STUDENT SERVICES

Student Discipline. Academic and personal behavior of OWCC students shall be governed by policies contained in the college catalog, the Student Handbook, such other policies as may be approved by the Board of Trustees on recommendation of the President and by pertinent provisions of Florida Statutes and FAC Rules. Any act or behavior by a student which tends to interfere with or otherwise disrupt the orderly conduct, process, functions and/or interests of the college is prohibited. Such acts and behaviors include but are not limited to the following:

1. Cheating in any form, including plagiarism (such behavior may result in academic penalty and/or course failure at the discretion of the instructor, which may be appealed by the student);
2. Gambling;
3. Theft, vandalism or destruction of college property, or property of members of the college community;
4. Falsification of personal or college records;
5. The use, manufacture, distribution, sale, or possession of alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs on campus or at any college-sponsored event or activity;
6. Violence, including but not limited to sexual assault, robbery, murder or battery against any member or guest of the college community;
7. Hazing; and Harassment.

Instances of prohibited student behavior, which may include cheating and plagiarism, will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for resolution.

A member of Student Services will be appointed to make inquiries into the circumstances of the matter to determine if it has been handled through the proper channels. The inquiry will be completed within seven (7) working days of the submission date. This person may recommend that the matter be dismissed, settled informally, or be the subject of formal charges.

All reports of sexual assault and/or harassment are to be treated as confidential. The member of the college staff receiving the complaint should treat the victim with respect and consideration. It is important that confidentiality be extended to the accused as well as the victim. All persons involved in this procedure are directed not to discuss the matter except with college personnel involved in the process, attorneys for the victim and/or the accused, law enforcement personnel and other authorized agencies.

Informal settlement will be at the discretion of the Dean of Student Services who may do one or more of the following: give oral or written warning and/or admonition; require restitution or counseling. The informal settlement will take place within seven (7) working days of the inquiry recommendation. Formal charges, in writing, will be prepared by the Dean of Student Services within five (5) working days and presented to the accused student. The charges will include:

1. The accused student's name, address, and social security number.
2. A description of the alleged violation that includes dates, times, and places.
3. The names of any witnesses and a description of any physical or written evidence that was known at the time that formal charges were prepared.

At the time of notification of formal charges, the Dean of Student Services will offer the student his/her choice of hearing settings:

1. An administrative hearing which will be conducted by the Dean of Student Services who will decide guilt or innocence and the appropriate action or sanction: dismissal of the charges, placing the student on disciplinary probation, or recommending to the president suspension or dismissal.
2. A Student Conduct Committee hearing which will decide guilt or innocence. The committee will be comprised of the Dean of Student Services (Chair), two other members of Student Services, two faculty members appointed by the Vice President for Instruction, and two students appointed by the Dean of Student Services upon recommendation of the Student Government Association President. After the presentation of evidence (against and in defense of the student), if the committee decides that there is clear and convincing evidence that the student is guilty, it will recommend the action or sanction to be taken. If the committee decides that the student is not guilty, it will recommend that the charges be dismissed. The Dean of Student Services will make the final decision and recommendation, then inform the student of the decision, the procedures of review and the grounds for appeal.