1. Code of Conduct
As active learners, students at EGCC have the responsibility and opportunity to engage in their own learning in order to master course outcomes and achieve success both in and out of the classroom. It is EGCC’s policy that it will not permit disruptive behavior of a student to interfere with the educational efforts of others. The EGCC Student Code of Conduct ensures that each member of the EGCC community has an opportunity to experience success. EGCC provides an environment that encourages open, responsible and respectful exchange of opinions, ideas and information. As such, each student is expected to abide by the Student Code of Conduct as outlined below, and applies to in-seat, hybrid, and online course students.
The following behaviors are prohibited by the Code of Conduct.:
- Defying institutional authority, engaging in willful disobedience or otherwise disrupting the educational process. This does not prohibit students from taking reasoned exception to material or views offered by instructors or others, or expressing views which are relevant to the instruction in an academically appropriate and reasoned manner.
- Academic unreliability manifested through repeated violations of academic dishonesty, furnishing false information, impersonating another, or forging, altering or misusing college documents, records or identification.
- Threatening the safety of themselves or others, disrupting the educational process, or otherwise violating college policy or procedure.
- Engaging in disorderly, abusive, lewd, obscene, or violent behavior. These conducts pertain to both in person and/or/online behaviors.
- Stealing or damaging property of the college or of college community members which includes, but not limited to, course material and examinations, student books, and supplies.
- Using college funds, college-owned equipment, electronic resources or supplies for personal, pornographic or other unauthorized purpose.
- Illegal or unauthorized distribution, possession, use or being under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, controlled substances, or misuse/abuse of prescription drugs on college property or at college sponsored or supervised functions.
- Personal or any other unauthorized possession of explosives, firearms, dangerous chemicals, or other weapons on college property or at college-sponsored and supervised functions.
- Physically or verbally abusing, coercing, menacing, threatening, intimidating, or otherwise harassing any member of the college community regardless of geographic location. These conducts pertain to both in person and/or online behaviors.
- Acts of sexual/gender harassment, sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, and stalking - whether such actions occurred at the College or not.
- Violation of federal, state or local laws on property owned and/or operated by the College or at College sponsored activities; or a student who is charged with violation of a federal, state or local law while off campus where such action demonstrates a disregard for the College community and their safety.
Interpretations of the above terms may be provided by, but not limited to, reference to state and federal law and to college policies.
2. Procedures for Resolution of Alleged Violation of Student Code of Conduct
Complaints regarding alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be reviewed and resolved using the procedures outlined below. If the review and/or investigation confirm the student’s violation of the Code of Conduct, one or more disciplinary actions and sanctions listed in Section C will be imposed.
All documentation related to any such action will follow established filing procedures. These procedures will include written copies to the student and the appropriate college official* and a copy stored electronically in the EGCC incident reporting database. Appropriate campus parties will be notified.
- Direct Resolution: When any member of the college community believes that a student has violated one or more of the standards of the Code of Conduct, s/he is encouraged to seek resolution directly with the student. Only in cases where personal safety is at risk, contact 911 or campus security personnel. In such cases, all staff is encouraged to file an incident report with security including resolution and/or action at which point students’ due process begins. Security submits a copy of the incident report to the dean, program chair, or department supervisor.
- Supervisor: If resolution cannot be reached in direct manner between the college community member and the student, the complainant should contact the dean, program chair, or department supervisor in writing or by e-mail within three (3) working days, stating the complaint, alleged violation of the Code of Conduct and other relevant information. Within seven (7) working days of receiving the written notification from the college community member, the dean, program chair, or department supervisor will contact the student and other parties involved regarding the complaint and resolution. The Supervisor may use multiple processes to help resolve the issue. S/he will review the issues and actions of the parties involved, propose resolution, and determine appropriate sanctions(s) for the student. Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
- Appeal to the appropriate college official*: Students receiving written notice of disciplinary action for an alleged infringement of the Code of Conduct have the right of final appeal in writing to the appropriate college official* within seven (7) working days for review. Within ten (10) working days of receiving the student appeal, the appropriate college official will review the complaint, investigation process, findings, and sanctions. The Appropriate college official may consult the administrative team in the review process to assure consistency and fairness within EGCC. The review may include multiple processes with parties chosen by the College in resolving the issue. The Senior VPAA will report his/her findings and conclusions of the final appeal to the student complainant. Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
3. Sanctions
One or more of the following sanctions may be imposed upon students who have violated the Student Code of Conduct. All documentation related to any such action will be subject to established filing procedures.
- Reprimand.: Any college staff member may initiate a reprimand with a verbal or written warning when a student’s specific conduct does not meet college standards and that continuation of such conduct will result in further disciplinary action. A copy of the incident report and written reprimand or documentation of verbal reprimand will be sent to the office of the appropriate college official* two (2) working days. Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
- Immediate Expulsion: Any college staff member may direct that a student be immediately excluded from EGCC privileges, activities, and/or property as deemed appropriate and necessary to ensure the safety and rights of students and staff. The staff member will inform the student of the requirement for a meeting with Security Supervisor and appropriate college official* to determine attendance eligibility following immediate exclusion. The staff member will file a written incident report with the Security Supervisor within one (1) class day following the exclusion. Within one class day after receiving the incident report, the Security Supervisor will contact the student and schedule a meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to:
- Share information and documentation regarding the incident and Student Code of Conduct;
- Attempt to resolve the problem that led to exclusion so that the student may resume attendance;
- Determine appropriate disciplinary action that may be imposed.
- Disciplinary Probation.: The appropriate college official*, or designee, may place a student on probation with specific conditions or restrictions while in attendance at EGCC, for a specified period of time. Further infractions while on probation may lead to further sanctions. The appropriate college official* will communicate the specific behavior leading to this sanction and the specific conditions or restrictions imposed for the specified period of time to the student in writing. The student will sign the document provided by the College and agree to abide by its terms or forfeit all rights to continue attendance at EGCC. Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
- Suspension: The appropriate college official* may place a student on suspension from EGCC property, activities, and privileges for a fixed period of time appropriate to address the severity of the infraction. The appropriate college official* shall provide written notice to the student. Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
- Expulsion: The appropriate college official* may direct termination of student status and denial of further college privileges. Conditions of readmission, if any, will be listed in the letter or expulsion given as a notice to the student by the appropriate college official*. Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
- Restitution.: The appropriate college official*, in consultation with the administrative team and other parties involved, may direct restitution in addition to other disciplinary action. Restitution is defined as compensation or reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property, which may take the form of appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damages. Conditions of restitution will be detailed in a letter to the student Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
- Other: The appropriate college official* or designee may impose additional sanctions or forms of disciplinary action including, but not limited to, directives for student behavior or plans of action.
Student Grievance Procedure
- Explanation
The Student Grievance Procedure provides a way for students to seek resolution to decisions, conditions, and practices of Eastern Gateway Community College, its faculty and staff, which they allege are violations of the Student Rights or other published college policies and procedures. As students pursue their educational goals, they will be treated with professionalism and respect by college employees Grievances do not include student grades or academic appeals. Students shall not be retaliated against for filing a grievance.
The Student Grievance Procedure outlines the steps to resolve alleged violations of the Students Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities Statement or other published college policies and procedures. Students will attempt to resolve alleged violations with the staff member who is directly involved. Should a staff member directly involved in facilitating the resolution procedure be the object of an alleged violation or formal grievance, the Senior VPAA will appoint a replacement.
Steps 1, 2 and 3 (if applicable) below must be completed before proceeding to Step 4. It is intended that alleged violations be resolved at any point in the process when the parties involved can agree on a resolution. All documentation submitted or created during the resolution process shall be added to the student complaint file.
Students with a grievance shall follow the procedures and timelines outlined below.
- Procedure
Step 1 - Direct Resolution
The student discusses the grievance with the college staff member who is directly involved and attempts to find resolution within a timely manner. The student may choose to be accompanied by a support person such as a staff member, an enrollment specialist, or an officer of the College during this discussion. The student must state a proposed resolution. If no resolution is reached at Step 1, the student moves to Step 2.
Step 2 - Resolution with Department Head or Immediate Supervisor
If the grievance is not resolved directly with the college staff member, the student discusses the grievance and seeks a resolution with the staff member’s department head (or immediate supervisor). The student may choose to be accompanied by a support person during these discussions. The student must state a proposed resolution. Appropriate written documentation will be maintained by the department head, (or immediate supervisor) and documentation will be filed in the student complaint file. If no resolution is reached at Step 2, the student moves to Step 3. If the staff member has no dean, or if the dean has heard the student in the role of immediate supervisor, the student moves to Step 4.
Step 3 - Resolution with Dean
If the issue is not resolved with the staff member’s department head, the student may seek resolution with the supervising dean. Appropriate written documentation will be maintained by the dean and documentation will be filed in the student complaint file. If no resolution is reached at Step 3, the student moves to Step 4.
Step 4 - Office of the Senior VPAA
If the issue is not resolved by discussions in Step 1, 2 or 3 (if applicable), the student has 10 working days to request a student grievance form and information about filing a formal grievance from an EGCC Enrollment Specialist. The signed and completed form shall be submitted to the office of the Office of the Senior VPAA within five (5) working days after requesting the form from an Enrollment Specialist. The Student Grievance Form requires a statement of proposed resolution of the grievance and a summary of prior actions taken.
Within seven (7) working days of receipt of the Student Grievance Form, the Office of the Senior VPAA will contact the parties involved, provide them a copy of the completed Student Grievance Form, and attempt to clarify the issue and arrive at a solution which is mutually satisfactory to the student and employee. During the Office of the Senior VPAA investigation, the persons involved may include a representative or other support person with first-hand knowledge of the issue. If resolution is reached, the Office of the Senior VPAA will summarize the resolution in writing for the student grievant and college employee. Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
Step 5 - Appeal Process
If resolution is not reached, the student has the right of final appeal of the issue to the President. The final appeal process requires the student to prepare and deliver a written appeal request to the President within seven (7) working days after the Office of the Senior VPAA gives notice to the student of the result of the investigation. The written appeal request must include an explanation of why the issue remains unresolved and provide the proposed remedy to the grievance.
Within ten (10) working days of receiving the student appeal, the President will review the grievance, investigation process, and proposed resolutions. The President may consult with the administrative team in the review process to assure consistency within EGCC. Documentation will be added to the student complaint log.
The forms for Student Grievance Procedure are available from an Enrollment Specialist.
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