Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct sets forth behavioral standards for students to follow as they live, study, work, and pursue their educational goals in a safe and secure learning environment at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM). The Code reflects expectations based on values essential to a flourishing academic environment, such as honesty, integrity, respect, and fairness.

Student Misconduct and Discipline

The following behaviors are prohibited and may be considered student misconduct:

Alcohol and Illegal Drugs

To possess, use, manufacture, distribute, or to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. The possession and/or use of medical marijuana on campus is prohibited.

Cheating

To possess, receive, use, solicit, or furnish an unauthorized aid in an academic endeavor

Climbing on College Structures

To climb, rappel, or any similar action in prohibited on college structures

Damage to Property

To misuse or harm the property of others

Deception, Fraud, or Misuse of Documents

To forge, alter, or acquire College documents, records, or identification cards without authorization

Disruptive Behavior

To engage in behavior that disrupts the normal functions of the College, disturbs the peace, or violates the rights of others

Failed Financial Obligations

To fail to fulfill any financial obligation to the College

False Alarms and Threats

To communicate by any means to the College or anyone affiliated with the College a false alarm or threat, inclusive of fire or other serious and immediate danger

Furnishing False Information

To provide information, which is false or misleading to the College for its official use

Gambling

To wager a sum or money or other things of value on campus except as permitted by law

Lewd, Indecent, or Obscene Behavior

To behave in a manner that is offensive to established community standards of decency or modesty

Misuse of Technology Privileges

To violate the terms of the UACCM Acceptable Use Policy.

Non-compliance with directions of a College Official

To fail to comply with reasonable directions given by an employee of the College

Physical Abuse or Threat of Physical Abuse

To physically endanger or threaten to endanger the health or safety of another

Plagiarism

To appropriate ideas, which are not common knowledge, or writings of another and represent them as one’s own

Theft

To appropriate or possess the property of another without right or permission

Tobacco Products

Tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, are not permitted anywhere on the UACCM campus;

Verbal Abuse

To use obscene, profane, or derogatory language, which insults, abuses, or defames another

Violation of College Policies or Regulations

To fail to comply with published or announced College policies or regulations

Violation of Local, State, or Federal Law

To violate local, state, or federal law

Weapons

To unlawfully possess, use, or store firearms, explosives (including fireworks), weapons, or dangerous chemicals on college property or at a college-sponsored activity. This prohibition includes knives longer than four inches.

Supportive Measures

The College may, at any time, provide one or more individualized services to a student that is non-disciplinary, nonpunitive, reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the student.

Any individualized services offered to a student shall be designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College’s educational programs or activities without unreasonably burdening another person. Any individualized service offered to a student may be designed to protect the safety of all involved or the College’s educational environment, which may include without limitation:

• Counseling;
• Extension of deadlines;
• Campus escort services;
• Mutual restrictions on contact between parties involved;
• Modifications of class schedules;
• Increased security and monitoring of areas of the UACCM campus; and
• Other similar services

Sexual Discrimination, Harassment, and Misconduct

Any allegation of sexual discrimination, harassment, and/or misconduct will be subject to review and investigation in accordance with the UACCM Title IX Policy.

Discrimination and Harassment

Any allegation of discrimination or harassment will be subject to review and investigation in accordance with the UACCM Policy and Procedure on Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment

Jurisdiction

The rules and regulations of the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton apply to all conduct on college owned, controlled, or operated property, and at college sponsored activities either on or away from campus. Charges or convictions of local, state, or federal law, which occur off campus will not result in disciplinary action by the College except in those cases where the action occurred at a college function or activity, or it is determined that action by the College is necessary to protect the members of the College community, the College’s property, or its educational mission.

Nothing in this Code should be construed as restricting the ability of a campus law enforcement to investigate a possible criminal violation. If a law enforcement investigation has been initiated, the College will take reasonable measures to avoid undue interference with the law enforcement investigation. In most cases, the College’s investigation will not be halted due to the fact that a parallel law enforcement investigation has commenced.

Student Judicial Procedures and Rights

Student Discipline Meetings and/or Hearings are based on fundamental fairness practices and preponderance of evidence. They are not formal legal proceedings and are not subject to the rules that govern civil or criminal hearings. The College will make a good-faith effort to include relevant evidence and exclude evidence that is neither relevant nor probative. The College will not, however, follow formal rules of evidence or other rules of court.

The College will maintain an Administrative File of all disciplinary proceedings. Both parties may have reasonable continuing access to the Administrative File and the ability to review all documents and evidence by contacting the Vice Chancellor for Student Services to schedule a reasonable date and time for the inspection. Individual portions of the Administrative File shall be redacted if confidentiality of the evidence is required by law.

Students are presumed innocent. They shall not be deemed guilty of a violation of the Code until (1) a student or student organization acknowledges responsibility of a violation of the Code or (2) the conclusion of all disciplinary proceedings during which an institution has established every element of an alleged violation by the student or student organization.

Informal Resolution

At any time prior to determining whether a violation of this Code occurred, the College may offer to both parties an informal resolution process, unless such a process would conflict with federal, state, or local law. The Vice Chancellor for Student Services has discretion to determine whether it is appropriate to offer an informal resolution and may decline despite one or more student’s wishes.

Formal Resolution

Allegations of student misconduct will be handled in the following manner:

1. Allegations of student misconduct may be brought to the attention of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services. Students accused of misconduct will be given the opportunity for an administrative review meeting if the Vice Chancellor for Student Services deems the allegations have merit.
2. After conducting an investigation, the accused student will be notified of the allegations against him or her and will be notified of the time and place of the administrative review meeting as soon as the Vice Chancellor for Student Services determines that the allegations have merit. A copy of this Code and Arkansas Student Due Process and Protection Act (Act 470 of 2023) will be provided to the student. The student must attend the administrative review meeting, unless suspension or expulsion is a possible sanction (See a. below). Failure to attend in itself is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and may result in immediate disciplinary action. Otherwise, if the student fails to attend the administrative review meeting, he/she forfeits any rights for further proceedings and/or appeals and the decision of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services is final. The Vice Chancellor for Student Services reserves the right to have other College faculty, staff, or students to attend the administrative review meeting.
   1. If the Vice Chancellor for Student Services determines that a sanction of suspension or expulsion may be imposed for a violation of this Code, the student will be notified no later than 24 hours before the administrative review meeting that he/she has the right to be present and advised by an attorney or non-attorney advisor, at his/her own expense, during the administrative review meeting, a hearing, and an appeal. The advisor may fully participate in the proceedings. A student may be represented by an advisor until the conclusion of the appeal process. The student may waive this right by completing the Student’s Waiver of Rights to Be Present at Hearing form.
3. The Vice Chancellor for Student Services will conduct an administrative review meeting with the accused student and make a determination of responsibility. In some cases, there may be more than one administrative review meeting before a decision is made. Once the determination of responsibility is made, the Vice Chancellor for Student Services will document the administrative review meeting and determine if any sanctions are appropriate. The student will be notified in writing of the finding of responsibility and sanction(s), if any. The determination of responsibility shall be made on the basis of whether it is more likely than not that the accused student has violated the Student Code of Conduct.
4. If the student accepts the finding of responsibility and/or sanction(s), the decision of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services will be final and there will be no further proceedings or appeals.
5. If the student does not accept the finding of responsibility and/or sanction(s), the allegations will be heard by the Student Conduct Review Board in the form of a judicial hearing. The student must attend the judicial hearing, unless suspension or expulsion is a possible sanction at which time the requirement/right to appear can be waived by completing the Student’s Waiver of Rights to Be Present at Hearing form. Otherwise, if the student fails to attend the judicial hearing, the student forfeits any rights for further proceedings and/or appeals and the finding of responsibility and/or sanctions is final.
6. The Vice Chancellor for Student Services will serve as the chairperson for the Student Conduct Review Board to ensure all conduct policies are followed, but will not have a vote towards the outcome of the hearing. An audio, audiovisual, or transcript of the hearing will be made and will be kept by the Vice Chancellor for Student Services. Hearings will be conducted by the Student Conduct Review Board according to the following guidelines:
• The right to the presumption of innocence unless guilt is established. Guilt is determined either by an admission of guilt by the accused or by the presentation of evidence, which establishes guilt by a preponderance of the evidence.
• The right to written notice of the allegations against a student within 10 class days after the determination of responsibility. If necessary for the charges to be sent through the mail, the charge must be postmarked within the same 10-day period.
• The right to be informed of one’s rights. These rights are printed in the Student Handbook and are available from the Vice Chancellor for Student Services.
• The right to be notified of the time and place of the judicial hearing at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. This is to allow ample time to prepare for the hearing. This right may be waived in writing by the accused. If notice of the time and place of the hearing is sent to the student by mail, the hearing cannot be scheduled until five days after the postmark.
• The right to request to face one’s accuser at the hearing. The accused must notify the Vice Chancellor for Student Services in writing at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing if this right is exercised to ensure the accuser is present at the hearing. If the accuser exercises his/her right to not appear at the hearing, the Vice Chancellor for Student Services will determine whether in the best interest of the College to cancel the hearing and dismiss allegations against the accused or proceed with the hearing.
• The right of access, upon request prior to the hearing, to the Administrative File.
• All discipline hearings are closed to the public. The accused and the accuser may be accompanied to the discipline hearing only by a member of the College faculty, staff, or by a parent or legal guardian. Exceptions to this must be presented in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Student Services at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing. The Vice Chancellor for Student Services reserves the right to deny the request. If the result of the administrative review meeting is a suspension or expulsion, the student may be accompanied at the discipline hearing by an attorney or non-attorney advisor, who may fully participate during the discipline hearing.
• The right to make an opening and closing statement, testify, present relative evidence and cross-examine adverse witnesses. Witnesses, other than faculty, staff, or parent/legal guardian accompanying the accused, will not be permitted to attend the hearing until requested by the Vice Chancellor for Student Services to provide testimony.
• The right to refuse to answer questions. Refusal to answer will not be taken as an indication of guilt and must be noted without prejudice.
• The right to be judged solely on the evidence presented at the hearing and to an explanation of the reason(s) for the decision in the case. Both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any campus judicial hearing.
• The right to an appeal.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the Student Conduct Review Board will deliberate in closed session and render a decision. In the decision, the review board may:

• Affirm the original determination of responsibility and sanction(s);
• Affirm the original determination of responsibility, but lessen the sanction(s);
• Affirm the original determination of responsibility, but increase the sanction(s);
• Reverse the original determination of responsibility and determine if any sanction(s) is appropriate

The Vice Chancellor for Student Services will report the decision of the review board in writing to the student and inform him/her of the right to appeal within 25 calendar days of receiving the written decision

Appeal Procedures

A student may appeal decisions of the Student Conduct Review Board through the following process:

• A Student Misconduct Appeal Form must be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Student Services no later than 25 calendar days of receiving the written decision of the Student Conduct Review Board. The request for an appeal must include one of the following reasons:
  • Procedural error occurred
  • Insufficient evidence to support the violation(s)
  • Sanction(s) imposed were inappropriate
  • New evidence which was unavailable during the original review and which may have the potential to substantially impact the decision and/or sanction(s)
• The Student Misconduct Appeal form will be forwarded to the Chancellor, who reserves the right to assign the appeal to his/her designee.
• The Chancellor, or his/her designee, may deny a request for an appeal if one of the reasons listed above is not verified.
• If an appeal is granted, it will be limited to review of the record of the judicial hearing and Administrative File, unless presentation of new evidence is available which may have the potential to substantially impact the decision and/or sanction(s). The Chancellor, or his/her designee, will determine if such evidence is allowed.
• The Chancellor, or his/her designee, may request an appeal meeting with the student prior to making a final decision. If an appeal meeting is granted and the result of the disciplinary hearing was a suspension or expulsion, the student may be accompanied at the appeal meeting by an attorney or non-attorney advisor, who may fully participate during the appeal meeting.
• The Chancellor, or his/her designee, will determine if the sanction(s) imposed were appropriate for the violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct. In the decision, the Chancellor, or his/her designee, will:
  • Affirm the decision of the Student Conduct Review Board;
  • Affirm the decision of the Student Conduct Review Board, but lessen the sanction(s);
  • Affirm the decision of the Student Conduct Review Board, but increase the sanction(s);
  • Reverse the decision of the Student Conduct Review Board and determine if any responsibility or sanction(s) is appropriate.
• The decision of the Chancellor, or his/her designee, is final and the student will be notified in writing of the decision and provided certification that the substantial rights of all parties as established in Act 470 of 2023 have been followed to the best of the College’s ability. The final decision and certification will be maintained in the Administrative File.

Sanctions

The following sanctions may be used as a result of the administrative review meeting, judicial hearing, or appeal:

Counseling

Establish a series of meetings between the student and a counselor in order to assist the student in meeting the behavioral expectations of the College and in meeting his/her individual needs in academic or personal development.

Educational Task

A task that benefits the individual, campus, or community.

Academic

The immediate removal and withdrawal of the student from a specified course or courses

Reprimand

A written or verbal notice to the student that continuation or repetition of a specified conduct may cause for additional disciplinary action.

Restitution

Compensating the College or other injured party for damaged, lost, or destroyed property.

Restrictions

The loss of specified privileges for a definite or indefinite period of time.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary action taken as a result of conduct conflicting with college regulations. Disciplinary Probation may include loss of privileges or use of College services. Disciplinary probation is to be for a definite or indefinite period of time.

Disciplinary Suspension

Removal from the college for a definite or indefinite period of time. An individual receiving this sanction must leave the campus upon receipt of the decision and may not enter the campus during his/her period of suspension. Exceptions to this may be granted by the Vice Chancellor for Student Services.

Disciplinary Expulsion

Permanent removal from the college whereby the student may not return or re-enroll at any point in the future. An individual receiving this sanction must leave the campus upon receipt of the decision and may not enter the campus at any point in the future. Exceptions to this may be granted by the Vice Chancellor for Student Services.

Emergency Removal

In certain circumstances, the Vice Chancellor for Student Services may impose an emergency removal prior to an administrative review meeting and/or judicial hearing. The College may remove a student from its programs or activities on an emergency basis if the College:

• Undertakes an individualized safety and risk analysis;
• Determines than an immediate threat or the safety of a student or another individual arising from the allegations of misconduct justifies removal of the accused student, and
• Provides the accused student with notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision immediately following his or her removal
  • Within 24 hours of emergency removal, the College shall provide written notice to the accused student that explains the College’s reasons for removing the accused student on an emergency basis.
  • Within 3 business days of the written notice, unless otherwise waived by the removed student, the Vice Chancellor for Student Services shall convene an administrative review meeting to determine whether there is substantial evidence that the removed student poses a risk to the health or safety of any student or other individual and that the emergency removal of the accused student is appropriate to mitigate the risk.
  • At the administrative review meeting, the removed student and the accusing student may be represented by an attorney or a non-attorney advocate who may fully participate to the same extent as in a hearing to determine responsibility.
  • An accused student’s waiver of his or her right to be represented by an attorney or a non-attorney advocate shall not constitute an admission of guilt or waive of additional rights under the Code.
  • The decision following the administrative review meeting is subject a judicial hearing to the Student Conduct Review Board within 3 business days after the decision. The decision may remain in effect during the pendency of the hearing.
  • The emergency-removal decision shall remain in effect until a final decision has been made on the pending hearing and appeal or until the Chancellor or designee determines that the reason for imposing the emergency-removal decision no longer exists. The decision shall be immediately withdrawn if the student is found not responsible for the charged offense in a final decision.

During Emergency Removal, a student may not enter campus without permission from the Vice Chancellor for Student Services.

Academic Honor Code

UACCM acknowledges the importance of honest academic behavior. This expectation applies to students taking courses on-campus and/or via distance learning. The objective of the Academic Honor Code is to sustain a learning-centered environment in which all students are expected to demonstrate integrity, honor, and responsibility, and to recognize the importance of being accountable for one’s academic behavior.

Cheating and plagiarism as well as the use of artificial intelligence applications (like ChatGPT) are considered academic honor code violations. These violations are handled through the following procedures:

• An instructor who suspects a student is guilty of cheating or plagiarism within the instructor’s class must inform the student of this suspicion and provide the student with an opportunity to respond to this accusation.
• An instructor who believes a student is guilty of cheating or plagiarism within the instructor’s class may take the following actions:
  • Issue a warning to the student;
  • Lower the grade awarded to the student for the test or paper;
  • Require the student to retake the test or rewrite the paper;
  • Award no credit for the paper or test;
  • Award the student a failing grade for the course; or
  • Other action specified in the course syllabus.
• A student who receives any of the above actions who feels the action is unjust may appeal the instructor’s decision to the appropriate Academic Dean. The student must present a written appeal to the appropriate Academic Dean within 10 days of the action by the instructor. The appeal document should contain the reason for the appeal. The Academic Dean will hold, within 10 class days of receipt of the appeal document, a hearing with the student and the instructor and present the findings to the Chief Academic Officer. The decision of the Chief Academic Officer in consultation with the Academic Dean is final, and the student will be notified of the decision within three working or class days of the conclusion of the hearing.

Cheating that occurs during an authorized test or assignment being administered in an alternate test location will be subject to the Academic Honor Code. The person responsible for monitoring the test or assignment will notify the instructor of the student accused of cheating who will then proceed with the Academic Honor Code procedures described above.

In extreme cases of cheating and/or plagiarism, the Chief Academic Officer or an Academic Dean may bring the allegations to the attention of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services for possible Student Discipline and Misconduct violations. The Vice Chancellor for Student Services will determine if Student Judicial Procedures should be followed, in addition to any Academic Honor Code decisions already made.

Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

Mission

The mission of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) is to provide a multiple perspective alliance that focuses on caring, prevention, and early intervention with students whose behavior is disruptive or concerning and to suggest appropriate interventions and strategies to establish conditions for student success.

Goals

The goals of the BIT are:

• To provide a comprehensive process for understanding and helping students who are either having problems themselves or causing problems for others on campus.
• To provide positive interventions, services, information and referrals for students to prevent crisis situations.
• To provide an avenue for the centralized collection of information that addresses a spectrum of risks from a position of care and concern.
• To recognize campus wide patterns of behavioral issues and recommend strategies for prevention and support.
• To assess levels of threat and risk and determine the most appropriate response to ensure safety for the student, as well as, the campus community.
• To conduct follow-up at determined intervals to ensure continued support of referred student.

Potential Actions of the BIT

Upon examination of the examination reported to the BIT, the following actions are possible:

• Promptly follow up and/or gather more information from the person making the report
• Consult with other faculty, staff, or students familiar with the reported student
• Schedule a meeting between the reported student and a member(s) of the BIT
• Provide the student with information about campus and/or community resources which may offer assistance
• Create a behavioral contract between the reported student and the BIT
• Refer the student for psychological assessment and/or counseling sessions
• Transport the student to emergency services
• Refer the student for a Student Discipline and Misconduct review.
• In extreme cases, the BIT will recommend that the student be removed from campus pending further investigation and evaluation. The Vice
• Chancellor for Student Services is responsible for determining when such action is necessary.