Student Code of Conduct
(Adopted July 2015/Revised August 2022/Revised August 2024)
Jurisdiction
Discipline may be imposed for conduct which occurs on college premises, or Campus Housing, in or out of the classroom setting, while using college technology, at off-campus instructional sites, during off-campus college- sponsored events and for off-campus conduct which materially and substantially interferes with the College’s operational and educational programs.
Each student is responsible for their conduct from the time of application for admission to the College through the award of a degree/certificate or such other time as there is a formal termination of the student relationship.
Each student is responsible for conduct occurring during the academic year and during periods between terms of enrollment of an academic year.
Definitions
Academic Integrity: Ethical behavior in which students produce their own work and do not represent others’ work as their own, either by plagiarism, by cheating, or by helping others to do so. Academic honesty is expected of all students.
Advisor: A person who supports a student as they participate in the conduct process. The advisor’s supporting role is limited to conferring with and advising the student directly. The advisor may attend but may not actively participate in the conduct process as a representative or advocate for the student. The college also reserves the right to have an advisor present to advise the college officials during the student conduct process. Students seeking an advisor may request a list from the Dean of Students of potential advisors who have received training about the campus conduct process.
Appeals Board: Group responsible for reviewing appeals from students who have been sanctioned for violating the Student Code of Conduct. The Appeals Board typically consists of administrators, faculty, and staff who are impartial and make decisions based on the evidence presented during the appeal process.
Behavior Intervention Team: An interdisciplinary alliance dedicated to identifying and assisting students at risk of harm to themselves or others, whether socially, mentally, or physically. The team, consisting of the Chair of the Team / Dean of Students, Campus Police, Counseling Coordinator, Faculty, Counselor/Advisor, Academic Deans, and Athletics, focuses on making recommendations for intervention or action for referred students.
Any member of the campus community can refer a student to the Behavior Intervention Team by completing a Student Referral Form. Upon receiving a completed referral, the team reviews it to determine if intervention is necessary.
If warranted, an appropriate team member will meet with the student in person to discuss the concerns and provide support.
Cheating: May include, but is not limited to:
The use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations.
The use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments.
The acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic materials belonging to a member of the college faculty or staff.
Engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.
Allowing or participating in cheating by other students.
Copying from someone else’s work.
Submitting others’ work as your own or submitting your work for others.
Altering graded work and falsifying data.
College: Illinois Central College.
College premises: All land, buildings, facilities, and other property in possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the College (including adjacent streets and sidewalks). For purposes of this Handbook, “College premises” also includes on-campus housing, which is owned and controlled by the Educational Foundation Student Residence, LLC.
College official: Any person employed by the College performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities. The term “faculty member” means any person hired by the College to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the College to be a member of its faculty.
College sponsored or supervised activities: Activities and events including but not limited to field trips, off-campus social activities organized by the College, official activities of college clubs, any time a student is serving as a representative of the College, etc.
Dean of Students: The person designated by the College Vice President of Student Success to be responsible for the administration of the Student Code of Conduct.
Designee: A college official authorized on a case-by-case basis by the Dean of Students to impose sanctions or coordinate student conduct processes or otherwise act on behalf of the Dean of Students.
Determination of Responsibility: The student has been found to be responsible or not responsible for the alleged violation at some level based on the preponderance of the evidence standard.
Outcome: The finding of responsible or not responsible for each alleged violation, as well as any sanction(s) imposed.
Plagiarism: The use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. The term “policy” refers to the written regulations, procedures, and policies of the College as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct, the college website and catalog.
Preponderance of evidence: Defined by Black’s Law dictionary as “more probable than not.” At Illinois Central College, the Student Code of Conduct process requires proof of contested matters, such as disciplinary charges, by a preponderance of evidence. The College is not required to prove disciplinary charges beyond a reasonable doubt in the same manner as criminal charges must be proven.
Sanction: A consequence imposed because of a finding of responsibility.
Student: Any person taking courses at Illinois Central College full-time or part-time; credit or non-credit. Persons who 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 are considered “students.”
Student Conduct Committee: A person or persons authorized by the Dean of Students to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct and to recommend sanctions that may be imposed when a rules violation has been committed.
Student Organization: A group of any number of students who have complied with the formal requirement for college recognition as a student club or organization.
Threat: Any expression of intent to do harm or act violently against someone or something. A threat can be spoken, written, or symbolic.