The College makes every effort to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for its students and employees alike. When a student is in violation of the Code of Conduct, they will be subject to disciplinary action by the College, and if warranted, referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. It is expected that students are courteous, respectful, accountable, and conduct themselves as responsible members of the College community. Participation in any activity which, in the opinion of the administration, disrupts the educational process or functioning of the College may result in disciplinary action. Specific violations of the Code of Conduct and/or college policy include, but are not limited to the following:
Academic Integrity (cheating and/or plagiarism)
Bullying/Hazing (initiating or participating in verbal, social, or physical bullying; whether in person, through social media, electronic devices, or any other means)
Children on Campus
Communicating Threats
Computer Acceptable Use
Destruction of College Property
Discrimination
Drug, Alcohol and Controlled Substance
Fighting
Forgery
Fraud
Gambling
General Disruptive Behavior
Harassment
Larceny/Theft
Profanity/Obscene Language
Sexual Misconduct
Substance Abuse and/or Possession (any drug as defined under North Carolina General Statutes)
Tobacco Free Campus
Violation of Federal, State, or Local Law
Weapons on Campus (possess or carry, any weapon on campus, whether openly or concealed)
Zero Tolerance
Violation of these rules of conduct and/or policy will not be tolerated in or on any part of the campus, its satellites, equipment it operates, or wherever its employees or students are required to be while performing their duties as employees or students. Any violation of these standards of behavior may result in disciplinary sanctions and/or dismissal from the College. Additional classroom rules may be designated by instructors or supervisors and must be followed at all times. College administrators have the right to contact parents of any student under the age of 21 who has violated a federal, state, or local law, or any rule or policy of the institution, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.
Any person observing a conduct violation(s) should immediately contact the Dean of Student Affairs or the Vice President for Student Services.
Conduct Warning, Probation, Suspension, and Expulsion
CFCC students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with college rules, regulations, policy and/or local, state or federal law. Any student whose conduct or behavior becomes unsatisfactory may be placed on conduct warning, probation, suspension, or may be expelled from the college. If an act of misconduct threatens the safety, health or well-being of the College community or severely disrupts the educational process/learning environment, the Dean of Student Affairs or his/her designee, may impose an interim suspension, or campus ban, from the College and/or College premises until disciplinary proceedings are completed and due process is provided to the student. Interim suspension may result in exclusion from class and/or other College related privileges or activities until a final decision can be made concerning the alleged violation. A student is subject to immediate suspension and expulsion, if deemed necessary, by the Dean of Student Affairs or Vice President for Student Services.. CFCC has the right and responsibility to protect the welfare of the college community and has the discretion to impose disciplinary sanctions under the CFCC Student Code of Conduct.
Warning – is a status of “conduct warning” through the duration at CFCC.
Probation – is a status of “conduct probation” for the duration at CFCC.
As part of conduct probation a student may have restrictions placed on specific student privileges or may be required to satisfy certain conditions to return as determined by an administrative hearing and/or the Dean of Student Affairs. In the event of a further violation of the Code of Conduct, or other College rules while on disciplinary probation, the College may seek the penalty of suspension or expulsion if warranted.
Suspension – is the status of “conduct suspension”, which involves immediate removal from campus, withdrawal from enrollment for a specific period of time, registration privileges revoked, and will remain on the student’s permanent record.
Expulsion – is the permanent dismissal of a student from the College. Expulsion will result in immediate removal from campus, withdrawal from enrollment, registration privileges revoked, and will result in a permanent notation on the CFCC official transcript.
Conditions to Return
Any student that is on conduct probation, suspension or removed from classes due to a code of conduct violation may be required to submit appropriate documentation or satisfy certain conditions to return as determined by an administrative hearing and/or the Dean of Student Affairs. Those conditions may include, but are not limited to, counseling, evaluation/assessment by a mental health provider, anger management, proof of rehabilitation and/or other required documentation.
All suspended students must meet with the Dean of Student Affairs or designee to make clear the terms of their suspension from the College. Re-enrollment after a suspension period requires that the student apply to the Dean of Student Affairs at the close of the imposed period, and the Dean will determine whether the student has met the conditions imposed and is otherwise eligible for re-enrollment. To ensure due process, a denial may be appealed to the Judicial Board.
Cape Fear Community College has the authority, exercised in its reasoned judgment, to ban students, employees, and visitors, using existing policies, and/or procedures (i.e. Code of Conduct suspensions, expulsions). Likewise, the college may ban a student on an interim basis if he or she is deemed to pose an imminent threat to college property or operations, to the safety or well-being of others, or otherwise has engaged in unacceptably disruptive conduct that disturbs the CFCC learning and working environment. During the term of suspension and/or expulsion, the student may not come onto campus (campus ban) and may be served with a No-Trespass Order. Failure to abide by this condition may result in arrest for criminal trespassing and/or referred for prosecution.
A student who is suspended or expelled after the deadline for withdrawal (“W”), shall be assigned a grade of “W” and administratively withdrawn regardless of academic performance.
Right of Appeal
If a student wishes to appeal a conduct sanction or action taken by the College, he/she may file a written appeal within five (5) weekdays of the incident to the Vice President for Student Services.
The Vice President of Student Services will present the appeal to the Dean of Student Affairs to serve as a student advocate and to coordinate a hearing with the Code of Conduct Subcommittee of the Judicial Board within ten (10) weekdays of notification. To ensure the student receives due process, the student will meet with the Dean of Student Affairs prior to the hearing to answer any questions or concerns that the student may have during the appeal process.
The subcommittee of the Judicial Board should include:
Two faculty and/or staff members appointed by the Dean of Student Affairs.
The Vice President of Student Services who will serve as the chair without a vote, (unless there is a tie).
At the conclusion of the appeal hearing, the Vice President of Student Services will notify the student and Dean of Student Affairs of the committee’s decision. The student may appeal the Code of Conduct Subcommittee’s decision to the President of the College or his/her designee. This appeal must be made within five (5) weekdays of the student’s receipt of the Code of Conduct Subcommittee’s decision. The appeal process consists of the President of the College or his/her designee reviewing the written record submitted to date and does not involve an additional hearing. The President of the College or his/her designee will respond with his/her final decision to the appeal within ten (10) weekdays of receipt of the appeal.
Judicial Board
Cape Fear Community College supports students’ constitutional right to due process. The Judicial Board is the vehicle to ensure the right of appeal.
The right of appeal is granted to any student who has a grievance concerning final grades, academic integrity (cheating/plagiarism), conduct suspension or expulsion, or feels he/she has been discriminated against or denied service on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability or sex.
The Judicial Board will consist of seven (7) representatives from all areas of the College including faculty, staff, and administration. The Judicial Board’s subcommittees will act on the following categories of student appeals. The Judicial Board will hear appeals concerning final grades, academic integrity, conduct suspension or expulsion, and charges of discrimination and/or denial of service on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, handicap or sex. The subcommittee’s areas of responsibility of the Judicial Board are listed below.
Academic Subcommittee of the Judicial Board
The Academic Subcommittee will hear appeals in the matter of academic integrity (cheating or plagiarism) and grade appeal (final grades). The subcommittee will consist of members selected from the Judicial Board membership and others as deemed necessary by the Dean of Student Affairs. The committee will consist of two (2) or more representatives from the Judicial Board and the Vice President of Academic Affairs will serve as chair.
Code of Conduct (Disciplinary and Sexual Misconduct) Subcommittee of the Judicial Board
The Code of Conduct Subcommittee will hear appeals concerning conduct from the college’s Office of Student Affairs. The subcommittee will consist of members selected from the Judicial Board membership and others as deemed necessary by the Dean of Student Affairs. The committee will consist of two (2) or more representatives from the Judicial Board and the Vice President of Student Services will serve as chair.
