Student Life

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

• About Student Life
  • Mission Statement
  • Value Statement
  • Philosophy Statement on Diversity
  • Expectations of Residence Hall Communities
  • Vermont State Colleges Student Housing Policy
  • Commuting Distance for Off-campus Status
• Student Life Policies, Procedures and Regulations
  • Alcohol Policy
  • Check-Out Procedure
  • Cohabitation/Guest Policy
  • Cooking Facilities
  • Custodial Services
  • Damage Policy
  • Drug Policy
  • Firearms, Explosives and other Weapons
  • Hazing Policy
  • Keys
  • Laundry
  • Lockouts
  • Lost and Found
  • Music and Noise Policy
  • Pets
  • Room Changes
  • Room Decorations
  • Room Limit
  • Safety Restrictions
  • Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Biking, and In-Line Skating Policy
  • Smoking Policy
  • Snow Emergency Procedures
  • Solicitation and Concession
  • Storage
  • Vacation Periods

• Care and Maintenance of Residence Hall Rooms
  • Energy Use, Recommendations and Warnings
  • Electrical Safety
  • Fire Safety
  • Room Entry and Search Procedures
  • Fire Inspection 
  • Administrative Fines
  • Procedures for Reporting Residence Hall Problems
  • LSC Directory
     
• Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • Philosophy and Focus of the Conduct Administration Process
  • Student Code of Conduct and Conduct Administration Procedures

About Student Life

Mission Statement

The mission of the Office of Student Life is to provide an environment which enhances student learning and individual growth by facilitating relationships and programs intended to develop characteristics desirable in an LSC-educated person. These characteristics include a commitment to civic responsibility, an appreciation for diversity, critical-thinking skills, an appreciation for life-long learning and the ability to develop healthy, productive relationships. This learning should occur within a secure living environment that encourages risk-taking, cooperation and responsible decision-making.

Value Statement

The Department of Student Life is committed to:

• Facilitating an environment which allows students to be academically successful
• Providing leadership opportunities for residents and other opportunities for involvement
• Providing inclusive programming which enhances classroom learning and challenges students intellectually, spiritually, physically and socially
• Creating communities which are free of harassment and bullying and are based on respect and an appreciation of differences
• Providing activities which allow students to build relationships with each other and lead to tight-knit communities
• Providing an environment in which students do not have to suffer the second-hand effects of alcohol and other substance abuse
• Creating a disciplined community which is fair and just
• Maintaining facilities which are secure, healthy and clean
• Creating opportunities for students to demonstrate civic responsibility to the LSC community and the community at large
• Creating opportunities for students to have fun
• Working collaboratively with Public Safety, Dining Services, Student Affairs, faculty and other departments on campus to provide an environment which maximizes student potential for personal and academic success

Philosophy Statement on Diversity

The Department of Student Life is committed to creating and sustaining a community that is characterized by sensitivity, acceptance and celebration of differences. We believe that communities are strengthened and enriched by the presence of diversity. To that end, we wish to create an environment which is welcoming to people of diverse ethnicity, ability, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation. We are committed to promoting such an environment through our interactions, programs and outreach to students.

We urge you to take this opportunity to learn more about those who are different from you. A willingness to learn about diversity results in increased awareness, strengthened friendships, rich experiences and greater insight. There is perhaps no greater place to explore new horizons than an institution of higher learning.

We are committed to confronting situations of intolerance that seek to destroy the spirit of acceptance and respect. Such acts are irreconcilable with the mission of our college. We urge you to do the same. We must each take responsibility to create a community where all members feel as if they matter and are respected and appreciated.

Expectations of Residence Hall Communities

A residence hall at Lyndon State College achieves community when:

• The residents within the community can identify each other by name and know something about each other
• The residents establish and foster working relationships with common goals
• The residents celebrate individual differences while forming a shared identity and common language
• The residents exhibit their mutual trust by looking out for the well-being of others
• Residents support each others intellectual and personal development
• The residents make sacrifices for the good of the community

The Office of Student Life at LSC expects to foster successful residence hall communities. To that end we will work toward:

• Residents and RAs who know each others names and some pertinent information about each individual
• Have residents who wish to stay involved in and return to that community
• Have residents who take pride in identifying with that community
• Have residents who take responsibility for their actions
• Respect the sanctity of the residence hall itself
• Establish a common goal to improve the life in the residence hall
• Have residents and leaders who work together in consensus
• Discover and respond to the needs of their residents
• Sustain the qualities necessary for academic success
• Grant opportunities for growth to all of their residence hall members
• Pledge to understand and celebrate the diversity inherent in the community

Residence Hall Communities

Residence halls:

• Arnold/Bayley (Bayley 2nd floor- 24 hour quiet)
• Poland/Rogers
• Crevecoeur/Whitelaw (first year students under age 21)
• Wheelock
• Gray House (Service Learning Housing community)
• Rita Bole Complex (21+ and gender neutral options available)

Vermont State College Student Housing Policy

Lyndon State Colleges Housing Policy complies with the Vermont State Colleges Housing Policy Number 304, approved September 24, 1983, by the Board of Trustees.

It is a condition of admission to Lyndon State College, to the extent that campus housing is available, that unmarried students, students not in a civil union, or whose legal domiciles are not within commuting distance are required to live on campus for two academic years (space permitting). Those accepted as sophomores are required to live on campus for one academic year. Once a housing contract has been signed, the agreement with the college is binding for a full academic year. The Director of Residential Life or designee may authorize exceptions due to extraordinary circumstances. In practice, exceptions are granted in the following circumstances:

• Students who are age 24 or older
• Students who have achieved junior standing (according to credit hours)
• Students who are graduates of approved high schools (see list below) and will be commuting from their legal residence in that school district
• Students who have custody of their children
• Students who can document a medical reason for exception (physical or mental health, with documentation from a physician or mental health professional)
• Students who can document a compelling fiscal reason for exception (the Director of Financial Aid makes a recommendation based upon a significant change in financial circumstances since the signing of the contract or an assessment that the student is among the very small percentage of our most fiscally challenged students)
• Limited other cases merit special consideration, but these are very rare

The Director of Residential Life, sometimes in consultation with the Dean of Student Affairs, hears requests for exception. The Dean serves as an appeal for students who are displeased with the Directors decision. After the opening of a semester, any student who moves out of college housing without the permission of the Director of Residential Life or designee shall be financially responsible for the full term of the residence hall contract.

Commuting Distance for Off-campus Status (45 Driving Miles)

High schools acceptable for commuting students:

• North: North Country Union High School, Lake Region Union High School, Lyndon Institute
• South: St. Johnsbury Academy, Blue Mountain Union High School, Oxbow Union High School
• West: Danville High School, Cabot High School, Hazen Union High School, Twinfield Union High School, Craftsbury Academy
• East: Concord High School
• New Hampshire schools: Littleton High School, Woodsville High School, Lisbon High School, White Mountains Regional High School, White Mountains School, Haverhill High School
• Border Schools: Union 32, Montpelier High School, Spaulding High School

Student Life Policies, Procedures and Regulations

1. Alcohol Policy

Lyndon State College strongly opposes the illegal and inappropriate use of alcohol. Violations of alcohol policy and regulations will result in judicial action which may result in sanctions up to and including dismissal from the college. The Lyndon State College Alcohol Policy is congruent with Vermont state law, local regulations, and the mission of the college and is promulgated to assure the appropriate distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the campus. The administration and interpretation of the Alcohol Policy ultimately rests with the President or designee, who, in this instance, is the Dean of Student Affairs and the Director of Residential Life.

• 1.0 Basic regulations:
  • 1.1 Consumption of alcoholic beverages on college property is a privilege accorded under specified conditions to individuals of legal age according to Vermont Law, in areas defined as private domicile (i.e., individual student rooms and the President’s house). Reasonable use shall not include kegs, cases, or BYOB parties.
  • 1.2 Recognizing that not all individuals may choose to consume alcoholic beverages and recognizing the social emphasis of all events, any functions providing an alcoholic beverage must also provide two nonalcoholic beverages.
  • 1.3 The sponsoring individual or organization must furnish information concerning the program, facility arrangements, food service needs, and the type and amount of beverages to be served, as directed on the Alcohol Permit and Event Registration Form. Forms are available from the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
  • 1.4 All recognized organizations and sponsors of registered social events are prohibited from providing alcohol to minors. Consistent with, and related to this restriction, the serving of kegs, beer balls, and alcohol/punch drink may only be done by a licensed caterer (Sodexo). See 3.0 below for an explanation of the approved process.
  • 1.5 Any event which includes alcohol as part of its program should focus upon the social nature of the event in its promotional campaign and not emphasize the sale or availability of alcoholic beverages at said event.
  • 1.6 The safe occupancy level of the approved space must be determined and steps taken to insure compliance with the Fire and Safety Code of LSC and the State of Vermont.
  • 1.7 No alcohol maybe carried into or consumed in non residence hall areas, including outdoor areas and at intercollegiate athletic/intramural events, with the exception of approved designated areas (sec 1.1), without the submission and approval of the Alcohol Permit and Event Registration Form.
  • 1.8 Scheduled events must remain within the approved designated area.
  • 1.9 A charge of no less than $100 will be billed to the organization sponsoring an event if the facility used is not properly cleaned within eight hours after the function has ended.
• 2.0 Residence Halls: (also see Section 8 of the Student Code of Conduct)
  • 2.1 Students who are age 21 or older may possess or consume alcohol in their residence hall rooms. In rooms where all residents are under age 21, alcohol may not be possessed or consumed. In no instance may the number of open alcohol containers in a room exceed the number of individuals who are age 21 or older and are in the room. An excessive number of empty containers being present in a room could lead to the presumption that those of legal age provided alcohol to individuals present who are under age 21. In residence halls which are designated as alcohol-free, and on floors of residence halls which are so designated, no alcohol maybe possessed or consumed.
  • 2.2 No physical evidence of alcohol possession may be displayed or used as decorations which are visible in the window of a residence hall room.
  • 2.3 Only a reasonable quantity of alcohol may be present in a legal drinker’s residence hall room. No kegs, half-kegs, quarter-kegs, beer balls, cases or other quantities in excess of what may be reasonably and safely consumed may be present.
• 3.0 Campus-Wide, Licensed Events:
  • 3.1 The sponsoring organization must complete and have approved the Alcohol Permit and Event Registration Form at least seven (7) days prior to the event, if scheduled in a licensed facility. For events not scheduled in a licensed facility, a minimum of fifteen (15) days advanced notice is required. These forms are available from the Dean of Student Affairs Office. Completion of the form indicates an understanding of the Alcohol Policy and a responsibility to fulfill the regulations therein.
  • 3.2 The sponsoring organization or individuals must assume financial responsibility for all associated costs (e.g., security, damages, etc.).
• 4.0 Responsibility and Liability
  For any party or other event, the persons who sign the required application or registration forms are responsible for the safe conduct of the event. Staff persons involved in clearance procedures are responsible for ensuring that the event is conducted in a safe and acceptable fashion and for monitoring the event for the general safety of the participants. Situations determined to be in noncompliance with regulations of the Alcohol Policy may be immediately suspended by appropriate college staff. Responsibility for any adverse consequences that may occur as the result of a party or other event may implicate any person or group involved with that event, in particular those planning and monitoring its outcome. Any violation of this policy shall be reported to the appropriate dean.

2. Check-out Procedure

All students, with the exception of graduating seniors, must vacate their rooms within 24 hours after their last exam or at the designated time of hall closing, whichever comes first. Room keys must be turned in when the room is vacated or a $25 charge per key will result. (The key must be returned to a designated hall staff member.)

If a room/suite is left unclean or unsanitary each occupant will be billed for cleaning ($50 minimum).

If a student moves out of their residence hall room without properly checking out with a residence hall staff member, they will be billed $50 for improper check-out.

3. Cohabitation/Guest Policy

Lyndon State College recognizes that residence hall students have a right to expect reasonable and appropriate privacy while residing in their rooms. The College also recognizes the necessity and importance of residence hall students respecting the moral standards and individual rights of roommates and suite-mates, especially as related to sensitive topics, such as sexual activity.

Under no circumstances may students live in a room other than the one to which they were assigned. A $25.00 fine will be charged to any student who moves to a new room without permission.

The College does not condone cohabitation of residence hall students and at no time should a student have an overnight guest against the expressed discontent of a roommate(s).

Guests are allowed to stay no more than three days within a seven-day period. No guest may stay anywhere on campus for more than three days at a time. All guests must wait seven days after their registered date of departure before they can re-register. Residents are fully responsible for guests and their behavior. Hosts will be held responsible for policy violations committed by their guests. Guests must: 1) Obtain a guest registration form from the Residence Hall Director or Resident Assistant; 2) Have the roommate(s) sign the guest registration form; 3) Complete the guest registration form and have it signed by the residence hall director or resident assistant. Any policy violation committed by guest will result in disciplinary action for the host.

If a student feels aggrieved on this matter, the following should occur:

1. Students should tell roommates that they dont wish a third party in the room or that they feel uncomfortable with the sexual behavior in the room. If this fails, the roommate should make his/her hall director or resident assistant aware of the problem.
2. If the behavior continues, the residence staff member will then call both parties together to mediate the problem. At this time the roommate contract will be referred to, to assist in the mediation process.
3. If mediation fails, the Director of Residential Life will be notified for further mediation or judicial action. If the Director of Residential Life is unavailable the Dean of Student Affairs may be notified.
4. Under no circumstances should a student feel that he/she is expected to tolerate roommate activities that are contrary to the reasonable standards of conduct expected of Lyndon State College students.

4. Cooking Facilities

Cooking is allowed only in kitchen facilities. The use of electrical appliances that do not comply with applicable fire codes and regulations is prohibited. Outdoor grills (other than those owned by Sodexo) can only be used if the grill is a minimum of 100 feet away from the buildings. Gas grills are prohibited, and no grill shall be stored in a student room or within 100 feet of any residence hall.

Students are responsible for keeping all residence hall kitchen facilities clean. The housekeeping staff does not wash dishes for you. Suites may be fined daily for failure to properly maintain their suite kitchenette area. Students may not use suite kitchenette areas to store empty bottles/cans of any kind. For a list of items that are not allowed on campus please click Frequently Asked Questions.

Wheelock and Rita Bole common area kitchens- A variety of pots, pans and utensils are available to be checked-out for use from your RA or RHD.

5. Custodial Service

Custodial service is provided in the public common areas and bathrooms with the exception of the Rita Bole residence hall. Residents are expected to clean their rooms and must provide their own cleaning supplies. Vacuum cleaners are available from the hall staff. Personal items are not to be left in bathrooms and common areas. Students will be warned; however, disciplinary action will result or items will be discarded if students continue to leave personal items in common areas.

6. Damage Policy

Students are required to pay for damages to or theft of items from a room or a public or social area and its furnishings, including door locks/handles, as assessed by the Director of Residential Life or the hall directors. All damages or theft occurring in residence areas will be divided equally among the occupants for the academic year, unless the Director of Residential Life or hall directors are notified of the individual(s) specifically responsible and such liability can be verified or substantiated. All damage or theft which can be attributed to given individuals will be billed directly to them. Any student who wishes to appeal a damage charge must do so within five days of receiving notification of damage and subsequent charges. This appeal should be sent to the attention of the Director of Residential Life in Rita Bole 304.

Students are responsible for the actions of their guests. Any damage done by a guest on campus will be the responsibility of the registered host. For a complete explanation of the guest policy, please see cohabitation/guest policy.

Furnishings supplied by the College may not be removed from a residence hall room or lounge area. Any student removing such items may be charged for the full replacement cost and be liable for disciplinary action, including a daily fine, in accordance with College and residence hall regulations.

Tampering with the cable TV system may result in a loss of service to the general residence hall community and is illegal according to Vermont law. Students found guilty of tampering with the cable TV system are subject to a fine and judicial action as appropriate.

7. Drug Policy (See section 3 in the Student Code of Conduct)

Lyndon State College condemns the illegal and inappropriate use of drugs. Violations of the drug policy will result in judicial action which may result in sanctions up to and including dismissal from the college. The possession of stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens or any controlled or regulated drugs (except on a physicians or dentists prescription), is prohibited; as is the selling, bartering, exchanging or giving away of such drugs to any person not intended to possess them. Offenses involving the use and/or possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia will subject a student to disciplinary action by the college, and possible civil litigation or criminal prosecution. The college will cooperate with local, state and federal authorities in the elimination of illicit drug trafficking.

 8. Firearms, Explosives and Other Weapons (See section 2 of the Student Code of Conduct)

The possession of firearms, fireworks, explosives, knives or other weapons of any kind and replicas or facsimiles thereof (including paint and bb guns) is prohibited on campus or in residence halls as they pose a substantial danger to the safety of all students. Please be advised that knives with a blade in excess of 3 are not permitted on campus. This also includes but is not limited to switchblades and butterfly knives with blades of any length. The term weapon also includes items that may be legal but which could be used in an illegal manner or which someone could perceive as placing them in danger of immediate harm (e.g., box cutter, pipe, etc.)

 9. Hazing Policy

• Policy Statement - It is the policy of the Vermont State Colleges (VSC) that no member of the VSC community may participate or be involved in hazing. A student or employee will be subject to disciplinary action for: (1) engaging in hazing; (2) soliciting, directing, aiding or abetting, or attempting to aid or abet another person engaged in hazing; and (3) knowingly failing to take reasonable measures within the scope of the persons authority to prevent hazing. It is not a valid defense against charges of hazing that the student against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.
• Definition - Hazing means any act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization which is affiliated with the Vermont State Colleges or any member College thereof; and which is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, humiliating, intimidating or demeaning the student or endangering the mental or physical health of a student. Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating actively or passively in the above acts. Hazing occurs regardless of the consent or willingness of a person to participate in the activity. Hazing may occur on or off the campus of a member College of the Vermont State Colleges. Hazing shall not include any activity or conduct that furthers legitimate curricular, extracurricular, or military training program goals, provided that:
  1. the goals are approved by the member College; and
  2. the activity or conduct furthers the goals in a manner that is appropriate, contemplated by the member College, and normal and customary for similar programs at other educational institutions.
  3. Organization means an athletic team, association, corporation, order, society, corps, cooperative, club, or other similar group, whose members primarily are students at a member College, and which is affiliated with the College.

10. Keys

• Keys are assigned by residence hall staff members.
• If you lose your key, report it immediately to your hall director. Replacements are charged at a rate of $25 per key.
• Students must return keys to a residence staff member when checking out of a room. Failure to return an original room or suite key when leaving at the end of the semester or academic year will result in a $25 fine per key.
• It is against college regulations to have a residence hall key duplicated. It is also against college policy to loan your keys to anyone else. Tampering with locks and doors may result in a judicial hearing and a possible fine. Estimated cost of replacing a residence hall room lock is $200.

11. Laundry

Laundry facilities are available in each set of residence halls. Machines are coin operated (some have a credit card swipe option). Change machines are also available in each residence hall. Please see your RHD if you have a problem with a machine so a work request can be submitted.

12. Lockouts

Students are expected to have their room keys and ID cards with them at all times. Residential Life Staff members should be contacted to open doors only under unusual circumstances. An excessive number of requests to have a students room unlocked will result in disciplinary action. A fine of $25.00 may be assessed after a students 3 lockout.

13. Lost and Found

This service is handled by Public Safety.

14. Music/Noise Policy

Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day on-campus. Courtesy hours require that all residents, no matter what time of day, consider the impact that noise levels from their room have on other residents.

Students should remember that the LSC residence halls are within close proximity of all academic buildings. Students should not play music outside of their windows or place speakers in their window. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action and/or confiscation of equipment.

Residents are expected to respect the rights of others with regard to noise levels. Violation of individual rights or established quiet hours will result in disciplinary action.

Quiet hours are maintained Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Quiet hours must also be maintained outside of all residence halls. Students who are repeatedly warned about loud stereo systems will have them confiscated. Use of sub-woofers and amplifiers is prohibited if excessive volume results.

Additionally, courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. The second floor of the Bayley residence hall has a 24 hours quiet policy.

15. Pets

Pets (except for fish in aquariums that are not larger than 10 gallons) cannot be in residence halls under any circumstances. Students violating this rule will face disciplinary action.

16. Room Changes

All requests for room changes should be directed to the Office of Student Life or your Resident Hall Director. Changing rooms without proper permission is a violation of campus policy. Also, the Department of Student Life reserves the right to assign or reassign students as necessary- therefore, students should not arrange their room in such a way that another student could not move in if assigned (ie. beds pushed together or multiple wardrobes used for one person).

17. Room Decorations

Students are not allowed to paint their rooms or suites. Duct tape damages painted surfaces and is not allowed in the residence halls. Students are not permitted to use staples, tacks, screws or nails in their rooms. We encourage the use of blue painters tape to post any items on residence hall walls.

18. Room Limit

The state Fire Marshall’s office requires that no more than 10 people be in a double room at any time. No more than 5 people are allowed in a single room at any time.

 19. Safety Restrictions

In order to ensure the safety of all residents, the rules listed below are strictly enforced. The following are not allowed:

• Storage of bicycles, motorcycles, furniture, skis or other items in residence hall corridors, stairwells, lounges or entry ways
• Throwing or dropping items from windows or down stairwells of any residence hall
• Waterbeds and personal beds
• Installation of outside antennas or other exterior devices on roofs or from windows Access to roofs or window ledges
• Custom lofts or furniture used in ways other than it was intended and the use of cinderblocks to raise beds .  

20. Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Biking and In-line Skating Policy

LSC community members are prohibited from skateboarding, snowboarding, biking, or in-line skating on campus unless they are using a skateboard, snowboard, bike, or in-line skates as a form of transportation from one location to another. Trick riding on curbs, benches and buildings is strictly prohibited. These actions present a safety hazard and are very disruptive to others. Recreational riding is permitted in the skate park only.

21. Smoking Policy

There is a no smoking policy in all residence halls and in inner campus.

• 1.0 Purpose: Vermont law required that Lyndon State College have a smoking policy that either prohibits smoking or restricts smoking to designated smoking areas (parking lots). This policy prohibits smoking on the Lyndon State College campus except in specifically designated areas. 
• 2.0 Statement of Policy: Smoking at Lyndon State College is restricted to designated campus parking lots only.
• 3.0 Responsibilities: All students, faculty, staff, and visitors are expected to abide by this policy. Violations will be reported to the Public Safety Department. Noncompliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action under the student code of conduct or the appropriate collective bargaining agreement/employee handbook.

22. Snow Emergency Procedures

During snow emergencies, student-owned vehicles must be moved to designated areas so snow can be plowed. Notices declaring a snow emergency will be sent to you via LSC e-mail.

23. Solicitation and Concession

Students are not permitted to use their rooms for any commercial purposes. Soliciting in the residence halls, campus buildings or the grounds is prohibited, unless approved in writing by the Dean of Student Affairs.

24. Storage

The college is not able to store items for the summer. Students must remove all personal belongings from their rooms at the end of the academic year. During vacation and intercession periods, students should remove all valuables from their rooms. The college is not liable or responsible for losses.

25. Vacation Periods

Residence halls are closed for designated periods during the academic year. All appliances are to be unplugged, and the residential life staff inspects all rooms. During those breaks, students who have a work related, academic or athletic need to be on campus may submit a break housing request to be considered for break housing. This request should be submitted at least one week prior to break.

Students who stay for extra nights prior to the opening of the residence halls for the semester or during breaks without prior permission will be assessed a $50.00 charge per night and will face further disciplinary action.

Care and Maintenance of Residence Hall Rooms

Energy Use, recommendations and Warnings

The residential community saves energy by:

• Turning off lights when leaving a room, even for a short while.
• Turning off faucets completely.
• Reporting any leaking faucets to the residence hall staff.
• Using energy efficient light bulbs when available.
• Reporting excessive heat to the residence hall staff and keeping all windows closed during the winter.

Electrical Safety

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Unapproved cooking or heating appliances in individual room or suite areas
• Extension cords running under rugs and/or overloading of electrical outlets
• Tampering with any electrical or lighting fixtures
• Plugging in car batteries or heaters through windows or doors of residence halls
• Extension cords that are not UL rated, and heavy duty cords that are not three-wire grounded will not be allowed. (a UL-rated multiple outlet center with an on/off switch and pilot light with circuit breaker protection is recommended)

Fire

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Storage or use of flammable fluids in building
• Misuse of fire equipment
• Any open or enclosed flames and incense or candles
• Large fabric ceiling hangings that are not flat against the ceiling
• Wall hangings that are not flat against the wall
• Items which block egress from a room or suite area.
• Fire crackers
• Using wiring conduit to hang items from
• No more than 15 people in a triple, no more than 10 people in a double and no more than 5 people in a single at one time

The following list represents items that are acceptable in residence halls (They must be U.L. approved; no cooking appliances are allowed in the suite area).

• desk lamp dvd/vcr player
• small television
• blue painters tape (only adhesive allowed on residence hall walls)
• small microwave
• electric blanket
• electric shaver
• electric iron
• clock/clock radio
• small stereo
• floor lamp
• personal computer
• small refrigerator (6 cubic feet)
• coffee pot (not submersible)

Under no circumstances are the following items allowed in residence halls. Students are expected to use good judgment in the assessment of the safety of the items they bring to school (this is not an exhaustive list).

• toaster/toaster ovens
• flammable decorations
• hot plates
• electric fry pans
• decorative lighting
• broilers
• electric corn poppers
• immersion coils
• space heaters
• halogen lights
• incense candles (including wickless)
• lava lamps
• homemade lofts and cinder blocks
• live trees or boughs
• neon lights/signs
• duct tape
• plastic self-adhesive hooks
• lamps with insufficient shade material to protect from heat
• water balloons
• water guns
• paint ball guns
• snowballs
• firearms
• sling shots
• knives
• black lights

Room Entry and Search Procedures

While the college recognizes students’ rights to privacy in their rooms and personal effects, students should be on notice that there are times when authorized college representatives may, without specific consent, enter their rooms unannounced and/or check for conditions or articles causing concerns, even in closed spaces. Room entry may occur for purposes of housekeeping, repairs and maintenance, or when there is reasonable basis for legitimate concern about the health, welfare or safety of any of those who occupy the room or other persons or when there is reasonable basis to believe that there may be a violation of college policies, rules or regulations. An inspection or search of closed spaces may occur when there is a reasonable basis, either existing beforehand or resulting from room entry, to justify the inspection or search because of legitimate concern about the health, welfare or safety of any of those who occupy the room or about other persons.

Examples of such reasonable basis may include but are not limited to: a leak that requires inspection of a closed space such as a cabinet or drawer, a standard safety check during break periods or the discovery upon room entry of evidence of violation of the law or school rules, including rules on drugs, alcohol or weapons. There are numerous other situations that could constitute reasonable basis to justify an inspection or search.

A staff member will not open a student’s room if another student has requested the door be unlocked to retrieve borrowed items (such as books, laptops, class assignments, etc.). The staff has a responsibility to protect the privacy of the resident(s) of a particular room.

Fire Inspection

The Student Life and Maintenance departments of Lyndon State College may conduct fire inspections once a semester. The inspection will be done without notice and students’ rooms may be entered without the occupants being present. If a student is notified of an infraction, he/she will have 48 hours to correct the problem or face judicial sanctions. The College reserves the right to remove any prohibited or illegal items if found upon entering a students room.

On a periodic basis, the State Fire Marshal’s office inspects the residence halls. Again, if a student is notified of an infraction, he/she will have 48 hours or less to correct the problem or face sanctions by the college or the state.

Administrative Fines

These charges are assessed to students separate from the judicial process. They are listed here for informational purposes and is not an exhaustive list:

• Housekeeping violation - $50 minimum
• Lost ID replacement charge - $25
• Lost keys/keys not returned - $25 per key
• Improper checkout - $50
• 3+ lockouts - $25

Procedures for Reporting Residence Hall Problems

• Maintenance Problems: See your residence hall staff member.
• Emergency: If your residence hall staff member is unavailable, contact the Residential Life Office, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Ext. 6418. On weekends, evenings and holidays, contact Public Safety by dialing “6452” and wait for a telephone or radio response.
• Fire Emergency: If a fire occurs, set off an internal alarm (red pull box) and leave the building immediately. Call Public Safety at ext. 6452 from another building.
• Medical Emergency: Contact Lyndon Rescue at 911. For other medical problems, make an appointment with Health Services at ext. 6440.

LSC Directory

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Philosophy and Focus of the Conduct Administration Process

The Student Code of Conduct promotes the necessary order, safety and security of the Lyndon State College community. The mission of Lyndon State College’s conduct system is to function as an educational process. The goals of the conduct system are:

• To promote a campus environment that supports the overall educational mission of the college.
• To protect the college community from disruption and harm.
• To encourage appropriate standards of individual and group behavior.
• To foster ethical standards and civic virtues.

The conduct system fulfills its mission by providing programs and services that:

• Develop, disseminate, interpret and enforce campus regulations.
• Help students to model appropriate behavior.
• Intervene effectively when behavior violates the Code of Conduct.
• Offer educational and leadership opportunities for students who participate in the operation of the conduct system.

Student Code of Conduct and Conduct Administration Procedures

• Article I: Judicial Authority
  1. Any member of the college community may report violations of the code directly to public safety, residential life staff or any other official of the college. This does not preclude action under the code where information initially came from one who is not a member of the college community. A public report form is available on the Portal.
  2. The Residence Hall Directors, Director of Residential Life, Dean of Student Affairs or designee have the judicial authority to assess sanctions in accordance with Article III, Section B.
  3. Appeal: See Article III, Section A (3).
• Article II: Jurisdiction and Proscribed Conduct
  1. Jurisdiction of the College - All students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the college community and to respect the rights of their fellow citizens on and off campus. Any departure from these standards, which can be shown to be injurious to the college’s pursuit of its normal activities, will be defined as a violation of the rules or regulations specified in Lyndon State College’s Code of Conduct.
  2. Conduct: Violations of the Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to, the behavior outlined below. Beyond the Code of Conduct, the administration may, at its discretion, bring charges against any student who engages in dangerous behavior and is in serious violation of the college’s rules and regulations. Any student found to have engaged in such conduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article III.
     1. Section 1. Behavior which threatens or endangers the health or safety of oneself or others, whether actual or implied, or results in personal injury to oneself or others.This includes disorderly conduct, including but not limited to public intoxication, lewd or indecent or obscene behavior, libel, slander, simple assault, verbal conduct, racial or sexual slurs, threats, intimidation, harassment and hazing against any member of the college community including faculty, staff and students.
     2. Section 2. Illegal or unauthorized possession or use of any type of weapon or firearm, including but not limited to BB or pellet guns, paint guns, water guns, sling shots, explosive fireworks, combustibles, knives (longer than 3” or have a concealed blade), compound bow-and-arrows or other weapons or instruments which could be used to inflict injury, or which might cause a person to believe he or she may be in danger of being harmed.
     3. Section 3. The possession, solicitation, sale, distribution, or use of any illegal drugs or substances, including credible supporting evidence indicating drug use, and/or the possession of drug-related paraphernalia (e.g. syringes, hookahs bongs, pipes, rolling papers not accompanied by loose tobacco, etc.). Possession of prescription drugs by a Lyndon State College student who does not have a medical problem which would require their use and where such substances have not been prescribed by a physician entitled to make such prescriptions. The use of legal substances in an illegal manner (e.g., aerosols, chemicals, etc.) and the posession/use of salvia is also prohibited
     4. Section 4. Trespassing or unauthorized presence in or on any college-held or college-related property and/or building.
     5. Section 5. Attempted or actual theft of college property or property of a member of the college community (i.e., faculty, staff, students, visitors, contractors and vendors). This includes theft of services or unauthorized use of college premises, facilities, vehicles or services, including but not limited to vending machines, college academic and/or library resources.
     6. Section 6. Vandalism, defacement, damage to or careless use of any part of the college premises or the personal property of the college or any member of the college community (i.e., faculty, staff, students, visitors, contractors and vendors). This includes, but is not limited to, vending machines and college academic and/or library resources.
     7. Section 7. Violations of any federal or state law or local ordinance which could be construed as an endangerment or a violation of state alcohol and drug laws. These may result in prosecution and sanctions by civil authorities. However, violations which adversely affect the interests and reputation of the college may result in disciplinary action being taken against any student by the college itself, independently of civil authorities.
     8. Section 8. The use or possession of alcohol by persons under 21 years of age; providing person(s) under the age of 21 with alcohol; the consumption of alcohol in a public or communal area (e.g., parking lots, athletic fields, classroom buildings, lounges and suite hallways in residence halls); being in possession of or being in the presence of a beer keg or ball, case of beer or tap system. Students over 21 may not be present in a room with minors if there is alcohol present in the room unless the students are roommates. Students under the legal drinking age can’t remain in a residence hall room where alcohol is present unless the students are roommates. In any case and for any reason, this does not permit alcohol consumption by roommates under the age of 21. Persons who are of legal drinking age may possess 750 ml. of hard liquor, one 12 pack of beer or two 750 ml. bottles of wine. No open containers, including empty cans and bottles or any cans and bottles used as decorations, are permitted in any student rooms or suites.
     9. Section 9. Tampering with any mechanism which is part of the fire alarm system, a fire extinguisher, smoke detector, or any other piece of fire-fighting equipment, including willfully causing a fire, or a fire alarm to sound, and failing to evacuate a room or building when required.
     10. Section 10. Furnishing false information to the college; engaging in forgery, alteration or improper use of any college record, key(s), identification card, or other document; withholding information a student knew or reasonably should have known to disclose to the college; or information which has been requested by a member of the college community who is authorized to request such information.
     11. Section 11. Failure to comply with directions of, or interference with, any college official, faculty or staff member (i.e., residence life staff member) including the failure to properly identify oneself or to produce an identification card when requested to do so.
     12. Section 12. Violations of the general residence hall policies and procedures including, but not limited to, the following:
         1. Possession of illegal items prohibited by law or college policy (the presence of such items in a student’s room is considered possession);
         2. Violation of guest policy and/or violations of the Code of Conduct by guests;
         3. Violation of quiet hours and/or disturbing others during non-quiet hours- this includes playing speakers out of a res hall window;
         4. Unauthorized alterations of a room including painting, construction of lofts, etc.;
         5. Evidence of possession of pets except fish;
         6. Failure to attend a mandatory floor or hall meeting without an excused absence;
         7. Violation of fire/safety regulations (e.g., tapestries not flat against a wall, egress or access to room being blocked or partially blocked);
         8. Excessive non-college-issued furniture in the room that may pose a fire hazard or affect egress or access to and from the room;
         9. Improper utilization of cooking equipment in rooms/suites;
         10. Improper disposal of trash;
         11. Throwing items out of windows;
         12. Participating in hallway sports;
         13. Possession of candles, incense, and/or open flames;
         14. Significant interference with the normal residence life of others;
         15. Persons of the opposite gender in other gender bathrooms;
         16. Smoking in a residence hall room or any common area of a residence hall or smoking in an area other than a designated parking lot.
         17. More than ten people in a residence hall double or triple room, over 5 in a single room at one time and/or an excessive number of people in a residence hall room;
         18. Violations of the outdoor riding and skating policy.
         19. Possession of college lounge furniture in a residence hall room and/or improper use of furniture- ie. taking it apart or removing it from your room.
     13. Section 13. Participation in a campus demonstration which adversely disrupts the normal operations of the college and which poses a threat to the safety of the college community and property. This also means intentional obstruction that unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus.
     14. Section 14. Theft or other abuse of computer time or phone service including, but not limited to:
         1. Unauthorized entry into a file for any purpose, including to use, read or change its contents.
         2. Unauthorized transfer of a file (not including personal files).
         3. Unauthorized use of another individual’s identification and/or password.
         4. Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member or college official.
         5. Use of computing facilities or phone service to send threatening, harassing, obscene or abusive messages.
         6. Use of computing facilities to interfere with the normal operations of the college’s computing system.
         7. Fraudulent use of phone service.
         8. Use of phone system to interfere with the normal operations of the college’s phone system.
         9. Violation of any Vermont State Colleges’ computer policy;
         10. Use of an unapproved wireless router.
     15. Section 15. Compromising the security of the card access or locking system including, but not limited to, the following:
         1. Using another person’s ID card to gain access to any building, facility or services.
         2. Tampering with and/or vandalizing any locking or card access equipment.
         3. Propping any residence hall entrance or exit door is prohibited.
     16. Section 16. Abuse of the judicial system, including, but not limited to:
         1. Failure to respond to written summons letter of college official(s) within specified time frame.
         2. Falsification, distortion or misrepresentation of information before hearing officer or appeal board.
         3. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a judicial proceeding.
         4. Failure to comply with sanctions as specified.
         5. Making false charges.
         6. Attempting to discourage an individual’s participation in, or appropriate use of, the judicial system.
         7. Attempting to influence the impartiality of the hearing officer, hearing panel, or Judicial Appeals Committee members prior to, and/or during the course of, the judiciary proceeding.
         8. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of hearing officer, hearing panel, or Judicial Appeals Committee prior to, during and/or after a judicial proceeding.
         9. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the judicial system.
             
  3. Violations of Law and College Discipline
     Students are expected to abide by local, state and federal laws. The institution will provide no sanctuary for those who violate such laws, and the college reserves the right to discipline students charged with criminal violations. While most disciplinary action will result from alleged infractions of college rules that occur while the student is on the campus, students involved in off-campus incidents which pose a danger or threat to the safety of others may also be charged through the college’s disciplinary procedures if it is judged by the President of the college that the alleged incident jeopardized the college’s positive relationship to the local community or if there are grounds for believing that the student may pose a threat to the safety of self and/or others or to the integrity of the educational function of the college.

     College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a law or regulation that is also a violation of this code. Proceedings under this code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with or following any civil or criminal proceedings off-campus.

• Article III: Conduct Administration Proceedings
  1. Charges & Hearings - Members of the college community who file conduct charges against a student for misconduct must contact the Residential Life or Student Affairs offices. Charges will be prepared in writing by the Residential Life Office and submitted to the Public Safety Office for public logging purposes. Any charge must be submitted within five business days (Monday through Friday) of the realization and/or discovery of the alleged violation, exclusive of holidays. This time limit does not include charges as a result of criminal acts which involve off-campus law enforcement authorities or if existing laws prohibit this time limit or if existing college policies have a different time limit (e.g., VSC Policy 311 €” Non-discrimination and Prevention of Harassment and Related Unprofessional Conduct).
  2. First Step: Conduct Hearing Officer - The Dean of Academic and Student Affairs or his/her designee will conduct an investigation to determine whether the charges are meritorious. The hearing officer or hearing panel will issue a judgment and a sanction. Sanctioned hearing officers include Residence Hall Directors, the Dean for Student Affairs, and the Director of Residential Life. The standard of proof shall be a preponderance of the evidence. All decisions will be presented to the accused student in written form. Alleged violations of the Code of Conduct can result in the filing of conduct charges.

     Important Information Regarding the Code of Conduct

     1. A Lyndon State College student who may be responsible for any behavior or misconduct that is a violation of the Code of Conduct and is subject to disciplinary action shall be afforded due process that is appropriate for college judicial matters.
     2. These regulations at the college are set forth in writing in order to give students general notice of prohibited conduct. The regulations should be read broadly and are not designed to define misconduct in exhaustive terms.
     3. The provisions of the Code of Conduct are not to be regarded as a contract between the student and the college. The college also reserves the right to amend any provision herein at any time.
     4. Any behavior which may have been influenced by a student’s mental state (irrespective of the ultimate evaluation) or the use of drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not in any way limit the responsibility of the student for the consequences of his or her actions.
  3. Sanctions
     1. Interim Sanctions
        1. Interim Conditions - The college recognizes that students may be accused of offenses that may present a danger of the potential for serious harm to the accused or to other members of the college or surrounding community. In such cases, the appropriate college official may impose temporary sanctions pending a hearing by a hearing panel.
        2. Immediate Suspension from Housing; Suspension or Dismissal - Under the circumstances listed below, the Dean of Student Affairs or a designee may impose a suspension from housing, college suspension or dismissal or residence hall suspension or dismissal.
           1. Immediate suspension or dismissal may be imposed only:
              1. To ensure the safety and well-being of members of the college community or preservation of property;
              2. To ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being;
              3. If the student poses a definite threat of disruption of, or interference with, the normal operations of the college.
           2. During the suspension or dismissal, students will be denied access to the residence halls and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all other college activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as one of the deans may determine to be appropriate.
           3. This type of interim sanction will result in the case being heard by a hearing panel within ten business days of the interim sanction.
     2. Range of Sanctions - The following sanctions may be imposed upon any student found to have violated this code. Any combination of sanctions listed in this section may be imposed for any single violation. Sanctions are not necessarily progressive in nature. A first serious violation could result in suspension or dismissal from the college.This is not an exhaustive list:
        1. Verbal Warning: In instances of minor deviations from the LSC Code of Conduct, the student may be formally warned of possible consequences of continuing such behavior. No other specific action is taken unless further misconduct occurs. 
        2. Disciplinary Warning: A written notice to the student that certain behavior is inappropriate.
        3. Fines: Fines may be assessed and the amount will reflect the degree of seriousness of the violation. All fines are considered legitimate debts to the college, and nonpayment may result in any of the following penalties: prevention from continuation in classes, and/or prevention from attending the graduation ceremony, receiving diploma and receiving copies of student transcripts and records. Damage fines will go to replace or repair the damage.
        4. Judicial Work Hours/Restitution: This action requires students to perform a specified number of work hours on or off campus at a community agency. Failure to work the assigned hours shall result in a fine twice the amount of the value of the hours of said work figured at the current minimum wage.
        5. On-line Certificate Program: This sanction requires students to enroll in a predetermined on-line course. Students have to pass the course by at least 80% or retake the course until they do score at least 80%.
        6. Disciplinary Probation: A period of time during which a student’s behavior is subject to close examination. Students who are found responsible for further violations are subject to greater sanctions including residential suspension or dismissal or suspension or dismissal from the college.
        7. Loss of Privileges: Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time. This includes, but is not limited to, any and all privileges pertaining to campus housing, operating and parking motor vehicles, use of other college facilities, visitation, or use of any campus facility or service as well as participation on athletic teams or clubs and organizations. This also includes access to the library, computer labs and campus activities.
        8. Restitution: Compensation for loss, damage, or injury may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
        9. Counseling Services: Students who violate alcohol and other drug policies on campus and/or demonstrate the need for emotional support by violating the Code of Conduct can be mandated to meet with a college counselor on campus.
        10. Residence Hall Suspension or Dismissal: Indicates that a student is not eligible to live in or visit the residence halls. It may be for a specific length of time, it may be permanent, and it may be limited to a specific residence hall or applied to all residence halls. Campus visits may be restricted to academic areas only. Housing and meal fees will be prorated.
        11. Completion of Substance Abuse Counseling/Treatment or Personal Counseling Program: Successful completion of an approved alcohol/substance abuse and or personal rehabilitation program off campus may be required as a condition for continued matriculation and/or readmission to the college. The financial responsibility of the cost belongs to the student who is sanctioned.
        12. College Suspension: Suspension from the college is traditionally for a period of one year, but may be for lesser or greater periods of time. Suspension may take effect immediately upon the dean’s decision and includes suspension from classes, residence halls and all campus visitations, unless specifically authorized. Any student arrested by the civil authorities and charged with a felony may be immediately suspended from classes, pending further decision by the Dean of Academic and Student Affairs or designee. Tuition is refundable according to the published schedule set by the federal guidelines and adhered to by the Business Office of the college.
        13. College Dismissal: Permanent separation of the student from the college. Tuition is refundable according to the published schedule set forth by federal guidelines and adhered to by the Business Office of the college. Students who harm or have the potential of harming others will be disciplined and may forfeit their right to be members of the college community. If a situation warrants such action, completion of course credits will not guarantee students a degree.
             
  4. Disciplinary Guidelines

     Students shall be notified in writing within 72 hours in advance of a hear­ing by the appropriate college official that they are accused of a violation. The letter shall be delivered by campus,U.S. mail and/or e-mail- or, if necessary, hand delivered and will detail the charges made against them. Students may elect to waive the right to 72 hours notice by signing a release to that effect.  Hearing procedures are as follows:

     1. Generally, the hearing shall be conducted within fifteen business days by the designated college official.
     2. Hearing panels hear only cases involving interim sanctions or cases with potential for eviction or suspension or expulsion and only if the accused student is not already on probation.
     3. The decision reached by a hearing panel or hearing officer shall be communicated in writing to the student by the Dean of Student Affairs or his/her designee.
     4. The designated hearing officer shall generally, within five business days after receiv­ing the hearing panel’s recommendation, render a written decision in the disci­plinary matter consisting of findings of fact, sanction(s) and reasons therefore which shall be included in the student’s record.
         
  5. Hearing Guidelines and Procedures

     If alleged violations result in a hearing, students will be so informed and the following guidelines shall apply:

     1. Students are required to appear in person at the hearing and present their defense. If a student does not appear, the hearing shall be held in his or her absence. For stu­dents who choose to have an inactive role, the hearing officer/panel may draw inferences or conclusions from documentary evidence that responsible persons are accustomed to relying on in serious matters. Students who fail to appear at hearings waive their right to an appeal.
     2. Accused students are entitled to an advisor. The advisor may speak only to the student advisee. An advisor of their choice may not conduct a “defense” nor speak on behalf of the accused stu­dent nor make any presentation to the hearing officer or panel. In the event the student selects an advisor who is an attorney, the college may also have an attorney present at the hearing. If an attorney or advisor is attending the hearing, the college needs to be notified 72 hours in advance of the hearing. They may not speak directly to the hearing officer/panel.
     3. Both the aggrieved and accused student shall be entitled to ask questions of the hearing officer(s) and any witnesses and to testify on their own behalf. An aggrieved student can choose to present his/her own case or ask the college to present the case on his/her behalf. All questioning shall be monitored by the hear­ing officer/panel in order to maintain reasonable order and decorum. The college must be notified 24 hours prior to the hearing if the accused student is bringing witnesses. Likewise the college must inform accused students of witnesses 24 hours in advance.
     4. Strict rules of evidence shall not apply to disciplinary hearings. Oral and documen­tary evidence may be received and considered if it is the kind which responsible persons are accustomed to relying on in serious matters. The hearing officer/panel may, how­ever, exclude irrelevant or unduly repetitious evidence. The hear­ing officer/panel shall make all rulings on evidentiary questions.
     5. The accused student and case presenter may be present throughout the hearing but shall be excluded from the deliberations of the hearing officer/panel.
     6. Upon written request, a tape recording of judicial hearings shall be made. If a student requests a tape recording of the proceedings, the principals may have access to the tapes for the purpose of review relating to an appeal. Such tapes shall be kept by the college and will remain on campus until all appeal rights have been exhausted, at which time they will be erased.
     7. All hearings will be conducted with due regard to the right to privacy as provided for in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Names of students involved in a disciplinary hearing shall not be released except as permitted by law.
     8. Hearing Officer or Panel Format
        1. Call to order
        2. Introduction by hearing officer or hearing panel members
        3. Challenge to members of the panel for bias (Panel only)
        4. Reading of the charges by the hearing officer and citing of the regulations violated
        5. Presentation of the colleges case by the judicial officer
        6. Presentation of the college’s witnesses (Witnesses for the college and the accused are called into the hearing one at a time and questioned individually)
        7. Questioning of the judicial officer and the witnesses by the accused student
        8. Presentation of the case by the accused student
        9. Presentation of the witnesses by the accused student; questioning of the accused student and the witnesses by the hearing officer or by the members of the panel
        10. Recall of any witnesses
        11. Summary arguments from each side
        12. Deliberation on the evidence by the hearing officer or members of the panel
             
  6. Appeal Guidelines & Procedures

     Students shall be notified in writing of the right to appeal the decision of the hearing offi­cer or the hearing panel to the Judicial Appeals Committee. A “Request for Appeal” form must be completed and returned to the Student Affairs Office within 5 (five) business days. If a student waives his/her right to a hearing or fails to appear for a hearing, he/she cannot appeal.

     1. Judicial Appeals Committee

        The Judicial Appeals Committee is comprised of a group of faculty members, students and staff members. Student members will be recruited and appointed by the Dean of Academic and Student Affairs or his/her designee. Faculty members are nominated by the faculty chair. Staff members are recruited and appointed by the Dean of Academic and Student Affairs or his/her designee. A pool of members will be recruited from each constituency. The committee will not meet with fewer than 50% of the membership. Residential Life staff members are ineligible to serve on the Judicial Appeals Committee.

     2. Appeals Procedure:
        1. Within five business days following a decision by the appropriate college official, the student may appeal the decision to the Judicial Appeals Committee. Appeal forms are available from the Student Affairs Office (Rita Bole 304). Appeals should be submitted to the attention of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
        2. The committee will conduct its review and base its decision on the written reports or arguments of the aggrieved student, the hearing report from the hearing officer or panel which originally heard the case, minutes or the tape recording of the original hearing (if applicable), the original reports of alleged misconduct and supporting documentation from the file and any other case materials submitted by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Rights of review do not entitle students to personal representation nor to a full rehearing of the case.
        3. The responsibility to “prove” an appeal rests with the student who files it. The student must provide sufficient written material to support his or her case.
        4. Students’ appeals must be based upon one or more of the following criteria:
           1. New evidence has become available that was unavailable at the time of the original hearing. The Judicial Appeals Committee shall rule on the admis­sibility of new evidence. If the committee rules that the evidence should be admitted, the case shall be returned to an original-level hearing officer or panel. The person bringing charges will be provided with - and given an opportunity to rebut - the new evidence before a new hearing takes place.
           2. A procedural error that hindered the student in presenting his or her case; such an error must be substantial as to warrant a new hearing. In such cases, a new hearing would take place with an original level hearing officer or panel.
           3. The severity of the sanction is not consistent with the gravity of the offense. If the Judicial Appeals Committee believes that this is the case, the commit­tee shall recommend a different sanction.
        5. After conducting its review, the Judicial Appeals Committee shall make a recommen­dation to the college President or designee. This recommendation may be to affirm or reverse the original level decision, to change the sanction(s) or to require a new hearing.
        6. Appeals will generally be reviewed within fifteen business days of the student’s written request, unless otherwise approved by the Dean of Student Affairs.
        7. If a new hearing is recommended, it will generally be held within ten days of the President or President’s designee’s acceptance of the committee’s recommendation, unless otherwise approved by the President.
        8. During summer and vacation periods, when the Judicial Appeals Committee is not convened, the President of the college or designee, who previously was not involved in the case, shall act as final appeal officer.
            
• Article IV: Interpretation and Revision

  Any questions of interpretation regarding this code will be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs or his or her designee for final determination. This Code of Conduct will be reviewed annually under the direction of the Dean of Student Affairs or his or her designee.

  1. Student Records

     All disciplinary sanctions are a part of the student’s confidential record maintained in the Dean of Student Affairs’ office. After a period of two years from the student’s date of last enrollment in any degree or certificate program, all records and sanctions except dismissal from campus housing, suspension, and dismissal from the college are destroyed.

  2. Records and Confidentiality

The Dean of Student Affairs’ office shall maintain disciplinary records, tracking system, and a log, which shall include, but not be limited to, the student’s name and related identifying information; applicable Code of Conduct section(s); parties involved; description of the incident, sanction, restrictions and any other data deemed relevant. Disciplinary records and related information shall be made available to members of hearing boards, appeals committees and appropriate college personnel who have legitimate professional and educational interest; this includes student members of the appeals committees and other appropriate college personnel, as necessary. If a student has been found guilty of a second alcohol/drug policy violation, parents may be notified of the violation. Additionally, if a first offense is serious enough, i.e., results in hospitalization, injury to others or self, parents may also be notified.

Students may arrange to review their own disciplinary records and related information by contacting the Student Affairs office. For a complete statement of student rights pertaining to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), please contact the Dean of Student Affairs office or the Student Service office.