2-2: Student Corrective Action and Disciplinary Action Policy

Policy Overview

This policy is established to address non-academic types of misconduct including violations of the Santa Fe Community College (SFCC or College) Student Code of Conduct or any other College policy that applies to student conduct. This policy does not address grade appeals, academic probation, academic suspension or academic misconduct.

Scope and Applicability

This policy applies to all SFCC students.

Policy Statement

1. If a student violates SFCC Policy 2-1 Student Code of Conduct or any other SFCC policy, they are subject to corrective or disciplinary action.
2. Corrective action is used for less serious violations of the Student Code of Conduct or other College policies (e.g. skateboarding on campus, noise complaint, etc.) and is intended to correct inappropriate behavior. Students will receive a letter of warning outlining expectations for improvement. Corrective action is not subject to appeal.
3. Disciplinary action is used for more serious violations of the SFCC or other College policies (e.g. making threats toward another student, faculty or staff member, bringing a weapon on campus, etc.) and may result in:
   1. Removal from class or campus, or other SFCC locations;
   2. Institutional response;
   3. Non-academic probation;
   4. Non-academic suspension; and/or
   5. Expulsion.
4. Disciplinary action may be appealed by requesting a hearing before a College Hearing Panel. The final determination of such appeal is made by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.
5. The College strictly prohibits retaliation against any student or employee for participating in the corrective action or disciplinary action process. Anyone who is found to have either directly or indirectly retaliated against another individual engaged in this process will be subject to discipline under this policy.
6. The Student Affairs Officer will maintain a record of all College Hearing Panel reports, along with the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs’ final decision, and will manage the records in a manner consistent with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the confidentiality requirements of the College.

Definitions

1. College Hearing Panel refers to a three-member panel that is formed from the College Hearing Council pool on an as-needed basis to hear appeals of disciplinary action taken by the College against an employee or student.
2. Corrective Action encompasses a statement of acceptable behavior and a plan designed to assist students and employees to correct performance issues or conduct that do not meet the College’s expected or required standards. Corrective Action includes verbal coaching, formal verbal warnings, and written warnings.
3. Disciplinary Action is taken to address situations where a student or employee has failed to address concerns outlined in earlier Corrective Action, there has been a serious violation of a policy or a law, or there has been a serious performance issue. Disciplinary Action may include disciplinary probation, demotion, suspension without pay, or termination for cause.
4. Expulsion is action taken which dismisses the student from SFCC for a minimum of three years. Expulsion is the most severe action taken for misconduct.
5. Institutional Response means that the Student Affairs Officer may require a student to engage in community service to the College (e.g., write a paper about the impact of the student’s conduct or behavior on others, prepare a letter of apology, provide customer service, clean facilities if facilities were damaged, assist departments with a project, etc.).
6. Probation is a trial period (on a case-by-case basis) for the purpose of redemption or correction of previous inappropriate conduct.
7. Suspension A removal of the employee from the workplace without pay for disciplinary reasons.

Policy Process

1. When a report of inappropriate conduct is received, an investigation is conducted by the Student Affairs Officer.
2. If, as a result of this investigation, a student or students are found to have violated the Student Code of Conduct or other College policy, a determination is made by the Student Affairs Officer about the severity of the situation.
3. If, in the consideration of the Student Affairs Officer and involved College employees, the violation is relatively minor, corrective action may be taken. The corrective action will include a meeting with the student and a clear written statement by the Student Affairs Officer of what is expected of the student in the future and the steps required by the student to achieve success. For example, a student who is disruptive in class may need to serve as a student aid in a classroom.
4. Disciplinary action will be taken for more serious breaches as determined by the Student Affairs Officer. The disciplinary action will include a meeting with the student whenever possible and notice via electronic mail (using SFCC student email address) and regular mail of the intended disciplinary action. The student may request a meeting with the Student Affairs Officer within five (5) business days of receiving the notice to discuss the situation. The meeting with the Student Affairs Officer must take place within five (5) business days after such request. Subsequent to the meeting, the Student Affairs Officer shall notify the student whether the proposed discipline will be implemented, modified or not implemented.
5. A student may request a review of the disciplinary action by requesting a disciplinary review which includes a hearing before the College Hearing Panel, with a final decision rendered by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

Statement of Accountability and Responsibility

The President, through the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs or designee and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Officer, shall be responsible for enforcing student-related policies and procedures. The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Officer shall work with different College departments and offices to comply with this policy and develop procedures that will enforce this policy regarding awareness, prevention and remediation.

Authority

Title IV of the Higher Ed Act of 1965
Higher Learning Commission
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99)
Policy 2-1 Student Code of Conduct
Policy 2-12 Student Records
Policy 2-22 Student Sexual Harassment
Policy 2-23 Student Discrimination and Harassment
Policy 2-28 Student Policy on Sexual Violence, Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking
Policy 4-2 Employee Corrective Action and Disciplinary Action
Policy 7-1 Information Technology Resources, Usage and Security

APPROVAL
SFCC Governing Board approved: 03/20/08
Revised and Governing Board approved: 11/30/16

Associated Procedures

• Student Corrective Action and Disciplinary Action – Procedures