Conduct Policy

County College of Morris (the College) was founded by the citizens of Morris County with the belief that learning is a lifelong process and that education can improve the quality of life for individuals and society. The College is committed to fostering a campus environment that is conducive to academic inquiry, a productive campus life, and thoughtful study and discourse. The Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Appeal Procedure establishes expectations for student behavior at the College and outlines the process used to address conduct concerns when they arise. The student conduct program within the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Office is an educational and developmental process that balances the interests of individual students with the well-being of the College community. 

A community exists based on shared values and principles. At the College, we must strive to recognize the dignity and worth of each member of our community. Therefore, student members of the community are expected to uphold and abide by certain standards of conduct that form the basis for this Student Code of Conduct (referred to as the Code). These standards are represented within a set of core values that include honesty and integrity, social justice, respect, community, and responsibility. The Code has not been designed to set forth an exhaustive list of misconduct, but rather to establish behavioral guidelines.

Each member of the College community has (1) responsibility to become familiar with the information, policies, and procedures contained in the Code, (2) responsibility over their conduct and, and (3) reasonable responsibility for the behavior of others. The College reserves the right to make changes to the Code as necessary. When members of the community fail to demonstrate these five values by engaging in behavior that may violate the Code, campus conduct proceedings are used to uphold its standards. 

The student conduct process at the College is not intended to punish students; rather, it exists to protect the interests of the College community and to help students make better choices. Educational sanctions, if assigned, are intended to challenge students’ moral and ethical decision-making and to help them bring their behavior in line with community expectations. In situations where a student is unable to meet CCM community expectations as outlined in the Code, the student conduct process may determine that the student can no longer participate in the College community.

Students should be aware that the student conduct process is different from criminal and civil court proceedings. While student conduct procedures are carried out fairly and equitably, they do not include the same legal protections or due process standards provided in the courts. Within the College process, due process includes written notice, a thorough and equitable investigation, a hearing before an objective decision-maker, and the right to submit a written appeal of a finding, a sanction, or both, based on the grounds outlined in the Code. No student will be found in violation of College policy or procedure without information showing that it is more likely than not that a policy violation occurred (i.e., preponderance of the evidence). Educational sanctions are determined based on the severity of the violation and the student’s cumulative conduct history. The student conduct process is designed to investigate and resolve alleged student misconduct violations in a prompt, thorough, reliable, fair, and impartial manner. 

Full details regarding conduct expectations, prohibited behaviors, possible sanctions, disciplinary procedures, and appeal information are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Appeal Procedure and may be obtained from the Dean of Students Office, Student Community Center, Room 132.