Policy 6 – 16: DISCIPLINARY PROCESS FOR A SOCIAL OR OTHER VIOLATIONS

I. Introduction:

During the course of attending Quincy College, a student may commit social violation of the College’s policies, procedures, rules and/or regulations to the extent that it is necessary for charges to be filed, an investigation and hearing to be held, and penalties imposed. In such circumstances, the following provisions apply.

II. Offenses:

In addition to the policies, procedures, rules and/or regulations set forth in the Quincy College Policy Manual, the following offenses shall be cause for disciplinary action against a student.

A. Alcohol and Drug Abuse:
Illegal possession, use, sale, or distribution of alcohol and/or drugs or drug paraphernalia on campus or at any campus function.

B. Civil Rights Violations
Willfully injuring, intimidating, interfering with, oppressing or threatening any other person in the free exercise of enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him/her by the constitution or laws of the Commonwealth Massachusetts or of the United States.

C. Computers, Use Of
Only authorized use of Quincy College computers is permitted. No software may be copied without the express permission of the instructor or administrator. Damage to the College’s computers or computer system is prohibited. College computers may not be use for personal, non- education, and/or illegal use.

D. Disturbance
Disruption of academic schedule or administrative process (false alarm, bomb threat, etc.).

E. Electronic Devices
Players, portable phones, beepers, or other electronic communication devices in the classroom, unless specific permission is obtained from the Vice President for Educational Services. Unauthorized devices shall be confiscated and returned after class.

F. Forgery
Production of a forged document or counterfeit.

G. Gambling
Betting on an uncertain outcome, or playing a game for money or other stakes.

H. Harassment
Verbal, written, or physical conduct for the purpose of intimidation. See
Harassment Policy.

III. Initiation of Charges Against Student and Hearing Before Vice President

A formal process is initiated by filing with the appropriate Vice President a written statement of charges against the student within ten (10) working discovery of the violation. A copy shall be provided to the student. Charges of social violations shall be filed with the Vice President of Administrative Services.

The student shall have an opportunity to have his/her due process rights explained by the Vice President. The student has a right to submit a written statement to the Vice- President if he/she chooses.

The Vice President shall hold a hearing within ten (10) working days of receipt of the written statement of charges. The student and any witnesses shall be informed in advance of the hearing and will have the right to attend. The student shall have the right to be accompanied by counsel or a representative of his/her choosing and to address the charges made against him/her. In the event that either the student or any witness does not attend, the hearing may be held as scheduled.

Within five (5) working days of the hearing, the Vice President shall render a decision and impose penalties if appropriate. The Vice President will forward notice of the decision to the student and the Office of the President. If the decision of the Vice President is to uphold the charges and impose disciplinary action against a student, the student shall have the right to appeal that decision to a Disciplinary Action Appeal Board, comprised of a faculty member, a student, and an administrator appointed by the College President. Any appeal by a student of a decision of the Vice president must be filed with the Office of the President within five (5) working days from the date of the Vice President’s decision. The Disciplinary Action Appeal Board shall be convened within ten (10) working days of the date of receipt of the notice of appeal.

IV. Appeal of Vice President’s Decision

An appeal shall proceed as follows:

Appeal Board–

A. The student shall be notified in writing of the time, date, and place of the appeal hearing. Such notice shall inform the student of the charges being made against him/her, the right to present his/her defense, the right to present witnesses, and the right to be represented by an attorney.

B. An additional member of the College student body may be present at the appeal hearing to offer advice and to counsel the student.

C. During the appeal hearing, the Vice President or his/her designee shall present the College’s case against the student. Where appropriate witnesses may be called and documentary evidence presented.

D. The student shall then have the opportunity to present his/her case. Where appropriate witnesses may be called and documentary evidence presented.

E. Following the presentations, the Appeal Board may ask questions and call for points of clarification. The Appeal Board will also allow the Vice President or his/her designee and the student or his/her attorney to ask questions and to make statements of clarification.

F. If the student requesting the appeal does not attend the hearing, the appeal will be dismissed and the decision of the Vice President will remain unchanged.

G. The Appeal Board may recommend a penalty from the list of penalties written under the Penalties Procedure section of this policy or may recommend that no penalty be imposed. The Appeal Board may also recommend a penalty not included on the list, provided it is appropriate to for the offense.

President–

A. The Appeal Board shall make a recommendation to the College President within five (5) working days after the close of the hearing and shall inform the student and the Vice President of its recommendation.

B. The President shall accept or reject recommendations of the Appeal Board or impose other penalties. The President shall notify the student, the Vice President and the members of the Appeal Board of his/her decision within five (5) working days of the receipt of the Appeal Board’s recommendation.

V. Penalties–

Students who violate the policies, rules and/or regulations of Quincy College may be subject to the following penalties or others deemed appropriate to the offense by the Vice President, Disciplinary Action Appeal Board, or the President:

• Written reprimand
• Community service work at the College
• Payment of restitution
• Revocation of parking or other privileges
• Exclusion from non-educational College facilities (such as Student Lounge)
• Suspension from the College
• Expulsion from the College

Suspension and/or expulsion and the reasons for these actions may be recorded on the student’s permanent record. In the case of violence, theft, personal violations, illegal activities, and other violations of public laws, the penalties ascribed by the College do not preclude the possibility of further legal action by others.

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