There are times when students engage in behavior that could constitute a violation of the Standards of Conduct Policy.   We believe that students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities.   Therefore, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the information below, which includes our policies and procedures. 

Standards of Conduct
The Mt. San Antonio College Standards of Conduct are designed to ensure the safety of all individuals at the College and to promote a positive educational environment that is conducive to learning.  All students are required to abide by the Standards of Conduct Policy and failure to do so may result in disciplinary action such as a verbal or written reprimand,  required sanctions, suspension and/or expulsion. 

Student Discipline Procedures
The purpose of the Student Discipline Procedures is to provide a fair, prompt, and equitable means to address violations of the Standards of Conduct Policy, and not for purposes of retaliation. This procedure affords students due process rights guaranteed by state and federal constitutional protections.  It is not intended as a substitute for criminal or civil proceedings that may be initiated separately.

Information for Employees
The Standards of Conduct Policy requires that students maintain high standards of conduct showing decency and respect for others.  Mt. SAC is committed to providing a positive educational environment that fosters a strong campus community. Students have rights and responsibilities.  Promoting the Standards of Conduct Policy is an integral part of our institutional mission and core values. 

As an employee, you play an vital role in our student discipline procedures as you may directly witness or experience student misconduct.  Therefore, it is important that you immediately respond to and address unacceptable behavior and interference to learning.  Ignoring disruptive behavior will not cause it to disappear; often, the opposite occurs.     

Faculty, Classified Staff, Managers, and student employees should report violations of the Standards of Conduct Policy when students violate the standards by submitting a Student Misconduct Report (log-in required). A report may not necessarily require disciplinary action, but any incident of a violation should be reported to determine whether a student's cumulative violations warrant action.

• When a Student Misconduct Report is filed with the Student Life Office regarding a possible violation of the Standards of Conduct Policy, the student will receive written notification (via their Mt. SAC email address) from the Assistant Director, Student Life.  A Student Misconduct Report should be submitted no later than ten (10) business days after the occurrence, or within ten (10) business days of the discovery of facts.

• Within five (5) days of receiving written notification, the student is required to schedule a Discipline Conference with the Assistant Director, Student Life.  During this conference, the Assistant Director, shall determine if the student's behavior constitutes a violation of the Standards of Conduct Policy.

• If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the student may be required to, including but not limited to, attend a character development directed learning activity,  sign a Discipline Contract, or be referred to a Student Conduct Board Hearing, which may result in a suspension or expulsion depending on the nature of the incident.

Parents & Family
Sometimes students make certain decisions, which may result in a Student Misconduct Report being filed with the Student Life Office.  Going through the student conduct process can be a stressful and worrying experience.  However, our goal is to promote growth, development, responsibility, accountability, and respect.  Please note that we are unable to share discipline case details or academic information about college students, regardless of their age, without their written consent. 

Prohibited behaviors for Mt. SAC students

• Academic dishonesty
• Disruptive behavior
• Verbal/physical assaults
• Threats
• Possession, sale, or otherwise furnishing any firearm, knife, explosive or dangerous object
• Being in possession or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Sexual Misconduct,  Sexual Harassment, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking
  • A student may also be held accountable for engaging in sexual assault and/or sexual exploitation off-campus, regardless of the reporting party's affiliation to the College.

Please see our "Policies & Procedures" section for the full Policies and definitions.

Tips to support your student through the discipline process, and help your student learn and grow from the overall experience:

• Talk to your student regarding what happened. Listen carefully and critically.
• Encourage your student to familiarize themselves with Mt. SAC’s Standards of Conduct Policy and Student Discipline Procedures. 
• Communicate with your student what you expect and what you appreciate.
• Encourage your student to fully review all documentation from the Student Life Office. 
• Encourage your student to contact the Student Life Office and seek clarification when needed.
• Understand that the Student Life Office is unable to discuss a student’s discipline file without the student’s written consent. 
• Understand that a student is able to have an advocate of their choice accompany them to any meeting regarding the Student Discipline Procedures.  Understand that the role of the advocate is limited since an advocate may not speak on behalf of the student.

If your student has been found in violation of Mt. SAC’s Standards of Conduct Policy:

• Have an open and honest conversation with your student about the process and importance of making decisions that are consistent with their personal values and future goals.
• Support your student in taking responsibility for their actions and avoid blaming others for the consequences that resulted from their choices.
• Remember that your student will look to you as a role model for dealing with and responding to conflict.
• Be open to discussing challenging topics, such as substance abuse and intimate relationships.
• Discuss your expectations of your student’s behavior at Mt. SAC and discuss ways your student can modify their behavior to meet those expectations.
• Brainstorm with your student appropriate resources for help and support such as alcohol education, time management, and/or personal counseling.
• Be firm in your approach, but always keep the lines of communication open.
• Discuss any sanctions or stipulations your student needs to complete.

The list and descriptions below are important Mt. SAC's Board Policies (BP) and Administrative Procedures (AP) for students. 

BP 5500: Standards of Conduct
The College President/CEO shall establish procedures for the imposition of discipline on students in accordance with the requirements for due process of the federal and State law and regulations. This document outlines conduct that shall constitute good cause for discipline, including but not limited to the removal, suspension, or expulsion of a student.

AP 5520: Student Discipline Procedures
The purpose of this procedure is to provide a fair, prompt, and equitable means to address violations of the Standards of Conduct, and not for purposes of retaliation. This procedure affords students due process rights guaranteed them by state and federal constitutional protections. It is not intended as a substitute for criminal or civil proceedings that may be initiated by other agencies. These Administrative Procedures are specifically not intended to infringe in any way on the rights of students to engage in free expression as protected by the state and federal constitutions or Education Code, and will not be used to punish expression that is protected.

AP 4290: Student Academic Honesty
All members of the academic community have a responsibility to ensure that scholastic honesty is maintained. Faculty have the responsibility of planning and supervising all academic work in order to encourage honest and individual effort and of taking appropriate action if instances of academic dishonesty are discovered. Honesty is primarily the responsibility of each student. The College considers cheating to be a voluntary act for which there may be reason, but for which there is no acceptable excuse

BP 3540: Sexual Misconduct, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking
Mt. San Antonio College is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes safety and mutual respect of all members of the campus community. The College prohibits Sexual Misconduct of any kind, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking.  Such misconduct violates College policy and may also violate state or federal law.

Visit https://www.mtsac.edu/governance/trustees/apbp/ for a complete list of Mt. SAC's Board Policies and Administrative Procedures.