Campus Life Policies & Procedures

Student Code of Conduct

The college has adopted a Student Conduct Code to protect the rights of students, faculty, staff and the college itself. This code ensures that the Columbia College learning community is one characterized by mutual respect, civility and good citizenship. Columbia College students, as members of the academic community, are expected to accept and adhere to these high standards of personal conduct.

Students shall:
  1. Treat all members of the college community with courtesy, respect and dignity.
  2. Comply with directions of college officials acting in the performance of their duties.
  3. Treat the campus itself with respect, including buildings, grounds and furnishings.
  4. Respect the rights and property of other members of the college community.
  5. Fulfill their obligations through honest and independent effort and integrity in academic and personal conduct.
  6. Accept responsibility for and the consequences of their actions and shall encourage responsible conduct in others.
  7. Respect the prohibition of possession, consumption, distribution and provision of alcohol on campus and the illegal possession, use, distribution and provision of controlled substances.
  8. Abide by all published policies including but not limited to those that appear in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, Residential Life Handbook and Code for Computer Users.
  9. Refrain from tampering with fire safety equipment in college buildings and on campus grounds.
  10. Have no firearms, weapons or any other item designed to inflict harm or damage on campus. Sworn law enforcement and military officials possessing firearms while on duty may be exempt.
  11. Behave in a manner that does not intentionally or recklessly interfere with normal college sponsored activities, including but not limited to, studying, teaching, research, college administration, or fire, police or emergency services.
  12. Refrain from behavior that intentionally or recklessly endangers, threatens or causes physical or emotional harm to any person including self, or that intentionally or recklessly causes reasonable apprehension of such harm.

The Student Conduct Code, as well as the preceding guidelines outlining the adjudication of conduct-related offenses, applies to all Columbia College students.

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Alcohol
Under Missouri law, anyone under 21 years of age who buys, attempts to buy or is in possession of alcohol can be charged with a misdemeanor and may be subject to a fine, jail sentence or both. Further, any underage individual who consumes alcohol in or around a licensed dealer or establishment or uses falsified identification to obtain alcohol may be charged with a misdemeanor with the same penalties.

Columbia College policy prohibits possession, use, distribution and sale of alcohol and illicit drugs by Columbia College students and employees on college owned property and at college sponsored or supervised events. Empty alcohol containers are not allowed in the residence halls and students will be disciplined for behavior resulting from intoxication.

The President retains the authority to make exceptions to this policy as it pertains to the serving of wine and/or beer at college functions where meals are served. Request for exceptions to this policy must be submitted to the President in writing prior to the event and will be considered on an individual basis. Notification of the President's decision will be made in writing to the person(s) making the request.

Other Drugs
The college regards possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs a violation of college regulations and of the law. Representatives of the College will cooperate with outside authorities in their efforts to enforce existing laws regarding illegal drugs. Possession of drug paraphernalia and misuse of legal (prescription) drugs will be regarded as violations of the drug policy.

Possible consequences of violations of the above policies include the following: legal action, fines, expulsion, individual alcohol assessments, restitution, required attendance of alcohol awareness seminars, work penalties, work assignments, verbal and written warnings, required counseling, residential hall probation, office supervised probation or disciplinary probation. In all cases, we will turn violators' names over to the police.

Contact Student Development, 875-7420, or the Counselor, 875-7423, for answers to your questions and help regarding drug and alcohol abuse problems. Both are located in the Atkins-Holman Student Commons. All visits are free and confidential.


Conduct Procedures

Institutional Offenses
Students who violate established Columbia College rules or regulation or standards of conduct are subject to the following procedure:

  1. An incident report of the reported violation will be filed.
    1. the incident report may be filed by a college official or student. Report forms are available in the Residential Life Office.
    2. The incident report will be filed with the Assistant Dean for Campus Life.
    3. The incident report will include the time, date, location, nature of the infraction signature of the person filing the report.
  2. Whenever possible, the accused student will be informed at the time of infraction and the signature of the person filing the report.
  3. When a report requires a disciplinary action consultation, the student will be notified in writing by the Assistant Dean for Campus Life or appropriate college official. Failure to make an appointment or appear for the consultation will be grounds for additional disciplinary action.
  4. The Assistant Dean for Campus Life, or the Dean's appointee, will review the incident with the student, talk to witnesses and investigate the situation. The Assistant Dean will then determine if a violation did occur. If the Assistant Dean determines that a violation did not occur, then the matter will be dropped. If the student admits responsibility or the Assistant Dean determines there was a violation, the student and the college official will complete a Disciplinary Action Report (DAR) form during the consultation.
    1. The Disciplinary Action Report will:
      i.   include an explanation of the infraction.
      ii.  establish the disciplinary action assigned.
      iii. describe the appeal and hearing opportunities available.
    2. The student is encouraged to sign the Disciplinary Action Report, reflecting his/her understanding of the action.
    3. One copy of the Disciplinary Action Report will be given to the student, and one copy will be placed in the student's file in the Residential Life Office.
  5. If a final decision cannot be reached by the Assistant Dean, the case will be presented to the chairperson of the Campus Hearing Board for board review of the situation.
  6. Any student who wishes to appeal an action must meet with the chairperson of the Campus Hearing Board within one (1) school day after receiving the Disciplinary Action Report to initiate an appeal. The student must initiate the hearing procedure by filing an Appeal Request Form with the chairperson of the Campus Hearing Board. The chairperson of the Campus Hearing Board will review all requests for appeal and determine if there are grounds for appeal and if the evidence submitted warrants reconsideration of the decision. All parties involved will be notified.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

  1. You have the right to access accurate and clearly stated information relating to acceptable academic standing, graduation requirements and individual course requirements.
  2. In all academic evaluations, you have the right to fair and impartial treatment.
  3. The College will not interfere with your right to join associations which promote your common interests as students. However, student organizations which are officially recognized by the College are subject to the policies and regulations established by the College.
  4. You have the right to freely discuss, speak, write and exchange ideas and opinions on any subject in accordance with the guarantees and restrictions of federal and state constitutions.
  5. Student groups on campus have the right to select freely guest speakers or performers. There are no restrictions on the point of view expressed by the speakers other than those imposed by national or state law. The invitation to appear on campus does not imply approval of sponsorship by the College or the group which offers the invitation of the speaker's expressed views.
  6. You and/or recognized student groups have the right to use the facilities of the College as long as established rules and procedures are followed.
  7. You are free to engage in peaceful and orderly protest demonstrations and picketing as long as you do not disrupt the functions of the College or violate the rights of others.
  8. You have the right to appeal a grade or a disciplinary action by following the procedures established for each.
  9. You have the right to participate actively in student government.
  10. You have the right to discuss problems and concerns with appropriate college officials, free from duress or fear of retribution.
  11. You are responsible for all information contained in the Student Handbook, the Columbia College Catalog and other relevant publication of the college.
  12. You are responsible for initiating action when necessary to secure your rights.
  13. You are responsible for your actions. While you have the right to select from alternatives, you must also recognize the responsibility that freedom implies and accept the consequences that result from your selections.

AIDS

The complete policy statement on Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV is available from the Coordinator of Health Services or the Dean for Campus Life. Because there is yet neither vaccine to prevent HIV nor curative therapy for persons infected with HIV, the most pressing need for Columbia College will be to: implement programs that increase awareness, provide education to prevent further spread of the virus and provide referral sources on and off campus for persons requesting private consultation. Columbia College will respond to individual cases of HIV infection or AIDS on campus on an individual case-by-case basis.

Affirmative Action

Columbia College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or veteran status in the recruitment, admission, or administration of any student. This pertains to all of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school, including administration of Columbia College's educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-related programs.