Student Conduct and Discipline

An essential 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 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

Administrative Procedure 5520 Student Discipline Procedures
Board Policy 5500 Standards of Conduct
Discipline Hearing Overview and Training Materials
Student Conduct Process Flow Chart (available on the campus intranet)

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR FACULTY, 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.

Student Conduct Violation/Incident Report Form (online form routed to student affairs)

RESOURCES

Online Form (routed to student affairs)

Student Conduct Violation/Incident Report Form

Templates, Guides

All items listed below are available on the campus intranet.

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.

Campus Safety
Sexual Misconduct Statement, Information
Student Affairs
Student Services Policies and Procedures (5000 Series)

STUDENT CONDUCT VIOLATIONS

We encourage you to report violations and/or behaviors of concern to the dean of students by completing and submitting the online student conduct violation-incident report form. This form is provided for employees to file written charges when a student is alleged to have committed violations of the Citrus College Standards of Conduct (BP 5500).

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.

RECOMMENDATIONS

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 academic dishonesty reprimand letter is available on the campus intranet.)
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. (The grade consequence letter is available on the campus intranet.)
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.

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. (The warning letter is available on the college intranet.)
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. (The suspension letter is available on the campus intranet.)
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.

Discipline Hearing Overview and Training Materials

Students involved in disciplinary proceedings have the right to be assisted by an advisor of their choice or to have one appointed to them by the college. With the student's written consent via this online form, the advisor may receive updates during the adjudication process and participate in the hearing as an advisor or advocate.

If a student elects to bring an advocate or advisor who is also licensed as an attorney, the student must give the student affairs office five days notice and the name, phone number and e-mail address of the attorney. The role of the attorney in the student disciplinary process remains limited to that of an advisor or advocate.

The advisors and advocates shall not:

address the hearing chair, committee members, district witnesses or the district representative to respond on behalf of the student;
ask questions about the case or its findings; or
coach the student on what to say or what to not say during the disciplinary hearing.

An advisor or advocate who disrupts the hearing proceedings (as determined by the dean of students or hearing committee chair) may be asked to leave. Hearings will not be delayed due to an advocate or advisor not showing up or attending the proceedings late.

A student may only have one person accompany them during a disciplinary hearing and they may choose whether this person will serve as an advisor or advocate. The student's advisor or advocate will have access to training materials regarding the college's adjudication procedures. The training materials and video are available in the accordion tabs below.

If a student chooses to have an advisor or advocate (see definitions below), they must complete this online form.

ADVISOR vs. ADVOCATE COMPAIRSON

Summary
- Advisor: Procedural guide; may cross-examine, but limited speaking role
- Advocate: Emotional/resource support; cannot cross-examine or speak for student
Primary Focus
- Advisor: Procedural guidance, policy explanation and cross-examination
- Advocate: Emotional support, confidential services and resource access
Speaking on Student's Behalf
- Advisor: Cannot speak for student (except for cross-examination during hearing)
- Advocate: Cannot speak for student at any time
Cross-Examination
- Advisor: May cross-examine witnesses during hearing
- Advocate: Not permitted to cross-examine
Hearing Preparation
- Advisor: Helps student prepare for meetings and hearings
- Advocate: Same as advisor
Accompanying Student
- Advisor: May accompany student to meetings/hearings
- Advocate: Same as advisor
Confidential Services
- Advisor: Not provided
- Advocate: May provide confidential services, especially in sexual harassment/violence cases
Resource Coordination
- Advisor: May assist with accommodations
- Advocate: Coordinates with on-campus and community resources
Emotional Support
- Advisor: Limited; focus is procedural
- Advocate: Primary focus is emotional support
Understanding Policies
- Advisor: Assists student in understanding college policies and procedures
- Advocate: Same as advisor
Filing Appeals
- Advisor: May assist
- Advocate: Same as advisor
Requirement to Provide
- Advisor: College must provide if requested (AB 1575)
- Advocate: College is not required to provide for hearings

KEY DIFFERENCES

Advisors can cross-examine witnesses and provide procedural guidance, but cannot otherwise speak on the student's behalf.
Advocates focus on emotional support and resource access, do not cross-examine or speak for the student and may offer confidential services in sensitive cases.
Colleges must provide an advisor if requested, but are not required to provide an advocate for disciplinary hearings.

ADVISORS

An advisor accompanies a student to meetings related to the hearing process and focuses on procedural guidance related to the college's disciplinary process but may not speak on the student's behalf. However, the advisor may cross-examine on the student's behalf. Advisors do not have any other speaking roles during the hearing.

Advisors may assist a student with:

hearing preparation.
accompanying the student to meetings or hearings related to the disciplinary process.
helping the student prepare for meetings or hearings.
assisting the student in understanding the college policies and procedures.
conducting cross-examination during the disciplinary hearing.
conferring with the student before or after proceedings.
filing appeals.
accessing accommodations.

ADVOCATES

An advocate accompanies a student to meetings related to the hearing process and focuses on providing emotional support and access to resources during the disciplinary process but may not speak on the student's behalf or cross-examine district witnesses.

Advocates typically assist a student with:

confidential services to students involved in cases of sexual harassment or sexual violence.
coordinating with on-campus resources and community-based organizations.
emotional support.
helping the student prepare for meetings or hearings.
accompanying the student to meetings or hearings related to the disciplinary process as a support person.
assisting the student in understanding college policies and procedures.
conferring with the student before or after proceedings.
filing appeals.
accessing accommodations.

Please note that the college is not required to provide an advocate for disciplinary hearings.

Citrus College Board Policy 5500 Standards of Conduct
This board policy provides information regarding the college's standards of conduct and the various violations.

Citrus College Administrative Procedure 5520 Student Discipline
This administrative procedure provides information regarding the college's disciplinary hearing process, which outlines due process rights for students and includes definitions of various terms.

Video on YouTube: Discipline Hearings Decoded: A Guide for Advisors and Advocates
This video outlines how a college disciplinary hearing is conducted as well as the standard of evidence required to find a student responsible for violating the standards of conduct.

updated September 23, 2025

Student Conduct and Discipline

Forms, Templates, Guides

Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

Additional Reference

Non-Instructional

Instructional: Academic Dishonesty

Instructional: Classroom Conduct, Disruptions

Selecting an Advisor or Advocate

Role of an Advisor

Role of an Advocate

Training Materials and Video