Student Discipline

In order for OCCC to function as an institution of higher learning, it must be protected from disruption. For that reason, students may be suspended or expelled where their acts or actions threaten or cause a substantial disruption or material interference with normal College activities.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is assigned administrative responsibility for student discipline. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for overseeing the assembly of facts on cases referred to the Vice President for Student Affairs’ office, making provisions for suitable procedures, notifying students and others concerned, keeping confidential files and reports on cases, and following up with each discipline case until it is closed.

Guidelines for Student Conduct

As a community of people seeking education, Oregon Coast students are dedicated to developing personally and academically. Choosing to join the College community obligates each member to a code of behavior. Students enrolling in the College assume a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the College’s function as an educational institution.

Oregon Coast students will:

• Practice personal and educational integrity.

• Maintain standards of academic performance and contribute to the safe, cooperative, and respectful learning environment throughout the College.

• Discourage bigotry and respect the diversity and dignity of all persons.

• Respect the rights and property of all persons.

• Bear the ultimate responsibility for the effects of their decisions and behavior.

Although OCCC is dedicated to an open, free society, there are some actions that are incompatible with an institution of higher education. Incompatible actions and grounds of disciplinary action will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the College.

• Forgery, alteration, or misuse of College documents, records, or identification.

• Obstruction or disruption of teaching, institutional or instructional research, administration of the College, disciplinary procedures or other College activities including, but not limited to, meetings of the Board of Education, community service functions, or other authorized activities on College premises.

• Physical or verbal abuse or harassment of any person on College-owned or controlled property, or at College-sponsored or supervised functions, or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any such person.

• Theft of or damage to property or equipment owned or leased by the College, or of a member of the College community, or of a visitor to the campus.

• Unauthorized entry or occupancy of College facilities or blocking access to or egress from such areas.

• Unauthorized use of College supplies or equipment.

• Violation of College policies or campus regulations, including, but not limited to, campus regulations concerning student organizations, the use of College facilities, or the time, place, and manner of public expression.

• Illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs on College property or appearance on campus or at any College-sponsored event while under the influence of illegal drugs. This includes off-campus instructional settings; i.e., cooperative work experience sites, clinical practicums, field trips, etc.

• Student use of alcoholic beverages in any form will be prohibited in OCCC buildings and on district property, except when used for instructional purposes in an approved class or when consumed at events which are sponsored by community groups which possess a liquor license and are approved by the College president to exercise their liquor license privilege on campus.

• Use or possession of alcoholic beverages at any College-sponsored event off campus is restricted to students of legal age.

• Disorderly conduct, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression, breach of the peace, or aiding, abetting, or procuring another to breach the peace on College-owned or controlled property or at College-sponsored or supervised functions.

• Failure to comply with directions of College officials acting in the performance of their duties.

• Possession or use of explosives, dangerous chemicals, substances, instruments or other weapons which can be used to inflict bodily harm on any individual or damage upon a building or grounds of the College, College-owned or controlled property or at College-sponsored or supervised functions without written authorization. (Note: The possession of any dangerous weapon or deadly weapon (as defined in ORS 161.015) on college property is prohibited unless possessed by a certified law enforcement or otherwise in compliance with applicable Oregon State law (ORS 166.370).)

• Hazing, whether it is physical or verbal, which interferes with the personal liberty of a fellow student, faculty member, or employee of the College.