student code of conduct - St. Clair County Community College

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT 

Enrollment in St. Clair County Community College implies acceptance 

of certain standards of student conduct and a willingness to abide 

by those standards. College standards of conduct are established 

to maintain conditions under which individuals, with respect for the 

rights and well-being of others, can participate effectively in a common 

educational enterprise and well-ordered collegiate community. 

The college adopts the following Student Code of Conduct hereby 

referred to as the Code and prohibits all persons from engaging or 

participating in any of the practices or behaviors listed below. Specific 

examples are used by way of illustration and are not meant to limit 

the practices or behaviors that may be deemed to violate the college’s 

standards of conduct. 

Violence of any kind will not be tolerated on college premises or at 

college-sponsored activities. Any student, group or organization found 

to have committed misconduct is subject to disciplinary action and to 

the sanctions outlined in the Code. Attempts to commit any of these 

acts of misconduct are included in the scope of these definitions. 

The following are examples of college expectations and 

misconduct under the Code subject to disciplinary action up to 

and including dismissal and expulsion. 

Student Code of Conduct violations (except as noted) should be 

reported to the college official in charge and the Dean of Students. If 

warranted by nature and severity of the offense, Campus Security and/ 

or local law enforcement should be contacted. 

CODE 

APPROPRIATE ATTIRE 

Dress, grooming and personal cleanliness standards contribute to the 

ambiance and character of the college. College students are required 

to adhere to prevailing standards of good judgment in their choice 

of attire and are expected to conduct themselves in a way that best 

represents themselves and the college. 

APPROPRIATE CONDUCT 

Students are expected to act responsibly and to conduct themselves in 

the classroom and on the campus in a manner that does not disrupt the 

learning process. A climate of mutual respect and courtesy should exist 

between faculty, staff and students. However, students must recognize 

that instructors and staff, by virtue of their positions, must exert a 

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measure of authority in the classroom and other campus areas. 

Students should respect this authority. Disciplinary problems may 

result in a student being withdrawn from class and, in extreme cases, 

dismissed from the college. 

DISORDERLY CONDUCT 

Disorderly conduct is prohibited and is defined as acting in a manner 

to annoy, disturb, interfere with, obstruct or be offensive to others, 

including but not limited to shouting or making excessive noise either 

inside or outside a building to the annoyance or disturbance of others; 

verbally abusing college officials (either on the phone, in person or via 

electronic communications) acting in performance of their duties; acting 

in a lewd or indecent manner; making threats; harassing others. 

ASSAULT AND THREATS 

Assault and threats are prohibited, and include, but are not limited 

to, the following: committing physical abuse and/or battery or other 

behavior resulting in harm to any person; placing a person in fear of 

imminent physical danger or injury; making threats or engaging in 

behavior to harm self or others. 

CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY SAFETY 

VIOLATIONS 

Students must abide by classroom safety regulations. Safety glasses, 

headgear, aprons, lab coats, earplugs and other appropriate safety 

equipment may be needed by all students in specific courses. 

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT 

Discrimination and harassment are strictly forbidden on campus and in 

all college affiliated activities. Discrimination and harassment include 

inappropriate and offensive conduct against any person, student or 

staff member on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national 

origin, creed, ancestry, familial status, age, disability, marital status, 

height, weight, sexual orientation or other protected status. Modes of 

contact or communication include, but are not limited to, in person, in 

writing, through telephone, electronic mail or instant messaging. 

Any form of harassment is unacceptable at St. Clair County Community 

College, and complaints or charges will be followed through with 

appropriate action. SC4 employees and students are individually 

responsible to ensure such harassment does not occur. Concerns 

should be directed to the Human Resources office, Room 203, Main 

Building. 

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT 

Sexual harassment or related retaliation is strictly prohibited on 

campus and in college affiliated activities. Prohibited conduct includes, 

but is not limited to, unwelcome verbal or physical acts that are 

sexual in nature, unrelated to the content or context, and sufficiently 

severe and/or pervasive as to objectively either (a) have the effect 

of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic 

performance, or (b) create an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning 

or working environment. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited 

to, sexually based unwelcome verbal remarks or physical advances, 

request for sexual favors, inappropriate and unwelcome contact, and 

explicitly or implicitly stating that submission or rejection of sexual 

acts or advances will be a factor in one’s employment, participation or 

evaluation within the College and/or its activities. 

Any form of harassment is unacceptable at St. Clair County Community 

College, and complaints or charges will be followed through with 

appropriate action. SC4 employees and students are individually 

responsible to ensure such harassment does not occur. Concerns 

should be directed to the Human Resources Office, Room 203, Main 

Building. 

DISHONESTY – ACADEMIC 

The college considers academic honesty to be essential to all 

academic performance. Instances of academic dishonesty will be 

treated as serious offenses of the Student Code of Conduct. Students 

involved in activities such as cheating and/or plagiarism will be subject 

to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. 

• Definition of plagiarism: Plagiarism is the appropriation of 

language, thoughts or ideas of another author and claiming that 

as one’s own. Plagiarism is work not produced by the student, or 

work that does not credit borrowings from the original source(s). 

• Definition of cheating: Cheating can be, but is not limited to, 

a student using electronic technology, notes or other written 

materials not permitted by the instructor; looking at other 

students’ papers without the instructor’s permission; requesting 

answers from other students; or working with other students when 

independent work is required. Situations where cheating may 

occur are during tests, exams, quizzes or other similar methods 

of evaluation. 

When the instructor has sufficient evidence of cheating or plagiarism, 

the instructor may impose disciplinary actions such as assigning a 

failing grade to the student’s assignment, quiz, paper or test. 

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If the plagiarism or cheating involves major course work such as 

plagiarizing a research paper or cheating on a final exam, the instructor 

may fail the student in the course. 

DISHONESTY – NON-ACADEMIC 

Non-academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: 

• Furnishing false information to the college or college personnel, 

including Campus Security. 

• Furnishing false information at disciplinary proceedings. 

• Forgery; unauthorized alteration or unauthorized use of any 

college documents, records or identification cards, including 

computer records; and misuse of computer facilities and 

electronic mailing systems. 

• Giving false or incomplete replies to questions, verbal or written, 

on applications, forms or other documents required by properly 

authorized representatives of the college. 

DRUG AND ALCOHOL VIOLATION 

Intoxication; drug−altered states; and the possession, use or sale of 

alcohol, illegal drugs or related paraphernalia; are strictly forbidden on 

campus or at or as part of any college affiliated activity. This prohibition 

includes, but is not limited to: possession of paraphernalia containing 

drug residue; and manufacture or distribution of illegal drugs or 

controlled substances. If students are experiencing problems with 

drugs and/or alcohol, they should contact Advising, Room 120, 

Acheson Technology Center, or call (810) 989-5520. 

FIRE/FALSE ALARM/REPORT 

Knowingly or negligently causing or attempting to cause a fire in a 

college building; and initiating or causing to be initiated any false alarm/ 

report, warning, or threat of fire, explosion or other emergency is 

prohibited. 

GAMBLING 

It is the policy of the college to prohibit gambling on the college 

campus. Except as hereinafter provided, the college prohibits the sale, 

solicitation or promotion of a game of chance, including, but not limited 

to lotteries, raffles, bingo or similar other activities on college premises 

or which use the college’s name in any way. The Board authorizes the 

President of the college to waive this prohibition for such fundraising 

activities which support student services or scholarships and which 

comply with any applicable laws and license requirements. The 

President may establish procedures and guidelines for applying for this 

waiver. 

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GIVING FALSE INFORMATION 

No person shall give false or incomplete replies to questions, verbal or 

written, on applications, forms or other documents required by properly 

authorized representatives of the college. 

HAZING 

Any act of hazing is prohibited. Hazing is defined as any action taken 

or situation created intentionally, with or without consent, whether on or 

off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, 

harassment or ridicule. 

INTERFERING WITH EVENTS 

Interfering with any normal college or college−sponsored events is 

prohibited and includes, but is not limited to, disruption of studying, 

teaching, research, administration, and fire, police or emergency 

services. 

LEWD BEHAVIOR 

Behavior that is lewd or indecent is prohibited. Such behavior is 

defined in consideration of the general standards of acceptable 

behavior and includes, but is not limited to, the following: obscene 

remarks, gestures or other communications; exposing oneself in an 

indecent manner; entering restrooms against the gender designation; 

viewing pornographic images; or engaging in sexual activities on the 

campus. 

MISUSE, THEFT OF FIRE SAFETY OR 

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT 

Misuse, tampering, theft or damage to fire safety equipment such 

as fire extinguishers, exit signs, first aid kits, automated external 

defibrillators (AEDs) or other emergency supplies on campus is 

prohibited. 

NON-COMPLIANCE 

Failure to comply with reasonable directions of college officials, 

including college security officers, faculty and staff acting in 

performance of their duties is prohibited. Directives to cooperate in 

the administration of the Code including those to appear and give 

testimony at a college disciplinary proceeding, as well as directives to 

produce identification are included in the scope of this provision. 

REGULATION VIOLATION 

Any violation of other published regulations including, but not limited to, 

SC4 policies as listed in this catalog is considered a Code violation. 

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SANCTION VIOLATION 

Violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance 

with the Code is a Code violation. 

SEXUAL ASSAULT 

Inflicting any sexual invasion/assault upon any person without that 

person’s consent is prohibited. “Consent” requires actual words or 

conduct indicating a freely-given agreement to have sexual intercourse, 

or to participate in sexual activities. The college community should 

be aware that, depending on the particular circumstances, previous 

sexual relationships or current relationship between the persons 

involved, or silence, or lack of protest do not necessarily constitute 

consent. Further, the degree of impairment of a person’s ability to 

give or withhold consent (including, but not limited to, incapacity or 

helplessness caused by alcohol or any other drugs) may be introduced 

as pertinent information at any college disciplinary hearing. 

SMOKING ON CAMPUS 

Smoking is prohibited in all campus buildings, vehicles and outside 

areas of the campus where non-smokers cannot avoid exposure to 

smoke. 

Specifically, smoking is prohibited up to 20 feet outside any enclosed 

area to ensure that secondhand smoke does not enter the area 

through entrances, windows, ventilation systems or any other means. 

SOLICITATION 

In order to provide an environment that is conducive to teaching and 

learning, it has been determined by SC4 to prohibit outside persons 

from operating or distributing materials or items on the college campus. 

Any problems should be reported to Campus Patrol. Specifically: 

1. Selling, soliciting and advertising are prohibited unless an 

exception has been authorized by the Office of the Vice 

President for Administrative Services. 

2. Distribution of handbills on vehicles on college property is 

prohibited. 

TECHNOLOGY 

Computers and Internet Services – Acceptable Use Policy 

2013 

St. Clair County Community College provides computer, Internet 

and email services to support research and education to fulfill the 

mission of the college. These unique resources enrich the learning and 

instructional process and foster opportunities for collaborative work 

among college students and staff. 

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Privileges: Access to the college’s computer services, including the 

Internet, is a privilege granted to students, faculty, staff and the public. 

Individual users, including public patrons, are to act responsibly, 

respect the rights of other users, and respect the integrity of the 

systems and related physical resources. The college reserves the 

right to limit, restrict or extend computing privileges and access 

to its information resources.Users and providers inherit privileges 

and obligations defined by several authorities: 

• Law (such as international copyright law, the U.S. Constitution, 

federal communications regulations, federal educational 

regulations and Michigan laws) 

• College policies (such as policies on plagiarism and harassment) 

• Service-provider requirements (typically specifying addresses, 

protocols, quotas and other technical standards) 

• Contracts (including licenses, warranties, service level 

agreements, memoranda of understanding and agreements with 

telecommunications services) 

Inappropriate use will result in denial or cancellation of that privilege. 

St. Clair County Community College reserves the right to monitor 

Internet use and determine if specific uses are consistent with the 

acceptable use practices. The college further reserves the right to deny 

access to prevent unauthorized or unacceptable activity, and could 

involve disciplinary action. 

Uses: Faculty, staff and students may use the college’s computing 

resources only for purposes related to their studies, their 

responsibilities for providing instruction, the discharge of their duties as 

employees, their official business with the college, and other 

college-sanctioned or authorized activities. Public users are expected 

to use the computers for research and educational pursuits. 

Restrictions: Use of the Internet for viewing, sending or retrieving 

any of the following are prohibited: 

• Pornographic material or inappropriate text files in violation of 

Michigan criminal laws, including, but not limited to, Michigan 

obscenity laws MCLA 752.361-752.374 and other Michigan 

statutes and cases concerning obscenity 

• Libel or slander 

• Deliberately wasting or overloading computing resources, such 

as printing too many copies of a document 

• Fraud or misrepresentation 

• Commercial or for-profit purposes 

• Games or gambling 

• Personal and private enterprise 

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• Personal advertisement or political lobbying 

• The modification or misrepresentation of files, data and/or 

passwords belonging to others 

• Use of the college’s trademarks, logos, insignia or copyrights 

without prior approval 

• Development or use of unapproved mailing lists 

• Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism 

• Violation of software license agreements 

• Actions that would destroy, modify or abuse hardware and 

software 

• Infiltration of a computer or computing system for any reason 

• Forged electronic mail to make it appear as though it originated 

from a different person 

• Electronic mail that is abusive, threatening, or for sexual, ethnic, 

religious, minority or other forms of harassment 

• Material that is posted or sent that is contrary to the mission or 

values of the college 

• Electronic mail that menaces or harasses an individual or 

individuals 

Such actions include, but are not limited to: 

• Sending or forwarding chain letters or email that uses a pyramid 

scheme to distribute communications to an exponentially 

growing collection of recipients 

• Deliberately flooding a user’s mailbox with automatically 

generated mail 

• Sending mail that is deliberately designed to interfere with proper 

mail delivery or access 

• Other acts forbidden by federal or state law 

• Attempting, successfully or not, to gain access to another 

person’s email files 

• Intentional distribution of computer viruses 

• Anything contrary to the college’s board policy 

All users are to abide by the 1976 United States Copyright Law and the 

Digital Millennium Copyright Act when using the Internet. Users must 

respect the legal protection applied to programs, data, photographs, 

music, written documents and other material as provided by copyright, 

trademark, patent, licensure and other proprietary rights mechanisms. 

Peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing applications allow network users to 

download and share audio, video and picture files with each other for 

legitimate academic endeavors. Use of P2P file sharing applications for 

the unauthorized acquisition or distribution of copyrighted or licensed 

material by SC4 network users is prohibited on any SC4 college 

computer or the college’s network and may subject a student to civil 

and criminal liabilities. 

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Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission 

or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the 

copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the 

United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or 

distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading 

or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority 

constitutes an infringement. 

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. 

In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be 

ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed 

at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. 

For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work 

infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ 

fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. 

Willful copyright infringement also can result in criminal penalties, 

including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 

per offense. 

There are a number of legal alternatives to illegal downloading 

or otherwise acquiring copyrighted material. For a listing of these 

alternatives, visit www.campusdownloading.com. 

The college recognizes that electronic communications and computer 

resources are no different than any other form of communication or 

resource available at the college. Users of this medium are bound by 

but not limited to: 

• Federal, state and local laws 

• Compliance with all college policies regarding sexual, racial and 

other forms of harassment 

• Contractual obligations 

• All policies of the Board of Trustees 

Alleged violations will be processed according to college policies and 

procedures. 

Misuse of computing, networking or information resources may result 

in the loss of computing and/or network access. Additionally, misuse 

can be prosecuted under applicable statutes. Users may be held 

accountable for their conduct under any applicable college policies, 

procedures or employee contracts. Illegal production of software 

and other intellectual property protected by U.S. copyright law is 

subject to civil damages and criminal punishment including fines and 

imprisonment. 

The college disclaims liability due to losses due to technology failures, 

due to intruders (viruses, worms, hackers, etc.) or due to freaks of 

nature. 

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Users should use all available methods to protect their files, including 

the frequent changing of their passwords, encryption of data and use of 

available campus network storage. 

The college makes every attempt to maximize security of its computer 

systems. In the event that data have been corrupted as a result of 

intrusion, the college’s Office of Information Technology should be 

notified immediately. Every reasonable attempt will be made to restore 

files to their status prior to intrusion; HOWEVER, THE OFFICE OF 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CANNOT GUARANTEE FULL 

RESTORATION. 

THEFT OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY 

No person or persons shall steal or damage property belonging to 

another person, organization or institution. This includes tampering with 

coin operated machines. Violators may be handled by the local police, 

the college disciplinary process, or both. 

• Theft: Theft of property or of services, or knowing possession of 

stolen property. 

• Destruction of Property: Destroying or damaging college 

property, such as library holdings or the property of others. 

UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS OR USE OF COLLEGE 

FACILITIES 

Students and members of the public are not allowed in campus 

buildings or facilities after the building has been closed and locked to 

student and public access. Access to locked buildings requires official 

permission from an authorized college representative and notification 

of Campus Patrol. Students in secured buildings after closing must 

be under the supervision of an authorized college official such as 

an official club advisor, coach, faculty member or appropriate staff 

member. 

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE COLLEGE’S NAME 

Any unauthorized commercial use of the college’s name, logo or other 

representation, or undertaking any unauthorized action in the name of 

the college are prohibited. 

VIOLATION OF LAW 

Violation of federal and/or local law, including, but not limited to, 

possession of any falsified identification or the manufacture, sale or 

distribution of local, state or federal identification. 

WEAPON/EXPLOSIVE VIOLATION 

The use, possession, storage or bringing into a building or class of any 

firearms, ammunition, knives, other weapons or objects that could be 

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construed as weapons is strictly forbidden. Items that pose a potential 

hazard to the safety or health of others (such as explosives in any 

form) also are prohibited. 

SANCTIONS 

The college’s policy is directed toward imposing more severe 

disciplinary sanctions based on the nature of the case. The college 

seeks to preserve flexibility in the imposition of sanctions so that 

each student or group offender is afforded the greatest possibility for 

appropriate and just treatment. Significant mitigating or aggravating 

factors shall be considered, which may include the current demeanor 

and the presence or lack of a disciplinary or criminal record of the 

offender, as well as the nature of the offense and the extent of any 

damage, injury or harm resulting from it. 

Sanctions may include: 

Verbal Warning − Reported verbal reprimand. 

Censure − An official written reprimand for violation of specified 

regulations, including a warning that continuation or repetition of 

prohibited conduct will be cause for disciplinary action. 

Disciplinary Probation −The college may limit and/or monitor student 

participation in academic, privileged or extracurricular activities for a 

specified period of time. Violation of the terms of disciplinary probation 

may result in suspension or expulsion from the college. 

Suspension − Exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities, 

including access to college premises or college−sponsored activities off 

campus, as set forth in the notice of suspension, for a specified period 

of time. Any student who is suspended shall not be entitled to any 

tuition or fee refund and is barred from college premises in accordance 

with the suspension. 

Expulsion − Termination of student status and exclusion from college 

privileges and activities, including access to college premises or 

college − sponsored activities off campus, in perpetuity. Any student 

who is expelled shall not be entitled to any tuition or fee refund and is 

barred from college premises. 

Restitution − Repayment to the college or to an affected party for 

damages, loss or injury resulting from a violation of the Code. 

Other Sanctions − Other sanctions may be imposed instead of or 

in addition to those specified above. For example, students may be 

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subject to restrictions upon or denials for college parking privileges for 

violations involving the use or registration of motor vehicles on campus. 

Service projects also may be assigned. Students may be directed to 

have no contact with other students and/or may be forbidden to access 

specified areas of campus. 

DUE PROCESS 

The Due Process system defines the procedure to be applied to 

instances in which a student charged with noncompliance with 

college rules and regulations (Student Code of Conduct) objects to 

the discipline decision rendered by a college official. The complete 

procedure is available from the Dean of Students, Room 208, Main 

Building and online. 

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student code of conduct - St. Clair County Community College

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