Student Conduct Procedures

As members of the larger community, students are entitled to all rights and protections accorded them by the laws of the country, state of North Carolina, and the community. Central Piedmont Community College honors the right of free speech, discussion and expression, and the right to petition and assemble, each of which is consistent with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. That these rights are a part of the fabric of this institution is not questioned. They must remain secure. It is equally clear, however, that in a community of learning, willful disruption of the educational process, destruction of property, and interference with the rights of other members of the community cannot be tolerated.

As members of the academic community, students are expected to exercise their freedoms responsibly. As such, students are subject to the same federal, state, and local laws to which all citizens are subject, and which are enforceable by duly constituted authorities. When students violate these laws, they may incur governmental penalties. When they violate academic policies or the college's Code of Conduct, they may incur college penalties.

The Central Piedmont Student Code of Conduct, including Students' Rights and Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures, is published in the Central Piedmont Student Handbook. The College expects students to familiarize themselves with and be accountable for the rights, responsibilities, and disciplinary procedures in all college publications relating to student conduct, including the Student Handbook, College Catalog, bulletins, and other sources of available information.

In accordance with the Sexual Misconduct Policy, other forms of student conduct are unacceptable and may also violate the College’s policy against Sexual Misconduct under Title IX. When a report of harassment is received, the Title IX coordinator will determine whether it shall proceed under this policy, and/or the Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures.

I. Disciplinary Sanctions

Illegal activities on or off College premises or failure to meet standards of conduct acceptable to the College while on its premises may result in appropriate sanctions, including disciplinary suspension and expulsion.

II. Due Process and Disciplinary Procedures

The following stated procedure will be followed when disciplinary action against a student is initiated. Student organizations may also be disciplined using these same procedures.

A. Within seven working days after a complaint is received and evaluated, the Associate Vice President of Student Engagement or their designee may inform the student of the complaint against him/her in writing, as deemed necessary.

B. The student will be advised of the date, time, and location of the administrative meeting or disciplinary hearing in which the complaint will be presented.

C. The Associate Vice President of Student Engagement or their designee may invoke interim suspension and temporarily suspend a student until the disciplinary process can be completed. An interim suspension may be lifted at any step in the procedure by the Associate Vice President of Student Engagement or their designee.

D. The complaint will be described and examined at the administrative meeting or disciplinary hearing between the student and the Associate Vice President of Student Engagement or their designee. An accused student does not have the right to representation or to use any recording device at a hearing.

E. The Associate Vice President of Student Engagement or their designee will have five working days following the hearing to present a written decision to the student.

F. The Associate Vice President of Student Engagement or their designee will notify all appropriate College offices regarding actions they need to take in response to the decision about the student, and will notify College Security Services if a student is suspended or expelled from the College.

G. A student who wishes to appeal the decision has five (5) working days following receipt of the written decision to request an appeal hearing. The process for conducting an appeal hearing is outlined in Section V of the Student Code of Conduct.

H. Following an appeal hearing, the decision of the Associate Vice President of Student Engagement or their designee may be appealed to the Vice President for Student Affairs, whose decision will be final. This final appeal will be conducted only if the student shows evidence that the College violated its own procedures in conducting the appeal hearing.

I. A student who is suspended shall apply to the Associate Vice President of Student Engagement or their designee for readmission to the College.

J. A student who is expelled shall apply to the Vice President for Student Affairs for readmission to the College.

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