SUMMARY OF COLLEGE BOARD POLICIES

Copies of the complete Board policies are available in the Office of the Vice President of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Policy F-12

Prairie State College shall support student rights of free inquiry, expression, association, peaceful assembly, redress of grievances and due process. Concomitant with these rights are responsibilities and obligations as members of the college community.

In affirming the rights of students, the College also affirms the obligations to preserve an atmosphere of orderly behavior and free exchange of ideas and a respect for the rights and the dignity of all of its members.The College expects its student to act as responsible adults in an academic community and to be informed about and abide by College regulations and the standards of behavior necessary for the ongoing operations of the College and accomplishment of the College's Mission.

Grievances/Complaints by Students

Policy F-13

Prairie State College shall provide an avenue through which students may request the review and consideration of an alleged, unjust or improper practice or harassment on the part of the college, a member of the Board of Trustees, one or more employee(s) or other student(s).

Efforts to address and resolve grievances/complaints are to be made in a timely manner........

The Executive Dean of Student and Campus Life, or designee, shall serve to assist students, as necessary, in implementing or utilizing this policy. Confidentiality shall be maintained.

Student Conduct

Policy F-15

Prairie State College shall require a Code of Student Conduct whereby the persons attending or visiting the College assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the College's functioning as an educational institution.

In accordance therewith, the College shall institute the following Code of Student Conduct:

A. Children are not to accompany students to classes or to be left unattended on the campus, in College buildings, or at any college event.

B. Food, beverages, sleeping, card-playing, playing of personal radios/cassettes/CD players, disruptive activity, misuse of furniture or other property, and /or inappropriate interpersonal conduct for a public area are not permitted in the Atrium or other designated areas.

C. The College shall be designated as a"'Clean Air/Smoke-Free" environment.

D.The College shall be designated as a "Safe School Zone" with zero tolerance for any violations of the law committed on the campus or at any College activity. The College operates according to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Community Act of 1994, which allows for a"Safe School Zone," thereby prohibiting criminal activities occurring within the boundaries of the College campus.

E. Misconduct for which students may be asked to leave the College premises and be subject to official College disciplinary actions fall into the following categories:

1. False Information

2. Obstruction of College Business and Activities. Obstruction, unauthorized interruption, or disruption of the business of the College or any College activity including, but not limited to, testing, research, teaching or of the classroom setting.

3. Abuse/Assault/ Harassment.

4. Destruction of College Property.

5. Theft.

6. Unauthorized Use and Entry of College Facilities.

7. Computer Information.

8. Unauthorized Use or Possession of Keys.

9. Alcoholic Beverages.

10. Illicit Drugs and Controlled Substances.

11.Weapons on Campus.

12. Fire Safety.

13. Bribery.

14. Rights of Others

15. Conduct Behavior.

16. College Policies and Regulations.

17. Failure to Comply with College Official.

18. Motor Vehicles.

19. Obligations or Debts.

20. Distribution of Unauthorized Materials.

21. Hazing.

22. Gambling.

Discipline of Students

Policy F-16

In accordance with the College's right to establish standards of student conduct, Prairie State College possesses the corollary disciplinary responsibility to enforce said standards when methods of example, counseling, guidance and admonition are deemed ineffectual or inappropriate.

The enforcement of the College's standards of student conduct will adhere to the following provisions and principles:

A. A student may not be disciplined for conduct or actions which do not occur on College property and are unrelated to the College or it's activities.

B. Any employee, student or other person who feels that a student or group of students has violated a policy, rule or regulation of the College which would warrant disciplinary action, is to report the incident for appropriate referral. If in doubt as to the appropriate referral, report should be made to the Executive Dean of Student and Campus Life. The incident is then to be promptly investigated and appropriate disciplinary measures taken, as warranted.

Student Due Process

Policy F-17

Prairie State College shall recognize that all students have the right of due process when charged with an alleged violation of a rule, policy or regulation of College. In the event that an alleged infraction cannot be resolved within counseling/guidance mode, the College's judicial officer, as designated by the College President, may impose disciplinary actions. Should the student wish to appeal the decision and imposed actions, he/she may request a hearing to review the matter. The judicial officer may also mandate such a hearing.

Academic Code of Conduct

Policy F-25

Education at Prairie State College is a privilege. The Students at the College are assumed to have the maturity to behave in a manner appropriate to a variety of classroom settings. Faculty members define, communicate, and enforce reasonable standards of behavior in classrooms, laboratories, offices and other instructional areas.

When a student's behavior interferes with an effective learning climate, the student shall be subject to the loss of the privilege of attending or receiving credit in the course and maybe subject to more severe disciplinary actions, including suspension or expulsion from the College.

Violations of the Academic Code of Conduct

Violations of the Academic Code of Conduct include:

A. Academic Dishonesty: Use of, attempt to use, or knowingly assisting in the use of false or misleading information, cheating, any attempt to cheat or use unauthorized material and /or information in the taking of a test(s); or to submit material to meet any course requirement's which is not one's own work.

B.Disruptive Behavior: Any activities which constitute an unreasonable interruption of the learning process, including, but not limited to, the following:

1.Behaviors that are inconsistent with commonly acceptable classroom conduct including tardiness, leaving and returning to class, or leaving class early without prior authorization;

2.Personal discussions and conversations that distract from the learning process, or impede or inhibit the ability of other students to obtain the full benefit of the educational presentation;

3.Use of abusive language or epithets directed specifically toward other persons with the purpose or effect of creating hostile environment or which may reasonably be expected to incite verbal or physical violence;

4.Failure to comply with the directions of faculty;

5. Unauthorized use of electronic devices such as cellular phones, pagers, and beepers. All such devices are to be turned off while in the classroom or laboratory; and

6. Bringing children into the classroom, laboratory or other instructional areas.

C. Unauthorized Use or Misuse of Equipment: Theft or abuse of computer software and hardware, instructional material, and laboratory equipment including but not limited to the following:

1. Unauthorized use or copying of software;

2. Unauthorized use of computer time for personal or business purposes;

3. Interfering in any way with the work of another individual;

4. Modifying the computer program or systems without authorization;

5. Use of the computer system to send obscene, abusive or inappropriate messages; and

6. Unethical, unlawful, or irresponsible use of the internet.

Sanctions for the violation of the Academic Code of Conduct

In instances of Academc Dishonesty, the faculty membe shall determine the academic sanction, which may include a failing grade on the test or assignment and/or a failing grade for the course. In instances of Disruptive Behavior or Unauthorized Use or Misuse of Equipment, the faculty member may discuss the matter with the student to the appropriate College official for disciplinary action in accordance with Policy F-16, Discipline of Students.

The severity of the disciplinary action shall be determined on a case-by-case basis and may not require progressive discipline.

Possession of Weapons

Policy C-8

No employee, student or visitor shall possess on the Prairie State College campus or in any other location during College-sponsored activities any dangerous or deadly weapon as enumerated in Chapter 720 Section 5/24-1 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes. This prohibition shall extend to carrying such weapon(s) about the person, in any vehicle or in any place of storage on the campus.

Sexual Harrassment

Policy C-10

Prairie State College shall support and protect the right of all employees and students to work and learn in an environment free from unsolicited and unwelcome sexual overtures. Sexual harassment is, therefore, unacceptable conduct for College employees and students and is subject to sanctions and disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal or explusion. Sexual harassment is illegal under state and federal law.

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