Student Code of Conduct

These policies and procedures were established to promote a learning community characterized by responsible behavior and respect for fellow students, faculty and staff. The Student Code of Conduct includes clearly stated expectations for conduct and procedures and sanctions when those expectations are not met, and important appeal processes to ensure impartial and fair treatment.

Goldey-Beacom College is committed to providing a sound educational environment for intellectual pursuits. Respect for each and every community member is to be demonstrated in all interactions and communications at all times. In order to promote and maintain a respectful and effective learning environment, Goldey-Beacom College expects students to adhere to the following standards while part the Goldey-Beacom College community.

In addition, the College is concerned with developing socially responsible citizens, ensuring the welfare and freedom of all members of the College community, and protecting individual rights. The College has thus adopted rules and behavioral standards for its students. College judicial action may be taken in addition to actions taken by civil or criminal courts. Students may be subject to judicial action in conjunction with citations or other charges of which the College becomes aware. A student who has pled guilty or been convicted of an off-campus violation of local, state, or federal law may be subject to College judicial action and may receive a sanction(s) imposed by the College.

The following explains the College’s Standard of Conduct (citing other expected behaviors including substance use, housing guidelines, disruptive behavior, harassment, etc.). Students are responsible for reading and fully understanding these policies and procedures. If any expectation is unclear, students are encouraged to contact the Community Standards Office or the Dean of Students for clarification.

Student Code of Conduct

Disciplinary action may be imposed when a student fails to recognize or violates the rights and privileges of other individuals or behaves in a manner not consistent with College policies. The following forms of conduct are prohibited by any Goldey-Beacom College student or organization on College property or at College functions.

Alcohol and Drug Violations

• Use, sale, exchange, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus is prohibited if such use is in violation of local, state or federal law.
• Possession or use of any illegal or controlled substance, drug or drug paraphernalia is prohibited. Students who exhibit drug use or abuse or any violation of the College’s Alcohol & Drug Policy  may be construed as a violation of this section. Demonstrating that a student has knowledge of the location of any illegal or controlled substance, drug or drug paraphernalia, and/or the intent to exercise control over such items may constitute possession. In the absence of extraordinary or mitigating circumstances, a sanction of suspension or expulsion may be imposed on any student found guilty of possession, distribution, or sale of drugs. 

Behavioral Violations

• Decorum, courtesy, and politeness is expected from each and every student in all settings at all times. The use of hate language or name calling will not be tolerated.
• Personal, extraneous conversations should take place outside the classroom setting. Students are expected to make every reasonable effort to avoid arriving late for class. If students do arrive late, they are expected to quietly enter the classroom without disturbing the faculty or their fellow students.
• No television sets, radios, cell phones, headsets, or noise-making beepers or pagers are permitted in operation in the classroom setting. Exceptions may be granted by individual faculty members.
• Physical assault or attempted physical assault or abuse upon any person. In the absence of extraordinary or mitigating circumstances, a sanction of suspension or expulsion may be imposed on any student found guilty of physical assault.
• Conveyance of threats by any means of communication including, but not limited to: threats of physical abuse; hazing of any student, employee, officer of the College, or organization, or anyone visiting or passing through the College campus; or threats to destroy College property or the property of others.
• Acting recklessly or in a manner that endangers or could reasonably be expected to endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the student or any individual.
• Theft or attempted theft of the property or services of the College, any organization or individual, by means of taking, deceiving, misappropriating, or misusing.
• Destruction, vandalism, misuse, or abuse of the real or personal property of the College, any organization, or any individual. Specific violations include, but are not limited to, destroying, damaging, misusing or defacing any College building or property, or any private property on-campus or being used for a College-sponsored event; destroying damaging, misusing, reproducing, or defacing any student identification card, College-provided key, computer equipment, athletic equipment, or any material issued or owned by the College; impairing or hindering another’s use of College material, service or property; reading, duplicating, removing, photographing, forging, counterfeiting, or altering any College document or record without authorization; or littering on or in any College building or property.
• Use, possession, or transportation of fireworks, firearms, knives, paintball or BB guns, explosives, ammunition, weapons, or any item which has been modified or adapted so that it can be used as a weapon. If the student’s job requires the student to carry a weapon at all times (e.g. police officer) then the student must obtain prior authorization from the Dean of Students in order to carry the weapon into any campus building.
• Disorderly or disruptive conduct which substantially threatens, harms or interferes with personnel, students, visitors or orderly College processes and functions including, but not limited to: fighting; unreasonable noise; public intoxication; lewd or indecent conduct; and inappropriate use of athletic facilities.
• Commission of any act which results in or which may result in the infliction of harm to any person or damage to College property or to the property of others by willful and deliberate means or through negligence.
• Harassment by any means of any individual or group, including coercion and personal abuse. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, written or verbal acts or uses of technology, which have the effect of harassing or intimidating a person, which may result in personal indignity.
• Verbal, physical, written, or electronic acts of intimidation and/or harassment aimed towards any person or group on the basis of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, national origin, ethnicity, or gender is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, any actions which demonstrate a lack of respect for the human rights and personal dignity of any individual.
• Any form of sexual harassment or discrimination. Refer to the College’s Title IX  policies for more information.
• Any form of hazing. Refer to the College’s Hazing Policy  for more information.

Failure to Comply Violations

• Failure to comply with the legitimate oral or written directives of a duly-authorized College official acting in performance of his or her prescribed duty.
• Failure to provide a valid Goldey-Beacom College Lightning Card or other valid identification upon the request of a duly-authorized College official.
• Failure to access and read GBC email accounts regularly and in a timely manner. Students should expect to receive College communication sent to the GBC accounts.
• Failure by guests to comply with College policies while visiting the campus. Students may be held responsible for the actions of their guests.
• Failure of the accused to appear when given advance written notice by a College official, hearing officer, or hearing board concerning a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
• Failure to comply with College judicial sanction(s), including violation of the terms of a sanction, failure to complete a specified condition or assignment of a sanction, or violating the Student Code of Conduct while on Probation.
• Failure to comply with the College’s Hazing Policy . 
• Failure to comply with the policies contained in the Residence Life section  of the Student Handbook.
• Failure to comply with the Commercial Advertising and Sales Policy .
• Failure to comply with rules and regulations of any department or service area (e.g. Hirons Library & Academic Excellence Center).
• Failure to comply with all regulations regarding conduct on campus not cited in the Student Code of Conduct when such regulations have been reasonably publicized.

Misrepresentation Violations

• Falsification of information, which includes any form of providing false or misleading information, in writing, orally, or electronically, in a manner which has the intent or effect of deceiving authorized College personnel, or of altering or falsifying official institutional records or documents.
• Providing false or misleading information including utterance of false testimony or submission of false written statements at any proceeding authorized by this document.
• Misrepresentation of oneself or of an organization as an agent of the College.

Safety Violations

• Violation of campus safety regulations including, but not limited to: setting unauthorized fires; tampering with fire safety and/or firefighting equipment, such as alarms, heat sensors, smoke detectors, hoses and fire extinguishers, AED defibrillators, or rendering such equipment inoperable; turning in false fire alarms by any means of communication; failure to exit during a fire alarm/drill, or hindering or impairing the orderly evacuation of any College building; or disobeying a command by any College official in connection with a fire, alarm, or other safety or security matter.
• Tampering with, touching, covering, or in any way interfering with security cameras located throughout campus.
• Any activities that endanger the health and safety of others.
• Unauthorized entry, use, or occupancy of College facilities either by the student or allowing others unauthorized access.
• Violations of additional safety policies listed in the Residence Life section  of the Student Handbook.

Applicability of Violations

1. Any student or student organization committing an act in violation of the Student Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.
2. Any student or student organization who aids, requests, initiates, assists, or has knowledge of any other student, non-student, or student organization in acts which violate this document or participates in a violation of this document may be subject to disciplinary action as if the student or student organization had actually committed the violation.
3. Any violation of the Student Code of Conduct by a student or members of a student organization may result in both the organization and the members involved in the misconduct to be subject to disciplinary action.
4. All statements made by a student relative to a case may be used in any disciplinary hearing.
5. Charges brought under this document may be applied concurrently with any civil or criminal prosecution brought against a student or organization.

Procedures for Handling Violations of the Student Code of Conduct

Goldey-Beacom College expects every student to be a respectful, ethical, and productive member of the community. Any student who violates any policies in the Student Handbook will face judicial action under the authority of the Community Standards Office.

1. An Incident Occurs - This results in a written documentation by Residence Life, Campus Safety, or any member of the campus community which is submitted to the Community Standards Office for review and investigation. 

2. Initial Meeting & Investigation - When a report is received, an initial meeting between the Community Standards Coordinator, or designee and the involved party(s) will be held. This meeting is the first part of the investigation. The object of the investigation is to ascertain facts and determine whether violation(s) have occurred are warranted against one or more students. At times, depending on the location and type of violation, the investigation may be referred to the Dean of Students, or designee. The investigation will include, but not be limited to a review of: the written documentation submitted when the incident occurred, any photographic or video footage of the incident, and statements from witnesses and the parties involved in the incident.
3. Notification of Alleged Violation Violations & Sanctions - Depending upon what is discovered in the investigation; a student may be found responsible of violating Goldey-Beacom College policy(s). The student will receive a notice of a hearing with the Community Standards Coordinator to determine responsibility and the appropriate sanction(s) if the student is found responsible. The Community Standards Office uses the standard of preponderance of evidence standard to determine responsibility. Students have the right to not appear at a meeting or hearing. If that happens, the meeting or hearing will go forward, and the incident will be resolved with the information available. If the student would like to appeal the outcome of their hearing, they have the option of having the case heard and resolved by the Community Standards Hearing Board.

Sanctions

Individual Students

Individual students found to have violated the Student Code of Conduct or other non-academic GBC policies may be subject to one or more of the following penalties. The student will have ten (10) business days from the date of notification of outcome to submit a written request for appeal should the student choose. Parents may be notified.

• Disciplinary warning: A disciplinary warning is an official written notice expressing that the student’s conduct violates one or more College rules, regulations, or policies.
• Probation: Probation is a period of review during which the student must comply with all College rules, regulations, and polices. This action is a period of official censure. A probation action may specify any conditions with which the individual must comply or any privileges which may be withheld. Probation may include, but is not limited to, the loss of privilege to represent the College in an official capacity (e.g., varsity intercollegiate events, holding office, or participation in campus government or related organizations). Violations during this period may result in further discipline.
• Suspension: Suspension from the College is the termination of student status for a specified period of time. A student may not attend classes, take exams, receive grades, or be on College property. After this period of time, the student must seek written approval from the Dean of Students to return to the College. The hearing officer may establish additional requirements which must be fulfilled to the Dean of Students’ satisfaction prior to reinstatement. There will be no refunding of tuition or fees.
• Expulsion: Expulsion is the permanent, involuntary separation from the College due to conduct violations. A student is not permitted on College property. There will be no refunding of tuition or fees.
• Other Sanctions: The College may impose any other sanction depending upon the circumstances and the nature of the violation, e.g. assignment of a paper, fines.
  • Constructive or Educational Task: The student is assigned a task which benefits the individual, campus, or community. This task can be given alone or in conjunction with another sanction.
  • Housing Reassignment/Removal: In cases involving housing violations, the student may be involuntarily reassigned to a new location on campus. This action may include restriction from entering any College-owned housing for a designated period of time, or permanently. There is no refunding of fees in accordance with College policy. No priority will be afforded to the student when returning to College-owned housing.
  • Hold on Records: The College may hold transcripts, diplomas, registration privileges, or other official records pending the disposition of cases and completion of sanctions if such action is reasonably necessary to preserve the College’s ability to enforce its disciplinary rules.
  • Loss of Scholarship: A student may have his/her Goldey-Beacom College scholarship revoked for engaging in behaviors that are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the Alcohol and Drug Policy, or the Residence Life section of the Handbook. Upon expulsion from the College, all College-funded scholarships are permanently revoked.
  • Restitution: Restitution may be imposed on a student whose violation has involved theft, monetary loss, or damage. Restitution as imposed by the hearing officer becomes a financial obligation to the College, and either full payment or an agreement for partial payment according to a schedule agreed to by the Dean of Students is required before the student may register for classes again, or in the case of seniors, before the student may graduate.
  • Interim Suspension: The Dean of Students or designee may impose an interim suspension and/or loss of privileges including removal from the College Campus and/or College-owned housing upon any student whose presence on campus constitutes a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the student, or the welfare of the College, its property or personnel. Any such suspension will take immediate effect and will remain in force throughout any appeal process.

Student Organizations

Student organizations found to have violated the Student Code of Conduct or other non-academic GBC policies may be subject to restitution, if appropriate, and to one or more of the following penalties:

• Disciplinary Warning: The organization is informed in writing that the group has been found guilty of a violation of College regulations. It is an assumption that repetition of the behavior is not likely. However, it is to be understood that further misconduct may result in additional disciplinary action.
• Probation: The organization is informed in writing that it is on probation for a specified period of time. This action is a period of official censure. During this time the organization may be required to complete an educational task or service project. Conditions which restrict privileges may also be imposed. If, during this time, the organization becomes involved in additional violations of College regulations, further disciplinary action will be taken.
• Interim Suspension: The Dean of Students or designee may impose an interim suspension and/or loss of privileges upon any student organization whose presence on campus constitutes a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of its members or others, or the welfare of the College, its property, or personnel. Any such suspension will take immediate effect and will remain in force throughout any appeal process.
• Suspension: The organization is informed in writing of the loss of organizational privileges and recognition as a student organization for a specific period of time. During this time, the loss of privileges includes, but is not limited to, the use of campus facilities, participation in College activities, funding and sponsorship of official activities. If, during this time, the organization is involved in additional violations of College regulations, the organization may be subject to expulsion. The organization may apply for restoration of its official recognition at the conclusion of the loss of recognition period.
• Expulsion: The organization is informed in writing that a permanent loss of recognition is imposed. This action is one of involuntary separation from the College. The relationship between the organization and the College is permanently terminated. The organization may not use campus facilities, participate in College activities, receive funding, sponsor activities, and pledge or recruit members. Should members violate the conditions of the sanction, they may be charged as individuals with violating the Student Code of Conduct.

Application of Sanctions

The full range of sanctions may be applied to any violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct or other non-academic GBC policies. The Dean of Students, or designee, may impose sanctions as deemed appropriate to the violation of the policy(s).

Student Appeal Process

Charges of violations of the Student Code of Conduct or other non-academic GBC policies may be lodged against any student or student organization by any employee, student, or student organization.

Following their initial meeting with the Community Standards Office, the charged student or organization will be presented with the following options:

1. Accept responsibility for violating the Student Code of Conduct and accept the sanction(s) discussed in the initial meeting.
2. Accept responsibility for the violations but reject certain sanction(s) assigned as inappropriate or unreasonable and request a “Sanctions Only” administrative hearing.
3. Deny responsibility for violating the Student Code of Conduct and request an administrative hearing.

The student must submit a written appeal to Student Appeals Committee via Community Standards within ten (10) business days of the written outcome notification from the Community Standards Coordinator or designee. The written appeal must meet one or all of the criteria below and set forth the basis of the appeal in detail. The Student Appeals Committee will notify the student within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the student’s appeal as to whether they will hear the appeal. If the Committee decides to hear an appeal, the notice to the student shall include the date, time, & location of the administrative hearing and a copy of the procedures that will be used during the hearing.

The student has the right to appear in person and present information on the student’s own behalf, call witnesses, and ask questions of anyone present at the hearing. If the student elects not to appear at the hearing, the hearing shall be conducted in the student’s absence and the outcome will be communicated in writing. The student has the right to refuse to answer any question(s) or to make a statement. The Student Appeals Committee will make its decision on the basis of the evidence available.

Criteria for appeal:

1. The sanction imposed is not appropriate in light of the nature of the violation.
2. Lack of evidence of the violation.
3. New evidence, which was not previously available, and would have a significant impact on the outcome(s) of the hearing.

Parties involved in the administrative hearing process have the following rights and responsibilities:

Student(s)

1. At least five (5) business days prior to the hearing, the student shall receive written notice via their GBC email account, with a “delivery receipt”, of the administrative hearing specifying the suspected violation, the date, time and location of the hearing, and a copy of the procedures which will be used during the hearing.
2. Shall be given the opportunity to present their explanation of the alleged violation.
3. Is entitled to be present during the hearing while evidence is being presented and may remain until the deliberations have begun. If the student elects not to appear at the hearing, the hearing shall be conducted in the student’s absence.
4. Shall have the right to produce witnesses, written documents, and other evidence to substantiate their case.
5. Shall have the right to ask questions, which shall be directed to the Chair of the hearing who will pose all questions to all witnesses.
6. Shall have the right to refuse to answer any question(s) or to make a statement.
7. May have someone present to advise them through the planning and hearing process (e.g., a faculty member, fellow student, or staff member of College Community). Legal counsel is not permitted to be present during the hearing. Should the suspected violation have the potential for criminal prosecution based on the activity that is the subject of the violation, an exception may be granted to allow for the presence of legal counsel. Should legal counsel be permitted, the counsel’s role is limited to legal advisor to the student, not advocate, and counsel may not ask questions of witnesses or otherwise participate in the hearing.

Community Standards Coordinator or Designee

1. At least five (5) business days prior to the hearing, they shall receive written notice via their GBC email account, with “delivery receipt”, of the hearing specifying the alleged violation, the date, time and location of the hearing, and a copy of the procedures which will be used during the hearing.
2. Shall be given the opportunity to present their explanation of the alleged violation.
3. Is entitled to be present during the hearing while evidence is being presented and may remain until the deliberations have begun.
4. Shall have the right to produce witnesses, written documents, and other evidence to substantiate their case.
5. Shall have the right to ask questions, which shall be directed to the Chair of the hearing who will pose all questions to all witnesses.

Hearing Board

1. Shall base its findings upon the preponderance of evidence.
2. Shall make all decisions by majority vote at a meeting with the appropriate quorum of members.
3. Shall submit its findings, decision, and action to be taken within two (2) business days following the hearing.
4. Shall keep summary minutes of the hearing, which will be available to the student, upon request, within ten (10) business days following the hearing.
5. At the discretion of the Chair, an audio record may be made. Deliberations need not be recorded.

The student will receive written notice of the outcome via GBC Email account with “delivery receipt” following the hearing informing the student of the Board’s decision. A copy will also be sent to the Dean of Students, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, or designee.

If the student wishes to appeal the hearing board’s decision, such an appeal can be made to:

• Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Dean of Students

This written appeal must be submitted to the Dean of Students and Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs within ten (10) business days of the written outcome notification. The written appeal must meet one or all of the criteria below and set forth the basis for the appeal in detail. All decisions, penalties or resultant actions of the committee are final.

Administrative hearings are closed to the public and are confidential. All records from the proceedings are kept confidential. Such hearings will occur during standard business hours during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Hearing Board Makeup

Members and alternate members of the Student Appeals Committee serve as the hearing board. These members will be appointed each academic year. There are 20 members as to ensure a quorum of five (5) members for decision making and to avoid potential conflicts of interest with matters to be considered. If a member cannot serve, the member should notify the chairperson of the hearing immediately.

Full Hearings:

• A hearing chairperson - a faculty or staff member designated by Student Affairs
• One (1) faculty member
• One (1) staff member
• Two (2) student members

Sanctions Only Hearings:

• A hearing chairperson - a faculty or staff member designated by Student Affairs
• One (1) faculty or staff member
• One (1) student member

Maintenance of Student Conduct Records

All reports involving non-academic student conduct violations will be housed in the Student Affairs Office. The files may be discarded after a period of ten (10) years.

Student Records: Policy on Confidentiality

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides eligible students certain rights with respect to their educational records. Those rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days after the day the College receives a request for access. A student should submit a written request to the Registrar’s Office that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. A Goldey-Beacom College official will be present during the inspection.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the College to amend a record should communicate in writing to the Registrar’s Office, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the College decides not to amend as requested, the Registrar will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before the College discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. FERPA permits the College to disclose educational records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including security personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using College employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or any person (including another student) engaged by the College to provide clerical or other support services to another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the College. Upon request, the College also discloses educational records without the student’s written consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. FERPA also permits the College to disclose without a student’s prior written consent appropriately designated “directory information”, which includes the Goldey-Beacom College’s student’s: name; local college, home, and cell phone numbers; local college and home address; e-mail or other electronic messaging address; age; major and/or minor fields of study; full-time or part-time status; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; class standing; weight and height of members of athletic teams; honors, awards, and scholarships earned; photographs; dates of attendance; degrees(s) received; post-graduate plans; and most recent previous educational agency or institution attended. A request that directory information not be released without prior written consent may be filed in writing to the Registrar two weeks prior to enrollment. In addition, the Soloman Amendment requires the College to grant military recruiters access to campus and to provide them with student recruitment information, which includes student name, address, telephone listing, age or year of birth, place of birth, level of education or degrees received, most recent educational institution attended, and current major(s).
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

List of illustrative examples of disclosures that Goldey-Beacom College may make without consent:

• To other school officials, including faculty, staff, administration and trustees within Goldey-Beacom College whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions.
• To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
• To authorized representatives of the United States or state/local educational governmental entities.
• In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, the amount of aid, the conditions of the aid, or enforce terms and conditions of the aid.
• To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the College, in order to (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction.
• To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.
• To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes.
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
• To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency.
• Information the school has designated as “directory information”.
• To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of § 99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding.
• To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21.