STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Conduct
Definitions to be used in this catalog shall be as follows:
1. "Dean of students" shall mean an administrator bearing that title,
or the officer or officers directly responsible for student affairs in the
college District.
2. A "student" shall mean one who is currently enrolled in the
college District. These policies and regulations shall also apply to any
prospective or former student who has been accepted for admission or
readmission to any component institution while he or she is on the campus of
any component institution.
3. The "campus" of the college District is defined as all real
property over which the college District has possession and control
Responsibility
Each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the college District's rules and regulations concerning student conduct. All students shall obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, and observe correct standards of conduct. In addition to activities prohibited by law, the following types of behavior shall be prohibited:
1. Gambling and dishonesty.
2. The illegal use,
possession, and/or sale of a drug or narcotic, as those terms are defined by
the Texas Controlled Substances Act, on campus.
3. Scholastic dishonesty
shall constitute a violation of these rules and regulations and is
punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall
include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion.
"Cheating on a test" shall include:
a.
Copying from another student's test paper.
b. Using test
materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
c. Collaborating with
or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from
the test administrator.
d. Knowingly using,
buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents
of an unadministered test.
e. The unauthorized
transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test.
f. Substituting for
another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one's self,
to take a test.
g. Bribing another
person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an
unadministered test.
"Plagiarism" shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another's work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one's own written work.
"Collusion" shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.
4. A student who owes a debt to the college District or who writes an "insufficient funds" check to the college District may be denied admission or readmission to the college District until the debt is paid or the check redeemed.
5. Violations of the Penal Statutes of Texas or of the United States occurring on College District property or in connection with College District-sponsored activities may also constitute violations of the college District's rules and regulations when such violations affect the educational process and goals of the college District.
6. Possession or use of firearms on College District-controlled property except for educational purposes that have the prior approval of the appropriate dean.
7. Interference with teaching, research, administration, or the college District's subsidiary responsibilities through "disorderly conduct" or "disruptive behavior."
8. Use of alcoholic or intoxicating beverages and use of drugs on campus not prescribed by a physician.
9. Hazing with or without the consent of a student; a violation of that prohibition renders both the person inflicting the hazing and the person submitting to the hazing subject to appropriate discipline. Initiations by organizations may include no feature that is dangerous, harmful, or degrading to the student; a violation of this prohibition renders the organization subject to appropriate discipline.
10. Endangering the health or safety of members of the college District community or visitors to the campus.
11. Damaging or destroying College District property.
Any student violating this policy shall be subject to discipline, including suspension.
Exclusions
Student complaints regarding discipline and sexual harassment are covered by separate procedures.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to secure at the first possible level prompt and equitable resolution of student complaints, including those alleging discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
Representation
The student may be represented at any level of the complaint.
If the complaint involves a problem with an instructor, the student shall discuss the matter with the instructor before requesting a conference with the department chairman at Level One.
Level One
A student who has a complaint shall request a conference with the department chairman or counselor as appropriate, who shall schedule and hold a conference with the student.
Level Two
If the outcome of the conference with the department chairman or counselor is not to the student’s satisfaction, the student has ten workdays to request a conference with the dean of instruction or dean of student services, as appropriate, or designee(s), who shall schedule and hold a conference. Prior to or at the conference, the student shall submit a written complaint that includes a statement of the complaint and any evidence in its support, the solution sought, the student’s signature, and the date of the conference with the department chairman or counselor.
Level Three
If the outcome of the conference with the dean is not to the student’s satisfaction, the student has ten workdays to request a conference with the college President or designee, who shall schedule and hold a conference. Prior to or at the conference, the student shall submit the written statements required at Level Two and the date of the conference with the dean.
Level Four
If the outcome of the conference with the college President or designee is not to the student’s satisfaction, the student may submit to the college President a written request to place the matter on the agenda.
The college President or designee shall inform the student of the date, time, and place of the meeting. The Board President shall establish a reasonable time limit for complaint presentations. The Board shall listen to the student’s complaint and take whatever action it deems appropriate.
The Board’s consideration shall be used on the complaint records developed at the administrative reviews and no new evidence shall be received by the Board. Each side shall be entitled to make oral arguments based on the complaint record within the time restrictions established by the Board.
Closed Meeting
If the complaint involves complaints or charges about an employee, it shall be heard by the Board in closed meeting unless the employee complained about requests it to be public