase or decrease
the severity of the actions in which the student was involved. The decision of the Vice President for Student Services shall
be considered final, unless College Suspension or Dismissal is recommended.
C.
Nothing herein is designed or intended to limit any other reasonable
rules or restrictions placed in force by a coach, director or sponsor.
In addition, the coach, director or sponsor may take disciplinary action
immediately, such as expulsion from a practice or performance, where it is
necessary and appropriate.
IX. Due Process
Procedure for Students Recommended for College Suspension or Expulsion
A student who is recommended for college suspension or
expulsion as a disciplinary sanction shall be entitled to a due process hearing
according to the following process:
1. The Vice President for
Student Services shall send a notice to the student specifying the misconduct
for which suspension or expulsion is being recommended.
2. The notice will contain the
notification as to the time, date and place of the hearing before the
Faculty-Student Review Committee.
3. The Faculty-Student Review
Committee shall be composed of three (3) student representatives chosen by the
Student Government Association and three (3) faculty chosen by the faculty.
The committee shall be chaired by the Vice President for Student
Services.
4. If the Vice President for
Student Services has reasonable cause to believe that danger will be present if
the student is permitted on campus, the student may be immediately suspended
pending the full hearing.
5. If the student ignores or
refuses to acknowledge the hearing, the hearing may proceed with the student in
absentia.
6. At the hearing, the student
will be permitted to speak in his/her own behalf, to present any witnesses in
his/her behalf, and to question any witnesses against him/her.
7. The hearing before the
Faculty-Student Review Committee is not subject to formal rules of evidence.
8. Minutes of the proceeding
will be taken and prepared, as well as audio tapes.
These minutes and audio tapes shall be made available to the student as
well as to succeeding levels of review, should an appeal be filed.
9. Within five (5) class days
of the hearing, the Committee will issue findings sustaining, overturning or
modifying the sanction recommended by the Vice President for Student Services,
to the President of the College.
10. The student may appeal the
findings of the Faculty-Student Review Committee by filing written notice with
the Vice President for Student Services within five (5) class days of receipt of
the Committee's findings.
11. In the absence of an appeal
filed within the time frame specified, the decision of the Faculty-Student
Review Committee shall be automatically sustained and considered final.
12. If appealed, the student will be
informed within five (5) class days of receipt of the appeal, of the date, time
and location of the hearing with the President of the College.
13. The hearing with the President
shall be scheduled within five (5) class days of the date of notification of
appeal hearing to the student.
14. On appeals to the President, or
ultimately to the Board of Trustees, (Expulsion only) only the official record
of the Review Committee, and summary of evidence, will be reviewed.
No new evidence or testimony will be considered.
15. The President shall issue
her/his decision within five (5) class days of the hearing.
The President may sustain, overturn or modify sanctions imposed by the
Faculty-Student Review Committee.
16. If the President sustains a
recommendation of College Suspension, the decision of the President shall be
considered final.
17. A recommendation of Expulsion,
if sustained by the President, may be appealed to the Board of Trustees.
18. The final avenue of appeal, with
regard to Expulsion, is the Board of Trustees of the College.
The student must file with the President of the College within five (5)
class days of the date of the notice of the President's findings, a written
notice of intent to appeal to the Board of Trustees.
19. Absence of an appeal of a
decision of Expulsion, within the time frame indicated, will result in the
decision of Expulsion being automatically sustained and considered final.
20. The hearing before the Board of
Trustees shall normally be scheduled for the next regularly scheduled board
meeting.
21. At the hearing before the Board
of Trustees, the student may be assisted by counsel.
22. The decision of the Board of
Trustees, sustaining, overturning, or modifying the decision of Expulsion shall
be issued, within five (5) class days of the Board meeting.
23. The decision of the Board of
Trustees is final.