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STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
College Code
At Danville Community College, the primary concern is the student. The College attempts to provide students with a safe environment conducive to academic endeavor, social growth, and development.
- Acquaintance with Policies, Rules, and Regulations: The Code of Student Conduct is subject to change by the college administration. Each student is expected to be fully acquainted with all published policies, rules, and regulations of the college, copies of which will be available to each student for review in the Admissions Office. The College will hold each student responsible for compliance with these policies, rules, and regulations. The student is responsible for obtaining published materials to update the items in this code. Online versions of the policies, rules, and regulations will be up-to-date.
- Student Misconduct: Each student is expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the College’s functions as an educational institution. Specific examples of misconduct for which students may be subject to disciplinary action include but are not limited to the following:
- Use or possession of ammunition, firearms, or other weapons. None of the preceding is allowed in cars parked on campus. (See Item 4).
- Conducting oneself in a manner that endangers the health or safety of self and/or other persons.
- Acts of intimidation, harassment, or bullying directed towards employees, students, or guests of the College, including via social media.
- Wearing clothing that exposes parts of the body or undergarments in such a manner that is offensive to others. Use of vulgar or offensive language.
- Commission of any criminal offense under federal, state, or municipal law on campus.
- Violation of or failure to comply with any college policy, rule, or regulation.
- Giving false testimony and/or information to any campus official.
- Knowingly initiating, communicating, or circulating a false report of a bombing-fire offense; or other emergency.
- Misuse of fire or other life-safety equipment.
- Possession of ignition devices, fireworks, flammable liquids, or objects, which could cause damage by fire or explosion.
- Creating or participating in disturbances on college property or at a college activity resulting in the disruption of college activities.
- Inappropriate classroom behavior. (The faculty member has responsibility for control of the classroom and may take steps to ensure an orderly environment).
- Failure to meet financial obligations to the college in accordance with institutional business office procedures.
- Stealing, destroying, defacing, damaging, or misuse of college property or property belonging to another.
- Possession of or making use of college keys/keycards for unauthorized purposes.
- Unauthorized entry into or use of college buildings, facilities, or equipment.
- Unauthorized solicitation on college-controlled property.
- Possessing or using intoxicating beverages on college property or at college activities.
- Being intoxicated or impaired while on campus or at college activities.
- Gambling in any form on college property.
- Illegal possession, use, sale, or distribution of any quantity of any drug, narcotic, or controlled substance.
- Forgery, alteration, or misuse of college documents, forms, or records.
- Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other college activities.
- Compliance with Authorities: Failure to comply with the direction of College District employees or officials, including but not limited to, campus security/safety officers, local law enforcement on our campus, and instructors or administrators, acting in performance of their duties will result in disciplinary action.
- Firearms and Other Weapons: Firearms and dangerous weapons of any type are NOT PERMITTED on or in campus facilities, except when carried by bona fide law enforcement officers in their official capacities. The use, possession (including in parked cars on campus), or sale of ammunition, firearms, or other weapons is strictly forbidden and may result in penalties that include denial or revocation of admission and suspension from the College.
- Possession of Weapons Prohibited
- Possession or carrying of any weapon by any person, except a police officer, is prohibited on college property in academic buildings, administrative office buildings, student centers, child care centers, dining facilities, and places of like kind where people congregate, or while attending any sporting, entertainment or educational events.
- Entry upon the aforementioned college property in violation of this prohibition is expressly forbidden. Any individual in violation of this prohibition will be asked to remove the weapon immediately. Failure to comply may result in a student conduct referral, an employee disciplinary action, or arrest.
5. Gang Activity: This is defined as any activity that leads college officials to reasonably believe that such behavior, apparel, activities, or acts are “gang-related” and adversely affect the campus environment and/or educational objectives of Danville Community College. This may include: wearing apparel of a gang-related nature (including, but not limited to clothing, clothing accessories, Jewelry, hair accessories, tattoos, emblems, badges, symbols, and signs); presenting a physical safety hazard to self, students, faculty, staff, or other persons on the college campus; communicating verbally or nonverbally (gestures, handshakes, slogans, drawings, etc.) to convey affiliation in a gang‑defacing college or personal property with gang-related graffiti, symbols, or slogans‑ or soliciting others for gang membership.
6. Academic Honesty: Students will be expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their experiences in the classroom. Any student found guilty of dishonesty in academic work is subject to disciplinary action.
- The college may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of any form of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, the following:
- Copying from another student’s test paper or other academic work.
- Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test.
- Collaborating, without authority, with another student during an examination or in preparing academic work.
- Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting, in whole or part, the contents of a non-administered test.
- Substitution for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself, to take a test, or prepare for other academic work.
- Bribing another person to obtain a non-administered test or information about a non-administered test.
- The appropriation of another person’s work without acknowledging the incorporation of another’ s work in one’s own written work (plagiarism).
- Procedures for discipline due to academic dishonesty will be the same as specified in Section 6, except that all academic dishonesty actions will be first considered and reviewed by the appropriate faculty member. If the student does not accept the decision of the faculty member, the student may discuss their concerns with the Division Dean. If the student does not accept the decision of the Division Dean, the College will then follow the normal disciplinary procedures.
- Plagiarism Policy: A student who receives a failing grade (” F” ) in a course as a result of academic dishonesty (such as plagiarism) may not withdraw from that course with a ” W ” or receive a refund. This policy applies to any student in a particular course deemed to have committed an act of academic dishonesty during any part of a semester, and regardless of whether the student has turned in any graded work. Mitigating circumstances do not apply in such cases. If the student does not accept the decision, the College will then follow the normal disciplinary procedures.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, INCIDENT REPORTS & RESULTING ACTIONS (06/23)
- Any person charged with an offense is entitled to due process and is considered innocent until proven otherwise.
- Any student of Danville Community College may report a violation of the code of conduct against a student or college employee by utilizing the incident report located at bottom of the DCC website under FORMS.
- Any employee of Danville Community College may complete an incident report against a student, guest, or visitor of Danville Community College utilizing the Submit a Complaintnform located at the bottom of the DCC website under FORMS.
- All reports must be filed electronically using the Forms at the bottom of the website Danville.edu (i.e. Report Sexual Assault or Misconduct (Title IX), Report a Student Code of Conduct Violation, Submit a Complaint)
- Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the handling of the case.
- The completed online incident report will be submitted to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services.
Procedure for Administration of Discipline: The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services or his/her/their designee will have primary authority and responsibility for the administration of student discipline at the college.
When the Student Services (SS) Department receives an Incident Report, a SS representative shall investigate the alleged violation. After completing the preliminary investigation, the SS representative may:
- Dismiss the allegation as unfounded and take no further action.
- Determine the severity and nature of the problem.
- Refer the student to the College’s Grievance Procedure.
- Consult with the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services or his/he/their designee. *Upon receipt of a completed incident, the student may be given notice to appear before the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services or his/he/their designee. Failure to report may result in disciplinary action.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services or his/he/their designee will determine if such allegations are founded. If the material facts upon which the charges are based are not disputed, and the student does not request a Review Committee hearing, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services or his/her desginee will assess the penalty appropriate to the charges.
In cases where further action is warranted, the following disciplinary actions may be taken:
- Deny or revoke admission
- Verbal or written warning.
- Requirement that the student meets with a professional counselor.
- Requirement that the student completes a special project which may be, but is not limited to, writing an essay, attending a special class or lecture.
- Disciplinary probation is imposed for a definite period of time, which stipulates that future violations may result in disciplinary suspension.
- Ineligibility for election to a student office.
- Removal from an organizational office.
- Prohibition from representing the college in any special or honorary role.
- Withholding of official transcript or degree.
- Restitution, whether monetary or performing specific duties.
- Denial or non-recognition of a degree.
- Suspension of rights and privileges, including participation in curricular, co-curricular, or extracurricular activities for a specified period of time.
- Withdrawal from a course with a grade of ” W ” or ” F” grade.
- Failing or reduction of a grade on a test, a course, or other academic work and/or requiring the retaking of a test, a course, or other academic work and/or requiring the performance of additional academic work that is not required of other students in the course.
- Loss of or ineligibility for student grant, loan, or scholarship.
- Expulsion from the college.
- Blocking a student from enrolling until a specified act is performed by the student.
- Warning Probation, a written reprimand indicating that further violations of regulations will result in more severe disciplinary action. Warning probation may be imposed for any length of time up to one calendar year, and the student shall automatically be removed from probation when the imposed period expires.
- Suspension from the College: Exclusion from attending the College as a student for a definite period of time not to exceed one year.
- Dismissal: Termination of student status for not less than one year. The conditions of readmission, if any, will be stated in the order of dismissal.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services will prepare a written notification of the disciplinary actions to be taken by the college which will be delivered to the student by electronic letter with electronic receipt requested.
- Immediate Disciplinary Action: The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services, the President of the College, or his/her/their designee may take immediate interim disciplinary action, including suspension, pending a hearing against a student for violation of a rule or regulation of the college. This should occur only when the continuing presence of the student poses a danger to persons or property or the individual presents a threat of disrupting the academic processes of the institution. In such cases, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services or his/he/their designee will, if possible, meet with the student prior to suspension and discuss the reasons for the interim suspension.
Ineligibility for Refund: Students who are withdrawn by the College for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for a refund of tuition and fees. A student who is expelled from the College after the designated refund date forfeits all payments for tuition and fees incurred for the semester the incident occurred.
Outstanding Financial Obligation: Immediate interim disciplinary action, including the blocking of re-enrollment and/or denying the release of official transcripts, may be taken against any student who has outstanding financial obligations to the College. The student has the right to immediately discuss re-enrollment and/ or denial of the release of official transcripts with the Office of Admissions and Records who will refer the student to the appropriate college official for a discussion of the reason or reasons for the block. Following this discussion, the student may request the case be reviewed pursuant to the normal disciplinary procedures.
Student Disciplinary Hearings: In the cases in which the student disputes the facts upon which the charges are based or in those cases in which the student accepts the facts but disputes the disciplinary action taken, the student will have the opportunity to have the decision reviewed by a fair and impartial Review Committee
- If the student wishes to have a hearing with the Review Committee, the student must, within three (3) class days of the time at which the electronic letter was received, submit a request for review in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services.
- A representative of the Student Conduct Office will be present during the hearings as a non-voting resource person.
- Except in those cases where immediate interim disciplinary action has been taken under the authority of the Immediate Disciplinary Action Section, the accused student will be given five (5) class days’ notification by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services of the date, time, and place for the hearing, and the names of the Review Committee members.
- Upon a hearing of the charges, the Dean of Student Services has the responsibility of going forward with the evidence and the burden of proving the charges by the greater weight of the credible evidence. In no case will this person serve as the resource person of the Review Committee. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the following procedures:
- The student may challenge the impartiality of a member of the Review Committee at any time prior to the introduction of any evidence. The validity of this challenge will be decided upon by the remainder of the Committee. In the event any member of the Review Committee is disqualified, a new member will be appointed by the college President.
- Each party will have the right to appear and present evidence in person. Each party has the right to be accompanied by counsel or advisor who may come from within or outside the College. Such counsel or advisor must restrict his/her/their participation to advising the party, and he/she/they may not participate in the actual proceedings of the hearing.
- The student may elect not to appear at a hearing; however, it will still be held.
- The hearing will be closed to the public.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services or his/her designee will open the meeting by advising the student of the Committee’s procedures.
- The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services will then review in the presence of the student and the Dean, the allegations that were the basis of the disciplinary action.
- The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services will then call upon the Dean to be questioned by Committee members and the student.
- The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Serviceswill then call upon the student to make a formal statement and to be questioned by members of the Committee.
- The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services will then ask the Dean to introduce any relevant evidence. In like manner, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services will ask the student to introduce any relevant evidence.
- After reviewing all evidence, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services will call for a concluding statement from the Dean and the student.
- The Committee will deliberate privately and reach a decision as to whether the student has violated standards of acceptable conduct as charged OR that the student has not violated standards of acceptable conduct as charged. A majority vote will control. If the committee finds that the student has violated standards of acceptable conduct as charged, it will assess the disciplinary action taken. The Committee’s decision and any minority report will be stated in writing with rationale and provided to the affected student and appropriate college officials including the College President.
- In case of academic dishonesty where the committee finds the student violated the standards of acceptable conduct, the committee will accept the recommended penatly of the Faculty member in whose class the offense occurred.If the commitee finds by majority vote that such recommended penalty is unfair in the light of the evidence, it will then identify an appropriate discplinary action. The committees decision and any minority report will be articulated in writing to the affected student and appropriate college officials, including the College President.
- The hearing will be recorded. If either party desires to appeal the finding, the recording will be transcribed and both parties will be furnished a copy of the transcript.
5) After assessing the previous sanction, the review committe may uphold or amend the action in accordance with the following prescribed options:
a. Verbal or written warning
b. Requirement that the student meets with a professional counselor.
c. Requirement that the student completes a special project which may be, but is not limited to, writing an essay, or attending a special class or lecture.
d. Disciplinary probation is imposed for a definite period of time, which stipulates that future violations may result in disciplinary suspension.
e. Ineligibility for election to a student office.
f. Removal from an organizational office.
g. Prohibition from representing the college in any special or honorary role.
h. Withholding of official transcript or degree.
i. Deny or revoke admission.
j. Restitution, whether monetary or performing specific duties.
k. Denial or non-recognition of a degree.
l. Suspension of rights and privileges, including participation in curricular, co-curricular, or extracurricular activities for a specified period of time.
m. Withdrawal from a course with a grade of ” W ” or ” F” grade.
n. Failing or reduction of a grade on a test, a course, or other academic work and/or requiring the retaking of a test, a course, or other academic work and/or requiring the performance of additional academic work that is not required of other students in the course.
o. Loss of or ineligibility for student grant, loan, or scholarship.
p. Dismissal or Supension from the college.
q. Blocking a student from enrolling until a specified act is performed by the student.
Review of the College President: The President of the College may approve, reject, or modify the decision of the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services or the Review Committee or may require that the hearing be reopened for the presentation of additional evidence.
Appeal: The Review Committee’s decision may be appealed by the student to the President of the College. The appeal must be in writing and set forth the specific ground(s) for appeal and be filed with the President no later than seven (7) class days from the decision. Failure to file an appeal within the time provided, in writing, as above shall cause a loss of the right of appeal. The President will be the final appellant review. The President may approve or reject the decision. The decision will be reviewed on the basis of the transcript of the hearing. Both parties may, at the discretion of the President of the College, submit oral or written arguments to support their positions.
Recording of Disciplinary Action: The College will maintain confidential records of all disciplinary actions. The College may expunge these records within three (3) years after the student ceases to be enrolled.
Suspended Student Restriction: No student who has been suspended for disciplinary reasons from the College will be permitted on the campus of the College during the suspension period without the prior written approval of the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services and his/her designee (i.e. Dean of Student Services).
Admission after Disciplinary Action: To have admission reinstated, the student should submit a letter to the Vice President of Academic and Student Services, who will make the final decision on re-entry to the College.
Appeal Process for Revoked Admission
When a student’s admission is revoked, he/she/they may invoke the appeal process. Students who have registered for class but have not yet started classes will be administratively withdrawn, and an appropriate service indicator will be placed on the student’ s record which will prevent the student from registering for classes. If the student is already attending classes, the College will reserve the class enrollment until the appeal process is complete, but the individual will not be allowed to attend class during the appeal process.
The College will make every effort to expedite the appeals timeline.
1. The student will receive an electronic letter/return receipt requested from the Vice President of Student Services and/or designee (i.e. Dean of Student Services) notifying the student of the revoked admission and outlining the appeal process.
2. The student may write a letter of appeal to the Vice President of Student Services and/or designee (i.e. Dean of Student Services) in which he/she/they (1) provides justification for consideration of admission reinstatement and (2) discloses the nature of the offense and/or conviction serving as the basis for DCC’s action to revoke admission. If the student is a convicted sex offender, the letter should include a statement acknowledging his/her/their understanding that his/her/their identity and status as a convicted sex offender will be publicized on the college campus in accordance with federal and state law if he/she is admitted or reinstated.
The letter of appeal must be submitted to the Vice President of Student Services and/or designee (i.e. Dean of Student Services) within seven (7) business days of notification by the college.
3. A panel of five (5) full-time faculty or administrators will review the information submitted and make a decision by a simple majority vote within fourteen (14) business days of receiving the letter of appeal. The Vice President of Student Services and/or designee (i.e. Dean of Student Services) will serve as the convener of the panel and will be a member of the panel. Panel discussions will be confidential.
4. If the panel determines that the withdrawn student represents a threat or potential danger to the College and/or the revoked admission/withdrawn enrollment is considered to be in the best interest of the College, the following apply:
a. The student’s admission to the College will remain revoked
b. The student will be administratively withdrawn from classes if classes have been held
c. An enrolled student will receive a tuition refund. Tuition refunds will not be granted for students removed from the College for disciplinary reasons
5. The Vice President of Student Services and/or designee (i.e. Dean of Student Services) will inform the student by electronic letter/return receipt requested of the decision of the appeals panel. The decision of the appeals panel shall be final.
DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
The Student Services Department is responsible for the following:
- Arrange an annual seminar on substance abuse for students, faculty, and staff with provided literature.
- Partner with mental health services in providing information about substance abuse prevention to students, faculty, and staff.
- Be the on-campus source of assistance for students, faculty, and staff and will be responsible for referrals for assistance for any student or employee.
The College is committed to providing a drug-free environment for its employees and students. It is a violation of college rules for students to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use controlled substances while participating in college-related activities, on or off campus. Students who are using or dealing in drugs are subject to disciplinary procedures. Students who are convicted of drug-related offenses are required to notify the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services within five days of such conviction. Students who are involved with drugs or who have drug-related problems are encouraged to contact the Student Services Department for assistance in obtaining treatment.
Danville Community College is a learning community with specific expectations concerning the conduct of its students. The student handbook discusses your rights, responsibilities, and conduct as you pursue your education. Danville Community College’s approach to student learning and student conduct is to provide a safe and healthy learning environment that facilitates the mission of the College. When a student’s conduct adversely affects the College’s pursuit of its educational objectives, actions will be taken to remedy the situation. Danville Community College’s approach will be both to resolve the problem and to help students to learn from their mistakes. In accordance with this general philosophy, efforts will always be made to resolve discipline issues, informally, if possible.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- The submission of an application for admission to Danville Community College represents a voluntary decision on your part to participate in the programs offered by the institution pursuant to its policies, rules, and regulations. College approval of your application, in turn, represents the extension of a privilege to join the college community and to remain a part of it as long as you meet its required academic and behavior standards.
- You have the privilege of exercising your rights without fear or prejudice as long as you respect the laws of the state, the policies of the College, and the rights of others on campus. Such rights include the following:
- You are free to pursue your educational goals; appropriate opportunities for learning in the classroom and on campus shall be provided by the College through its curricula.
- No disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon you without due process.
- Free inquiry, expression, and assembly are guaranteed to you provided your actions do not interfere with the rights or safety of others or the effective operation of the institution.
- The College and members of the College community have the right to expect safety, protection of property, and the continuity of the educational process.
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