General Misconduct
A. The following forms of student misconduct are subject to disciplinary action.
- Knowingly furnishing false information to the College, forgery, and/or alteration or use of SKC documents as instruments of identification with intent to defraud.
- Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, disciplinary proceedings, or other SKC activities.
- Physical, verbal, or sexual harassment/abuse of any person on campus or at sponsored events.
- Theft or damage to SKC property or the property of an SKC community member while on campus.
- Failure to comply with directions of SKC officials acting in the performance of their duties.
- Violation of any published SKC policies or procedures, codes of conduct, or other regulations.
- Use of alcohol or illicit/illegal drugs on campus or at college-sponsored activities or appearing on campus under the influence as demonstrated by impaired or inappropriate conduct.
- Unauthorized entry, use, or occupancy of college facilities.
- Illegal or unauthorized possession and/or use of firearms, explosives, other weapons, dangerous chemicals, or noxious substances on college premises or at college-sponsored activities.
NOTE: Policies and procedures related to violations related to sexual harassment or misconduct are provided in the SKC Title IX Policy.
B. Interim Restrictions
The Vice President of Academic Affairs or designee may impose interim sanctions on a student pending a hearing if there is reason to believe that the student’s conduct poses an imminent and substantial threat of injury or interference with persons or property. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will inform the student in writing of the interim sanction(s) and may request an explanation from the student. The Vice President for Academic Affairs may adjust the interim restriction as indicated.
C. If a student is charged with general misconduct as defined above, the Vice President of Academic Affairs or Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services will notify the student in writing and within five (5) working days of the following:
- The alleged misconduct and the evidence supporting the allegation.
- The Student Conduct Code rules of procedure.
D. Investigation by the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services.
The Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services should, in all cases where misconduct is discovered, consult with all parties witness to the alleged misconduct and determine whether any record of prior misconduct is in the student’s permanent file. When an incident of alleged misconduct is discovered by or brought to the attention of the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services, the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services will personally contact the accused student within five (5) working days to arrange a meeting. The Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services and the student may each have a person of choice present at this meeting.
1. At this meeting the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services will:
- Inform the student of the alleged misconduct and present the evidence supporting the allegation.
- Inform the student of the Student Conduct Code rules of procedure.
- Allow the student an opportunity to respond to the charge(s) and evidence.
- The student is not required to respond.
- Discuss the possible sanctions, and allow the student to respond.
2. If the student is willing to admit to this infraction and accepts the sanctions, the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services will notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Documentation of the infraction and sanction(s) will become part of the student’s permanent record at the institution. The College reserves the right to impose further sanctions as described above in section IV.E.2. The student also may provide a written statement to be placed in the file.
3. If the student does not appear for the hearing, the student will be notified of the following:
- The sanction(s) recommended. The sanction(s) is not formally imposed until final resolution of the charge(s) or until the deadline for an appeal has passed.
- The Student Conduct Code of Conduct rules of procedure and appeal. (A copy of this code will suffice).
- The fact that a written summary of the case has been sent to the student, the student’s advisor, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs with a copy placed in the student’s permanent file.
- The student also may provide a written statement to be placed in the file.
4. Student Appeal of the College Sanction
a. If the student does not appeal the decision to impose the college sanction within ten (10) working days, the allegation in the notice of college sanction will be considered accepted by the parties. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will instruct the appropriate college officials to implement the sanction. A written summary of the case will be placed in the student’s permanent file.
b. If within five (5) working days the student does not accept the written decision of the Vice President of Academic Affairs or Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services, the student may appeal the decision by submitting a written appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will convene a Student Conduct Board consisting of up to three students, three faculty or staff members, and an administrative designee other than the Vice President of Academic Affairs or Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services who will act as Board Chair. The hearing will be private if requested by the accused student. An accused student has the right to be represented by an individual of their choice. Should the student choose legal representation, the College must be notified in writing three (3) days in advance. Any party to the proceedings may request the privilege of presenting witnesses subject to cross examination by the other parties. Production of records or other exhibits may be required and a record will be kept of the proceedings and filed in the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.