Disciplinary Procedures and Appeals

Jump to section

Students accused of misconduct have certain rights to contest the allegations and appeal discipline imposed. Depending on the nature of the violation, Central Texas College may pursue the Academic Integrity violation and/ or Disciplinary Misconduct Policy. A student may be subjected to one or both based on the circumstances.

Nothing in this Code of Conduct, including disciplinary hearing procedures and a student’s right to appeal, shall preclude a faculty member from requesting a disruptive student to immediately leave a class or activity for that class period. If the student fails to comply with the request, the faculty member may seek assistance from the Campus Police. Such actions taken on a one-time basis shall not be subject to appeal.

Academic Integrity:

Post-secondary students are scholars. As such, students earn course completion credit by demonstrating the requisite level of content mastery (i.e., knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation) via original thought often supported by appropriately cited work of others (i.e., credible, scholarly, published). Students are expected to maintain academic honesty by refraining from academically dishonest behaviors (i.e., plagiarism, collusion, cheating).

Faculty guard against student academic misconduct to preserve the integrity and reputation of the learning and teaching environment. CTC leverages technology to aid in detecting academic misconduct. By enrolling in CTC courses, students agree that all assignments and assessments (i.e., required papers, exams, class projects, portfolios) submitted as coursework to faculty may be further reviewed and evaluated by SafeAssign or a similar vendor for originality and intellectual integrity. CTC also employs Biometric Signature ID (BioSig-ID) via Internet Protocol (IP) address tracking to determine host/ network interface location that the registered student is indeed the person submitting the coursework and/or completing the exam or assessment.

Students must not:

Plagiarize: present the words or ideas of another as their own to include:
- Copy without proper citation/source
- Duplicate ideas without proper citation
Commit collusion: someone other than the student authors some or all of the presented work unless such joint preparation is explicitly approved in advance by the faculty member. NOTE: Collaboration becomes collusion when the intention is to deceive (e.g., permitting someone other than themselves to log in to CTC systems via shared password or BioSig-ID and/or prepare coursework or complete an exam/assessment on behalf of the enrolled student).
Cheat: act in an attempt to gain an academic advantage (e.g., looking at another’s answers, copying another student’s coursework, using unauthorized written or web-based materials during an exam or assessment, masking IP addresses or otherwise disguising location, permitting someone other than themselves to prepare/submit coursework or complete an assessment/exam).

Violations of this policy drive actions and sanctions as detailed below.

First offense: The faculty member will assign a grade of 0 for the assignment or examination where academic misconduct is determined to have occurred. The student will be notified in writing of the offense. The notification will contain directions for the first level of the appeal process.

Subsequent offenses: Subsequent violations of the Academic Integrity Policy detected at any time throughout the student’s enrollment at CTC result in the faculty member assigning a grade of 0 for the assignment, the student receiving an F in the course, and the student receiving a disciplinary referral. The student will be notified in writing of the offense. The notification will contain directions for the first level of the appeal process. Subsequent violations of the Academic Integrity Policy demonstrate a pattern of behavior, and thusly will include a referral to Student Disciplinary Conduct, starting with Disciplinary Probation and escalating per the Student Code of Conduct.

Decision Appeal Process:

A student retains the right to appeal any decision regarding a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy. The written notification of the violation from the faculty member includes directions for proceeding with the appeal process. A written response to the faculty member stating the student’s case invokes the appeal process. If no written response is received within three business days, the decision is final.

Level 1: Should the faculty member receive the written response from the student invoking the appeal process, the faculty member has three business days to render a decision whether to affirm or reverse the earlier decision. The faculty member or student may request a meeting—either virtually or in-person—or communicate via email. Within three business days of appeal receipt, the faculty member will provide a written appeal decision to the student, including directions for further appeal if the decision is affirmed and the student wishes to appeal further to the Department Chair. If no written response is received by the Department Chair within three business days, the Level 1 appeal decision is final.
Level 2: Should the Department Chair receive the written response from the student invoking the Appeal Level 2 process, the Department Chair will review the material and render a written response to the student within three business days. The written decision to the student will include directions for further appeal if the decision is affirmed and the student wishes to appeal further to the responsible Dean. If no written response is received by the responsible Dean within three business days, the Level 2 appeal decision is final.
Level 3: Should the responsible Dean receive the written response from the student invoking the Appeal Level 3 process, the responsible Dean will convene an Academic Misconduct Committee (AMC). The AMC will review documentation related to the appeal and provide a recommendation to the responsible Dean. The responsible Dean renders a decision in writing to both the student and faculty member. This is the final level of appeal.

Note: Some departments, such as Nursing, have other discipline-related accreditation standards which may require them to have additional approvals, steps, or timelines to the process while still being congruent with CTC’s policies. For example, Nursing will always have the Director of Nursing included in the appeal process.

Due Process Timeline

At each level of appeal, the student has three business days to appeal in writing. At Appeal Level 1 and Appeal Level 2, the respondent has three business days to render an appeal decision to the student. Appeal Level 3 requires five business days for the Academic Misconduct Committee to convene and for the Dean to render a final written appeal decision to the student.

Appeal Process

Disciplinary Misconduct:

Each student is expected to act in a manner consistent with the College’s functions and goals as an institution of higher education. The following examples of misconduct constitute an interference with the lawful and orderly use of college premises, facilities, and/or activities for which students may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. Such prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to:

Theft, burglary, assault, or any credible evidence that there has been a violation of federal, state, or local law.
Interfering with or attempting to interfere with the lawful exercise of freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of peaceable assembly, or other rights of individuals or groups.
Possessing, using, being under the influence of, or selling any illegal substance to include the illegal use of legal substances, or paraphernalia generally associated with the use of illegal substances on any Central Texas College District property or college sponsored events.
Possessing, using, selling, being under the influence of, or providing to minors, alcoholic beverages or having alcoholic beverage containers on campus, in any College owned facility or at any College sponsored event except when specifically authorized in writing by the Board of Trustees of Central Texas College or Chancellor.
Possessing or using on college premises firearms, weapons or explosives unless authorized by the College and law.
Advocating the overthrow by force or violence of any legally constituted governmental body or system, or any local, state or federal law or any policy, rule or regulation set forth by the administration of the College, or the Board of Trustees of Central Texas College.
Interference with Central Texas College’s ability to conduct normal business, to include teaching, research, administration or other functions.
Engaging in any obscene, profane, reckless, irresponsible, destructive, or unlawful conduct that does not model good citizenship or reflects poorly upon the CTCD community.
Dressing, maintaining hygiene, and grooming in an inappropriate manner while on campus or when participating or attending activities sponsored by the College. The Director of Student Life is delegated the authority to determine whether any student is violating the policy on attire and personal grooming.
Illegal hazing and/or harassment in all forms are prohibited. (See Sexual Assault and Other Prohibited Conduct).
Engaging in the use of slurs or behavior that is that is harassing or discriminatory in nature.
Issuing a check to the College without sufficient funds.
Acting in a manner that endangers the health or safety of self or other persons.
The threat of or acting in a manner that endangers the health or safety of self or other persons.
Committing a malfeasance in an elected or appointed Central Texas College office or position.
Abusing or harassing conduct, including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or sexual assault; or the threat of such abuse or harassment of College employees, students, any person on College premises, off campus activity, or at College activities in accordance with college policy or state or federal laws.
Seizing, holding, commandeering, or damaging any personal or real property or facilities of the College, or threatening to do so.
Refusing to depart from any property or facilities of Central Texas College upon direction by College official.
Failing to respond to a Central Texas College administrative summons within the designated time.
Providing false information or evidence at a College investigation or disciplinary hearing.
The misuse of a Central Texas College computer to include mainframe computers, minicomputers, microcomputers, electronic mobile devices (iPads, etc.), networks, software, data, facilities and related supplies is prohibited. Internet use is for educational purposes only. The sending or displaying/downloading of offensive material, to include but not limited to sexually oriented sites or materials, is prohibited. This also applies to the unauthorized downloading of music, videos, etc.
Excessively loud noises or vibrations including, but not limited to, interactions, voices, and music, which disrupt the normal campus business operations indoors or out, to include student housing, is a violation of campus regulations.
Unauthorized use of drones. (See CTCD Safety Policy # 153).
All other violations of local, state or federal laws, CTCD or CTCD departmental policies or procedures.
Violating the terms specified in the Academic Integrity Policy.

Disciplinary Process (other than Professional Code Violations):

General Policy:

Any individual violating the Student Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary procedures will be coordinated by the Director of Student Life or designated Student Conduct officer. If flagrant violations of policy cause sufficient disruption, tension, or danger to the order, safety, or well-being of the institution or other persons, the Dean of Student Success is authorized to take necessary action. (See Emergency Procedures).
Students whose behavior constitutes a violation of both the Student Code of Conduct and federal, state or local laws may be accountable to both the College and civil authorities. Disciplinary action at the College will not be subject to challenge on the grounds that criminal or other charges involving the same incident have been dismissed, reduced, or are pending.
Instructional departments which offer a professional certification//licensure may separately initiate a disciplinary action based on violation of a professional code of conduct. Discipline due to a violation of a professional code of conduct will be handled by the respective department chair who may perform those investigative and disciplinary functions normally reserved for the Director of Student Life. (See Discipline Involving Professional Code of Conduct Violations).

Procedure for Investigation of Misconduct (excluding Title IX investigations):

Upon notification of an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the student may be summoned by the Director of Student Life/ designated Student Conduct officer. If a student fails to report according to the date and time specified in the summons, the student may be disciplined up to and including expulsion from the College.
After meeting with the student involved and reviewing the allegations, specifying the charges, investigating, obtaining the necessary information, and explaining the disciplinary procedures, the Director of Student Life and/or designated Student Conduct officer may exercise the following options as applicable to the situation:
- Issue a formal warning or impose disciplinary action as set forth below. No appeal is allowed for issuance of a formal warning. If disciplinary action is imposed by the Director of Student Life and/or designated Student Conduct officer, the student will be given a written statement of the charges and the student will be informed of his/her right to appeal, to include appeal submission deadlines.
- Should the student appeal the discipline in a timely manner; convene a Disciplinary Committee to hear the charges.
- Carry out the determination of the Disciplinary Committee to include dismissal the charges brought against the student as warranted.
After the meeting with the Director of Student Life and/or designated Student Conduct officer, the student may exercise one of the following options as it relates to the imposition of formal discipline:
- Accept the decision of the Director of Student Life and/or designated Student Conduct officer.
- Request a hearing before a Disciplinary Committee for the purpose of allowing the Committee to hear and determine the validity of the charges, and determine disciplinary action, if any.
- If a student has admitted guilt but disagrees with the disciplinary sanction imposed, the student may request a hearing with the Disciplinary Committee to appeal the sanction recommended by the Director of Student Life and/or designated Student Conduct officer.

Disciplinary Actions:

Disciplinary Actions that may be imposed for misconduct include:

Disciplinary Probation - An official notice that the student’s conduct is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Probation serves notice to the student that while his/her conduct is not sufficiently serious to warrant suspension or expulsion, further misconduct could result in suspension or expulsion. The duration of the probation will be for a specific designated time, up through the student’s tenure at CTCD.
Suspension - Exclusion from attending the College for a definite period of time, not to exceed twelve (12) months. Conditions may be imposed that the student is required to fulfill prior to or upon returning to the College. The conditions of readmission, if any, will be stated in the dismissal order.
Expulsion - Termination of student status for an indefinite period of time. The conditions of readmission, if any, will be stated in the dismissal order.

Additional Actions:

In addition to the disciplinary actions that could be imposed for misconduct, additional actions may be imposed by the Director of Student Life and/or designated Student Conduct officer or a Disciplinary Committee and may include, but are not limited to one or a combination of the following:
- Admonition and Warning - A written statement to a student that he or she is violating, or has violated, the Student Code of Conduct and may be subject to disciplinary action should misconduct continue.
- Loss of Privileges - The withdrawal of specified privileges for a definite period of time.
- Referrals - Required attendance in a group or individual program that is deemed necessary.
- Central Texas College Community Service – A student may be required to complete a specified number of hours of community service.
- Restitution - Required reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property. Reimbursement may take the form of monetary repayment, service to repair, or replacement at CTCD’s discretion.
- Withholding of Transcript or Degree. A hold may be placed on a student’s account which prevents the issuance of a transcript and/or degree.
- Marking of a Transcript with a Disciplinary Notation - A hold may be placed on a student’s account which requires that any transcript that is printed/ sent electronically will have disciplinary expulsion or disciplinary action pending marked at the bottom of the student transcript.
The issuance of one form of discipline may be used in combination with another and shall constitute one disciplinary action (i.e., student is suspended with the requirement of a referral and community service).
Prior misconduct (academic integrity violations and disciplinary misconduct) may be considered at the time of adjudication of the discipline.
Disciplinary actions will only be considered after a finding of fact has been made. The more serious the violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the lesser impact any mitigating circumstances may have. The following will be dually considered when determining an appropriate disciplinary action:
- past case precedent;
- past disciplinary action;
- whether the actions were directed at another’s race, gender, ethnicity, disability or other protected class;
- seriousness of harm or injury caused by the actions; and
- responsibility assumed by student throughout disciplinary proceedings.
  Nothing in this code precludes the College from pursuing any and all remedies available under this Student Code of Conduct and/or those available by law.

Appeal Disciplinary Misconduct (other than Professional Violations and Title IX Issues):

Disciplinary Committee:

The purpose of the Disciplinary Committee is to provide students an opportunity for a hearing when they feel there has been an unfair imposition of disciplinary misconduct action. A Disciplinary Committee will not be convened for an action involving Admonition and Warning or Probation.
The Disciplinary Committee shall be composed of two (2) faculty members, one (1) staff member, and two (2) students. The Disciplinary Committee may not convene unless all five (5) members are present for a hearing.
The student must submit a timely written summary of their appeal to the Director of Student Life. The Director will forward the written summary to the members of the Disciplinary Committee for their review. In case of disciplinary actions involving probation during a pre-hearing, the Committee may decide by simple majority vote if the appeal merits convening the Committee for an in-person hearing. The Disciplinary Committee will offer to the accused student a hearing for all cases involving suspension or expulsion. The Director of Student Life will then contact the student with the Committee’s decision, informing the student of the date and time of the hearing, as applicable. It is at the Disciplinary Committee’s sole discretion whether to require the accused and witnesses to be present at the hearing or to allow the accused and/or witnesses to appear via telephone or virtually.
The Disciplinary Committee is empowered to uphold the disciplinary action or modify some or all of the discipline ranging from no action to permanent expulsion from the College. If the committee chooses to lower the disciplinary action imposed by the Director of Student Life, the committee may do so during the pre-hearing if it chooses. No enhancement of a penalty shall be given absent a Committee hearing where the accused and witnesses are given an opportunity to present their case and speak.
The student may appeal the committee’s decision to the Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Success.

Disciplinary Hearing Procedures:

The Director of Student Life will notify the student of the date and time of the disciplinary hearing and furnish a complete statement of the charges to be considered. Whenever possible, at least three (3) business days will be allotted for preparation between the time of notification of the student and the hearing date. Unless the Director of Student Life determines unusual circumstances exist, the hearing should be held within ten (10) business days of the request for an appeal.
The hearing will be facilitated by the Disciplinary Committee, and conducted on campus in “closed session.” The student shall present his/her case without representation from others. The session will be closed to the public, attorneys, press and others. Only those persons, whose presence is required as determined by the Disciplinary Committee, will be permitted to attend. In circumstances of allegations of violation of a state or federal law including Title IX that require the College to allow students to bring a representative, the student may, but is not required to, bring a representative of their choice to the hearing.
The hearing proceedings will be recorded. The student may obtain a copy of the hearing by providing written request to the Director of Student Life prior to the hearing and providing an empty USB drive.
Any person, including the student charged, who disrupts a hearing shall be excluded from the proceedings and may be subject to discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
The failure of the student to appear at the scheduled hearing and/or be present at all times while the hearing is in session shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing and the Committee shall proceed and make its decision based on all of the information provided up to that point.
Any witness who is asked to testify at the hearing is expected to do so. It is expected that all statements made to the Disciplinary Committee will be true. Students giving false statements may be subject to discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The student may bring witnesses who have factual information about the underlying incidents, and may have up to two (2) character witnesses, testify at the hearing.
All witness shall wait outside of the hearing room until it is their turn to address the Committee.
The Committee, Director of Student Life and the student charged, may ask the witnesses questions.
If one or more witnesses are to appear on behalf of the student, a list of names and a brief statement of what information the witness is expected to provide must be provided by the student to the Director of Student Life at least twenty-four (24) hours before the hearing. The student is responsible for insuring his/her witnesses attend the hearing. If a witness does not report in time for the hearing, the hearing will continue as scheduled and the witness may be excluded at the Committee’s discretion.
With the exception of the student’s absence pursuant to paragraphs d and e above, all evidence against the student will be presented in his/her presence. Both Central Texas College and the student will be permitted to rebut the statements of any witness after all evidence has been presented, or as directed by the Committee.
The Disciplinary Committee may impose limits on the number of witnesses and the amount of cumulative evidence that may be introduced.
The Director of Student Life will present charges and information supporting the charges at the disciplinary hearing. The Director of Student Life shall present any witnesses and evidence in support of the charge.
At the hearing, the student may review the information presented to the Disciplinary Committee by the Director of Student Life.
When the Disciplinary Committee is satisfied that all non-cumulative, relevant, available evidence has been presented, the hearing will be adjourned. The Disciplinary Committee will immediately meet privately to consider the evidence and to reach a decision. The Director of Student Life and student shall remain available in the vicinity of the hearing room during the deliberation to clarify any issues the Disciplinary Committee may have, but shall not participate in the deliberation
Deliberations of the Disciplinary Committee will be confidential and will not be recorded.
Except as specified in section “e.” of Disciplinary Procedures, the decision reached by the
Disciplinary Committee will be based on the information received at the pre-hearing and hearing. The information shall consist of the record of the Disciplinary Committee’s proceedings, and all written reports, documents, and other material submitted to the Disciplinary Committee.
The Disciplinary Committee will reach its decision by a majority vote.
The Disciplinary Committee will present its decision in writing to the Director of Student Life and Activities. Each member will sign the decision and within five (5) business days the Director of Student Life will prepare a typed copy of that decision for the record.
The Director of Student Life shall verbally inform the student of the Disciplinary Committee’s decision, and will deliver to the student a copy of the written decision once it is typed.
Within five (5) business days following the Disciplinary Committee hearing, the Director of Student Life shall by hand-delivery, US mail, or EagleMail give written notification of the Committee’s decision to the student. If disciplinary action is upheld or newly imposed, the student will be informed.

Appeal of Hearing Committee’s Decision:

The student may appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee by submitting a written request to the Director of Student Life within the time limit specified in Notice and Time Limits in this Student Code of Conduct. The request will then be submitted to the Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Success.
The Vice Chancellor, or his or her designee, will decide whether to reconsider the charges and/or action taken and will notify the student in writing. At the Vice Chancellor’s sole discretion, he/she may meet with the student, assign a designee, or make a decision based on the records. The Vice Chancellor has full authority to uphold, set aside, increase, or reduce the action of the Disciplinary Committee. The decision of the Vice Chancellor or his/her designee is final.

Disciplinary Misconduct Process:

Disciplinary Procedures Involving Professional Code Violations:

Individual fields of study, such as Nursing, EMT, Aviation and Protective Services, may have their own licensing and professional Codes of Conduct. These kinds of violations may be handled within the department. All time limits for performance of each step of the process for Professional Code Violations are as specified in Notice and Time Limits in this Student Code of Conduct.

The departmental process shall at a minimum include an examination of all evidence and a hearing of the student’s and witnesses’ version of events prior to a decision by the Department Chair.
The Department Chair may verbally inform the student of his/her disciplinary decision, but will deliver to the student a copy of the written decision.

Appeal Procedures Involving Professional Code Violations

The student may appeal the decision of the Department Chair by submitting a written request to the Dean of Instruction.
The Dean will decide whether to reconsider the charges and/or action taken and will notify the student in writing. At the Dean’s sole discretion, he/she may meet with the student or make a decision based on the records. The Dean has full authority to uphold, set aside, increase, or reduce the action of the Department Chair. The decision of the Dean is final.

Notice of Time Limits (Disciplinary Misconduct and Professional Code Violations):

All notifications under this section will be in person or by US mail to the student’s current address on file with Central Texas College or Eagle Mail. It is the student’s responsibility to keep his/her address updated. Once mailed, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain and respond appropriately and within all specified time limits as set forth herein.

A notice that is hand-delivered or sent by EagleMail to the student requires receipt by Central Texas College of the student’s response within three (3) calendar days of the date that the notice was given to him/her.

A notice sent to the student by US mail requires receipt by Central Texas College of the student’s response within eight (8) calendar days from the date of mailing the notice.

Failure to act within specified time limits is a waiver of student’s rights under this section.