Student Code of Conduct

The rules of conduct specified below are not all-inclusive, but are emphasized as being among those necessary for the security and well-being of students attending Eastern Arizona College and are among the circumstances which may lead to disciplinary action and possible dismissal.

• Conviction of a crime or continued misconduct of any type that is an infraction of the established laws of the town, county, state or nation
• Possessing or using intoxicating liquors, narcotics or other illegal drugs
• Stealing or in possession of stolen articles
• Malicious destruction of property
• Endangering or threatening the life or physical safety of others or self, including forcible or non-forcible sexual assault
• Failure to meet financial obligations to the College
• Student conduct, on or off campus, prejudicial to the best interest of the College may be considered cause for disciplinary action or dismissal

Substance Abuse Awareness FYI Series

August 23, 2007 and January 17, 2008 at 11:00 AM in the Gherald L. Hoopes, Jr. Activities Center

Academic Integrity

The information below is strictly a summary. Students are responsible to abide by the entire policy which may be accessed on the web version of the current academic catalog.

The value of the degrees, certificates and coursework offered by Eastern Arizona College greatly depends on its reputation as an institution dedicated to academic honesty. Each member of the EAC community is charged with honoring and upholding the policies and procedures governing academic integrity in their entirety.

Code of Academic Integrity

Student at Eastern Arizona College are expected to:

• Conduct themselves in accordance with principles of academic integrity
• Behave so as to foster an atmosphere of honesty and fairness
• Avoid plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct
• Give truthful information to any College professional educator or to any other College employee regarding issues concerning academic integrity or academic misconduct, or suspected academic misconduct
• Not alter, misuse, or forge any College document, record, or instrument of identification

Students are not excused from these provisions because of any failure or inability on the part of the professional educator to prevent other instances of academic misconduct as listed below:

• Cheating on examinations
• Inappropriate collaboration (working together)
• Submitting the same assignment for different classes
• Intentional misrepresentation
• Plagiarism
• Improper influence (attempting to influence a grade by offering anything of value)

When a professional educator becomes aware of a possible violation of academic integrity, a confidential conference should be held to discuss the perceived violation and its consequences. If, following the conversation, the professional educator is satisfied that a violation has occurred, he or she may determine that one of more of the following consequences are appropriate and impose such penalty:

• Issuing a verbal or written reprimand
• Requiring that the academic project or examination in question be repeated
• Assigning the academic project or examination in question a reduced grade
• Requiring that the academic project or examination in question be repeated for a reduced grade
• Assigning the academic project or examination in question a failing grade
• Assigning a reduced grade in the course
• Assigning a failing grade in the course
• Initiating the student’s involuntary withdrawal from the course

If the professional educator feels that the violation in question was especially serious or repeated, he or she may recommend that additional penalties be imposed by the Admissions and Academic Standards Appeals Committee.

If this Committee concludes that the violation is so serious as to possibly warrant the student’s exclusion from extracurricular college activities, or suspension or dismissal from the College, it will make that recommendation to the Judiciary Committee.

The Judiciary Committee may impose additional penalties against a violator, which may include:

• Censure and exclusion from extracurricular college activities, including student government, athletics, performances, or other activities of the college community
• Suspension for a specified period of time
• Expulsion from the College without expectation of readmission

A Student’s Right to Appeal

A student may appeal any decision to impose discipline as a result of academic misconduct through the established Grievance Procedure and Official Review Process for Academic Standards.

Disciplinary Actions:

The following activities may lead to disciplinary action, loss of campus living privileges, and possible dismissal from Eastern Arizona College:

• Conviction of a crime or continued misconduct of any type that is an infraction of the established laws of the city, county, state or nation
• Possessing or using intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or other illegal drugs. Federal law allows notification of parents or guardians when there is a violation of this policy or a student exhibits a pattern of illegal substance use.
• Stealing or possession of stolen articles
• Malicious destruction of property
• Endangering or threatening the life or physical safety of others or self
• Interference with the education process by threatening behavior or possession of dangerous weapons or simulated weapons
• Projectile weapons are prohibited on the campus of Eastern Arizona College, including all firearms, BB/pellet guns, paint ball guns, archery equipment, etc. Any person found in possession of the above described weapon(s) on campus are subject to expulsion from Eastern Arizona College. Please be aware that many BB/pellet guns may be mistaken for a real weapon. Any weapon of this type pulled out in the presence of a law officer may result in the officer defending him/herself.
• Laser pointers or Laser devices that emit any laser beam are prohibited on campus except when used by an instructor in a classroom setting or class instruction. Pointing a laser device at a police officer is a crime in the State of Arizona.
• Inappropriate use of EAC computer equipment, programs or accounts (see Use of EAC Computer Equipment, Programs or Accounts)
• Failure to meet financial obligations to the College
• Academic misconduct
• Student conduct, on or off-campus, prejudicial to the best interest of the College may be considered cause for disciplinary action or dismissal.

You are expected to abide by this code. Ignorance is not an excuse! (See General Catalog for full text.)

Rights and Responsibilities

What are my responsibilities and rights as a student? What do I do if I feel I’m not being treated fairly? How do I appeal an action that has been taken against me?

YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A STUDENT ARE:

• to set academic goals for yourself;
• to know what classes you should take to reach your goals;
• to master the information presented to you in class by attending class and studying outside of class;
• provide honest feedback to instructors via the online course evaluation system on Eastern’s website
• to take advantage of every learning opportunity that is presented to you, whether in or out of class; and
• to a hearing if you believe your rights have been violated. At Eastern Arizona College, this is called the “Grievance Procedure.” The steps of the procedure for Academic and Non-Academic Grievances are spelled out in detail in the 2006-2008 College Catalog on pages 35 and 43. Or you can find them in the electronic catalog on Eastern’s website as follows: eac.edu/academics/catalogs/current/codeofconduct.shtm#grievance

There are several key points about the Grievance Procedure you should always keep in mind.

• Let your concerns be known quickly. The grievance procedure sets definite time lines that must be followed. More importantly, a problem not addressed when it occurs can often escalate into something much more serious.
• The first step of the grievance procedure is always to meet with the individual you feel to be responsible for violation of your rights as a student. If you feel intimidated or uncomfortable with this first step, it is always appropriate to meet with a member of the counseling staff who in turn can provide you support in taking the appropriate steps to confront and resolve the problem.
• Determine if the issue is an academic or a non-academic concern. This makes a difference in how you would proceed if you cannot resolve the situation to your satisfaction with the responsible individual.

Academic Concerns

Academic concerns almost always involve matters within the classroom such as grading procedures, accusations of cheating or plagiarism, instructor-student relationships, or expectations of what is supposed to be going on in the classrooms not being met. They may also involve students feeling they have been poorly advised or given incorrect information. Such issues would be addressed through the instructor or advisor, then the instructor’s academic division chair, the appropriate academic dean and finally the Admissions and Academic Standards committee.

Non-Academic Concerns

Non-academic concerns are generally those stemming from disciplinary action taken against a student for inappropriate behavior. The behavior may be classroom related, for example, being barred from the classroom for being disruptive. More frequently the behavior in question would occur outside the classroom, for example an accusation of violating the student code of conduct, residence hall or athletic team rules. If the student believes that the action taken was unfair or not warranted, he or she has the right to appeal using the grievance procedure. The final step in this process is for an appeal to be heard by the Judiciary Committee which is a group comprised of students, faculty and staff.

Don’t be afraid to get advice about what to do: Student Life or Counseling staff are expected to be available to discuss your concerns with you and to do so in a non-judgmental manner. Their role is to advise you about options available to you by which you may resolve your concern and to support you in pursuing those options.

Contacts

Dean of Students, Gary Sorensen, (928)428-8247, Room 114 in the Gherald L. Hoopes Jr. Activities Center or Gary.Sorensen@eac.edu

Assistant Dean of Counseling, Richard Spining, (928)428-8253, Counseling Office or Counseling@eac.edu.