Student Code of Conduct Approved: July 3, 2018; Last Updated: August 2023 2 INTRODUCTION Westchester Community College looks to students to engage in activities that promote individual growth, demonstrate civility toward others, and builds community through the safe, respectful exchange of diverse thought and opinion. To maintain the trust extended by the College, students are expected to exhibit personal accountability and remember that the decisions they make have an impact on the overall health of our community, and, ultimately, on the quality of their experience. Students assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the college’s academic standards; general policies; local, state and federal law; and the Student Code of Conduct. Behavior that adversely affects the student’s responsible membership in the college community shall result in appropriate disciplinary action. The College will not tolerate any interference with the rights of any member of our college community, any defacement of college property or any disruption of any authorized college function. The Student Code of Conduct sets standards for behavior, provides a student-centered disciplinary process, maintains compliance with the provisions of Article 129-A and Article 129-B of the education law of the State of New York, and offers sanctions that foster ethical development, personal accountability and civility toward others. In addition, the Student Code of Conduct embraces several core philosophies: (1) protecting the rights of community members, including, but not limited to the freedom of speech and the right of peaceable assembly; (2) creating an environment that is conducive to learning, including respect for academic freedom and constructive criticism; (3) maintaining the safety and well-being of the community and its members and the conviction that honesty and integrity are key values of community; and (4) the belief that all members of the institution should be part of an inclusive campus environment that respects differences of culture, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, race, age, and ability. COLLEGE VALUES STATEMENT 1. To better ourselves and our relationships, we are committed to • Personal Excellence – Promote life-long learning, academic growth and intellectual development. • Respect – Support an environment of open, honest and collegial communication. • Integrity – Expect personal accountability through ethical behavior. 2. To better our community and collective efforts, we are committed to • Collaboration – Work together on the achievement of a common goal. • Civic Engagement – Advance active involvement in the life of the community. • Innovation – Encourage and empower a creative environment. 3. To better our society and our world, we are committed to • Diversity – Foster an inclusive community through acceptance and understanding. • Environmental Sustainability – Protect, preserve, and conserve resources for the future. • Empathy – Respond to each other’s views and opinions without judgement.
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