The Conduct Process is in place to encourage students to take responsibility for positively contributing to the campus community and to determine if a student is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct or other campus policies. It is important to note that a conduct review is not a court of law. However, students in violation of local, state, or federal law may be held accountable to law enforcement.
Responsibility for the student conduct process is delegated to the Dean of Students.
National Park College is committed to upholding the following students’ rights:
Students assume the responsibility to conduct themselves and their guests in a manner that is civil and compatible with National Park College’s mission and function as an educational institution.
The process is comprehensive, inclusive, and intends to educate and empower students to take responsibility for their choices, take steps toward resolution, and develop their personal standards in pursuit of academic and personal integrity.
Understanding the Conduct Review Process
The conduct review process is an educational tool that assists the college in determining
responsibility for misconduct and provides a method to redirect behavior toward patterns
more acceptable to the campus community.
If you received notice of a Student Conduct Case, it is natural to be a little nervous. Review the steps below in detail so that you can act as an honest and active participant throughout the review, meeting and procedures, and resolutions stages of the accountability process.
If a student is believed to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, an incident report is submitted to the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students will review the information and refer the report to a Conduct Officer. The Conduct Officer will review the report and submit a Notice of Charge via email to request a Conduct Conference with the student in question.
Students accused of alleged violations will be provided with reasonable notice of a scheduled Conduct Conference with 1. the identity of the Conduct Officer, 2. an account of the alleged misconduct, 3. the alleged policy violation, and 4. date, time, and location of the Conduct Conference. Students may respond in writing (including written witness statements) to the alleged misconduct prior to the Conduct Conference. During periods when timely Conduct Conference procedures cannot be conducted, and in instances when the number of cases to be heard cannot be scheduled in a timely manner, alternative procedures may be adopted to efficiently and fairly resolve cases.
At the Conduct Conference, students will be afforded the opportunity to offer a relevant response (including witnesses) to the alleged misconduct and alleged violation. Accused students will be required to answer any and all questions asked of them. During the Conduct Conference, students are expected to uphold the Student Code of Conduct and be honest at all times. A Conduct Conference may require more than one meeting or additional investigation to come to a determination.
When the Conduct Officer does not believe additional investigation is warranted, a determination as to responsibility will be made, and if applicable, a sanction determined:
RESPONSIBLE – If a student is found responsible for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and/or any other rules and regulations pertaining to students, the Conduct Officer will issue a sanction (see Step 3) and provide the student with written notification of the outcome of the Conduct Conference after determination has been made.
NOT RESPONSIBLE – If a student is found not responsible, a sanction will not be issued and the student’s case will be moved to Case Closed (Step 5). A written notification of the outcome of the Conduct Conference will be provided to the student.
Disciplinary Sanctions are in line with National Park College’s mission: Learning is our focus; student success is our goal.
The purpose of a sanction is to redirect students’ behavior towards patterns more acceptable to the campus community. Sanctions are issued in accordance with the following in mind:
Potential Sanctions include but are not limited to:
Students who fail to comply with or complete sanctions may have holds placed on the release of their grades, records, and/or transcripts.
Any student who is also an athlete will have notification of sanction sent to their Athletic Coach(es) and Athletic Director.
When a student is formally notified of the findings from a Conduct Conference, the student has the right to appeal the findings or results. In cases initially heard by a Conduct Officer, appeals are to be directed to the Dean of Students. In cases initially heard by the Dean of Students, appeals are to be directed to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Such appeal requests must be filed in writing no later than three (3) business days after receipt of the written results of the Conduct Conference. Appeals from students found responsible during the Conduct Conference will only be granted on the following grounds:
The Dean of Students or Vice President for Student Affairs will only review written appeal requests, the case file, and written findings from a Conduct Conference. An additional Conduct Conference may be held but is not guaranteed. All sanctions assessed from a Conduct Conference will remain in effect during the appeal period and process, until such time as they are reversed or modified.
Following review of the appeal request, the Dean of Students or Vice President for Student Affairs may elect to void the decision, uphold the decision, alter the sanctions, or require a new Conduct Conference. The decision of the Dean of Students or Vice President for Student Affairs in all appeal reviews is the final decision.
A student who is found not responsible will have their case closed immediately following the Conference Meeting. If a student is found responsible, but no sanction is issued, other than a warning, the case will be closed. However, the case will remain open until all sanctions have been completed or the time period has expired.
When a student is accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct, a conduct file is created. This file contains all the information pertinent to the situation in which a student has been involved. Each subsequent time a student is accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct, their prior record may be used in determining sanctions. Such records shall be maintained by the Office of Student Affairs 3 to 7 years after the student has graduated from the college.
Accessory: Encouraging, permitting, or assisting another to participate in any act that could subject them to discipline qualifies as being an accessory. This aid/contribution can take the form of knowing about misconduct and not reporting the misconduct to a proper authority at the college and is in of itself a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Chosen Supporter: Any individual a student selects to be present in a Conduct Conference in a support capacity (this individual does not speak on behalf of the student). If a student does not have someone to serve as a chosen supporter, a Conduct Officer or the Dean of Students will aid in identifying one.
College Official: Any person employed by National Park College performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities, including student staff members.
College Premises: All land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of, or owned, used, leased, or controlled by National Park College, as well as property contiguous to such land, buildings, and facilities.
Conduct Conference: A meeting between a staff member from the Division of Student Affairs or other designee, and the student(s) accused of alleged policy violations.
Conduct Officer: Any individual authorized by the Dean of Students to evaluate whether a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct and recommend sanctions.
Administrative Conduct Meeting: A meeting between an administrator or a group of administrators with the student(s) accused of alleged violations of policy.
Member of the Campus Community: Any individual who is a student, faculty member, staff member, or any other person representing National Park College.
Sanction: An action taken by the college in response to a violation of policies and/or the Student Code of Conduct. The purpose of such action is to establish expectations which uphold the mission of the college as well as to help students recognize acceptable boundaries of their actions and the consequences of future choices.
Students: All individuals taking courses at National Park College, both full and part-time. Individuals who are on internship/rotations, even if not earning credit, are also considered students. Individuals, who have a continuing relationship with National Park College even if they are studying abroad or are on leave, are also considered students.
