Howard Community College

64 life, and thoughtful study and discourse. A community exists on the basis of shared values and principles. At Howard Community College, members of the community are expected to uphold and abide by certain standards of conduct that form the basis of the Student Code of Conduct. Each member of the college community bears responsibility for their conduct. When members of the community engage in violations of the rules below, campus conduct proceedings are used to assert and uphold the Student Code of Conduct. The objectives of the conduct process at Howard Community College are: 1. To protect members of the campus community from harm resulting from the indiscretions of the few members of the community who are unable, or unwilling, to respect the rights of others; 2. To create an environment that enhances the opportunity for learning; 3. To protect the rights of members of the college community; and 4. To assure students due process when they have been accused of violating college rules and/or regulations PROCEDURAL PROTECTIONS Students accused of student conduct violations are entitled to the following procedural protections: • To be informed of the specific complaints against them. • To be allowed reasonable time to prepare a response. • To hear and respond to all evidence upon which a charge is based. • To call and question relevant witnesses. • To be assured of privacy, in accordance with the terms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. • To be allowed to request that any person conducting a student conduct conference, or serving as a student conduct committee member or chairperson, be disqualified on the grounds of personal bias. • To be provided with a copy of these rights prior to any student conduct conference or student conduct hearing. • To be considered not responsible until proven responsible by a preponderance of the evidence. AUTHORITY FOR STUDENT CONDUCT Ultimate authority for student conduct is vested in the Board of Trustees of Howard Community College. Student conduct authority has been delegated to college administrators, faculty members, and committees, as set forth in this code, or other appropriate policies, rules or regulations adopted by the board. INHERENT AUTHORITY The college reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community. Such action may include taking student conduct action against those students whose behavior off college premises indicates that they pose a substantial danger to others. Commentary: The college will not routinely invoke the student conduct process for student misbehavior occurring off college premises. Nonetheless, it will be necessary to endeavor to protect the campus community when there are reasonable grounds to believe that a student may pose a substantial danger to others. Normally, such "substantial danger" will be manifested by a pending criminal

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