04:02:00
ACADEMIC/CLASSROOM CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
Please refer to
I.
Pellissippi State Technical Community college
students are citizens of the state, local, and national governments, and of the
academic community and are, therefore, expected to conduct themselves as
law-abiding members of each community at all times.
Admission to
Pursuant to this
authorization, the college has developed the following regulations that are
intended to govern student conduct on the campus. In addition, students are
subject to all national, state, and local laws and ordinances. If a student's violation of such laws or
ordinances also adversely affects
II.
Disciplinary Offenses
A. Generally, through
appropriate due process procedures, college disciplinary measures shall be
imposed for conduct that adversely affects
B. Individual or organizational
misconduct that is subject to disciplinary sanction shall include but not be
limited to the following examples:
1. Conduct dangerous to self or
others. Any conduct that constitutes a serious danger to any
person's health, safety, or personal well-being, including any physical abuse
or immediate threat of abuse.
2. Hazing. Any intentional or reckless act in Tennessee, on or off
the property of any higher educational institution, by one student, acting
alone or with others, that is directed against any other student, that
endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, or that
induces or coerces a student to endanger such student's mental or physical
health or safety. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or similar
contests or competitions and is limited to those actions taken and situations
created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any
organization.
3. Disorderly conduct. Any individual or group behavior that is abusive, obscene,
lewd, indecent, violent, excessively noisy, or disorderly, or that unreasonably
disturbs other groups or individuals.
4. Obstruction of or
interference with
5. Any unauthorized occupancy
of college or college-controlled facilities or blockage of access to or from
such facilities.
6. Interference with the right
of any college staff member or other authorized person to gain access to any
college or college-controlled activity, program, event, or facilities.
7. Any obstruction or delay of
a campus security officer, firefighter, or any college official in the
performance of his/her duty.
8. Misuse of or damage to
property. Any act of misuse, vandalism, malicious or
unwarranted damage or destruction, defacing, disfiguring, or unauthorized use
of property belonging to Pellissippi State including but not limited to fire
alarms, fire equipment, elevators, telephones, college keys, library materials,
and/or safety devices; and any such act against a member of the college
community or a guest of Pellissippi State.
9. Theft, misappropriation, or
unauthorized sale of property. Any act of theft,
misappropriation or sale of
10. Misuse of documents or
identification cards. Any forgery, alteration of, or unauthorized
use of Pellissippi State documents, forms, records, or identification cards,
including the giving of any false information or withholding of necessary
information in connection with a student's admission, enrollment, or status at
the college.
11. Firearms and other dangerous
weapons. Any possession of or use of firearms or dangerous
weapons of any kind.
12. Explosives, fireworks, and
flammable materials. The unauthorized possession,
ignition, or detonation of any object or article that could cause damage by
fire or any other means to people or property, or possession of any substance
that could be considered to be and used as fireworks.
13. Alcoholic beverages. The use and/or possession of alcoholic beverages is
not allowed on Pellissippi State-owned or -controlled property.
14. Drugs. The unlawful possession or use of any drug or
controlled substance (including any stimulant, depressant, narcotic, or
hallucinogenic drug or substance, or marijuana), or sale or distribution of any
such drug or controlled substance.
15. Gambling. Gambling in any form.
16. Financial irresponsibility. Failure to promptly meet financial
responsibilities to
17. Unacceptable conduct in
hearings. Any conduct at a
18. Failure to cooperate with
19. Attempts and aiding and
abetting the commission of offenses. Any attempt
to commit any of the foregoing offenses or the aiding and abetting of the
commission of any of the foregoing offenses (an "attempt" to commit
an offense is defined as the intention to commit the offenses coupled with the
taking of some action toward its commission).
20. Violations of state or
federal laws. Any violation of state or federal laws or
regulations prescribing conduct or establishing offenses, which laws and
regulations are incorporated herein by reference.
21. Violation of general rules
and regulations. Any violation of the general rules and
regulations of
III.
Academic and Classroom Misconduct
A. The instructor has the primary
responsibility for control over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic
integrity and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom
of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct in violation of the
general rules and regulations of
B. Academic misconduct
committed either directly or indirectly by an individual or group is subject to
disciplinary action. Prohibited
activities include but are not limited to the following practices:
1. Cheating, including but not
limited to unauthorized assistance from material, people, or devices when
taking a test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or reports; solving
problems; or completing academic assignments.
2. Plagiarism, including but
not limited to paraphrasing, summarizing, or directly quoting published or
unpublished work of another person, including online or computerized services,
without proper documentation of the original source.
3. Purchasing or otherwise
obtaining prewritten essays, research papers, or materials prepared by another
person or agency that sells term papers or other academic materials to be presented
as one’s owns work.
4. Taking an exam for another
student.
5. Providing others with
information and/or answers regarding exams, quizzes, homework or other
classroom assignments unless explicitly authorized by the instructor.
6. Any of the above occurring within
the Web or distance-learning environment.
Upon discovery
of a student's participation in academic misconduct, the student is immediately
responsible to the instructor of the class, who will meet with the offending
student with evidence of the misconduct.
In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed
as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign
either (1) an F or zero for the assignment or (2) an F for the course.
C.
If the student believes that he/she has been erroneously accused of academic
misconduct and if his/her final grade has been lowered as a result, the student
may appeal the case through the following procedures.
1.
The student may discuss the case with the department head for that
discipline.
2.
If the student seeks further appeal, he/she may ask the department head
to contact the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, who will
determine any additional steps to be taken.
IV.
Disciplinary Action
A.
Disciplinary action may be taken against a student for violations of
the above regulations that occur on Pellissippi State-owned, leased, or
otherwise-controlled property, or that occur off
campus when the conduct impairs, interferes with, or obstructs any college
activity of the missions, processes, and functions of the college. In addition, disciplinary action may be taken
on the basis of any conduct, on or off campus, that
poses a substantial threat to people or property within the
B.
For the purpose of these regulations, a “student” shall
mean any person who is registered for study at Pellissippi State for any
academic period, including the time that follows the end of an academic period
that the student has completed until the last day for registration for the next
succeeding regular academic period, and during any period while the student is
under suspension from Pellissippi State.
V.
Disciplinary Sanctions
A. Upon a determination that a
student or organization has violated any of the rules, regulations, or
disciplinary offenses set forth in these regulations, the following
disciplinary sanctions may be imposed, either singly or in combination, by the
appropriate Pellissippi State officials:
1. Restitution. A student who has committed an offense against
property may be required to reimburse
2. Warning. The appropriate
3. Reprimand. A written reprimand, or censure, may be given to any
student whose conduct violates these regulations. Such a reprimand does not restrict the
student in any way but does have important consequences. It signifies to the student that he/she is
being given another chance to conduct himself/herself as a proper member of the
college community, but that any further violation will result in more serious
penalties. In addition, a reprimand does
remain on file in a student's personnel record for a period of one year.
4. Restriction. A restriction upon a student's or organization's
privileges for a period of time may be imposed.
This restriction may include, for example, denial of the right to
represent
5. Probation. Continued enrollment of a student on probation may
be conditioned upon adherence to these regulations. Any student placed on probation will be
notified of such in writing and will also be notified of the terms and length
of the probation. Probation may include
restrictions upon the extracurricular activities of a student. Any conduct in violation of these regulations
while on probationary status may result in the imposition of a more serious
disciplinary sanction.
6. Suspension. If a student is suspended, he/she is
separated from
7. Expulsion. Expulsion entails a permanent separation from
8. Interim or summary
suspension. Though as a general rule, the status of a student
accused of violations of college regulations should not be altered until a
final determination has been made in regard to the charges against the
student. Summary suspension may be
imposed upon a finding by the associate vice president of Student Affairs and
Satellite Campuses or his/her designated representative that the continued presence
of the accused on campus constitutes an immediate threat to the physical safety
and well being of the accused, or of any other member of the Pellissippi State
community or its guests; destruction of property; or substantial disruption of
classroom or other campus activities. In any case of immediate suspension, the
student shall be given an opportunity at the time of the decision or
immediately thereafter to contest the suspension, and if there are disputed
issues of fact or cause and effect, the student shall be provided a hearing on
the suspension as soon as possible
a.
In cases involving second and/or third instances of academic
misconduct, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action. The associate vice president of Student
Affairs and Satellite Campuses will notify the student, and a hearing shall be
afforded the student according to the procedures outlined in the college
catalog and handbook.
b.
Students found guilty of repeated academic misconduct may receive one
of the following sanctions:
(1)
Second offense: Suspension for
the semester with possible referral for additional sanctions.
(2)
Third offense: Expulsion from
the college.
B.
The president of
VI.
Cases of Alleged Sexual Assault
A.
In cases involving alleged sexual assault, both the accuser and the
accused shall be informed of the following:
1. Both the accuser and the
accused are entitled to the same opportunity to have others present during a
disciplinary proceeding.
2. Both the accuser and the
accused shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding
involving allegations of sexual assault.
VII.
Disciplinary Procedures
A. Admission to
B. The student defendant shall
be afforded all rights required by due process including the following:
1. Written notice of the
alleged violation(s) and the time and place of the hearing in the matter.
2. The right to an advisor of
his/her choice; the right to present evidence in his/her behalf; the right to
call witnesses in his/her behalf; and the right to cross-examination.
3. A tape recording or summary
transcription of the proceedings shall be kept and made available to the
student upon request for the sole purpose of appeal from a decision of
suspension or expulsion. The student may
also have a verbatim transcript made at his/her own expense.
4. The right to appeal the
decision of the Pellissippi State official or the Student Disciplinary Hearing
body to the Pellissippi State President through the chair of the Student
Disciplinary hearing Body.
5. The right to attend classes
and required Pellissippi State functions until a hearing is held and decision
is rendered, except when a student’s physical or emotional safety and
well-being are endangered; when the general safety and well-being of the
faculty, staff, or other Pellissippi state personnel are endangered; when the
orderly progression of the educational objectives of Pellissippi state may be
disrupted; or when Pellissippi State property is in jeopardy.
C.
All cases that may result in suspension or expulsion of a student from
Pellissippi State, a program, or a course for disciplinary reasons, or in
revocation of registration of a student organization during the term of the
registration are subject to the contested case provisions of the Tennessee
Uniform Administration Procedures Act (TUAPA) and shall be processed in
accordance with the uniform contested case procedures adopted by TBR unless the
student waives those procedures in writing and elects to have his/her case
disposed of in accordance with Pellissippi State procedures established by
these rules.
VIII.
Due Process Procedures
A.
In cases that involve actions of misconduct that would cause the
student or students to be subjected to disciplinary action, a hearing shall be
afforded the student according to the procedures outlined below:
1. All complaints of alleged
misconduct of a student shall be made in writing to the associate vice
president of Student Affairs and Satellite Campuses. The complaint shall contain a statement of
facts outlining each alleged act of misconduct and shall state the regulation
the student is alleged to have violated.
2. The associate vice president
of Student Affairs and Satellite Campuses shall investigate the complaint. If it is determined that the complaint is
without merit, the investigation shall promptly cease. If it is determined that there is probably
cause to believe a violation did occur, the process shall proceed as outlined.
3. The student shall be
notified in writing by the associate vice president of Student Affairs and
Satellite Campuses that he/she is accused of a violation and will be asked to
come in for a conference to discuss the complaint. At the conference, the student shall be
advised of the following:
a.
He/she may admit the alleged violation, waive a hearing in writing, and
request that
b.
He/she may admit the alleged violation in writing and request an adjudication before the Student Disciplinary Hearing
Body.
c.
He/she may deny the alleged violation in writing and request an adjudication before the Student Disciplinary Hearing
Body.
d.
If appropriate, the student shall be advised of the option to utilize
the TUAPA. If the student elects to
proceed under the institutional process, a waiver of TUAPA hearing shall be
signed.
B.
In cases referred to the Student Disciplinary Hearing Body, the
associate vice president of Student Affairs and Satellite Campuses shall, at
least five days in advance of the hearing, notify the student in writing
concerning the following:
1. The date, time, and place of
the hearing.
2. A statement of the specific
charges and grounds that, if proven, would justify disciplinary action being
taken.
3. The names of witnesses
scheduled to appear.
C.
The student defendant may designate three people from the faculty
and/or student body to observe the hearing; the chair of the Student
Disciplinary Hearing Body may, for good cause, designate three observers from
the faculty and/or student body. The
Student Disciplinary Hearing Body, however, may exclude any person who may be
reasonably expected to interfere materially with the hearing. Otherwise, the hearing and other
deliberations of the Student Disciplinary Hearing Body shall be closed except
for appropriate observers from
D.
The decision reached at the hearing shall be communicated in writing to
the student. It shall specify the action
taken by the Student Disciplinary Hearing Body.
Upon the request of the student, a summary of the evidence shall be
provided to the student.
E.
The student shall be notified in writing of his/her right to appeal the
decision of the Student Disciplinary Hearing Body to the president of
Approved: Executive Council, March 4, 1991
Editorial Changes, April 18, 1993
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council,
April 10, 1995
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, April 10, 1995
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, November 29,
1999
Editorial Changes: November 15, 2002
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, November 3,
2003
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, October 18,
2004
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff,
October 8, 2007
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, October 8,
2007