Upon enrolling at the college, you assume an obligation to conduct yourself in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution. CCA expects each student to obey the federal, state and municipal laws as well as college regulations. Note, the comma after “state” can be deleted.

Any act which interferes with the learning process, rights of others, disrupts or impairs the normal functioning of the college, damages or destroys property, or impairs health or safety is grounds for disciplinary action. Examples of misconduct subject to disciplinary action include but are not limited to the following:

1. Dishonesty in any aspect of coursework, to include cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college (see section on academic dishonesty at the end).
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, 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 meet appointments in administrative offices and at disciplinary investigations or hearings.)
18. Violations of college policies regarding parking.
19. Unauthorized presence of pets on campus.
20. Smoking in classrooms, elevators, or in any designated non-smoking area and in areas where smoking violates state law.
21. Illegal possession and/or sale of property. (Students involved are subject to college disciplinary action as well as arrest and prosecution by legal authorities. Students are required to make full restitution.)
22. 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.
23. 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.)
24. 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; any other attempt to compromise network integrity.
25. Leaving children unattended or unsupervised on 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 of unduly distracting.
26. Influencing or attempting to influence any employee or student of the college by offering favors, including sexual favors, bribes or threats.
27. 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, 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 sexual nature which interfere with school performance or create an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment.
28. Knowingly pursuing malicious, frivolous or fraudulent charges against a student or staff member without cause.
29. Violating federal, state, and municipal laws as well as Colorado Community College System policies and college procedures and regulations.

Due Process

A student accused of violating the above code has a right to due process. Anyone may file a complaint with the Director of Student Life, Vice President of Student Services or Academic Dean. College personnel will investigate and reach a decision within 15 days of complaint. The accused student will be informed of the nature of the complaint and be given an opportunity to respond. Witnesses and other appropriate individuals may be interviewed.  

As a result of this investigation the Director of Student Life, Vice President of Student Services or Academic Dean will issue a decision. Depending on the severity and the number of violations, students may face disciplinary action.  Examples include: warning, probation, being dropped from a class, summary suspension, suspension, expulsion, and many other remedies necessary to resolve the complaint. Students who feel the disciplinary action is unfair may file an appeal.

The college President or designee may at anytime immediately suspend a student from the college for up to 10 days if he/she believes that the presence of the student on campus would seriously disrupt the operation of the college or constitute a danger to the health, safety, or welfare of students or college employees.  During this time the college will investigate the conduct violation and notify the accused student of the results of the investigation. The student may appeal the decision of the investigation as described below.

Note: In the event of student misconduct, a faculty or staff member may take reasonable and discretionary action including, but not limited to, requesting the student leave the area for the duration of the specified activity or class period.  

Allegations of sexual harassment should be reported to the Director of Human Resources.

Appeal – Student Code of Conduct Violations

The accused student may file an appeal to the Director of Student Life. The Director of Student Life or college designee is charged with the responsibility for the administration of appeal procedures, including selecting an Appeals Council, taking notes, keeping official record of the proceedings, setting time limits for the speakers and responses, and a format for the proceedings.  The hearing will be closed and confidential.

The Director of Student Life will convene the Appeals Council within fifteen days of the requested appeal.  The Director of Student Life shall select an impartial Appeals Council to include three members including: one student, one faculty member, and one administrator or classified employee.

An advisor may be present to advise either party, but may not take part in the hearing proceedings. The council will hear statements from and may question the complainant and accused student.  However, the respondent has the right, without penalty, to not communicate.  In that case the violation decision will be based upon other evidence.  The Appeals Council may accept statements in writing on behalf of complainant, respondent, or witnesses.  The Appeals Council may pursue other actions, which it deems necessary to obtain pertinent information in order to fulfill its role.

In order to find that a student has violated a standard of conduct, the burden of proof is a “preponderance of evidence”. Within five days after completion of the hearing, the council will report its findings and decision to the Director of Student Life or designated college representative. The college representative must notify both parities of the decision in writing as soon as possible.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY 

Academic dishonesty includes cheating, falsifying data and plagiarizing. Cheating is the unauthorized use of assistance with intent to deceive an instructor or any other individual responsible for evaluating a student’s work.  

Plagiarism refers to the use of another person’s work without giving proper credit to that person. A student must give proper credit through the use of appropriate citation format when (a) using or copying material from another person’s work, i.e., words, phrases, sentences, or entire passages; (b) paraphrasing another person’s work, i.e., borrowing but rewording that person’s facts, opinions, or ideas; and (c) summarizing another’s work, i.e., use of one’s own words to condense longer passages into a sentence or two. 

CONSEQUENCES OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY 

When dishonesty is evident, the following minimum sanctions will be applied: 

1. First offense: The student will receive an “F” or “Zero” as the grade for the assignment. The student’s name will be added by the Dean to the college-wide academic dishonesty list. 

2. Second offense anytime during the academic career: The student will receive an “F” for the course and may be expelled from the class or may be suspended from the college. The student’s name will be added by the Dean to the college-wide academic dishonesty list.  

3. Third offense anytime during the academic career:   The student’s name will be added by the Dean to the college wide academic dishonesty list.  The student will receive an “F” for the course and may be expelled from the college.   

Academic-Appeals  

The student should initiate appeals regarding final grades within sixty calendar days after the end of the semester in which the grade was awarded. Before making an appeal, first discuss the grade with the instructor, and then, if necessary, with the instructor’s Department Chair. If there is still no resolution, the student can appeal the grade by submitting a written statement to the Division Dean explaining the problem. The Dean will investigate and respond in writing within 15 days.

The student should initiate appeals regarding academic probation or suspension within sixty calendar days after the end of the semester in which the decision was rendered. To make an appeal, contact the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services and request a meeting to discuss the suspension or probation. The Vice President will investigate and respond in writing within 15 days.

The student should initiate appeals regarding completion of graduation requirements within sixty calendar days after the decision was rendered. To make an appeal, contact the Division Dean in writing explaining the problem. The Dean will investigate and respond in writing with 15 days.

Citations Supporting Higher Education Law

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

A grievance is an action filed by a student or group of students that their educational progress is being hampered or individual rights/freedoms are being denied through violation of a college policy, procedure or practice. It requires a request for some specific action to occur.  The petitioner states the grievance in written form to the Director of Student Life or college designee and should include:  

• What college policy, procedure, practice, or action is in question and what rights or freedoms are they affecting.
• When and where this occurred. 
• What informal attempts were made to resolve the matter
• What, in the individual's opinion, needs to be done to resolve the matter

The Director of Student Life will determine if the matter is a grievable offense. The matter will be closed if the situation is determined “not grievable” and the petitioner will be notified of the reasons. Otherwise, the Director of Student Life will respond to the petitioner in writing within fifteen  days after receipt of the written grievance. If the response is satisfactory to the petitioner, no further action is necessary. If not, the petitioner notifies the Director of Student Life to proceed to a hearing with the College Grievance Council. The Director of Student Life will convene the College Grievance Council within fifteen days of the grievance.  Notice shall be given to all parties at least seven days prior to the hearing, unless the parties agree to a shorter time.  The Director of Student Life will select an impartial Grievance Council to include three members including: one student, one faculty member, one administrator or classified employee.

The Council will hear statements from and may question the petitioner and respondent.  The Council may accept statements in writing on behalf of petitioner and/or respondent.  The Grievance Council may pursue other actions, which it deems necessary to obtain pertinent information in order to fulfill its role.

Within fifteen (15) days after completion of the hearing, the council will report its findings and decision to the Director of Student Life. The College representative must notify both parities of the decision in writing as soon as possible.

Appeal or Grievance Council Finding

The right to appeal the decision is available for a period of fifteen days after notification of the decision.  The request for an appeal must be submitted in writing to the college Vice President of Student Services. The decision of the Vice President is final. 

Terms:

• Disciplinary Action – Expulsion, probation, suspension, assignment of community service, or other actions or conditions appropriate to the situation; these actions may be imposed through administrative hearing or appeals council.

• Expulsion – Permanent dismissal of a student from the college for misconduct.

• Suspension – Dismissal of a student from the college or program for misconduct for a specified period of time.  Suspension differs from expulsion in that after the stated time period, the student is eligible to be readmitted.

• Probation – A status in which a student remains enrolled and in attendance but under stated conditions.

• Respondent – One who responds to the request or complaint.  In the case of student disciplinary matters, the student is the respondent.

• Complainant – one who files the complaint against the respondent.

• Petitioner – one who files the grievance against the respondent.

• Finding – A decision as to whether “it is more likely than not” that a violation of the CCA Student Conduct Code occurred.

• Student – currently enrolled full-time or part-time student.

• Days – calendar days.

• Academic Dishonesty –includes cheating, falsified data and plagiarism.  

 Revised 4/07