Office of Student Conduct

The Office of Student Conduct promotes standards of behavior that support the CCBC Mission, Vision, and Values of Learning, Responsibility, Integrity, Inclusiveness and Excellence.

The Office of Student Conduct administers a disciplinary process that maintains the integrity of the academic community and protects student rights. The goal of this office is to:

  • Provide opportunities to resolve student conduct issues before escalating to Code of Conduct violations.
  • Implement the Code of Conduct in a consistent, fair and timely manner.
  • Educate the College community on issues related to the Code of Conduct

Overview

CCBC is a multi-ethnic community composed of students, faculty, staff and administrators. This community recognizes the need to establish a code of conduct containing rules and regulations that promote growth and development, guide student actions, and define sanctions that will be imposed when rules and regulations are violated.

For the benefit of the community at large, these regulations limit certain behaviors and activities. They also protect the academic integrity, health, welfare, safety, rights and property of the college. Any student whose conduct violates this Code of Conduct will
be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion.

The primary purpose for the imposition of discipline in the college setting is to protect the campus community. Consistent with this purpose, reasonable effort will be made to foster the personal, educational and social development of those students who are
held accountable for violations of college regulations.

People grow and mature in communities. Living in a community requires depending upon the knowledge, integrity and decency of others. In turn, the best communities help individuals mold habits and values that will enable them to achieve the highest personal
satisfaction, including the satisfaction associated with helping to make a better world.

This Code of Conduct protects the multi-ethnic community at each campus of the Community College of Baltimore County. It fosters CCBC’s commitment to excellence and equity, and affirms the shared values that make respect for diversity possible.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Unlawful Discrimination
Right: No student shall be subject to unlawful discrimination on the grounds of age, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability in any activity sponsored by the college, on or off the college grounds.
Responsibility: Students shall not engage in unlawful discrimination against other students or faculty members. Every student shall treat all members of the college community with respect and courtesy.

Freedom of Expression and Inquiry
Right: Students have First Amendment rights to freedom of expression and inquiry. Such freedom is protected in order to build a community dedicated to the pursuit of truth, grounded in respect for diversity and civil discourse.
Responsibility: Students must express themselves in a civil and lawful manner that does not materially or substantially disrupt the operation of the college, or interfere with the rights of others.

Academic Integrity
Right: Students have the right to expect a learning environment where academic integrity is valued and respected.
Responsibility: Students are responsible for demonstrating academic integrity and shall not engage in or condone acts of academic dishonesty.

Freedom of Association
Right: Students have the right to freedom of association.
Responsibility: Students are responsible for respecting the right of others to freedom of association. When assembling and expressing their views, students must do so in a manner which does not materially or substantially disrupt the educational process or the operations of the college.

Freedom from Arbitrary or Capricious Grading
Right: Students have the right to be free from arbitrary or capricious grading, and to seek appropriate review of legitimate grievances, as specified in college regulations.
Responsibility: Students are responsible for achieving reasonable standards of performance and behavior established for each course.

Right to Privacy
Right: Students have the right to privacy, inspection and challenge of their educational records, as provided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
Responsibility: Students have the responsibility to respect the established privacy rights of others, including the privacy of educational records belonging to other students.

Freedom of the Press
Right: Students may publish news and commentary in accordance with established First Amendment standards.
Responsibility: Students may not misuse college property (including computer resources) or the college name for unauthorized purposes. Students are responsible for adhering to pertinent state and federal law, including laws regarding defamation, obscenity, copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, prohibited harassment, ethnic intimidation, and threats of violence. Students shall adhere to established standards of journalistic ethics, including a commitment to honest reporting, and a responsibility to allow diverse views to be heard.

Freedom of Speech
Right: Students have the right to express their views on matters affecting college life, in accordance with established procedures for campus governance.
Responsibility: Students have the responsibility to encourage a diversity of views, and to follow democratic procedures designed to create a climate of reasoned discourse and action.

Freedom from Harassment
Right: Students have the right to be free from unlawful intimidation or coercion, including sexual harassment.
Responsibility: Students are responsible for respecting the right of others to be free from unlawful intimidation or coercion, including sexual harassment.

Sanctions

Warning
Notice, orally or in writing, that continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct may be cause for additional disciplinary action.

Censure
Written reprimand for violation of specified regulations.

Restitution
Repayment to the college or to an affected party for damages resulting from a violation of the Code of Conduct.

Disciplinary Probation
Exclusion from participation in college activities for a specified period of time.

Suspension
Exclusion from college premises, and other privileges or activities for a specific period of time.

Expulsion
Permanent termination of student status, and exclusion from college premises, privileges and activities.

For academic integrity violations, sanctions are determined by the faculty member and may result in failure of the course. 

Learn more »

Procedural Protections for Students

Students accused of disciplinary violations are entitled to the following procedural protections:

  • To be informed by the vice president of Enrollment and Student Services’ designee of the charges against them, and the identity of the complainant.
  • To be allowed to request an informal resolution of the case (when appropriate).
  • To be allowed at least three business days to prepare for a disciplinary conference and five business days to prepare for a hearing.
  • To hear and respond to evidence upon which a charge is based.
  • To call and engage relevant witnesses.
  • To be assured of confidentiality, in accordance with the terms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
  • To be allowed to request that any person conducting a disciplinary conference, or serving as a hearing board member or hearing officer, be disqualified on the ground of personal bias as determined by the vice president of Enrollment and Student Services’ designee.
  • To be considered innocent of the charges until proven responsible by a preponderance of the evidence.