4.4.1 Student Code of Conduct

4.4.1 Student Code of Conduct

Revised: October 1, 2012; October 1, 2017; October 30, 2020; October 1, 2022 

Students are adults and are, of course, expected to know what constitutes “acceptable” behavior. The College prefers to emphasize counseling and guidance in promoting good student conduct. However, when this approach fails, our only option is disciplinary action. If a student has any questions concerning appropriate conduct, he/she should see a college counselor, the Vice President of Instruction or the Safety and Student Conduct Officer (curriculum students), Associate Vice President for Workforce Continuing Education (continuing education students), or the Associate Vice President of the Hoke Center (Hoke Center/SandHoke students).  

Sandhills Community College reserves the right to deny admission or readmission to students whose presence on campus is construed by the administration as harmful or potentially harmful to Sandhills Community College students, faculty, and/or staff. Moreover, Sandhills Community College may refuse to admit any applicant during any period of time that the student is suspended or expelled from any other education entity. Students admitted to the College must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, which prohibits conduct that impairs significantly the welfare or the educational opportunities of others in the college community. The college may disclose educational information (which includes disciplinary information/records) with postsecondary institutions where the student seeks to enroll, intends to enroll, or is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. Students may request a copy of their records by contacting the Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management.  

The Student Code of Conduct has one purpose: to ensure the existence at Sandhills Community College of opportunities and conditions that are conducive to effective learning, teaching and living together. This document is the product of the cooperative thought and dialogue of students, instructors and administrators of the College.  

The following Code of Conduct applies to all students enrolled in courses with Sandhills Community College. The code should not be considered an exclusive list of acceptable and unacceptable behavior.  

  1. Each student is held responsible for information in the College Catalog and Student Handbook published online at www.sandhills.edu
  2. Students who lose, damage, deface, destroy, sell, vandalize, or otherwise dispose of college property placed in their possession or entrusted to them will be charged for the full extent of the damage or loss and are subject to disciplinary action. 
  3. Under no conditions will students be in possession of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or illicit drugs on college property or at college sponsored events on or off campus. This includes athletic events, field trips, and conferences. Students under the influence of or possessing alcohol or drugs will be in violation of this policy and subject to disciplinary action. The College will comply fully with local and state laws concerning the possession of and/or sale of alcohol and drugs. In addition, students might not be able to receive federal student aid if they are or have been convicted of selling or possessing illegal drugs, if the drug offense for which they are/were convicted occurred while they were receiving federal student aid. To regain eligibility, students must provide to the Safety and Student Conduct Officer documentation of a minimum of six months rehabilitation and an ongoing plan to remain drug or alcohol-free. 
  4. Acts such as stealing, fraud, forgery, falsifying documents, gambling, fighting, and destruction of property will not be permitted. Any violation of this regulation may result in expulsion from the College on the FIRST offense. 
  5. Under no condition will the possession of a dangerous weapon, including but not limited to handguns, be permitted on college property. Such acts of possession may result in expulsion from the college on the first offense. 
  6. The College will comply fully with existing North Carolina laws that make possession of firearms or explosives on campus a Class I Felony and ALL weapons on campus unlawful. Sandhills Community College will immediately report ANY and ALL violations to local authorities. 
  7. In the interest of protecting students, faculty, staff, or property from harm, the College reserves the right to take disciplinary action in response to behavior off-campus that violates college expectations and policies or could be detrimental to the College. 
  8. Smoking is permitted only in the following locations on the main campus: Picnic Shelter near Causey Hall; and parking lots.  The use of tobacco is prohibited by students, staff, faculty, or visitors in all campus buildings at all campus locations and in any college owned vehicles. For purposes of this policy, tobacco is defined as any type of tobacco product including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, e-cigarettes, pipes, smokeless or spit tobacco, or snuff. 
  9. Students are not to bring children or anyone not enrolled to class except under exceptional circumstances and with prior approval of the faculty member. 
  10. Pets, except for service animals, are not allowed on campus including classrooms.
  11. All vehicles must be properly registered, display appropriate stickers, and abide by posted and announced parking and traffic regulations. Violators of traffic and parking regulations are subject to fines, wheel locks, towing, or possible revocation of campus parking privileges. Student records may also be withheld until fines are paid. 
  12. Fiscal irresponsibility such as failure to pay college-levied fines, failure to repay college-funded loans, or the passing of worthless checks to college officials is subject to disciplinary action. 
  13. True threats directed at a student or faculty/staff member are prohibited.  Any or all verbal, written, or physical injury from violence to oneself or others will be taken seriously.  
  14. Prospective students visiting campus must report to Student Services or the Continuing Education Division upon arrival. Those failing to do so may be asked to leave. 
  15. The Dempsey Student Center and other campus facilities are for student use and for authorized activities. Thus, unauthorized individuals may be asked to leave. 
  16. All curriculum students are required to have and to carry a student ID. Students may be asked to show their ID at random. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action. 
  17. Language or behavior that is harassing that rises to the level of severe or pervasive is prohibited by Sandhills Community College.  
  18. Faculty and students at Sandhills Community College – on the main campus or off-campus locations, including online — have the right to an instructional environment that is conducive to study, thought, and full concentration on study topics. Student behavior that substantially disrupts learning and teaching activities--including unauthorized use of technology--will be subject to disciplinary actions. 
  19. Part of Sandhills Community College’s responsibility is to prepare students for the world of work, where they will be expected to dress appropriately. Students at Sandhills are therefore expected to dress in a manner that reflects generally accepted standards of modesty and good taste. Faculty members have the right to establish dress standards for their classrooms, and – after appropriate counseling – to ban or remove students who do not meet those standards. 
  20. If, in the opinion of college officials, clothing and/or behavior (including droops or the presence of gang colors, signs, and/or symbols) is deemed obscene or incites an immediate breach of peace, sanctions may be imposed immediately. 
  21. For the safety of all concerned, the college campus is open during the following hours: Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The college is closed during holidays and times not listed above, except for special events. Students using classrooms and laboratories after scheduled class hours must obtain prior approval from the appropriate faculty/staff member. 
  22. Failure to abide by the SCC Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology Resources may lead to disciplinary action, including loss of computer privileges, dismissal from the College, and/or criminal prosecution. The college expects and requires ethical and responsible behavior of individuals using information services.  
  23. Providing false information or fraudulent documents to college officials or procuring any money, goods, or services under false pretense is prohibited. 
  24. Rudeness and lying to school officials as well as failing to comply with instructions of college officials acting in performance of their duties are subject to disciplinary action. 
  25. Coed accommodations on any club, class, or SCC sponsored trip is prohibited in the interest of civility, privacy, and safety. 
  26. For the student’s and public’s safety, wheeled vehicles, to include but not limited to mopeds, bicycles, roller skate/blades, skateboards, hoverboards, etc., are prohibited for use on sidewalks and pedestrian walk ways. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action. 
  27. Any and all other offenses that may need the attention of the Safety and Student Conduct Officer or Vice President of Instruction (all curriculum students), the Associate Vice President for Workforce Continuing Education (all continuing education students), or the Associate Vice President of the Hoke Center (all students taking classes at the Hoke Center) are subject to this code. 

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