Part I: Student Code of Conduct

I. Student Conduct Philosophy

Student conduct emphasizes a developmental approach toward discipline that is educational and proactive and allows for maximum student growth. Chattahoochee Valley Community College embraces the concept of a student-centered college committed to developing and establishing programs designed to enhance lifelong learning opportunities, foster a climate of personal growth and development, set high expectations for personal integrity, and assist students in the development of an informed set of values, ethics, and beliefs. A student-centered college embraces a campus climate in which civility and respect among members of the campus community are viewed as vital to the overall ethical development of its students.

II. Chattahoochee Valley Community College on Student Conduct

Chattahoochee Valley Community College students are expected to obey national, state, and local laws, respect the rights of members of the campus community, and accept responsibility for the consequences of their behavior. In the event students fail to demonstrate such behavior, Chattahoochee Valley Community College reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community. This action may include pursuing disciplinary sanctions for violations of College rules, regulations, and policies and violations of national, state, and local laws. The College may take action for violations that occur on-campus and off-campus if the actions impact the College community or on the Internet when those actions adversely affect the educational interest of the College. Any member of the College community may file charges against any student for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

The Chattahoochee Valley Community College student conduct system is not a court of law. The Student Code of Conduct is not written with the specificity of a criminal statute. In cases where civil or criminal proceedings also involve a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the College reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action against the student. This action will be regarded as separate and distinct from proceedings in criminal or civil court and may be scheduled according to timelines that serve the interest of the College.

III. Student Conduct Authority

The Dean of Students and Campus Services shall develop policies for the administration of the student conduct program and the procedural rules for the conduct of hearings that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.
The Dean of Students and Campus Services, in consultation with the members of the President’s Cabinet, will determine the composition of the Student Discipline Committee.
The Dean of Students shall seek to ensure that the Student Discipline Committee is representative of the faculty and staff members who are willing and able to offer fair and thoughtful consideration of each case.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College students are responsible for knowing the information, policies, and procedures outlined in this document and the CVCC Catalog and Student Handbook. CVCC reserves the right to change this code as deemed necessary, which becomes effective once those changes are posted online. Students are encouraged to check the College website for updated policies and procedures.

IV. Definition of Terms

The term “College” means Chattahoochee Valley Community College.
The term “student” includes all persons taking courses at Chattahoochee Valley Community College, either full-time or part-time. Persons who are not currently enrolled but who were previously enrolled would be considered to have a continuing relationship with the College so long as they are eligible to enroll. Individuals who are admitted but whose degree is not yet conferred are considered students.
The term “faculty member” means any person employed by Chattahoochee Valley Community College to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the College to be a member of the faculty.
The term “College official” includes any person employed by Chattahoochee Valley Community College performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
The term “College premise” includes any property that is owned, controlled, used, or leased by Chattahoochee Valley Community College.
The term “College event” includes any activity conducted, sponsored, or authorized on behalf of Chattahoochee Valley Community College, whether on or off college premises.
The term “organization” means a student organization that has complied with the formal requirements for recognition.
The term “Student Discipline Committee” refers to all persons designated by the Dean of Students to be responsible for managing the student conduct program. The Committee members are authorized to investigate, adjudicate, or resolve any alleged student misconduct cases.
The term “policy” is defined as the written regulations of the College as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct, the College Catalog, and Student Handbook, and all official publications of the College, whether in print or published on the Internet.

V. Student/Student Organization Rights

A student or student organization of Chattahoochee Valley Community College charged with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct has the following rights:

To receive a written statement of the charges via CVCC's official email account within five working days after the reported violation.
To receive a fair and impartial hearing.
To know the nature of the evidence against them.
To present evidence and witnesses on their behalf.
To be accompanied at a hearing by an advisor.
To be present at the hearing during the presentation of any evidence or material on which a recommendation will be made. If a student/student organization fails to attend the hearing, it will be held in their absence.
To refuse to answer questions.
To receive a decision based solely on the evidence presented.
To have a record made of the hearing.
To receive a written notice of the decision and an explanation of the decision and sanctions.
To appeal decisions.
Students or organizations may waive these rights by agreeing to administrative adjudication. No student is required to agree to administrative adjudication.

VI. Due Process

Students at Chattahoochee Valley Community College receive a copy of the Student Code of Conduct annually as a link on the College website. Hard copies are available upon request from the Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Services. Students are responsible for reading and abiding by the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.

VII. Code of Conduct Violations

The following list of violations of the Student Code of Conduct is an example of behaviors that may result in disciplinary action by the College. It is not to be regarded as all-inclusive. In the event that there arises ambiguity, inconsistency, or a need for further clarification regarding what constitutes a violation of the Student Conduct Code, the Dean of Students and Campus Services shall make the final determination. Any student or student organization found to be responsible for misconduct is subject to college sanctions.

Code of Conduct violations have been divided into various levels of severity, and possible sanctions have been assigned based on this classification.

Level I: Reprimand, Probation, Educational Sanctions, Community Service, Restitution, or Any Combination Thereof

Level I violations include but are not limited to the following:

Tobacco
1. use of any tobacco product on college premises
Gambling
1. engaging in any form of gambling that is in violation of the law
Pets
1. possession of animals within campus buildings; service animals and medically approved emotional support animals are the only exception
Solicitation and Sales
1. solicitation and sales of any kind on campus without prior permission from the Dean of Students and Campus Services
Skateboards, Hover Boards, and Roller Blades
1. Use of skateboards, hoverboards, or rollerblades on campus

Level II: Any Level I Sanction, Facilities Suspension, Suspension, or Any Combination Thereof

Level II violations include but are not limited to the following: repeat offenses of any Level I violations and:

Alcohol Possession and Use
1. manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, or using alcoholic beverages on college premises
2. manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, or using alcoholic beverages during a college event
3. being in a state of alcohol intoxication on college premises or at a college event
Damage or Destruction of Property
1. damage or destruction of college property or another person’s property on campus or at any event with which the College is affiliated
Deception
1. misuse of college records, forms, or documents through forgery, unauthorized alteration, reproduction, or other means
2. all forms of dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, betting, misrepresentation, and artificial intelligence “AI”
3. giving or receiving of false information to the College or any college official, administrator, or administrative unit
4. providing false information to law enforcement officials
5. possessing of any fake or altered or any other identification that belongs to another person
6. attempting to perpetrate a fraud against the College or a member of the College community
Disorderly Conduct
1. use of obscene or indecent behavior or expression, or other forms of disorderly conduct
2. use of profane language or verbal abuse toward any College employee or student
3. abuse or unauthorized use of sound amplification equipment
4. conduct which materially interferes with the normal operation of the College or with the requirements of appropriate discipline
5. excessive noise determined to be disturbing to other students or College officials
6. significant or repeated classroom behavior that obstructs teaching or research activities.
Failure to Comply
1. failing to respond to an official directive by properly identified College officials or law enforcement officials in the performance of their duties, including failure to display student ID upon request
2. failing to report for a conference, meeting, or appointment with any college official or faculty member
3. failing to comply with any disciplinary condition imposed on a person by the Student Discipline Committee or any College official
4. fleeing from law enforcement or College officials
False Representation
1. unauthorized claims to speak and/or act in the name of Chattahoochee Valley Community College or any organization, student, college officials, or faculty members
Fire Safety
1. failure to evacuate or immediately respond to a fire alarm
2. participation in creating or causing a false fire alarm
3. participation in tampering, disconnecting, or altering any fire alarm system, equipment, or component
4. failure to follow the instructions of College official and emergency personnel during fire alarms
5. possession, use, manufacture, and/or sale of any incendiary device
6. participation in setting or causing to be set any unauthorized fire
7. possession and/or use of any type of fireworks
8. possession or use of candles, incense, or other flame-emitting articles in the buildings
Harassment
1. striking, shoving, kicking, or otherwise touching or making physical contact regarding another to harass, annoying, or alarming
2. directing abusive or obscene language or making an obscene gesture toward someone for the purpose of harassing, annoying, or alarming (i.e., creating or using persistent derogatory comments, epithets, or slurs that place a person in a hostile or fearful environment or where the person’s safety is in jeopardy).
3. engaging in any form of misconduct, intimidation, or bullying directed to any member of the College community
Unauthorized Use
1. unauthorized use or possession of College equipment or property
2. unauthorized use or duplication of any keys
Unauthorized Use of Computer Resources
1. use of a College-owned computer when not currently enrolled in a class requiring the use of a College-owned computer or without the written permission from the appropriate College official
2. inspection and/or modification of data or programs that were not specifically assigned to, owned by, or created by the modifier
3. use of another individual’s account number without permission
4. interference, electronically or otherwise, with other users of College computers
5. unauthorized use of computer resources for personal gain
6. use of another individual’s programs or data without permission
7. viewing, printing, or transmitting obscene, sexually suggestive, vulgar, or offensive messages on websites
8. unnecessary use (waste) of computing supplies
9. physical abuse of hardware
10. harassment of any kind
11. transmitting messages with derogatory or inflammatory remarks about an individual’s race, age, disability, religion, national origin, physical attributes, or sexual preference
12. transmitting messages with abusive, profane, or offensive language
13. using computer resources for any purpose that is illegal, against College policy, or contrary to the best interest of the College
14. using computer resources to participate in Internet games, contests, or chatrooms or transmitting e-mail or other electronic communications that hides or misrepresents the identity of the sender
15. violation of copyright(s): Individuals using the College email/Internet system may not transmit copyrighted materials. Users may not copy, retrieve, modify, or forward copyrighted or licensed materials except with the owner’s permission or as a single copy for reference only.

Level III: Any Level I or Level II Sanction, Expulsion, or Any Combination Thereof

Level III violations include but are not limited to the following: repeat offenses of any Level I or Level II violations, and,

Assault*
1. intentional physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature
2. physical abuse, intentional injury, or physical harm of another person
Disorderly/Improper Assembly
1. assembly for the purpose of causing a riot, destruction of property, or disorderly diversion which interferes with the normal operation of the College
2. obstruction to the free movement of other persons about campus or the interference with the use of College facilities
Drug Possession and Use
1. manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, or using controlled or illegal substances and/or drug paraphernalia on College premises
2. manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, or using controlled or illegal substances and/or drug paraphernalia during a College event
3. being in a state of drug intoxication on any College premises or at any College events
Hazing
1. acts which endangers the emotional, mental, or physical health or safety of a student, with or without their expressed permission, 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
2. acts intended to cause or actually causing physical discomfort, embarrassment, and/or ridicule of another person for the purposes mentioned above, or apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing
Sexual Assault*
1. having or attempting to have sexual intercourse with another individual by force or threat of force without effective consent, or where that individual is incapacitated or incapable of consenting.
Sexual Misconduct*
1. committing sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, or statutory rape, as defined in the Code of Conduct or under Alabama state law
Sexual Harassment*
1. conduct on the basis of sex that reflects one or more of the following:
2. a school employee questioning education benefits on participating in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo);
3. unwelcomed conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity; or
4. stalking, dating violence, or domestic violence
Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence*
1. physical, sexual, or psychological harm against an individual by a current or former partner or spouse of a student
2. willful intimidation, battery, or sexual assault committed by a family member, household member, domestic partner, or intimate partner
Stalking*
1. Stalking is a course of physical or verbal conduct directed at another individual that could cause a reasonable person to feel fear for her or his safety or the safety of others or to suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking may include, but is not limited to, pursuing or following a person in person or through electronic media (cyber-stalking); non-consensual (unwanted) communication by any means (i.e. letters, cards, photos, text messages, phone calls, emails, or other documentary or electronic communications); unwanted gifts; trespassing; and surveillance or other types of observation.
Sexual abuse in the first degree*
1. A person commits the crime of sexual abuse in the first degree if:
  1. He subjects another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion; or
  2. He subjects another person to sexual contact who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated.
2. Sexual abuse in the first degree is a Class C felony (Alabama Code 13A-6-66).
Sexual abuse in the second degree*
1. A person commits the crime of sexual abuse in the second degree if:
  1. He subjects another person to sexual contact who is incapable of consent by reason of some factor other than being less than 16 years old or
  2. He, being 19 years old or older, subjects another person to sexual contact who is less than 16 years old but more than 12 years old.
2. Sexual abuse in second degree is a Class A misdemeanor, except that if a person commits a second or subsequent offense of sexual abuse in the second degree within one year of another sexual offense, the offense is a Class C felony (Alabama Code 13A-6-67).
Rape in the first degree*
1. A person commits the crime of rape in the first degree if:
  1. He or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex by forcible compulsion or
  2. He or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated or
  3. He or she, being 16 years or older, engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is less than 12 years old.
2. Rape in the first degree is a Class A felony (Alabama Code 13A-6-61).
Rape in the second degree*
1. A person commits the crime of rape in the second degree if
  1. Being 16 years old or older, he or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex less than 16 and more than 12 years old, provided, however, the actor is at least two years older than the member of the opposite sex.
  2. He or she engages in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally defective.
2. Rape in the second degree is a Class B felony (Alabama Code 13A-6-62).
Sodomy in the first degree*
1. A person commits the crime of sodomy in the first degree if:
  1. He engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion; or
  2. He engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated or
  3. He, being 16 years old or older, engages in deviant sexual intercourse with a person who is less than 12 years old.
2. Sodomy in the first degree is a Class A felony (Alabama Code 13A-6-63).
Sodomy in the second degree*
1. A person commits the crime of sodomy in the second degree if:
  1. He, being 16 years old or older, engages in deviant sexual intercourse with another person less than 16 and more than 12 years old.
  2. He engages in deviant sexual intercourse with a person who is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally defective.
2. Sodomy in the second degree is a Class B felony (Alabama Code 13A-6-64).

Note: A third party may also file a violation of the Code of Conduct under this policy if the sexual conduct of others in the education or work environment substantially interferes with the third party’s welfare or academic or work performance.

Theft
1. taking, possessing, or attempting to sell or distribute any property that is the property of another person, organization, or entity (including but not limited to the College) without the owner’s permission
Unauthorized Entry
1. unauthorized entry into any College building, office, parking lot, motor vehicle, or other facilities
2. remaining in any College building after normal closing hours without proper authorization
Weapons and Firearms
1. keeping, using, possessing, displaying, or carrying any weapon, firearm, ammunition, fireworks, incendiary or any type of explosive device or material, or dangerous device capable of launching a projectile by air, gas, explosion, or mechanical means (including BB or pellet guns, air-soft guns, stun guns, and paintball guns) on the College premise unless specifically authorized by the administration or as part of a college-sanctioned event
2. using, possessing, displaying, or carrying any toy weapon that resembles a real weapon, any swords, any illegal knives, any explosives (including fireworks and sparklers), any martial arts weapons, or any devices that are used to threaten the safety and well-being of a person on the College premise unless specifically authorized by the administration or as part of a College-sanctioned event
3. using, possessing, or displaying dartboard, darts, or any type of throwing knives
Violations of Law
1. any act that violates a provision of the laws of the United States, the laws of any state in which such act occurs, the ordinances of any county, city, municipality, or other political subdivision, or the laws of another nation or political subdivision thereof in which such act occurs is deemed to be a violation of the Student Conduct Code when that act:
  - occurs on any College premises;
  - occurs in the context of any College event;
  - occurs at any intercollegiate athletic event in which one of the College teams is participating, home or away;
  - involves more than one member of the College community;
  - otherwise adversely affects the College.

*Even in the absence of a complaint under the Title IX Sexual Harassment Procedure, the College reserves the right to pursue disciplinary sanctions for any act of sexual misconduct occurring on any of the College’s campuses at any event with which the College is affiliated, or which negatively affects the employment or educational environment of a member of the College community.

VII. Notification Process of Code of Conduct Violations

When a student is charged with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the student will be notified to appear for a meeting with the Dean of Students and Campus Services to respond to the charges. The notification will be sent either via certified mail to the address on file with the Admissions Office or via email to the student’s official CVCC email.

In the case of an interim suspension, a notification will be sent via certified mail to the address on file with the Admissions Office. A campus police officer will deliver the notice to the student in person.
If a student does not respond to the request to meet with the Dean of Students and Campus Services as instructed, a notice will be sent to the student, and a hearing will be held. Action will be taken as warranted by the facts in the case, which may include disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion. The decision from a hearing held in a student’s absence will be final. The student will not be afforded an appeal.
Students will not be permitted to enroll in subsequent semesters until the disciplinary case is resolved.

VIII. Withdrawal During the Conduct Process

A student’s withdrawal from the College does not absolve the student from student conduct responsibility. A student may be given the option to voluntarily withdraw from a class or from the College in lieu of disciplinary action. In some circumstances, the Dean of Students and Campus Services or Student Discipline Committee may specify a period before the student applies for readmission or reenroll in a class or class. To qualify for readmission, the student must receive approval from the Dean of Instruction and meet the academic standards for readmission. Students will not be eligible for any refund from the College. If a student withdraws before disciplinary procedures are carried out, the student will be subject to discipline as may be imposed by the designated College official at the time of reentry into the College.

IX. Standards of Evidence

The evidentiary standard to be used by the Dean of Students and Campus Services, Student Discipline Committee, or the President is based strictly on the evidence presented, whether it was more likely than not that the allegation(s) made against the accused student was (were) true based upon a reasonable belief of the Dean of Students and Campus Services, Student Discipline Committee, or the President.

The Committee Chairperson will inform the parties that the rules relating to evidence will be similar to but less stringent than those which apply to civil trials in the courts of Alabama. Generally speaking, irrelevant, immaterial, and privileged information (such as personal medical information or attorney-client communications) shall be excluded. However, hearsay and other types of evidence may be admitted if the Dean of Students and Campus Services or Committee Chairperson determines that the evidence offered is of the type and nature commonly relied upon or considered by a responsible, prudent person in conducting his/her affairs.

In the event of any party's objection to any testimony or other information offered at the hearing, the Dean of Students and Campus Services or Committee Chairperson will have the authority to determine its admissibility, and this decision shall be final and binding.

X. Sanctions

A student or student organization found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct, with the exception of violations related to academic dishonesty, may receive one or more of the sanctions listed below, as determined after a review of the findings. Code of Conduct violations have been divided into various levels of severity, and possible sanctions have been assigned based on this classification.

Prior to issuing a sanction, it will be determined whether the accused student or student organization has any previous violations of the Student Code of Conduct. This may affect the type and level of the sanction(s) to be imposed.

When a student organization engages in an act of misconduct, the College reserves the right to take action not only against the organization but also against the individual student members of the organization.

The following list of sanctions is intended to show the range of sanctions that may be imposed on a student or student organization, either individually or in combination. This list is not to be regarded as all-inclusive but rather as a sample of sanctions that may be imposed. Other College policies and regulations may impose specific penalties for specific violations, and nothing in this section is intended to limit the imposition of those specific sanctions.

Disciplinary Reprimand. This reprimand may be an oral or written warning. It notifies a student that any further violation of College regulations may subject the student to more severe disciplinary actions.
Disciplinary Probation. This sanction is for a designated period and may include exclusion from privileges, such as extracurricular activities and/or on-campus driving privileges. Furthermore, if the student is determined by any of the disciplinary procedures herein set out to have violated the Student Code of Conduct subsequent to the probationary period, the student may be either suspended or expelled. Provisions of the probationary period shall be determined and expressed by the Dean of Students and Campus Services or Student Discipline Committee.
No Contact Orders. Written notice to cease all contact with an alleged victim of sexual misconduct is a no-contact order.
Cease and Desist Orders. Written notice to the alleged perpetrator to cease and desist any activity noted by the alleged victim as offensive or threatening and that may be a violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy is a cease and desist order.
Educational Sanction. An educational sanction may consist of assigning specific projects to be performed by a student or student organization, such as writing a research paper on a specific topic, performing community service hours, attending an educational program, and/or writing reaction papers on a specified topic.
Community Service. Students may be assigned to complete a certain number of hours of community service work to improve their campus. Tasks will be assigned, and the Dean of Students and Campus Services or his/her designee will monitor the completion of hours.
Fines and Restitution. Compensation for loss, damage, and injury may be imposed upon students for violations of the Student Code of Conduct or failure to complete community service. A hold on the student’s account may occur if fines and/or restitution are not paid.
Loss of Privileges. Denial of specific privileges for a designated period.
Payment of Damages. Charges will be assessed against students for the amount necessary to repair damage caused by their misconduct.
Organizational Sanctions. Loss of privileges, including College recognition, for a specific period or permanently. Loss of privileges may include but is not limited to, a prohibition on social events or fund-raising projects. In addition, community service hours and special projects may be required to be completed.
Disciplinary Suspension. This suspension excludes a student from the College for a designated period, usually not more than two terms. While on suspension, a student will not be allowed to take any courses at the College. At the end of the designated period, the student must formally reapply for admission and meet all reasonable requirements and academic standards for readmission. Students will not be eligible for a refund from the College. If suspension is imposed when there are less than 30 days in the academic term, the suspension will carry over into the next semester of enrollment.
Voluntary Withdrawal. A student may be allowed to voluntarily draw from a class or from the College in lieu of disciplinary action. The Title IX Coordinator may specify a period before the student applies for readmission or reenroll in a class or class. To qualify for readmission, the student must receive approval from the Dean of Instruction and meet the academic standards for readmission. Students will not be eligible for any refund from the College. (If a student withdraws before disciplinary procedures are carried out, the student will be subject to discipline as may be imposed by the designated College official at the time of reentry into the College).
Facility Suspension. A student may be suspended from using various campus facilities for misconduct in those facilities.
Disciplinary Expulsion. This sanction is the strongest disciplinary action. This category of severe penalty generally indicates the recipient may not return to the College. Disciplinary expulsion normally would be the least-used disciplinary action and would be applied only to students who are responsible for chronic misbehavior or major misconduct. The College reserves the right, but has no duty, to lift prohibition against re-enrollment if the student submits a written application for readmission showing that he/she has demonstrated an ability and readiness to comply with all College rules and regulations. The College will not consider such a request until at least two years from the date of expulsion.
Counseling/Substance Abuse Counseling. Chattahoochee Valley Community College does not provide mental health counseling. If counseling is necessary, referrals may be made to off-campus professional services. CVCC can also provide a list of off-campus counseling resources to faculty, staff, and students for counseling services and resources for substance abuse. CVCC is not responsible for the cost of professional counseling for students. This information is provided only to assist students and is not intended to endorse a particular resource.

XI. Interim Suspension

In certain circumstances, the Dean of Students and Campus Services may impose a College suspension prior to a hearing. Interim suspension may be imposed only:

to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the College community or preservation of College property;
to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being;
if a student poses a threat to themselves or others or
if a student poses a threat of disruption of or interference with the normal operations of the College.

During an interim suspension, students may be denied access to the campus (including classes) and/or all other College activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible. The student will be responsible for working with faculty members to make up any missed work (if possible). If an interim suspension is imposed, the hearing should follow within three (3) business days. The student must be notified in writing through the official CVCC email and/or certified mail or personal service.

XII. Confidentiality and Protection from Retaliation

Every effort will be made to ensure the confidentiality of information received as part of an investigation. Complaints will be handled on a “need to know” basis to protect the interests of all parties involved. The College will do everything consistent with enforcing this policy and with the law to protect the privacy of all parties involved and ensure that all involved are treated fairly.

A student bringing a complaint or assisting in the investigation of a complaint will not be adversely affected by being involved in said complaint. Any act of reprisal, including interference, coercion, or restraint by a student, employee, or anyone acting on behalf of the College, violates this policy and will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

XIII. Filing a False Report

It violates College policies for any student, faculty or staff member, or administrator to file a false report against another individual.

XIV. Student Conduct Hearing Procedures

The Student Discipline Committee will consist of five faculty members (one of whom serves as chairperson) and non-faculty (staff) members. The Committee may review and recommend to the Dean of Students and Campus Services on student conduct/disciplinary policies and procedures.

The Committee will hear charges and evidence concerning alleged student misconduct and determine the disciplinary action to be taken in cases referred to the Committee by the Dean of Students and Campus Services. The Chairperson of the Committee will be the administrative officer of the Committee. The Chairperson’s duties include:

coordinating the times and place for the hearings with the Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Services;
informing committee members of the times and places of committee meetings and hearings;
ensuring a quorum of committee members are present at the hearing;
coordinating communication with the student and witnesses with the Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Services;
maintaining committee and hearing records, which will be kept on file in the Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Services, and informing, in writing, the appropriate person(s) of the decision of the Committee.

The Student Discipline Committee Chairperson will notify the student of the time, place, and subject matter of the hearing at least seventy-two (72) hours before the scheduled beginning of the hearing. The hearing will be conducted in a fair and impartial manner, and disciplinary hearings will not be open to the public.

Members of the Committee may at any time disqualify themselves from consideration of any given case or cases because of personal bias or a conflict of interest.

Either party to the hearing may request of a chairperson that any member or members of the Committee be excluded from consideration of the case. Such a request must be for cause and brought to the Chairperson’s attention as the first step in the hearing. If a member is disqualified by a majority vote of the Committee from consideration of the case, the President shall appoint a replacement. The replacement must meet the general requirement of regular committee members.

Hearings will be held in a private, confidential area.
Witnesses will be present only when providing information to the Committee.
The Committee shall not have the power to require sworn testimony of witnesses. A witness may decline to make an oral or written statement. An accused student has the right to remain silent, and such silence shall not be used against him/her.
All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the Committee chairperson.

If a Complainant or Respondent (accused student) fails to attend a formal hearing after notification of the designated date, hour, and location, he/she waives the right to appear before the Committee. The hearing will be held, and the Committee’s determination will be based on the evidence and information presented. If the Complainant or the Respondent is unable to attend the hearing for good cause, he/she shall make a written request stating the reason for delay at least three College working days prior to the designated date. This request shall be directed to the Chairperson of the Committee. If approved by the Chairperson, a new date shall be established, and appropriate notification will be provided to all parties involved. If the Chairperson does not approve the request, the student shall be notified of the Chairperson’s decision to continue the hearing as scheduled. Only one extension shall be granted. If the Complainant or the accused student fails to appear, the student forfeits the right to present his/ her case, and the Committee may proceed with the hearing.

At the hearing, the Committee Chairperson will read the Student Code of Conduct charges filed against the student and provide a copy of the Incident Report to the student and the Committee members. After the incident report and Student Code of Conduct charges are read into the record, the Complainant will have the opportunity to present oral information and offer other supporting information as he/she deems appropriate to his/her claim of violating the Student Code of Conduct. The Respondent (student against whom the violation of the Student Code of Conduct was filed) will then be given the opportunity to present oral information and offer other supporting information as he/she deems appropriate to his/her defense against the charges.

Any party to a Student Disciplinary Hearing will have the right to retain the assistance of legal counsel or other personal representative at the respective party's cost. However, the respective attorney or personal representative, if any, will act in an advisory role only and will not be allowed to address the hearing body or question any witnesses. The College must be given a minimum of 48 hours' notice if the Respondent is being assisted by an attorney or personal representative. The names of the personal representative or attorney must be submitted 48 hours prior to the hearing to the Dean of Students and Campus Services. The Dean of Students and Campus Services or Student Discipline Committee members will not use an attorney unless the Respondent is also assisted by an attorney or other personal representative. The hearing will be recorded by an electronic recording medium. In addition, all supporting documents or information offered by the parties, whether admitted or not, will be marked and preserved as part of the hearing record.

The hearing officer or the Committee will inform the participants that the rules relating to the admissibility of statements and information during the hearing will be less stringent than those that apply to civil trials. Generally, irrelevant, immaterial, and privileged information (such as personal medical or attorney-client communications) will be excluded. However, hearsay conversations and unauthenticated documentary information may be allowed if the Committee chairperson determines that the information offered is of the type and nature commonly relied upon or taken into consideration by a reasonably prudent person in conducting his affairs.

If any party objects to any statement, information, or documentation offered at the hearing, the Committee chairperson will have the authority to make a final ruling on the objection.

XV. Report of Findings

Within five (5) working days following the hearing, there will be a written report given to the Dean of Students and Campus Services (with a copy to the President, the Complainant, and each Respondent) of the findings of the Chairperson of the hearing committee, and the report will contain at least the following:

Date and place of the hearing;
The name of the hearing officer or each member of the hearing committee, as applicable;
A list of all witnesses for all parties;
Findings of fact relevant to the violation of the Student Code of Conduct;
Regulations or policies relevant to the violation, and
Recommendation(s) arising from the violation of the Student Code of Conduct and the hearing.

In the event of a finding by the Student Discipline Committee that the violation of the Student Code of Conduct was unfounded or was not supported by the evidence presented, the Dean of Students and Campus Services will notify the Complainant of any appeal that may be available to the Complainant. In the event of a finding that the violation of the Student Code of Conduct was supported, in whole or in part, by the information presented, the Dean of Students and Campus Services will advise the Respondent of any available appeal.

XVI. Presidential Appeals

The Complainant and Respondent will have the right to appeal the decision of the Student Discipline Committee to the President of Chattahoochee Valley Community College, provided that:

A notice of appeal is filed with the Dean of Students and Campus Services and the President within fifteen (15) calendar days following the receipt of the Committee report and
The notice of appeal contains clear and specific objection(s) to the finding(s), and conclusion(s) and/or recommendation(s) of the hearing officer or Committee. If the appeal is not filed by the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the receipt of the Committee report, the right to appeal to the President will have been waived. If the appeal does not contain clear and specific objections to the hearing report, it will be denied by the President.
President’s Review: If an appeal is accepted by the President, the President will have thirty (30) calendar days from his/her receipt of the notice of appeal to review and investigate the allegations contained in the incident report, to review the hearing record, to hold a hearing (if deemed appropriate by the President) and to produce a report of the President’s findings. The President will have the authority to (1) affirm, (2) reverse, or (3) affirm in part and reverse in part and/or modify the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from the student disciplinary hearing. The President’s report will be served to the Complainant and Respondent(s) by personal service or by certified mail, with the return receipt requested, at their respective home addresses.

If a student's complaint remains unresolved after exhausting all available institutional processes, the student may appeal to the Alabama Community College System using the System’s official Student Complaint Form. Please refer to the ACCS Student Complaint Process found on the ACCS website.

XVII. Victim’s Rights

Students who feel they are a victim of either a violation of the law or of the Student Code of Conduct have the following rights:

Regardless of whether an act is in violation of the law, the victim may file a charge against the student for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
To have a person of their choice accompany them throughout the student conduct process.
To submit a victim impact statement before a penalty is imposed.
To have past unrelated behavior excluded from the hearing.

XVIII. Sexual Violence Consideration and Rights

Consideration and rights to be afforded to all campus community members who are victims of sexual assault:

The right to have all sexual assaults against them treated with seriousness and the right to be treated with dignity.
The right to have sexual assaults committed against them investigated and adjudicated by the duly constituted criminal and civil authorities of the governmental entity in which the crimes occur and the right to the full and prompt cooperation and assistance of campus personnel notifying the proper authorities.
The right to be free from pressure that would suggest that the victim not report crimes committed against them to civil and criminal authorities or campus law enforcement and disciplinary officials or to report crimes a lesser offenses than the victim perceives them to be.
The right to be free from suggestions that sexual assault victims not report or under-report crimes because:
1. victims are somehow “responsible” for the commission of crimes against them;
2. victims were contributorily negligent or assumed the risk of being assaulted or
3. by reporting crimes, they would incur unwanted personal publicity.
The right to full and prompt cooperation from campus personnel in responding to the incident.

Consideration and additional rights will be afforded to campus community members who are victims of sexual assaults that occur on College property. After campus sexual assaults have been reported, the victims of such crimes shall have.

The right to require that campus personnel take the necessary steps or actions reasonably feasible to prevent unwanted contact or proximity with alleged assailants;
The right to be informed of the disciplinary proceedings as well as the outcome of such proceedings and
The accused is afforded the same right to assistance or the ability to have others present during any campus disciplinary proceedings.

XIX. Academic Integrity Policy

Chattahoochee Valley Community College expects all members of the academic community to perform according to the highest ethical and professional principles. The entire College population must be involved to ensure academic integrity. The respective instructor will investigate incidents of alleged academic misconduct to verify whether a violation of academic integrity has occurred. Classroom sanctions, if applicable, will be determined by the respective instructor as outlined in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, and class syllabus.

A violation of the principle of academic integrity is a serious violation of the trust that must exist between the faculty and students for the College to nurture intellectual growth and development. Academic dishonesty includes all acts of dishonesty in an academic or related matter and includes but is not limited to the following categories of behavior:

Cheating: use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, study aids, the answers of others, or any computer or electronic device.
Plagiarism: claiming the ideas, words, data, computer programs, creative compositions, artwork, etc., completed by someone else as one’s own work. Examples include the use of commercially available scholarly papers, failure to cite sources, having another person write any part of an essay for you, or copying another’s ideas. Improper citation is considered plagiarism as the author of the work is not being given the appropriate credit for his/her work; however, it is understood that students must learn to cite correctly. It is an expectation that students will do so and cite properly to avoid penalties for his/her grades. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct, Level II, #3 Deception.
Fabrication: presenting as genuine falsified data, citations, or quotations.
Abetting: helping another student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Allowing a fellow student to copy quiz/examination answers or use one’s work as his/her own are examples of abetting.
Misrepresentation: falsification, alteration, or misstatement of the contents of documents, academic works, or other materials related to academic matters, including works substantially done for one class as work done for another without receiving prior approval from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence “AI”: using ChatGPT and similar tools on assignments without permission or using them in improper ways

Adjudication of Academic Dishonesty Cases In an instance of academic misconduct, a student may:

Be required to retake an examination or resubmit an assignment on which the instructor has determined that academic misconduct occurred or
Receive an “F” on the given exam or assignment, or
Receive an “F” for the course.

If the instructor becomes aware that academic misconduct may have occurred, it must be addressed by the instructor and reported to the appropriate Dean. A student who opposes the sanction imposed by an instructor may appeal the matter to the College Dean charged with the responsibility in the specific instructional program or class. Such an appeal must be filed by the end of the next class day following the date on which the sanction is imposed. Students who receive classroom sanctions for academic misconduct may be subject to disciplinary action by the College Dean charged with responsibility for that instructional program. Suppose the misconduct also violates the Student Code of Conduct and is reported by the instructor for such disciplinary action. In that case, it will be referred to the Dean of Students and Campus Services.

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