5.15Â Standards of Student Conduct
A. Purpose
To describe the standards of conduct to which students must adhere.
B. Policy
The basic standard of behavior requires students to comply with, observe and obey local, state and federal laws; the board of trustees’ policies and procedures of the college; and orders of the chancellor, faculty, administrators and staff of the institution who are charged with the administration of institutional affairs.
Students are not entitled to greater immunities or privileges before the law than those enjoyed by other citizens generally. Students may be penalized by the college for violating these standards of conduct without regard to civil or criminal proceedings for the same conduct.
C. Procedures
Inherent Authority and Jurisdiction
The Standards of Student Conduct along with policy 5.16 Student Discipline and Appeals are designed to inform students of prohibited conduct and potential consequences.
Institutional Authority
In order to maintain a safe, respectful, and productive academic environment, the college retains the authority to investigate allegations of misconduct, enforce Standards of Student Conduct, impose remedial measures and disciplinary sanctions as specified in policy 5.16 Student Discipline and Appeals, and take other actions necessary to ensure compliance with institutional policies, and local, state and federal laws.
Continuous Student Accountability
Students are accountable to the Standards of Student Conduct, whether on or off campus, in person or online, from the time they are admitted to the college until the time they have earned their academic credential or have separated from the college. Conduct covered by these Standards of Student Conduct, which is subject to remedial measures and disciplinary sanctions under policy 5.16, includes conduct that occurs between semesters or while a student is on temporary leave (voluntary or involuntary). A student who has earned their academic credential or has been otherwise separated from the college may still be held accountable for behavior that occurred while that individual was a student even if the behavior is not discovered until after the individual has been awarded their academic credential or otherwise been separated from the college.
Student Organizations
Student organizations may also be disciplined or sanctioned under policy 5.16 for failing to comply with the Standards of Student Conduct.
Jurisdiction
The Standards of Student Conduct apply to conduct that occurs on college premises, at college sponsored activities, and off-campus conduct that adversely affects a member of the college community or the college community at large. Complaints about off-campus behavior will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they merit review through the student conduct system.
Enumerated Violations
The following enumerated violations specify offenses that may prompt action by the dean of students or the designated campus or center administrator.
- refusal to submit to random or scheduled drug tests, falsifying the results of such drug tests, or submitting a positive sample for a random or scheduled drug test while enrolled in an academic program that requires random and/or scheduled drug testing.
- unauthorized possession, use or distribution of alcoholic beverages or presence on campus while under the influence of alcohol.
- manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of controlled substances or presence on campus while under the influence of a controlled substance. This includes the use, possession, cultivation, distribution, or being under the influence of recreational or medical marijuana on college-owned or controlled property or at college-sponsored events.
- theft of property or services.
- vandalism or destruction of college property.
- assault and/or battery.
- conduct threatening the physical or mental wellbeing, health or safety of an individual or group of individuals.
- intimidation or harassment.
- sexual misconduct as defined by policy 4.06 – Sexual Harassment and Grievance Procedure.
- possession, use, sale or purchase of firearms or other weapons, explosives, or dangerous chemicals on college property.
- trespassing on college property or other unauthorized use of college property or services.
- misuse of the college’s information technology (IT) resources as defined by policy 4.09—Information Technology Acceptable Usage.
- academic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized use of artificially generated content, or falsifying information on official documents or other requests from the college as defined by policy 2.22-Academic Integrity.
- failure to identify oneself to authorized college personnel or comply with their instructions.
- any conduct that violates prior disciplinary sanctions, informal resolution agreements, or retaliates against participants in an investigation.
- any conduct that violates college handbooks, policies, contracts, financial or agreements specific to college programs or activities.
- any conduct that violates federal, state or local laws, or any college policies or procedures.
- forgery, alteration or misuse of any college document, record, key, electronic device or identification.
- hazing.
- stalking.
- disorderly conduct.
D. Definitions
Authorized personnel are campus or center administrators, which include individuals employed by the college’s Safety & Security department.
Dangerous chemicals include, but are not limited to, any substances that are toxic, flammable, explosive, corrosive, or otherwise hazardous to human health, safety, or the environment, such as strong acids and bases, industrial solvents, flammable gases, oxidizers, and toxic compounds. Students may not possess, store or use dangerous chemicals outside of controlled academic or institutional settings without explicit authorization from the college.
Disorderly conduct includes but is not limited to 1) conduct that materially or substantially disrupts the educational process, college operations, and/or related activities; and/or 2) conduct that aids, abets, or procures another person to materially or substantially disrupt the educational process, college operations and/or related activities.
Hazing is participating in or causing a willful act, occurring on or off campus of the college, directed against a student or a prospective member of an organization operating under the sanction of the college, that knowingly and recklessly endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or prospective member for the purpose of initiation or admission into or continued membership in any such organization.
Intimidation or harassment is behavior that causes a reasonable person to fear for their physical safety, their property and/or mental wellbeing. Intimidation or harassment may consist of but is not limited to physical actions (including gestures), oral bullying, cyber bullying, and electronic or written communications, and any threat of retaliation for reporting any such intimidation or harassment.
Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviors directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear or significant emotional distress. These behaviors can include following, monitoring, contacting, or harassing the individual, either directly or indirectly.
Student is any person admitted to an educational or training program at Ozarks Technical Community College. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals enrolled in credit or non-credit courses; Middle College programs; high school initiatives such as Career Center, dual credit, College Now, or early start programs; workforce development programs; short-term training; continuing education; personal development courses; adult education and literacy programs; and professional development. This definition applies regardless of whether the individual is pursuing a degree, certificate, or any other formal program offered by the college.
E. Authority
This policy and these procedures are maintained under the authority of the executive vice chancellor for institutional and student success.
F. Related Policies
2.25 – Classroom Expectations and Disciplinary Withdrawal
3.01 – Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination Grievance Procedures
4.02(t) – Weapons on Campus or at College Sponsored Activities
4.06 – Sexual Harassment and Grievance Procedure
4.09 – Information Technology Acceptable Usage
5.16 – Student Discipline and Appeals
5.37 – Drug and Alcohol Prevention
G. Implementation
Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on 2/23/98; revised 7/13/09, 11/10/14 and 05/14/2025.
Purpose, Procedures, and Authority approved and adopted by the Chancellor’s Cabinet 10/28/14; revised on 03/30/2018, 12/12/2019, 09/06/2022 and 05/13/2025.
Set for review in fiscal year 2027-2028.