Student Code of Conduct

Reference: Education Code Section 66300, 72122, 76030         

A student enrolling in Ventura College assumes an obligation to conduct him/herself in a manner compatible with the college’s function as an educational institution.

The purpose of this procedure is to provide a prompt and equitable means to address violations of the Student Code of Conduct, which provides to the student or students involved appropriate due process rights. This procedure will be applied in a fair and equitable manner, and not for purposes of retaliation. It is not intended to substitute for criminal or civil proceedings that may be initiated by other agencies.

These Administrative Procedures are not intended to infringe in any way on the rights of students to engage in free expression as protected by the state and federal constitutions, and by Education Code Sections 66301 and 76120, and will not be used to punish expression that is protected.

Student conduct must conform to the Student Code of Conduct established by the Governing Board of the Ventura County Community College District in collaboration with college administrators and students. Violations of such rules are subject to disciplinary actions which are to be administered by appropriate college authorities. The Ventura County Community College District has established procedures for the administration of the penalties enumerated here. College authorities will determine the appropriate penalty(ies).

Student Code of Conduct

1. Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person or to one’s self.

2. Possession, sale or otherwise furnishing a weapon, including but not limited to, any actual or facsimile of a firearm, knife, explosive or other dangerous object, or any item used to threaten bodily harm without written permission from a district employee, with concurrence of the College President.

3. Use, possession (except as expressly permitted by law), distribution, or offer to sell alcoholic beverages, narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana, other controlled substances or dangerous drugs while on campus or while participating in any college-sponsored event.

4. Presence on campus while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana, other controlled substances or dangerous drugs except as expressly permitted by law.

5. Committing or attempting to commit robbery or extortion.

6. Causing or attempting to cause damage to district property or to private property on campus.

7. Stealing or attempting to steal district property or private property on campus, or knowingly receiving stolen district property or private property on campus.

8. Willful or persistent smoking in any area where smoking has been prohibited by law or by regulation of the college or the District.

9. Engaging in intimidating conduct or bullying against another student through words or actions, including direct physical contact, verbal assaults, such as teasing or name-calling, social isolation or manipulation, and cyber-bullying.

10. Engaging in harassing or discriminatory behavior. The district’s response to instances of sexual harassment will follow the processes identified in Board Policy and Administrative Procedures 3430.

11. Obstruction or disruption of classes, administrative or disciplinary procedures, or authorized college activities.

12. Disruptive behavior, willful disobedience, profanity, vulgarity or other offensive conduct, or the open and persistent defiance of the authority of, or persistent abuse of, district/college personnel in performance of their duties.

12. Academic dishonesty, cheating, or plagiarism.

13. The persistent defiance of authority or abuse of District/college personnel. 

14. Academic dishonesty, cheating, or plagiarism.

15. Dishonesty, forgery; alteration or misuse of district/college documents, records or identification; or knowingly furnishing false information to the district/college or any related off-site agency or organization.

16. Unauthorized entry to or use of district/college facilities.

17. Engaging in expression which is obscene, libelous, or slanderous, or which so incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on college/District premises, or the violation of lawful District administrative procedures, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the District.

18. Violation of District/college rules and regulations including those concerning student organizations, the use of district/college facilities, or the time, place, and manner of public expression or distribution of materials.

19. Persistent, serious misconduct where other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct.

20. Unauthorized preparation, giving, selling, transfer, distribution, or publication of any recording of an academic presentation in a classroom or equivalent site of instruction, including but not limited to written class materials, except as permitted by district policy, or administrative procedure.

21. Violation of professional ethical code of conduct in classroom or clinical settings as identified by state licensing agencies (Board of Registered Nursing, Emergency Medical Services Authority, Title 22, Peace Officers Standards & Training, California Department of Public Health).

For purposes of student discipline under this procedure, conduct is related to college activity or college attendance if it occurs during or in conjunction with any program, activity, or event connected with District coursework, sponsored or sanctioned by the District or a college of the District, or funded in whole or in part by the District or college, whether the activity or event occurs on or off campus or during or outside of instructional hours.