The North Coast College prepares career-oriented students for professional business careers and expects the highest level of personal decorum when representing the college on or off campus. This includes seminars, internships, field trips, and/or social organizations. Students are to respect all members of the college community and comply with the directions of the faculty and staff members who are acting within their respective positions. Language, behavior, and dress code are all regarded with high moral tone, and the college reserves the right to determine inappropriate behavior on its premises or at college-sponsored programs or events. Students are also expected to refrain from actions that threaten the general safety, health, and welfare of the college and community at large.
THIS WILL INCLUDE:
- All forms of dishonesty including cheating, plagiarism, forgery, and intent to defraud through falsification, alteration, or misuse of documents presented to the college.
- Theft or deliberate destruction, damage, misuse, or abuse of college property or the property of private individuals associated with the college.
- Inappropriate or profane behavior that causes a disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other college activities.
- Physical abuse of any person, including but not limited to, sexual misconduct, criminal sexual acts, sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, rape, forcible touching or stalking.
- Intimidating or threatening an individual through various means of communication including but not limited to, written, verbal or electronic means.
- Possessing, consuming, selling, distributing and or using illicit drugs or alcohol.
- Smoking in the college buildings or outside of designated areas.
- Failure to comply with college officials acting within the scope of their employment responsibilities.
- Failure to comply with all emergency evacuation procedures, disregarding safety policies, tampering with fire protection equipment or violation of any other health and safety rules or regulations.
- Failure to comply with any regulation not contained in official college publications but announced as policy by a college official or other person authorized by the Director of Student Affairs.
- Bringing dangerous items such as explosives, firearms, or other weapons, either concealed or exposed, onto the college property.
- Improper use of E-mail and Internet access.
- Failure to comply with federal software piracy statutes forbidding the copying of licensed computer programs.
- Failure to comply with institutional policies and/or procedures.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Students are required to dress in an appropriate manner while on campus and at the assigned internship location. The student should show concern for the appropriateness of dress while attending the college and be guided by the principle that what is proper for the workplace is proper for college. Professional appearance is as important as the development of professional skills. All students are expected to appear for class in attire that is prescribed by the college, practice good personal hygiene habits, and maintain a clean, neat, and professional appearance at all times. Students failing to meet the dress requirements will not be admitted to class. Administration and faculty are responsible for enforcing the dress code. Inappropriately dressed students will be sent home and time missed will be recorded as an absence.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Eating and drinking are permitted in designated areas only. Eating and drinking are prohibited in the hallways and classrooms. Bottled water is allowed everywhere except the computer labs.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The use of personal technology devices is restricted by the college. Using any personal digital device in a manner that causes disruption in a classroom or any other college-owned or operated facility is strictly prohibited. All personal technology devices must be set to silent upon entering the college building. When sound is required such as listening to music, watching videos, speaking on the phone or communicating via video chat, headphones are required and discretion should be used in regard to volume. Communicating via the speaker on a device is prohibited. The use of these devices for academic misconduct such as photographing or recording tests or classwork is prohibited. Capturing photographs or recording an individual against their will in school owned and operated facilities is strictly prohibited. When in a classroom setting, personal technology devices are restricted by the Instructor. The North Coast College encourages these devices in the classroom as an additional tool for learning and when used in conjunction with the Instructor’s guidance.
PETS
Pets are not permitted inside college buildings with the exception of Service Animals.
WEAPONS
All weapons including but not limited to, firearms, knives, and firecrackers are prohibited in college owned and operated facilities.
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF COLLEGE NAME
Unauthorized use of the college name or logo in connection with off-campus organizations is strictly prohibited.
JUDICIAL PROCEDURES
Any and all violations pertaining to the Student Code of Conduct are directed to the Director of Student Affairs or designated administrator. During the investigation process and/or if an informal hearing is required, a student’s record may have a hold placed on it. Once imposed disciplinary actions are satisfied or an informal hearing is completed, the hold on the record will be removed. The Director of Student Affairs holds the authority to receive charges and to commence disciplinary measures. The Individuals pressing the charge must submit any charge brought forth in writing. Once the charges are received, the Director of Student Affairs or designee will inform the individuals pressing charges as well as the individuals being charged, making them aware of the specific nature, location and time of the violation being charged. Additionally, the protocol for scheduling a preliminary meeting with the Director of Student Affairs or the appointee will be included. Attendance is mandatory for any student that is called to a meeting with the Director of Student Affairs or appointee. If either party chooses to have counsel present, a notice must be issued to the other party 5 business days prior to the meeting. It is at this preliminary meeting with the Director of Student Affairs or appointee that the individuals pressing charges and being charged have the opportunity to present a case, relevant evidence or any witnesses. At this point, the Director of Student Affairs or appointee may impose disciplinary sanctions where applicable.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL
In the event the Director of Student Affairs concludes that a suspension or expulsion is in order, he/she will notify the Director of Career Services in writing and a formal hearing will be set. The Director of Career Services will notify the student in writing of the date and time the hearing will take place as well as include Judicial Hearing Procedures. The Judicial Council will hold the hearing, a four-person panel comprised of the Director of Student Affairs, who will act as Chairperson for the Council and three members of the college faculty, which will be chosen by the Chairperson. The date and time will be dependent on the availability of the members of the Judicial Council. These formal hearings will remain closed and the release of records and information will be in accordance with the FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) guidelines. The hearing can proceed even if the student being charged does not attend. A case can also still proceed if there are same or associated acts pending in city, state or federal courts. Charged students have the right to submit relevant evidence and present witnesses on their behalf either verbally or in writing. The student must submit a list of witnesses, evidence and legal counsel information, if applicable, in writing to the Director of Career Services no later than 5 days prior to the hearing. In order for a decision to stand, it must be reached by a 2/3 vote. The Judicial Council has the authority to uphold or dismiss the Director of Student Affairs ruling or choose to enforce Disciplinary Sanctions, which are outlined in “Disciplinary Sanctions” below. The Judicial Council will formally notify the charged student of their findings through a written letter within 7 business days of the hearing unless extenuating circumstances exist. The Council will preserve a formal record of the hearing.
DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
Violations of the Student Code of Conduct and/or The North Coast College Drug and Alcohol Policy are dealt with in a serious manner. The North Coast College will impose sanctions such as but not limited to:
- Written Warning – A warning in writing that the Code of Conduct has been violated and the individual must stop the actions immediately to prevent further disciplinary actions.
- Fine – A fine may be assessed to a student in the event a form of loss or damage has occurred by the student or an individual (non-student) associated with the student. The fine imposed would be no greater than the amount of the restoration.
- College Community Service – A form of community service may be imposed on a student if the severity of the violation fits the sanction. The service would be performed on campus and would be designed to benefit the general campus community.
- Suspension – A student that is suspended will forfeit all rights typically associated with being an active student at The North Coast College. This includes visiting any college building, class or college event during the suspension period. Suspensions are based quarterly and length of a suspension is determined by the particular offense. There may be specific conditions placed on a student’s return. The student’s academic record will reflect the suspension.
- Expulsion – Expulsion is the final and most severe of the sanctions. A student loses any and all rights to the college, its’ buildings and any other privileges associated with being a member of The North Coast College community. The student’s academic record will reflect the expulsion.
APPEALS
In the event the judicial proceedings result in a suspension or expulsion, the student has the right to appeal the decision to The North Coast College President or his/her appointee within 10 business days of the decision. The student will submit a written letter requesting that the president review the record of the hearing and the decision. The President will notify the student of his/ her decision within 5 business days of receiving the student’s request. The President’s decision is final.