Academic Honor Code
The faculty of Palo Verde College are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards possible related to student academic performance in our online, correspondence, and face-to-face classes. We assume that students will pursue their studies with integrity and honesty. However, when students are caught cheating or plagiarizing, a process is begun which may result in severe consequences. Cheating is seeking credit for academic work through the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Dishonesty consisting of cheating of any kind with respect to examination, course assignments, or illegal possession of examination papers, or any student helping another to cheat is subject to penalties. Any student who deliberately uses and appropriates another’s work without identifying the source, passes off of such work as the student’s own, or who fails to give full credit for ideas or materials taken from another, has plagiarized.
It is the responsibility of the student to know what constitutes academic dishonesty. If a student is unclear about a specific situation, he or she may speak to his or her instructor. Depending on the seriousness of the the student may:
* have his or her course grade lowered;
* receive a failing grade on the paper, test, or course;
* be placed on probation or suspension;
* be expelled.
In cases of cheating or plagiarism the instructor may take academic action as outlined in the Due Process section of this catalog. This may range from loss of credit for a specific assignment, or project, to removal from the course with a grade of “F”. The instructor should initially seek to resolve the problem with the student to their mutual satisfaction. In addition, the instructor or student may also request action through the Discipline Hearing Committee or the Appeals Procedure, which will adjudicate on the basis of College policy. The Office of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services will maintain a record of students who have engaged in academic dishonesty. For additional information contact the Office of Student Services.
Academic Honesty in Online and Correspondence Courses
As a Palo Verde College student, when you are given access to Canvas, our online course software, you are expected to keep confidential your username and password and to never allow anyone else to log in to your account. Sharing access or passwords to Canvas is considered a breach of academic integrity and could result in you being removed from your class.
When you log on to Canvas, you do so with the understanding and agreement to produce your own work, to complete course activities yourself, and to take course exams, tests or quizzes without the assistance of others.
Allowing others to complete your course work or to take your quiz, test, and exams is considered cheating and could subject you to receiving an “F” for the course. In addition, this type of dishonesty can result in formal disciplinary action being taken against you by the college. Please take time to review the following policy on Student Conduct. If you have questions about your work in an online course, be sure to ask your instructor.
Student Conduct
Students have certain rights and privileges, as well as certain obligations. In correcting unacceptable student conduct, disciplinary proceedings play a secondary role to counseling and admonition. In the exceptional circumstances, when discipline is deemed necessary, the college will observe due process in order to protect the student from the unfair and arbitrary imposition of serious penalties.
The Office of Student Services facilitates due process in matters of general student conduct. The Office of Administrative Services facilitates due process in matters related to sexual harassment and discrimination.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of citizenship, and to assume responsibility for personal conduct appropriate to college level age and maturity. Students, in all cases, must respect the authority of the instructors and such regulations as are necessary for the welfare of the school.
Students who are unable to assume such responsibility may be subject to disciplinary action. The following conduct shall constitute good cause for discipline including, but not limited to the removal, suspension or expulsion of a student:
- Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person.
- Possession, sale or otherwise furnishing any firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object, including but not limited to any facsimile firearm, knife or explosive (see also BP/AP 3530-Weapons on Campus).
- Unlawful possession, use, sale, offer to sell, or furnishing, or being under the influence of, any controlled substance listed in California Health and Safety Code Section 11053 et seq., an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind; or unlawful possession of, or offering, arranging or negotiating the sale of any drug paraphernalia, as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 11014.5 (see also BP-AP 3550-Drug Free Environment, and BP/AP 3560-Alcoholic Beverages).
- Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.
- Causing or attempting to cause damage to district property or to private property on campus.
- Stealing or attempting to cause damage to District property or private property on campus, or knowingly receiving stolen District Property or private property on campus.
- Willful or persistent smoking in any area where smoking has been prohibited by law or by regulation of the college or the district (see also BP 3570-Smoking on Campus).
- Committing sexual harassment as defined by law or by district policies and procedures (see also BP/AP 3430-Prohibition of Discrimination and Harassment).
- Engaging in harassing or discriminatory behavior based on race, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by law (see also BP/AP 3430-Prohibition of Discrimination and Harassment).
- Willful misconduct that results in injury or death to a student or to District personnel or which results in cutting, defacing, or other injury to any real or personal property owned by the District or on campus (see BP/AP 3540-Sexual and Other Assaults on Campus).
- Disruptive behavior, willful disobedience, habitual profanity or vulgarity, or the open and persistent defiance of the authority of, or persistent abuse of, college personnel (see also BP/AP 3900-Speech: Time, Place and Manner).
- Cheating, plagiarism (including plagiarism in a student publication), or engaging in other academic dishonesty as defined by the Academic Honor Code.
- Dishonesty; forgery; alteration or misuse of District documents, records or identification; or knowingly furnishing false information to the District.
- Unauthorized entry upon or use of District facilities.
- Lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression on district owned or controlled property, or at district sponsored or supervised functions.
- Engaging in expression which is obscene, libelous or slanderous, or which so incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on District premises, or the violation of lawful District regulations, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation or supervised function.
- Persistent, serious misconduct where other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct.
- Unauthorized preparation, giving, selling, transfer, distribution, or publication, for any commercial purpose, of any contemporaneous recording of an academic presentation in a classroom or equivalent site of instruction, including but not limited to handwritten or typewritten class notes, except as permitted by any district policy or administrative procedures.
- Failure to pay just debts, such as fines or loans, and failure to return borrowed property, following reasonable attempts by the college to retrieve same.
- Failure to make good on returned checks cashed by the college (Penal Code Section 476 and 476a).
- Obstruction or disruption of the college’s educational process, administrative process, or other college function (California Code of Regulations Section 41301).
- Failure to comply with directions of college officials acting in the performance of their duties, including disobedience and defiance of the authority of said officials.
- Eating and drinking in classrooms, laboratories, and the library when these facilities are being used for normal instructional purposes (see also BP/AP 4268-PVC).
- Soliciting or assisting another to do any act which would subject a student to expulsion, suspension, probation, or other discipline pursuant to this policy (California Code of Regulations Section 41304).
- Hazing (California Education Code Sections 32050 and 32051).
- Gambling on college property (Penal Code Section 330).
- Reckless driving on college property (Vehicle Code Sections 360, 670, 23103 and 23104).
- False accusations or malicious charges against any other student, staff member or governing board member of the District.
- Violation of other state, federal, or local statutes, or District policies, rules or regulations while on college property, or in defined college activities elsewhere.
Students who engage in any of the above are subject to the procedure outlined in AP 5520.
IF A STUDENT VIOLATES A STATE OR FEDERAL STATUTE THAT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OR PRESENTS A THREAT OF BODILY HARM TO HIMSELF OR HERSELF, OR MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY, HE OR SHE CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE CAMPUS PRIOR TO A DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE HEARING.
Schools are viewed as a “marketplace of ideas” but no individual has a constitutional right to prevent a school from carrying out its assigned functions. The school must, however, show that a behavior is disruptive before disciplinary action can be initiated.
When it becomes necessary to impose discipline, and the situation cannot be resolved by a faculty or staff member, the discipline will be referred to the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. In the event the disciplinary situation cannot be resolved without a Disciplinary Committee Hearing, the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services will advise the student of the procedures as outlined in Board Policy 5500 and Administrative Procedures 5500.
In cases involving high school students or minors (under 18 years of age), the parent or guardian will be notified immediately if the student is suspended from a college level class taught on the College campus.
Disciplinary Procedure
The purpose of Discipline Procedures are to provide a prompt and equitable means to address violations of the Standards of Conduct, which guarantees to the student or students involved the due process rights guaranteed them by state and federal constitutional protections. The procedure will be used in a fair and equitable manner, and not for purposes of retaliation. It is not intended to substitute for criminal or civil proceedings that may be initiated by other agencies.
These Administrative Procedures are specifically not intended to infringe in any way on the rights of students to engage in free expression as protected by state and federal constitutions, and by Education Code Section 76120, and will not be used to punish expression that is protected (see BP/AP 3900- Speech: Time, Place and Manner).
Before any disciplinary action to suspend or expel is taken against a student, the following procedures will apply:
- The Vice President of Instruction and Student Services will provide the student with written notice of the conduct warranting the discipline. The notice will include the specific section of the Standards of Conduct that the student is accused of violating; a short statement of the facts supporting the accusation; the right of the student to meet with the Vice President or designee to discuss the accusation, or to respond in writing; and the nature of the discipline that is being considered.
- The notice must be provided to the student within five (5) days of the date on which the conduct took place. When the student meets with the Vice President, they must again be told the facts leading to the accusation, and must be given an opportunity to respond verbally or in writing to the accusation.
- With 10 days of the meeting, the Superintendent/President shall, pursuant to a recommendation from the Vice President, decide whether to impose a suspension (Short-term, Long-term, or Expulsion), whether to impose some lesser disciplinary action, or whether to end the matter. Written notice of the Superintendent/President’s decision shall be provided to the student including the length of time of the suspension, or the nature of the lesser disciplinary action.
The Superintendent/President’s decision on a short-term suspension shall be final. However, when the decision results in the imposition of a long-term suspension or expulsion, the notice will include the right of the student to request a formal hearing before imposed and a copy of the policy describing the procedures for a hearing.
Student Grievance Prodedure
The purpose of this procedure is to provide a prompt and equitable means for resolving student grievances. The procedures enumerated in Student Grievance Administrative Procedures AP 5530 are available to any student who believes a college decision or action has adversely affected his/her/their status, rights, or privileges as a student.
Complaint Procedure/Due Process
The student is encouraged to pursue course work and other college sponsored activities that will promote intellectual growth and personal development. In pursuing these goals, the students should be free of unfair and improper action by any member of the academic community. Occasionally, one or more students will register a complaint. A complaint may pertain to discrimination, the application of policy, schedules, financial aid, treatment by employees, or any other concerns.
The complaint procedures for discrimination (Board Policy 3410) and sexual harassment (Board Policy 3410/Administrative Procedures 3410), both allow more than 10 days from the time of the alleged incident to file a complaint, and neither requires a mandatory informal step. For additional information, or for a copy of the procedures, contact the Affirmative Action Officer in Human Resources or call (760) 921-5478.
Complaints which do not involve allegations of discrimination or sexual harassment (Complaints Concerning employees - Board Policy 3815-PVC/ Administrative Procedures 3815-PVC) must be initiated within ten days of the alleged complaint and evidence of an attempt to informally resolve the matter must be documented before a formal complaint. This procedure may result in a resolution between the two parties thereby avoiding a more formal level of the process. This may prevent the escalation of feelings related to the complaint, and will also help to maintain the privacy of the matter if it remains between the two individuals. For additional information, or for a copy of the procedures for the formal level process, contact the office of the Vice President of Instruction and Student Services.
Non-Discrimination
GENDER:
Palo Verde College does not allow discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the educational programs or activities it conducts. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, as amended, and the administrative regulations adopted therein prohibit discrimination.
DISABLED:
Palo Verde College does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is in compliance with Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972, as amended, and the regulations adopted therein.
AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN:
Palo Verde College complies with the requirements of Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the regulations adopted therein. No person shall, on the grounds of age, race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability or pregnancy be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under, any program of Palo Verde College. Any student who feels discriminated against should contact the Palo Verde College Affirmative Action Officer in Human Resources, at (760) 921-5478.
The procedures for filing a complaint are identified in Administrative Procedure 3410. Copies of the complaint forms may be obtained in Administrative Services, the Library, and Student Services.
The existence of this local complaint procedure does not preclude the complainant from filing a complaint directly with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office of Civil Rights, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, or the Chancellor’s Office of the California Community Colleges.
Sexual Harassment
The Palo Verde Community College District recognizes that harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of both Federal and State discrimination laws as well as District Policy. The District is committed to providing all employees, applicants for employment and students with an environment free from sexual harassment, and will not tolerate such conduct on the part of any employee or student (Board Policy 3410).
Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of a student’s educational progress or an individual’s employment; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for educational or employment conditions affecting the individuals involved; (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with one’s educational or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational or work environment; or (4) submission to, or rejection of, the conduct by the individual is used as the basis for any decision affecting the individual regarding benefits, services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through the Palo Verde Community College District.
Any student who feels sexually harassed should contact the Palo Verde College Affirmative Action Officer in Human Resources at (760) 921-5478.
The procedure for filing a complaint is identified in Administrative Procedure 3410. Copies of the complaint forms may be obtained in Administrative Services, the Library, and Student Services.
The existence of this local complaint procedure does not preclude the complainant from filing a complaint directly with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office of Civil Rights, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, or the Chancellor’s Office of the California Community Colleges.
Sexual Assault
The Palo Verde Community College District recognizes that sexual assault is a serious issue and will not tolerate acts of sexual assault on campus or off campus during any college sponsored activities. The college will investigate all allegations of sexual assault and take appropriate disciplinary, criminal, or legal action.
Title IX requires the College to designate a Title IX Coordinator to monitor and oversee Title IX compliance. Your Title IX Coordinator is available to explain and discuss: your right to file a criminal complaint (sexual assault and violence); the District’s complaint process, including the investigation process; how confidentiality is handled; available resources, both on and off campus; and other relate matters.
Who to contact if you have complaints, questions, or concerns:
Title IX Coordinator, Irma Gonzalez, Associate Dean of
Counseling, irma.gonzalez@paloverde.edu, (760) 921-5552.
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Pursuant to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, family rights regarding student records were developed. The rights apply to all students and to the parents or legal guardians of students that are financially dependent upon them (financial dependency must be documented). Students may request an opportunity to inspect any and all official school records, files, and data related to them. If information in the file is inaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate, the student may request that the information be removed or, if denied, include a statement disputing the material which was challenged.
Other provisions of the federal law restrict access to the information in student records. School personnel with legitimate educational interest, schools of intended enrollment, specified federal and state educational administrators, or those who provide financial aid are entitled to access without student consent. Access may also be obtained without student consent pursuant to a court order.
The law designates certain information related to students as “Directory Information” and gives the college the right to disclose such information to anyone inquiring without having to ask students for permission.
Palo Verde College has designated “Directory Information” to include the following information:
- Student’s name
- Student’s address
- Student’s telephone number
- Date and place of birth
- Major field of study
- Participation in officially recognized college activities
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- Dates of attendance
- Degrees and awards received
- Last school of attendance
- Other information authorized in writing by the student
“Directory Information” may be released at the discretion of the college unless a student has notified the college in writing that such information shall not be released. The “Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information” forms are available on the college website or in the Admissions and Records Office.
When the Admissions and Records Office receives a student’s request to prevent the disclosure of directory information, no further disclosures are made without the student’s written consent (except to parties who have legal access to student records without written consent). Rescinding of this action can be done by the student submitting the request in writing to the Admissions and Records Office.
Degrees and awards received are published in order to recognize individual scholastic achievements. If a student has denied release of “Directory Information”, recognition for any and all scholastic achievements will also be withheld. Palo Verde College will honor the student’s request to withhold all of the categories listed but cannot assume responsibility to contact them for subsequent permission to release certain information. Regardless of the effect upon the student, Palo Verde College assumes no liability for honoring your instructions that such information may be withheld.
Currently enrolled or former students may examine their academic records which are maintained in the Admissions and Records Office located in the John O. Crain College Services Building.
The College policy regarding student records is available from the Admissions and Records Office (Board Policy 5040).
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