CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

References:     Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 32 C.F.R., SS 106.31 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA), Wyoming State Statutes which may include but are not limited to:  §6-1-1016-1-202; 6-1-204; 6-1-301 through 6-1-303; 6-2-302 through 6-2-304; 6-2-501; 6-2-502;6-2-503 through §6-2-506; 6-3-101 through 6-3-107; 6-3-111; 6-3-203; 6-3-301 through 6-3-307; 6-3-402; 6-3-412; 6-3-413;  6-3-502; 6-4-401; 6-3-501 through 6-3-507; 6-3-602; 6-6-101; 6-7-101; 6-8-101; 12-6-101 through 12-6-103 and the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971, W.S. §35-7-1014, -1016, -1018, -1020, & -1022).

Western Wyoming Community College (The College) is committed to fostering a campus environment that is conducive to academic inquiry, a productive campus life, and thoughtful study and discourse. It is mindful that academic freedom is an essential element of college life. The Student Code of Conduct ensures a safe and educationally productive environment for students, employees, and visitors. 

Students must conform to federal, state, and local laws, as well as College policies and procedures. In order to maintain an appropriate learning/living environment, the College expects all students to adhere to the highest standards of personal conduct and ethical behavior while involved in college activities on the property or under the jurisdiction of the College.  

The College has the right and the responsibility to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community.  Any student or student organization found to have violated any element of this policy and/or procedure is subject to disciplinary sanctions.

The College President is empowered to establish, publish, and disseminate Code of Student Conduct procedures for both academic and non-academic matters and to establish the rules and regulations concerning said conduct.  The College President may empower a designee the responsibility for implementation and management of this policy.  Any actions taken by the College will become part of the student’s judicial record maintained by the College.  In some severe cases, violations may become part of the student transcript.

Cross Reference: 1330A, 5420E, 5430A, 5430B, 5430C 

Reference:  Electronic Communications/Social Media Policy

Adopted: August 14, 1969
Revised: November 21, 1985
Revised: May 26, 1988
Revised: April 11, 2002
Revised: November 12, 2015
Reformatted: March 17, 2017
Revised: April 8, 2021

Procedure 5420A

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

This procedure defines the expectations of student conduct that Western Wyoming Community College (The College) students shall adhere to in both academic and non-academic matters.  Students are subject to all federal, state, and local laws, as well as the College’s policies and procedures.  Students in violation of these regulations may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension, dismissal and expulsion, as well as possible prosecution under federal, state and local laws. 

Electronic access to the Student Code of Conduct policy and procedure shall be provided to students each semester, along with the Student Bill of Rights (Policy 5430A).   Students are responsible for reading and abiding by the provisions of the Code of Student Conduct.

The Code of Student Conduct applies to behaviors that take place on the campus, at College-sponsored events and may also apply off-campus when that off-campus conduct affects a substantial College interest.

College Sponsored Activities
Students attending College-sponsored activities, both on and off-campus, are under the jurisdiction of the College and are responsible for their conduct at these activities.  A student’s guests must also abide by College regulations.  Guests are the responsibility of the student or host who invites them.  College-sponsored activities, on or off-campus, include but are not limited to conferences, retreats, field trips, social gatherings, and athletic events.

Conduct that violates student rights and freedoms will not be tolerated and is subject to disciplinary action. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to:

Academic Dishonesty
See Policy 6220D

Inappropriate Conduct
Students are expected to behave in a manner that supports the educational purposes of the institution.  Behavior subject to disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to:  

• Disorderly conduct that disrupts the operations of the College or infringes upon the rights of others in and outside the classroom or in other College activities and organizations will not be tolerated.
• Intentionally interfering with freedom of movement and the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on College premises.
• Failure to comply with direction from College officials or Protective Services acting in performance of their duties.
• Failure to identify oneself accurately when asked by College officials or law enforcement to do so.
• Violation of clearly defined rules and regulations in and outside the classroom.
• Actions which have an adverse impact on the College community, its members and/or the pursuit of its objectives, regardless of where such conduct may occur.

Hazing
Students may not haze other students.  Hazing is defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. Participation or cooperation by the person(s) being hazed does not excuse the violation. 

No club or activity on campus is allowed to enter into hazing activities for any reason.  Students who fail to report incidents of hazing may also be subject to disciplinary action.

Damage, Destruction or Theft of Property
Students are expected to show respect for and safeguard College property.  Students who deface or destroy College property are liable for the cost of repair or replacement of said property and may face additional disciplinary action.  Intentional and unauthorized taking of College property or the personal property of another, including goods, services and other valuables is also subject to disciplinary action.

Fire Safety
Students are subject to disciplinary action for violation of local, state, federal, or campus fire policies including, but not limited to:

• Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire which damages College or personal property or which causes injury.
• Failure to evacuate a College-controlled building during a fire or other emergency alarm.
• Improper use of College fire safety equipment.
• Tampering with or improperly engaging a fire alarm or fire detection/ control equipment on College property.

Tobacco Use
See Policy 1330C

Physical or Verbal Abuse of Others (Harassment)
Purposeful action by any student that interferes with the ability of another student to participate freely in the educational process, or interferes with the ability of a College employee to freely conduct the duties of his or her position, or interferes with any student or employee in their participation in any other College-related activity will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. 

Physical abuse includes assault, battery, fighting, reckless conduct and hazing.  Verbal abuse includes threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, or other conduct that creates a hostile or offensive environment.

Harassment and Sexual Assault
See Policy 5420E 

Weapons 
Possession, use, or distribution of explosives (including fireworks and ammunition), guns (including air, BB, paintball, facsimile weapons and pellet guns), or other weapons or dangerous objects such as arrows, axes, machetes, nun chucks, throwing stars, or knives with a blade longer than four inches, including the storage of such items in a vehicle parked on college property is prohibited.  

Illegal Gambling
Illegal gambling on-campus is prohibited in compliance with the laws of the State of Wyoming.              

Use of Alcohol and Drugs
See Policy 1330C

Misuse of College Computing and Telecommunications Resources
Theft or abuse of computer account privileges, equipment, software, network resources or time is prohibited.  Misuse of campus telephones or telecommunications systems is also prohibited. 

Leaving Children Unattended
Leaving children unattended or unsupervised in campus buildings or on campus grounds is prohibited unless the child is enrolled or participating in authorized campus activities.

Violation of Laws, Directives, and Signage

• Violating any municipal, county, state or federal law that adversely impacts the conditions of the educational or employment environment.
• Violations of college traffic and parking rules, regulations, or signage.
• Damage to or falsely using fire alarms and/or fire extinguishers.
• Creating an intentional obstruction that unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular. This includes, but is not limited to leading or inciting to disrupt college activities.
• Failure to comply with the lawful directives of College employees acting within the scope of their duties, including those directives issued by a College administrator to ensure the safety and well-being of others.

Unauthorized Entry and/or Unauthorized Possession
Entry into, or use of any building, room, or other college-owned or college-controlled property, grounds, or activities without authorized approval. This also includes, but is not limited to the unauthorized possession, duplication or use of college keys, lock combinations, access codes, and access cards and/or credentials and/or propping open or tampering with doors/windows.

Unacceptable Use of College Equipment, Network or System
Unacceptable uses of any college-owned or operated equipment, network or system including, but not limited to: knowingly spreading computer viruses; reposting personal communications without author’s consent; copying protected materials; using the network for financial or personal gain, commercial activity, or illegal activity; accessing the network using another individuals account; unauthorized downloading/uploading software and/or digital video or music; downloading/uploading, viewing or displaying pornographic content, or any other attempt to compromise network integrity.

Unauthorized Pets/Animals
Possession of any unauthorized pet or animal, excluding trained service animals or approved assistance animals while on college-owned or college-controlled property.

Tampering with Student Organization or Election
Tampering with the process of any college recognized student organization, election or vote.

Group or Organization Conduct
Students who are members of a college recognized student organization or group and commit a violation of Student Code of Conduct may be accountable both as an individual and as a member of the student organization.

Abuse of the Student Disciplinary and/or Grievance Procedure
Abuse of the Student Disciplinary and/or Grievance Procedure includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of the student disciplinary / grievance procedure.
• Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation, or knowingly pursuing malicious, frivolous, or fraudulent charges.
• Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the student disciplinary / grievance procedure.
• Attempting to influence the impartiality of a participant and/or the student disciplinary / grievance procedure.

Retaliatory Acts
Any attempt to engage in retaliatory acts against any employee or student who reports an incident(s) of conduct violations or any employee or student who testifies, assists, or participates in the discipline proceeding, investigation, or hearing related to such allegation(s) of code of conduct violations.

Please note: In most circumstances, the College will treat attempts to commit code of conduct violations as if those attempts had been completed.  All faculty members, staff members, administrators, or those perceived by a student as a person that would address perceived infractions to the Code of Student Conduct (e.g., advisors, teachers, supervisors, coaches, or counselors) are expected to report any disclosures that involve allegations of Sexual Misconduct/Title IX/ Sexual Harassment directly to the College Title IX Coordinators.

Cross Reference: 1330A, 5420E, 5430A, 5430B, 5430C

Adopted: August 14, 1969
Revised: November 21, 1985
Approved: May 26, 1988
Revised: April 11, 2002
Reformatted: May 5, 2011
Revised: November 12, 2015
Reformatted: March 17, 2017
Revised: April 8, 2021
Reformatted: December 14, 2022