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Institutional Profile
Harford Community College . . . founded in 1957 as a public community
college, occupies 350 acres on Thomas Run Road, three miles east of Bel Air, Maryland.
As a comprehensive community college, Harford Community College addresses the diverse
educational needs of Harford County. An open admissions institution that views learning
as a life-long activity, the College provides high quality transfer and career programs,
developmental education courses, and continuing education programs to challenge and
to support students regardless of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion,
sex, or sexual orientation.
Mission
Harford Community College is a dynamic, open-access institution that provides high quality educational experiences
for the community. The College promotes lifelong learning, workforce development, and social and cultural
enrichment.
Vision
We aspire to make our great college even better.
Values
We at Harford Community College are accountable to our students, the community, and each other, and hold the
following values to be fundamental:
- Lifelong Learning
We value lifelong learning as the foundation for a better life. We prepare our students to contribute to their
community and the world as knowledgeable, creative problem solvers and critical thinkers. We believe that learning
should be engaging, stimulating, and enjoyable.
- Integrity
We believe that honesty, sincerity, fairness, respect, and trust are the foundation of everything we do.
- Excellence
We are creative, flexible, innovative, and passionate in our work and provide leadership in the community. Our
highly qualified faculty and staff, and our exceptional programs and services reflect our commitment to excellence.
- Diversity
We respect individual points of view, embrace differences, respect intellectual freedom, and promote critical
discourse. We are open and inclusive in our attitudes, enrollment policies, and hiring practices.
- Communication and Collaboration
We are committed to teamwork, open and effective communication, and building internal and
external partnerships.
- Service
We believe in helping others, and we provide a safe and supportive environment. We are accessible
and responsive to our students, our community, and each other.
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Major Themes of the HCC Strategic Plan 2008-2012
The Harford Community College Strategic Plan FY 2008-2012 guides the College and aligns it with future challenges
facing the community. The Plan clearly defines where the College plans to head, defines strategies to get there, and
sets specific goals to implement the strategies. The major Strategic Themes of the Strategic Plan are:
- Harford Community College exemplifies educational excellence and effectiveness.
- Harford Community College provides comprehensive support to advance student success.
- Harford Community College embraces a diverse culture of learning.
- Harford Community College engages and collaborates with education, business, government,
and community.
- Harford Community College develops resources and infrastructure to support its mission and vision.
- Harford Community College advances an understanding of its programs and opportunities.
Expectations
HCC supports a full commitment to (1) address the four-fold
elements of the comprehensive community college, (2) address
the recommendations of Middle States accreditation report,
(3) expect the campus community to share the accountability
for excellence in learning in all areas of instruction and
services, and (4) comply fully with Maryland Higher
Education Commission (MHEC) regulations.
HCC is recognized as an exemplary learning and teaching
community that fosters service and promotes success for
students in undergraduate education. The College is a valued
resource and leader in academic quality, cultural enrichment
and economic development characterized by continuous
improvement, innovation, and community development.
To fulfill the mission and vision, HCC is strongly committed
to diversity, integrity, academic excellence and achievement
of individual and institutional goals. The College administration,
faculty and staff are dedicated to building trust, respect and
confidence among colleagues, students and community
members.
College Advisory Council
The College Advisory Council (CAC) is the foundation for
the shared governance system at Harford Community College.
The CAC addresses college wide issues through discussions,
open forums, task forces and standing committees providing
a venue and a process for broad-based involvement and input
into decision-making.
The CAC membership is composed of twelve representatives:
3 faculty, 3 staff, 3 students, and 3 administrators. Members
of the College Advisory Council are elected annually in the
spring.
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Accreditation
Harford Community College is accredited by the Middle States
Association Commission on Higher Education (3624 Market
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104). The Associate of Science Degree
Nursing Program is accredited by the National League for
Nursing Accrediting Commission. The Histotechnology
Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for
Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The Paralegal Studies Program is
approved by the American Bar Association. The College holds
memberships in numerous national, regional, state and local
professional associations.
Educational Programs and Services
To meet the educational needs of the community, Harford
Community College offers programs with six specific
additional functions: general education, college or university
transfer programs, career education, continuing education/
community service, transitional studies/developmental
education, and student development services.
- The general education program provides students
with the writing, speaking, reading, thinking and
computing skills and knowledge to function as
educated citizens in a complex world.
- College and university transfer programs prepare
students for further learning by providing courses
in specific disciplines and general education that
parallel the first two years at a four-year college.
- Career education programs prepare students for
immediate employment or career mobility in a variety
of fields and allow students some opportunities to
continue studies at four-year institutions.
- Continuing education/community services provide noncredit
courses and activities, which allow individuals to
upgrade their abilities, prepare for state licensure, retrain
for new occupations, enrich cultural backgrounds and
develop specialized interests. The department also
provides contract training for government, business
and industry.
- The Transitional Studies program helps students to
overcome identified weaknesses in basic skills, which
provide a necessary foundation for success in college.
- Student development services include a variety of resources
and services to support and enhance the college experience,
including academic advising, academic skills assessment,
financial aid, career development, mentoring, individual
and group tutoring, disability services, service-learning,
student activities, recreation, intercollegiate athletics,
university transfer, and job search services.
Higher Education and Conference Center
The Higher Education and Conference Center provides
expanded higher education access to the citizens of
northeastern Maryland. The Center is located on the
HEAT Center campus at the juncture of I-95 and Route 22.
State-approved baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral programs
are offered by colleges and universities in support of the
educational needs of the region. In some cases, programs
are selected to articulate with Associate degrees offered
by Harford and Cecil Community Colleges.
The Center’s academic partners include the College of Notre
Dame of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University School of
Education, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of
Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Zanvyl Kreiger
School of Arts & Sciences, Morgan State, Towson University,
University of Maryland College Park, and University of Phoenix.
Harford Community College coordinates the academic
programs and maintains the facility. Partner institutions
provide faculty, establish the requirements of their
individual programs, and set tuition rates. Students enroll
directly with partner institutions that collect all tuition and
fees and confer all degrees.
Training is offered at the Higher Education and Conference
Center for local business and industry, for County government
and to foster economic development. Call the Higher
Education and Conference Center Office, 443-360-9200,
for additional information. Visit our website at
www.heatcentermaryland.com.
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International Education
There is significant national support for community colleges
pursuing international education initiatives. The American
Association of Community Colleges states, “the ability
to live and work productively in a networked, global society
is now demanded of everyone.” The U.S. Departments of State
and Education co-sponsor International Education Week with
the goal of promoting “programs that prepare Americans for a
global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to
study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.”
Harford Community College supports these goals through
the International Education initiative.
The Harford Community College Strategic Plan includes an
initiative to “broaden the global perspective of the campus
community” (Strategic Theme III). The International
Education Committee (IEC) was established to cultivate this
objective, bringing together faculty from varied disciplines,
professional staff, and administrators.
International Education at Harford Community College
promotes global awareness through initiatives that link the
college to the world community of peoples, cultures, and
nations. Specific initiatives include: (1) expanding student global
awareness, (2) integrating global perspectives into the
curriculum, (3) expanding global awareness for faculty, staff, and
administration, and (4) creating a “global campus” by
forging relationships that link the HCC community to the world.
Together with the entire campus community, the IEC carries out
these initiatives in a variety of creative experiences, including
opportunities to travel and study abroad through credit, noncredit,
and service-learning options; campus and community
events highlighting global themes; student clubs that encourage
multicultural integration; and a wide variety of activities in
celebration of International Education Week each November.
Cultural Pluralism
Harford Community College expects to sustain an atmosphere
of cultural pluralism where individuals and groups can
maintain a sense of cultural identity while supporting a
strong, integrated campus community. The College considers
multiculturalism as a process rather than an event. The
campus community accepts, appreciates and actively unifies
diversity into the cultural quilt that makes up world society.
Campus Climate
The College is committed to a work and learning environment
that is respectful, courteous and free of discrimination and
unlawful harassment. Equal employment and advancement
opportunities at the College are based on merit qualifications
and abilities.
The College is committed to maintaining an environment
in which the free exchange of ideas is encouraged, equal
opportunity to speak is protected, academic freedom is
ensured, and the individual is accorded respect. While the
College is committed to upholding each individual’s freedom
of speech, it is also committed to protecting the individual
from speech which causes harm to any member of the College
community and which has no value as an expression of ideas.
To ensure a work and study place free of discrimination and
harassment, periodic workshops and meetings are scheduled
with employees and students. These gatherings provide
opportunities to engage in study sessions and collegial dialogue
regarding human relations, public laws and College policy, and
to address concerns appropriate to the campus environment.
Additionally, students are expected to be familiar with the
College’s Code for Student Rights, Responsibilities and
Conduct, published in both the Student Handbook and the
College Catalog.
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Freedom of Expression and Inquiry
Because the community college bears the responsibility for
creating, nurturing and maintaining an environment conducive
to the free exchange of ideas, and because the way in which a
college deals with controversy in art, theater, speech, and/or
with exhibits, presentations, lectures and/or performances
reveals the relative status of the fine and performing arts, the
sciences, humanities and related fields of academic inquiry
within the college, and the attitude of the neighboring
community toward the role of the college as a forum for
public discourse (Lyons, 1991), HCC will provide a forum for
public dialogue when controversy erupts over an exhibition,
performance or presentation of material intrinsic to higher
education learning.
The public should be encouraged to think of the College
as a laboratory in which varying intellectual and cultural
perspectives can interact. The College will strive to foster
an environment for critical dialogue concerning the above
while maintaining an open relationship to the different
cultural, intellectual and religious values characteristic of our
pluralistic society. When learning is permitted to function in
this way, it can best serve the mission of the College and the
community at large (Lyons, 1991); further, campus leaders can
best protect the freedom of expression for all constituencies by
siding with none.
If an exhibition (or other activity) intrinsic to higher education
learning becomes the focus of public controversy, the most
appropriate response an academic institution can take is not
to censor or attach disclaimers but to provide a forum for
public dialogue about the exhibition/activity.
When the argument is asserted regarding public funding for
artistic or related presentations and performances, it does not
diminish (and indeed may heighten) the responsibility of the
college community to ensure academic freedom and of the
public to respect the integrity of academic institutions
(Fanton, 1990).
Nondiscrimination Statement
Harford Community College is committed to nondiscrimination
and equal opportunity. This commitment
is based not only upon the legal requirements of federal,
state, and local law, but also upon the College’s firm
conviction that the principles of non-discrimination and
equal opportunity, as well as courteous and respectful
behavior, are imperative to the success of all.
It has been, and will continue to be, the policy of Harford
Community College that all students, employees, applicants,
and other persons dealing with the College will do so in an
atmosphere that is free from discrimination on the basis of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, status as an
individual with a disability, veteran, sexual orientation,
marital status, or any other status protected by law. This
policy includes, but is not limited to, decisions about
recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation,
benefits, transfers, and social or recreational programs.
The College’s commitment to equal opportunity also
extends to include participation in academic, social,
cultural, and athletic activities and events.
As part of its commitment to equal employment opportunity,
the College prohibits harassment of any persons, including
employees and students, on account of any protected status.
The College will not tolerate harassment by anyone—
supervisors, other employees, students, contractors, or
other persons under control of the College.
While every student, employee and visitor retains the right
to file an external complaint when he or she believes unfair
practices have occurred, Harford Community College
provides an internal procedure for addressing such grievances.
Students who have been subjected to discriminatory actions
as part of the educational process may discuss it with (1) the
appropriate faculty division dean; (2) the Vice President
for Student Development and Institutional Effectiveness
at 443-412-2233, or (3) the Chief Human Resources
Officers (CHRO) at 443-412-2129.
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Sexual Harassment Statement
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and
other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute
“sexual harassment” when: (1) submission to such conduct
is made explicitly or implicitly a condition of an individual's
employment or allocation of a student’s grade or academic
status; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is
used as a basis for an employment decision affecting the
employee or academic or other decision affecting the
student; or (3) the harassment has the purpose or effect
of unreasonably interfering with the employee's or student’s
work/educational performance or creating a work or
educational environment which is intimidating, hostile or
offensive to the employee or student.
It is the policy of Harford Community College that there
shall be no sexual harassment of any person, including
employees and students. The College will not tolerate
sexual harassment by anyone—supervisors, other employees,
students, contractors, or any person over whom the College
has control. Anyone who violates this policy will be subject
to appropriate penalties, with employees subject to
disciplinary action up to, and including, termination.
Students who believe they have been subjected to
sexual harassment may discuss the matter with (1) the
appropriate faculty division dean, (2) the Vice President
for Student Development and Institutional Effectiveness
at 443-412-2233 or (3) the Chief Human Resources
Officer (CHRO) at 443-412-2129.
All complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated
in as discreet and confidential a fashion as possible.
Appropriate witnesses maybe interviewed, and the results
of the investigation will be shared with the person who
makes the complaint. No person will be adversely affected
in employment or student status with the College solely as
a result of bringing a complaint of sexual harassment.
Campus Restrictions on Tobacco Use
The use of any type of tobacco product is prohibited in all
buildings and areas of the campus and off-campus sites
supervised by the College.
Every student and employee is empowered with the social
responsibility to support compliance with and enforcement of
these tobacco use restrictions. Employees who observe others
violating the tobacco use restrictions are expected to inform
the violator of the policy and/or contact College Security.
Students and visitors are encouraged to do the same.
Education and treatment are the preferred intervention for
violators, but violators may also be subject to a fine or
disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the College
for students, and termination of employment for employees.
The College works with the Harford County Health
Department and the Harford County Cancer and Tobacco
Community Coalition to assist smokers in quitting and to
discourage others from starting through smoking cessation
classes and health and wellness programs and publications.
Contact the College Life Office (443-412-2140) for more
information on wellness assistance. The College’s Employee
Assistance Program also offers smoking cessation programs
free of charge for employees. Contact Human Resources at
443-412-2310.
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Public Health Guidelines
The College complies with all guidelines and procedures
established by Harford County and the State of Maryland
Health Departments with regard to public health issues
affecting the College community. Free smoking cessation
assistance is available to students through the College Life
Office (443-412-2140) and to employees through the College’s
Employee Assistance Program. Contact Human Resources at
443-412-2310.
Animals on Campus
The College restricts animals from all campus buildings,
offices, laboratories and open spaces. No animals, except
assist animals and those used as bona fide instructional aids,
should be on the premises, tethered outside or left to wander
the grounds at any time (day, evening or weekends).
Drug and Alcohol Statement
It is the policy of Harford Community College that the
College is committed to wellness and personal responsibility
in the use of alcoholic beverages and limits the consumption
of alcoholic beverages to receptions and events associated
with cultural and corporate sponsorship primarily intended
for faculty, community or business patronage. Further, use,
possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited
at student events on or off campus that are organized or
sponsored by college personnel or its agents.
It is also the policy of Harford Community College to be
drug and alcohol-free in order to ensure a safe, healthy and
productive work and learning environment. This policy
applies to all students, employees, applicants for employment,
and others under the control of the College.
Students, faculty, and staff who are convicted of violating the
law by selling, distributing, using or possessing illegal drugs on
College property, or while on College business, will be subject
to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion and/or
termination and/or mandatory participation in a substance
abuse rehabilitation program.
Employees on physician-prescribed medication should notify
the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at 443-412-2129
if there is a likelihood that such medication could affect job
performance or safety.
General Grievance Process for Students
Introduction
The purpose of the General
Grievance Process for Students is to provide a clearly stated, timely, and
accessible method of recourse to students who feel that a particular action or
series of actions on the part of a Harford Community College employee has
violated accepted or stated institutional practices and standards. Student
grievances appropriate to this policy include, but are not necessarily limited
to:
- concerns regarding ethical and professional behavior of employees;
- arbitrary application of current College policies by employees; and
- perceived violations by College employees of accepted rights of students in
institutions of higher learning such as the right to free expression and the
right to assemble.
This process is intended to
be investigative rather than adversarial and is not to be used when the
grievance involves an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct, Sexual
Harassment policy, Nondiscrimination policy, or to appeal other institutional
actions/policies which possess their own appeal process. Refer to the HCC
College Catalog for these procedures.
Procedures
Preceding Step 1, a student may consult with one of the Associate Vice
Presidents for Student Development or an Academic Dean to clarify the issues
involved and identify the appropriate system for redress of the grievance. If
the student decides to proceed with the grievance process, he/she must adhere to
the following procedures as outlined below. Time limits may be extended by the
supervisor with the jurisdiction over the grievance.
Step 1:
Within ten (10) work days* of the occurrence of the issue/incident, the student
must discuss the issue/incident being grieved with the employee involved to seek
resolution.
Step 2:
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of Step 1, the student may
proceed with the grievance by completing the “Student General Grievance Form”
and submitting it to the employee’s immediate supervisor within five (5) work
days of completing Step 1.
Step 3:
Within seven (7) work days of receipt of the form, and to ensure a full
understanding of all perspectives, the supervisor or designee will: (1) discuss
the issue with the involved employee and request a written account of the
incident; and (2), meet with and discuss the grievance with the student. The
supervisor or designee may also call a meeting with other parties to assist in
resolution.
Within
seven (7) work days of the meeting with the student, the supervisor or designee
will inform the student and the employee in writing of the decision.
Step 4:
The student may appeal the decision in writing to the immediate supervisor’s
supervisor within five (5) work days of the immediate supervisor’s decision by
sending a copy of the completed “Student General Grievance Form” to the
immediate supervisor’s supervisor.
Step 5:
Upon receipt of the written appeal, the supervisor’s supervisor will review the
matter and make a final decision regarding the grievance, which will be
communicated in writing to the student, involved employees, and immediate
supervisor within ten (10) work days of receipt of the written appeal. This
decision is final and ends the appeal/grievance process for the student.
*A work day is defined as a day when the College is open and does not include weekends
or holidays when the College is closed.
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Code for Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct
I. Introduction
Harford Community College is an academic community
and all members and visitors share the duty and responsibility
of securing and maintaining the freedom to learn within that
academic college community. Freedom carries responsibilities;
chief among these is the respect for rights and values of others.
In order to provide and preserve this freedom on the HCC
campus and at College-sponsored and College-supervised
functions, the Student Code was developed by a committee
of students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Within the
College community, individuals are accorded respect in a
learning environment that is free of discrimination on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, status
as an individual with a disability, veteran, sexual orientation,
marital status or any other characteristic protected by law
or by the policies and practices of HCC. All students are
expected to exhibit and to practice professional behavior
and model good citizenship when participating in instructional
settings, including field experiences, internships, athletic and
cultural events, co-op assignments or any other related College
endeavor. Such behavior includes but is not limited to dress,
oral and written remarks/statements and general conduct, as
well as the off-site use of social networking sites and other
computer-aided communications, per rules and regulations
of the College or off-campus site.
The College faculty and staff recognize their role in developing
this sense of responsibility through example and guidance.
Additionally, every student is presumed to have sufficient
maturity, intelligence, and concern for the rights and
values of others to preserve the standards of the academic
community. This code outlines clear expectations of
students as members of the College community, the kind
of unacceptable behavior that may result in disciplinary
action, and sanctions and disciplinary proceedings utilized
when the code is not observed.
II. Definitions
When used in this Code:
A. “College” means Harford Community College and, collectively, those responsible for its control and operation;
B. “Student” includes:
- persons who have applied for enrollment;
- persons who have been admitted to HCC but who
have not yet enrolled;
- persons who are registered for credit and non-credit
courses on a full-time or part-time basis;
- persons who are between any consecutive
semesters, terms, or summer sessions for which
they are enrolled;
- persons who are not officially enrolled for a
particular semester/term but who have a
continuing relationship with the College.
C. “Instructor” means any person hired by the College to
conduct educational activities. In certain situations, a
person may be both “student” and “instructor” and is
subject to the rights and responsibilities of both;
D. “College official” means all College employees and
authorized Security representatives for the College;
E. “College community” includes students and employees;
F. “Registered Student Organization (RSO)” means a
group of students who participate in an organization
which is officially recognized by College Life;
G. “Team” means a group of students participating in
organized athletic activities who are officially recognized
by College Athletics;
H. “Shall” is mandatory;
I. “May” is discretionary;
J. “Working days” means days of each week when the
College is open;
K. “Student Conduct Administrator” means a College
official Student Conduct Administrator authorized to
impose sanctions upon any student (s) found to have
violated the Student Code.
L. “Accused Student” means a student charged with a
student conduct violation.
M. “Records” are those records directly related to a
student and maintained by the College or by a party
acting for the College. Where appropriate, student
records subject to federal educational records privacy
laws will be identified as such.
N. “Medical evaluation” means a medical or mental
health assessment completed by a qualified physician
or psychologist indicating the student’s ability to
safely participate at the College.
O. “Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB)” is the group
of College persons that convenes to review and take
action on student cases referred by the Student Conduct
Administrator or designee where a major sanction is
indicated.
P. “Complainant” means the person who reports a
violation of the Student Code.
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III. Jurisdiction
A. The Student Code and all College policies, procedures,
practices or related rules and regulations apply on and
off-campus and at all College-sponsored and all
College-supervised functions. As noted herein, the mere
fact that conduct occurs off campus and/or after hours
when classes are in session does not remove such conduct
from the scope of this Code of Conduct, particularly where
such conduct results in an adverse impact upon teaching
and learning within the College.
B. All students are subject to the Student Code.
C. All persons, including family members of students, and
other guests of students, are required to abide by all
College policies, procedures, practices, and related rules,
regulations, and laws, while on or off campus at all
College-supervised and all College-sponsored functions,
D. If allegations of possible discrimination, acts of bullying
(including cyber-bullying as more fully addressed below),
or harassment, including sexual harassment or harassment
based upon a student’s protected status (e.g., race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, status as an individual
with a disability, veteran, sexual orientation, marital status
or any other characteristic protected by law or by the
policies and practices of HCC) are raised, the Student
Conduct Administrator will inform and involve the Chief
Human Resources Officer, who shall have the right to
participate throughout any resulting proceedings relating
to such conduct.
E. The College prohibits the enrollment of any student or
any person who is listed on the National or Maryland
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Sex Offender Registry or with the Harford County Child
Advocacy Unit. Students who are placed on such registries
are expected to inform the College of such placement as
soon as they become aware of their status. A student who
withholds such information from the College shall, upon
discovery, be promptly expelled and result in imposition
of sanctions.
IV. Rights and Responsibilities
A. Freedom of Assembly
The College guarantees to students the rights to free
inquiry, expression, and assembly while on campus or
while attending College-sponsored or College-supervised
activities, subject to requirements of this Code and those
governing the use of College facilities and grounds. The
College reserves the right to determine the time, place, and
manner of any such assembly or demonstration so as to
insure the peace and safety of its campus, while at the
same time respecting the right of free speech of its students.
While the College cannot anticipate that every assembly of
students is planned in advance, students who expect to
engage in peaceful assembly or demonstration on campus
must file a “Student Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly
Form” with the College Life Office. This form should be
filed at a reasonable time in advance of the expected event
so as to allow the College to take appropriate action to
insure the peace, safety, and order of its campus.
Advocacy of any cause and peaceful assembly and
demonstration are permitted within the College subject
to the following regulations:
- order and safety of persons and property must be maintained;
- instruction and other normal operations of the College must not be interrupted;
- movement and passage of persons and vehicles must not be interrupted; and
- activities may not be of a violent, threatening, obscene, or hazardous nature.
B. Freedom of Expression
In instructional settings, students shall have the right to
express any views pertinent to the subject matter of the
course in which they are enrolled; however, the instructor
shall always be the sole judge of the relevancy of subject
matter and shall always have authority over the conduct
of the instructional session. Students are responsible for
meeting the standards of any course for which they are
enrolled. Where there are disputes having to do with the
learning process, the instructor, by virtue of training,
education, and experience, is the leader and manager
of that process, whose decision shall be given appropriate
deference by the College.
C. Freedom of Association
Students are free to organize and join organizations
and groups to promote any legal purpose, whether it is
religious, political, educational, recreational, or social.
Registered student organizations may invite speakers to
campus provided that they follow the requirements for
use of the institutional facilities, and provided that the
event is compatible with the policies of the institution,
with prior approval of the Coordinator of College Life
and the organization’s advisor. It must be made clear to
the academic and larger community that sponsorship of
guest speakers does not necessarily imply approval or
endorsement of the views expressed either by the
sponsoring group or the institution.
Registered student organizations and teams may be
charged with violations of this Code. A registered student
organization and its officers and members or a team and
its captains and players may be held collectively and
individually responsible for violations of this Code by
those associated with the registered student organization
or team, where there is evidence that such violations
were committed with the consent or encouragement of
the registered student organization’s leaders or officers
or team’s captains.
The College is committed to a policy against legally
impermissible, arbitrary, or unreasonable discriminatory
practices. All groups, including administration, faculty,
student government, and programs sponsored by the
College, are governed by this policy of nondiscrimination.
The College’s policy on nondiscrimination is to comply
fully with applicable law.
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V. Prohibited Conduct
The following misconduct, which is not all-inclusive, is
subject to disciplinary action:
A. Failure of students to possess HCC student identification
card; failure to furnish said identification upon the request
of a College official; or forgery, alteration, or misuse of
said identification. Failure of future students, noncredit
students, or visitors to possess photo identification or
failure to furnish said identification upon the request of
a College Official or campus security officer, or a forgery,
alteration, or misuse of said identification;
B. Failure to comply with directions of College officials
acting in the performance of their duties and/or failure
to identify oneself to College officials when requested to
do so;
C. Intentionally providing false information to a College
official or on any College application, transcript, or
other record; forgery, alteration or misuse of any College
record, regardless of when the College learns of such
forgery, alteration or misuse. Thus, if at any time the
College learns that information provided to its admissions
office in support of an offer of admissions is materially
false, the College retains the right to expel a student
promptly upon receipt of such information.
D. Academic dishonesty, such as:
- Cheating, which means knowingly using or attempting
to use unauthorized materials, equipment, devices, information or study aids, as defined by the instructor;
- Fabrication, which means intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise;
- Facilitating academic dishonesty, which means knowingly helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty;
- Plagiarism, which means knowingly representing the work of another as one’s own; or
- Copyright Infringement, which means copying or downloading the work of another and distributing or displaying to others without the creator’s permission, unless such copying is determined to be permissible fair use within the meaning of the Technology, Education and Copyright Harmonization Act of 2002 (“The TEACH Act”)
E. Obstructing or acting in a manner disruptive or disturbing
to the normal educational functions of the College,
administration of the College, disciplinary procedures,
or other College activities;
F. Participating in an on-campus or off-campus
demonstration, riot, or activity that disrupts the
normal operations of the College and/or infringes on
the rights of other members of the College community;
leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or
normal activities on the HCC campus and at College sponsored
and College-supervised functions;
G. Obstructing or restraining the movement and passage
of persons and/or vehicles;
H. All forms of violence, threatening behavior, verbal/nonverbal
harassment, physical abuse, verbal abuse, bullying
(including cyber-bullying, which is described in greater
detail below), harassment based upon, stalking, coercion,
and/or other conduct that threatens or endangers the
health or safety of any persons;
I. Stealing, concealing, defacing, damaging, or misusing
College property or the property of a member of the
College community or campus visitor; or unauthorized
possession of College property;
J. Unauthorized entry to or use of College and off-campus
properties, including the failure to leave any of the
buildings or grounds after being requested to do so by a
College official or College security officer;
K. Attending an instructional session without properly
registering or without the express permission of the
instructor, or bringing unregistered visitors, including
children, to class;
L. Leaving a child for whom you are responsible (ages 12
and under) unattended at anytime;
M. Possession, consumption, sale, and serving of alcoholic
beverages except as expressly permitted in writing by
the College;
N. Sale, distribution, use, or possession of illegal drugs or
controlled dangerous substances as defined by
Maryland law except as expressly permitted by law;
O. Being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;
P. Gambling, disorderly conduct, or lewd or obscene
conduct or expression;
Q. Possession or use of firearms, explosives, or any other
dangerous or deadly weapons, or dangerous chemicals,
except as expressly permitted in writing by the College.
An instrument designed to look like a weapon, which is
used by a student in a manner that harms, threatens, or
causes fear to others, is included within the definition
of weapon;
R. Tobacco use in all areas of the campus, including parking
lots and personal vehicles;
S. Using electronic or other devices to audio or video
record any person, while on HCC campus or at
College-supervised or College-sponsored activities,
without his/her prior knowledge or effective consent.
This prohibited conduct includes secretly taking pictures
of another person in a locker room or restroom and tape
recording or filming classroom activities, including lectures
without the instructor’s permission and lectures shall not
be republished or posted without an instructor’s consent.
T. Failure to comply with the College’s Computer Use
Guidelines, which are available at the Library, the College
Life Office, and the HCC website, including utilizing any
electronic device for the purpose of engaging in any form
of academic misconduct or illegal activity such as file
sharing that violates copyrights, downloading copyrighted
materials such as music or movies, and engaging in
bullying activities or other harassment via campus
computers or campus network that adversely affect
fellow students, faculty members, and others;
U. Bullying and cyber-bullying: All HCC students, without
exception and regardless of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, status as an individual with a
disability, veteran, sexual orientation, marital status or
any other characteristic protected by law or by the policies
and practices of HCC have the right to an educational
environments that is safe, appropriate for academic
achievement, and free from any form of harassment.
Accordingly, as used in this Code of Conduct, “bullying,
harassment, or intimidation” means intentional conduct,
including verbal, physical, or written conduct or an
intentional electronic communication that creates a
hostile educational environment by substantially interfering
with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or
performance, or with a student’s physical or psychological
well-being and is:
- motivated by an actual or a perceived personal
characteristic including race, national origin,
marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic
status, familial status, or physical or mental ability
or disability; or,
- threatening or seriously intimidating; and,
- occurs on College property, at a College activity
or event; or,
- substantially disrupts the orderly operation of
the College.
“Electronic communication” means a communication
transmitted by means of an electronic device, including a
telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager.
No student may, through any form of electronic
communication, including the use of social networking
sites, engage in the bullying, harassment, intimidation,
ridicule, or maltreatment of another member of the HCC
community, including students, faculty, or administration.
This includes creating false Facebook pages or web sites
which are intended to mislead the public into believing
that another individual has created such a page or web
site, and which are in turn used for the purpose of
ridiculing, intimidating, or subjecting an individual to
public scorn or embarrassment. Nor shall any electronic
communication, whether originated on or off HCC’s
campus, be used to harass or intimidate another member
of the HCC community. No student shall transmit the
photo image or audio file containing the voice of another
student without that student’s explicit permission, nor
shall any student use electronic communications to
transmit lewd, obscene photos or photos of another
member of the HCC community that constitute
harassment of that person.
V. No student may recklessly or intentionally participate in,
do an act or create a situation that subjects a student to
the risk of serious bodily injury for the purpose of an
initiation into any student organization, regardless of
whether such organization is sponsored by HCC.
W. Violation of any College policy, rule, or regulation
X. Violation of any federal, state, or local law.
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VI. Student Code Procedures
A. Filing a Complaint: Any member of the College community
may file a complaint against any student for violation of
the Student Code. The complaint should be submitted in
writing to the Student Conduct Administrator, or College
Security Office, as soon as possible after the event,
preferably within ten (10) working days of the incident.
Anonymous complaints will not be processed. Complaints
should be filed online via OwlNet. If such a complaint
involves an act of cyber-bullying, the complainant is
encouraged to retain any digital records or files containing
the offensive material, and if possible, its information
about its origin, which should be submitted to the Student
Conduct Administrator or College Security Office for
investigation and follow up.
B. Investigation: The Student Conduct Administrator
will investigate the charges through interviews and
documentation, including examination by HCC’s IT
department of digital information provided to him/her,
in order to determine if it is likely that a violation
occurred. If there is no basis for the complaint it will be
dismissed. If the case is not dismissed, then the Student
Conduct Administrator will proceed with an
Administrative Conference.
C. Notification: If after an investigation the Student
Conduct Administrator, based on reasonably reliable
information, believes the student may have violated one
or more provisions of the Code of Conduct, the Student
Conduct Administrator shall issue written notice to the
student. The notice will be sent to the student via his/her
Harford email account and/or certified mail to his/her
address of record. Notice will be provided at least two
working days prior to the administrative conference.
The notice will describe the alleged violation(s), directions
for the Accused Student to schedule a meeting, and
consequences for failing to respond to the notice.
D. Administrative Conference: The Student Conduct
Administrator who may be assisted by another College
official shall conduct an Administrative Conference with
the student. The conference is the opportunity to review
the alleged violation (s), provide an explanation of the
disciplinary process, review the student’s history at HCC,
review the student’s account of the situation and any
relevant facts, and discuss the options for resolution. If
a major sanction is indicated the case will be referred to
the Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB) (see Major
Sanction Disciplinary Hearing Guidelines).
E. Failure to Comply: Failure to attend the administrative
conference will result in an additional violation (i.e., failure
to comply with directions of a College official acting in
performance of their duties), and/or may result in a
decision about the sanction without the student’s input,
and/or a dean’s hold will be placed on the student’s
account. The dean’s hold will prevent the student from
further records and registration transactions with the
College. A student who has been charged with an alleged
violation (s) and who withdraws from the College or stops
attending before the disciplinary process is completed will
be required to complete the disciplinary process upon
re-enrollment to the College or before obtaining any
education records, including transcripts.
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F. Violation of Law:
- College security may charge or arrest students and/or
report possible violations of the law to appropriate
legal authorities. The College may advise off-campus
authorities of the existence of the Student Code and
how such matters will be handled internally within the
College community. The College will cooperate fully
with law enforcement authorities and other agencies in
the enforcement of civil or criminal law on campus and
in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the
rehabilitation of student violators.
- College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted
against a student charged with violation of any federal,
state, or local law which is also a violation of this
Student Code. Proceedings under this Student Code
may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or
following civil or criminal proceedings on or off-campus.
The outcome of the criminal proceedings
will have no bearing on the HCC disciplinary
proceedings.
G. Decision: The Student Conduct Administrator will decide
if it is more likely than not that a student committed the
alleged violation or determine that there was no violation.
The severity of the violation, prior disciplinary history,
and other relevant circumstances will be considered in
determining the appropriate resolution, and whether a
minor or major sanction is warranted.
- No violation – student will receive written notice that
s/he is found not responsible, no further action is
needed, and no official disciplinary file will be
maintained.
- Minor Sanctions (see description under SANCTIONS) –
The Student Conduct Administrator may impose a
minor sanction and in doing so will notify the student
of the sanction in writing. Minor sanctions may be
appealed in writing within ten (10) working days of
their receipt by the student to the Vice President for
Student Development and Institutional Effectiveness
whose decision is final.
- Major Sanctions (see description under SANCTIONS) –
If a major sanction is indicated, the Student Conduct
Administrator will refer the case to the Student
Conduct Review Board (SCRB) for deliberation and
will notify the student of the referral in writing. The
referral to the SCRB shall include a statement of the
alleged violation, as well as a brief statement of the
facts concerning each violation.
H. Files and Records:
- Case referrals may result in a disciplinary file in the
name of the Accused Student, which shall be voided
and expunged if the Accused Student is found not
responsible for the charges. The files of Accused
Students found guilty of any charges against them will
be retained as a disciplinary record for three years from
the date of the incident. In cases of expulsion, all
documents related to the violation shall be maintained
permanently. The case file includes notice of charges,
notice of administrative conference date and/or student
conduct review board date, notice of sanctions, copy of
complaint, appeal correspondence, and transcript of
hearing (if applicable). The disciplinary file will be
maintained in accordance with Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) guidelines. A
Student shall have the right to appeal the placement of
information in his/her record pursuant to the rights
afforded the Student under (“FERPA”), specifically 20
U.S.C. Section 1232g(a) (2). This means the right to
contest the information being placed in his/her student
record through an appeal to the Registrar, which shall
be limited to the issue of whether the contested record
is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of
the privacy rights of the student. Also in accordance
with FERPA, students (or parents, as the case may be)
shall have the opportunity to insert into such record(s)
a written explanation regarding the content of such
record(s).
- The College may release information to parents or legal
guardians of a student under age 21 when the College
determines that the student has violated any local, state,
or federal laws or campus policy regarding the use of
alcohol or other drugs.
- The College may disclose the decision of disciplinary
proceedings to the victim(s) when a student is found
responsible for a crime or offense of violence. The
disclosure will include the name of the student, the
violation committed, and any sanction imposed by
the College against the student who committed
such violation.
- The College may report general discipline information
or disclose records of disciplinary proceedings to
parents or legal guardians of dependent students
(within the meaning of the federal Internal Revenue
Code) for any Code of Conduct violation.
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VII. Major Sanction Disciplinary Hearing Guidelines
A. Student Conduct Review Board Composition and Purpose
- The Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB) is
convened to review and take action on cases referred
by the Student Conduct Administrator, where a major
sanction is indicated. The SCRB shall be composed of
five (5) voting members chosen from and by the
College Advisory Council, consisting of: one (1) fulltime
instructional faculty, two (2) full-time students,
one (1) administrator, and one (1) staff person. The
SCRB shall elect its own Chairperson who must be a
College employee. The Coordinator of College Life
serves in an ex-officio capacity as the administrative
coordinator and record-keeper of the SCRB. The SCRB
must have five (5) members in attendance to conduct
the hearing, unless the student waives this requirement,
in which case as few as three (3) members may be in
attendance in order to conduct a hearing.
- After the hearing, the SCRB shall determine (by
majority vote) whether the Accused Student has
violated each section of the Student Code that the
Accused Student is charged with violating. This
determination shall be made on the basis of whether
it is more likely than not that the Accused Student
violated the Student Code. Once the SCRB determines
whether the Accused Student violated each section of
the Student Code he/she is charged with violating, the
SCRB will (by majority vote) choose one of the
following actions: (1) dismiss the case, (2) return the
case to the Student Conduct Administrator for
assignment of a minor sanction, or (3) assign a
major sanction. The SCRB’s decision shall be
submitted in writing to the Student Conduct
Administrator and the Accused Student within
ten (10) working days from the conclusion of the
hearing.
B. Disciplinary Hearing Timeframe
- Within five (5) working days of the Administrative
Conference, the Student Conduct Administrator shall
refer the case in writing to the SCRB for review and
action. The Student Conduct Administrator shall act as
the Student Conduct Administrator to present the case
to the SCRB. The Student Conduct Administrator may
appoint a staff member to act as his or her designee in
the matter, who shall have the same authority as the
Student Conduct Administrator.
- The hearing shall be held within twenty (20) working
days after the Student Conduct Administrator referral
to the SCRB, unless the Student consents to additional
time. The parties shall receive written notice of the date
at least five (5) working days in advance of the hearing.
Either the College or the Accused Student may request
a change in the date of the hearing, which request may
be granted for good cause. At the hearing, the members
of the SCRB shall designate a Chairperson, who shall
rule on evidentiary questions (in consultation with
other members of the SCRB) and who shall make
other determinations regarding the conduct of the
proceedings, as noted below.
C. Disciplinary Hearing Procedures
- Where an Accused Student has been charged with
multiple violations arising out of a single occurrence
or a series of related offenses, a single hearing may be
held on all violations. An Accused Student may request
a consolidated hearing of multiple violations of an
unrelated nature. Where more than one Accused
Student is charged with a violation arising out of a
single occurrence or out of connected multiple
occurrences, or the same facts, a single hearing may
be held for all Accused Students charged. Accused
Students may request that their case be consolidated
with others, or separated from others. The Student
Conduct Administrator shall have the opportunity to
respond to any such requests, and the Coordinator of
College Life (ex-officio of the SCRB) shall make the
final determination regarding consolidation or
separation of cases for hearing. Student requests to
consolidate or separate cases shall be made within
five (5) working days following issuance of notification
of the manner in which such cases shall be heard; thereafter,
the Student Conduct Administrator shall have an
additional five (5) working days to respond, with the
Coordinator of College Life to decide the question
within five (5) working days thereafter. The decision
of the Coordinator of College Life to consolidate or
separate cases shall be final.
- Hearings shall be conducted in private. Students may
not waive the private nature of such hearings, but the
Student Conduct Review Board has the sole discretion
to allow a hearing to be opened at the Student’s
request. The decision denying such request shall
be final.
- Both the Complainant and the Accused Student are
responsible for presenting his or her own information
and shall not be entitled to bring another person to
accompany them during the hearing. Any costs
incurred by any party to disciplinary proceedings shall
be the responsibility of the party incurring such costs.
- The Complainant, the Accused Student, and the SCRB
shall have the right to present witnesses. The College
will make reasonable efforts to arrange the attendance
of possible witnesses who are members of the College
community, if timely identified by the Complainant
and/or Accused Student at least two weekdays prior to
the Student Conduct Review Board hearing. Witnesses
will be expected to provide information to cooperate
fully with, and answer questions from the Student
Conduct Review Board. Questions may be suggested by
the Accused Student and/or Complainant to be
answered by each other or by other witnesses, which
should be submitted to the SCRB in advance of the
hearing. Additional questions which are elicited by
virtue of the testimony being presented to the SCRB
may be submitted during the hearing by either the
Accused Student and/or Complainant to the SCRB’s
Chairperson, who shall have the discretion to present
such questions to witnesses, but who alone shall present
questions, rather than the parties.
Harford Community College 2011 - 2012 Catalog: General Information
- Pertinent records, exhibits, and written statements
(including student impact statements) may be accepted
as information for consideration by the Student
Conduct Review Board at the sole discretion of the
Chairperson. Where computerized or other digital
evidence is to be presented, the SCRB shall provide
appropriate audiovisual or computer hardware in order
to examine such evidence.
- There shall be a single verbatim record, which shall be
in the form of an audio tape recording, of all hearings
before the SCRB. Deliberations, however, shall not be
recorded. The recordings and other hearing materials
presented during such hearings, as well as the resultant
decision, shall remain the property of the College and
will be maintained in accordance with FERPA
guidelines, as applicable.
- All procedural questions relating to student discipline,
including the conduct of any disciplinary hearing, are
subject to the final decision of the ex-officio
(Coordinator of College Life).
- The Student Conduct Review Board may accommodate
concerns for the personal safety, well being, and/or
fears of confrontation of the Complainant, Accused
Student, and/or other witnesses during the hearing by
providing alternative means of presenting the testimony
of such witnesses, including but not limited to:
separate facilities, the use of a visual screen, and/or
permitting the participation of witnesses by telephone,
videophone, closed circuit television, written statement,
or other means, as determined in the sole judgment by
the Student Conduct Administrator or his/her designee
to be appropriate.
- An appeal of a SCRB decision by either party may be
made to the Vice President for Student Development
and Institutional Effectiveness in writing within ten (10)
working days of the date of notice of the decision. An
appeal shall be limited to a review of the full report of
the SCRB for the purpose of determining whether its
decision was supported by the evidence and was not
arbitrary An appeal may not result in a more severe
sanction for the Accused Student than that meted out
by the SCRB in its decision. The Vice President shall
take one of the three following actions: (1) uphold,
(2) revise, or (3) dismiss, the sanction imposed by
the SCRB. The decision of the Vice President shall
be final.
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VIII. Sanctions
The following formal disciplinary actions may be imposed
upon students. More than one of the sanctions below may
be imposed for any single violation.
A. Minor Sanctions:
- WARNING: Notice, orally or in writing, that a
student is violating or has violated institutional
regulations.
- EDUCATIONAL PROJECT: This sanction requires
a student to complete a specific educational assignment
as determined by the Student Conduct Administrator or
his/her designee.
- CAMPUS AND/OR COMMUNITY SERVICE: This
sanction requires a student to perform a specified
number of service hours. The Student Conduct
Administrator or his/her designee shall determine the
specific assignment.
- RESTITUTION: Reimbursement for loss, damage or
injury. This may take the form of appropriate service
and/or monetary material replacement.
- FINES: Previously established and published fines may
be imposed.
- DISCIPLINARY PROBATION: Written notice that
continuation or repetition of conduct found wrongful,
during a designated period of time not exceeding one
year, will be cause for more severe disciplinary action
such as suspension or expulsion.
- LOSS OF PRIVILEGES: The student is excluded
from participation in privileged or extracurricular
institutional activities, including intercollegiate
athletics, registered student organizations, access to
campus facilities, and loss of campus employment
opportunities.
- SUSPENSION FROM COURSE(S): Exclusion from
participation in particular course(s) for a period of
time not to exceed one semester.
B. Major Sanctions:
- SUSPENSION FROM THE COLLEGE: Exclusion
from courses and other privileges or activities as set
forth in the notice for a defined period of time.
Whether or not a student may make up missed
academic work due to the suspension will be
determined as part of this sanction. Conditions for
readmission may be specified
.
- EXPULSION FROM THE COLLEGE: Termination of
student status for an indefinite period of time. The
conditions for readmission, if any, shall be stated in
the order of expulsion.
- REVOCATION OF ADMISSION, CREDIT, AND/OR
DEGREE: Admission to, credit earned, or a degree
awarded from the College may be revoked for fraud,
misrepresentation, or other violation of College
standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious
violations committed by a student prior to graduation.
- WITHHOLDING DEGREE: The College may
withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the
completion of the process set forth in this Student
Code, including the completion of all sanctions
imposed, if any.
C. Interim Suspension
An interim suspension may be imposed: a.) to ensure
the safety and well-being of members of the College
community or preservation of College property; b.) to
ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and
well-being; or c.) if the student poses an ongoing threat of
disruption of, or interference with, the normal operations
of the College. During the interim suspension, a student
shall be denied access to the campus and/or off-campus
sites (including classes) and/or all other College activities or
privileges, for which the student may be otherwise eligible,
as the Vice President for Student Development and
Institutional Effectiveness (VPSDIE) or his/her designee,
may determine to be appropriate. The VPSDIE may
suspend a student immediately and without prior notice,
pending disciplinary or medical evaluation. A student
placed on interim suspension who is unable to complete
course work for the semester in which the interim
suspension was issued may be given a grade of “W.”
A student suspended on an interim basis shall be given
the opportunity to appear personally before the
VPSDIE or his/her designee within two (2) business
days from the effective date of the interim suspension
to discuss the following issues only: 1) the reliability
of the information concerning the student’s conduct,
including the matter of his or her identity and/or, 2)
whether the conduct and surrounding circumstances
reasonably indicate that the continued presence of the
student on the College campus poses a substantial
threat to him or her or to the continuance of normal
College functions. Following this meeting, the Vice
President of Student Development and Institutional
Effectiveness or his/her designee may either continue
or cancel the interim suspension.
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IX. Procedures for Academic Dishonesty and Disruptive Behavior During Instructional Time
A. Academic Dishonesty
The administration and faculty take a firm stand and
maintain a united commitment in eliminating and
preventing academic dishonesty among students. Each
instructor must state in writing the consequences of
academic dishonesty and students should have prior
knowledge of the nature of penalties. Before penalties are
imposed, there should be clear evidence of cheating. The
instructor is required to notify the Division supervisor of
the violation in writing. If the penalty represents failure in
the course or seriously jeopardizes the student’s attainment
of a passing grade, the Division supervisor and instructor
must concur with the penalty, and the student shall
promptly be notified in writing and given the option of
appealing the decision to the Vice President for Instruction,
whose decision is final. At any point, the faculty member
or the Division supervisor is expected to consult with the
Student Conduct Administrator concerning the facts of the
situation. At minimum, the Student Conduct Administrator
shall be informed if the student is found to have committed
this violation. A student’s educational record may reflect a
finding that the student engaged in academic dishonesty.
B. Disruptive Behavior During Instructional Time.
Students are free to pursue their educational goals.
Appropriate opportunities for learning in an instructional
setting and through on- and off- campus experiences shall
be provided by the institution. The College also recognizes
that in the learning process there are two parties, the
instructor and the student, and that the learning process
requires active participation on the part of both parties.
The College further acknowledges that students can best
learn in an atmosphere free of disruption, distraction, or
misconduct. An instructor thus has the prerogative to
suspend a student from the instructional setting for one
instructional session when in the instructor’s judgment such
action is warranted in the best and immediate interest of
instruction. If the student refuses to leave the instructional
setting, College Security will be notified. If the student does
not comply with College Security, law enforcement
authorities may be notified. The instructor will notify the
Division supervisor, with a copy to the Student Conduct
Administrator for record keeping purposes, of the
disruptive behavior in writing within twenty-four hours of
the incident and will discuss the suspension with the
Division supervisor as soon as possible after the action
occurs in an attempt to resolve the issue prior to the next
instructional session. If warranted, the Division supervisor
may assign the student to another section of the course or
provide another instructional format.
If the instructor and the Division supervisor concur
that the student should not be permitted to continue
participating with the instructional activity, the Division
supervisor will notify the Student Conduct Administrator
in writing of this recommendation and the instructor will
complete and submit a written incident report to the
Student Conduct Administrator. The Student Conduct
Administrator will notify the student and proceed with a
Student Code violation complaint against the student. The
faculty member and Division supervisor will cooperate
with the Student Conduct Administrator, who will conduct
an administrative conference for the purpose of reaching a
resolution. The Student Conduct Administrator will notify
the student of the sanction in writing, with a copy to the
Division supervisor.
X. Interpretation and Review
A. Any question of interpretation regarding the Student Code
shall be referred to the Student Conduct Administrator or
his or her designee for final determination.
B. Any recommendations for modifications of this Code of
Conduct shall be given to the Student Government
Association and Student Conduct Administrator and shall
go through the College’s governance process for approval
before being put into effect.
Adapted from Stoner, II, E.N. (2008). Revising Your Student
Conduct Code. In Student Conduct Practice: The Complete
Guide for Student Affairs Professionals (pp. 46-70). Sterling,
VA: Lancaster and Waryold.Adapted from Stoner, E. (2008).
A twenty-first century model student conduct code. Sterling,
VA: Stylus Publishing.
Concerning Behavior Reports
As members of the campus community, students have a
shared ethical responsibility to report concerning behaviors
they experience or observe. Concerning behaviors include
emotional distress, unusual behavior, abuse of alcohol or illicit
drugs, thoughts of suicide or homicide, disturbing written
material, and other troubling behaviors. If you experience
or you know or observe someone who exhibits any of these
behaviors, it is your duty to report them on a Concerning
Behavior form on OwlNet. You may also report the situation
to the Associate Vice President for Student Development or
designee, Student Center, Room 254. Thank you for doing
your part to help someone in need!
While HCC does not have a counseling center, the College
does have a Student Intervention and Prevention Team (SIP).
Members of the SIP team will review the report and provide
assistance to the student as necessary. The SIP team may meet
with the student in question, assess the situation, provide
resources, and/or mandate an assessment. A student who
exhibits behavior that is a direct threat of harm to self or
others may be temporarily suspended from HCC on an
interim basis pending a disciplinary proceeding or medical
evaluation.
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