The Student Code of Conduct establishes expectations for behavior, protects individual rights, and supports a safe, civil, and productive learning environment.
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards supports the educational mission of Yavapai College by promoting responsible conduct, fair procedures, and respect for the rights of all members of the college community.
The Code of Conduct is intended to maintain order and stability, preserve educational functions, establish standards of behavior, and promote respect for individual rights.
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards also establishes procedures for the fair enforcement of college rules and the preservation of student due-process rights.
The office can explain the student disciplinary process, provide guidance for addressing student conduct, and help students understand campus safety resources.
Call 928-776-2211 to consult with a staff member.
Community standards support a civil environment that is conducive to learning. Civility means being polite, courteous, and considerate toward others. Students will encounter people with different perceptions and opinions. A civil college community recognizes those differences as opportunities to learn rather than reasons to judge or attack others. Maintaining civility is an individual responsibility that benefits the entire community.
Students and community members may report suspected violations of the Student Code of Conduct through the online incident reporting form.
Use the form to share information about conduct that may violate the Student Code of Conduct or another Yavapai College policy.
A conduct review begins when a report appears to allege a non-academic violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
The Student Conduct Officer or designee sends written notice to the student’s YC email address. The notice identifies the meeting time and place, the purpose of the meeting, the alleged conduct, and the Code provisions that may have been violated.
The student has an opportunity to respond, provide information, and discuss whether an informal resolution may be appropriate.
The Conduct Officer issues a written determination that may dismiss the matter, document an informal resolution, or find that a violation occurred and recommend sanctions.
When no informal resolution is reached or appropriate, the student may request a formal hearing in writing within ten business days of the written determination.
After the initial meeting, the Student Conduct Officer may issue:
If the student does not attend the initial meeting, the matter may be referred to a formal hearing based on the available evidence unless the student demonstrates that a health emergency prevented attendance.
When the Student Conduct Officer determines that misconduct may have occurred and no informal resolution is reached or appropriate, the student has ten business days from the date of the written determination to request a formal hearing. The request must be submitted in writing to the Student Conduct Officer.
After receiving the request, the Student Conduct Officer will provide written notice of the hearing time, date, and location. The notice will describe the alleged misconduct, the Code provisions allegedly violated, and the potential sanctions.
The notice will also explain that the student may accept responsibility, waive the formal hearing, and accept the recommended sanctions. Notice and a copy of the Code of Conduct will be delivered through the student’s YC email system at least five business days before the hearing. A student may voluntarily waive that notice period and accept an earlier hearing.
Yavapai College provides protections and rights to charged students and victims to support fairness throughout the Student Conduct Review Process.
Refer to the Student Code of Conduct Opens in a new window. for the complete list of protections and rights.
A student dissatisfied with a Hearing Panel decision may appeal only for one of the following reasons:
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Yavapai College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during testing, facilitating academic dishonesty, and misuse of identification with intent to deceive.
Students may be subject to both the Student Code of Conduct and academic sanctions determined by the instructor. Possible academic penalties may include loss of credit for an assignment, examination, or project; reduction of the course grade; or a grade of F in the course.
Faculty have primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment and may define, communicate, and enforce appropriate standards of behavior in classrooms, offices, and instructional areas under their supervision.
Students whose behavior disrupts a class, violates college policy, or involves prohibited or unlawful conduct may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
Review what to expect after receiving a conduct notice, attending a meeting, or receiving a decision.
A Notice of Meeting from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or the Title IX Coordinator means that an incident report was received involving alleged behavior that may violate the Student Code of Conduct or another college policy.
You may be a witness or otherwise involved in the incident. The email will provide information about the concern, the scheduled appointment, next steps, and instructions for rescheduling when necessary. Review the Student Code of Conduct before the meeting.
The Dean of Students or designee may place a hold on your record if you do not attend your appointment. The hold may prevent future registration.
Missing the conference also means you may lose the opportunity to explain your perspective. Attend all scheduled meetings or follow the instructions in the notice to request a different appointment time.
The first meeting is generally a conversation intended to obtain your account of what happened, gather additional information, and explain the student conduct review and disciplinary process.
The Student Conduct Officer or designee may continue investigating, depending on the complexity of the matter. The officer may then:
Sanctions are based on the nature and seriousness of the violation. They may include a written warning, probation, residence-hall eviction, a no-contact directive, suspension, or expulsion.
Educational sanctions may include workshops, training, community service, or a written reflection.
You may reject an informal resolution agreement and request a formal conduct hearing. If you disagree with a Hearing Officer’s decision, consult the appeals section of the Student Code of Conduct for the permitted grounds and procedures.
A faculty member who determines that academic dishonesty occurred may assign academic penalties such as loss of credit, a reduced course grade, or a grade of F.
A student may also be subject to separate action under the Student Code of Conduct.
Contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at 928-776-2211.
For additional Code of Conduct information, contact the Associate Vice President Student Affairs and Dean of Students at 928-776-2128.