Student Code of Conduct

Purpose

"Tarrant County College is the guiding star for accessible, high-quality educational experiences that drive lasting impact." The Student Code of Conduct is designed to promote and protect an environment that encourages reasoned discourse, integrity, intellectual honesty, openness to constructive change, and respect for the rights and responsibilities of all individuals. The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to set forth the specific authority and responsibility of the College in maintaining social discipline, to establish guidelines that facilitate a just and civil campus community, and to outline an educational process for determining student/organization responsibility for alleged violations of college regulations. This student conduct process will follow established procedures for ensuring fundamental fairness and an educational experience that facilitates the development of the individual and of the student/organization.

Jurisdiction

The College Student Code of Conduct shall be used to address any student/organization conduct alleged to have violated a College policy or any local, state or federal law. The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to conduct that occurs on College premises, at College-sponsored activities, and off-campus conduct that adversely affects the College community and/or the pursuit of its objectives. Each student/organization shall be responsible for the student's conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree (and even if their conduct is not discovered until after a degree is awarded).  The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to a student's behavior even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending, are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the College or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission. Alleged violations of federal, state and (or) local laws may be investigated and addressed under the Student Code of Conduct. Should the alleged incident(s) violate both College regulations and law, this may result in the application of student conduct procedures in addition to any criminal proceedings.

Evidentiary Standard

Proof of the alleged misconduct must include evidence that meets the criteria for determining a "preponderance of evidence." A preponderance of evidence means a greater weight of evidence or more likely than not. Even in cases that make reference to federal, state, or local criminal statutes or ordinances, the burden of proof in College District conduct proceedings remains as a preponderance of evidence.

Procedures

Any individual may submit a report regarding an alleged violation of College policies and rules or other types of misconduct within a reasonable time frame following an incident.

For instances involving reports of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and retaliation targeting students, including claims against other students, employees, and third parties, see DIAA or FFDA, as appropriate. For instances involving reports of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation involving other protected characteristics, see FFDB.

The College's student conduct procedures may involve up to three steps, as noted below:

Step 1: Preliminary Investigation
Step 2: Administrative Conference
Step 3: Appeal (if requested)