Rules of Conduct

Updated on: Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Purpose

The student conduct code shall apply to student conduct that occurs on college premises, to conduct that occurs at or in connection with college sponsored activities,
or to offcampus conduct that in the judgment of the college adversely affects the college or the pursuit of its objectives. Jurisdiction extends to, but is not
limited to, locations in which students are engaged in official college activities including, but not limited to, foreign or domestic travel, activities funded by the associated students, athletic events, training internships, cooperative and distance education, online education, practicums, supervised work experiences or any other college-sanctioned social or club activities. Students are responsible for their conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual receipt of a degree, even though conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment. These standards shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from college while a disciplinary matter is pending. The college has sole discretion, on a case by case basis, to determine whether the student conduct code will be applied to conduct that occurs off-campus.

Wenatchee Valley College students are both citizens and members of the college community. As citizens, students shall enjoy the same freedoms that other citizens enjoy. As members of the college, they are subject to those responsibilities which accrue to them by virtue of this membership.

Admission to Wenatchee Valley College carries with it the expectation that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the college community, that they will comply with established rules and regulations of the college, maintain high standards of honesty and integrity, and respect the rights, privileges and property of other members of the college community.

Wenatchee Valley College expects that students will conform to the laws of the greater society and regulations established to assure the orderly conduct of the affairs of the college.

The student is at once a member of the community at large and the college community. As such, the student is subject to the rights, responsibilities, laws and regulations of each community and accountable to both.

To accomplish these purposes, the college is governed by rules, regulations and procedures designed to safeguard its functions and protect the rights and freedoms of all members of the college community.

The following are examples of misconduct that is subject to disciplinary action. See the online WVC Student Code of Conduct for more details on other misconduct and the disciplinary process.

Plagiarism/Cheating

Plagiarism is defined as the buying, borrowing or stealing of written material for the purpose of fulfilling or partially fulfilling any assignment or task required as part of the student’s program of instruction at the college. Any student who plagiarizes shall be subject to disciplinary action. Plagiarism includes taking and using as one’s own, without proper attribution, the ideas, writings or work of another person in completing an academic assignment. Prohibited conduct may also include the unauthorized submission for credit of academic work that has been submitted for credit in another course. Any student who aids or abets the accomplishment of such activity as defined above shall also be subject to disciplinary action. An instructor may take reasonable action against any student who is deemed to have been guilty of plagiarism or cheating.

Abusive Language

Any student who uses abusive language towards any person while on college facilities or participating in college-related programs may constitute disorderly conduct and shall be subject to disciplinary action. Examples of abusive language may include but are not limited to, maligning, coarse insulting speech, use of lewd, indecent and/or obscene language.

Disorderly Conduct

Any student whose conduct obstructs or disrupts educational processes or other activities of the college shall be subject to disciplinary action. In the case of disorderly conduct in the classroom, the instructor may take reasonable action against any student and recommend disciplinary action by the vice president of student services.

Sexual Harassment

Students must abide by the college’s Sexual Harassment Policy. Any student who engages in behaviors such as unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct or written communication of a sexual nature directed toward another person shall be subject to disciplinary action. If you have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment or sexual violence please report it to the Title IX Coordinator at 509-682-6445 or to a faculty or staff member on campus.

Malicious Harassment

Any person is guilty of malicious harassment if he/she maliciously and with intent to intimidate or harass another person because of, or in a way that is reasonably related to, associated with, or directed toward that person’s race, creed, color, religion, gender indentity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, or mental, physical, or sensory handicap, and/or disabled veteran status may be subject to disciplinary action. Another person shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Computer Trespass

Any student that violates college information, without authorization, intentionally gains access to a computer system or electronic data owned or used by Wenatchee Valley College shall be subject to disciplinary action according to the college’s Information Resources Acceptable Use Policy and 9A.52.110 RCW through 9A.52.130 RCW.

Computer Use Policy

This policy governs the use of computer labs on campus. These labs include the library and any other instructional areas that have student access to computers. Violations can be subject to prosecution and/or loss of student access to computer labs.

  • Labs are open only to registered students of WVC and those covered through cooperative agreements.
  • Students may not modify, reconfigure or tamper with any computer hardware or software, nor may they attempt to gain unauthorized access to any computer network. Attempting unauthorized access to computer networks is a violation of both state and federal laws.
  • Intentionally introducing a computer virus into any Wenatchee Valley College computer system is a violation of both state and federal laws.
  • First priority is given to classes that have scheduled time in the lab. Second priority is given to students doing homework and research for currently enrolled classes. Lowest priority is given to students “surfing the net” or other non-instructional activities. A student may be requested to give up his/her position to another student with higher priority and, depending on demand for services, a time limit may be imposed.
  • Printouts are limited to academic work. Printing limits will be determined as is necessary for each lab. These limits will be clearly marked and enforced. Failure to comply with set printing limits may result in the loss of computer lab access.
  • Any use of the computers in Wenatchee Valley College labs must comply with the State of Washington’s Community and Technical College Network Acceptable Use Policy. Accessing or posting obscene, abusive or highly offensive material is not allowed.

WVC Network (WVCNET) Acceptable Use Policy

Internet access for students and employees of WVC is provided through the state of Washington Community and Technical college network (CTCNet). In as much as this network is provided by the state for the purposes of education of students and business of the college, its use is restricted to activities that improve student learning, build overall system efficiencies, maximize accessibility
of the Internet and eliminate inappropriate traffic over
the interconnected networks. As such, the following Acceptable Use Policy from the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges-Information Technology (SBCTC- IT) is in effect:

  • Use of CTCNet shall be solely for the purpose of facilitating the exchange of information in furtherance of education and research, and otherwise be consistent with the purposes and objectives of the State of Washington Community and Technical Colleges and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
  • CTCNet shall not be used to transmit any communication in any form (e.g. text, images, sound) where the content and/or meaning of the message or its transmission or distribution would violate any applicable law or regulation.
  • CTCNet shall be used solely for business related activities carried out in a professional and ethical manner in the normal course of business and shall not be used for personal reasons to transmit any communication in any form.
  • Users of CTCNet shall promote efficient use of the public networks to minimize, and avoid if possible, creating congestion within or upon the networks thereby interfering with the work of other users of the networks. Further, users of CTCNet services shall respect the rights and property of all others and shall not improperly access, misappropriate or misuse the information/files of other users.
  • CTCNet shall not be used for commercial purposes. Advertising of commercial offerings is forbidden.
  • When using CTCNet for accessing sources beyond the CTCNet itself, users shall apply the CTCNet Acceptable Use Policy while navigating through and making use of those networks.
  • With advice/recommendations from the Internet Information Group (IIG) and the Standing Advisory Committee (SAC), the SBCTC-IT is responsible for the modification and distribution of this Acceptable Use Policy.
  • Withdrawal of use privileges because of violations of this policy is the responsibility of the college or other agency which authorized that individual’s use of CTCNet and could result in discipline and/or termination of employment.
  • WVC is not responsible internally for use of the Internet by students and staff. Any violation by a WVC computer user of the above Acceptable Use Policy will result in the revoking of Internet connection privileges for that user and reporting of that violation to the appropriate dean or to the president of the college.