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 are 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 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 student can file an Appeal.

APPEAL PROCESS FOR ACADEMIC GRADE DISPUTES

The Associate Vice President refers the student to the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs for a review of the matter in question and forwards to him the written grievance. The Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Development review the written grievance. The student may be contacted and notified of the appeal decision by telephone, in person, or by letter. The Vice Presidents reserve the option to uphold the associate vice president's decision or render an alternate administrative decision.

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 program chair and or dean for resolution. In some cases, students may also be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office for intervention or appropriate discipline 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 the 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.

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. 
2. A student may also schedule a meeting with the ombudsperson (student advocate). The ombudsperson is a counselor located on each campus who will listen to the complaint, situation, problem and issues involving the matter and offer assistance in order to resolve the matter.
3. If the matter is not resolved with the instructor, he/she has the option of scheduling a meeting with the appropriate program chair. The program chair will review the matter and offer an appropriate resolution.
4. If the matter is not resolved with the program chair, the student has the option to request a meeting with the Academic Dean of the area. The Academic Dean is authorized to make the final academic decision.
5. The student has the option of requesting a formal Administrative appeal to the Vice President of Student Development.
6. After the letter of appeal is received, the vice president of Student Development may confer with the vice president of Academic Affairs. Once a decision is rendered, the student will be notified of the outcome, which is the final stage of the College formal process for resolving student matters.

Student's Grade

Until a decision is rendered, the student may not receive a grade for the test or project in question. 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 not in violation of academic dishonesty, the test/project will be graded and a grade will be assigned. If it is determined that the student is in violation of academic dishonesty, a grade of "0"/"F" will be given for the assignment/course in question. Additional discipline sanctions may also be administered by the 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, Dean of Student Success, and/or the vice president of Student Development or his/her designee.

Student Disciplinary Committee

A Student Disciplinary Committee (SDC) or College Intervention Team may be convened by the Judicial Affairs Officer, Dean of Student Success, or the Vice President of Student Development to resolve student violations of the College Student Code of Conduct Rules. The SD Committee or College Intervention Team 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

Students that are accused of or involved in an incident which results in a judicial administrative meeting or conduct violation fact-finding meeting with college officials may be afforded the following due process procedures: The student may be required to appear before a college administrator or the college Judicial Affairs Officer. During the fact-finding meeting, the information in dispute and related circumstances will be reviewed, and the student will have an opportunity to present his or her viewpoint.

1. Students who are accused of violating the College Code of Conduct Rules may be requested to appear before an authorized college official. The notice to appear may be issued by telephone, personal hand delivery, campus safety office notice and/or by regular or certified U.S. mail. The college judicial affairs officer may arrange a personal meeting with the student, who at the time of this meeting, will 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 who report and self identify documented disabilities must contact the Student Disability Services Office and provide written verification of their disability from a licensed psychiatrist or a licensed medical physician. The documentation must be approved by the Student Disability Services Office and must meet all of the criteria for receiving assistance prior to attending a judicial meeting or discipline hearing. Students with disabilities are responsible for complying with the college code of conduct rules.
3. Students under the age of eighteen (18) that may be required to attend an administrative meeting or conduct violation meeting may submit written authorization from a parent or guardian to attend.
4. The College Campus Safety Office and the Judicial Affairs Officer are authorized to issue an immediate restriction from a specific classroom, building, campus or the entire college until an administrative meeting is convened. The Judicial Affairs Officer 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 or specific verbal and/or written instructions. The Dean of Student Success is 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 or return to the college.