Student Code of Conduct & Grievance Procedure

1. Dishonesty in any aspect or knowingly furnishing false information to the college.
2. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of college documents, records, identification, educational materials, or college property.
3. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other authorized activities on college premises.
4. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health and safety of any person on college-owned or controlled property or at college-sponsored or supervised functions.
5. Theft of, or damage to, property on the college premises or at authorized college functions.
6. Unauthorized entry to or use of college facilities; unauthorized use of college equipment.
7. Unauthorized or fraudulent use of the college facilities, telephone system, mail or email systems, or entry into, or alteration of any college computer records.
8. Use of, being under the influence of, possession of, or distribution of alcohol or illegal or dangerous drugs on campus, at college-sponsored functions, and in state-owned or leased vehicles, except as expressly permitted by law and college regulations.
9. Engaging in individual or group conduct that is violent, abusive, indecent, or unreasonably loud, or similar disorderly conduct that infringes upon the privacy, rights, or privileges of others or disturbs the peace or the orderly process of education on campus or at college-sponsored or supervised functions, or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to engage in the aforementioned activities.
10. Failing to settle any debts with the college or any agency associated with the college and/or delivering any check to the college that is not supported by sufficient funds or is deemed worthless.
11. Condoning any act by another student that violates college policy. Students witnessing any such acts are required to report them to the proper authorities. Confidentiality of the identity of the student reporting violations will be maintained.
12. Unauthorized representation of contracting in the name of Community College of Aurora. (A student may not claim to be an official representative of the college for any commercial purpose.)
13. Acts of abusive speech or writing that exposes any individual or group to hatred, contempt, or ridicule, and thereby injures the person, property, or reputation of another.
14. Dress or personal hygiene that fails to meet the established safety or health standards of specific classes on college-owned or controlled property or at college-sponsored activities.
15. Engaging in any kinds of hazing action or situation on or off campus that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, or participation in any student organization.
16. Unauthorized distribution or sale of goods on campus.
17. Failure to comply with reasonable requests and orders by authorized college officials or representatives acting on behalf of the college. (This requirement includes reasonable requests for students to attend any scheduled appointments in administrative offices, at disciplinary investigations, and/or at hearings.)
18. Creating litter, throwing, discarding or depositing any paper, glass or other matter of any kind on the property, except in designated trash receptacles.
19. Violations of college policies regarding parking.
20. Unauthorized presence of pets on campus.
21. Tobacco use is prohibited in classrooms, elevators, college owned vehicles, college grounds and properties. The CentreTech and Lowry campuses are tobacco-free. Smoking is permitted in college parking lots, but must occur not less than 25ft from all entrances/doorways and common walkways.
22. Illegal possession and/or sale of property. (Students involved in such violations are subject to college disciplinary action, as well as arrest and prosecution by legal authorities. Students are required to make full restitution.)
23. Operation of any motorized or non-motorized vehicle (including skateboards, roller skates, and bicycles) in any location or at times which, at the discretion of campus officials, constitute a pedestrian or motor traffic hazard, or which imperil the health and safety of a person or property on the campus.
24. Possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemical, or other weapons on campus or at college-sponsored activities except as permitted by law and college regulations. (Weapons are defined as firearms, knives, explosives, inflammable materials, or any other items that may cause bodily injury or damage to property.)
25. Unacceptable uses of any college-owned computing equipment and/or network including, but not limited to: any use of computers that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; knowingly spreading computer viruses; sending harassing, intimidating, offensive, and/or threatening messages; reposting personal communications without the author's consent; copying protected material in violation of copyright law; using the network for financial gain, commercial activity, or illegal activity; accessing the network using another individual's account; downloading, loading, or executing software without appropriate authorization; or any other attempt to compromise network integrity.
26. Leaving children unattended or unsupervised in campus buildings or on campus grounds can constitute child abuse or child neglect (as outlined in the Colorado Child Protection Act of 1975). Children may be permitted in class only with the instructor's permission and with the understanding that the child's presence will not be disruptive or unduly distracting.
27. Influencing or attempting to influence any employee or student of the college by offering favors, including sexual favors, bribes, or threats.
28. Engaging in behavior which may constitute sexual harassment, such as sexually suggestive looks, comments, or gestures; prolonged staring, sexual teasing, or jokes; pressure for dates; sexually demeaning comments; deliberate touching, cornering, or pinching; attempt to kiss or fondle; pressure for sex; requests for sex in exchange for grades or favors, or to avoid poor grades or suspension; other actions of a sexual nature which interfere with school performance or create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment.
29. Knowingly pursuing malicious, frivolous, or fraudulent charges against a student or staff member without cause.
30. Violating federal, state, and municipal laws, as well as Colorado Community College System policies and college procedures and regulations.

1. Informal:  Grievant is encouraged to resolve the issue with the Respondent or his/her supervisor. In the case of grievances based upon one’s race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, disability, age or gender, the Grievant may first contact the college employee responsible for affirmative action to seek informal resolution of the issues. If the complaint alleges facts which might constitute a violation of SP 3-120a concerning sexual harassment, the administrator shall investigate and process the complaint under that procedure. While the Grievant is encouraged to resolve the issues through the informal process, he/she may at any time elect to go to the formal stage by following the process outlined below.
2. Formal:
   1. Grievant timely files a written statement of the actions complained of and describes the remedy he/she is seeking with the Chief Student Services Officer or designee. A matter could also be referred to this process by the College president or his/her designee. Once a written grievance is filed or referred, the Chief Student Services Officer or designee will determine whether or not the situation states a grievable offense. The matter will be closed if the situation is determined not grievable and the Grievant will be notified of the reasons.
   2. If the matter is determined to be grievable, Chief Student Services Officer or designee (which may be an individual or a committee) shall hear the Grievance. A hearing will be held which will give the Grievant, Respondent, and others invited to appear, and given the opportunity to explain what they know about the issues surrounding the grievance. Considering the oral and written statements and documents, the Chief Student Services Officer or designee shall issue a Decision within ten (10) calendar days of close of the hearing. The Decision shall be served upon the Grievant and the Respondent personally or by certified mail to the addresses on file in the Admissions office. The Decision shall reject the grievance or grant the grievance and make recommendation(s) to resolve the issue(s). The Chief Student Services Officer or designee’s decision is final unless a Petition for Review is filed with the president by either party within five (5) calendar days of service of the Decision.
   3. Upon receipt of a Petition for Review, the college president will review the record and issue a written decision within ten calendar days of receipt of the Petition for Review. The president’s decision is final.
   4. The Chief Student Services Officer or designee may extend the scheduling timelines described above for good cause.
   5. If the grievance is against the Chief Student Services Officer or designee, the Chief Academic Officer or other person designated by the president shall perform the duties of the Chief Student Services Officer.

Alternative Grievance and Appeal Procedures

1. Code of Conduct: A document developed and published by each college which defines prescribed conduct of students.
2. Impartial Decision Maker: The individual/committee designated by the college president to hear student disciplinary appeals.
3. Chief Student Services Officer or designee: The individual designated by the College President to administer student affairs and be responsible for administering the College’s Student Conduct Code and this procedure.
4. Notice: Notices which are required to be given by this procedure shall be considered served upon the student when given by personal delivery or mailing by certified mail to the address the student has filed with the College’s admissions and records office. If notice is mailed, student shall be given three (3) additional days to respond.
5. Sanctions: One or more of the following may be given when there is a finding that a student has violated the College’s Code of Conduct.
   1. Warning: A notice served upon the student advising him/her that he/she is violating or has violated College regulations.
   2. Probation: After a finding of violation of the Code of Conduct, restriction of student’s privileges for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to be violating any College regulations during the probationary period.
   3. Other disciplinary sanction: Fines, restitution, denial of privileges, assignment to perform services for the benefit of the college or community; or other sanction that doesn’t result in the student being denied the right of attending classes.
   4. College suspension or expulsion:  An involuntary separation of the student from the College for misconduct apart from academic performance for a specified period of time.
      1. Suspension:  A separation that shall not exceed two (2) academic terms per suspension for any singular offense or situation. While a student is suspended, he or she is not eligible for admission or re-admission at any of the community colleges within the Colorado Community College System. Once the suspension is lifted the student is eligible for admission or re-admission. Students may be suspended from a class, residence hall, use of a college facility or an activity in the sole determination by an authorized college employee that the conduct is in violation of the Code subject only to an appeal to the Chief Student Services Officer to ensure that the action was taken pursuant to college policies. Students may be suspended from one class period by the responsible faculty member, longer suspensions can be done only in accordance with college procedures.
      2. Expulsion:  A separation for more than two academic terms. While a student is expelled, he or she is not eligible for admission or re-admission at any of the community colleges within the Colorado Community College System. After the expulsion, a student’s eligibility for re-admission is contingent upon their ability to prove the behavior that resulted in the expulsion has been resolved.
   5. Summary Suspension:

      An immediate action taken by the Chief Student Services Officer to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the college community or preservation of college property; to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or if the student poses a definite threat of disruption or interference with the normal operations of the college. In the event of a summary suspension, the hearing before the Impartial Decision Maker (if requested by the student), shall occur as soon as possible following the suspension.
6. Day: Refers to calendar day unless otherwise noted below.
7. Grievant: Enrolled student, a client or volunteer who is providing a service to benefit the College under the supervision and control of a college employee. A client or volunteer may only grieve a decision which bans him or her from the campus.
8. Grievance: A grievable offense is any alleged action which violates or inequitably applies written college policies or procedures. The grievant must be personally affected by such violation or inequitable action. A grievance must be brought to the formal stage within 20 calendar days of the date the student knew or reasonably should have known about the action.
9. Remedy: The relief that the Grievant is requesting.
10. Respondent(s): Another student, volunteer, client, faculty member and/or administrator identified by the Grievant as causing or contributing to the grievance.