Non-Academic Misconduct

San Antonio College is committed to fostering an environment of thoughtful study and discourse. The Student Code of Conduct applies to non-academic misconduct and conduct involving academic integrity.  All students are charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.

The Student Code of Conduct disciplinary process is not intended to punish students, but rather to protect and foster the learning environment, to protect interest of the Alamo Colleges District's community, and to challenge those whose behavior is not in accordance with the code. When warranted, based on a preponderance of the evidence obtained in an investigation of a violation, disciplinary sanctions are imposed and may include prescribed expectations of improvement on terms of various aspects of personal development, academic success, civility, and other measures of relevant success.  Sanctions are intended to challenge a student’s moral and ethical decision-making and help them bring their behavior into accord with our community expectations. The Student Code of Conduct Disciplinary Process is not a criminal or civil court proceeding but an internal administrative proceeding.

Non-Academic Misconduct Process
  1. Initial Report is filed via Online Form.

  2. Student Conduct Officer will contact complainant for more information.

  3. Student Conduct Officer will send out summon letter informing the respondent of the conduct and violation alleged, and provide the student an opportunity to respond to or dispute the allegation(s).

  4. After the investigation, Student Conduct Officer will recommend to A) dismiss the complaint/reported allegations as unfounded based on a preponderance of the evidence; or B) proceed with disciplinary action because the allegations in the complaint or report are determined to be true based on the preponderance of the evidence.
         
  5. Within five business days after it has been determined that the student will be found responsible and sanctions will be imposed, the Student Conduct Officer will send a letter to the student against whom the complaint was made to give written notice that the student was found responsible for certain violations and notice of the sanctions being imposed.
Appeal Process

Appeal Process

A student has the right to appeal the Findings of Responsible, the sanctions imposed, or both.

Appeal of Findings and Sanctions not involving Suspension or Expulsion:

  1. A student may appeal the findings of responsibility, the sanctions imposed, or both. A student must submit a written appeal of findings and sanctions not involving suspension or expulsion to the Vice President of Student Success or designee within five business days from the date of the notification letter of the findings of responsibility and sanctions.

  2. The written request for appeal should state whether the student is appealing the findings, the sanctions imposed, or both, and the grounds for the appeal. Mere dissatisfaction with the findings and/or sanctions is not sufficient to invoke the appeal process. The Vice President of Student Success or designee shall acknowledge receipt of the appeal in writing to the student via email within five business days.

  3. The Vice President of Student Success or designee will send a written notice of appeal meeting to the student.

  4. The Vice President of Student Success or designee and the student submitting the appeal will examine any witnesses and evidence.  

  5. The Vice President of Student Success or designee will conclude the meeting and render a decision within five business days. The decision will be final.

Appeal of Findings and Sanctions involving Suspension or Expulsion:

  1. A student may appeal the findings of responsibility, the sanctions imposed, or both. A student is entitled to a hearing before a Disciplinary Hearing Committee. The student may submit a written appeal of findings and sanctions to the Vice President of Student Success or designee within five business days from the date of the notification letter of the findings of responsibility and sanctions.

  2. The written request for appeal should state whether the student is appealing the findings, the sanctions imposed, or both, and the grounds for the appeal. Mere dissatisfaction with the findings and/or sanctions is not sufficient to invoke the appeal process. The Vice President of Student Success or designee shall acknowledge receipt of the appeal via email writing to the student within five business days.

  3. The Vice President of Student Success shall report the request for an appeal to the College President. The Disciplinary Hearing Committee shall consist of five individuals: two students, one full-time faculty member, one staff member, and one administrative officer (chair).

  4. The Chair of the Disciplinary Hearing Committee will send a written notice of hearing to the student via email within five business days.

  5. The Disciplinary Hearing Committee and the student submitting the appeal will examine any witnesses and evidence.

  6. 1. In rendering a decision, the Disciplinary Hearing Committee may affirm the decision of the Student Conduct Officer as to findings and/or sanctions; amend or modify the decision; dismiss the decision and the charge(s); suspend the decision and send the matter back for further investigation by the Student Conduct Officer; or recommend new sanction(s) based on significant new evidence presented at the appeal hearing or new violations disclosed in the hearing. The Disciplinary Hearing Committee will render a decision within five business days. The decision will be final.


Non-Academic Misconduct Policy: F.4.2 (Policy) Student Code of Conduct – Non-Academic Misconduct 

Non-Academic Misconduct Procedure: F.4.2.2 (Procedure) Non-Academic Disciplinary and Appeal Process

Non-Academic Misconduct Incident Report Form

Non-Academic Misconduct FAQs