If a report of non-academic misconduct is received or if a College faculty or staff member suspects that misconduct has occurred, the following steps will be initiated:
Step 1: Faculty and Student Meeting
If the incident occurred in a classroom/lab/clinical setting and involves a faculty or staff member, the involved faculty or staff member will discuss the situation with the student within three working days of the incident or becoming aware of the incident. Then:
- The faculty or staff member may conclude that the suspicion of non-academic misconduct was unfounded.
- The student may acknowledge the behavior occurred.
- The faculty or staff member may conclude that there is sufficient evidence to support a claim of non-academic misconduct and reports the information to the appropriate Program Director.
Proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Program Director and Student Meeting
The appropriate Program Director will determine if evidence supports a claim of non-academic misconduct by investigating the incident. The Program Director will meet with the faculty member, student, and others applicable to the incident individually. If the student chooses not to meet with the Program Director in person, the process will continue with the information available. The student may request for other students/parties to provide information regarding the allegation. Each person will be asked to document the details of the incident in writing.
Within three working days of receiving the information regarding the allegation:
- The Program Director concludes that non-academic misconduct was unfounded.
- The student may acknowledge the behavior occurred.
- The Program Director concludes that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim and reports the information to the Director of Student Affairs and DEI within three working days.
Proceed to Step 3.
Step 3: Director of Student Affairs and DEI Notification
Within three working days of receiving the information from the Program Director, the following may occur:
- The Director of Student Affairs and DEI may conclude that non-academic misconduct was unfounded.
- The student may acknowledge the behavior occurred.
- The Director of Student Affairs and DEI may conclude there is sufficient evidence to support the claim of non-academic misconduct and render consequences.
If the student acknowledges the behavior and/or non-academic misconduct is determined by the Program Director, the Director of Student Affairs and DEI will determine the consequences following consultation.
Furthermore, the Director of Student Affairs and DEI will:
- Assure that due process has been followed throughout all stages of the claim.
- Review documentation and request additional information as needed.
- Communicate with the student, as necessary. If student does not choose to meet with the Director of Student Affairs and DEI, the process will continue with the information available.
- Ask the faculty member, staff member, student and/or other parties to provide further information.
- Consult with the Bellin College president.
The decision of the Director of Student Affairs and DEI is final. However, if the consequence imposed is dismissal from the College, the student has the right to appeal in writing to the Dean of Students and Allied Health Sciences. Appeals must be received within 10 working days of termination.
All applicable documentation from the case of misconduct becomes part of the student’s official file.