Student Rights and Responsibilities
Overview
As an academic community, Westchester Community College is dedicated to upholding its educational purposes while maintaining order on campus and protecting the rights of all. The College looks to students to breathe life into this code by engaging in activities that promote individual growth, demonstrate civility toward others, and builds community through the safe, respectful exchange of diverse thought, opinion, and action while on campus and in everyday events.
Westchester Community College is committed to providing an effective learning and social environment for our community members and extends its trust to its students to do the same. 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 who breach this trust and engage in activities that are counter to the community’s values will be held accountable.
The Student Code of Conduct
The Student Code of Conduct, made with community-wide input, is the document that describes the values of the community, student’s rights and responsibilities, and the procedures for adjudication of alleged violations, as well as details the role of the Associate Dean of Student Life as primarily responsible for implementing the procedures and policies found within the Student Code of Conduct.
Adjudication and sanctions outlined in and performed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct seek to be educational, not punitive, in nature while also ensuring that the interest and well-being of the greater college community and its members are protected. It is essential students are familiar with the Student Code of Conduct and refer to it throughout their career at Westchester Community College.
Download the Student Code of Conduct here
Download Sanctioning Guide here
Students engage with their peers on a regular basis during their time at Westchester Community College, often making strong bonds with one another through the various experiences they share together both in and out of the classroom, creating lifelong friendships and memories. However, in rare circumstances, students report having experiences with other students who demonstrate behavior counter to the values of the institution. When students believe they have witnessed or are subject to behavior that violates the Student Code of Conduct they should submit an Incident Reporting Form, which can be found by clicking here. Students who are charged with violations of the Student Code of Conduct will be called into a conduct meeting with a Student Conduct Officer(s) who will adjudicate the case. Students charged with a violation of The Student Code of Conduct are encouraged to review the Code prior to their conduct meeting. Students can also visit the Frequently Asked Questions page. Oftentimes, students need to complete specific forms to trigger actions associated with the conduct process. These forms, available here, include, but are not limited to: (1) granting permission for other individuals to access or discuss my academic/student record with college officials; (2) requesting a dean’s/conduct certification when transferring to another school; (3) Appealing a conduct decision; (4) requesting readmission after being suspended.Reporting an Incident
How to Prepare for a Hearing/ Administrative Conference
Important Student Forms
Additional Information & Questions
More information about the conduct process for each can be found in the Student Code of Conduct and on the Frequently Asked Questions page. You can also contact the Associate Dean of Student Life at studentlifedean@sunywcc.edu or at 914-606-7857.
Incase of Emergency