Student Code of Conduct
2024-25 Student Code of Conduct - the intended purpose of the Code of Conduct is to maintain order and stability and preserve all educational functions by setting forth standards of behavior and promoting respect for the rights of all individuals.
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards supports the educational mission of Yavapai College by upholding the standards of conduct. The intended purpose of the Code of Conduct is to maintain order and stability and preserve all educational functions by setting forth standards of behavior and promoting respect for the rights of all individuals.
Our goal is to provide you with an overview of the student disciplinary process, serve as a resource for addressing student conduct, and help you stay safe on campus. If you have any questions, need assistance, or would like to consult with a staff member in the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, please call (928) 776-2211.
Campus Civility
The primary purpose for the maintenance of community standards in the College setting is to support a civil environment conducive to learning. Civility is being polite, courteous, and considerate towards others. More likely than not, you will encounter individuals that have differing perceptions and opinions. A civil person should recognize differences and welcome the chance to learn instead of being judgmental and attacking individuals based on their differences. Remember, maintaining civility on campus is an individual effort that benefits the whole community.
Student Code of Conduct
The Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards is also responsible for establishing administrative procedures for the fair enforcement of the rules and regulations, and preserving due process rights of each individual student.
For more information about Student Code of Conduct, contact Tania Sheldahl, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Development: (928) 776-2128.
Reporting an Incident
Have you witnessed or been affected by a violation of the Student Code of Conduct? To file a complaint, you may go to 1) the Office of Student Conduct (Building 3, Room 125), 2) to the Campus Safety Office (Building 29) or you may file an incident report online here.
Immediate Threat or Possible Threat to Campus Safety
Incidents involving immediate threat to campus safety should be reported to YCPD at 928.776.2185 or 911 or 311.
Reports of potential risk related to: Concerning student behavior; severe/ongoing emotional distress; possible threat(s) made verbally or in writing should be reported to the CARE Team immediately at (928) 776-CARE (2273) or you may report online at the following YC link: Incident Reporting
If you have any questions about reporting, contact Tania Sheldahl, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Development: (928) 776-2128.
The Student Conduct Review Process
Once a complaint has been determined to allege a non-academic violation, the Student Conduct Officer or designee will meet with the accused student, after giving a written notice sent to the student’s YC email address. The written notice will provide notice of the time and place of the meeting and its purpose. The written notice will advise the student of the allegations made, and the sections of the Student Code which were allegedly violated. At the meeting, the Conduct Officer will give the student an opportunity to respond. Informal resolution may be discussed. After this meeting, the Conduct Officer will make a written determination which may include:
- A determination dismissing the conduct proceedings, based upon a determination that there has been no violation
- A determination of an informal resolution agreement, if one has been achieved, between the student and the Student Conduct Officer including any sanctions imposed. The decision of the Conduct Officer at this level is final and may not be appealed. If a resolution agreement is made and the student fails to comply with the agreement, higher level sanctions or restrictions may result
- ▪ A determination that the student has violated the Student Code of Conduct and an informal resolution was not achieved. The Conduct Officer will make a finding of the recommended sanction(s) consistent with the nature and seriousness of the violation(s). The Student Conduct Officer will inform the accused student of the right to a formal conduct hearing
If the accused student fails to appear at the initial meeting, the Student Conduct Officer will refer the matter to a formal hearing based on the evidence available, unless the student can demonstrate that a health emergency prevented attendance at the meeting.
Formal Hearing
When the Student Conduct Officer determines that the student may have engaged in misconduct and no informal resolution is reached or appropriate, the student shall have ten (10) business days from the date of the Student Conduct Officer’s written determination to request a formal hearing. A request for a formal hearing by the student must be in writing and submitted to the Student Conduct Officer.
After receiving the student’s request for a formal hearing, the Student Conduct Officer will give the accused student written notice of the time, date and location of the hearing. The notice will describe the alleged misconduct, the code provisions allegedly violated, and the potential sanctions which may be imposed. The notice will also inform the student that the student may choose to accept responsibility for the alleged misconduct, to waive the formal conduct hearing, and to accept sanctions recommended by the Student Conduct Officer without the necessity of a formal hearing. The notice and a copy of the Code of Conduct shall be delivered to the student via the student scholar email system which confirms receipt at least 5 business days prior to the hearing date. Students may waive the right to a full week’s notice and accept an earlier hearing, only if they voluntarily choose to do so.
Student and Victim Protections
In order to ensure fairness during the Student Conduct Review Process, Yavapai College provides certain protections/rights to charged students and victims. For a complete list of these protections, please refer to the Student Code of Conduct.
Appeals Process For Non-Academic Violations
If the student is dissatisfied with the decisions made by the Hearing Panel, the student may appeal for one of the following reasons only:
- Failure to follow provisions of the Code or other applicable procedures, and the failure negatively affected the student;
- Newly discovered evidence that could not reasonably have been discovered prior to the hearing.
Academic Integrity
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Yavapai College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, acts or attempted acts of plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, facilitating academic dishonesty, and misuse of identification with intent to deceive.
Students may be subject to both the Student Code of Conduct and academic sanctions as determined in the judgment of the academic instructor. Any student determined by the instructor to be responsible for engaging in an act of academic dishonesty may be subject to a range of academic penalties (apart from any sanctions that may be imposed pursuant by the Student Code of Code) as determined by the instructor which may include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following: loss of credit for an assignment, examination, or project; a reduction in the course grade; or a grade of "F" in the course.
Standards of Classroom Behavior
Primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with faculty. Faculty members are authorized to define, communicate, and enforce appropriate standards of decorum in classrooms, offices, and other instructional areas under their supervision. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful act(s) that result in disruption of a class or is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct or school policy may be referred by faculty to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I just received an e-mail from Yavapai College regarding student conduct. What is it / what should I do?
A: If you have received a “Notice of Meeting” scholar e-mail from the Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards or Title IX Coordinator, this means that an incident report was received concerning alleged behaviors that may be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct or College policies. You may be a witness or involved in the incident. The email will provide information about the incident and information on next steps and indicate the day, time and location of your scheduled appointment and if necessary, how to reschedule the meeting to a different day or time. Please refer to the online Student Code of Conduct to see the overall student conduct process.
Q: What happens if I skip my appointment?
A: The Dean of Students or designee will place a hold on your record if you skip your appointment. The hold will remain on your record and will prevent you from registering for future semesters. Skipping a disciplinary conference means that you will not be able to tell your side of the story. It is in your best interest to attend all meetings that have been scheduled.
Q: What will happen at the first meeting?
A: The first meeting is usually a conversation meant to get your side of the story, learn more information about what occurred and provide you information on the student conduct review and disciplinary process.
Q: What happens after the preliminary meeting with a student conduct officer?
A: The Student Conduct Officer or designee may continue to investigate the incident depending upon the complexity of the case. However, after the first meeting, the Student Conduct Officer or designee may make a written determination which may include:
- A determination dismissing the conduct proceedings, based upon a determination that there has been no violation
- A determination of an informal resolution agreement, if one has been achieved, between the student and the Student Conduct Officer including any sanctions imposed. The decision of the Conduct Officer at this level is final and may not be appealed. If a resolution agreement is made and the student fails to comply with the agreement, higher level sanctions or restrictions may result
- A determination that the student has violated the Student Code of Conduct and an informal resolution was not achieved. The Conduct Officer will make a finding of the recommended sanction(s) consistent with the nature and seriousness of the violation(s). The Student Conduct Officer will inform the accused student of the right to a formal conduct hearing
Q: What if I'm found in violation for violating the rules?
A: If you are found to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, you will receive a sanction that is appropriate to the offense. Sanctions include, but are not limited to the following: written warning, probation, hall eviction, a no contact directive toward another student, school suspension, school expulsion. Likewise, a sanction can be more educational in nature which may include any of the following: attending a workshop or training, community service, or writing a reflection letter.
Q: What if I disagree with the decision?
A: If the Student Conduct Officer or designee determines that you violated a rule or policy and offers an informal resolution agreement and sanction, you have the right to reject the resolution agreement. If you do not want to enter into an informal resolution, you have the right to a formal conduct hearing and have your case heard before a Hearing Officer. If you disagree with the Hearing Officer’s decision, see the Appeals section in the Student Code of Conduct
Q: What happens if I get caught for an act of academic misconduct?
A: Any student determined by faculty to have been responsible for engaging in an act of academic dishonesty shall be subject to a range of academic penalties (apart from any sanctions that may be imposed pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct) as determined by the faculty member which may include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following: loss of credit for an assignment, examination, or project; a reduction in the course grade; or a grade of "F" in the course. Students may be subject to both the Student Conduct Code and academic sanctions.