Student Code of Conduct
Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. In line with this purpose, the Board of Regents for Higher Education (“BOR”) in conjunction with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (“CSCU”) has the duty to protect the freedoms of inquiry and expression, and furthermore, has the responsibility to encourage all of its members to develop the capacity for critical judgment in their sustained and independent search for truth. CSCU has certain self-defined institutional values. Principal among these values is respect for the safety, dignity, rights, and individuality of each member of the CSCU Community. The opportunity to live, study, and work in an institution which values diverse intellectual and cultural perspectives and encourages discussion and debate about competing ideas in an atmosphere of civility is a basic component of quality higher education.
All members of CSCU must at all times govern their social and academic interactions with tolerance and mutual respect so that the students who pass through a CSCU door are enriched by these experiences and are prepared for full and enlightened participation in a multi-cultural society. Because of the BOR’s and CSCU’s commitment to principles of pluralism, mutual respect, and civility, certain activities are not acceptable on CSCU campuses. Acts of intolerance, of hatred or violence based on race, religion, sexual orientation or expression, disability, gender, age, or ethnic background are antithetical to the BOR’s and CSCU’s fundamental principles and values. It is the BOR’s and CSCU’s responsibility to protect our students’ right to learn by establishing an environment of civility. The disciplinary process is intended to be part of the educational mission of CSCU. Student disciplinary proceedings are not criminal proceedings and are not subject to court rules of procedure and evidence
The Board of Regents has a detailed Student Code of Conduct which provides further detail and applies systemwide. Procedures for community college students differ from those procedures applicable to either the universities or Charter Oak State College. This is due to the environmental, cultural and administrative differences within the types of the institutions comprising CSCU. Procedures for addressing allegations and sanctions regarding academic misconduct (as defined in Section I.D.1) for Community College Students as set for in this Section III of the Code.
Title IX
Title IX (Title Nine) of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that protects all students attending or accessing services at an educational institution that receives federal funding. It allows all students to attend school in an environment free of harassment, gender-based violence and discrimination. Violations of your rights under Title IX would be sexual assault, sexual harassment, sex discrimination or gender discrimination. At CT State Community College we take our responsibility to address and protect these rights very seriously. For information regarding the nondiscrimination, disability, and Title IX policies/procedures, contact: John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, CT State Community College, 860-612-7056, jchaisson-cardenas@commnet.edu.
In addition to Dr. Chaisson-Cardenas, resources are available at each campus location to support students, recieve complaints, help students navigate processes and answer questions.
Confidentiality of Student Education Records (FERPA)
The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. Broadly, these are:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the College or University receives a request for access.
- The right to request amendment of an education record that the student believes is inaccurate.
- The right to provide written consent before the College or University discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
- The right to refuse to permit the College or University to release Directory Information except in certain circumstances.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Colleges to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
A subset of student information, called “Directory Information,” is designated by the Board of Regents as permissible to release under specific circumstances as described in full text of the policy.
Designated Directory Information, procedural details (including how to file a complaint), and exceptions to the above can be found in the full CSCU Board of Regents Policy 2.2.
Online Students’ Rights
If you are enrolled in distance education at a participating State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) institution you are afforded certain rights under this agreement including the right to file complaints after exhausting the institution’s internal grievance procedures. Complaints that will be considered under this agreement can include discrimination, financial issues, program design and academic support structures. Issues regarding student life, such as discipline, grading, etc., fall solely within the purview of the institution and are not generally investigated. Full details of this scope of this agreement and related processes are available at the CSCU System website.
Responsible Use of Information Technology
CT State and the CSCU System build and maintain an Information Technology infrastructure which is essential to the robust educational and professional environment of the institution. Members of the college community share in the benefits and responsibilities which accompany this technology. These responsibilities are enumerated in the CSCU Acceptable Use Policy - IT
Board of Regents Policy Repository
The Board of Regents for Higher Education bears responsibility for approving the broad policies which shape our educational communities and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations They maintain a full repository of these policies.
Policy Topics Include:
- Academic Affairs
- Student Affairs
- Finance, Facilities and Administration
- Human Resources
- General Board Policy
- System Organization and Governance
- Title IX
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