2022-2023 Catalog 
    
    Dec 04, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Code of Conduct


Generally, College punitive action shall be limited to conduct which adversely affects the College community’s pursuit of its educational objectives or behavior that disrupts the teaching/learning process.  Violation of classroom courtesy guidelines above and the following examples of misconduct are subject to disciplinary action.

  • Sleeping in class.
  • Failure to maintain reasonable hygiene.
  • Conduct that is lewd, indecent, or obscene.
  • Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other College activities.
  • Persistent or gross acts of willful disobedience or defiance toward College personnel.
  • Intrusive use of personal sound amplification equipment.
  • Committing illegal acts.
  • Gambling, holding a raffle, or lottery on the campus or at any College function.
  • Littering, defacing, destroying, removing, or damaging property of the College or property under its jurisdiction.
  • Computer and lab abuse in violation of College policy.
  • Violation of the Alcohol and Drug Policy.
  • Assault, battery, or physical abuse, and psychological abuse or threat of such abuse toward any person on college premises or at college activities. Includes sexual harassment and/ or assault and other behavior addressed by the Southwest’s Sexual Harassment policy. 
  • Possessing on College property or at any College activity any dangerous chemical, explosive element, or component parts thereof, not used for lawful College studies.
  • Possessing a rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, other firearm or weapon as defined in section 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia on College property without authorization of the President of the College.
  • Seizing, holding, commandeering, or damaging any property or facility of the College or a threat to do so, or refusing to depart from any property or facility of the College upon direction by College officials or other persons authorized within the regulations of the College.
  • All forms of dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, knowingly furnishing false information to the College, forgery, and alteration or the use of altered College documents.
  • Failure to identify oneself on College property or at a College event when asked to do so by College personnel acting in the performance of his or her duties.
  • Participating in or inciting a riot or an unauthorized or disorderly assembly. All forms of sexual harassment or racial discrimination other than such forms as constitute protected speech.
  • Possession of an animal on campus that is not a service animal.

 

Faculty, staff and students should first contact 911 in cases where there is definite and imminent risk of physical harm or fear for safety.  The individual(s) of concern should also be reported to Campus Police and the Dean of Student Success.  At off-campus locations, faculty, staff and students should first call 911 and then notify the site coordinator for the College, who will contact College administration.

Procedure for Enforcing the Student Code of Conduct

Any student and/or visitor impeding classroom instruction or disrupting any college activity may be removed from the premises using the following procedure:

1.The determination of disruptive behavior is at the discretion of the college employee (instructor, administrator, or staff).

2. Ask the student/individual to leave the instructional site, campus or activity area. Specify criteria for their return.

3. Inform the student/individual that they have the right to appeal to your supervisor.

4. If the student refuses to leave, dismiss the class or adjourn the activity, and call security.

5. Report the incident to your supervisor immediately who will follow-up with a report to the Dean of Student Success.


Penalties for Misconduct

The following sanctions may be imposed for misconduct.

1. Admonition:  An oral or written statement to a student that he or she is violating or has violated College rules and may be subject to more severe disciplinary action unless the violation ceases, or is not repeated.  An admonition is an immediate action which may be administered by the Dean of Student Success without further review.

2. Disciplinary Probation:  A contract governing student behavior is required stating conditions of probation.  Exclusion from participation in the extracurricular activities of the College, including the holding of a student office, for a period of time not to exceed one school year.

3. Restitution:  Required reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property.

4. Suspension:  Exclusion from attending the College as a student for a definite period of time not to exceed one year.

5. Dismissal:  Termination of student status for an indefinite period.  The conditions of re-admission, if any, will be stated in the offer of dismissal.

6. Interim Suspension: If in the opinion of the Dean of Student Success, the presence of a student poses a serious threat of harm to person or property, the Dean of Student Success may immediately suspend the student.

 

Suspended Student Restriction: No student who has been suspended for disciplinary reasons from the college will be permitted on the campus of the college during the suspension period without prior written approval of the Dean of Student Success. In addition, any student who wishes to transfer to Southwest but is under a misconduct penalty from another institution will not be considered for admission until 1 term after the penalty expires.