Lake Erie College strives to maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and to the development of mature and responsible students, as well as to protect the rights and sensibilities of each community member. To that end, the conduct process has been reviewed by students and changes have been made to create a consistent, fair and positive environment. This process will be reviewed yearly to ensure a positive environment in which students can live, learn and be engaged in the College experience.
Administrative Roles
Judicial Board
Consists of one student (must be at least sophomore standing), one faculty member, one staff member. These individuals will volunteer and must adhere to strict guidelines in order to remain Judicial Board members. Alternates will be in place in case one of these individuals is not available or if there is a conflict of interest.
Chief Student Affairs Officer
Receives all Incident Reports involving students and will adjudicate Level 1, 2 and 3 policy violations for all students. The Chief Student Affairs Officer will process a Judicial Board referral for anything Level 2 or Level 3, if deemed necessary. This person also schedules and chairs Judicial Board hearings as appropriate.
Chief Academic Officer
Will only listen to an appeal after all other options have been exhausted.
*Substitution for the above roles may be necessary depending on availability and will be determined on a case by case basis.
Conduct File
Each disciplinary incident will be recorded and kept in a permanent disciplinary file in the Student Life Office. Access to the file will be restricted and only granted to the student (with proper identification); appropriate College Officials in accordance with FERPA; Law Enforcement and related bodies conducting reference or background checking. Please note Transfer Evaluation Forms typically require this information and will be given to another institution for the purpose with the proper signature of the student.
Judicial Board Process
A Judicial Board is formed when a student is accused of a level 2 or 3 offense or if the Chief Student Affairs Officer or designee deems that a Judicial Board is necessary. A Judicial Board will be formed as the discretion of the Division of Student Affairs based upon the accusations toward a member of the student body.
Board Membership
One student (when applicable), one faculty member and/or one staff member or a combination of faculty and staff; and the Dean of Students (or a designee) who will serve as the secretary and judicial board chair. The Dean of Students is a non-voting member and will handle all communication from the judicial board to the students involved. Hearings may be visually and audio recorded.
- The Dean of Students/ or designee schedules a hearing involving the accused student(s), witness(es) and the Judicial Board within five working days after receiving the Incident Report.
- The accused student, witnesses and members of the Judicial Board receive communication (may be electronic) that will list the date, time and location of the judicial hearing 48 hours prior to the hearing.
- On the day of the Judicial Board hearing, accused student and witnesses will receive an introduction where they will be refreshed on the Judicial Board process and sign the Honesty Statement.
- All students involved reserve the right to meet with the Judicial Board. Meetings may take place individually or in a group.
- The Chair of the Judicial Board reads the charges to the accused student.
- Student enters a plea for each charge (“in violation” or “not in violation”).
- Board members ask the student involved questions.
- The accused student answers questions and makes a closing statement, then leaves the room.
- Board members deliberate directly after the hearing in order to render a decision. The judicial decision will be determined by majority vote (2 votes minimum).
- The Board renders a written decision to the Dean of Students/ or designee. The decision must contain rationale.
- The Dean of Students/ or designee follows-up with a formal sanction letter within two business days.
- The accused student has the opportunity to appeal the Judicial Board decision by submitting a written appeal to the Dean of Students for Student Affairs within 10 business days of receipt of the sanctions letter. Students are only permitted to appeal based on improper judicial procedures or if new evidence has been discovered that is relevant to the case.
The Judicial Board process can be revised and amended if a student is accusing a fellow student of a violation of the Code of Conduct. At that point both the accuser and the accused will have the opportunity to speak with the Judicial Board to provide statements. Witnesses will also be called, when applicable.
A student may appeal a judicial sanction or judicial board decision based on if new information is founded or if information was not originally presented during the judicial hearing. The written appeal can be directed to the Dean of Students within 10 business days of the original decision; or if new information regarding the case has been presented the student has 10 business days to bring that information to the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students may assemble a judicial committee to review the appeal and the original case and make a determination.
A second appeal can be filed with the Chief Academic Officer, following the same guidelines as the first appeal process (within 10 business days, written appeal, and new information provided).
Title IX policy violations will follow the process as laid out in the Title IX section of the handbook.
Waiver
If a student does not wish to go to a Judicial Board hearing, s/he may complete a Hearing Waiver with the Dean of Student/ or designee. Through this process, the student would take full responsibility for all charges that were levied and would receive the standard sanctions.
Violation Levels
The following is a comprehensive, but not all-inclusive, list of Student Code of Conduct policy violations that will be handled by the Dean of Students/ or designee. NOTE - Lake Erie College students will be adjudicated for any violations committed by their guests.
Level 1
- 1-2 alcohol offenses
- Noise
- Unapproved guest/Visitation
- Minor vandalism (under $50)
- Discourtesy to faculty/staff
- Disorderly Conduct
- Illegal entry
- Traffic and vehicle regulations
- Fire safety - candles, incense, items hanging from sprinkler
- Unauthorized use of an alarmed door
Level 1 appeal process - accused student has the opportunity to appeal by submitting a written appeal to the Chief Student Affairs Officer no later than 24 hours after receiving the judicial sanction letter. Students are only permitted to appeal based on improper judicial process or if new evidence has been discovered that is relevant to the case.
Level 2
The director may forward the following policy violations to the Judicial Board.
- alcohol offenses
- Possession or personal use of small amount of marijuana, paraphernalia - 1st offense-small amount = pipe, blunt, joint, anything less than a dime bag
- Major vandalism (over $50)
- Fire safety - tampering with fire equipment
- COVID-19 Violation
- Gambling
- Stolen Goods
- Any combination of 2+ Level 1 violations
Level 2 appeal process - accused student has the opportunity to appeal by submitting a written appeal to the Chief Student Affairs Officer no later than 24 hours after receiving the judicial sanction letter with the exception of if the violation was reviewed by a judicial board, in which a student would have 10 business days to submit a written appeal to the Dean of Students. Students are only permitted to appeal based on improper judicial process or if new evidence has been discovered that is relevant to the case.
Level 3
The director may forward the following policy violations to the Judicial Board.
- 4+ alcohol offenses
- Possession or personal use of a small amount of marijuana, paraphernalia - 2nd offense
- Possession or personal use of a large amount of marijuana - 1st offense
- Intent/attempt to sell marijuana.
- Possession, personal use or sale of any illegal drugs other than marijuana.
- Major vandalism - 2nd offense
- Setting a fire
- Bodily Harm
- Weapons/Firearms
- Theft
- Any level 1 sanctions repeated 3 times
- Any level 2 sanctions repeated 2 times.
*Please refer to policies and procedures regarding sexual assault stated previously
Level 3 appeal process - accused student has the opportunity to appeal by submitting a written appeal to the Chief Student Affairs Officer no later than 24 hours after receiving the judicial sanction letter with the exception of if the violation was reviewed by a judicial board, in which a student would have 10 business days to submit a written appeal to the Dean of Students. Students are only permitted to appeal based on improper judicial process or if new evidence has been discovered that is relevant to the case.
Sanctions
General sanctions used in response to Conduct violations. Any sanction can be used in combination with one another and may limit a student’s participation in extracurricular activities; housing status or status as a student at Lake Erie College. All available information will be considered at the time of rendering a decision and the best interest of the student(s) and College Community will be at the center of the decision.
Minimum Sanctions
In order to promote consistency in the judicial process at Lake Erie College, this section specifies minimum sanctions for the individual code. A student may receive more than the minimum sanction depending on the nature of the incident and severity of the violation at any time. The Presidential Interim Suspension may be used as a minimum sanction for any of these violations if deemed necessary by the President of the College or his designee. For more information about an individual offense, please review the “Prohibitive Behavior” section.
Alcohol/Drug Assessment
Student is required to schedule, attend, and pay for an alcohol or drug assessment. This may be available through the on campus Student Success Center or through Lake-Geauga Center (440.255.0678) located in Mentor. The Director of Residence Life, or designee will monitor completion of this task.
Denial of Access
Student would not be permitted to enter specific college buildings or to attend college events/activities.
Disciplinary Warning
First level sanction generally used for minor policy violations.
Disciplinary/Social Probation
Limits a student’s ability to participate in campus events (on or off campus). Advisors and coaches will be informed if one of their students receives this sanction.
Educational Task
A requirement for a student to complete in order to learn from his/her behaviors. Appropriate College Employee will monitor completion of these tasks in conjunction with Director of Residence life or Dean of Students.
Expulsion
This is used in response to a serious violation of the Code of Conduct where the welfare of the Campus Community has been compromised and/or is in danger. A recommendation for expulsion will be made by the senior hearing officer) to the appropriate Vice President and the President of the College.
Presidential Interim Suspension
Reserved for severe violations that directly impact the welfare of the campus community. This is used at the discretion of the College President or his designee.
Removal from College Housing
Generally used for multiple policy violations and severe policy violations. Further sanctions would lead to Suspension or Expulsion from the college.
Restitution/Fine
Student is responsible for paying any fines associated with policy violations (alcohol, drugs, etc) as well as paying to repair any damages caused by vandalism. These are posted directly to student accounts.
Restriction of Privileges
Student could lose the ability to host overnight guests, participate in extracurricular activities; attendance at College events/activities etc.
Suspension
Generally used for a combination of a second and third-time offense of policy violations. A recommendation for suspension will be made by the Dean of Students (or senior hearing officer) to the appropriate Vice President and the President of the College.
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