Student Conduct and Honor Code

Honor Conscience
Community life and a successful experience at Prescott College depend on a commitment to a sense of responsibility for oneself and to other people. This commitment is shown through the Honor Conscience.

While rules must be observed, they do not convey the nature of one’s personal involvement in the community. The Honor Conscience is essentially an unwritten commitment to act with honesty and integrity, and to treat others with respect.

Prescott College has not decreed an exhaustive set of regulations since these may actually inhibit the development of self-discipline. Only the most necessary rules are made explicit (see below). While the objective is to implement this behavior code through voluntary acceptance, all members of the Prescott College community are expected to act according to the Honor Conscience.

Faculty, administration, employees, and students need to recognize their responsibility in being continuously available to lead and guide new students in matters pertaining to the Honor Conscience.

While we believe in allowing students to develop their own self-discipline, should a student fail in doing this and exhibit behavior(s) that display disrespect for others and for the Honor Code, the College may hold such students responsible for their behavior.

Rules for Honoring Campus and Community

1. The City of Prescott enforces a public leash law. Show respect for others and
   take proper care of your pets, do not bring dogs on campus and/or leave them
   unattended on short leashes.
2. Demonstrate respect for Prescott College and others by keeping bikes outside
   of buildings and parked in the proper location.
3. Respect your body and the environment by not smoking. If you must smoke, smoke out-
   side of the buildings and dispose of your cigarette butt in a container not on
   the ground.
4. Be considerate of fellow students, faculty, and staff who work here daily by fin-
   ding alternate parking for your vehicles while out in the field. Space is limited
   here and those working and studying on campus need the space.
5. Help build a positive reputation for Prescott College with the Prescott com-
   munity by using crosswalks and traffic signals while on foot. Say no to jay-
   walking.
6. Do your part to save the planet’s energy, by closing doors, turning off lights,
   and turning down the heat in our buildings.
7. Preserve our environment by using recycle bins and trashcans and picking up
   after someone who doesn’t.
8. BE SAFE! Do not bring weapons of any kind on campus or in buildings.
9. Cooperate with the Prescott College community by getting all postings
   approved in Student Services and post them only on designated bulletin boards.

Student Rights and Responsibilities
Statement of Responsible Behavior
The College community is a place where individuals accept their obligations to others and to the environment. In keeping with our commitment to the environment, we encourage community members to take responsibility for the environs at Prescott College and the City of Prescott. Both on- and off-campus conduct should demonstrate concern for the health, safety, and welfare of community members and reflect students’ fitness to be a member of the local community. Common areas at the College and public places away from the College should be treated with respect. Our concern about responsible citizenship should extend to our closest neighbors as well as to the global community. We expect courteous relationships with others in the College community and with the people of the City of Prescott, including landlords and merchants.

Nearly all of the Student Rights are encompassed in two basic tenets: the right to a liberal arts education and the right to fair and reasonable treatment by other members of the Prescott College community.

In particular, each student has the following rights and responsibilities:

1. Every student has the right to receive regular and organized instruction and
   guidance consistent with the aims of the course for which registered. The
   instructors have the responsibility to determine the methods of instruction suited to the course and to maintain conditions in the classroom that are conducive
   to the learning process.
2. A student should be free to take reasoned exception to the data and views
   offered in any course, but may not impede the progress of instruction. The student is responsible for learning the content and skills required by the course.
3. A student’s course evaluation and grade should be determined only by academic achievement consistent with the aims and content of that course. At the
   beginning of the course, the instructor should make known the factors that will be
   considered in evaluating a student’s performance, such as class attendance,
   class participation, portfolio, class projects, papers, and examinations.
   Contracts serve as an agreement between the faculty member and the student
   and cannot be changed without consent of both parties.
4. The student has the right to participate in Student Union, student organizations, and all College- sponsored activities and events in which they are quali-
   fied to participate.
5. The student has the right to use the educational resources of the College in
   accordance with the rules concerning their use.
6. Each student has the right to apply for financial aid. Specific financial aid rights
   and responsibilities can be found in the Financial Aid Office.
7. Each student has the right to fair and reasonable treatment by other members
   of the College community. Each Prescott College community member has the
   responsibility to treat others in a manner that does not interfere with others’
   rights.
8. Prescott College is committed to providing access and resources to students
   with disabilities. Students with disabilities have all rights and responsibilities
   explicit to all other students. Students with disabilities have the right to access
   of resources and reasonable accommodations under statute 504.

Statement of Respect for Diversity
The mission of Prescott College is to “educate students of diverse ages and backgrounds.” Diversity includes geographic factors, socioeconomic status, age, values, career histories, gender, disability, sexual orientation, dietary choices, religious affiliation, as well as cultural and ethnic diversity. Prescott College encourages students to become aware of and value the differences between people.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy
Prescott College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, condition of handicap, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in admission to programs and activities; in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship, and loan programs; or any other College administered programs.

Rules of Conduct
Prescott College expects all members of its community to act reasonably, maturely, and appropriately at all times, both on and off campus. Prescott College claims off-campus jurisdiction when enforcing its disciplinary policy. Students may be accountable to both civil authorities and to the College for acts, which constitute violations of the law, or of the rules and policies outlined in this handbook. Disciplinary action at the College will normally proceed during the pending period of criminal proceedings and will not be subject to challenge on grounds that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced. The following actions and/or violations constitute behavioral misconduct for which students may be penalized:

1. Actions that violate the human rights of any student or member of the College community; use of or threatened use of physical force or violence to restrict the freedom of action or movement of another; or the endangerment of the physical health, psychological health, or safety of any person, including oneself.
2. Conduct, on or off campus, that is detrimental to the good of the College or which discredits the College. Such conduct off campus includes, but is not limited to, violent or aggressive behavior toward others, activities at off-campus housing that are disruptive to the community and violate laws, falsifying documents such as the Prescott College Rental Guarantee Agreement, breaking leases, and/or damaging property. Such conduct on campus includes, but is not limited to, behavior or language disrespectful of College employees or students.
3. Academic dishonesty as described in Academic Integrity section of this handbook.
4. Unauthorized taking or possession of College property or services, the property or services of others, or failure to return borrowed equipment.
5. Intentional damage to or destruction of property and/or the property of others on College premises (including vandalism or tampering with fire alarms or extinguishers).
6. Underage possession and/or consumption of alcohol, consumption of alcoholic beverages on College courses as outlined in the Alcohol and Drug Policy (Section 3), excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages that results in irresponsible behavior, or continued excessive drinking.
7. Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia.
8. Possession or use of explosives, fireworks, firearms, knives with blades exceeding five inches, ammunition, or other dangerous weapons or materials on College property.

Sanctions
The scope of disciplinary penalties that may be imposed on any student found responsible for violating these Rules of Conduct may include:

1. Paying monetary fines/reimbursing for damages.
2. Written warning.
3. Conduct probation.
4. Community service.
5. Mandatory counseling and/or assessments.
6. Suspension (student forfeits all refund opportunities).
7. Expulsion (student forfeits all refund opportunities).

Other sanctions may include notification of the student’s parents, required attendance of workshops or seminars, surrender of personal property, or other sanctions dictated by the circumstances of the offense.

Disciplinary Procedure
The Chief Student Affairs Officer is responsible for responding to violations of the Honor Code and/or Rules of Conduct. The RDP Dean or RDP Associate Dean is responsible for any conduct related to academic integrity. In each case, the respective College administrator will:

1. Contact person(s) involved to determine whether there is cause to conduct an investigation.
2. Issue a sanction or decide to investigate further based on the initial information collected.
3. Practice due process and due diligence.
4. Evaluate all information and administer a sanction when appropriate.
5. Allow the student to appeal the sanction in writing to the President within 15 days of receiving the sanction. The President’s decision in the matter is final.

It is not uncommon for the Chief Student Affairs Officer and the RDP Dean or RDP Associate Dean to confer on discipline cases.

Grievance Procedure
Students may file a grievance in response to any perceived abridgment of their rights, whether the perceived abridgment is of their rights according to federal law, their rights as students according to College policies, or simply their personal rights to fair and humane treatment.

In general, grievances fall into two categories: academic grievances and non-academic grievances other than academic procedures. Examples of academic grievances might include conflicts over course evaluations, learning contracts, or grades, but could concern any academic matter in which a student believes he/she has been treated unfairly or unreasonably.

Non-academic grievances could concern virtually any instance of perceived mistreatment. Examples range from sexual harassment and discrimination based on race, age, disability, sexual preference, etc., to any other unprofessional and/or illegal conduct on the part of a College community member.

Students who believe they have grounds for a grievance should contact the Chief Student Affairs Officer or the RDP Associate Dean. The Chief Student Affairs Officer and/or the RDP Associate Dean will help the student determine which of the College’s grievance procedures is appropriate to the particular complaint.

Academic Grievance Procedures
A student who believes his/her academic efforts have not been justly evaluated has the right to be heard. The problem may be the result of exchanges with the instructor, occurrences within the class, or the content of a written evaluation. All grievances should be initiated within the quarter the alleged violation has occurred.

1. A student who is unsure whether or not his/her grievance falls under this description should consult the Chief Student Affairs Officer or the RDP Associate Dean.
2. Once it is determined that the grievance is academic in nature, every effort should be made to resolve the problem informally. To accomplish this, the student is encouraged to talk directly with the faculty member or to the appropriate program coordinator. (In exceptional circumstances where for any reason a dispute cannot or should not be addressed informally, this step may be omitted.)
3. If informal efforts are unsatisfactory or unsuccessful, a formal grievance may be filed in writing with the RDP Dean’s Office. The grievance should be in writing and include the name of the respondent and a description of the specific incident(s) forming the basis of the grievance, an outline of the informal steps taken to resolve the matter, and reference to the desired outcome(s) if appropriate. The informal grievance should be presented no later than 30 days after the student has knowledge of the problem.
4. The RDP Dean will investigate and decide how the problem should be
   resolved.
5. The RDP Dean’s decision may be appealed in writing to the College President, who will make a ruling within 15 days of receipt of the appeal.
6. If the complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the institution’s grievance
   procedure, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for
   Private Post Secondary Education. The student may contact the State Board for
   further details.

Non-Academic Grievance Procedures
A student who believes he/she has grounds for a non-academic grievance, such as sexual harassment, or other unprofessional and/or illegal conduct on the part of a community member may be heard.

1. A student who is unsure whether or not her/his grievance falls under this description should consult the Chief Student Affairs Officer or the RDP Associate Dean.
2. Once it is determined the grievance is non-academic in nature, every effort should be made to resolve the problem informally. (In circumstances where for any reason a dispute cannot or should not be addressed informally, this step may be omitted.)
3. If informal efforts are unsatisfactory or inappropriate, a formal grievance may be filed with the Chief Student Affairs Officer. The grievance should be in writing and include the name of the respondent and a description of the specific incident(s) forming the basis of the grievance, an outline of the informal steps taken to resolve the matter, and reference to the desired outcome(s) if appropriate. The informal grievance should be presented no later than 30 days after the student has knowledge of the problem.
4. The Chief Student Affairs Officer in consultation with the College grievance officer will determine if an investigation is appropriate. Based on the investigation, the Chief Student Affairs Officer will recommend a course of action to the appropriate parties.
5. The student may appeal this decision to the College President, who will make a ruling within 15 days of receipt of the appeal. This ends one College appeals process.
6. If the complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the College’s grievance procedures, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Post Secondary Education. The student may contact the State Board for further details.