Dean of Educational Programs Ben Partee came to explain the new off-campus conduct policy being enforced at City College to the Associated Student Government Friday morning.
Administrative Policy 5500 was recently revised this past semester to include the ability for City College to discipline students who are charged with a crime off-campus.
“We believe in not only progressive, but restorative discipline,” said Partee to the Student Senate. “We give students a number of chances to right the wrong.”
The aim of the new policy is to protect students here on campus, while also helping to restore those with criminal troubles.
Partee explained to ASG that most students who are charged with minor offenses will receive just a warning, which can range from a letter to the student’s parents to an official warning from the college itself or even a suspension for repeat or serious offenders. Minors caught with possession of alcohol or drugs for example will have their parents notified via letter.
“If they’re going to do that sort of thing off-campus, what’s going to stop them from doing it on campus?” said ASG Vice President Brett Aston.
A noteworthy part of AP 5500 is that it extends the college’s jurisdiction all the way to Isla Vista, as well as the surrounding communities by City College.
Partee told ASG that the only time disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsions are taken are in extreme cases such as sexual assault, battery and “criminal activity.”
“All of you sign not only an academic promise but a community promise,” said Partee. “That community promise basically states that you’ll be civil and act responsibly.”
Any sanction imposed against students can be appealed to the college directly. The appeal will be heard by a committee of two students, two facility members, and two administration members who will decide if there is a reasonable cause for the reprimanding. This process will give the student the chance to defend themselves in front of a wide variety of views— with the burden of proof being on the school.
“I have to show that my sanction is justified,” Partee explained.
The Student Senate was receptive to the new policy and most senators agreed that violent students don’t belong on campus.
“I really do agree with the progressive and restorative discipline,” said Aston. “We do need to learn from our lessons.”
Even if a student were suspended, they would still be allowed to attend other city colleges in the area.
Suspensions can range anywhere from one semester to five years at a time and Partee said that in his entire time at City College he has never had to expel a student for criminal behavior. He also mentioned that because of how these sanctions can follow students for their entire academic careers, “It’s something I don’t take lightly.”
