Code of Conduct (SSE 100-001)

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide students with the Baker College philosophy behind the code of conduct, as well as the code of conduct itself.

2.0 Definitions

Administrative Meeting - A meeting between the student accused of an infraction and the presiding College official.

Interim Measures - Temporary measures which are imposed during an investigation to ensure the safety of involved parties and the integrity of the investigation.

Presiding College Official - The presiding College official can be any staff member that has jurisdiction over the student, activity, or area of the College at the time of the alleged infraction.

3.0 Scope

This policy applies to any Baker College student.

4.0 Policy Statement

Philosophy

Baker College believes in providing a safe, respectful learning and working environment for all students and staff. At Baker College, the Code of Conduct is designed to help you learn and grow while also providing a framework for how things work here. When we interact with you, our goal is to help support the College’s educational mission, guiding principles, and the outcomes we want for all students. Our process for handling conduct issues gives you chances to talk and think about what happened, all while reminding you to stay committed to the Basic Principles of Student Responsibility and other rules laid out in the Student Handbook. These documents show you the standards we expect from every student as part of the Baker College community.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct lays the groundwork for your behavior as a student, aiming to create a respectful and positive learning environment that values academic integrity. If you find yourself violating these rules, there’s a process in place to address it. Additionally, the College has detailed the Basic Principles of Student Responsibility, an IT Acceptable Use Policy, and an Academic Honor Code to give you further guidance on how to conduct yourself. These policies are here to ensure that you and everyone else at the College know what’s expected of you, promoting fairness and integrity across the board.

College of Health Science and College of Nursing

Programs in the College of Health Science and the College of Nursing may have additional guidelines. Even though these programs still follow the general Code of Conduct, they might have their own specific expectations and consequences that are related to the industry or the program itself.

To find out more about what’s expected of you in your specific program, make sure to check your program handbook. It’ll have all the details you need to know about how you should behave and what might happen if you don’t follow the rules.

Basic Principles of Student Responsibility

At Baker College, we’re dedicated to ensuring that everyone can study, learn, and live without feeling afraid, embarrassed, or disrespected. We want our community to be a place where all differences are embraced and everyone feels respected, comfortable, and like they are treated fairly.

Our rules and policies are designed to reflect these values. Enrolling at Baker College is a privilege, and we expect students to behave in a way that aligns with the College’s mission, ideals, and educational goals.

Here’s how we expect students to conduct themselves:

• Respect others’ rights and property.

• Treat fellow students, faculty, and staff with kindness and respect.

• Help create a positive learning atmosphere.

• Provide honest and complete information on all required forms and documents.

• Refrain from the use of alcoholic beverages (except where allowed in student housing for students of legal drinking age).

• Follow all federal, state, and local laws.

• Refrain from any illegal possession, sale, or use of drugs, whether illegal or over-the-counter.

• Keep facilities and equipment clean and orderly.

• Adhere to all College policies and procedures.

If a student’s behavior doesn’t meet these expectations, the College will take disciplinary action.

On campus, the following actions can lead to discipline, including expulsion:

• Having, using, or displaying weapons, explosives, or hazardous chemicals

• Assaulting or threatening others

• Tampering with safety or security equipment

• Theft or vandalism

• Distributing, possessing, or being under the influence of drugs

• Arson or any attempt of arson

• Possessing or being under the influence of alcohol (except where allowed in student housing for students of legal drinking age)

• Interfering with Campus Safety Officers

• Being unwilling or unable to show your Baker College ID when requested by an authorized College official

• Failing to comply with requests or disciplinary measures given by College staff or authorities

• Bullying, stalking, harassing, or intimidating others

• Causing disruptions on campus or violating the Basic Principles of Student Responsibility

• Identity theft or use of another person’s user ID and/or password

• Engaging in activities that create panic, disturb the peace, harm property, or put people in danger

• Obstructing or threatening to obstruct the free movement of people or vehicles, or the normal operations of the College

• Using abusive or offensive language, gestures, or electronic media

• Removing or tampering with College-owned equipment

• Running a business on College property or with the use of College equipment

• Using the College’s name for personal advertising

We believe that by respecting each other and following these guidelines, we can create a positive and inclusive community where everyone can thrive.

5.0 Procedures

Disclosure of Criminal Arrest

If a student is arrested for a felony, whether it happens on or off campus, they may have to temporarily stop attending classes at the College. This suspension remains in place until the legal case is resolved. Once the legal process is over, the student can apply to return to the College if they wish.

Additionally, if a student is ever charged with or convicted of a felony while enrolled at Baker College, they are required to inform a College official about it. Failing to do so can result in immediate expulsion from the College.

The Conduct Process

When a student violates the Code of Conduct, the student will receive notification of an administrative meeting. This notice will include the date(s) of the alleged behavior and request the student’s presence to discuss the matter with Baker College personnel. During the administrative meeting, the College will present all available evidence and provide the student with the opportunity to either deny or accept responsibility for the alleged violation. College personnel will then make a determination regarding the student’s responsibility, and appropriate sanctions will be issued if deemed necessary. For certain violations of the code of conduct, an alternative dispute resolution process may be available. In cases involving residence hall dismissal or expulsion from the College, the student may have the right to appeal the decision.

Sanctions for Violating the Code of Conduct

The sanction for a violation of the Code of Conduct is at the discretion of the presiding College official. For each violation, one or more of the following sanctions may be imposed, and the student’s refusal to acknowledge these sanctions does not nullify them. All Code of Conduct violations are recorded in the student’s file and maintained by the Director of Student Affairs at the respective campus.

• Conduct Contract: This document outlines the specific actions or behaviors that were inappropriate and the corresponding policy violations. It also delineates the consequences of any future violations, potentially including expulsion from the College.

• Educational Sanctions: These measures aim to enhance the student’s knowledge, comprehension, and personal development concerning their violation.

• Expulsion: Immediate and indefinite termination of enrollment at Baker College, accompanied by a ban from all Baker College campuses.

• Restorative Measures: These practices focus on rectifying wrongs and restoring relationships through dialogue. They may be utilized in resolving disputes between students or when a student breaches institutional policies, and can be combined with other sanctions.

• Suspension: Specifies the duration during which a student is prohibited from accessing any campus. This sanction may also extend to College-provided housing where applicable.

• Verbal Warning: A conversation between a College staff member and the student, detailing the inappropriate conduct and serving as a formal alert.

Interim Measures

The College reserves the right to implement interim measures as deemed necessary to maintain a conducive learning environment and ensure the safety of students, staff, and faculty until the student’s case is resolved. Interim measures may include, but are not limited to:

• Suspension from student housing

• Suspension from the College

• Change in course schedule

• A no contact order

These interim measures will remain in effect until the investigation has been completed and a final decision has been issued. The student will be notified when the investigation is complete.

6.0 Responsibilities

Presiding College Official

The presiding College official can be any staff member who has jurisdiction over the student, activity or area of the College at the time of the alleged infraction.

Students 

Students are expected to abide by the code of conduct, positively participate in the procedures of adjudication, respectfully abide by the decisions of, and accept any sanctions imposed by the College.

7.0 Citations & Related Information

Document A: Academic Honor Code

Document B: Conduct Contract

Document C: IT Acceptable Use Policy