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Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Gulf Coast State College has established regulations governing student conduct that are considered necessary to preserve and maintain an environment conducive to learning, to ensure the safety and welfare of members of the College community, to encourage students in the development and practice of good citizenship and self-discipline, and to protect property and equipment of the College. The Student Code of Conduct is published in the Student Handbook. Each student, by registration, assumes the responsibility to become familiar with and to abide by College regulations and acceptable standards of conduct. Students who fail to observe college regulations or to maintain acceptable standards of personal conduct on the campus or at College sponsored functions or facilities are subject to disciplinary action.

Student Code Authority

  1. Gulf Coast State College has developed procedures for the administration of the student conduct system and procedural rules for the conduct of Student Disciplinary Hearings. The Vice President of Student Affairs shall have original jurisdiction over all cases involving an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct established by the District Board of Trustees.
  2. Decisions made by the Vice President of Student Affairs shall be final, pending the appeal process as outlined in the Disciplinary Hearing Process.

Proscribed Conduct

Jurisdiction of the College Student Code of Conduct

The College Student Code of Conduct is in effect on College premises, on properties owned by the Gulf Coast State College and at functions sponsored by or participated in by the College regardless of the locations.

If a student is formally charged with a felony, or with a delinquent act which would be a felony if committed by an adult, for an incident which allegedly occurred on property other than College premises, or a function sponsored by or participated in by the College regardless of location, and if that incident is determined to have an adverse impact on the educational program, discipline, or safety and welfare of the College, then the College has the right to suspend the student pending final adjudication. If the student is adjudicated guilty, then the student may be recommended for expulsion through the normal expulsion procedure. With this exception, the College will not ordinarily impose sanctions on a student who is subject to criminal prosecution for off campus activity.

The Student Code of Conduct is published in the Student Handbook.

Each student shall be responsible for his/her conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree, even though conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end for the term, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment. The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending.

Infractions / Misconduct

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions.

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Including all forms of cheating and plagiarism, academic misconduct may include destroying, damaging or stealing another person's work or work materials including, but not limited to, lab experiments, computer programs/files, term papers, projects or copy of an examination. Theft, damage or misuse of library resources; removing uncharged material from the library; defacing or damaging library materials; intentionally displacing or hoarding library materials within the library for ones unauthorized private use or any other abuse of reserved materials is also considered academic misconduct. Lastly, any theft, damage or misuse of computer resources including, but not limited to computer account codes, passwords or facilities; damaging computer equipment or interfering with the operation of any computer system in the college. Academic Misconduct also includes repeated violations of a faculty member's classroom conduct policy.
The student shall not knowingly possess, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, any other controlled or counterfeit substance defined in FS 893.03, or substitute for such, alcoholic beverage, inhalant or intoxicant, on the campus either before, during or after school hours or off the College grounds at a College activity, function or event. Also, a student shall not possess, have under his/her control, sell or deliver any device, or contrivance, instrument or paraphernalia containing the substance or substances described in this paragraph or any residue of such substance or devices intended for use or used in injecting, inhaling/inhalant/huffing, smoking, administering, or using any of the foregoing prescribed drugs, narcotics, or stimulants. Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a registered physician for a specific student shall not be considered a violation of this rule.
 Intentionally setting or attempting to set a fire.
Any communication which has the effect of threatening an explosion to do malicious, destructive or bodily harm to College property, at a College function or extra-curricular/co-curricular activity or to the person(s) in or on that property or attending that event.
An aggressive behavior that is intended to cause distress or harm, exists in a relationship in which there is an imbalance of power or strength, and is repeated over time. Examples include but are not limited to: hitting, teasing, obscene gestures, rumors, getting someone else to bully, cyber-bullying.
Entering or remaining in a structure or on a conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the person is licensed or invited to enter.
Intentional use of GCSC computing resources to acquire, distribute, and or use any system or computer code, program, or file designed to accidentally or maliciously alter, damage, interrupt, access or infiltrate GCSC computing resources or those owned by individuals which are permitted to access those resources in accordance with school policy.
Introducing unwarranted programs or tools into network server.
 Creation of disorder at any College property, College sponsored or related event, or on any College sponsored transportation.
 The willful or malicious threat of harm, injury or violence to a person, property or reputation of another with the intent to obtain money, information, services or items of material worth.
The willful and/or malicious activation of a fire alarm system or the willful and/or malicious reporting of a false fire.
Providing false, misleading or invalid statements, making false accusations, and/or withholding valid information.
Suspension proceedings against any enrolled student who is formally charged with a felony or with a delinquent act which would be a felony if committed by an adult, for an incident which allegedly occurred on property other than College property if that incident is shown to have an adverse impact on the education program, discipline or welfare of the College or College Community.
Physical contact between two or more individuals where the participation is not mutual or equal, or a weapon is used, or in which injury that requires immediate first aid or subsequent medical attention occurs.
Use of force or violence upon or against any employee of the College.
Willful refusal to submit to or comply with authority; exhibiting contempt or open resistance to a direct order.
Any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student.
Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.
The willful act of inciting, leading or participating in a disruption or disturbance which interferes with the educational process or which can result in damage or destruction to public or private property, or cause personal injury to participants and others.
Destruction or defacing of College/personal property.
Any use of the College's name or likeness without written permission is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, use of the Gulf Coast State College name to create websites, social media pages, and secret organizations.
Conduct which is not listed as a specific infraction but which results in more serious injury, damage to property, or other serious harm.
Any sexual act directed against a person, forcibly or against the person’s will, or not forcibly against the person’s will where the victim is not capable of giving consent because of his or her youth or because of temporary or permanent incapacity.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other inappropriate oral, written or physical contact of sexual nature when such conduct substantially interferes with a student’s academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive College environment, Sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to the following: verbal harassment or abuse, pressure for sexual activity, repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications, unwelcome or inappropriate touching, suggestive or demanding sexual involvement accompanied by implied or explicit threats.
Exposing or exhibiting one’s private areas in public in a vulgar or indecent manner. Intentionally touching in a lewd or lascivious manner in clothed private areas of another.
A repeated pattern of conduct meant to engage a specific person, causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves no legitimate purpose. Stalking includes cyberstalking through use of electronic communication of any kind.
The taking of property of another without permission of the owner.
 Entering upon or remaining on any property, a structure or conveyance without being authorized, licensed or invited to do so and being warned by the owner or owner’s agent or by notice pursuant to Florida Statute §810.09, or, in the case of entry upon or remaining on College grounds or buildings, not having legitimate business on the campus or authorization, license or invitation to be there or being under suspension, alternative placement or expulsion.
Using the name, identifying number or symbol or signature of another person of any purpose without that person’s authorization or permission with the intention of deceiving a College employee or under circumstances which could be reasonably calculated to deceive the employee.
Intentional damage to or destruction of College property causing substantial damage.
A person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows and/or harasses with intent to place that person in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury.
Except as allowed by law, possession of any weapon defined by Sections 790.001(4),(6),(13), Florida Statutes, is not permitted on any College campus or at any College function, or in any College sponsored transportation.
Failure to comply with directions of any college official (whether the request is by mail, email, telephone, or in person) when that official has identified himself or herself and is acting within the course and scope of their duties. Cooperation includes, but is not limited to, responding to requests for conferences on matters pertaining to the student at the college and/or presentation of college identification.
Failure to pay fees, deferred fees, traffic penalties, library penalties, student loans, and other financial obligations to the college will be handled as an administrative procedure with the appropriate department initiating a hold on the student’s records through the office of enrollment services. Students who present bad checks (insufficient fund checks) will be referred for record holds and/or other disciplinary action.
Unauthorized entry onto, or into, the property of others or the college. Property of others includes buildings, rooms, computers, computer accounts, and computer systems.
Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.