Fitchburg State College Student Conduct, Mediation and Education

2008·0.87 MB·English

by  Fitchburg State College

jTlTCHBURG STATE COLLEGE
Student Conduct, Mediation and Education
Code ofConduct
d Discipline Process
andbook 2008-2009

Code of Conduct
and Discipline Process
FitchburgStateCollegeexpectsitsstudentstoactinamatureandresponsiblemanner.
Respectfortherightsofothers,opennesstonewandchallengingideas,civilityand
courtesyareexamplesofthisexpectation.TheStudentDisciplineProcesshasbeen
establishedtoaddressallegedviolationsoftheStudentCodeofConduct.
Academic Integrity Policy
EverymemberoftheCollegecommunityisexpectedtomaintainthehigheststandards
ofacademicintegrity. Astudentshall notsubmitworkthatisfalsifiedorisnotthe
resultofthestudent'sowneffort.Astudentwhois indoubtregardingstandardsof
academicintegrityinacourseorassignmentshouldconsultthefacultymember
responsibleforthatcourseorassignmentbeforesubmittingthework.Astudent'slack
ofunderstandingoftheacademicintegritypolicyisnotavaliddefensetoachargeof
academicdishonesty.
Astudent'snameonanywrittenorcreativeexercise(e.g., examination, report, thesis,
theme,laboratoryreport,computerprogram,artisticproduction,etc.),orinassociation
withanoralpresentation, declaresthattheworkistheresultofthatstudent'sown
thoughtandstudy.Anyworkthatthestudentdeclaresashisorherownshallbestated
inthestudent'sownwordsandproducedwithouttheassistanceofothers. Students
mustmakeclearthroughaccuratecitationswhentheymakeuseofothersources.
Talkingduringanexamination,orpossessionoruseofunauthorizedmaterialsor
equipmentduringanexaminationconstitutesan infringementoftheacademicintegrity
policy.Aidingandabettingacademicdishonestyalsoconstitutesaviolationofthe
academicintegritypolicy.
Unlesspermission isreceivedinadvancefromthefacultymemberinchargeofthe
courseinvolved,astudentmaynotsubmit, in identicalorsimilarform,workfor
onecoursethathasbeenusedtofulfill anyacademicrequirementinanothercourse
atFitchburgStateCollegeoranyotherinstitution.Astudentwhoperceivesthe
possibilityofoverlappingassignmentsincoursesshouldconsultwiththeappropriate
facultymembersbeforepresumingthatasingleeffortwill fulfillrequirementsofboth
courses. Studentsshouldconsultcoursesyllabi foradditionalguidanceonmattersof
academicintegrity.
WhenanallegedoffenseoftheAcademicIntegrityPolicyhasoccurred,
thefollowingprocesswillapply:
1. Ifthe accuserisa facultymember, ands/he decides to makea formal
accusation ofaviolation ofthe academic integritypolicy, the faculty
memberwill provide thestudentwith a letterdescribingthecase for
academic dishonestywithin fourteen daysofdiscoveringthe alleged
infringement. This lettermaybe presentedto the student in person or
deliveredto thestudent's home, local orcampusaddress ormailbox, or
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FitchburgState Collegeemail account. The studentwill eithera) agree
with theaccusation ofacademic dishonestyandthe sanction as imposed
bythe facultymemberorb) disagreewith theaccusation ofacademic
dishonesty. (Astudentcannotagreewith theaccusation ofacademic
dishonestybutdisagreewith thesanction. Disagreementwith asanction,
in otherwords, is notgrounds foran appeal.)
Ifthe student hasagreedwith theaccusation andsignedthe letter
accordingly, thesanction identifiedbythe facultymemberwill be imposed,
andthe matterwill beconsideredclosed. Ifthestudentdisagreeswith the
accusation andagain signsthe letteraccordingly, thestudentmayappeal
the matterto thecollegeconductboard. With all formal accusationsofa
violation ofthe academic integritypolicy, the facultymemberwill forward
the letterwith thestudent'ssignatureandotherrelevant information to the
DirectorofStudentConduct. (Proceedto No. 3 below.)
2. Iftheaccuseris nota facultymember, ands/he decides to initiate
the formal process, theaccusermustsubmitareportand/orrelevant
information to the OfficeofStudentConductwithin fourteen days of
discoveringthe alleged infringementofthe academic integritypolicy.
3. Once acase is forwardedbyastudentoras an appeal (in the form ofa
report, signedletterand/orotherrelevantinformation), the Directorof
StudentConduct, ordesignee, will reviewall relevant information and
eithera) dismiss the incidentdue to lackofmeritortimelinessorb)
contacttheaccusedstudentto scheduleaconductboardhearing.
4. Ifthecasegoes to theconductboard, the boardwill determinewhether
the studentis responsibleornotresponsible forviolatingtheacademic
integritypolicy. Ifthestudent is foundresponsible, the boardwill
recommendsanctions to the Dean ofStudentandAcademic Life, or
designee, or, in thecaseofgraduatestudents, the Dean ofGraduate
Studies. These sanctionswill include those identifiedbythe faculty
memberand, in the eventastudenthas a priordisciplinaryrecord, may
also include theadditional sanctions of:
• agradeofzeroon the assignment,-
• a failinggrade in thecourse,-
• suspension from FitchburgState College,-
• dismissal from FitchburgState College,-
• orothersanctions.
5. In casesofundergraduatestudentviolationsoftheacademic integrity
policy, the Dean ofStudentandAcademic Life (ordesignee) will either
impose thesanction recommendedbytheconductboardordetermine that
the sanction isexcessive or inadequate and alteritaccordingly. In casesof
graduatestudentviolations oftheacademic integritypolicy, the Dean of
Graduate Studies (ordesignee) will take the above action.
6. The studentmaymake a final appeal to the presidentofthecollegeonly
forasanction ofsuspension ordismissal.
Note: Ifthestudentagreeswiththeacademicdishonestyfindingbythefaculty
member, thecasewill notgobeforetheconductboard,- however, ifs/hehasaprior
disciplinaryrecord, theDirectorofStudentConductmaypursueotherchargesand
sanctionsoncetheacademic integrityissuehasbeenresolved.
Student Code of Conduct
ThefollowingconductshallconstituteviolationsoftheStudentCodeofConduct:
AcademicDishonesty
1.01 FailuretoabidebytheAcademic IntegrityPolicy.
PersonalConduct
2.01 Obstructionordisruptionofteaching, administration, disciplinarysystem,
thecollegeorcommunityorothercollegeactivities.
2.02 Conduct, regardlessofwhereitoccurs, thatisinviolationoffederal,
stateand/orlocal laworcollegepoliciesthatbringsintoquestionone's
suitabilityasamemberofthecollegecommunity.
2.03 Theft, damage,wrongfulutilizationofgoodsorservices, possessionof
stolen property, includingdishwarefromcollegefoodservice.
2.04 Harassmentbypersonalvilification, includingsuchharassmentonthe
basisofgender, race,color,disability,religion, age,sexual orientationor
nationalorethnicorigin. Forthesepurposes, speechorotherexpression
constitutesharassmentbypersonalvilification ifit: isintendedto
insultorstigmatizean individual orasmall numberofindividualson
thebasisoftheirgender, race,color, disability,religion, age, sexual
orientation, nationalorethnicorigin, orotherpersonalcharacteristic,-
anditisaddresseddirectlytotheindividualorindividualswhom it
insultsorstigmatizes,- anditmakesuseofinsultingfightingwordsor
non-verbalsymbols. In thecontextofdiscriminatoryharassmentby
personalvilification, insultingor"fightingwords"ornonverbalsymbols
arethosewhichbytheirveryutterancetendtoincitetoan immediate
breachofthepeaceandwhicharecommonlyunderstoodtoconvey
directandvisceral hatredorcontemptforhumanbeingsonthebasis
oftheirgender,race,color, disability, religion, age, sexualorientation,
national orethnicorigin, orotherpersonalcharacteristic.
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2.05 Discriminationonthebasisofrace,religion,color,age, sexual
orientation,gender, disability,veteranstatus,maritalstatus
ornationalorigin.
2.06 Gamblingisnotpermitted.
2.07 Unauthorizedsolicitation.
2.08 Unauthorizedpostingand/ordistributionofflyers,bulletinsorposters.
2.09 FailuretoabidebythecollegeRafflePolicy.
2.1 FailuretoabidebytheGoodNeighborPolicy.
PhysicalSafetyand Environmental Health
3.0 Physicalassault, harassmentofanotherpersonorthreatsofinjuryor
harm tooneselforanotherpersonoranyaction,whichmaysubject
oneself,oranotherpersontophysicalormental injury.
3.02 Sexualassault,asdefinedintheStudentHandbookCampusPolicies
section, sexualharassmentofanotherperson,asdefinedintheStudent
HandbookCampusPoliciessection,orthreatsofasexualnatureof
injuryorharmtoanotherperson.
3.02A Useofalcoholoranyotherdrugtorenderanotherpersonmentally
rphysicallyincapacitatedasaprecursortoorpartofasexualassault,
asdefinedintheStudentHandbookCampusPoliciessection,
isprohibited.
3.03 Possessionoruseofweaponsorweaponreplicas, includingexplosives,
fireworksorotherdangerousitemsorsubstances.
3.04 Creatingafirehazard,bomboradangeroussituationwhichendangers
othersincludingfalsereportsoffireorbombs, failingtoevacuate,as
wellastamperingwith,damagingorremovingfiresafetyequipment.
3.05 Failuretoabidebythecollegehazingpolicy.
3.06 Trespassingorunauthorizedentryoncollegepropertywhereposted
orrestricted.
3.07 Animals,withtheexceptionofserviceanimals, arenotpermittedon
campuspropertyorincampusbuildings.
3.08 Failuretoabidebycollegeorstatepolicygoverningsmokingin
publicbuildings.
3.09 Failuretoabidebyestablishedcampusmotorvehicleregulations.
3.10 Rollerblades,skateboards, bikesormotorizedscootersarenotpermitted
oncampusorincampusbuildings.
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3.11 Playingsportswhererestricted.
3.12 Possessionofprohibiteditemsintheresidencehallsasoutlinedinthe
HousingAgreement/PoliciesandProcedures.
3.13 Failuretomaintaincommunityhealthandlivingstandardsasoutlinedin
the HousingAgreement/PoliciesandProcedures.
Personal Identificationand Representation
4.0 Falsificationofone'sidentityorthatofanother(includingproduction,
possessionordistributionoffake IDs)orfailuretoshowstudent
identificationuponrequesttoaproperlyidentifiedofficialormember
oftheFitchburgStateCollegestaff(includingresidentassistants, food
serviceandbookstorestaff).
4.02 Misrepresentationofacollegeofficialorcampusorganizationor
representingoneselfasanother.
4.03 Tamperingwithorfalsifyinganycollegerecordordocument
orknowinglysubmittingfalseinformation forincorporation in
suchrecords.
4.04 Failuretocomplywithadisciplinaryactionorcooperate, meetwith,
orrespondtoareasonablerequestofacollegeofficial.
4.05 LyingorfalsificationwithintheprocessoftheStudent
DisciplineSystems.
4.06 Failuretoabidebycollegecomputerpolicies.
4.07 Failuretoregisteranevent.
4.08 Failuretoadheretocollegeguestpolicies.
Alcoholand Drugs
5.0 Failuretoadheretocollegepoliciesgoverningalcohol.
5.02 Failuretoadheretocollegepoliciesgoverningdrugs.
Student Conduct Process
FitchburgStateCollegeexpects itsstudentstoact in amatureandresponsible
manner. Respectfortherightsofothers, opennesstonewandchallengingideas,
civilityandcourtesyareexamplesofthisexpectation.TheStudentConductProcess
hasbeen establishedtoaddressallegedviolationsoftheStudentCodeofConduct.
Thegoal oftheStudentConductSystem istosupporttheeducationalmission of
thecollegeby insuringthatanatmosphereofacceptance, curiosityandintegrityis
maintainedon thecampus.
Preface
A. FitchburgState College recognizes thatstudents, as members of
societyandcitizens ofthe UnitedStatesofAmerica, areentitledto
respect, consideration andguaranteed freedomsofspeech, assembly
andassociation undertheconstitution. FitchburgState College further
recognizesstudents'rights within the institution to freedom ofinquiryand
the responsibleuseofcollegeservicesandfacilities.
B. Students atFitchburgState College havearesponsibilitytoact in amanner
thatpromotesthewellbeing, respect, safetyandsecurityofall membersof
thecollegecommunity.
C. Itis theresponsibilityofstudentstoknowandunderstand individual
departmentpoliciesaswell ascampus policies published in the Student
Handbook. These policies include, butare notlimitedto, policiesstated in
the HousingAgreement/Handbook, Academic Integrity Policy, Computer
Policy, Discrimination Policy, Sexual Harassment Policy, SmokingPolicy,
ParkingPolicy, HazingPolicy, Alcohol PolicyandSubstanceAbuse Policy.
D. The StudentCodeofConduct isapplicable toanystudentenrolled
in oracceptedforan academic program, regardlessofcreditscarried
orany individual residing in campus housingatFitchburgState College.
The StudentCodeofConductalsoapplies toanyrecognized
studentorganization.
E. TheStudentCodeofConductappliestostudentconduct, which occurs
atFitchburgState Collegeoranyofitsgroundsoratanycollege related
activityregardless oflocation. In addition, the StudentCode ofConduct
applieswhen studentconduct, whereveritoccurs, calls into question a
students suitabilityasamemberoftheFitchburgState Collegecommunity.
F. Studentswho allegedlyviolate the StudentCodeofConductorother
college regulationsbecomesubjectto disciplinaryaction through the
StudentDiscipline Process.
G. Students maybeaccountable to both civil authoritiesandto Fitchburg
State College forconduct, which constitutesviolationsoflocal, state
and federal lawandofthe StudentCodeofConductorothercollege
policies. On campus disciplinary procedures atFitchburgState College
maybecarriedout priorto, simultaneouslywith, orfollowingcivil or
criminal proceedingsoffcampusatthe discretion ofthe dean ofstudent
andacademic life, ordesignee, forundergraduatestudents andothers
orthe dean ofgraduatestudies, ordesignee, forgraduatestudents. On-
campus disciplinaryproceedingswill notbesubject tochallenge on the
groundthatcivil orcriminal charges involvingthe same incidenthave
been dismissedorreduced. When astudenthas been chargedwith acivil
orcriminal violation(s) oflaw, FitchburgState Collegewill neitherrequest
noragreetospecial consideration forthestudentsolelybecause ofhis or
herstatus asastudent.
H. The StudentCodeofConductandStudentConductProcess are published
in the Student Handbook in ordertogive students general notice of
prohibitedconduct. The StudentCode ofConductshouldbereadbroadly
andis notdesignedto definemisconduct in exhaustive terms.
I. The Student Code ofConductandthe StudentDiscipline Process are not
tobe regardedascontracts between studentsandFitchburgState College.
Thecollege reserves therightto amendanyprovision ofthe StudentCode
ofConductandStudent Discipline Processatanytime. FitchburgState
Collegewill publish amendments in relevantcampus publications.
J. Anyconductwhich mayhavebeen influencedbyastudent's mental state
(irrespectiveoftheultimate evaluation), ortheuseofalcohol orother
drugs shall not in anyway limit the responsibilityofthe studentforthe
consequencesofhisorheractions.
K. Adisciplinaryholdmaybe placedon astudent's academic record
(orfurtherdisciplinaryaction maybetaken) when astudentdoes not
complywith a disciplinarysanction orwithdraws from the college prior
to adisciplinaryhearing. Studentswith adisciplinaryholdmay notbe
permittedto register, receive transcripts, receivea diploma, addor
dropcourses, registerforcollege housing, orparticipate in other
collegeactivities.
L Aclass day is definedas a daywhen classes are in session. Abusiness
day is definedasa daywhen FitchburgState Collegeadministrative
offices areopen.
Disciplinary Procedure
IncidentReport
Anymemberofthe FitchburgState Collegecommunitymaysubmita
written incidentreportdocumentingacurrentlyenrolled student for
an allegedviolation ofpolicy. When possible, this reportshould be
submittedwithin 30class daysofdiscoveryoftheallegedviolation. In
.
cases involvingallegationsofsexual assault, as defined in theStudent
Handbook, any memberofthe FitchburgState Collegecommunitymay
submitawritten complaintatanypointduringthe time theaccused
studentisenrolledormatriculatedat FitchburgState College.
All incidentreportswill bereferred to the dean ofstudentandacademic
life, ordesignee, forundergraduatestudentsandothers ordean ofgraduate
studies, ordesignee, forgraduate studentswhomaytake one ormore of
the followingactionswithin 10 business days:
1 Dismiss the incidentreport ifitlacks merit, oris not
submitted in atimely manner
2. Schedulea mediation session
4. Scheduleeitheran administrativeorconductboard
hearing, and/or
5. Impose interim restrictionswhen there are sufficient facts to
showthatthestudent'scontinuedpresenceon thecampus
endangers the physical safetyorwell beingofothersor
themselves, ordisrupts the educational process ofthecollege.
The directorofstudentconduct, ordesignee, will determinewho
adjudicatesacase ifhe/she determines thatthe report has meritandhas
been submitted in a timelymanner,- otherwise, he/she may decide notto
pursue thematter.
Mediationsand Hearings
1. The objective ofthemediation is forthe chargedstudentandthe
individual submittingthe incidentreporttoagreeupon amediated
solution. Ifan agreement isreached, thecasewill endwith noopportunity
forappeal. All parties mustagree tothe outcome. Ifnoagreementcan
bereached, thecasewill be referredto the directorofstudentconduct,
ordesignee, forundergraduatestudents ordean ofgraduate studies, or
designee, forgraduate students, foran administrative orconductboard
hearing, ordismissal ofthecase.
2. Administrative andconductboardhearings are formal hearingsto
determineastudent's responsibility forviolatingthestudentcode of
conductandto determinesanctions forresponsibility.
3. Charges involvingserious physical assault, weapons orsexual assaultwill
be heardthrough an administrative hearing.
4. Mediations and administrative andconductboardhearingswill be
conductedassoon as possible, but nosoonerthan twoclass days normore
than ten class days aftertheaccused student hasbeen officially notified