Student Conduct Provisions
Introduction
The Central College community is committed to fostering a campus environment that is conducive to academic inquiry, productive campus life, and thoughtful study and discourse. A community exists on the basis of shared values and principles. At Central College, student members of the community are expected to uphold and abide by certain standards of conduct that form the basis of the Student Code of Conduct. These standards are embodied within a set of core values that include integrity, fairness, respect, community and responsibility. When members of the community fail to exemplify these values, campus conduct proceedings are used to assert and uphold the Student Code of Conduct.
Ultimately, each member of the Central College community is expected to assume responsibility for her/his conduct, and to assume reasonable responsibility for the behavior of others. On occasion, this will involve kind and courteous admonition done when one member observes another in inappropriate conduct. At other times it will involve cooperation when the authorities are investigating instances of alleged misconduct.
The student conduct process at Central College is not intended to punish students. Rather, it exists to protect the interests of the community, and to challenge those whose behavior is not in accordance with our policies. Sanctions are intended to challenge students’ moral and ethical decision-making and to help them bring their behavior into accord with our community expectations. When a student is unable to conform his/her behavior to community expectations, the student conduct process may be utilized to help determine whether he/she should no longer share in the privilege of participating in this community.
Students should be aware that the student conduct process is quite different from criminal and civil court proceedings. Procedures and rights in student conduct proceedings are conducted with fairness to all, but do not include the same protections of due process afforded by the courts. Fair process, within these procedures, assures written notice and a hearing before an objective decision-maker, as described within these procedures. No student will be found in violation of college policy without information showing that it is more likely than not that a policy violation occurred, and any sanction will be proportionate to the severity of the violation.
Jurisdiction over Student Conduct
Students at Central College are annually given access to a copy of the Student Code of Conduct. Students are charged with the responsibility of having read, and agreeing to abide by, the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct and the authority of the student conduct process. The Student Code of Conduct and the student conduct process apply to the conduct of individual students and college-affiliated student organizations. Because the Student Code of Conduct is based on shared values, it sets a range of expectations for the Central College student no matter where or when their conduct may take place. Therefore, the Student Code of Conduct will apply to behaviors that take place on the campus, on college owned property, at Central College Abroad locations, at college-sponsored events, and may also apply off-campus, when the administration determines that the off-campus conduct affects a substantial college interest. A substantial college interest is defined to include:
- Any action that constitutes a criminal offense as defined by Iowa law. This includes repeat violations of any local, state or federal law committed in the municipality where the college is located.
- Any situation where it appears that the student may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of him/herself or others.
- Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property or achievements of self or others or significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder.
- Any situation that is detrimental to the educational interests of the college.
Central College may also extend its jurisdiction to misconduct that occurs prior to, but is not reported until after the graduation of the offending student, as long as the misconduct is reported within six months of its occurrence – with the exception of the Sexual and Relationship Misconduct Policy for which there is no time limit. Otherwise, there is no time limit on reporting of violations of the Student Code of Conduct for offending student still enrolled at Central College. However, the longer someone waits to report an offense, the harder it becomes for Central College to obtain information and witness statements, and to make a determination regarding alleged violations. Those who are aware of misconduct are encouraged to report it as quickly as possible to the Office of Student Development.