F. DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND PROCEDURE
1. Discipline Policy - General
F.1.01 - Policy on Discipline:
LSCS shall exercise its authority and prerogative to maintain order and discipline and shall vigorously pursue enforcement against students who fail to abide by its standards of conduct. Disciplinary action taken in any LSCS college shall be System-wide in effect.
LSCS administration and faculty may discipline students who cause disorder and/or disrupt the System's educational environment. Any student violating the Student Code of Conduct shall be subject to discipline, up to and including expulsion, in accordance with Board policy and applicable law. In the event that such violation is also a violation of federal, state, or local law, LSCS may decide to proceed or delay its own disciplinary processes.
F.1.02 - Disciplinary Procedures:
In all disciplinary matters, students shall be given a fair opportunity to defend themselves in a hearing before LSCS officials. Students are entitled to due process in disciplinary hearings, including having adequate notice of the hearing and definite charges in advance. Students represented by legal counsel may have counsel present to advise them in a disciplinary hearing. However, legal counsel shall not be permitted to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, or formally address LSCS officials at the hearing.
The Chief Student Services Officer of the particular LSCS College shall be responsible for the administration of the disciplinary procedures.
F.1.03 - System Autonomy:
Students whose conduct constitutes a violation of both the Student Code of Conduct and federal, state, local, and/or other applicable law may be accountable to both the System and the civil or criminal authorities. Disciplinary action at the System will normally proceed during the course of criminal proceedings and will not be subject to challenge on the ground that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed, reduced, or are pending.
Any decision to delay disciplinary action proceedings shall be made by the Chief Student Services Officer if such is in the best interest of the College as determined in his/her sole discretion. Because LSCS’s policies and procedures are distinct and different from criminal statutes and procedures, an outcome in a civil or criminal proceeding is separate from the question of whether the Student Code of Conduct was violated.
F.1.04 - Reports of Alleged Violation in Writing:
Written reports of alleged student violations of the Student Code of Conduct may be submitted by any individual to the Chief Student Services Officer of the College where the accused student is enrolled. Such reports shall contain a concise summary giving the date(s), time(s), place(s), and event(s) of the facts or conduct on which the allegation is based. The reporting individual shall supply supporting documentation for the charge, if available. Individuals who file a report must be prepared to participate in any resultant proceedings without delay. It is the responsibility of the Chief Student Services Officer to investigate and interpret the alleged violation and to identify the appropriate specific charge(s) that will be brought against the student(s) involved. The Chief Student Services Officer is further responsible for imposing or initiating appropriate disciplinary action or dismissing the allegation(s), and notifying the accused student as well as the reporting individuals.