Evening College Student Life

Student Code of Conduct The student Code of Conduct is a set of rules that regulate student behavior. The Director of LaGrange College at Albany adjudicates violations of the Student Code of conduct.

Introduction

The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of the academic community. This College has a duty to develop policies and procedures that provide a safeguard to this freedom.

By registering at LaGrange College, the student neither loses the rights nor escapes the duties of a citizen. Each student should conduct his/her personal life in the context of mutual regard for the rights and privileges of others. Therefore, it is expected that students will demonstrate respect for the law and for the necessity of orderly conduct as a member of the campus community.

Students are responsible for being fully acquainted with the college catalog, handbook, and other regulations relating to students and for complying with them in the interest of an orderly and productive community. Failure or refusal to comply with the rules and policies established by the College may subject the offender to disciplinary actions up to and including permanent dismissal from the College.

Violations of any of the following by a student constitute an offense, which may result in disciplinary action.

A. The use of threatening or obscene calls, and obscene graffiti is considered unwarranted and below the dignity of members of the College community and will not be tolerated.

B. Conduct endangering safety and welfare. Any conduct which endangers the safety and welfare of other individuals such as hazing, assault, battery, abuse or threat of abuse, on or off campus is prohibited.

C. Use of firearms, weapons. No student may possess, use or sell on campus any weapons or firearms, or any incendiary, explosive, or destructive device, including fireworks.

D. Criminal arrest. If a student is arrested and charged with a serious or violent crime off campus, a hearing may be held as soon as possible to determine if his continued presence on campus presents a possible threat of danger to members of the College community. The infraction of a city ordinance, a state or federal law by a student constitutes a breach of college discipline. The college will act in the best interest of the campus community and suspend a student who has been arrested, even if not yet convicted by the legal system.

E. Use of illegal drugs. The use, possession, sale, or distribution of narcotics and drugs, except as expressly permitted by law, is strictly prohibited.

F. Possession of alcoholic beverages. The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages on campus is strictly prohibited.

G. Disorderly conduct, abusive, drunk and disorderly, violent or excessively noisy conduct on or in the vicinity of the College campus is prohibited.

H. Giving false information. Anyone knowingly making a false oral or written statement to any member of administration, faculty, staff, or student body with the intent to deceive may be disciplined accordingly.

I. Misuse of property. Anyone who misuses, defaces, or damages College buildings, property or library holdings, or private property located on campus shall be subject to disciplinary action.

J. Theft and illegal possession. The unauthorized taking, misappropriation, or possession of any property or library holdings owned or maintained by the College or by any person on campus is prohibited.

K. Unauthorized entry. A student may not enter, or attempt to enter any College building room without proper authorization and legitimate purpose.

L. Academic dishonesty. Cheating, plagiarism, submitting another person's material as one's own, or doing work for another person who will receive academic credit are all impermissible. This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or to give help during an examination; the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments, reports, or term papers; or the presentation of unacknowledged materials as if it were the student's own work. Violations of this kind are under the purview of the Honor Council.

Non-Discrimination

LaGrange College does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, race, national or ethnic origin, handicap, or sex in the administration of educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid, employment or any other program or activity.

Racial Harassment

LaGrange College expects its students to treat other persons with respect and human dignity in all interpersonal relationships. Any behavior that results in racial abuse, harassment, or intimidation of another person, or any unwanted objectionable racial attention towards another person, will not be tolerated and is a violation of the College's Code of Student Conduct.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment may take two forms: (1) creating a hostile environment, and (2) quid pro quo.

1. A hostile, demeaning, or intimidating environment created by sexual harassment interferes with an individual's full and free participation in the life of the College.

2. Sexual harassment quid pro quo occurs when a position of authority is used to threaten to impose a penalty or to withhold a benefit in return for sexual favors, whether or not the attempt is successful. Sexual harassment may involve behavior by a person of either gender against a person of the same or opposite gender. It should be noted that the potential of sexual harassment exists in any of the following relationships: student/student, faculty/student, student/faculty, and faculty/faculty. Here and subsequently "faculty" refers to faculty, staff, and administration. Because of the inherent differential in power between faculty and students, sexual relationships between faculty and students are prohibited. Sexual harassment may result from many kinds of behavior. These behaviors may range from the most egregious forms, such as sexual assault, to more subtle forms. Explicit behaviors include but are not limited to requests for sexual favors, physical assaults of a sexual nature, sexually offensive remarks, and rubbing, touching or brushing against another's body. More subtle behaviors may be experienced as intimidating or offensive, particularly when they recur or one person has authority over another. Such behaviors may include but are not limited to unwelcome hugs or touching, inappropriate staring, veiled suggestions of sexual activity, requests for meetings in non-academic settings, and risqué jokes, stories, or images.

Solicitation

Individuals or student organizations may not engage in commercial sales and fund-raising projects unless the proceeds from such sales and projects are used for charitable or philanthropic purpose. Clearance for such activities must be obtained in advance from the Director of LaGrange College at Albany.

Grades and Certification of Enrollment

The Registrar's Office will provide a copy of student's grades and will certify the enrollment of students for insurance or scholarship purposes.

Student Records

In general, all present and past students have the right to personally review their own educational records for information and to determine the accuracy of these records. A photo ID or other equivalent documentation, or personal recognition by the custodian of record will be required before access is gained.

LaGrange College assures the confidentiality of student educational records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

Exception to Access Rights

Students do not have access to:

1. personal notes of administrative, faculty, or supervisory personnel which are not accessible to or revealed to other parties;

2. confidential letter of recommendation placed in files before January 1, 1975, or those where student has waived right to access; or

3. medical, psychiatric or psychological data recorded by professionals or paraprofessionals solely for their own use in treatment of the student; however, a physician or other appropriate professional of the student's choice can review such records.

Student consent prior to records release

Student educational record information will not be transmitted to third parties outside the College without the student's written consent, with the following exceptions:

1. Public information: student's name, address, telephone listing, academic major, dates of attendance, awards received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and heights of athletic team members. This information will be released to anyone requesting it. Information which can be released to the public on any student is name, class, major, date of attendance, degree earned, awards received, local and permanent address, and telephone number. The above-cited information will not be released if a student notifies the Registrar's Office not to release information.

2. Information concerning application for or receipt of financial aid, which may be released to official agencies, involved in decisions and aid allocations.

3. Information released by College officials with a legitimate educational interest.

4. Information required by federal or state agencies as specifically provided by law.

5. Information needed in connection with an emergency to protect the health or safety of the students or other persons, as authorized by Department of Education regulations.

Types of records maintained

Examples of "educational records" maintained on a student may include but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

  • Academic: admission data, courses attempted, grades, dates of enrollment, degrees awarded, academic hours and awards received -Registrar's Office
  • Alumni: personal, educational, and professional data, contributions and gifts - Alumni Office and Advancement Office
  • Conduct: disciplinary records, law violation - Student Development Office
  • Financial: student's confidential statements, Financial Aid data - Student Financial Planning Office; charges, payments, delinquent accounts - Business Office
  • General: directory information, correspondence, biographical data - office of record to which information was provided or correspondence addressed

Student Grievance Procedure

Purpose

LaGrange College is committed to a policy of treating all members of the College Community fairly in regard to their personal and professional concerns.

The primary objective of a student grievance procedure is to insure that concerns are promptly dealt with and resolution reached in a fair and just manner. It is essential that each student be given adequate opportunity to bring complaints and problems to the attention of College administration with the assurance that each will be given fair treatment.

Definition

A grievance is defined as dissatisfaction occurring when a student feels or thinks that any condition affecting him/her is unjust, inequitable, or creates unnecessary hardship. Such grievances include, but are not limited to, the following: academic problems (excluding grades, see the current LaGrange College Bulletin for the grade appeal procedure), mistreatment by any college employee, incorrect assessment of fees, records and registration errors, student employment and discrimination because of race, national origin, sex, marital status, religion, age or handicap.

Grievance Procedure

The initial phase of the student grievance procedure normally requires an oral discussion between the student and the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance in order to discuss and resolve the grievance. The meeting should be held as soon as the student first becomes aware of the act or condition that is the basis for the grievance. If the student decides not to meet with the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance, or consider the response to this discussion to be unsatisfactory and feels that the grievance still exists, the grievance should be put in writing and filed with the Director of LaGrange College at Albany.

Grievance Appeal Procedure

Any student who is not satisfied with the response after utilizing the administrative channels outlined above should present the grievance in written form to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean or the President with a copy to the individual(s) complained about.

Career Planning and Placement

Career planning and advancement are part and parcel of the general curriculum in Organizational Leadership. Throughout the curriculum each student is challenged to assume control over her/his destiny. No formal office of career planning or placement exists-but the undergirding thesis of the program is that significant career planning occurs. As LaGrange College at Albany are employed, placement is not a significant need. In those rare instances where employment changes occur, students should consult the Director of LaGrange College at Albany for possible assistance.

Counseling and Testing

Informal counseling in academic areas is available on site. Students who need academic counseling should talk with the Director. If the academic counseling needs exceed the expertise of the staff of LaGrange College at Albany, the academic resources of LaGrange College's home campus are available through e-mail and telephone.

LaGrange College at Albany offers no formal process for personal counseling. The cohort group has often been effective in assisting students make adjustments to the changes in routine brought about by the demands of returning to school. Students should seek referrals for more difficult problems.

Students at LaGrange College at Albany are continually assessed in order to determine the effectiveness of the program in meeting their needs. There is an initial pre-test of leadership knowledge and skills. At the conclusion of the program, there is a post-test. The Director of LaGrange College at Albany is responsible for administering these achievement tests. There are many other situations where students may seek additional testing. These tests might include CLEP, GRE, GMAT and others. The Director of LaGrange College at Albany will assist the students in addressing these needs.

The Honor Code

"As a member of the student body of LaGrange College, I confirm my commitment to the ideals of civility, diversity, service, and excellence. Recognizing the significance of personal integrity in establishing these ideals within our community, I pledge that I will not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate these unethical behaviors in others."

The Honor Code, adopted in 1998 for implementation in the fall of 1999, is the responsibility of every student, faculty member, and staff member at LaGrange College. All members of the College community are needed to support the enforcement of the Code which prohibits lying, cheating, or stealing when those actions involve academic processes.

Student Responsibilities

  • To be honest and truthful in all academic matters, abiding by the letter and spirit of the Honor Code.
  • To consult with the appropriate persons to clarify issues regarding plagiarism, the correct attribution of sources, and the use of allowable materials for examinations, reports, or any academic work.
  • To sign a pledge that no unauthorized aid has been given or received on any academic work.
  • To report any incident believed to be a violation of the Code. Such a report is made to the President of the Honor Council.
  • To cooperate when called upon by the Council to testify in a hearing.

Student Rights

  • To be presumed innocent
  • To be given a fair, impartial, and timely Hearing
  • To face and question any witnesses at a Hearing
  • To testify and present material on one's own behalf
  • To be given a separate Hearing upon request
  • To be granted subsequent appeal

Examples of Offenses

  • Academic cheating - including but not limited to the unauthorized use of books or notes, copying, or collaboration on examinations or any graded course-work
  • Plagiarism - the misuse of another person's words or ideas, presenting them as one's own
  • Lying or presenting false information related to any official College business
  • Forgery or misuse of official College documents
  • Theft of College property related to academic work
  • Aiding another in any of the above

Chronology of a Reported Violation of the Honor Code

1. Report the alleged violation to the President of the Honor Council at 706.883.1020. The President of the Council will determine if sufficient evidence exists for a Hearing.

2. If the evidence is insufficient, the President so notifies the party reporting the alleged violation. If there is sufficient evidence for a Hearing, the President informs the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and a date is set for the Hearing.

3. The President of the Council will inform the person or persons accused of the violation in writing concerning the Hearing, stating the specific accusation, the place, date, and time of the Hearing, and requesting the names of any persons who should be called as witnesses.

4. The student may choose to self-report the violation to the Honor Council President. As a result, no Hearing will be called, but the Honor Council will meet to determine the sanction.

5. The President of the Honor Council presides at the Hearing, after which the Council votes to determine whether or not a violation has occurred. If the student is found not to have violated the Honor Code, the President and Recorder destroy the recording of the proceedings and so inform the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean and the student in writing. If the student is found to have violated the Code, further deliberation by the Council determines the sanction to be imposed, and the student is notified in writing. The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean carries out the sanction.

Sanctions

One of the following sanctions is imposed when it is determined that there has been a violation of the Honor Code:
  • A failing grade in a grade-related offense
  • Suspension from the College for one term
  • Permanent dismissal from the College

Appellate Procedure

Every person found to have violated the Honor Code has the right of subsequent appeal. Such appeal is made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. The President of the SGA, the President of the Faculty, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean constitute the Appeals Board. Such appeals are heard from the record of the Hearing with an attending written statement by the student requesting the appeal.

From Albany, you can reach the Honor Council by calling 706.883.1020. All calls will be confidential and will be handled by the Student President of the Honor Council.