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Student Code of Conduct

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations outlined in this catalog. Lack of familiarity with college rules and regulations does not exempt students from their responsibilities. Students who attend tax-supported postsecondary educational institutions are not compelled to do so. By voluntarily attending, students assume obligations of performance and behavior reasonably imposed by the college as it relates to the college?s mission and purpose.

The United States Constitution guarantees qualified students equal opportunity to attend Athens Technical College. The college may discipline students as long as there is no discrimination employed, no denial of due process, and no capricious, clearly unlawful, or unreasonable action employed. It is critical that the entire campus community understand the inherent rights entitled to students, as well as the responsibilities these rights entail. If everyone accepts and abides by these student rights and responsibilities, a more harmonious learning environment will result for the campus community.

Academic Rights

Students have the right to attend classes during their regularly scheduled times without deviation from such times and without penalty if students cannot attend instructional hours not institutionally scheduled. Students have the right to access a syllabus, which outlines course objectives and requirements, for each course, and to receive information regarding any changes in these syllabi at the beginning of each semester. The college recognizes that discussion and expression of all views relevant to the subject matter are fundamental to the educational process, but students have no right to interfere with the freedom of instructors to teach or the rights of other students to learn. Instructors set the standards of acceptable behavior by announcing these standards early in the term. If students behave disruptively in classes after instructors explain the unacceptability of such conduct, instructors must dismiss students for the remainder of that class period.

Instructors should initiate discussions with students to resolve the issues prior to the next class meeting. Further disruptions may result in a second dismissal and referral in writing to the vice president for student affairs. Students have the right to meet with their respective faculty advisors each semester to plan sequential programs of work that meet their educational objectives in the most efficient manner possible. Students have the right to consult with faculty outside of classroom time during regularly scheduled office hours or by appointment if necessary. Students have the right to access any of their records kept by the college upon reasonable request. Students have the right to appeal when issued a grade. Instructors award grades for student academic achievement. Instructors will not reduce grades as a disciplinary action for student action or behavior unrelated to academic achievement.

Freedom of Speech and Assembly

Students have the right to freedom of speech and assembly without prior restraints or censorship, subject to clearly stated, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations regarding time, place, and manner (see Student Code of Conduct outlined later in this section).

Protection Against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures

Students have the constitutional right to be secure in their persons, dwellings, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Security officers or administrative staff may conduct searches and seizures only as authorized by applicable laws.

Academic Honesty Policy

Academic honesty is essential to the individual growth and development of students at Athens Technical College. Upon admission to the college, each student is obligated to uphold the highest ethical standards in academic endeavors. Athens Technical College has a responsibility for ensuring that the grades assigned are indicative of the knowledge and skill level of each student. Acts of academic dishonesty hinder the college's ability to fulfill this responsibility. Faculty members have the primary responsibility of ensuring that academic honesty is maintained in the courses they teach. Students share the responsibility for maintaining academic honesty by refraining from acts of academic dishonesty and by notifying instructors of observed or known incidents of academic dishonesty committed by others. Students who fail to report incidents of academic dishonesty are subject to being charged with violating this academic honesty policy.

Procedures for Addressing Violations of Academic Dishonesty

Athens Technical College has established the following procedures for addressing violations of academic dishonesty.

Instructor's Meeting with Student

An instructor who has evidence that a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty must either meet with the student as described below or report the violation to the vice president for student affairs. In meeting with the student, the instructor must present the evidence of the violations of the academic honesty policy and inform the student that he or she will receive zero points for all or part of that assignment. At the conclusion of the meeting, the instructor and student will sign a completed copy of the Violation of Academic Honesty Policy notification form.

The instructor is responsible for:

  • Providing the student with a copy of the completed and signed notification form
  • Informing the student of his or her right to dispute the charges and thus to participate in a mediated discussion
  • Informing the student of his or her right to rescind the signed notification form by submitting a written statement to this effect to the vice president for student affairs within five business days of the meeting with the instructor
  • Sending a copy of the completed and signed notification form to the vice president for student affairs within 24 hours of the meeting with the student

In certain instances such as when the alleged violation occurs during a final exam, the instructor may elect to submit all materials to document the violation to the vice president for student affairs without holding a meeting with the student. The vice president will then schedule a mediated discussion as outlined below.

Mediated Discussion

If the student disputes the charges, if the student decides to rescind the signed acknowledgement form, or if the instructor refers the alleged violation directly to the vice president for student affairs, the vice president will assign a mediator to schedule and conduct a facilitated discussion. The student will receive written notification of the date and time of the facilitated discussion by certified mail, while the instructor will receive written notification via email and interoffice mail. The facilitated discussion will be held no less than five nor more than fifteen days after the student reasonably should have received written notification by certified mail. The vice president has the discretion to extend maximum time limits for the scheduling of the mediated discussion.

The faculty member, student who was believed to have violated the policy, and the mediator are the only participants in the facilitated discussion session. Other participants, including legal counsel, are excluded from attending mediated discussion sessions. Furthermore, these sessions may not be recorded. The faculty member and student may reach an agreement about the appropriate consequence(s) for a dishonesty violation keeping in mind that the process should be educational for the student who violated the policy yet fair to other students who have honestly completed the academic work. At the conclusion of the mediated discussion, the instructor, student, and mediator will sign a completed copy of the Mediated Discussion agreement form.

The mediator is responsible for:

  • Providing the student and instructor with a completed and signed
  • Mediated Discussion agreement form
  • Informing the student of his or her right to rescind the signed agreement form by submitting a written statement to this effect to the vice president for student affairs within five business days of the mediated discussion session
  • Sending a copy of the completed and signed agreement form to the vice president for student affairs within three business days of the meeting with the student

The student has the right to rescind a facilitated discussion agreement by notifying the vice president for student affairs within five days from the date the agreement form is signed. If the agreement is rescinded, a student judiciary committee will be convened to determine if the academic dishonesty occurred and if so, to assign the appropriate sanction(s) for the violation.

Student Judiciary Committee

Hearing for Disputed Cases If the faculty member and the student cannot reach an agreement about the appropriate consequence(s) for an alleged violation of the academic honesty policy, the matter will be referred back to the vice president for student affairs. The vice president will then schedule a meeting of the student judiciary committee to hear the case and notify the student by certified mail the date, time, and location of the hearing. The student judiciary committee hearing will be held no less than five nor more than fifteen days after the student reasonably should have received notification by certified mail. In the event that additional time is necessary, the judicial advisor will notify the student in writing. Written notification of the need to extend the time will be sent by certified mail and by email to the student?s @student.athenstech.edu email account. The procedures for conducting a student judiciary committee are published as part of the Student Code of Conduct (see Student Code of Conduct outlined later in this section).

If the student judiciary committee finds the student guilty of an academic honesty infraction, the student must receive zero points for the activity for which the infraction occurred. First offense violations may also result in one or more of the following consequences:

  • Final course grade of F
  • Suspension for a period of one or more academic terms
  • Expulsion

A suspension allows a student to return to the institution after a specified period of time. Readmission to the college does not guarantee the student the opportunity to reenroll in the program of study from which he or she was suspended. An expulsion means that the student is ineligible to return to the institution.

If the student judiciary committee finds that extraordinary circumstances warrant the imposition of a consequence other than what is described above, the committee shall state in writing the reasons for the extraordinary circumstances and why an alternate consequence is considered appropriate. The vice president for student affairs will provide written notification to the student of the sanctions imposed as a result of a guilty ruling by the student judiciary committee.

Second Offenses

Upon receiving the notification from the instructor, the vice president for student affairs will determine whether this incident constitutes a second acknowledgement by the student that he or she has violated this academic honesty policy. If it is determined that the incident is the first time the student has violated the academic honesty policy, the vice president for student affairs will send a certified letter to the student informing the student that he or she will be on disciplinary probation for the remainder of his or her tenure at Athens Technical College. If it is determined that the notification constitutes a second acknowledgement by the student, the consequence may result in the student being expelled. If the student acknowledges a second violation in a facilitated discussion or if a student judiciary committee finds a second violation of the policy, the student may be expelled with a notation that the expulsion was for an academic honesty violation.

Effective Date for Suspension or Expulsion

A student who is suspended or expelled from the college for violating the academic honesty policy will be administratively removed from all classes. The student will receive a final course grade of F in the course in which the academic honesty infraction. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons or who leave the college when disciplinary action is pending is ineligible for refunds of all tuition and fees.

Action on Determination of Innocence

If the mediated discussion or the student judiciary committee determines that no violation occurred, the instructor shall enter a final grade for that student. The instructor will determine the grade for the assignment and the course. That grade shall be entered on or before the latter of (a) the date on which grades for that class must be submitted to the Office of Registration and Records or (b) 10 days following delivery to that instructor of a notice of that student's final determination of innocence. For this purpose, "final determination" means that an agreement is reached between the instructor and student during a mediated discussion session that academic dishonesty did not occur or that a student judiciary committee concludes that the student did not violate the academic honesty policy. The vice president for student affairs shall notify the instructor of the final determination.

Student Responsibilities

Upon admission to the college, each student is obligated to uphold the highest ethical standards in academic endeavors. Students have a responsibility for maintaining academic honesty by refraining from committing acts that violate the academic honesty policy; therefore, it is imperative that each student become familiar with the contents of the policy. Being unfamiliar with this policy does not absolve the student from disciplinary action. Furthermore, students have a responsibility to notify instructors of observed or known incidents of academic dishonesty committed by others.

Instructor Responsibilities

Faculty have the primary responsibility of ensuring that academic honesty is maintained in the courses they teach; therefore, they have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to inform students of the academic honesty rules that apply to particular academic work and the specific types of academic assistance that are permissible in connection with that academic work. Faculty is also responsible for following the steps outlined in this policy. When alleged violations are being resolved through the mediated discussion process or by student judiciary committee hearings, the instructor shall permit the student to complete all required academic work and shall evaluate and grade all work except the assignment(s) involved in the accusation of dishonesty. The instructor may, however, take any action reasonably necessary to collect and preserve evidence of the alleged violation and to maintain or restore the integrity of the exam or laboratory conditions. Requests for a course withdrawal will not be approved unless it is determined that no violation occurred.

An instructor who suspects that a student has violated the academic honesty policy within the context of clinical patient care may prohibit the student from any and all patient care responsibilities and from attendance at all clinical affiliate institutions until the issue is resolved. The instructor must notify the vice president for student affairs immediately of the prohibition. The student will be allowed to make up any clinical assignments without academic penalty if it is determined that no violation of the academic honesty policy occurred.

Prohibited Conduct

Academic honesty is defined as performing all academic work without plagiarism, cheating, lying, tampering, falsifying, stealing, purchasing, giving, or receiving unauthorized assistance from any other person, or using any source of information that is not common knowledge without properly acknowledging the source. Academic dishonesty means performing, attempting to perform, or assisting any other person in performing academic work that does not meet this standard of academic honesty. Academic work means any act performed in connection with work required to be submitted or performed, being prepared to be submitted, or actually submitted for an academic grade and academic advancement in connection with courses and programs offered in all types of learning environments by Athens Technical College. Academic work includes, but is not limited to, examinations, exercises, quizzes, term papers, required drafts of assignments, required attendance, reports, presentations and speeches, laboratory work, online assignments, scientific experiments, clinical and practicum rotations, and internship assignments.

No student shall perform, attempt to perform, or assist another in performing any act of dishonesty on academic work to be submitted for academic credit or advancement. A student does not have to intend to violate the academic honesty policy to be found in violation. Furthermore, lack of knowledge of the provisions of this policy is not an acceptable response to an allegation of academic dishonesty.

Examples of Academic Dishonesty

The following acts by a student are examples of academically dishonest behavior:

Plagiarism

Submission for academic advancement the words, ideas, opinions, or theories of another that are not common knowledge, without appropriate attribution to that other person. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the following acts when performed without appropriate attribution:

  • Directly quoting all or part of another person's written or spoken words without quotation marks, as appropriate to the discipline
  • Paraphrasing all or part of another person's written or spoken words without notes or documentation within the body of the work
  • Presenting an idea, theory, or formula originated by another person as the original work of the person submitting that work
  • Repeating information, such as statistics or demographics, which is not common knowledge and which was originally compiled by another person
  • Purchasing (or receiving in any other manner) a term paper or other assignment that is the work of another person and submitting that term paper or other assignment as the student's own work
Unauthorized assistance

Giving or receiving assistance in connection with any examination or other academic work that has not been authorized by an instructor. During examinations, quizzes, lab work, and similar activities, students are to assume that any assistance (such as books, notes, calculators, and conversations with others) is unauthorized unless it has been specifically authorized by an instructor. Examples of prohibited behavior include, but are not limited to, the following when not authorized:

  • Copying or allowing another to copy answers to an examination
  • Transmitting or receiving during an examination information that is within the scope of the material to be covered by that examination (including transmission orally, in writing, by sign, electronic signal, or other manner)
  • Giving or receiving answers to an examination scheduled for a later time
  • Completing for another or allowing another to complete for you all or part of an assignment (such as a paper, exercise, homework assignment, presentation, report, computer application, laboratory experiment, or computation)
  • Submitting a group assignment or allowing that assignment to be submitted representing that the project is the work of all the members of the group when fewer than all of the group members assisted substantially in its preparation
  • Unauthorized use of a programmable calculator or other electronic device
Lying/Tampering

Giving any false information in connection with the performance of any academic work or in connection with any proceeding under this policy. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Giving false reasons (in advance or after the fact) for failure to complete academic work, including, for example, giving false excuses to an instructor or to any college official for failure to attend an exam or to complete academic work
  • Falsifying the results of any laboratory or experimental work or fabricating any data or information
  • Altering any academic work after it has been submitted for academic credit and requesting academic credit for the altered work, unless such alterations are part of an assignment (such as a request of an instructor to revise the academic work)
  • Altering grade, lab, or attendance records. This includes, for example, the forgery of college forms for registration in or withdrawal from a course
  • Damaging computer equipment (including removable media such as disks, CD?s, flash drives) or laboratory equipment in order to alter or prevent the evaluation of academic work, unauthorized use of another?s computer password, disrupting the content or accessibility of an Internet site, or impersonating another to obtain computer resources
  • Giving or encouraging false information or testimony in connection with academic work or any proceeding under this policy
  • Submitting for academic advancement an item of academic work that has been submitted (even when submitted previously by that student) for credit in another course, unless done pursuant to authorization from the instructor supervising the work or containing fair attribution to the original work

Theft

Stealing, taking, or procuring in any other unauthorized manner (such as by physical removal from an instructor?s office or unauthorized inspection of computerized material) information related to any academic work (such as exams, grade records, forms used in grading, books, papers, computer equipment and data, and laboratory materials and data).

Other

Failure by a student to comply with a duty imposed under this policy. Any behavior that constitutes academic dishonesty is prohibited even if it is not specifically listed in the above compilation of examples.

Student Code of Conduct

One mission of Athens Technical College is to provide technical and adult education programs for the people of Georgia. To fulfill this mission, Athens Technical College must provide students with opportunities for intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth. Technical college students assume an obligation to act in a manner compatible with the mission of the college. 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 atmosphere of collegiality and mutual respect on campus. This procedure is intended to provide an orderly protocol for handling student disciplinary cases in accordance with the principles of due process and justice.

With these principles in mind, Athens Technical College established this Student Code of Conduct.

Definitions

  • The terms "technical college" and "college" mean Athens Technical College.
  • The term "Technical College System of Georgia" is synonymous with the term "Department of Technical and Adult Education."
  • The term "students" includes all persons taking on a part-time or full-time basis any adult literacy, associate degree, diploma, technical certificate of credit, general education, developmental studies, business and industry, continuing education, or special populations course at Athens Technical College. People not enrolled officially for a particular term but who have continuing relationships with the technical college remain classified as "students."
  • The term "faculty member" means any person hired by the college to conduct teaching, service, or research activities.
  • The terms "technical college official" and "college official" include any person employed by the college to perform assigned administrative responsibilities.
  • The terms "member of the technical college community" and "member of the college community" include any person who is a student, faculty member, technical college official, or any other person employed by Athens Technical College.
  • The terms "technical college premises" and "college premises" include all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the technical college. These terms encompass all adjacent streets and sidewalks.
  • The terms "student organization" and "organization" means any number of persons who complied with the formal requirements for recognition by the college.
  • The term "judicial body" means any person or persons authorized by the president of the college to determine whether students are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct or other regulations and to recommend the imposition of sanctions.
  • The term "judicial advisor" means a technical college official authorized on a case-by-case basis by the president of the college to impose sanctions upon students found to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The president may authorize a judicial advisor to serve simultaneously as a judicial advisor and the sole member or one of the members of a judicial body. Nothing shall prevent the president from authorizing the same judicial advisor to impose sanctions in all cases. Unless otherwise noted, the judicial advisor of Athens Technical College is the vice president for student affairs.
  • The term "appellate board" means any person or persons designated by the president to consider appeals of a judicial body's determination that students violated the Student Code of Conduct or other regulations or of the sanctions imposed by the judicial advisor. The president may serve as the appellate board.
  • This Code of Conduct uses the term "shall" in the imperative sense.
  • This Code of Conduct uses the term "may" in the permissive sense.
  • The term "policy" means the written regulations of Athens Technical College as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct, catalog and student handbook, program addendums to the catalog and student handbook, the college policy manual, and the policy manual approved by the Board of Directors of Athens Technical College.
  • The term "System" means the Technical College System of Georgia.
  • The term "business days" means, for disciplinary purposes, weekdays that the college administrative offices are open.
  • The term "continuing relationship" means any person who has been enrolled as a student and may enroll in the future as a student of Athens Technical College.
  • The term "academic misconduct" means any incident involving any act which improperly affects the evaluation of a student's academic performance or achievement (i.e., cheating, plagiarism).

Filing a Complaint
Any member of the technical college community may file a complaint with the judicial advisor against any student for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Unless otherwise noted, the vice president for student affairs serves as the judicial advisor responsible for the administration of the college judicial system. The individual(s) initiating the action must submit the acquisition in writing to the vice president for student affairs as soon as possible after the event takes place, preferably within 10 business days. Academic misconduct shall be handled using the procedures outlined in the Academic Honesty Policy (see Academic Honesty Policy).

Investigation and Decision
Within five business days after a complaint that does not involve academic misconduct is filed, the judicial advisor or designee shall complete a preliminary investigation of the incident and schedule a meeting with the student against whom the complaint was filed in order to discuss the incident and the charges. In the event that additional time is necessary, the judicial advisor will notify the student in writing. Written notification of the need to extend the time will be sent by certified mail and by email to the student's @student.athenstech.edu account, unless the student has already met with the vice president. After discussing the complaint with the student, the judicial advisor or designee shall determine whether the student is guilty of the alleged misconduct and whether the alleged misconduct constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. If the student fails to appear at the meeting, he or she will be considered guilty and the appropriate actions will be taken.

In the event that a complaint alleges violations of the Student Code of Conduct by more than one student, each student's disciplinary proceeding, as well as any appeals relating to that proceeding, shall be conducted individually. If it is determined that the student is guilty of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the judicial advisor or designee shall impose one or more of the following disciplinary sanctions:

  • Restitution

    A student who has committed an offense against property may be required to reimburse the college or other owner for damage to or misappropriation of such property. Any such payment in restitution shall be limited to the actual cost of repair or replacement.

  • Reprimand

    A written reprimand may be given to any student in order to notify him/her that he/she violated college regulations. Such a reprimand does not restrict a student in any way, but it signifies to the student that any further violation of the Student Code of Conduct may result in more serious sanctions.

  • Restriction

    A restriction upon a student's privileges for a period of time may be imposed. This restriction may include, but is not limited to, denial of the right to represent the college in any way, denial of the use of facilities, alteration or revocation of parking privileges, or restrictions from participating in extracurricular activities. A restriction signifies to the student that any further violation of the Student Code of Conduct during the period of time the restriction is in effect may result in more serious sanctions.

  • Disciplinary Probation

    Students placed on disciplinary probation may remain enrolled in classes provided they adhere to specific terms. Any student placed on probation will be notified of the terms and length of probation in writing. Any conduct determined after due process to be in violation of these terms while on disciplinary probation may result in the imposition of more serious disciplinary sanctions as specified by the terms of the probation.

  • Failing or Lowered Grades

    Students who are found to have committed academic misconduct may receive failing or lowered grades as specified in the college's Academic Honesty Policy (see Academic Honesty Policy).

  • Disciplinary Suspension

    If a student is suspended, he/she is separated from the college for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. The judicial body or judicial advisor may specify conditions for readmission. Conditions of reinstatement, if any, must be provided in writing to the student.

  • Disciplinary Expulsion

    Students may be removed and excluded from the college, college-controlled facilities, programs, events, and activities. A record of the reason for the student's dismissal is maintained by the judicial advisor or designee. Students who are dismissed from the college for any reason may apply in writing for reinstatement twelve months following the expulsion if the expulsion did not constitute academic misconduct. If approval for reinstatement is granted, the student will be placed on disciplinary probation for a specific term. The probationary status may be removed at the end of the specified term at the discretion of the judicial advisor or designee. Sanctions imposed on students who are removed or excluded from the college for academic misconduct reasons are outlined in the Academic Honesty Policy (see Academic Honesty).

  • Interim Disciplinary Suspension

    As a general rule, the status of a student accused of violations of the Student Code of Conduct should not be altered until a final determination is made regarding the charges brought forth against the student. However, an interim suspension may be imposed if the judicial advisor or designee determines that the continued presence of the accused student on campus constitutes a potential or immediate threat to the safety and well-being of the accused student or any other member of the college community or that the continued presence of the student on campus creates a risk of substantial disruption of classroom or other college-related activities. During the interim suspension, students shall be denied access to the campus (including classes) and/or all other technical college activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible as the president or the judicial advisor may determine to be appropriate.

In addition to the penalties outlined above, groups or organizations may also face:

  • Deactivation
  • Loss of all privileges, including technical college recognition, for a specified period of time

A student who has been suspended or expelled from the college shall be denied all privileges afforded a student and shall be required to vacate college premises at a time determined by the judicial advisor or designee. After vacating the college premises, the suspended or expelled student may not enter upon college premises at any time, for any purpose, in the absence of written permission from the judicial advisor or designee. A suspended or expelled student must contact the judicial advisor or designee to obtain permission to enter college premises. Permissions, if granted, will be for a limited, specified purpose.

Suspended or expelled students wanting to submit a written appeal of the disciplinary sanction may submit the appeal by mail or fax if the judicial advisor or designee refuses the student's request to enter the college premises for that specified purpose. A scheduled appeal hearing before the judicial body shall be understood as expressed permission from the student advisor or designee for the student to enter the college premises for the duration of that hearing.

The judicial advisor shall notify the student(s) in writing of his/her final decision. In cases involving sanctions that include probation, suspension, or expulsion, the judicial advisor shall provide written notification to the president, vice president for academic affairs, executive director of registration and records, and instructors.

Appeals Procedures
A student who wishes to appeal a disciplinary decision of the judicial advisor or designee must file a written notice of appeal through the office of the vice president for student affairs. Appeals will be reviewed by the judicial body. Students must submit their written appeals within five business days of receiving notification from the judicial advisor or designee of the sanctions imposed for violating the Student Code of Conduct.

The judicial advisor will schedule a hearing before the judicial body within ten business days of receiving the appeal. In the event that additional time is necessary, the judicial advisor will notify the student in writing. Written notification of the need to extend the time will be sent by certified mail and by email to the student's @student.athenstech.edu account. The student has the right to present evidence and/or testimony during the hearing before the judicial body. The judicial advisor or judicial body shall conduct hearings according to the following guidelines:

    Privacy and Attendance Issues
  • The judicial body normally shall conduct hearings in private.
  • Admission of any person to the hearing shall be at the discretion of the chair of the judicial body.
  • The complainant and the accused have the right to receive assistance at their own expense from any advisor they choose. The advisor may be an attorney. The complainant and/or the accused students are responsible for presenting their own cases and, therefore, advisors may not speak or participate directly in any hearing before a judicial body.
    Witnesses
  • The complainant, the accused, and the judicial body shall have the privilege of presenting witnesses, subject to the right of cross-examination by the judicial body.
    Procedural Issues
  • At the discretion of the chair, a judicial body may accept pertinent records, exhibits, and written statements as evidence for consideration.
  • All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the chair of a judicial body.
  • After the hearing, the judicial body shall determine (by majority vote if the judicial body consists of more than one person) whether to uphold the original sanctions.
  • There shall be a single, verbatim record, such as a tape recording, of all hearings before a judicial body. The record shall be the property of the technical college.
  • The chair of the judicial body shall notify the judicial advisor in writing of the judicial body's decision. The judicial advisor or designee will notify the student in writing of the judicial body's decision and of the opportunity to appeal directly to the president.
  • In the event that the student chooses to contest the decision of the judicial body, he/she has the right to appeal the decision to the president of the college within five business days of receiving the notification of the judicial body's decision. The appeal to the president shall be in writing. The president shall only consider evidence currently in the record; new facts not brought up in earlier stages of the appeal shall not be considered. The president shall deliver his/her decision in writing to the student and judicial advisor within ten business days. The decision of the president shall be final and binding.

Violations of Federal, State, or Local Law
If a student is convicted or pleads nolo contendere to an off-campus violation of federal, state, or local law but not with any other violation of the Student Code of Conduct, disciplinary action may be taken and sanctions imposed for misconduct that is detrimental to the college's vital interests and stated mission and purpose.

Disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a law that is also a violation of the Student Code of Conduct if both violations result from the same factual situation. These proceedings may be instituted without regard to criminal arrest and/or prosecution. Proceedings under this Student Code of Conduct may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following criminal proceedings.

When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the college will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his/her status as a student. The college will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators. Individual students, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with government representatives as they deem appropriate.

Prohibited Conduct
Any student found to have committed the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in this Student Code of Conduct:

  • Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to, the following:

    • Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or other forms of academic dishonesty as outlined in the Academic Honesty Policy (see Academic Honesty Policy)
    • Furnishing false information to any technical college official, faculty member, or office
    • Forging, altering, or misusing any technical college document, record, or instrument of identification
    • Tampering with the election of any student organization officially sanctioned and recognized by the college
  • Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other technical college activities, its on- or off-campus public-service functions, or other authorized non-college activities when the act occurs on the technical college premises
  • Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person
  • Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the technical college, property of a member of the college community, or other personal or public property
  • Hazing, which is an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization
  • Failure to comply with directions of technical college officials or law enforcement officers acting in the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so
  • Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any technical college premises or unauthorized entry to or use of technical college premises
  • Violation of published policies, rules, or regulations of the Technical College System of Georgia and/or Athens Technical College including, but not limited to, rules imposed upon students who enroll in a particular class or program.
  • Violation of federal, state, or local law on college premises or at activities sponsored or supervised by the technical college
  • Use, possession, or distribution of narcotics or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law
  • Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by the law and college regulations
  • Public intoxication
  • Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on technical college premises or at activities sponsored or supervised by the technical college
  • Participation in a campus demonstration that disrupts the normal operations of the college and infringes on the rights of other members of the technical college community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area; intentional obstruction that unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus
  • Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on college premises or at functions sponsored or supervised by the collegeConduct that is unbecoming to a student, including but not limited to, conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; a breach of peace; or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on college premises or at other locations where classes, activities, or functions sponsored or authorized by the college may be held

  • Theft or other abuse of computer time, including but not limited to, the following offenses:

    • Unauthorized entry into a file to use, read, or change the contents or for any other purpose
    • Unauthorized transfer of a file
    • Unauthorized use of another individual's identification and password
    • Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member, or technical college official
    • Use of computing facilities to send obscene or abusive messages
    • Use of computing facilities to interfere with the normal operations of the technical college computing system
    • Violation of the Acceptable Computer and Internet Use policy established by the Technical College System of Georgia and Athens Technical College

  • Abuse of the judicial system, including but not limited to, the following:

    • Failure to obey the summons of a judicial body or technical college official
    • Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a judicial body
    • Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a judicial proceeding
    • Initiating a judicial proceeding knowingly without cause
    • Attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in or use of the judicial system
    • Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a judicial body prior to and/or during the course of the judicial proceeding
    • Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a judicial body prior to, during, and/or after a judicial proceeding
    • Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Code of Conduct
    • Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the judicial system.
  • Use of tobacco products on campus (see Use of Tobacco Products)
  • Failure to dress appropriately at all times
    (Dress requirements vary in classrooms, laboratories, and shop areas. Students enrolled in internships and clinical courses must dress appropriately according to the requirements of the work in which they are participating. Students shall not dress, groom, wear, or use emblems, insignia, badges, or other symbols or lewd or vulgar words where the effect thereof is offensive to a reasonable person or otherwise causes the disruption or interference with the orderly operations of the college. The supervising administrator shall determine if the particular mode of dress results in disruptions or interference. Students shall observe at all times the rules governing body cleanliness, and they shall not wear short or tight shorts, swimsuits, or tank tops nor shall they have bare midriffs or bare feet.)

Document Retention
The judicial advisor or designee shall retain a copy of all documents concerning complaints, investigations, administrative actions, and communications in relation to any incident that resulted in a disciplinary investigation of any kind against a student. The judicial advisor or designee will also retain records of any disciplinary appeals filed by the affected student, as well as the resulting record of appeal and decision submitted by the judicial body. A record of the final decision must be retained in the event that the decision is appealed to the president. All records specified in this section shall be retained for a period of five years.

Children and Pets on Campus

Students are not to bring children or pets to class. Neither children nor pets may be left unattended on campus or inside vehicles while attending class or while conducting college-related business. Students who violate this policy may be charged with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The college reserves the right to contact local authorities if children or pets are left unattended in vehicles.

Use of Personal Electronic Devices

The college does not allow students to operate cellular phones, portable radios, IPods, MP3 players, cassette or CD players, hand-held electronic games, and other similar devices inside classrooms, laboratories, libraries, auditoriums, testing facilities, training rooms, lobbies or atriums, hallways, or any other college-owned/operated facility. Without the explicit permission of instructors, students may not activate the built-in speaker of any computer in any campus facility. Students must turn beepers to vibration mode when inside a campus-owned/operated facility; however, students must turn beepers off while taking tests. Students may operate cassette tape players to record classroom lectures if their instructors grant prior approval. When outside, students must play cassette or CD players, portable radios, IPods, MP3 players, or radios inside vehicles at a volume that does not offend or distract others.

Use of Tobacco Products

In an effort to establish a healthier, cleaner educational environment, Athens Technical College is now a tobacco-free/smoke-free campus. The use of tobacco products in any form will be banned from all campuses of Athens Technical College. This ban extends to all outdoor areas including parking lots. Smoking will be permitted inside of personal vehicles. Penalties for violation of this policy include a written warning for the first offense, a fine of $50 for the second offense, and dismissal from the college for the third offense.

Violation of Clinical Site Policies

The college's agreements with its affiliates that provide opportunities for internship, clinical, practicum, or similar experiences stipulate that we remove immediately any student who violates host site policies or procedures or who fails to observe all rules, regulations, dress codes, and other requirements or expectations of the affiliate at its request. Students are hereby informed that such removal may result in their inability to complete required portions of the curriculum (and thus to graduate) and in consequences up to and including dismissal from the program and/or college according to the policies and procedures outlined in the college's Catalog and Student Handbook. The college is not obligated to find alternate internship, clinical, or practicum sites for those students who violate host site policies or procedures or who fail to observe all rules, regulations, dress codes, and other requirements or expectations of the affiliate at its request.

Weapons

Athens Technical College and the Technical College System of Georgia are committed to providing all employees, students, volunteers, visitors, vendors, and contractors a safe and secure workplace and academic setting by expressly prohibiting the possession of a firearm, weapon, or explosive compound or material on any campus and center or within the designated school safety zone, which is defined as being in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any technical college campus or center or other designated worksites. This policy extends to any college-sanctioned function.

Unless otherwise provided by law, it is unlawful for individuals to carry, possess, or have under their control any firearm, weapon, or unlawful explosive compound while within a school safety zone, a technical college building, on technical college property, at a college-sanctioned function, or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the college. Such buildings include any public-owned, public-leased, or public-operated building that houses any governmental or educational function.

The following are applicable exemptions to the weapons restrictions:

  • Participants in organized sport shooting events or firearm training courses
  • Persons participating in military training programs conducted by the armed forces of the United States or the Georgia Department of Defense
  • Persons participating in law enforcement training conducted by a certified policy academy
  • Peace officers, law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, campus police or security officers, and medical examiners employed by the state when acting in the performance of their official duties or en route to or from their official duties
  • A weapon that is in a locked compartment of a motor vehicle or a locked firearms rack which is on a motor vehicle when that vehicle is being used by an adult over 21 who is not a student attending the college in order to bring or pick up a student at the college
  • Teachers and other school personnel who are otherwise authorized to possess or carry weapons provided the weapon is in a locked compartment of a motor vehicle or in a located container or a locked forearms rack which is on a motor vehicle

Unless otherwise provided by law, it is an express violation of college policy for any individuals to use, possess, manufacture, distribute, maintain, transport, or receive any of the following on any technical college campus, on technical college property, at a college-sanctioned function, or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the college:

  • Any firearm whether operable or inoperable as defined in O.C.G.A. §16-11-127.1 or any facsimile thereof including, but not limited to, paintball guns, BB guns, potato guns, air soft guns, or any device that propels a projectile of any kind
  • A dangerous weapon, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun or rifle, shotgun, or silencer as defined on O.C.G.A. §16-11-121
  • A weapon whether operable or inoperable as defined in O.C.G.A. §16-11-127.1 or any facsimile thereof including, but not limited to, any knife with a blade that is two or more inches in length (e.g., switchblade, ballistic knife, straight-edge razor or razor blade, any bludgeon-type instrument (e.g., blackjack, bat, or club), any flailing instrument (e.g., nun chuck or fighting chain), stun gun or taser, or weapon designed to be thrown (e.g., throwing star or oriental dart)
  • Any bacteriological weapon, biological weapon, destructive device, detonator, explosive, incendiary, over-pressure device, or poison gas as defined in O.C.G.A. §16-7-80
  • Any explosive compound or material as defined in O.C.G.A. §16-7-81
  • Any hoax device, replica of a destructive device or configuration or explosive materials with the appearance of a destructive device including, but not limited to, fake bombs and packages containing substances with the appearance of chemical explosives or toxic materials

Any employee or student who violates the provisions of this weapons policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. From a legal perspective, any person who violates this restriction shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for between two and ten years. Vendors or contractors who violate the provisions of this policy shall be subject to the termination of their business relationship with the college.