Definition of Terms
Definition of Terms as used in the Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policies and Procedures
“ADA/Section 504 Coordinator” serves as the primary contact for all College instances of alleged violations of federal ADA law, ensuring ongoing compliance with ADA/Section 504, and investigating any instances of alleged discrimination in relation to ADA/Section 504.
“Administrative Meeting” means the respondent accepts responsibility for the violation and will waive the right to a Student Conduct Panel Hearing.
“Advisor” means any person (student or non-student), of a student’s choosing, and at his/her own expense, who accompanies the student to a meeting and/or proceeding. The advisor may be present during meeting and proceedings during the investigatory and/or resolution process at which his/her advisee is present. The advisor may advise the student in any manner, including providing questions, suggestions, and guidance on responses to any questions of the student, but shall not speak on behalf of the student or participate directly in the proceeding. The advisor many not directly address the Student Conduct Investigation Committee, Student Conduct Officer, or Student Conduct Hearing Panel. Please note: Respondent or complainant must notify the Conduct Investigation Team, Student Conduct Officer, or Conduct Student Conduct Hearing Panel if an advisor will be attending, with a name and relation at least 72 hours prior to meeting.
“Business Day(s)” means any day(s) on which the offices of Chattahoochee Technical College are open for normal business.
“Code” means Student Code of Conduct.
“College President or designee” serves as the de facto appellate officer for all student conduct decisions.
“Complainant” means any person(s) who initiates a complaint for an alleged violation of the Code.
“Disciplinary Hold” means that a hold will be placed on a Respondent’s record, which will prohibit course registration, self-withdrawing from a course, and release of official transcript.
“Discrimination” means unfair or unequal treatment of an individual based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender, disability, veteran status or national origin.
“Due Process” means fair treatment through the judicial process.
“FERPA” means the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), a Federal law that governs the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. Under certain conditions, FERPA requires schools to disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s education records. (For more information: https://www.chattahoocheetech.edu/family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act-ferpa/)
“Grievance” means a matter to be investigated according to formal grievance processes. This includes complaints that are not able to be resolved through informal processes or mediation, and matters relating to allegations of misconduct where disciplinary action against a student or staff member may be an outcome of the investigation.
“Grievant” is one who submits a complaint.
“Information” means any witness, testimony, documents, statements or other material presented in support of either the Complainant’s or Respondent’s case.
“Interim Contact Restrictions” may be issued when a respondent poses a threat. The Student Conduct Officer can restrict communication between the parties prior to completing an investigation and/or hearing.
“Investigative Meeting” means that a Student Conduct Investigator will meet with all parties listed in a grievance or student conduct incident to obtain the facts.
“Investigator” means any person or persons authorized by the College to conduct investigations of alleged Student Conduct, Academic Misconduct, or Title IX/Equity violations.
“Mediation” means with the prior written consent of the Student Conduct Officer, students involved in a General Conduct matter may elect to have the matter informally resolved through mediation. If meaningful resolution of the matter is not achieved through mediation, then the matter will be referred to and resolved through the student conduct process as described in the Code.
“Member of the College Community” means any officer, administrator, faculty member, staff member or, employee of Chattahoochee Technical College, or any Student of Chattahoochee Technical College as defined, as well as any person authorized to participate in an institutional activity at the time applicable.
“Premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the technical College (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).
“Retaliation” means intimidating, threatening, or taking adverse action against a student, faculty, or staff for making a good faith report of misconduct or for participating, cooperating or being associated with an investigation or the student conduct process. Retaliation is a violation of the student Code of Conduct and anyone who believes she or he has been the target of retaliation should immediately contact the Student Conduct Officer. Students found to have engaged in prohibited retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the Student Code of Conduct.
“Respondent” means the Student(s) or Student Organization(s) charged with violating one or more of the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct and Policies.
“Sanction” indicates requirements set forth by the Student Conduct Student Conduct Hearing Panel or Administrative Hearing upon a finding of responsibility for violating the code of conduct, Academic Misconduct policy, or the Title IX/Equity policy.
“Student Conduct Investigator” means any entity authorized by the Student Conduct Officer or his/her designee established to conduct fact-finding meetings with the Student or Student Organization who has allegedly violated the Student Code of Conduct to determine whether disciplinary charges should be initiated.
“Student Conduct Hearing Panel” means any entity authorized by the Student Conduct Officer or his/her designee established to determine whether a Student or Student Organization has violated the Student Code of Conduct and to recommend imposition of sanctions. Panel will be comprised of faculty, staff, and/or students.
“Student Organization” refers to groups recognized as official organizations through the Office of Student Involvement.
“Warning” implies a formal notice given to a respondent stipulating that inappropriate behavior or action, if repeated, may lead to a more severe sanctioning through the conduct process.