Definitions
Administrative Summons
A written notice to a student to report to a College administrative office at a designated date and time.
College
The term “College” means San Jacinto College, including all of its branch campuses, satellite campuses, learning centers, distance learning/remote learning platforms, district offices, and all activities and programs sponsored by the College regardless of the actual location of the students or the activity or program.
College Community
Any College employee or enrolled student, whether full or part-time, or any person or organization doing business with the College under contract or on a regular basis.
College Official
Any person employed by the College who is performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
College Policy
Any provision of a rule, regulation, resolution, or guideline adopted or approved by the Board of Trustees.
College Premises
Property owned, controlled, used, leased, or occupied by San Jacinto College, including vehicles and property physically removed from a campus. The term includes locations inside College buildings, the outside of College buildings (including porches and porticos), and locations outside College buildings, such as sidewalks, grassy areas, and parking lots.
College Procedure
Any provision of a rule, regulation, guideline, handbook, code, manual, operating letter, or published directive issued by the Administration.
College-Sponsored and Affiliated Activity
Any activity on or off campus that is sponsored, authorized, or supervised by San Jacinto College and programs in which students are eligible to participate because of their status as San Jacinto College students including clinical assignments and internships.
Commercial Solicitation
Activities related to the sale of goods and/or services for the benefit of an individual, business, or investors.
Conduct Appellate Board
Persons appointed by the Campus Provost to conduct a hearing or consider certain appeals from students who have been accused of violating the Code of Student Conduct.
Hearing
A conference between a charged student and the Dean of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Compliance Officer, or other College official(s) that provides 1) an opportunity for the respondent to respond to allegations of misconduct; 2) an opportunity for the student to present or receive evidence; and/or 3) an opportunity to receive notice of, or to respond to, possible sanctions for alleged misconduct.
Immunity from Sanctions for Certain Drug, Alcohol, or Hazing Violations
As a matter of campus safety, students are strongly encouraged to report incidents of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in accordance with the College’s Sexual Misconduct Procedure. To encourage reporting of Sexual Misconduct, the College will grant immunity (also known as amnesty) from disciplinary action to students who in good faith report sexual misconduct, file a formal complaint, or participate as a witness in a sexual misconduct grievance or discipline process, even if they were under the drinking age or were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident. The immunity rule does not apply to an individual who has been accused of engaging in sexual misconduct. The immunity rule is addressed in the College’s Sexual Misconduct Procedure III.3006.D.a
Hazing is defined in Section 3.5 of the Code of Student Conduct. Students must report hazing when they have first-hand knowledge of a planned or completed hazing incident. Under Texas law, a person who voluntarily reports a specific student hazing incident to the dean of students or other appropriate official of the College is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of the reported hazing incident if the person: (1) reports the incident before being contacted by the institution concerning the incident or otherwise being included in the institution’s investigation of the incident; and(2) as determined by the dean of students or other appropriate official of the College, cooperates in good faith throughout any institutional process regarding the incident. Immunity will not apply if the student participated in the incident or knowingly filed a false report in bad faith or with malicious intent.
For more information on immunity, students may contact the Student Rights and Responsibilities office at 281-478-2756.
Notice
Any correspondence from a College representative that is (i) deposited with the United States Postal Service by certified mail, addressed to the last known address of the addressee as shown on the College records, (ii) personally delivered to the addressee, or (iii) delivered to the student’s San Jacinto College email address or other email address designated by the student.
Organization
Any number of students who are participating in a collective, organized activity and have complied with the formal requirements for registration with and recognition as a student organization by San Jacinto College.
Public Law
Local, state, and federal laws.
Sanction
Suspension
Academic suspension means that satisfactory academic progress has not been maintained and that a student is ineligible to register for classes for at least one long term (fall, spring, or the entire summer session). A disciplinary suspension is a sanction for conduct that violates the Code of Student Conduct. A disciplinary suspension is not based on academic performance. An emergency or temporary suspension is a temporary removal from campus or a program due to health or safety concerns and/or pending an investigation of the student’s alleged conduct. An emergency or temporary removal is non-disciplinary.
Student
As used in this code, the term "student" refers to a person who is currently enrolled in courses at San Jacinto College, whether full-time or part-time. The term includes dual-credit and Early College High School students who are simultaneously enrolled at the College and in an area school district. Where specifically indicated, some portions of this Code also may confer rights and obligations upon former students and individuals who are currently involved in the admissions process and/or have been accepted for admission or readmission. A student remains subject to discipline for prohibited conduct that occurs while suspended. Individuals who are not currently enrolled remain subject to discipline for conduct that occurred while they were enrolled. A “student” or “registered student” is an individual who has registered and paid for one or more classes; the term includes an individual who is not currently taking classes but has registered and paid for one or more classes for the next semester. The term includes dual-credit students who are simultaneously registered at the College and in an area school district. A “former student” is an individual who previously registered and paid for one or more classes. An “admitted student” is an individual who has been accepted for admission but has not yet registered and paid for one or more classes.
Individuals who are not currently registered remain subject to discipline for conduct that occurred while they were registered. This includes a student who has withdrawn while conduct charges are being investigated or are pending.
Individuals who are between semesters but are registered for the next semester are subject to discipline for conduct that occurs between semesters if the conduct occurs on campus or at a College-affiliated activity or program.
An admitted student who has not yet registered and paid for a class is subject to the Code of Student Conduct while on campus or at a College-affiliated activity or program.
An applicant or prospective student is an individual who is applying or has applied for admission but has not yet been admitted. By seeking admission, an applicant is subject to the Code of Student Conduct during the admissions process and while on campus or at a College-affiliated activity or program.
Some provisions of the Student Handbook and Code of Student Conduct apply only to currently registered students and not to a person who is an “admitted student,” “applicant,” or “former student.” As may be appropriate, the Student Handbook and Code of Student Conduct will identify when a particular rule or statement applies to admitted students, applicants, and former students.
Student Rights and Responsibilities Office
This office has been designated by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Services to consider, and when appropriate, impose sanctions upon students found to have violated the Code of Student Conduct.
Title IX
Title IX means Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations (20 U.S.C. § 1681 and 34 C.F.R. part 106).
Witness
A person who may have information related to a complaint, referral, or report of alleged misconduct.