Standards of Student Behavior

Rules of Conduct and the Judicial System

Standards of Student Behavior

MCC is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and learning and has a concern for the development of respon­sible personal and social conduct. The College’s mission includes maintain­ing high standards to foster a climate of excellence; providing opportunity and access for all; and creating a sup­portive, personalized environment for maximum student achievement. Shar­ing responsibility for this mission, stu­dents and College personnel are joined in a voluntary College community.

General Expectations

Each student, by applying to and regis­tering for classes at MCC, assumes an obligation to conduct herself/himself in a manner compatible with the Col­lege’s function as an educational insti­tution and to obey the laws enacted by federal, state and local governments. Furthermore, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct published in the College Catalog, The Lancer Student Hand­book & Planner and other College publications. Violation of any rules of conduct may lead to disciplinary warn­ing, probation, restitution, suspension, dismissal or other appropriate and authorized penalty.

Manatee Community College expects its students to be mature and respon­sible citizens at all times and in all places. Whether on- or off- campus at any time, if the student’s conduct or dress is in violation of local, state or federal law, is a public nuisance or deemed improper and/or detrimental to the College, that student may be subject to disciplinary action as stated in MCC Procedure 4.10.01: Disciplin­ary Proceedings for Violation of Stan­dards of Student Behavior.

Students are expected to respect the rights and welfare of other members of the College community and its guests. This College recognizes that a thought­ful and reasoned search for truth can be conducted only in an atmosphere that is free of intimidation and coer­cion. As such, violence, the threat of violence, disruption to the learning pro­cess and intimidation are unacceptable to the College community.

Students who are parents, or who as­sume a parental role, have the respon­sibility to arrange suitable care for their children while they attend class. Mana­tee Community College does not have child care accommodations. Students are not permitted to bring children to class, nor should children be left unat­tended in halls, building offices or on campus. The College reserves the right to protect the safety and welfare of unattended children.

Students are expected to assume full responsibility for their behavior and will be held accountable for their individual and/or collective actions.

Code of Conduct

I. Academic Ethics

MCC expects all members of the Col­lege community to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the tradition of honor and integrity. They are expected to assist the College by reporting sus­pected violations of academic integrity to appropriate faculty and/or adminis­trative staff.

These guidelines define a context of values for individual and institutional decisions concerning academic integri­ty. It is every student’s responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic ethics at the College. Claims of ignorance, unintentional error, or academic or personal pressures are not sufficient reasons for violations.

The following is a partial list of the types of behavior that breach the Col­lege academic ethics guidelines and are therefore unacceptable: plagiarism, cheating on examinations, forgery, sabotage, unauthorized collaboration or falsification of information. Attempts to commit such acts fall under the term “academic dishonesty” and are subject to penalty.

No set guidelines can, of course, define all possible types or degrees of academic dishonesty; thus, the aforementioned behaviors should be understood as examples of infrac­tions rather than an exhaustive list. Individual faculty members and the vice president of academic affairs and his/her academic administrators will continue to judge each case according to its particular circumstance.

Conflict Resolution Procedure:

Students who feel they have been penalized erroneously for an academic ethics infraction or think that the sanc­tion imposed is inappropriate may, within 10 working days of notification of academic sanction, appeal the mat­ter through Procedure 4.14.01; Stu­dent Request for Conflict Resolution as Related to Academic Matters.

For a complete copy of Procedure 4.14.01 and guidance on how to pro­ceed with the resolution, students should see a counselor in the office of enrollment services who acts in the capacity of student advocate for com­plaint/conflict resolution matters.

II. Computer Ethics

It is the policy of MCC to maintain the best possible computing facilities for as many users as possible. These facilities include large and small sys­tems, communications networks and personal computers, as well as soft­ware, files and data. It is the College’s position that, while computers may enhance our abilities to communicate and modify the means by which we do so, the basic ethics and rights of pri­vacy and ownership of property must be maintained. Since the computing facilities are available to and used by all segments of the College com­munity, each computer user must act responsibly to maintain and protect the rights of others. It is the responsibil­ity of the computer user to determine specific conditions to use and to obtain required authorization in advance of any use.

Examples of misuse of computing fa­cilities include but are not limited to:

·          Violating an individual’s right to privacy

·          Using profanity, obscenity or lan­guage offensive to another user

·          Reposting personal communications without the author’s prior consent

·          Disconnecting computer equipment

·          Removing or changing files, stored on the hard drive of a personal com­puter,

           which were intended to be used but not modified by the users

·          Sending inappropriate electronic mail messages to other people

·          Breaking into someone else’s computer account

·          Giving one’s personal password to a friend

·          Using someone else’s computer account

·          Trying a password with someone else’s user ID to see if it works

·          Writing a program which attempts to find other people’s passwords

·          Installing a program designed to bypass system security

·          Connection of monitoring equipment to the College’s computer network

·          Making a copy of a copyrighted computer program

·          Running a program intentionally de­signed to slow down the computer

·          Using College computers to play games

·          Violation of state or federal laws relating to computer use

·          Using a College computer for business, financial gain, commercial or illegal

           activity

·          Using a computer in someone else’s office without permission

The computer services department regularly monitors all computer systems usage. When there is an indication of abuse, which either interferes with the proper functioning of the system or impinges on another user’s rights, computer services staff conducts an in-depth investigation. This can necessitate accessing a user’s files to gather evidence or to protect the system for other users. Findings of each investigation are forwarded to the campus department of public safety/security for follow-up action.

All instances of unethical or irresponsible use of computing facilities are grounds for disciplinary action. The conduct may be viewed as a violation of the Code of Conduct.

Anyone who knows or suspects that he/she has been a victim of unethical computer conduct, or who observes a violation of the computer ethics code, should report such incidents to the campus department of public safety/security. Instances of abuse can result in civil and/or criminal proceedings.

Conflict Resolution Procedure:

Through College Procedure 4.10.01; Disciplinary Proceedings for Violation of Standards of Student Behavior, students who are alleged to have violated a College computer ethics code(s) will be given the opportunity to be informed of the allegation(s), and subsequently the opportunity to refute the allegation(s), make any statements or provide any evidence or mitigating circumstances related to the allegation(s).

For a complete copy of Procedure 4.10.01 and guidance on how to proceed with the resolution, students should see a counselor in the office of enrollment services who acts in the capacity of student advocate for complaint/ conflict resolution matters.

III. Campus Regulations for Students, Visitors and Organizations

To ensure a desirable relationship with the community as well as the protection of all students, visitors and organizations, certain campus regulations and acceptable standards of personal conduct have been established. Students applying, registering and enrolling in any of the College’s courses or programs are bound by all campus regulations which are essential to the effective, lawful, moral and orderly educational process. All campus regulations and codes of conduct are applicable to all students of the College, all persons engaged in employment either on the campus or on other property used for educational purposes by the College, all visitors, licensees, organizations and invitees.

Examples of Regulations & Prohibited Conduct

Examples of campus regulations and/or standards of student behav­ior that are prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

Any activity on the part of any indi­vidual or group which causes disrup­tion or interference with the opera­tion of the College is prohibited. Disruption or interference with the regular operation of the College includes, but is not limited to, the occupation of any building or cam­pus area for the purpose of disrup­tion or interference; prevention or attempt to prevent the entrance or exit of students, faculty, administra­tors, staff or authorized visitors to and from the campus or buildings; failure to obey directions of faculty, administrators or public safety of­ficers in situations relating to the regular operation of the College; or interference with scheduled inter­views for employment, college trans­fer or military careers.

Harassment of a student or stu­dents, faculty, staff, administra­tive officers or the College as an institution by student or students, or by a nonstudent or nonstudents is prohibited. Harassment includes any threat, in any way expressed or implied, to the person or property, or an obstruction or attempted ob­struction of any individual’s autho­rized movement on the campus.

The display of any inflammatory or incendiary signs, posters or banners; or the distribution of literature proposing any actions heretofore or hereafter prohibited are hereby prohibited.

No firearms of any kind (including pellet, handguns and rifles), explo­sives (including firecrackers and fireworks), live ammunition of any kind, obnoxious bombs or any weap­ons already designated as illegal by city, town, county, state or Federal ordinance or law may be brought, possessed or used on the campus. Duly authorized peace officers are an exception.

Possession, transportation and/or the use of any illegal drug on the campus, in any off-campus housing sanctioned by the College, at any College related or sponsored activ­ity or at other locations as may be provided by law is prohibited. No person who may appear to be under the influence of an illicit drug(s) is allowed on the campus or permitted to participate in any College related or sponsored activity.

Alcoholic beverages brought, pos­sessed or consumed on campus, in any off-campus housing sanctioned by the College, at any College re­lated or sponsored activity or at other locations as may be provided by law is prohibited. No person who may appear to be intoxicated is al­lowed on the campus or permitted to participate in any College related or sponsored activity. Drunkenness or intoxication (as defined in 34 Code of Federal Regulation Section 86.100 Subpart B-Institutions of Higher Education) is prohibited on campus, in any off-campus housing sanctioned by the College, or at any College related or sponsored activity

Gambling of any kind is prohibited.

Unauthorized use of the College’s duplicating or reproduction equip­ment or public address systems is prohibited. Authorization for such use may be granted only by the College president or designee.

Any and all official information relat­ed to the College and its operation shall be transmitted to news media only through the College’s office of public affairs and marketing. Arrangements for reporters and/or radio or television station represen­tatives to report or televise events on the campus shall be made only by the office of public affairs and marketing. Any other arrangements are unauthorized and the College reserves the right to bar (or re­move) from the campus unauthor­ized news media representatives.

Defacing, damaging or maliciously destroying any College, faculty, staff or student property is prohibited.

All visitors with motor vehicles are required to obtain a temporary parking permit from the depart­ment they are visiting. Visitors having legitimate business on the campus must present a picture identification when applying for visitors’ parking. The visitor’s vehicle must be parked in the des­ignated visitor’s spaces. Visitors not having legitimate business on the campus will be refused parking permits and will be requested to leave the campus.

Visitors, upon request by a campus security officer or College admin­istrator, are required to provide a picture identification, ideally a driver’s license. Failure to do so could result in such visitor being considered as trespassing and subject to arrest.

All students are required to obtain and carry a College identification card at all times and to present it upon request to any public safety/security officer, or faculty/staff member. Other identification must be shown if such a request is made and the person questioned does not have an ID card in his/her possession. ID cards are to be surrendered upon termination for any reason. Loss of an ID card is to be reported immediately to the registrar’s office.

Disorderly or unlawful behavior on the campus is prohibited. Additionally, a student’s conviction of a misdemeanor or felony committed on or off the campus shall be subject to disciplinary action as set forth in Procedure 4.10.01; Disciplinary Proceedings for Violation of Standards of Student Behavior.

The administration has the obligation to cooperate with all police authorities. When the protection of life and property and the regular, orderly operation of the College require it, the assistance of these agencies will be requested as a matter of policy.

Reckless or intentional actions which endanger the mental or physical health of students, faculty or staff, or the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation to or affiliation with any organization are prohibited.

Furnishing false information to the College with the intent to deceive is prohibited.

Any violation of federal or state criminal statutes, respective county and city ordinances and all College and MCC District Board of Trustees rules and regulations will result in disciplinary proceedings.

Any type of sexual misconduct on any MCC campus or at any officially sponsored off-campus event is prohibited.

Issuing bad checks to the College, the College bookstore, or any Col­lege ancillary services is prohibited.

In accordance with Florida statutes, it is unlawful for any person operat­ing or occupying a motor vehicle on a street or highway to operate or amplify the sound produced by a radio, tape player, or other me­chanical soundmaking device or instrument from within the motor vehicle so that the sound is:

Plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet or more from the motor vehicle; or

Louder than necessary for the convenient hearing by persons in­side the vehicle in areas adjoining churches, schools or hospitals.

Failure to respond to an adminis­trative summons will result in judicial proceedings. The MCC District Board of Trustees reserves the right to forbid the establishment of a MCC chapter of any club, society or other or­ganization whose members have damaged property, interrupted the normal holding of classes, inter­fered with the rights of others, or otherwise disrupted operation of any college, university, school or other education institution.

Conflict Resolution Procedure

Through College Procedure 4.10.01; Disciplinary Proceedings for Violation of Standards of Student Behavior, Students who are alleged to have violated a college behavioral Code of Conduct will be given the opportunity to be informed of the allegation(s), and subsequently the opportunity to refute the allegation(s), make any statements, or provide any evidence or mitigating circumstances related to the allegation(s).

For a complete copy of Procedure 4.10.01, and guidance on how to proceed with the resolution; students should see a counselor in the office of enrollment services who acts in the capacity of student advocate for com­plaint/conflict resolution matters.

Degrees of Disciplinary Sanctions

The following are the degrees of disci­plinary sanctions which may be taken for violation of any Codes of Conduct.

Apology - A written statement of regret written by the individual or group and approved by the vice president of student development and enrollment services.

Warning - A written or verbal no­tice to the student that continu­ation or repetition of specified conduct will be cause for further disciplinary action.

Censure - A written reprimand to the student for violation of a speci­fied regulation.

Disciplinary Probation - A written reprimand and warning to the stu­dent for a repetition of violations as grounds for more serious disciplin­ary action; also may include exclu­sion from participation in student privileges or extracurricular College activities, or temporary/permanent loss of privilege or use of designat­ed College facilities for a specified time as set forth in the notice of disciplinary probation.

Removal from College - Sponsored Housing - A temporary or permanent exclusion from any College-spon­sored housing accommodations without reimbursement of any type of housing allowance, or a manda­tory room change.

Restitution - Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property. Reimbursement may take the form of appropriate ser­vice to repair or otherwise com­pensate for damages.

Suspension - Exclusion from class­es and other student privileges or activities as set forth in the notice of suspension pending final determi­nation of an alleged violation.

Expulsion - Termination of student status for a definite period of time. At the end of this period of expul­sion, the student is eligible to apply to the president of the College for consideration for re-admission.

Dismissal - Permanent termination of student status. A notation shall appear on the College Record.

B. Cell Phone Etiquette

Cell phones and beepers should be turned to vibrate mode during class sessions. Cell phones without vibrate mode should be turned off unless in use to monitor an emer­gency situation. Conversations that do occur should be conducted out­side of the classroom. Calls made or taken during a test could be con­strued as cheating.

C. Pets on Campus

Pets are not permitted at any College location. Seeing Eye dogs are permitted. Training of Seeing Eye dogs may be conducted with the permission of the vice presi­dent of student development and enrollment services. Other excep­tions also may be granted as re­quired for educational purposes.

Animal wildlife should be respect­ed on both campuses. Students are advised not to feed alligators at MCC Venice or squirrels at MCC Bradenton.

D. Wheeled Motorized Traffic

Bicycles shall not be ridden on the sidewalks between or around cam­pus buildings. All bicycles shall be walked from the parking lot areas to the approved sites designated for bicycle storage.

No skateboards, roller skates or other such roller-equipped means of transportation (i.e. scooters) will be allowed on the sidewalks between and around campus buildings.

IV. Religious Observances

MCC shall attempt to reasonably ac­commodate the religious observance, practice and belief of individual stu­dents in regard to admissions, class attendance and the scheduling of examinations and work assignments. MCC Procedure 2.26.01 requires the student to provide the instructor(s) with advance notification of the purpose and anticipated length of any absence. At that time, the instructor and the stu­dent will agree upon a reasonable time and method to make up any work or tests missed.

V. Student Discipline

The vice president of student devel­opment and enrollment services is designated as the staff member of the College having primary responsibility for the administration of student discipline. Deliberate care shall be taken to ensure that students receive fair and equitable treatment under due process.

Student Complaint/Conflict Resolution

MCC provides an appropriate means to resolve conflicts or complaints concerning College rules, procedures and/or course policies at the lowest possible level.

Complaints may be brought to the at­tention of faculty and management with the assurance that they will be considered in a fair and equitable man­ner. Specific policies and procedures are available that provide an informal and formal, nonadversarial in-house means of addressing conflicts and/or complaints. A student may request due process in such instances where the student perceives an inequity con­cerning his or her academic standing, or where his or her academic rights and/or freedoms have been violated, or where the academic/administrative regulations of the College are believed to have been inappropriately interpret­ed or applied.

The following due process procedures should be utilized in resolving com­plaints or conflicts.

MCC Procedure #4.14.01 Student Request for Conflict Resolution as Related to Academic Matters

MCC Procedure #4.14.02 Stu­dent Request for Conflict Resolu­tion as Related to Administrative Policies and Procedures

MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, dis­ability, age, marital or veteran status in any of its educational programs, services or activities including ad­mission and employment. Perceived discrimination based on any of these protected classes also may be used as a basis for a complaint.

Prohibited Harassment

MCC is committed to providing an edu­cational and working environment free from sexual harassment as well as harassment based on such factors as race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, marital, veteran status or sexual orientation. MCC strongly disapproves of and will not tolerate ha­rassment of its employees or students by co-workers or fellow students. MCC also will attempt to protect its employ­ees and students from harassment by nonemployees and nonstudents.

“Harassment” includes but is not limited to: verbal, physical and visual conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile working or educa­tion environment or that interferes with work performance or educational opportunities. Some examples include racial slurs, ethnic jokes, posting of offensive statements, posters or car­toons or other similar conduct. Sexual harassment includes solicitation of sexual favors, unwelcome sexual advances or other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Every complaint of harassment that is reported to a College official shall be investigated thoroughly, promptly and in a confidential manner. In ad­dition, MCC will not tolerate retalia­tion against any employee or student for making a complaint about sexual harassment or other forms of harass­ment covered by this rule.

If harassment of employees or students is established, MCC will dis­cipline the offender. Disciplinary action for a violation of this policy can range from verbal or written warnings up to and including dismissal from the Col­lege depending upon the circumstanc­es. With regard to acts of harassment by nonemployees or nonstudents, the College will take appropriate corrective action according to the particular circumstances involved.