STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT

The Standards of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Action for violation of rules were established by the Board of Trustess of the Los Angeles Community College District on September 2, 1969.

A student enrolling in one of the Los Angeles Community Colleges may rightfully expect that the faculty and administrators will maintain an environment in which there is freedom to learn. This requires that there be appropriate conditions and opportunities in the classroom and on the campus. As members of the college community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgments; to engage in sustained and independent search for truth; and to exercise their rights to free inquiry and free speech in a responsible, non-violent manner.

The following is based on the provisions of the California Education Code, the California Penal Code and the LACCD Board of Trustees.

Board Rule 9803.10 Willful disobedience to directions of College officials acting in the performance of their duties.

Board Rule 9803.11 Violation of College rules and regulations including those concerning student organizations, the use of College facilities, or the time, place, and manner of public expression or distribution of materials.

Board Rule 9803.12 Dishonesty, such as cheating, or knowingly furnishing false information to the Colleges.

Board Rule 9803.13 Unauthorized entry to or use of the College facilities.

Board Rule 9803.14 College documents; Forgery alteration, or misuse of College documents, records or identification.

Board Rule 9803.15 Obstruction or disruption of classes, administration, disciplinary procedures, or authorized College activities.

Board Rule 9803.16 Theft of or damage to property belonging to the College, a member of the College Community, or a campus visitor.

Board Rule 9803.17 Interference with Peace of College. The malicious or willful disturbance of the peace or quiet of any Los Angeles Community Colleges by loud or unusual noise or any threat, challenge to fight, fight, or violation of any rules of conduct as set forth in this Article. Any person whose conduct violates this section shall be considered to have interfered with the peaceful conduct of the activities of the college where such acts are committed.

Board Rule 9803.18 Assault or battery, abuse, or any threat of force or violence directed toward any member of the College Community or campus visitor engaged in authorized activities.

Board Rule 9803.19 Alcohol and Drugs. Any possession of controlled substances which would constitute a violation of Health and Safety Code section 11350 or Business and Profes-sions Code Section 4230, any use of controlled substances the possession of which are prohibited by the same, or any possession or use of alcoholic beverages while on any property owned or used by the District or colleges of the District or while participating in any District or college-sponsored function or field trip. "Controlled substances," as used in this section, include but are not limited to the following drugs and narcotics:

a. opiates, opium and opium derivatives
b. mescaline
c. hallucinogenic substances
d. peyote
e. marijuana
f. stimulants and depressants
g. cocaine

Board Rule 9803.20 Lethal Weapons; Possession, while on a college campus or at a college sponsored function, of any object that might be used as a lethal weapon is forbidden all persons except sworn peace officers, police officers and other governmental employees charged with policing responsibilities.

Board Rule 9805.10 Assault or Abuse of Instructor. Every parent, guardian, or other person who assaults or abuses any instructor employed by the District in the presence or hearing of a community college student or in the presence of other community college personnel or students and at a place which is on District premises or public sidewalks, streets, or other public ways adjacent to school premises, or at some other place where the instructor is required to be in connection with assigned college activities is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Note: Full details of the standards of student conduct are listed in the Los Angeles Community College District's website. (www.laccd.edu/district/btrustees/board rules/chp9-8.htm)

STUDENT DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES Community college districts are required by law to adopt standards of student conduct along with applicable penalties for violation (Education Code Section 66300). The Los Angeles Community College District has complied with this requirement by adopting Board Rule 9803, Standards of Student Conduct (See above).

The District has adopted Board Rule 9804, Student Discipline Procedures, to provide uniform procedures to assure due process when a student is charged with a violation of the Standards of Student Conduct. All proceedings held in accordance with these procedures shall relate specifically to an alleged violation of the established Standards of Student Conduct. These provisions do not apply to grievance procedures, student organization councils and courts, or residence determination and other academic and legal requirements for admission and retention. Disciplinary measures may be taken by the College independently of any charges filed through civil or criminal authorities, or both.

Board Rule 9901 COLLEGES AS NON-PUBLIC FORUMS. The colleges of the Los Angeles Community College District are non-public forums, except for those portions of each college designated as Free Speech Areas are hereby designated as limited public forums, which designation may be removed and reverted to non-public forum designation by the Board of Trustees.

Board Rule 9902 FREE SPEECH AREAS. The college president shall designate an area or areas on the college campus as areas for free discussion and expression by all persons. A Free Speech Area may only be located where there is a normal flow of student traffic with unlimited accessibility. Necessary campus rules governing the operation of such areas shall govern only the time, place and manner in which said areas are to be used. All such rules shall be applied equally and fairly to all persons desiring to use the Free Speech Areas. No restrictions shall be placed on subject matter, topics or viewpoints expressed in Free Speech Areas.

Board Rule 9902.11 Distribution of Materials. Persons using a Free Speech Area shall be allowed to distribute petitions, circulars, leaflets,

A. Such distribution shall take place only within the geographical limits of the Free Speech Area;

B. Any material being distributed which is discarded or dropped in or around the Free Speech Area other than in an appropriate receptacle must be retrieved and removed or properly discarded by those persons distributing the material prior to their departure from the Free Speech Area that day;

C. Persons distributing material shall not impede the progress of passerby, nor shall they force or coerce passersby into taking the proffered material.

Board Rule 9903 STUDENT EXERCISE OF FREE SPEECH IN AREAS OUTSIDE OF DESIGNATED FREE SPEECH AREA. The president of each college may designate areas outside of the Free Speech Areas where students, faculty and staff may exercise freedom of expression subject only to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions.

Board Rule 9903.10 Eliminates the use of bulletin boards as an open forum to non-students. By restricting use of the bulletin boards to students, the District implicitly reserves the right to reject the posting of flyers and advertisements by outside interests. All material shall be dated with the date of posting by the college president's designee. Designee does not approve posted material. The president shall prescribe a reasonable length of time for materials to be posted.

Board Rule 9905 VISITORS USE OF AREAS NOT DESIGNATED FOR FREE SPEECH ACTIVITIES. Visitor use of any areas, classrooms, rooms, buildings, facilities and grounds not designated as Free Speech Areas is subject to the Civic Center Permit rules set forth in Chapter VII, Article 2 of these Board Rules.

Board Rule 91002 PRESIDENT'S AUTHORITY TO CREATE ADDITIONAL RULES. The president of each college may adopt and approve rules not set forth in these rules for the purpose of governing the use of the college's facilities. The president shall not approve any rules which are inconsistent with this Article.

Board Rule 91004.12 Non-Censorship of Lecturers and Speakers. Those routine procedures required by an institution before a guest speaker is invited to appear on campus shall be designed only to insure that there is an orderly scheduling of facilities and adequate preparation for the event, and that the occasion is conducted in a manner appropriate to an academic community. The institutional control of campus facilities shall not be used as a device of censorship. It shall be made clear to the academic and larger community that sponsorship of guest speakers does not necessarily imply approval or endorsement of the views expressed, either by the sponsoring group or the institution.

DRUG FREE CAMPUSES
Los Angeles Mission College adheres to, supports, and is in full compliance with requirements that maintain our college as a drug-free institution of higher education.

Legal Sanctions - Federal laws regarding alcohol and illicit drugs allow for fines and/or imprisonment. Other legal problems include the loss of driver's license and limitations of career choices.

Health Risks - Health risks associated with the abuse of controlled substances include malnutrition, damage to various organs, hangovers, blackouts, general fatigue, impaired learning, dependency, disability, and death. Both drugs and alcohol may be damaging to the development of an unborn fetus.

Other Risks - Personal problems include diminished self-esteem, depression, alienation from reality, and suicide. Social problems include loss of friends, academic standing, and co- and extra-curricular opportunities, alienation from and abuse of family members, and chronic conflict with authority. Economic problems include loss of job, financial aid eligibility, homes, savings, and other assets.

Counseling, Treatment and Rehabilitation

Students should contact their campus Counseling Office for assistance and referrals, employees should contact the Los Angeles Community College District Employee Assistance Program.

Recording Devices State law in California prohibits the use of any electronic listening or recording device in a classroom without prior consent of the teacher and college administration. Any student who needs to use electronic aids must secure the consent of the instructor. If the instructor agrees to the request, a notice of consent must be forwarded to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for approval.

Smoking Policy Smoking is not permitted in any classroom or other enclosed facility which any student is required to occupy or which is customarily occupied by non-smoking students.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION Violation of the above Board Rule shall result in student discipline imposed in accordance with the Student Discipline Procedures as stated in Board Rule 91101. Discipline includes warning, reprimand, disciplinary probation, suspension or termination of financial aid, suspension, withdrawal of consent to remain on campus, expulsion subject to reconsideration and permanent expulsion. Furthermore, institutional policies and practices may impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees consistent with local, state, and federal law, up to and including expulsion, termination of employment, and referral for prosecution for violations of the standard of conduct. The Los Angeles Community College District is committed to drug- and alcohol-free campuses, and we ask you to share in this commitment and dedication.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
The purpose of Student Grievance Procedures is to provide a prompt and equitable means for resolving student grievances. The procedures enumerated in Administrative Regulation E-55 shall be available to any student or applicant for admission who believes a college decision or action has adversely affected his or her status, rights, and/or privileges as a student. Education Code Section 76224(a) governs grievances relating to course grades.

Section 76224(a) provides: "When grades are given for any course of instruction taught in a community college district, the grade given to each student shall be the grade determined by the instructor of the course and the determination of the students' grade by the instructor, in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence, shall be final."

Before filing a grievance, each student with a complaint shall first try to resolve the problem informally by contacting and discussing the matter with the person involved. If that effort fails and the complaint involves a faculty member, the student shall contact the appropriate department chairperson next and then contact the appropriate dean of academic affairs if the matter is not resolved.

If the complaint involves a staff member and is not resolved after discussing the matter with the staff person, the student will contact the immediate supervisor and manager if the matter is not resolved.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
The college believes that education requires the concentrated effort of both the teacher and the student. Consequently, the student is held responsible for providing the time and personal effort and motivation necessary to meet the requirements of all his/her courses. This would include regular and prompt attendance, adequate study time, and careful adherence to the specific course work requested by the instructor.

STUDENTS RIGHT TO KNOW
In compliance with the Students-Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542), it is the policy of the Los Angeles Community College District and West Los Angeles College to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students. Beginning in Fall 1996, a cohort of all certificate-, degree-, and transfer-seeking first-time, full-time students were tracked over a three year period. These rates do not represent the success rates of the entire student population at Los Angeles Mission College, nor do they account for student outcomes occurring after this three-year period. The completion rate numbers for Los Angeles Mission can be found at: http://srtk.cccco.edu/index.asp.