prohibited act off campus against a student or employee of the College, or against the College
itself, when such act is related to the student or accuser’s status at the College.
Authority for Administration of the Student Code of Conduct
The College President has designated the Vice President of Student Services, Dean of Student
Development, and Coordinator of Judicial Affairs as the persons responsible for the
implementation of the Student Code of Conduct and the student conduct process at the
College. They will coordinate the Student Conduct Process to include the composition of the
Hearing Committee and the imposition of sanctions upon any student(s) found to have
violated the Student Code of Conduct. Decisions made by the Coordinator of Judicial Affairs
and the Vice President of Student Services shall be final, pending the outlined appeal process.
Section I - Student Rights and Responsibilities
1. Student Code of Conduct
Students’ rights are basic to the freedom to learn and must be based on mutual respect and
responsibility. In addition, when a student enrolls at Rockland Community College, he/she
agrees to abide by all College regulations. Therefore, violations of any rule of the following
Code of Conduct will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
The Student Code of Conduct as set forth below applies to all students and student
organizations of Rockland Community College. The Code of Conduct primarily prohibits
misconduct on College premises and off College premises in relation to College-sponsored
activities, including, but not limited to, field trips, internships, sporting events, and all
privileges granted to RCC students. The Vice President of Student Services, Dean of Student
Development or Coordinator of Judicial Affairs may address and take appropriate disciplinary
action based on conduct occurring off campus when the behavior or the presence of the
student, in the College’s sole judgment, adversely impacts or represents a threat to the campus
community, damages the reputation of the institution, or impairs, obstructs, or interferes with
the interests and/or mission, processes, or functions of Rockland Community College.
Students are subject to this Code of Conduct during academic terms for which they are
enrolled, and, under certain circumstances, during breaks between terms, during College
holidays and vacations, and during periods of suspension. If a student violates a law which
also violates the Code, that student may be held accountable by both civil authorities and the
College. The College may, at its sole discretion, elect to pursue disciplinary action against the
student at the same time as criminal proceedings, even if criminal charges involving the same
incident are pending, have been dismissed, or were reduced.
2. Standard of Evidence
A general principle in all matters of student discipline will be that the College may base its
determinations on a preponderance of the evidence standard (i.e., it is more likely than not).
In cases of misconduct where a major penalty may be assessed, or in which
a student so requests, the student will be informed in writing of the allegations and charges,
will be provided an opportunity to refute them, and will be afforded an avenue to appeal an
adverse decision.
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