Section Six: Code of Integrity for Academic and Behavioral Standards

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Mission and Purpose

An institution of higher learning can make its maximum contribution to society by upholding the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior among its students, faculty, and staff. All individuals in the College community are expected to obey the law, show respect for one another and properly constituted authority, perform contractual obligations, maintain integrity and high standards in academic work, and observe a standard of conduct appropriate while at the College.

In response to this belief and ideal, Carroll Community College has adopted a Code of Integrity for Academic and Behavioral Standards (the Code), to foster and promote a sense of respect and consideration of others, and to uphold certain standards of academic honesty and social conduct.

The Code adopts five fundamental values for Integrity as framed by the Center for Academic Integrity and embraced by more than 200 educational institutions nationwide. These five fundamental values are Honesty, Trust, Fairness, Respect, and Responsibility; and they serve as the foundation for understanding and abiding by the Code at Carroll Community College.

Five Fundamental Values for Integrity:

Honesty

The commitment to honesty is the core pursuit. Cheating, lying, fraud, theft, and other dishonest behaviors undermine the rights, welfare, and worth of the academic community. Honesty is expected of all members of the College community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Trust

Consistent and reciprocal honesty creates trust among individuals. Faculty must provide clear expectations and evaluations of students’ work, and students must perform this work honestly and diligently.

Fairness

All members of the College have a right to be treated fairly. Fairness implies predictability, clear expectations, and a consistent application of policies and procedures. A violation by one member of the community affects the entire community and will not be tolerated.

Respect

All members of the College community must respect each other as individuals, as all are entitled to their beliefs, opinions, culture, traditions, and property. All members should take others’ ideas seriously and recognize all as individuals. Rudeness, or engaging in demeaning or disruptive behavior is the antithesis of respectful conduct.

Responsibility

Each member of the College community must understand their role in creating institutional integrity. Upholding high standards of individual scholarship and conduct are pivotal to the learning environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

Each member of the College community must understand their role in creating institutional integrity. Upholding high standards of individual scholarship and conduct are pivotal to the learning environment.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for meeting academic expectations, being on time, paying attention, participating in online and in-class discussions, listening to other points of view, being prepared, making thoughtful contributions, meeting academic deadlines, and performing to the best of their ability. It is expected that each student should discourage and seek to prevent academic dishonesty by others. This may be as simple as covering one’s own answers during a test or as difficult as reporting a friend for cheating.

Faculty Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of faculty members to ensure the academic rigor of their courses; that the content of their courses is consistent with the description of the courses in the college catalog; make all reasonable efforts to deter academic dishonesty and report academic dishonesty when it occurs. Faculty should provide clear expectations, give full and honest feedback; value and encourage student aspirations and goals.

Institutional Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of all members of the College community to uphold the integrity of the learning environment and to act against those who violate the Code. Representatives of the College (administrators, staff, and faculty) have the responsibility to provide an environment conducive to learning and fostering academic integrity, and to treat all individuals on campus with respect and in a manner consistent with the Code. They must also ensure that procedures for due process are provided for students alleged to have violated the Code, and for students who believe they have not been treated fairly. Regardless of the circumstances, members of an academic community must not tolerate or ignore misconduct or academic dishonesty.

Cultivating an academic environment that values individuals whose actions reflect integrity is both challenging and uplifting. Being a person of integrity requires demonstrating both small and large acts of courage on a daily basis. The personal value to believe in and act in ways that live up to a higher ideal is the cornerstone of academic responsibility.

The tenet behind the Code is that the College is only as strong as the members who comprise its community, and each individual member must have a sense of community, personal integrity, and honesty.

Student Involvement

The Code places an emphasis on student involvement throughout the conduct process. Within the Code, an Integrity Council has been established, which includes student representatives, to function as both the administrative and legislative body, which maintains the Code.

Student Rights

Students at Carroll Community College, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation have equal access to all services, programs, activities, and facilities of the College as determined by their student status (Credit or Continuing Education).

Students at Carroll are entitled to the following:

Protection of Freedom of Expression

Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they enroll.

Protection against Improper Academic Evaluation

Students should have protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation. At the same time, they are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course.

Protection against Improper Disclosure

Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations, which professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisors, and counselors, should be considered confidential. Protection against improper disclosure is a professional obligation. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances, normally with the knowledge or consent of the student.

Honor Pledge

All credit students and continuing education students, as deemed appropriate, must sign a pledge to uphold the Code at Carroll Community College.

The pledge reads:

“I pledge on my personal honor to uphold and abide by the Code as long as I am enrolled at Carroll Community College.”

An instructor may ask major academic work submitted by students have an additional pledge that shall read:

“I pledge that this work is entirely my own and I have neither given nor received any unauthorized help in its completion. In addition, I will adhere to campus policies and demonstrate behavior that does not disrupt the learning environment.”

The instructor may authorize students to sign an abbreviated pledge for certain work that is submitted. This abbreviated pledge, which symbolically represents the complete pledge, shall read:

“Academic Honesty Pledge.”

Although students may refuse to sign a pledge, this refusal does not absolve students from abiding by the Code.

Criminal and Civil Laws

The Code does not deal with violations of criminal and civil laws. Students who violate criminal or civil laws while on campus, while attending College-sponsored or supervised functions, or while representing the College, will be subject to prosecution and punishment by the civil authorities. In addition, a student who violates the Code may be subject to College disciplinary proceedings.

The Integrity Council

Students, faculty, and staff are asked to assume positions of responsibility within the College’s disciplinary process in order that they might contribute their skills and insights to the resolution of cases brought before the Integrity Council. Final authority in disciplinary matters, however, is vested in the College administration and in the Board of Trustees.

A student who has allegedly violated the Code has the option to appear before the Integrity Council after following established protocol as outlined in this document.

All Integrity Council proceedings are closed to the public. Formal rules of evidence shall not be applicable, nor shall deviations from prescribed procedures necessarily invalidate a decision or proceeding.

The Integrity Council has the responsibility to uphold the Code and make modifications to the implementation and administration of the Code. Revisions are discussed with the Provost, Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing, and the Vice President of Continuing Education and Training or designated personnel. Proposed revisions are discussed with the Senate for approval before submission to the President and Board of Trustees.

The Integrity Council meets regularly during the academic year to discuss procedures and issues related to the Code.

Integrity Council Membership

The membership of the Integrity Council shall include representation from the following areas listed below. Members are identified at the end of each academic year to serve for one to two years beginning in the next academic year.

• Student Representatives: Two (2) student representatives, who have accumulated at least twelve (12) credits, and are in good academic standing, will be recruited by the Office of Student Life.
• Faculty: A minimum of four (4) faculty from different academic divisions, and up to one (1) faculty member per academic division, as determined by the Division Chair.
• Library or Academic Services Staff: One (1) Library faculty/staff member or Academic Services staff member.
• Continuing Education and Training: One (1) staff member.
• Student Affairs:­ One (1) Student Affairs staff member.
• Information Technology (IT): One (1) IT staff member.
• Disability Support Services:  One (1) staff member.
• The Director of Student Care & Integrity serves as an Ex-Officio member.

Integrity Council Chair and Co-Chair

A chair and co-chair are identified at the end of each academic year from the Integrity Council membership. Co-chairs may serve for one to two academic years.

• It is the responsibility of one of the co-chairs to conduct the Integrity Council meetings.
• Co-chairs attend hearings of the Integrity Council but only one co-chair will preside over a hearing. The other co-chair will coordinator supporting functions of the hearing process.
• One co-chair will vote on a hearing decision, only in the case of a tie.

Responsibilities of the Integrity Council

• Know the Code and participate in related training sessions.
• Periodically meet to review and revise policies and procedures related to the Code, review the Learning Module.
• Disseminate information to the campus community.
• Provide periodic formal training and education through the learning management system.
• Receive updates on violations from the Director of Student Care and Integrity.
• Hear cases regarding alleged violations of the Code.
• Consider all viewpoints presented.
• Decide on the merits of the charge(s) based on the evidence presented.
• Render a decision relative to whether a violation(s) of the Code has occurred and recommend a sanction(s) as deemed necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality.

The Code Standards

Standards of Academic Honesty

Academic honesty means using one’s own thoughts and materials in writing papers, taking exams, and participating in other classroom-related activities. Academic honesty also includes the proper citation of sources of information.

Students are expected to give full credit for the borrowed words and ideas of others. Intentional or unintentional use of another’s works, or ideas without acknowledgment of the source (author) constitutes plagiarism.

Likewise, a student found to have knowingly aided another student(s) in the commission of an act of academic dishonesty is considered equally responsible for violations of academic dishonesty.

All credit courses are subject to the provisions of the Standards of Academic Honesty. In addition, these provisions are applicable to those Continuing Education and Training Courses for which continuing education units (CEU’s) are awarded and require a final grade, or the demonstration of minimum skill accomplishment, or attendance.

Violations of Academic Honesty - Five categories

Under the Code of Integrity for Academic and Behavioral Standards, there are five types of academic dishonesty: Cheating, Fabrication, Facilitation, Plagiarism, and Self-Plagiarism. 

Cheating

Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized material, information, or aids in any academic exercise.

Examples:

• Dishonestly obtaining, using, or possessing copies of an exam, or receiving information contained therein, even if it is from a different section of the same course.
• Receiving any aid during the taking of an exam or quiz, such as looking at another student’s paper, using an unauthorized “cheat sheet”, or storing information in a calculator’s memory.
• Allowing someone other than the student to take an exam. Submitting a research or term paper, or essay that was written by someone other than the student (including from a print service or an online/Internet provider).
• Submitting the same work more than once for credit in a different course(s) without the instructor’s permission.
• Submitting a lab report that is a copy of a report prepared by another student. Students must adhere to the guidelines stated by the instructor in performing laboratory experiments and written reports. Unless otherwise noted by the instructor, students may work together on laboratory exercises and written reports, as long as each member of the group contributes to and understands the work completed.
• Submitting an assignment that is a copy of the work completed by someone other than the student. Unless stipulated otherwise by the instructor, students may work together on homework assignments provided that the work is not copied verbatim and that all students involved understand the work completed.
• Not following the instructions or adhering to restrictions specified by the take-home exams and quizzes, such as obtaining unauthorized assistance.

Fabrication

Fabrication: Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.

Examples:

• Altering actual data obtained in an experiment. The data recorded must be the actual data obtained while performing the exercise and cannot subsequently be changed, unless approved by the instructor.
• Making up a source to use as a citation in a paper.
• Resubmitting altered graded work for a grade reevaluation, unless the instructor is aware of the alterations.
• Faking an illness to avoid an exam or test.
• Willfully altering the laboratory work of another student and submitting it as one’s own work.
• Paying a third party “contract cheating” organizations or individuals to complete coursework on your behalf.
• Asking an unpaid individual or online service to complete an assignment for you.
• Engaging in video chats, texts, or group messages (via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, FaceTime, Snapchat, GroupMe, Instagram, etc.) to complete coursework or collaborate and share answers.  

Facilitation

Facilitation: Intentionally helping or attempting to help another student commit an act of academic dishonesty.

Examples:

• Giving another student one’s homework so that it can be copied.
• Letting another student copy answers during an exam.
• Completing an exam in the name of another student.
• Giving exam information/answers to students in other sections of the same course, or to students who have not yet taken the exam.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism: Representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Examples:

• “Three different acts are considered plagiarism:

(1) failing to cite quotations and borrowed ideas,
(2) failing to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks, and
(3) failing to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words.”*

• Merely rearranging words, substituting only a synonym, or closely following an author’s sentence pattern would be considered plagiarism.
• Submitting another’s project, written or otherwise, and passing it off as one’s own.

* From A Writer’s Reference, 4th edition by Diana Hacker, 1999

Self-Plagiarism

Self-Plagiarism: Reusing portions of one’s own work in other courses without an instructor’s prior permission or informing each instructor if the work is being submitted for multiple courses during the same time.

The American Psychological Association (2010) explains how plagiarism differs from self-plagiarism: “Whereas plagiarism refers to the practice of claiming credit for the words, ideas, and concepts of others, self-plagiarism refers to the practice of presenting one’s own previously published work as though it were new” (pg. 170).

As Roig (2006) suggests, self-plagiarism occurs “when authors reuse their own previously written work or data in a ‘new’ written product without letting the reader know that this material has appeared elsewhere” (pg. 16).

Examples:

• If a student is repeating a course, let the instructor know. Students cannot simply resubmit graded work a second time. 
• If assignments between different classes seem alike, talk with the instructors of those courses to make sure you can use the same information for both classes.

Information about Suspicious Behavior

Innocent behavior can sometimes appear suspicious and can attract unintended attention from an instructor. A student should take precautions to avoid the mere appearance of academic dishonesty while taking an exam or quiz.

Examples:

• A student should not fidget during the exam and should keep their eyes fixed on their own work and not look around toward other students.
• A student should not talk to other students during an exam or quiz.
• A student should not wear a hat or sunglasses during the exam and should not rearrange clothing while taking an exam.
• A student should not take unauthorized study notes, textbooks, electronic devices, and calculators to the test site; any personal belongings should be kept clearly out of sight.
• A student should not reach into their personal belongings without first asking for permission from the instructor.
• A student should avoid asking to use the bathroom during the exam; but, if necessary, the exam should be given to the instructor before leaving the room. 

Standards of Student Conduct

Carroll Community College has a responsibility to clarify standards of behavior, which are considered essential to its function as an education institution.

Students are expected to obey the law, show respect for properly constituted authority, perform contractual obligations, and observe a standard of conduct appropriate for the College.

A student who violates criminal or civil laws while on campus, attending a College-sponsored or supervised function or representing the College will be subject to prosecution and punishment by the civil authorities.

In addition, the student may be subject to disciplinary proceedings by the College.

NOTE: The College reserves the right to take immediate action should the presence of the student on campus be considered a serious threat to the operation of the College or to the welfare of the College community.

Student groups and organizations may be charged with conduct violations.

A student group or organization and its officers may be held collectively and individually responsible when violations by those associated with the group or organization have received the consent or encouragement of the group leaders or officers to violate the Standards of Student Conduct.

The officers or leaders or any identifiable spokesperson for a student group or organization may be directed by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity to take appropriate action to prevent or end conduct violations by the group or organization.

Failure to make reasonable efforts to comply with the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity’s directive shall be considered a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct.

Persons not enrolled officially in the College, who by their actions on campus violate their status as invited guests, are subject to the relevant sanctions of the Criminal Law Article of the Maryland Code.

Although it is the intent of the College to leave disciplinary action with respect to off-campus offenses of students to civil authorities, if an off-campus offense poses a serious threat to the College community, the College reserves the right to take appropriate action.

While on campus, prospective students shall adhere to the same standard of conduct as current students or be denied admission to the College.

Disciplinary action will be taken when any student or group of students:

1. Fails to observe the general standards of conduct or any specific policy, rule, regulation, or College procedure adopted by the College.
2. Acts in a manner not in the best interest of the College community.

The following shall constitute unacceptable behavior on campus, off campus at College leased or owned facilities, while attending College sponsored activities or any activities which are initiated, authorized, or supervised by Carroll Community College, or while representing the College, and subject offenders to disciplinary action:

Disruptive Behavior

1. Disrupting, obstructing, or interfering with College or College sponsored activities including, but not limited to teaching, research, study, administration, cultural events, fire, police or emergency services or other College functions.
2. Conducting or expressing oneself in a manner which is disorderly, lewd, or obscene.
3. Intentionally and substantially interfering with the freedom of expression of others on College grounds or at College sponsored activities.
4. Improper behavior that offends, demeans, injures, or interferes with the ability of another individual to enjoy the right to fully participate in the life of the College.

Consequences

An instructor or Continuing Education and Training Director acting on behalf of an instructor, has the right to dismiss a student from a class session for behavior that is disruptive to the teaching and learning process.

This instructor or director must refer the incident to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity within twenty-four hours, and complete the document “Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Student Conduct” for appropriate and prompt action by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity.

A copy of the report will be given to the student by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity.

A dismissed student will not be allowed to return to class until the conflict is resolved by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing, or Director of Student Care and Integrity, or Continuing Education and Training Director when applicable, or the instructor involved.

The Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity’s action will adhere to the procedures and protection contained in the American Association of University Professors Joint Statement (American Association of University Professors, Policy Documents and Reports, 10th ed., 206, on-line at www.aaup.org/AAUP/pubsres/policydocs/contents).

It should be noted that several provisions of the Code of Maryland, Education Article, may also be applicable to a resolution of the situation, and might be invoked independently of any campus procedures.

NOTE: The above-cited procedures for classroom dismissal will take precedence over the procedures cited for other conduct violations.

Falsification of Information

1. Furnishing false information to the College or to members of the College community who are acting in the exercise of their official duties.
2. Forging, unauthorized altering, falsifying or unauthorized use of any College documents, records, keys, or instruments of identification.

Failure to Comply

1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of authorized College officials, including campus security personnel, such as refusing to furnish identification or failure to leave College buildings or grounds after being requested to do so by an authorized employee of the College.
2. Knowingly violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with the Code.
3. Committing an act of academic dishonesty (previously described).

Gambling

1. Engaging in unauthorized activities and games of chance for money or other stakes.

Abuse of Facilities and Equipment

1. Entering or using College property without authorization.
2. Stealing or attempting to commit theft of College property, services, personal property of a member of the College community or campus visitor, or knowingly possessing such stolen property.
3. Using College facilities and/or equipment (including, but not limited to, the telephone system, mail system and computer system) without authorization, in a fraudulent manner, or for any illegal act.
4. Littering, damaging, defacing, or destroying College property or property under its jurisdiction or the property of a member of the College community or campus visitor
5. Violating fire or safety regulations, including the misuse or damage of fire safety equipment.
6. Using sound amplification equipment, system, or device, except as provided by College regulations.
7. Committing theft or abuse of computer time, including, but not limited to the following:

• unauthorized entry into a file to use, read, copy, change or destroy the contents, or for any other purpose
• unauthorized transfer of a file
• use of computing facilities to send obscene or abusive messages
• use of the computing facilities to interfere with the normal operation of the College computing system.

Abuse of Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

1. Using, possessing, manufacturing, selling, or distributing illegal or controlled drugs or substances, including alcohol.
2. Attending any College sponsored activity while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled or intoxication substance, including inhalants.
3. Smoking and/or the use of any tobacco products. (For more information, refer to the Smoking and Tobacco Use Policy.)

Assault and Harassment

1. Possessing and/or using of any “weapon” (i.e. object or substance designed to inflict a wound, cause injury, or incapacitate, including, but not limited to, all firearms, explosives, pellet guns, slingshots, martial arts devices, brass knuckles, knives, daggers, switchblades and chemicals) A harmless instrument designed to look like a firearm, explosive or weapon that is used by a person to cause reasonable apprehension of harm or to assault another person is expressly included within the meaning of weapon.
2. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm to any person on College grounds or at College sponsored activities, or intentionally or recklessly causing reasonable apprehension of such harm.
3. Engaging in any form of forcible or non-forcible sexual offense. (See College website for full College Policy)
4. Molesting, assaulting, physically and/or psychologically abusing, threatening, or harassing of any member of the College community or visitor to the College, or threatening or endangering the health or safety of any such person.
5. Committing acts of harassment that stigmatize or victimize an individual, except those acts that are constitutionally protected speech. In instances of alleged sexual harassment, the College’s Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure takes precedence. (For further information, go to carrollcc.edu)

Reporting Violations of the Code

Because a violation of the Code is a violation against all the members of the College community, anyone who witnesses a violation committed by another should report the violation.

Procedures for reporting a violation of the Code vary depending on the nature of the violation. A student facing a disciplinary charge(s) shall be granted due process in the form of the following rights.

Please note: A student who withdraws from the College or drops a course(s) prior to being formally charged with an alleged violation(s) of either the Standards of Student Conduct and/or Standards of Academic Honesty may still be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or the Director of Student Care and Integrity.

If the violation occurs at the end of a semester or session, an incomplete grade (“I”) is assigned until the violation is resolved through the Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty process.

A student who is charged with an alleged violation of either the Standards of Student Conduct and/or Standards of Academic Honesty and then refuses to participate in the process as outlined below may be found responsible of any charge(s) placed against them and sanctioned accordingly.

Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty

If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the faculty member must complete the document, Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty. The completion of this document provides the necessary documentation and allows for more formal and consistent review throughout the adjudication process. If a claim of academic dishonesty is alleged by a student against another student, the student alleging the violation must inform the faculty member. Once reported to the faculty member, it is the faculty member’s responsibility to investigate and determine whether a violation has occurred. The following procedures are to be adhered to:

Initial Procedures

The faculty member contacts the Director of Student Care and Integrity for a determination as to whether the incident is the first, second, or third violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty.  If it is the third violation, the student will be referred to the Integrity Council.  The faculty member speaks to the student alleged to have committed an act of academic dishonesty, and one of the following actions will occur:

The faculty member determines that no violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty has occurred, and no further action is taken.

The faculty member determines and can substantiate that a violation of Academic Honesty’s Standards has occurred. The faculty member completes the document, Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty, and one of the following actions will occur:

• The student agrees that a violation has occurred. The faculty member provides a copy of the document to the student and immediately forwards a copy to the Director of Student Care and Integrity.
• If it is the first or second violation, the Director of Student Care and Integrity confirms the sanction(s) and notifies the student in writing. The student will retain the right to appeal the sanction to the appropriate personnel.
• The student disagrees that a violation has occurred and wishes to appeal to the Department Chair/Continuing Education Designated Personnel. The faculty member provides a copy of the document, Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty, to the student and immediately forwards a copy to the Chair/Designated Personnel. The faculty member advises the student to prepare and submit a written rebuttal to the Chair/Designated Personnel within five (5) working days. Upon receipt of the student’s rebuttal, the Chair/Director will contact the student within five (5) working days and arrange for a meeting.

The Chair/Continuing Education Designated Personnel meets with the student regarding the alleged violation and one of the following actions will occur:

• The Chair/Continuing Education Designated Personnel determines that no violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty has occurred. The document, Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty, is nullified and returned to the Director of Student Care and Integrity. No further action is taken.
• The Chair/Continuing Education Designate Personnel determines that a violation has occurred. The Chair/Designated Personnel completes their portion of the document, Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty, and one of the following actions will occur:
• The student agrees that a violation has occurred. The Chair/Continuing Education Designated Personnel provides a copy of the document to the student and immediately forwards a copy to the Director of Student Care and Integrity. The Director of Student Care and Integrity confirms the sanction(s) and notifies the student in writing. The student will retain the right to appeal the sanction to the Associate Provost, Student Affairs and Marketing or the Vice President, Continuing Education and Training.
• The student disagrees that a violation has occurred. The student is then informed by the Chair/Continuing Education Designated Personnel that the alleged violation can be appealed to the Associate Provost, Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President of Continuing Education and Training, or the Integrity Council (refer to Integrity Council Hearing Process).
• The student disagrees that a violation has occurred. The student is then informed by the Associate Provost, Student Affairs and Marketing or the Vice President, Continuing Education and Training that the alleged violation can be appealed to the Provost. The Associate Provost, Student Affairs and Marketing or the Vice President, Continuing Education and Training provides a copy of the document, Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty, to the student and immediately forwards a copy of the report and a copy of the student’s rebuttal to the Provost.
• The Provost meets with the student regarding the alleged violation. The decision of the Provost relative to the alleged violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty is final. The Director of Student Care and Integrity confirms the sanction(s) and notifies the student in writing.
• If the Provost determines that no violation has occurred. The document, Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty, is nullified and returned to the Director of Student Care and Integrity. No further action is taken.

Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Student Conduct

An alleged student conduct violation may be reported by any member of the College community. To report a student conduct violation the document “Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Student Conduct” must be completed and submitted in a timely manner to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity who will promptly investigate the incident.

An alleged violation of a criminal or civil law should be reported immediately to the Office of the Executive Vice President of Administration.

The Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity may:

1. Dismiss the allegation(s) as being unfounded or irrelevant or
2. Request a conference with the student within five (5) working days after receiving notice that the student may have committed a student conduct violation.
3. After conferring with the student, the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity may dismiss the allegation or proceed with disciplinary action.

It is the responsibility of the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity to identify the specific charge(s) that will be brought against the student(s) involved.

1. If Student Doesn’t Respond: If the student fails to respond to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity’s request for a meeting within the period established, Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity may institute any of the sanctions outlined in this document.
2. If Sufficient Cause is Found: If the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity finds sufficient cause to believe that a student has committed a serious conduct violation, the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity will proceed with disciplinary action against the student.
3. Informing the Student: The student will be informed of the choice to have the conduct violation disposed of administratively by the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity, or via a hearing before the Integrity Council.
4. If the student consents to the administrative disposition of the conduct violation(s), the student shall sign a statement that he/she understands the violation(s), the waiver to request a hearing before the Integrity Council, the sanction(s) imposed, and their waiver of the right to appeal.
5. If the student refuses administrative disposition of the conduct violation(s), the student will be scheduled to appear before the Integrity Council.
    

The Integrity Council has the responsibility to render a decision relative to whether a student has committed a conduct violation and to recommend the sanction(s).

The student will retain the right to appeal the sanction only to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President of Continuing Education and Training.

The Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President of Continuing Education and Training retain the right to review the sanction(s) as recommended by the Integrity Council and if deemed necessary, may overrule the sanction(s).

The Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President of Continuing Education and Training may refuse to grant an appeal if the accused student’s request for an appeal is without substance. The decision of the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President of Continuing Education and Training is final.

All written correspondence will be sent by email and the timetable for response will be determined by the date the student receives the letter.

Emergency Disciplinary Procedure-Interim Suspension

If in the opinion of the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing, Director of Student Care and Integrity, or Continuing Education and Training Vice President, and with the concurrence of the appropriate area executive leader or their designee, the presence of the student on campus is considered to be an apparent immediate danger to the health or safety of members of the College community or the public, or involves serious disruption of normal College operations, the student may be suspended from attending class sessions or coming onto campus grounds as an interim measure.

In addition, this matter may be referred to the Behavioral Intervention Team. During this period of suspension, the student is responsible for any outstanding financial obligation and/or is subject to any academic consequences as a result of missed class time.

Anti-Hazing Policy

This policy outlines the commitment of Carroll Community College (CCC) to prohibit all forms of hazing. Hazing is antithetical to the mission and values of CCC because it harms, degrades, and dehumanizes members of the Carroll Community. Therefore, hazing in any form is prohibited and participants will be held accountable, including, but not limited to, expulsion as it relates to individuals. Clubs, organizations, and teams could be disbanded. Actions could result in criminal charges as well as administrative sanctions. This is true regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate.

Maryland law makes it a criminal misdemeanor to engage in the practice of hazing. Hazing can be defined as follows: “Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher learning. The term shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure of elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property. For purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the admission or initiation into or affiliation with or continued membership or an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such an activity notwithstanding.”

For specific information, consult the Student Care & Integrity office. Each organization is responsible for informing members (new members, associate members, affiliates, or guests) of the hazing policy.

Integrity Council Hearing Process

A student charged with committing an alleged violation of the Code may request a hearing before the Integrity Council.

The Director of Student Care and Integrity shall notify the student by mail (special handling, delivery confirmation) of the date, time, and location of the hearing. The hearing shall be scheduled no more than fifteen (15) working days and no less than five (5) working days following the student’s decision to appear before the Integrity Council.

During the winter and summer terms, it may be necessary to alter the timetable to ensure student representation on the Integrity Council. All reasonable measures to contact the student will have been made.

The Director of Student Care and Integrity will ensure that the student is:

1. Provided with a written statement of the violation(s).
2. Provided with a list of potential witnesses against them and the nature of their proposed testimony, unless it is determined that providing the names of the witnesses might be a threat to the welfare of the witnesses.
3. Advised of the right to appear alone or with a College advocate.

• The advocate may be a Carroll faculty or staff member or another Carroll student.
• The role of the advocate shall be limited to consultation with the student.
• The advocate may not address those present at the hearing or question witnesses.
• Legal representation is not permitted during Integrity Council hearings unless the student faces concurrent criminal charges, or the institution proceeds through counsel. The role of the legal advisor shall be limited to consultation with the student. The legal advisor may not address those present at the hearing or question witnesses.

4. Allowed to examine, in advance, any written evidence or exhibit(s) which the College plans to submit. The accused student(s) will have the option to submit written evidence and/or exhibit(s), in advance, for review by the Integrity Council. (See Hearing Procedures below.)
5. Advised of the right to argue in their behalf and to present evidence and witnesses; also that he/she must inform the Council of such witnesses at least one day before the hearing.
6. Advised of the right to hear and question adverse witnesses. The College reserves the right to exclude witnesses from the hearing proceedings if it is determined that a threat exists to the welfare of the witnesses.
7. Advised of the right to appeal* to the Vice President of Continuing Education and Training or appropriate designated personnel about the sanction(s) only, as recommended by the Integrity Council.
   
   * Refer to the following documents: Reporting a Violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty/Standards of Student Conduct.

Hearing Quorum

The Chairperson presiding during the hearing has the duty to ensure a quorum of Integrity Council members. A quorum of the Integrity Council consists of a minimum of seven (7) Council members comprised of two (2) students, and any five (5) Council members from the other constituency areas.

In the event that the accused is a credit or continuing education student, at least one credit or continuing education faculty or staff member is required to be present.

When the Chairperson is notified of the need to convene the Integrity Council, the Chairperson will likewise be notified of the need to ensure credit or continuing education representation on the Integrity Council.

Alternate Integrity Council Members

In the event that a Council member is not available to fulfill their role on the Integrity Council, an “alternate” will be called to ensure a quorum so that a hearing may proceed.

The Chairperson presiding during a hearing of the Integrity Council reserves the right to appoint alternates from the College community as needed.

Hearing Impartiality

A Council member may recuse themselves from a hearing if he/she thinks it would be difficult to maintain impartiality.

Any party, including the accused, may request of the Chairperson that a Council member be disqualified on the grounds of personal bias.

The Chairperson will conduct a vote, by secret ballot, to determine whether a Council member will be disqualified. A Council member will be disqualified from a hearing upon a simple majority vote of the remaining Council members.

Hearing Procedures

The hearing shall be closed to the public.

The Chairperson presiding during a hearing of the Integrity Council shall have the duty of maintaining order at the hearing and, therefore, shall have the right to exclude any disruptive party or witnesses from the hearing.

The hearing shall be conducted if the student charged with allegedly violating the Code fails to appear, provided adequate advance notice of the hearing time, date and location has been given.

All meetings of the Integrity Council will be audio taped or transcribed.

An hour prior to the beginning of the hearing, the Chairperson will share with the Integrity Council members a briefing file stating: the name(s) of the accused student(s); nature of the violation(s) and charge(s); date(s) and location(s) of the incident(s); and written evidence and/or exhibit(s) to be introduced by the College and accused student(s), if any.

Order of presentation:

1. Opening statements of accuser and accused, if desired by each
2. Presentation of evidence by accuser, then accused
3. Closing statements by each side
4. Private deliberation by the Integrity Council
5. Student Evident Review: The student will have an opportunity to review in advance any evidence, including oral testimony of witnesses, who will be introduced at the hearing.
6. Witnesses: Any party may request the privilege of presenting witnesses subject to the right of cross-questioning by other parties.

• A list of witnesses is to be submitted to the Chairperson prior to the hearing.
• Witnesses will be excluded from the hearing room and brought in individually before the Council.
• Council members may ask questions of the witnesses.

7. Closing Statements: At the close of all testimony and after admission of all evidence, each side shall be allowed a closing statement.
    

The burden of proof shall rest on the party bringing the charge.

The Council shall not be bound by formal rules of evidence. The Council shall determine credibility and other factual issues.

“A preponderance of the evidence” should be established to find a student responsible of a violation. Evidence shall include oral testimony of witnesses and tangible objective evidence.

Deliberations: The Chairperson will convene the Council for deliberation immediately after all testimony has been given. The Council will deliberate until a decision is reached.

Recesses: The Chairperson reserves the right to call a recess (es) during the hearing when deemed necessary.

Decisions: A simple majority vote of the Council shall determine whether the student is responsible or not responsible of the violation.

Sanctions: If the student is found responsible of violating the Code, the sanction shall be determined relative to whether the violation is the first, second, or third.

In the case of a third violation, the Council will recommend the sanction to be suspension or expulsion.

Any existing disciplinary record (active or inactive) will be made available and taken into consideration during the sanctioning phase of the adjudication of a violation of the Code. The Director of Student Care and Integrity will provide notification to the Council as to whether prior violations are on file.

Communications: It is the Chairperson’s responsibility to communicate in writing, to the Director of Student Care and Integrity, the findings of the Integrity Council. The Chairperson will in turn communicate the findings of the Integrity Council first to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President, Continuing Education and Training, and then to the accused student.

Sanction Review: The Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President, Continuing Education and Training retain the right to review the sanction(s) as recommended by the Integrity Council and if deemed necessary, may overrule the sanction(s).

Sanction Appeal: The accused student may appeal the sanction(s) to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President, Continuing Education and Training. The Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President, Continuing Education and Training may refuse to grant an appeal if the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Director of Student Care and Integrity determines the accused student’s request for an appeal is without substance.

Disciplinary Sanctions

The sanctions may be imposed for violations of the Code or other College policy, rule, or regulation. Severity of the sanction(s) will be recommended commensurate with the severity of the violation(s) and will take in account prior violations.

Any existing disciplinary record (active or inactive) will be made available and taken into consideration during the sanctioning phase of the adjudication of a violation of the Code. This procedure will be followed whether the adjudication is handled by administrative disposition or through the Integrity Council process. Multiple sanctions may be imposed as deemed necessary.

Additionally, the following actions with the approval of the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing or Vice President, Continuing Education may be taken pending final resolution of a disciplinary matter:

1. Degree/Certificate Delay: delay awarding/posting of a degree and/or certificate
2. Transcript Holds: hold temporarily the release of a transcript(s)
3. Revoke Commencement Participation
4. Prevent Course Drop: Impose an administrative block to prevent a course(s) from being dropped
5. Revoke a Degree/Certificate

Academic Dishonesty Sanctions

An act of academic dishonesty is considered to be a violation of the Code. Academic Dishonesty sanctions progress in severity relative to whether the violation is the first, second, or third.

Prescribed Sanctions: Although there are prescribed sanctions for acts of academic dishonesty (see below), additional sanctions may be imposed based on previous violations of the Code.

Other Code of Integrity Sanctions

The Integrity Council may recommend more severe sanctions for incidents in which it was determined that an accused student intentionally committed an act that violated the College’s Code while motivated by consideration of race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, or ancestry.

The following disciplinary sanctions may be imposed for a violation(s) of the Code, (both conduct and/or academic dishonesty violations). A student found responsible of committing both conduct and/or academic dishonesty violations may be subject to multiple sanctions (see below). Students found responsible of violations and given sanctions may not be permitted to participate in Student Life programs and/or events.

1. Disciplinary reprimand, verbal or written notifies the student that the behavior resulting in the reprimand is unacceptable and is a violation of the Code, or other College policy, rule, or regulation. Continuation or repetition of this conduct will result in further disciplinary action.
2. Disciplinary warning, always a written notice, indicates that 

• a violation has occurred, or 
• a repeated violation has occurred.
• Further violations could result in additional disciplinary action.

3. Disciplinary Probation­ indicates that

• an extremely violation has occurred, or
• a violation has occurred after the issue of a reprimand or warning.

4. Suspension indicates that

• a critical violation has occurred, or
• the conditions of disciplinary probation have been violated.
• Suspension prohibits the student from participating in College-related activities, continuing to attend courses, registering for credit, or continuing education courses, or coming on to campus except in response to an official summons by a College official.
• Suspension shall not exceed two (2) years.

5. Expulsion, the most serious of all sanctions, indicates that a most serious violation, or repeated serious violations, has occurred. Expulsion results in an indefinite separation from the College. After three (3) years, an expelled student may submit a written statement to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing requesting readmission to the College. Expulsion sanctions may include the following:

• Completion of an educational project or community service assignment: a project or assignment on campus or in the community, which will provide the student with an opportunity to observe and learn specific valued human behaviors, related to their own conduct (e.g., participation in a leadership seminar, alcohol/drug seminar, and personal development course.) Evidence of satisfactory completion will be required.
• Completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program.
• Restitution requires the student repair damages or reimburse the afflicted for damage to (or misappropriation of) property. This may take the form of monetary payment or payment of time and services.
• In certain circumstances, a student may be referred for specialized help (i.e., psychological assistance, parents, counselors, social services agencies) in lieu of the aforementioned penalties. Students will be expected to meet with the Director of Student Care and Integrity to periodically review their progress.

Denial of re-admission may be imposed upon a student who has violated the Code and has withdrawn from the College prior to or during disciplinary proceedings.

Disciplinary Files and Records

Academic dishonesty and/or conduct case referrals may result in the establishment of a disciplinary file in the name of the accused, which shall be voided if the accused is found not responsible of the charge(s).

Voided files will be so marked, shall not be kept with active disciplinary records, and shall not leave any student with a disciplinary record.

The file of a student found responsible of any charge(s) will be retained as an active disciplinary record for five (5) years from the date of the letter providing notice of final disciplinary action.

Any sanction(s) resulting from disciplinary action shall not be recorded on the academic transcript. This practice is in keeping with professional standards promulgated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).

Active disciplinary records may be reported to third parties, in accordance with College regulations.

The existence of an inactive file will be confirmed to third parties; the contents of the file will not be disclosed unless permission is granted by the student.

Disciplinary records may be voided by the Integrity Council for good cause upon written request of the student to the Associate Provost of Student Affairs and Marketing.

Factors that will be considered in review of such petitions shall include:

• Present demeanor of the student.
• The conduct of the student subsequent to the violation.
• The nature of the violation and the severity of any damage, injury or harm resulting from it.