Procedure 3F.1/11 Student Conduct Code

A. Purpose:

The Student Conduct Code exists to uphold the mission of Anoka-Ramsey Community College by fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment in which students can develop the knowledge, skills, and values essential to their academic and personal success.

This procedure outlines the expectations for student behavior, the process for addressing alleged misconduct, and the rights and responsibilities of students throughout the conduct process.

Grounded in the educational mission of the College, the Student Conduct Code promotes accountability, personal growth, and community well‑being. When concerns arise, the conduct process is designed to be fair, transparent, and developmentally supportive to help students learn from their experiences, understand the impact of their actions, and make decisions that contribute positively to the campus community.

B. Student Rights:

Individuals participating in the conduct process have the following rights, which ensure fairness, respect, and access to due process:

1. Right to notice: Students have the right to receive clear, written notice of the alleged violation, the evidence available, and the conduct process steps prior to any meeting or hearing.
2. Right to be heard: Students have the right to share their perspective, provide information or evidence, and respond to allegations during conduct meetings or hearings.
3. Right to an Advisor/Advocate; Students have the right to be accompanied by an advocate of their choosing, such as a support person, advisor, or attorney (when appropriate), who may provide guidance throughout the process.
4. Right to a Fair and Timely Process: Students have the right to a process that is carried out in a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with established procedures, including impartial review by trained administrators or panel members.
5. Right to Review Information: Students have the right to review the information and evidence that will be used in determining responsibility, consistent with state and federal privacy laws.
6. Right to Appeal: Students have the right to appeal decisions or sanctions based on the grounds outlined in the Student Conduct Code procedure.
7. Right to Privacy: Students have the right to confidentiality as provided by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, FERPA, and college policy.
8. Right to Supportive Measures: Students have the right to seek support services, referrals, or accommodations appropriate to promote their academic and personal well‑being during the conduct process.

C. Student Responsibilities:

As members of the College community, students share in creating an environment that supports learning, personal growth, and mutual respect. To uphold community standards and promote a safe and welcoming campus, students are expected to when participating in the Student Conduct Code Process:

1. Responsibility to Participate in the Conduct Process: Students are responsible for responding to communication related to the conduct process, attending scheduled meetings or hearings, and providing truthful information. Participation helps ensure a fair and complete review of concerns.
2. Responsibility to Act with Integrity: Students are responsible for providing truthful and accurate information during the conduct process.
3. Responsibility for Personal and Community Accountability: Students are responsible for reflecting on how their actions affect themselves and others. When mistakes occur, students are expected to engage in restorative and educational steps that help repair harm, rebuild trust, and promote future success.

D. Definitions

1. The “Administrator” is a college employee responsible for administering the Student Conduct Code on the campus and determining appropriate sanctions for students found to have violated the code.
2. “Preponderance of Evidence” means a standard of responsibility that it is more likely than not that the code has been violated.
3.  “Student” includes all persons who:

           a) Are enrolled in one or more courses, either credit or non-credit.

           b) Withdraw, transfer, or graduate after an alleged violation of the student conduct code.

          c) Are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the college.

          d) Have been notified of their acceptance for admission or have initiated the process of application for admission or                        financial aid.

     4. “Student Group or Organization” means any number of students who have complied with the formal requirements for college recognition.

    5. “Complainant” means any person who submits a complaint alleging that a student violated the Student Conduct Code. A  student who believes that they been a victim of another student’s misconduct will have the same rights under this Student Conduct Code as are provided to the Complainant, even if another member of the College community submitted the complaint itself.

   6. “Respondent” is the student in which the complaint has been filed against. 

   7. “Advocate” is an individual who advises a student during the student conduct process.

   8. "Suspension" means denial of the privilege of enrollment for a specified time period, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for re-enrollment may be specified.

   9. "Summary Suspension" means a temporary suspension imposed without a formal student conduct hearing to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the college community.

   10. "Expulsion" means permanent denial of the privilege of enrollment at the college.

Questions regarding the Student Conduct Code shall be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs or designee.

E. Investigation and Process:

Any member of the college community may file a written complaint alleging a student or organization has violated the Student Conduct Code. Persons filing complaints must be informed of their rights in accordance with applicable privacy laws and policies including, but not limited to:

1. Their rights under the Stat. 13.04, subd. 2,  the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the college’s Data Practices Policy. 
2. Information about the process and the anticipated timeline of the investigation.
3. Supportive resources available.

Following the filing of a complaint against a respondent, the administrator will conduct an investigation of the allegations. The college’s process must include the following:

     1. If the complaint seems unwarranted, the administrator may discontinue proceedings.

     2. If there is sufficient evidence to support the complaint, the administrator will offer the respondent an opportunity to address the alleged violation at an informal meeting. Prior to this meeting, the student must be given:

              a. written notice of the specific complaint against them;

              b. the nature of the evidence available to support the complaint;

              c. a copy of the Student Conduct Code; and

              d. supportive resources available.

     3. During the meeting the administrator will review the complaint and the evidence to provide the respondent an opportunity to present a response to the complaint.

     4. Following the meeting within a reasonable time period the administrator will inform the respondent in writing of the decision whether a violation of the code was established by a preponderance of evidence and any applicable sanction as well as options available for an appeal and/or a Student Conduct Board hearing.

     The complainant must receive notification consistent with state and federal privacy laws.

     5. If the respondent fails to appear for the informal meeting, the administrator may proceed to review and act upon the complaint in their absence and will notify the respondent in writing of their decision including whether a violation of the code was established by a preponderance of evidence and any applicable sanction as well as options available for an appeal and/or a Student Conduct Board hearing.

    The complainant must receive notification consistent with state and federal privacy laws.

    6. A respondent who is subject to a sanction of expulsion or suspension, except summary suspension, for more than nine days may agree to accept the sanction, or may request a Student Conduct Board hearing prior to implementation of the sanction. Other sanctions must be accepted or may be appealed in accordance with the college’s appeal procedures.

F. Student Conduct Board Hearing and Due Process Rights:

1. The administrator is responsible for convening a Student Conduct Board . The board will include five members: two students (appointed by the student association), one faculty member (appointed by the faculty union), one staff member, and one administrator (designated by the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs).  The administrator will serve as a chairperson.
2. Respondent’s referred for a Student Conduct Board hearing must be given adequate advance notice in writing of the date, time, and location of the hearing. A respondent’s failure to appear at the hearing will not prevent the hearing from proceeding as scheduled.
3. Within a reasonable time prior to the hearing, the respondent must be informed in writing of:
   
   a) the complaint;
   
   b) the evidence to be presented against them;
   
   c) a list of witnesses; and
   
   d) the nature of their testimony.
4. The respondent must be given the opportunity to speak and present a response to the complaint, to present witnesses, to question any witnesses and to have an advocate present. The advocate may provide advice to the respondent, but may not participate in any questioning or presentation of any information. When there is likelihood that a respondent involved in the conduct process will face criminal prosecution for a serious offense, it may be advisable that the respondent have an attorney as the advocate.
5. A respondent’s failure to appear at the Student Conduct Board hearing will not prevent the hearing from proceeding as scheduled.
6. The Student Conduct Board hearing will be conducted as follows:
   
   a. The administrator presents an opening statement of the charges and a summary of the supporting evidence.
   
   b. The respondent presents an opening statement of testimony or evidence to refute the charges.
   
   c. The administrator calls witnesses for the college.  At the conclusion of each witness statement, the respondent and/or members of the student conduct board will have the opportunity to ask questions of the witness.
   
   d. The respondent will call witnesses to speak on their behalf.  At the conclusion of each witness statement, the administrator and/or the student conduct board will have the opportunity to ask questions of the witness.
   
   e. The administrator presents a closing statement.
   
   f. The respondent presents a closing statement.
   
   g. In a closed session, the student conduct board will review the evidence and witness testimony.  Using the preponderance of evidence standard, the student conduct board shall determine by majority vote whether it is more likely than not a violation of the student conduct code occurred. If the board determines that a violation did occur, it may make a recommendation on the sanction imposed to the administrator.

    7. A written notice of findings and conclusions must be provided to the respondent within a reasonable time after the                      hearing. The notice must inform the respondent of any sanction(s) to be imposed. The notice must also contain                          information regarding any applicable appeal process.

        The complainant must receive notification of process outcomes consistent with state and federal laws.

G. Summary Suspension:

In certain circumstances, the administrator may impose a summary suspension prior to the student conduct proceedings.  A summary suspension may be imposed only when, in the judgment of the administrator, the respondent’s presence on the college campus would constitute a threat to the safety and well-being of members of the college community. To the greatest extent possible before implementing the summary suspension, the respondent will be given oral or written notice of the intention to impose the summary suspension and will be given an opportunity to present a oral or written statement against the imposition of the suspension. However, the refusal of a respondent to accept or acknowledge this notice must not prevent the implementation of a summary suspension.  Notice of the summary suspension must be provided in writing to the respondent. After the respondent has been summarily suspended, the college will provide an opportunity for an informal meeting or Student Conduct Board hearing within the shortest reasonable time period, not to exceed nine (9) school or business days. During the summary suspension, the respondent may not enter the campus without obtaining prior permission from the administrator, regardless of the severity of the offense, and will be accompanied by a security officer.

H. Sanctions:

Student Conduct sanctions are designed to promote safety, individual accountability, and reflection. Whenever possible, Student Conduct makes efforts to educate students and to foster personal and academic success. This tiered framework is designed to ensure that disciplinary responses are fair, educational, consistent, and proportionate to the nature and severity of the violation, the student’s conduct history, and the impact on the campus community. Sanctions are assigned following established conduct procedures, including notice, an opportunity to be heard, and the right to appeal as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Additional Conduct Standards

• Sanctions may be combined across levels when appropriate based on the severity of the violation.
• The college reserves the right to assign higher-level sanctions for a first offense when the conduct poses a significant risk or harm.
• All disciplinary actions are imposed in accordance with due process protections, including notice, an opportunity to respond, and access to appeal procedures as defined in the Student Code of Conduct.
• Repeated violations of the Student Conduct Code may result in progressive sanctions that could lead to more severe sanctions such as suspension or expulsion from the college.
  

Independence of Conduct Sanctions and Academic Consequences

Student conduct sanctions issued through the Office of Student Affairs are separate from and independent of academic evaluations, assignment of grades, or grade penalties by an instructor based on course policies.

Conduct sanctions imposed by the College address violations of institutional standards and do not alter, replace, or overturn academic decisions made by the instructor.

Tier 1-Low risk/First offense: involves minor misconduct that poses minimal risk to individuals or the campus community and typically represent a first-time offense. The primary goal at this level is education, awareness, and early intervention to prevent future misconduct.

Warning- Oral or written notice that continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct may be cause for additional disciplinary action. 

Educational- Educational experiences or projects may include attendance and participation in an event, workshop, special project, or other initiative to assist in learning or growth to move forward from a given situation.

Service—Work or service assignments to the college or the community.

Referral—Use of special support services, including but not limited to services provided by the college, social service agencies or law enforcement agencies.

Reprimand—Written reprimand for violation of specified regulations.

Tier 2-Mid-level Risk: involves more serious misconduct or repeated minor offenses that demonstrate a pattern of concerning behavior. These actions may negatively impact the campus community or disrupt university operations, requiring increased accountability and behavioral correction.

Probation—Continued enrollment at the college, but under specific written conditions for a specified period of time. Notice of action may appear on the student’s academic transcript. 

Restriction of College Privilege—Limitation of student’s access to facilities, programs, services, activities or members of the college community. 

Enrollment Modifications—Adjustments to course enrollment which may include, but not limited to course changes and withdrawals, Students are not entitled to refunds when institutionally withdrawn from a course.

Tier 3- High Risk/Repeat Offenses: involves severe misconduct, significant threats to safety or well-being, or repeated violations indicating a failure to comply with prior sanctions. These cases warrant formal separation from the university to protect the campus community and uphold institutional standards.

Revocation of Admission and/or Degree—Admission to or a degree awarded from the college may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation or other violation of college standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious violations committed by student prior to graduation.

Withholding Degree—The College may withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the completion of the process set forth in the Student Conduct Code, including the completion of all sanctions imposed, if any.

Suspension—Separation from the college for a specified period of time. During this time, the student may not register for, or attend classes or other college functions or be on the college premises. Conditions for return may be specified. Notice of action must appear on the student’s academic transcript.

Expulsion—Permanent denial of the privilege of enrollment at the college. A student may also be directed to no longer attend college functions or be on college premises following an expulsion. Notice of action must appear on the student’s academic transcript.

I. Appeals Process:

1. The respondent may appeal a decision reached through the informal meeting or by the Student Conduct Board to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs or designee within five (5) school or business days of the decision. Appeals must be submitted using the Student Conduct Appeal Form.
2. An appeal must include a record of the initial meeting or hearing and supporting comments for one or more of the following purposes:
   
        a. To determine whether the initial meeting or hearing was conducted fairly considering the charges and evidence                  presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures giving the respondent a reasonable opportunity to                      prepare and to present a rebuttal of the charges and evidence;
   
        b. To determine whether the decision reached regarding the respondent was based on a preponderance of evidence            that a violation of the Student Conduct Code occurred; and/or
   
        c. To determine whether the sanction(s) imposed were fair and proportionate for the violation of the Student Conduct           Code for which the student was charged.
3. The Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs or designee will review the documentation and the appeal to render a decision. The Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs or designee may uphold the decision and sanction reached through the informal meeting or the Student Conduct Board process, or may determine that the decision was reached in error or inappropriately and require the administrator to reevaluate the case, or may determine that the sanction was inappropriate and issue a lesser sanction or exonerate the student.
4. The Vice President of Academic and Student Affair’s decision will be final within the college and Minnesota State, and all parties will be notified of the decision in writing as allowed by applicable privacy laws.
5. If the sanction involves suspension for ten (10) or more school or business days, the respondent shall be informed of the right to a contested-case hearing to an administrative law judge, MN Statute Chapter 14 Hearing, Office of Administrative Hearings.

 

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History: 

08.2006 Adopted new procedure

09.2009 Updated Vice President title and appeal delivery location

10.2013 Clarify formal hearing process

07.2017 Technical changes

04.2026 Substantial rewrite of procedure