Definitions

Accused Student: The student who is alleged to have violated the Student Code of Conduct.

Administrative Resolution: A resolution of a complaint, which is mutually agreed upon by the CCA and the Accused Student.  An Administrative Resolution shall be put in writing by the CCA, signed by the CCA and the Accused Student and maintained in a student’s disciplinary file.   An Administrative Resolution shall result in an Accused Student waiving his/her right to a Judicial Board hearing or Appeal.

Appeals Officer: The College’s senior administrator responsible for student affairs or designee.

Code of Conduct Administrator (CCA): The College official charged with the responsibility of administering the College’s Student Code of Conduct.  A member of the Massachusetts Community College Council (MCCC) shall not be selected to serve as the CCA.

College Property: 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.

Complaint: An allegation of a violation of the Code of Conduct, which is filed with or by the CCA. 

Day: Shall mean a calendar day. The number of days indicated at each level shall be considered as a maximum. All reasonable efforts shall be made to expedite the process, but the CCA may extend the time limits at his/her discretion with notice to both parties in writing, including for inclement weather and/or College closures.

Judicial Board: Members of the College community selected by the CCA to conduct a hearing when it has been determined by the CCA that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct may have occurred.  Members of the Judicial Board shall act in a fair and impartial manner.

Preponderance of Evidence: The evidentiary standard used in resolving a complaint filed under this Code’s Disciplinary Process.    The standard is met if the proposition is more likely to be true than not true (i.e.; more probable than not).  Effectively, the standard is satisfied if there is greater than 50 percent chance that the proposition is true.

Sanctions: Disciplinary sanctions under this policy shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Verbal Reprimand – The lightest form of disciplinary action. A verbal warning may be documented in writing.
2. Written Reprimand – An official written notice to a student that his/her conduct is in violation of College rules or regulations and will not be tolerated.
3. Restrictions/Loss of Privileges – Restriction or loss of privileges as a student for a specified period of time, including but not limited to: attending College classes, events and/or activities; accessing College property or specifically designated areas; or participating in College organizations.      
4. Community Service – A student may be required to perform community service as a condition of attendance at the College.
5. Educational Sanction – A student may be assigned an educational sanction, including but not limited to: preparing a reflection paper or apology letter, developing and presenting an educational seminar, participating in training programs, meeting with academic counselors, and/or researching and proposing alternative educational sanctions.
6. Restitution – The assessment of financial charges or other forms of recompense for any damage or loss incurred by the College or any members of the College community.
7. Probation – A student’s status at the College is in jeopardy due to one or more violations of the Code of Conduct. Probation is a more severe sanction than a reprimand.  For the duration of a stated probationary period, a student must comply with College rules and regulations or other stipulated conditions or requirements.   Unless expressly authorized by the CCA, a student on probation may not represent the College in any context, run for or hold office in any student organizations or participate in intercollegiate athletic teams, intramural programs, or any student clubs or organizations.
8. Suspension – Temporary removal from the College or a program, without financial reimbursement, for a specified period of time.  A suspended student may not enter College property and loses all privileges to participate in any College activities.
9. Expulsion – Permanent separation from the College or a program without financial reimbursement.  An expelled student may not be readmitted to the College or a program and a notation of expulsion from the College may be placed on the student’s official College transcript.

Student: Includes all persons enrolled in courses at the College, both full-time and part-time, credit and non-credit. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing academic relationship with the College are considered “students.”