An important part of fulfilling the college's mission is providing a student discipline process that promotes student accountability and social responsibility, as well as maintaining a college environment that is respectful, inclusive, collegial and is free from intimidation, threats, coercion, or violence.
The dean of students provides information regarding standards of conduct, academic dishonesty codes, campus policies, and procedures to facilitate the resolution of college related challenges encountered in pursuing due process. Student discipline procedures facilitate the educational mission of the college. Student affairs employs a variety of methods in adjudicating student discipline cases and works collaboratively with various Citrus College partners, such as student services, academic affairs, and community representatives to assess behaviors of concern.
Additionally, student affairs is committed to implementing California State Education Code Sections 66300, 66301, 72122, and 76030. The purpose of the
student discipline procedures (AP 5520) is to provide a prompt and equitable means to address violations of the
standards of conduct (BP 5500), which guarantees students their due process rights required per state and federal constitutional protections.
Students, faculty, staff and administration are encouraged to explore this site's links in order to obtain further information.
General Information
Board Policy 5500 Standards of Conduct
Administrative Procedure 5520 Student Discipline Procedures
Student Conduct Process
Information for Faculty and Staff
There may be a time when disruptive classroom behavior occurs or an emotionally distressed student whose actions are in violation of the standards of conduct (BP 5500). Student affairs has provided faculty and staff with informational resources to help manage classroom behavior and/or student conduct issues.
Any conduct or behavior that disrupts the learning environment is a potential violation of the standards of conduct as written in the college catalog. Any conduct or behavior that interferes with any students attaining his or her academic goals, maintaining the orderly operations of the college, or presents a threat to the health and safety of the campus community is a behavior of concern. All students enrolled at Citrus College are expected to adhere to the standards of conduct. Violation of the student conduct code shall constitute misconduct or "good cause" for student discipline procedures (AP 5520), including but not limited to the removal, suspension, or expulsion of a student.
The following steps are recommended if you have a disruptive student.
Recommended Actions
- Consider taking the student outside the classroom and tell him/her specifically how his/her behavior is unacceptable and in violation of the
standards of conduct (BP 5500).
- Notify the student using the
warning letter to report alleged violation.
- Instructors may remove a student from class for the remainder of the day and the next class day meeting if the student interferes with the instructional process. Report the student removal to the division dean and use the
notice of suspension letter to report the specific violation. Attach
a copy of BP 5500 to the letter.
- For immediate action, contact campus safety (626) 914-8611 or 911 immediately if the student is threatening, abusive, or posing a danger to themselves or others.
Citrus College students are responsible for being honest and ethical for their academic work at all times. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Faculty play a large role in promoting a climate of academic integrity and preventing acts of academic dishonesty by helping students become aware of the standards of conduct and general guidelines covering academic integrity on the course syllabus.
Consequences of Academic Dishonesty
The consequences for cheating and plagiarism can be as mild as a warning or as serious as a reprimand and/or "zero" grade on the assignment or exam in question.
Recommended Actions
First-time Offenders
- Document the incident and promptly discuss the incident of cheating with the student outside of class.
- If the instructor feels uncomfortable addressing the student alone, a meeting should be set up with the student and division dean to address disciplinary actions.
- The division dean may choose to send the student an
academic dishonesty reprimand letter as the disciplinary action.
- The instructor has the authority to give a lower or failing grade for the assignment in question, but not to award a failing course grade for one incident of cheating or plagiarism, unless failing the assignment is weighted enough to cause the student to also fail the course. A
grade consequence letter should be provided to the student and include course title, date/time/nature of the incident, the sanction, and the process for appeal.
- If there is a grade consequence, report the incident to the division dean and dean of students.
Repeat Offenders
If there is evidence of serious or repeated violations and if the instructor seeks to suspend the student, then a separate, formal hearing process, contained in accordance with AP 5520, Section 7, should be initiated.
Additional Resources
Faculty and staff may be the first to notice a student of concern, and/or experience student behavior causing concern, discomfort, or interfere with work or the education of other students. The dean of students identifies and assesses behavior of concern and coordinates with members of the behavioral intervention team (BIT) to further assess the student of concern and provide a combination of immediate intervention and/or monitoring.
Each situation does not follow a linear process and each step (identification and communication of behaviors, assessing, interviewing and monitoring) may raise complex issues and possible responses. One of the BIT's important functions is to differentiate warning signs or behaviors that consider itself an imminent threat from those that generate lower levels of concern.
The BIT offers a guide for behavior, assessment, response, and intervention to provide concrete advice on how to aid emotionally distressed students, as well as offer steps on how to refer them for help.