Student Discipline

Our goal is to provide a prompt and equitable means to address violations of the Desert Community College District Standards of Student Conduct which guarantees to the student or students involved the due process rights guaranteed them by state and federal constitutional protections.

Students that violate the Student Code of Conduct will begin the student discipline process with the Office of Student Life as described in (AP5520).

Types of Student Disciplinary Sanctions

Consequences of violating the Student Code of Conduct AP5500 may include one or more of the following actions.

Verbal Reprimand or Warning

An oral admonition or warning to cease and desist from conduct that has been determined to violate the standards of student conduct. A record of the fact that a verbal reprimand has been issued may be retained as part of a student’s record for a period up to one year and is considered in the event of future violations of the standards of student conduct during the period of retention.

Written Reprimand or Warning

Written admonition or warning to cease and desist from conduct that has been determined to violate the standards of student conduct. This formal reprimand may become part of a student’s permanent record and is considered in the event of future violations of the standards of student conduct.

Mental Health Clearance

Under circumstances where an administrator has reasonable belief based on objective evidence that a student’s presence on campus is a threat to the student or others, mental health clearance may be required before a student is readmitted to a particular class or allowed to be on District property. This determination will be made following consultation with legal counsel. The campus chief administrative officer, or designee, must receive a letter from a licensed mental health professional stating that in his or her professional judgment, the student’s presence on campus is not a threat to himself or herself or others. The mental health professional must be licensed by the State of California. The student shall bear the cost and expenses of obtaining mental health clearance.

Restitution

Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property. This may take the form of requiring appropriate service or other compensation.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary action is monitored for a period less than a semester with student assigned duties supervised by a faculty or administrative mentor to correct conduct violation. Successful completion of the assigned duties within the defined time limits warrants removal of discipline status. Assigned duties that are incomplete/unsatisfactory within the defined time warrants advanced disciplinary sanctions. Disciplinary action is monitored for a period less than a semester with student assigned duties supervised by a faculty or administrative mentor to correct conduct violation. Successful completion of the assigned duties within the defined time limits warrants removal of discipline status. Assigned duties that are incomplete/unsatisfactory within the defined time warrants advanced disciplinary sanctions.

Removal from Class

The exclusion of a student by the instructor from class for the day of the removal and the next class meeting for a maximum period of two consecutive class sessions (Education Code, section 76032).

Short-term Suspension

Exclusion of the student by College Superintendent/President or designee for good cause from one or more classes for a period up to ten consecutive days of instruction.

Long-term Suspension

Exclusion of the student by College Superintendent/President or designee for good cause from one or more classes for the remainder of the college term, or from all classes and activities of the college for one or more terms.

Immediate Interim Suspension

The College Superintendent/President or designee may order immediate suspension of a student where the president concludes that immediate suspension is required to protect lives or property and to ensure the maintenance of order. In cases where an interim suspension has been ordered, the right to an opportunity for a hearing will be afforded to the student within ten (10) days. (Education Code, section 66017)

Removal from Facility

The involuntary removal of a student by an administrator from a District or College facility, or facility under the control of the District or College, for a maximum period of two consecutive days/class session(s).

Withdrawal of Consent to Remain on Campus

Withdrawal of consent by the Superintendent/President or designee for a student or other person to remain on a College campus where they have reasonable cause to believe that the student has willfully disrupted the orderly operation of the campus. Violation of this withdrawal during the designated time is a misdemeanor subject to arrest (California Penal Code, section 626.4).

Expulsion

Termination of a student’s right and privileges, noted in student’s file. The involuntary removal of a student from the District and all District programs for one or more terms, or permanently, by action of the Board of Trustees (Education Code, section 72122).