I. Grade Change Request and Academic Disputes

Informal Grievance Process for Academic Disputes: The College provides an informal procedure to assist faculty and students in resolving grade disputes. The teaching faculty is authorized to issue grades based on their assessment of the student's level of performance, participation, quality and quantity of work. However, students who believe a faculty member has issued an incorrect grade(s) based on written documentation may seek recourse through the Informal Grievance Process, as outlined below: It is the student's responsibility to request a conference with the instructor (s) involved within 30 calendar days after the end of the term in which the grade was issued. If the student is not comfortable contacting the instructor she/he should contact the appropriate School Chair. If the student and the instructor agree on the terms and conditions of a grade change or grade dispute the matter will be resolved. If the student disagrees with the instructor the student's next step is to contact the appropriate School Chair.  The School Chair may arrange a meeting with the student and the instructor in an effort to resolve the grade dispute If the issue remains unresolved, the matter moves to the Formal Grievance Process.

II.Formal Grievance Process for Academic Grade Disputes

If the grade dispute is not resolved at the level of the School Chair, the Chair refers the matter to the appropriate Associate Vice President. The student must submit the grievance in writing to the appropriate Associate Vice President who reviews the written grievance and renders a decision. If the student is satisfied with the decision the matter is closed. If the student is not satisfied with the decision, the matter moves to the administrative review process.

Administrative Review Process for Academic Grade Disputes

If the student is not satisfied with the decision made by the Associate Vice President, the student may request an administrative review process to the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and /or the Vice President of Enrollment/Student Development. The student must submit a written request and explain the reason for the administrative review. The Vice Presidents will review the written request and make an appropriate decision. The student may be contacted and notified of the decision by telephone, in person, by letter or electronic mail.

Academic Integrity Code

Daytona State College is committed to providing students with quality instruction, guidance and opportunities for academic and career success by fostering academic excellence in a supportive and personalized learning environment. Maintaining high standards of academic honesty and integrity in higher education is a shared responsibility and an excellent foundation for assisting you in making honorable and ethical contributions to the profession for which you are preparing. In order to preserve academic excellence and integrity, the College expects you to know, understand and comply with the Academic Integrity Code, which prohibits academic dishonesty in any form, including, but not limited to, cheating and plagiarism. Grades conferred by instructors are intended to be accurate and true reflections of the coursework actually produced and submitted by you. Suspected violations of the student academic dishonesty code may be reported to the appropriate academic School Chair for resolution. In some cases, students may also be referred to the Judicial Affairs Office for appropriate disciplinary action.

Forms of Academic Dishonesty

Cheating - Defined as receiving or giving unauthorized assistance on a quiz, test, exam, paper or project or unauthorized use of materials to complete such; collaborating with another person(s) without authorization on a quiz, test, exam, paper or project; or taking a quiz, test or exam for someone else or allowing someone else to do the same for you.

Plagiarism - Submitting work in which words, facts or ideas from another source are used without acknowledging that the material is borrowed, whether from a published or unpublished source. For specific instructions on how to document information from other sources, students should check with their instructors, academic departments or the Student Academic Support Center for reference.

Fabrication - Listing sources in a bibliography that one did not actually use in a written assignment, or presenting false, invented or fictitious data/information in a written assignment.

Other Academic Misconduct

Other academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

• In a testing situation, conduct, such as looking at a classmate's test, talking to a classmate or leaving the classroom without the instructor's or test proctor's permission, using cell phones or text messages.
• Obtaining by theft/purchase OR selling/giving part or all of a test.
• Altering or attempting to alter academic records of a College which relate to grades; being an accessory to same.
• Use of unauthorized materials or electronic devices during testing in any of the college Assessment Centers or College approved off-campus testing locations.
• Violation of copyright laws and/or unapproved use of intellectual property.
• Falsely impersonating a College faculty member or College official.
• Attempting to or actually accessing, procuring and/or distributing restricted instructional materials.
• Refusal to comply with State, College and/or faculty testing procedures, policies and practices.

The Resolution Process for Academic Dishonesty

1. The professor or instructor conducting the course will notify the student verbally or by written form that the student is suspected of academic dishonesty and propose an appropriate resolution or academic consequence.
2. If the matter is not resolved with the instructor, the student has the option of scheduling a meeting with the appropriate school chair. The school chair will review the matter and offer an appropriate resolution or academic consequence.
3. If the student is not satisfied with the decision made by the School Chair, the chair may refer the matter to the Associate Vice President for review and/or resolution. This ends the formal process for resolving grade disputes and academic dishonesty. The student may request an administrative review to the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and/or the Vice President of Enrollment/Student Development. The student must submit a written request and explain the reason for the administrative review. The Vice Presidents may uphold and decision of the Associate Vice President or review the written request and make an appropriate decision. The student may be contacted and notified of the decision by telephone, in person, by letter or electronic mail.

Student's Grade

Until a decision is rendered, the student'd grade for the test or project in question may be placed on hold. If a decision has not been made by the end of the semester in which the incident occurred, a grade of "Incomplete" may be assigned until the matter is resolved. If the student is found in violation of academic dishonesty, the test/project will be graded and an appropriate grade will be assigned. If it is determined that the student is in violation of academic dishonesty, a grade of "F" failing will be given for the course in question. Additional discipline sanctions may also be administered by the College Judicial Affairs Office.

Student Code of Conduct

Daytona State College is responsible for providing a safe learning environment in which all of its students can realize their academic and career goals and participate in the teaching and learning experience. The College experience is a privilege that is afforded to students. All students are expected to abide by and held accountable for violations of the college code of conduct rules. Students who choose to be a member of the College community accept the responsibility to be informed and acquainted with College regulations, to comply with these regulations and to respect the personal rights and property of other members or guests of the College community.

Daytona State College reserves the right to determine when its Student Code of Conduct rules have been violated and to administer disciplinary actions for conduct that is inconsistent with the college's acceptable behavioral policies, procedures and practices. Students who are accused of violating the code of conduct rules may be provided an opportunity to personally respond or submit a written response to an allegation unless a campus/ college restriction is authorized by the Campus Safety Office, Judicial Affairs Office, Law Enforcement Officials, and/or the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Development or his/her designee. The College is committed to provide a workplace and learning environment for its employees and students which is safe, secure and respectful. This means an environment that is free from threat of violence and violence of any kind. Behaviors and actions that are indicative of threats and/or violence that are potentially damaging to College employees, students, guests or property are strictly prohibited. The College reserves the unilateral and unlimited right to waive, suspend, alter or amend any policies, procedures, or guidelines to insure the public safety of students, employees, guests and the community.

Student Disciplinary Committee

A Student Disciplinary Committee (SDC) may be convened by the Student Conduct Officer, the Vice President for Enrollment Student Development or an appropriate College administrator to resolve student violations of the College Student Code of Conduct Rules. The SD Committee membership may include, but not be limited to, College faculty, administrators, staff or student representatives recommended by the College Student Government Association. The College Administrative Staff reserves the right to refer any violations of civil and or criminal law to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for disposition.

Student Due Process Procedures

All college judicial administrative meetings and student disciplinary hearings are private, confidential and not open to the public. Judicial administrative meetings and student disciplinary hearings are a part of the college due process procedures. This means that students who are accused of violating the College code of conduct rules will be informed of the allegations made against them and they will be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations verbally or in writing. Unless otherwise stated or in cases where there is a safety concern, the accused student may have an opportunity to appear before a College administrator or the College of Judicial Affairs Officer. During the judicial administrative meeting, the information in dispute and related circumstances will be reviewed, and the student will have an opportunity to present his or her viewpoint. Depending on the circumstances and nature of the offense, the College and the Student may choose to resolve an incident during a student disciplinary hearing. The College reserves the right to determine whether a judicial administrative meeting or student disciplinary hearing is the appropriate method of resolution.

1. Students who are accused of violating the College Code of Conduct Rules may be issued notice by telephone, personal hand delivery, campus safety office notice and/or by regular U.S. or electronic mail. The college Judicial Affairs Officer may arrange an administrative meeting with the student, who at the time of this meeting, will attempt to obtain verbal and/or written accounts of the incident(s), collect relevant information, such as time, place and names of others that may be involved, if applicable.
2. Students accused of violating the College code of conduct rules may submit written authorization for a parent or guardian to attend a judicial administrative meeting or disciplinary hearing for observation.
3. The College Campus Safety Office , Judicial Affairs Officer and/or the Student Disciplinary Committee members are authorized to issue an immediate restriction from a specific classroom, building, campus or the entire college until an incident is resolved. The Judicial Affairs Officer or appropriate College Administrator is authorized to place a registration or trespass hold on a student's record in order to ensure compliance with the college's code of conduct rules . The Director of Campus Safety, Judicial Affairs Officer and/or the Student Disciplinary Committee members are authorized to require a student to complete a mandatory Mental Health Evaluation by a Daytona State College licensed professional as a condition of their attendance, continuation, or return to the college. The Campus Safety Office staff and/or the Judicial Affairs Officer are authorized to request a College trespass order by local law enforcement officials.

Disciplinary Resolution Procedure

1. The student may attend an informal judicial administrative meeting to explain their side of the issue or complaint against them. The college official conducting the meeting reviews the information and offers an appropriate resolution agreement. If the student accepts the resolution agreement, the matter is resolved and a written document will be placed in the student's file. Depending on the circumstances and nature of the offense, the College and the Student may choose to resolve an incident during a student disciplinary hearing. The College also offers professional counseling services to assist students if needed. Unless otherwise stated, judicial administrative meetings and student disciplinary hearings are held in the College Campus Safety Office at a central location.
2. If the matter is not resolved with the judicial administrative meeting, the student has the option of scheduling a student disciplinary hearing. The Judicial Affairs Office staff will arrange a hearing date at a mutually agreed upon time as soon as possible.
3. Student disciplinary hearings are not legal proceedings, however if the student plans to be represented by an Attorney or legal official, the student must inform the Judicial Affairs Office with adequate notice so that the College Attorney or legal representative is able to attend.
4. The disciplinary committee members will review all relevant facts, listen to the student and witnesses either for or against and render a decision. The committee members may issue their decision at the conclusion of the hearing or may render their decision by mail notice via the Judicial Affairs Office. After the committee decision is made, this ends the formal process.
5. The Vice President of Enrollment & Student Development reserves the right to uphold or conduct an administrative review of the disciplinary committee's decision.