Issue link: http://howardcc.uberflip.com/i/858454
66 • The terms "college-sponsored activity" means any activity on or off college premises that is specifically initiated or supervised by the college. • The term "complainant" usually means a person who filed the complaint against the student/ respondent or has been impacted by the alleged policy violation. In matters of serious misconduct requiring a hearing by the student conduct committee, the complainant may be the vice president of student services or designee recommending suspension or expulsion. • The term "respondent" is defined as the student accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct. • The term "preponderance of evidence" means information that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that it is more likely than not that a student violated the Student Code of Conduct • The term "will" is used in the imperative sense. The term "may" is used in the permissive sense. • The term "in writing" is defined as communication delivered by hard copy or electronically via HCC email. VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW AND COLLEGE REGULATIONS Although the student conduct process differs from criminal and court proceedings, students may still be accountable to both civil authorities and to the college for acts that constitute violations of law and this code. Student conduct action at the college will be independent and will normally proceed during the pendency of criminal proceedings, and will not be subject to challenge on the ground that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced. The college reserves the right to exercise its authority of interim suspension upon notification that a student is facing a complaint and/ or criminal investigation (see section on interim suspension). STUDENT GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS Student groups and organizations may be charged with violations of this code. A student group or organization and its officers may be held collectively and individually responsible when violations of this code, by those associated with the group or organization, have received the consent or encouragement of the group or organization or of the group's or organization's leaders or officers. CODE VIOLATIONS Howard Community College expects its students to adhere to high standards of honor and good citizenship. Students must conduct themselves in a responsible manner, which reflects credit upon themselves and the college. Acts of misconduct subject to student conduct action include but are not limited to the following: 1. Academic dishonesty. (see section on academic honesty). 2. Abuse or interference with college processes. Abuse or interference with, or failure to comply in, college processes including conduct and academic integrity hearings, including but not limited to a) falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information; b) failure to provide, destroying or concealing information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation, c) attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in, or use of, the campus conduct system, d)