Conduct
For the complete Student Code of Conduct please see Western Oklahoma State College's Catalog.
(NOTE: This is not the entire Student Code of Conduct. Please click the link above to view Western Oklahoma State College's complete Student Code of Conduct.)
It is essential to the growth & education of our students that they have freedom to inquire, study, increase understanding & knowledge & further their intercultural & interpersonal development; however, freedoms cannot be protected or exercised in a college that lacks order & stability. The Student Code of Conduct & the incorporated Student's Rights & Responsibilities were created to inform the student body of the expected standards of behavior, policies, and fundamental expectations of a student at Western Oklahoma State College. Furthermore, the purpose of this Student Code of Conduct is to develop boundaries so that the college can maintain a comfortable living and learning environment for all college members. The intent of the college is to make certain that students adhere to their civic & social responsibilities and not lose their rights as citizens of the college community. The Student Code of Conduct specifically clarifies the rights & responsibilities of student members of this academic community. Note: Violation of this trust may result in penalties up to and/or including expulsion from the college.
Liability & Responsibility
Whether enrolled in an on-campus class or in a college-sponsored internship, practicum, course, or activity involving domestic or foreign travel, a member of the college community or guest thereof, the student or guest is responsible for his or her own medical treatment and is liable for his or her actions. In the event of injury or illness while participating in a college-sponsored activity, the college cannot approve a claim for treatment or reimbursement.
Information on insurance is available in the office of the Dean of Student Support Services, Room SSC 201A, 580.477.7708. A number of reasonably-priced insurance policies are available from the private business sector. Each student is strongly encouraged to invest in the appropriate coverage.
Student Conduct Authority
The Student Conduct Administrator shall determine the composition of Student Conduct Boards. The Dean shall develop policies for the administration of the student conduct system and procedural rules for the provisions of the student code. Decisions made by a Student Conduct Board and/or Student Conduct Administrator shall be final, pending the specified appeal process.
Student Policies & Conduct Regulations
The college's basic code of behavior requires that students NOT:
1. Violate any municipal, state, or federal laws, or
2. Interfere with or disrupt the educational process of Western Oklahoma State College as judged by the administration, or
3. Violate the college policy, rule, or regulation published in hard copy or available electronically on the college website.
The student code shall apply to conduct that occurs on college premises, at college-sponsored activities, and to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the college community and/or the pursuit of its objective. Each student shall be responsible for his or her conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree, even though conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year & during periods between terms of actual enrollment (and even if their conduct is not discovered until after a degree is awarded). The student code shall apply to a student's conduct even if the student withdraws from the school while disciplinary action is pending. The Dean shall decide whether the student code shall be applied to conduct occurring off-campus, on a case-by-case basis, in his/her sole discretion.
Admission of students who are currently under disciplinary sanctions at other institutions must first be reviewed by the Dean of Student Support Services. The college reserves the right to deny admission or readmission to any student based upon prior conduct and/or based upon prior illegal activity.
Prohibited Conduct
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Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article IV. 2. Disruption or obstruction or teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other college activities including its public service functions on or off campus, or of other unauthorized activities when the conduct occurs on college premises or at an official college event. 3. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health & safety of any person. This will include, but is not limited to sexual assault, domestic violence, rape, stalking, fighting, discrimination, or harassment with regards to sex, race, national origin & sexual orientation, and other threatening behavior. Also, see the sexual misconduct policy later in this chapter. 4. Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the college or property of a member of the college community or other personal or public property, on or off campus. 5. Hazing defined as an act which 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. The expressed or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule. 6. Failure to comply with directions of college officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to fully and truthfully identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so. 7. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any college premises or unauthorized entry to or use of premises. 8. Use, possessions, dispensing, manufacturing, sale or distribution, or conspiracy to sell, distribute, or possess, or being in the chain of sale or distribution of any illegal chemical substance. "Illegal chemical substance" means any substance which an individual may not sell, possess, use, distribute, or purchase under Federal or Oklahoma law. "Illegal chemical substance includes but is not limited to, all scheduled drugs as defined by the Oklahoma Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act, all illicit drugs, such as prescription drugs obtained without authorization and prescribed drugs and over the counter drugs being used for an abusive purpose (when they are not used in compliance with the prescription or directions for use and are not being used to treat the current health condition of the student). The term "illegal chemical substance" also includes mood-altering substances such as paint, glue, aerosol sprays, and similar substances. 9. Use possession ,manufacturing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages, including low-point (3.2) beer, or public intoxication on college premises. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstances, be used by, possessed by, or distributed to any person under the age of 21. 10. Violation of published or posted residential life/housing policies and/or contract. 11. In-line skating, or roller skating and skateboarding on college property or in college buildings. 12. Possession of firearms, explosives, other dangerous weapons, or dangerous chemicals on college premises or use of any such item. 13. Participating in an on- or off-campus demonstration, riot, or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the college and/or infringes on the rights of other members of the college community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area. 14. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on college premises or at college-sponsored or supervised functions. 15. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace; or aiding and abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on college premises or at functions sponsored by or participated in by, the college or members of the academic community. Disorderly conduct includes, but is not limited to, any unauthorized use of electronic or other devises to make an audio or video record of any person while on college premises without his/her prior knowledge, or without his/her effective consent when such a recording is likely to cause injury or distress. This includes, but is not limited to, secretly taking pictures of another person in a gym, locker room, restroom, or dormitory room. 16. Conduct in which a student engages or threatens to engage in behavior that poses a danger of causing physical harm to self or others. 17. Conduct which would cause property damage, directly impede the lawful activities of others, or interfere with the educational process and the orderly operation of the college. 18. Theft or other abuse of computer facilities and resources, including but not limited to: 19. Abuse of the student conduct code system including but not limited to: 20. Students are required to engage in responsible social conduct that reflects credit upon the college community and to model good citizenship in any community. 21. Violation of any college policy, rule, or regulation published in hard copy, or available electronically on the college website. 22. Violation of any federal, state, or local law. |