Charges of Student Misconduct - Disciplinary Action
Any member of the College community may report charges of student conduct violation to the Vice President of Student Affairs. The charge of misconduct by a member of the College community should be submitted in writing and should specify the misconduct and describe circumstances, evidence, witnesses, and any other information relevant to the acts of misconduct. The report should be submitted within ten (10) college working days after the alleged violation occurred. (For the purposes of this policy, “college working days” are defined as weekdays during which regular credit classes are scheduled, as per the college calendar. For reasonable cause, the Vice President of Student Affairs may extend this time requirement.)
At any point during the procedures, any of the principals may request the assistance of a GCSC employed counselor.
Within five (5) college working days of receipt of the alleged violation, the Vice President of Student Affairs will schedule an initial conference with the Accused Student(s) where the Accused Student(s) will be informed of the allegation of misconduct and the range of disciplinary action against the student(s) that may be imposed. The student(s) will be interviewed and given an opportunity to refute the allegations, make any statements, or provide any evidence or mitigating circumstances.
The Vice President of Student Affairs will investigate the allegations and within five (5) college working days of the initial conference, render a decision and impose any reasonable disciplinary action necessary against the student. Upon dispensation of disciplinary action, the disciplinary proceedings will terminate, subject to any terms of the agreement.
The Accused Student may appeal the Vice President of Student Affairs’ disciplinary decision and request a Disciplinary Hearing. This request for a Disciplinary Hearing must be made in writing and delivered to the Vice President of Student Affairs within five (5) college working days after the disciplinary decision is rendered. The student may continue to attend classes and College activities during at the discretion of the Vice President of Student Affairs during the appeal process.
Discipline Committee:
The Discipline Committee is a standing committee composed of thirteen members:
(7) Faculty members and administrators appointed by the GCSC President.
(4) Students appointed by SGA
Vice President of Student Affairs (Ex- officio)
Vice President of Academic Affairs (Chair)
If regular members cannot be present for a hearing, alternates may replace them. The Committee Chair will preside at the Disciplinary Hearing and establish organizational or operational procedures necessary to conduct the hearing. The Chair may rule on all questions before the Discipline Committee and may limit repetitious testimony and exclude immaterial or irrelevant evidence. Strict rules of evidence shall not be applied.
Discipline Committee Responsibilities:
The Accused Student has a right to a fair and impartial hearing before the Discipline Committee on any charge of violating rules of student conduct. Failure of the Accused Student to cooperate with hearing procedures shall not prevent the Discipline Committee from making its findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendations. Failure by the Accused Student to cooperate may be taken into consideration by the Discipline Committee in recommending appropriate disciplinary action. The Accused Student shall be entitled to hear and examine evidence against him/her and be informed of the identity of its source and shall be entitled to present evidence or witnesses in his/her own behalf. Only those matters presented at the hearing in the presence of the accused will be considered by the Discipline Committee in determining whether there is sufficient evidence to believe the Accused Student violated the Student Code of Conduct.