Information for Employees

The Standards of Conduct Policy requires that students maintain high standards of conduct showing decency and respect for others. Mt. SAC is committed to providing a positive educational environment that fosters a strong campus community. Students have rights and responsibilities. Promoting the Standards of Conduct Policy is an integral part of our institutional mission and core values.

As an employee, you play an vital role in our student discipline procedures as you may directly witness or experience student misconduct. Therefore, it is important that you immediately respond to and address unacceptable behavior and interference to learning. Ignoring disruptive behavior will not cause it to disappear; often, the opposite occurs.

Faculty, Classified Staff, Managers, and student employees should report violations of the Standards of Conduct Policy when students violate the standards. A report may not necessarily require disciplinary action, but any incident of a violation should be reported to determine whether a student's cumulative violations warrant action.

When a Student Misconduct Report is filed with the Student Life Office regarding a possible violation of the Standards of Conduct Policy, the student will receive written notification (via their Mt. SAC email address) from the Assistant Director, Student Life. A Student Misconduct Report should be submitted no later than ten business days after the occurrence, or within ten business days of the discovery of facts.
Within five days of receiving written notification, the student is required to schedule a Discipline Conference with the Assistant Director, Student Life. During this conference, the Assistant Director, Student Life shall determine if the student's behavior constitutes a violation of the Standards of Conduct Policy.
If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the student may be required to, including but not limited to, attend a character development directed learning activity, sign a Discipline Contract, or be referred to a Student Conduct Board Hearing, which may result in a suspension or expulsion depending on the nature of the incident.

- Submitting a Student Misconduct Report
  1. Recognize the Behavior
  - Inform the student of their misconduct as outlined in the Standards of Conduct Policy;
  - Contact Police & Campus Safety (x4555) if an emergency exists.
  2. Access the Student Misconduct Report form via mtsac.edu/studentmisconductreport (Log-in Required).
  
  3. Complete the Student Misconduct Reporting form (Best if it is reported by person who directly witnessed the incident):
  - Provide as much student information as possible;
  - Adhere to the facts;
  - Be objective, descriptive and detailed;
  - Avoid judgments;
  - Include supporting documentation (emails, texts, photographs, copies of assignment(s) in question, copies of original work, witness statements);
  - Attach a supplemental witness statement (if applicable)
  - Submit within 10 business day of the incident or discovery of facts
- Progressive Discipline & Classroom Management
  As an institution of higher learning, it is important that we promote student learning and development. Therefore, as we ensure a safe and productive learning environment in the classroom, it is important that we hold students accountable for their actions, while abiding by Mt. SAC’s Administrative Procedures and California Education Code.
  
  This section will outline steps you can take towards progressive discipline in your classroom. You will see how the Standards of Conduct Policy and the Student Discipline Procedures intersect with progressive classroom discipline. You will be equipped with language on how and when to issue a 2-Day Removal from Class. You will also be provided with resources on situations that may escalate.
  
  Steps to Implement
  
  Disruptions of the learning environment can take on various forms, such as:
  - Not following the instructor’s instructions;
  - Talking to others;
  - Using electronics;
  - Walking in and out of the class while class is in session.
  The following steps outline what you, as an instructor, can do when a student engages in this behavior.
  
  Step 1: Provide the student with a verbal warning.
  - Remind the student that they are not abiding by your expectations, classroom syllabus, and/or the Standards of Conduct Policy;
  - Inform the student of what they are doing wrong and how they can correct it;
  - If the student continues to disrupt the learning environment, please proceed to the next step.
  Step 2: Inform the student that you will issue a Removal From Class if they continue to disrupt the learning environment.
  - Example: “You are not following my instructions. If you want to stay in today’s class, you will have to follow my instructions and behave in a way that abides by Mt. SAC's Standards of Conduct Policy. If you continue to disrupt the learning environment, I am going to ask you to leave today, and not attend the next class meeting.”
  - If the student continues to disrupt the learning environment, please proceed to the next step.
  Step 3: Issue a Removal from Class.
  - Any instructor may remove a student from their class for the day an incident occurs as well as the next class meeting.
  - Example: “You failed to follow my instructions and are continuing to disrupt the learning environment. Therefore, I am issuing you a Removal from Class. Please leave class and do not attend our next class meeting. I will be submitting a Student Misconduct Report to the Student Life Office.”
  - If the student does not cooperate or the situation escalates, contact Police & Campus Safety at (909) 274-4555. For life threatening emergencies, please call 911.
  - Proceed to the next step.
  Step 4: Submit a Student Misconduct Report.
- FAQs
  What happens after I submit a Student Misconduct Report?
  
  The Student Misconduct Report and the student’s conduct history (if any) is reviewed. The student will be sent a request via their Mt. SAC email account for a Disciplinary Conference with the Assistant Director, Student Life and/or will be referred to a Student Conduct Board Hearing.
  
  What information is shared with the student?
  
  All information used to determine a violation of the Standards of Conduct will be shared with the student.
  
  Will I be notified of the outcome?
  
  Yes. A Notice of Disciplinary Outcome will be sent to the reporting party via email.
  
  How long is a professor issued removal from class?
  
  2 class meetings total. Day 1 is the day of the incident that prompted the removal from class. Day 2 is the next class meeting. A student can return to class on the following class meeting.
  
  Can I ask the student not to return to class until they meet with a Student Life Administrator?
  
  A classroom removal from class is only effective for two days and the student may return to class as stated above.
  
  Can I issue a “retroactive” removal from class for a classroom disruption that occurred in the past?
  
  A removal from class should be issued on the day of the actual incident. However, if a new incident occurs, a removal from class can be issued at that time.
  
  Is a removal from class the same as a suspension?
  
  A removal from class allows the student to return to class as stated above. A suspension is a sanction, imposed on the student by the Vice President, Student Services, as part of the Student Discipline Procedures.
  
  Can I use the terms “suspension” and “removal from class” interchangeably?
  
  It is best to use accurate terminology. This will ensure that we are providing students with correct information while abiding by the Administrative Procedures and Education Code.
  
  What gives me the authority to remove a student from my class?
  
  This action is supported by the Administrative Procedures and California Education Code.
  - State of California. Education Code. Section 76032
  - AP 5520-Student Discipline Procedures
  How can I get clarification on submitting a Student Misconduct Report?
  
  You may contact the Student Life Office at 909-274-4525 or studentconduct@mtsac.edu.
  
  What should I do if I have concerns about the student’s well-being and/or mental health?
  
  Please submit a Behavioral & Wellness referral form. For additional information on the Behavioral & Wellness team, please click here.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

- What is Academic Dishonesty?
  
  1. Plagiarism;
  2. Receiving or knowingly supplying unauthorized information;
  3. Using unauthorized material or sources;
  4. Changing an answer after work has been graded and presenting it as improperly graded;
  5. Illegally accessing confidential information through a computer;
  6. Taking an examination for another student or having another person take an examination for you;
  7. Presenting another person’s work as your own;
  8. Forging or altering registration or grade documents; and/or
  9. Submitting collectively developed work as your own, unless specifically allowed by the instructor.
  
  (Extracted from Administrative Procedure 4290 - Student Academic Honesty)
- Consequences for Academic Dishonesty
  
  Failing grade for the assignment/exam
  Students can be assigned a failing grade on a particular assignment or exam in which dishonesty occurred. The failing grade for dishonesty would then be reflected in the student’s overall grade for the course.
  
  Student Misconduct Report
  The instructor can recommend that appropriate action be taken under the Student Discipline Procedures.
- Tips for Student Academic Success
  - Read each class syllabus thoroughly.
  - Attend your instructor’s office hours.
  - Read all assignment/exam rubrics, guidelines and expectations.
  - Practice time management by planning study sessions into your calendar.
  - Identify how to contact each instructor and make note of their contact information at the start of each term.
  - Utilize campus resources.
- Applicable Policies & Procedures
  
  “Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Mt. San Antonio College.”
  Board Policy 4290 - Academic Honesty
  
  Student Academic Honesty: Administrative Procedure 4290
  Outlines Mt. SAC’s stance on academic honesty, lists examples, and discusses the professor’s role in taking action.
  www.mtsac.edu/governance/trustees/apbp/AP4290.pdf
  
  Standards of Conduct: Board Policy 5500
  Lists conduct (including cheating, plagiarism and academic dishonesty) that constitutes good cause for discipline.
  www.mtsac.edu/governance/trustees/apbp/BP5500.pdf
  
  Student Discipline Procedures: Administrative Procedure 5520
  Outlines the student discipline process when a Student Misconduct Report is submitted.
  www.mtsac.edu/governance/trustees/apbp/AP5520.pdf
- Student Resources
  Writing Center. Building 26B, Room 1561A. (909) 274-5325
  www.mtsac.edu/writingcenter
  - Tutoring: Face-to-face & Online
  - Free writing skills workshops and Directed Learning Activities (DLAs)
  - Computer lab
  Library. Building 6 - North Entrance. (909) 274-4289
  www.mtsac.edu/library
  - Study Rooms
  - Research help & workshops
  - Chat with a librarian 24/7
  - Library computers
  Academic Support and Achievement Center. Building 6 - South Entrance. (909) 274-4300
  www.mtsac.edu/lac
  - Classes in math, reading, writing, and study techniques
  - Free tutoring in math, science, writing, and many other subjects
  - Computer lab
  Campus Computer Labs
  www.mtsac.edu/computerlabs
  
  Additional resources are listed in the Student Handbook:
  www.mtsac.edu/handbook