Student Rights and Responsibilities

To whom does the Student Code of Conduct apply and when does it apply?
The  Student Code of Conduct applies to all students who have been admitted, enrolled, or registered in any program offered by the College, irrespective of the format of the program (e.g., online or in-person), their status as degree-seeking students, or their enrollment status in a specific academic term, provided they remain eligible to enroll in subsequent terms without the need for reapplication.

The Code also extends to Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), which include both active and inactive student-led groups formally recognized by the College. These organizations may operate at the campus or college-wide level and may be affiliated with state, regional, national, or international bodies.

RSOs may be held accountable for their actions or for the collective actions of their members. However, individual misconduct by one or more members does not automatically trigger a conduct review process for the entire organization. Members of RSOs can be individually held accountable under the Rules of Conduct, whether acting independently or as representatives of the organization.

The Student Code of Conduct governs behaviors that occur both on College-owned or controlled properties and off-campus if such actions have the potential to negatively impact the College community.

The Code remains applicable to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from some or all courses while a conduct issue is still under investigation. Additional details regarding the College's jurisdiction can be found in Policy Section II(A) of the Student Code of Conduct Policy.

I just received an email notification from Student Rights and Responsibilities. What is it? 
Under the oversight of the Assistant Vice President of Holistic Student Support, the office for Student Rights and Responsibilities is responsible for receiving incident reports. Following a thorough evaluation of the submitted report, the office may issue charge(s) if there is sufficient basis to suggest a potential violation of the Rules of Conduct as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Notifications and official communications are sent to students via their designated College email accounts. The initial correspondence typically specifies the date and time for a preliminary meeting with a staff member. Unless the student requests an alternative arrangement, all meetings are conducted in an online format.

What happens if I don’t make an appointment or skip my appointment?
If a student or Registered Student Organization (RSO) fails to attend a scheduled appointment, the staff member from the office for Student Rights and Responsibilities will notify the student or RSO via their official College email regarding the missed appointment. In the case of a student's absence, an administrative hold will be placed on their account. This hold will restrict the student from registering for or withdrawing from courses until the conduct matter is fully resolved. If an RSO misses the appointment, its status with Student Development will be marked as pending until the issue is addressed. Additionally, the office for Student Rights and Responsibilities reserves the right to proceed in absentia if the student or Registered Student Organization (RSO) elects not to participate in the conduct process.

What will happen at this appointment?
The preliminary meeting, typically lasting 60 minutes, provides students or Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) with the opportunity to present their perspective, review the information submitted to the College, and discuss the specific allegation(s) with a staff member from the office for Student Rights and Responsibilities.

What types of resolutions can be used to resolve student conduct cases? What is the difference between an Informal Resolution and Formal Disciplinary Hearings?
According to Procedures Section III(C) of the Student Code of Conduct, student conduct cases may be resolved through several methods: informal resolution (including in absentia), formal hearings (including in absentia), dismissal of the conduct case, or conflict resolution. Detailed descriptions of each resolution type are available in Section III(C) of the Student Code of Conduct Procedures.

Can I have an advisor present through the student conduct review process?
Yes, all students and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) involved in the student conduct review process are entitled to be accompanied by an advisor. The advisor may be any individual, such as an advocate, attorney, friend, or parent, provided they are not a party or witness to the alleged incident.

According to Procedures Section III(E)(i), if a student or Registered Student Organization (RSO) intends to have an attorney serve as their advisor during a hearing, they must submit the attorney's name to the Dean or designee no later than five (5) College business days before the scheduled hearing.

What if I am found in violation for violating the Rules of Conduct?
If a student/RSO is found in violation for violating the Rules of Conduct, administrative and/or educational sanction(s) will be assigned. Sanctions eligible for appeal are those resulting in suspension, dismissal, and/or expulsion.

Is there an appeals process?
Yes, in cases where a student or Registered Student Organization (RSO) is suspended, dismissed, or expelled, they have the right to submit an appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Further details regarding the College’s appeal process are outlined in Section V of the Student Code of Conduct Procedures.

What happens if I get caught for an act of academic misconduct?
Any student found by the professor to have engaged in academic dishonesty shall be subject to a range of academic penalties, independent of any sanctions imposed under the Student Code of Conduct. These penalties may include, but are not limited to, receiving a grade of ‘0’ for the assignment or an ‘F’ for the course. As outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, all forms of academic dishonesty, as specified in the College’s  Academic Integrity Policy 6Hx28:8-11, are considered violations of the Code. A professor may report a student or Registered Student Organization (RSO) to the Assistant Vice President of Holistic Student Support or their designee. Following the completion of the student conduct review process, the professor may impose additional academic penalties, separate from any sanction(s) determined through the conduct review, if the student is found to have violated academic integrity standards.

Does the outcome go on my student record?
If a student is found to have violated any of the Rules of Conduct outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, a disciplinary record will be created. The College maintains this record in accordance with the institution's retention policy. 

How will a conduct record impact my future academic goals?
 If an institution to which a student is applying for transfer or admission requests information regarding their disciplinary record, Valencia College will disclose whether or not the student has a disciplinary record, in compliance with the student's privacy rights. The decision to accept the student based on their prior conduct history at Valencia College rests with the receiving institution.

How do I file a grade dispute?
Please refer to the reporting page to file a grade dispute.

How should disruptive behavior in the classroom be defined?
Disruptive conduct is defined in Section III(B)(a) of the Student Code of Conduct as:

"Faculty are authorized to define, communicate, and enforce appropriate expectations of behavior for students in the classrooms, online learning platforms, instructional environments (e.g., labs, tutoring centers, etc.), and offices under their supervision. Students who engage in disruptive behavior and/or distract from the educational environment may be instructed by the faculty member to leave the class for the remainder of the class period. Longer periods of removal from the education environment must be preceded by the student conduct review process as set forth in this Code. This Code does not cover academic violation(s) of a faculty syllabus."

Disruptive activities are further defined and prohibited in accordance with the criminal provisions of Section 877.13, Florida Statutes.

We acknowledge that classroom dynamics may differ from one course to another, and that varying levels of experience exist in managing disruptive behavior. In the event of misbehavior in the classroom, we encourage professors and staff members to document the behavior and address the student directly. If the behavior constitutes a violation of the Disruptive Conduct provisions or any other rules outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, it is recommended that the incident be reported to the Academic Dean or supervisor. Additionally, the incident should be submitted to the office of Student Rights and Responsibilities using the "Submit an Incident Report" link or through direct contact. For further guidance and support, please refer to the Classroom Behavioral Intervention and Support Guide located in the Faculty tab of Atlas under the Faculty Support section.

How can disruptive behavior be discouraged?
We encourage you to maintain open communication with your Academic Dean regarding classroom management expectations, ensuring that as faculty, you are consistently upholding the standards set by your department.

What should I do in the face of persistent disruption?
Direct communication with a student regarding disruptive behavior is often the most effective approach, particularly when accompanied by clear expectations of classroom conduct. However, if disruptive behavior continues, faculty have the right to remove a student from a single class session to address the issue. If the faculty member wishes to extend the dismissal beyond one class period, they should notify the office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

When should I call Security?
In the event of an immediate threat of violence to the student or broader community, you should contact Security directly or instruct other students to do so. Additionally, Security should be notified if a student refuses to comply with a request to leave the classroom.

Should I act immediately or wait for a pattern of misbehavior to occur?
If an incident constitutes a violation of the Rules of Conduct, it is recommended that you report the occurrence immediately, rather than waiting to report multiple incidents at the end of the semester. If the misbehavior does not reach the level of a conduct violation but has the potential to disrupt normal classroom operations, it is advisable to address the behavior promptly to facilitate timely behavioral intervention.

Are there any resources for classroom behavioral intervention?
Please refer to the Classroom Behavioral Intervention and Support Guide available in Atlas under Faculty Resources. Additionally, you may request a workshop on de-escalation skills from the available workshop offerings for faculty.

Will I be notified if my student is charged with violating the Rules of Conduct?
Parents are not notified if their student is charged with violating the Rules of Conduct outlined in the Valencia College Student Code of Conduct. The student will receive a notification via their College email account containing specific information regarding the student conduct review process. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), under Chapter 20, United States Code, Section 1232g, and other applicable regulations, grants students certain privacy rights concerning their educational records. FERPA stipulates that students must provide written consent before the College can disclose personally identifiable information from their educational records, unless FERPA permits disclosure without consent. If a student wishes to grant written consent for a parent or guardian to access their disciplinary record, they must log into their Atlas account and complete the Student Consent to Release Education Records form. Please note that the student must be present with the parent or guardian to view the disciplinary record.

Now that my student has completed the FERPA release form, does this entitle me to speak or receive information on behalf of my student?
Completion of the Student Consent to Release Education Records form does not grant a parent or guardian the right to receive information on behalf of the student. The student must be present during the student conduct review process. As the student’s advisor, you are not authorized to represent the student; the student is required to represent themselves.

What is my role in the student conduct review process? How can I help my student?
All students involved in the student conduct review process have the right to be accompanied by an advisor. At their discretion, individuals who have filed a report of an alleged student conduct violation, as well as students referred for disciplinary action, may be advised by a College student, faculty, or staff member, or by a personal acquaintance.

Can I attend the student conduct meeting and/or hearing with my student?
You may attend the student's conduct meeting and/or hearing in the capacity of their advisor.

How are sanctions decided?
Sanctions are assigned to a student who is found to have violated or who takes responsibility for an alleged violation of the Rules of Conduct outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Factors considered in determining sanctions include: 1) the student's prior disciplinary history, 2) the educational and developmental needs of the student, and 3) the severity of the violations for which the student was found responsible.