Code of Student Conduct

I. Proscribed Conduct

A. Jurisdiction
Discipline may be imposed for conduct, which occurs on college premises, off-campus instructional sites for off-campus college-sponsored events; and for off-campus conduct which materially and substantially interferes with the college's operational and educational programs, or the safety and welfare of the college community.

B. Conduct--Rules and Regulations
Students at Moraine Valley Community College are expected to demonstrate qualities of morality, honesty, civility, honor, and respect. Behavior which violates these standards for which discipline may be imposed includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Acts of dishonesty, including, but not limited to;

1. Cheating which includes, but is not limited to:
   (1) use of any unauthorized assistance, resources, materials or electronic/cellular devices with or without photographic capability in taking quizzes, tests or examinations;
   (2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; 
   (3) the acquisition, without permission, of a test or other academic material belonging to Moraine Valley Community College, to any department, or to any staff.
2. Plagiarism which includes, but is not limited to:
   (1) use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement;
   (2) unacknowledged use of materials prepared by
   another person;
   (3) use of an agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
3. Furnishing false information to any college official, faculty member or office.
4. Forgery, alteration or misuse of any college document, record, form, or instrument of identification.
5. Alteration or sabotage of another student's work, such as tampering with laboratory experiments.
6. Tampering with the election of any college recognized student organization or the student trustee election.

2. Disruption or obstruction of any operation of the college, including, but not limited to, teaching, disciplinary proceedings, college activities, public service functions on or off campus, or other authorized noncollege activities, when the act occurs on college premises.

3. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, fighting, hazing, coercion, and/or other conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.

4. Sexual harassment which includes any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's educational performance or extracurricular activities; or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment.

2. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance; or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.

3. Such conduct violates legal statutes on public decency.

5. Conduct performed in such unreasonable manner as to alarm another and to provoke a breach of the peace.

6. Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the college or property of a member of the college community or other personal or public property.

7. Failure to comply with published policies of college officials, judicial advisors, or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties. Failure to identify oneself to college officials when requested to do so.

8. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any college premises; or unauthorized entry to, occupancy of, or use of college premises.

9. Violation of published college policies, rules, regulations, or procedures.

10. Violation of federal, state or local law on college premises or at college-sponsored or supervised activities.

11. Gambling in any form.

12. Use, possession or distribution of a narcotic or other chemical substance except as expressly permitted by law.

13. Use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by the law and college regulations, as well as public intoxication while on college premises, off-campus instructional sites, or at college-sponsored or supervised functions.

14. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, fireworks, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on college premises, off-campus instructional sites, or at college sponsored or supervised functions.

15. Participation in a campus demonstration which disrupts the normal operations of the college and infringes on the rights of other members of the college community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area; intentional obstruction which unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus.

16. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic or endangering the safety of individuals on college premises, within college buildings or at college-sponsored or supervised functions.

17. Conduct which is disorderly; breaching the peace; or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on college premises or at functions sponsored by the college.

18. Theft or other abuse of computer time, including, but not limited to:

1. Unauthorized entry into a file to use, read or change the contents, or for any other purpose;

2. Unauthorized transfer of a file;

3. Unauthorized use of an individual's identification and password;

4. Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of a student, faculty member or college official;

5. Use of computing facilities to interfere with operation of the college computing systems;

6. Unauthorized use of copying of copyrighted software;

7. The installation or use of a program whose effect is to damage the media or files;

8. Unauthorized use of computer time for personal or business purposes;

9. Use of the computer system to send obscene, abusive or inappropriate messages;

10. Unethical/unlawful or irresponsible use of the Internet.

19. Unauthorized or inappropriate use of college telephones, facsimile (fax) machines, copier machines, computers, printers or any other office communication devices.

20. Unauthorized or inappropriate use of the Internet from a computer on campus or at a designated campus facility.

21. Unauthorized use of cellular phones, with or without photographic capabilities, pagers, and other telecommunication/electronic devices is prohibited in all instructional areas which include: all labs and classrooms during instructional sessions, the Library/Learning Resources Center, Testing Center and other areas designated by the Moraine Valley administration.

Unauthorized use of any form of technology for purpose of photographing individuals in secured areas such as lavatories or locker rooms. Taking photographs by students of individuals against their will or knowledge is strictly prohibited.

22. For the safety of children on campus, children may not accompany students to class. Also, children may not be left unattended on the campus grounds, whether in college buildings, extension centers or at any college event.

23. Abuse of the judicial system, including, but not 
limited to:

1. Failure to obey the summons of a judicial body or college official;

2. Falsification, distortion or misrepresentation of information before a judicial body;

3. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a judicial proceeding;

4. Bringing about charges without cause;

5. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a judicial body prior to and/or during the course of the judicial hearing

6. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a judicial body prior to and/or during the course of the judicial proceeding;

7. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a judicial body prior to, during and/or after a judicial proceeding;

8. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Code of Student Conduct;

9. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the judicial system. 

C. Standard of Behavior in Instructional, Student Service and
Common Student Lounge Areas

In the interest of providing a conducive atmosphere in which students can study and do research in the Library/Learning Resources Center or other instructional and student service areas, and/or be in a comfortable environment like the Bob and Marge Bobb Student Life Center or common student lounges, where all students feel welcome and interact in a respectful manner, students must follow the posted area rules. Failure to comply with these rules or the directions of the Moraine Valley Community College staff is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.

D. Violation of Federal, State or Local Laws and
College Discipline

1. College discipline may be imposed on students charged with an off-campus violation of federal, state or local laws-but not with any other violation of the Code of Student Conduct. This action is necessary to provide for the safety and welfare of the college community. Disciplinary action may be taken and sanctions imposed only for grave misconduct that demonstrates flagrant disregard for the college community. In such cases, no sanction may be imposed unless the student has been found guilty in a court of law or has declined to contest such charges, although not actually admitting guilt.
2. College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a federal, state or local law which is also a violation of this code; that is, if both violations result from the same factual situation without regard to pending civil litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under this code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus.
3. When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the college will not request or agree to special consideration from federal, state or local authorities for that individual because of his or her status as a student. If the alleged offense is also the subject of a proceeding before a judicial body under this code, however, the college may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the code and of how such matters will be handled within the college community. The college will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of violators who are also students. Individual students and faculty members, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives as they consider appropriate.