Student Code of Conduct

The College reserves the right to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment for students and staff. Therefore, when, in the judgment of college officials, a student’s conduct disrupts or threatens to disrupt the college community, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken to restore and protect the sanctity of the community. Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with generally accepted standards of
scholarship and morality. The purpose of this code is not to restrict student rights but to protect the rights of individuals in their academic pursuits.

The following Campus Standards are expected to be observed while on campus or at college-sponsored, off-campus events. Violations of these Campus Standards will
result in disciplinary actions which may include suspension or expulsion from Robeson Community College:

Rule 1. The College reserves the option to refer cases involving violations of local, state, and/or federal laws to appropriate law enforcement officials off campus.
Rule 2. Academic Dishonesty – Cheating and plagiarism are dishonest, deceiving, and both are considered serious offenses. Extreme care should be taken to ensure that all work completed    measures up to a standard of honesty. Alleged violations of academic dishonesty are handled following the processes outlined in the college’s academic honor code (see page 184).
Rule 3. Alcohol – The possession or use of alcohol is prohibited on campus and at college-sponsored events off campus. Alcohol abuse which results in public intoxication, destruction of property, abuse of or personal injury to an individual, litter, or misconduct of any kind, is a violation of the alcohol policy. Being under the influence of alcohol is not a valid reason for inappropriate behavior.
Rule 4. Animals – A student may not have an animal of any kind on campus. This includes animals left in a vehicle. Working dogs, such as Seeing Eye dogs and police dogs, are permitted.
Rule 5. Arson – Tampering with fire alarm systems and/or safety equipment or intentionally lighting a fire on college property is strictly prohibited.
Rule 6. Assault – Malicious assault, physical abuse, or verbal harassment of any person on campus will not be tolerated. This includes physical or verbal actions which threaten or endanger the health and/or safety of any such persons. This standard also includes Sexual Assault-subjecting any person to contact or behavior of a sexual nature or for the purposes of sexual gratification without the persons express and explicit consent. Consent is explicit approval to engage in sexual activity demonstrated by clear actions or words. This decision must be made freely and actively by all participants. Non-verbal communication, silence, passivity or lack of active resistance does not imply consent. In addition, previous participation in sexual activity does not indicate current consent to participate and consent to one form of sexual activity does not imply consent to other forms of sexual activity. Consent has not been obtained in situations where the individual: a) is forced, pressured, manipulated or has reasonable fear that they will be injured if they do not submit to the act; b) is incapable of giving consent or is prevented from resisting due to physical or mental incapacity (including being under the influence of drugs or alcohol); c) or has a mental or physical disability which inhibits his/her ability to give consent to sexual activity.
Rule 7. Complicity in Standards Violation – Any student who is aware that a violation of any standard, regulation, law, or ordinance is about to occur or is taking place shall make some reasonable effort to stop the offense or notify a college staff member immediately.
Rule 8. Disorderly Conduct – Robeson Community College students are expected to act in an orderly and responsible manner. Therefore, students may not be involved in such actions as physical restriction, coercion, or intimidation of any person on campus; participation in or encouragement of any effort to disrupt any class or other college functions; disrespect, belligerence, or racial prejudice toward any college staff member (instructional or non-instructional), any student in a supervisory capacity, or a fellow student. Indecent or obscene language or behavior will result in disciplinary action.
Rule 9. Failure to Comply with Judicial Action – Students who are notified of judicial-related appointments and who fail to attend the scheduled meeting/hearing will be subject to disciplinary action. Students who cannot attend a scheduled meeting or hearing should contact the Assistant Vice President of Student Services at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance.
Violations of penalties rendered by Robeson Community College will be considered very serious violations of the Campus Standards.
Rule 10. Forgery – Forgery, alteration or misuse of college documents, deceiving records, or instruments of identification with intent to deceive, will be considered a violation of the Campus Standards.
Rule 11. Gambling – Gambling is not permitted on campus property or at college-sponsored events off campus.
Rule 12. Internet and Computer Network Usage – The College has detailed guidelines outlining the appropriate use of the Internet and Computer Resources. Users of the College’s computer network agree to follow established guidelines. Computer usage should be for academic purposes only.
Rule 13. Narcotics, Stimulant Drugs – The possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs, stimulants, hallucinogens, depressants, or any other illegal substance will be a violation of Robeson Community College Campus Standards. The definition of possession of dangerous drugs includes the presence of such materials on the student’s person, among the property owned by the student, or among such school property as is being used by the student.
Rule 14. Responsibility – Each student is responsible for his/her own actions on the Robeson Community College campus or at college-sponsored events off campus. Students are required to carry identification cards issued by the College and must identify themselves to college officials upon request.
All visitors to the campus are required to observe these standards of the College. Hosts/hostesses of visitors are responsible for the actions of their guests on the Robeson Community College campus or at college-sponsored events off campus.
Rule 15. Sales, Solicitations, or Distributions – No sales, solicitations, or distributions of any kind shall be made on college property or at any college-sponsored events except those which are approved in advance by the President or his/her designee.
Rule 16. Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment – Students may not harass any member of the College community, including other students, employees, or other persons on the College campus. This prohibition includes sexual, verbal or physical harassment for any reason including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, creed, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
Rule 17. Theft – Theft of college property, property of a member of the college community, a campus visitor on college property or attending a college function off campus is strictly prohibited.
Rule 18. Tobacco – Smoking and/or using other forms of tobacco products are not permitted in classrooms, shops, labs, or other unauthorized areas.
Rule 19. Unauthorized Programs – Participating in or conducting an assembly, demonstration, or gathering in a manner which threatens or causes injury to persons or property; which interferes with free access to, ingress or egress of college facilities; which is harmful, obstructive, or disruptive to the educational process or institutional functions of the College; and/or remaining at the scene of such an assembly after being asked to leave by a representative of the college staff is strictly prohibited.
Rule 20. Vandalism – Malicious destruction of public or private property on campus will be considered a violation of the Campus Standards.
Rule 21. Weapons – Possession or use of any firearms, knives, incendiary devices, or explosives are prohibited on college property. Prior permission must be obtained where weapons are authorized for possession/use in college-affiliated activities or events except handguns as allowed by NC GS §14-269.4. Handguns are permitted under these circumstances:
•The person has a concealed handgun permit that is lawfully issued
•The handgun is in a closed compartment or container within the person’s locked vehicle
•The handgun is in a locked container securely affixed to the person’s vehicle.
•A person may unlock the vehicle to enter or exit the vehicle provided the handgun remains in the closed compartment at all times
•The vehicle is locked immediately following the entrance or exit.
Law enforcement officers are exempt from this prohibition. This includes facsimiles of weapons.
Rule 22. Bullying – Students may not intimidate or threaten with harm any other individual. Bullying is defined as “any pattern of gestures or written, electronic or verbal communications, or any physical act or any threatening communication that takes place on College premises or at any College sponsored function that: (a) places a person in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; or (b) creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or a College employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of his or her job.”
Rule 23. Use of Social Media – Students should obey their social media platforms terms’ of use. Students may not make, or cause to be made, communications (including electronically or through social media) to another person in any manner likely to seriously annoy or cause alarm. Social media may not be used to breech privacy, discriminate or harass. Students may not make, transmit, or attempt to transmit audio or video of any person(s) on College property where there is an explicit expectation of privacy. Any posts or tweets deemed inappropriate on an Robeson Community College social web site or blog will be deleted immediately and may result in having access to the site blocked permanently.
Rule 24. Stalking – Students may not engage in a course of conduct directed to a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress by placing that person in fear of death, bodily injury, or continued harassment.
Rule 25. Threats – Students may not engage in any behavior that constitutes a clear and present danger to the physical and/or emotion well-being of the student and/or other students, faculty and staff.
Rule 26. Domestic Violence – Students may not commit crimes of violence against a current or former spouse or intimate partner, a person with whom student shares a child in common, a person with whom the student cohabitates or has cohabitated as a spouse, a person similarly situated to the student as a spouse, a person who is related to the student as a parent or child, including person acting in loco parentis to a minor child, or a person who is related to the student as grandparent or grandchild. This standard includes Dating Violence-crimes of violence against a person with whom the person has or had a social relationship or intimate relationship and Sexual Violence-physical acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent (e.g., due to the students age or use of drugs or alcohol or because an intellectual or other disability prevents the student from having the capacity to give consent).