Howard Community College

POLICIES 73 (e.g., eating in the classroom, persistently speaking without being called upon, refusing to be seated, disrupting the class by leaving and entering the room without authorization, etc.). It must be emphasized that this provision is not designed to be used as a means to punish classroom dissent. The lawful expression of a disagreement with the teacher's viewpoint is not itself "disruptive" behavior. STUDENT CONDUCT PROCESS POLICY Howard Community College will not tolerate violations of accepted standards of student behavior. When such violations occur, the college will take appropriate student conduct action. The college has adopted procedures to allow due process, as required by law. CASE REFERRALS Any member of the college community may refer a student, student group, or organization suspected of violating this code to the vice president of student services or designee. All case referrals must be submitted in writing. Those referring cases are normally expected to serve as the complainant, and to present relevant evidence in hearings or conferences. STUDENT CONDUCT REFERRALS The vice president of student services or designee will conduct a preliminary review to determine whether the alleged misconduct might result in expulsion or suspension from the college. Except in cases of a discrimination complaint, students subject to suspension or expulsion will be entitled to a hearing before the student conduct committee. Cases not so referred will be resolved after a student conduct conference with the vice president of student services or designee. Should a student choose to withdraw from the college prior to the completion of the student conduct process, the college reserves the right to proceed with said process. That student will not be permitted to return to Howard Community College unless all sanctions have been satisfied. The college will not issue an official transcript or diploma until the student conduct process is complete. The college reserves the right to notify any transfer institutions of pending investigations or conduct processes, in-progress investigations or conduct processes, or the outcome of investigations or conduct processes. STUDENT CONDUCT CONFERENCE Students accused of offenses that may result in penalties less than suspension or expulsion, are subject to a student conduct conference with the vice president of student services or designee. Normally, a student conduct hold will be placed on the respondent's account, restricting registration activities until the student conduct conference is held. The following procedural protections are provided to respondents in student conduct conferences: • Written notice of the specific complaint at least two business days prior to the scheduled conference. • Reasonable access to the case file prior to and during the conference. The case file consists of materials which would be considered "educational records," pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Personal notes of college staff members or

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