Office of Community Standards

Students are responsible for their conduct from the time they are admitted to the college, all the way through to the last day of enrollment. You are responsible for what is in the code whether the behavior in question occurs before class, after class or during breaks between quarters. Make sure you take a little time to understand what that expectation is.

Prohibited Conduct (WAC 132V-121-060): here are some things for you to be aware of (this is not the whole list, but just an example of things in the code. Please visit the Student Code of Conduct linked above for all the information).

1. Acts of Dishonesty: providing false information or altering/forging a college document. Knowingly making a false statement during an academic or disciplinary investigation.
2. Alcohol: Public intoxication on college premises is not permitted.
3. Disruption or obstruction: when you knowingly interfere with the learning environment – interrupting the learning of others, or the teaching of faculty, when you have been asked to refrain from doing so could result in a report being filed.
4. Failure to comply with a directive: when you are asked by a college official to do something specific, and you fail to do so.

Academic Misconduct:

Academic dishonesty is inconsistent with the values of TCC. At TCC we value responsibility and integrity. Students are expected to be honest in their academic endeavors – remember, this is the time to make mistakes so you can learn to be better. Don’t be afraid that your writing is not good enough, or that you do not understand a required scientific principal. Your instructors are here to help you learn. There are also resources on campus where you can find academic support.

It is imperative that you pay attention to the syllabus for each class you are taking, especially the academic integrity sections. Pay attention to whether you are permitted to use Ai to assist in any manner while you are producing work for that specific class. In case you did not know – Grammarly uses Ai to make changes to your writing. Just make sure with your instructor that you can use Grammarly!

Right to Due process

Students at TCC have a right to due process. What this means is that should a student be accused of violating the code of conduct (hyperlinked to WAC), they have a right to be notified of the nature of the charges and are entitled to request procedural due process as set forth in the code.

Title IX – Gender based misconduct (including sexual misconduct)

The college is committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all. It is our responsibility to be aware of how we are behaving, and to know what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Please read the college policy on Sexual Harassment Protection and Title IX.

If you believe you have experienced sexual assault or harassment, please contact our designated TIX coordinators.

Employees: TIX Coordinator (hyperlink to contact info)

Students: Deputy TIX Coordinator (hyperlink to contact info)

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How to Prepare for a Meeting

1. Make sure you read the letter you received from our office. This will tell you what was reported. If you have any supporting documents (paper you wrote, draft copies of your writing, screenshots, photos etc.) you can bring those with you – especially if they help support your side of the story.
2. If you cannot attend the meeting for the date it has been scheduled, email stuconduct@tacomacc.edu to ask for a reschedule. We are always happy to find an alternative date/time. If you cannot come to campus, we can schedule to meet via Zoom.
3. Do not panic! We will talk through everything, and you will know exactly what will happen before you leave at the end of the meeting.

What Happens in the Initial Meeting

1. Review the conduct and resolution process and answer any questions you may have;
2. Allow you to provide your perspective on what happened; and
3. Discuss the charges and possible sanctions in the event that you are found responsible for violating the Code. You will receive a decision letter within 10 days of the meeting
4. Possible Sanctions: One or more of the following corrective actions or disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon you if you are found responsible (this is not an exhaustive list – see Code of Conduct for all possible sanctions):
   1. Warning: A verbal or written statement to a student that there is a violation and that continued violation may be cause for disciplinary action. Warnings are corrective actions, not disciplinary, and may not be appealed.
   2. Written Reprimand: Notice in writing that the student has violated one or more terms of this code of conduct and that continuation of the same or similar behavior may result in more severe disciplinary action.
   3. Disciplinary Probation: Formal action placing specific conditions and restrictions upon the student's continued attendance depending upon the seriousness of the violation and which may include a deferred disciplinary sanction. If the student subject to a deferred disciplinary action is found in violation of any college rule during the time of disciplinary probation, the deferred disciplinary sanction, which may include, but is not limited to, a suspension or a dismissal from the college, shall take effect immediately without further review. Any such sanction shall be in addition to any sanction or conditions arising from the new violation. Probation may be for a limited period of time or may be for the duration of the student's attendance at the college.
   4. Disciplinary suspension: Dismissal from the college and from student status for a stated period of time. There will be no refund of tuition or fees for the quarter in which the suspension is imposed.
   5. Dismissal: The revocation of all rights and privileges of membership in the college community and exclusion from the campus and college-owned or controlled facilities without any possibility of return. There will be no refund of tuition or fees for the quarter in which the dismissal is imposed.
   6. Education: Participation in or successful completion of an educational assignment designed to create an awareness of the student's misconduct.
   7. Loss of privileges: Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
   8. No contact directive: An order directing a student to have no contact with a specified student, college employee, a member of the college community, or a particular college facility.
   9. Professional evaluation. Referral for drug, alcohol, psychological or medical evaluation by an appropriately certified or licensed professional may be required. The student may choose the professional within the scope of practice and with the professional credentials as defined by the college. The student will sign all necessary releases to allow the college access to any such evaluation. The student’s return to college may be conditioned upon compliance with recommendations set forth in such a professional evaluation. If the evaluation indicates that the student is not capable of functioning within the college community, the student will remain suspended until future evaluation recommends that the student is capable of reentering the college and complying with the rules of conduct.
   10. Trespass or restriction. A student may be restricted from any or all college premises and/or college-sponsored activities based on the violation.

How to Appeal a Decision

1. You can request an appeal of the initial decision made by the Office of Community Standards.
2. Appeal request must be submitted in writing within 21 days of notification of initial decision being sent to you (the 21 days start from when the letter is sent to you, not when you open it!). Email stuconduct@tacomacc.edu with your request.
3. You must provide a reason for why you are requesting the appeal: examples can be – you believe the sanction is too harsh, you believe that there is evidence that is not being considered, you believe we should have talked to a witness we did not speak with etc.
4. The Conduct Review Officer or the chair of the Student Conduct Committee will reach out to you to schedule a meeting (see Student Code of Conduct WAC 132V-121-100 for full process).

Your Student Record

The Office of Student Affairs maintains a record of the student’s conduct history. Conduct records are educational records and are thereby subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The conduct record is confidential and is only shared internally with college officials in instances when the student grants permission to release the record, or there is a legitimate educational interest as defined by FERPA, meaning the information requested is necessary to fulfill the individual’s professional responsibility. The conduct record is maintained throughout a student’s enrollment and thereafter for a minimum of 7 years (suspension and dismissal from the institution records are held in perpetuity).

A student’s conduct record will only be released from the hard copy to a person or party external to the College if the student has granted permission, if the disclosure of the record is permissible under the provisions of FERPA, or if the College is required to do so by law. The digital copy of the conduct record will only be released to an external person or party where the College is required to do so by law.

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Academic Dishonesty

• Administrative Procedure for Academic Dishonesty: Policy
• Academic Affairs has created a policy for handling academic misconduct. Please follow this process to determine whether misconduct occurred and what the outcome should be.

Behavioral Misconduct

• Within the Student Code of Conduct there are prohibited behaviors that should be reported to the Office of Community Standards via the Incident Report Form. These could be anything from ongoing disruptions of the teaching and learning environment to harassment or bullying, or even being on campus while impaired from substance use (legal or illegal).
• If what you are observing is more a concern for the student coming from a place of care for them, please contact the Care Team by filling out the Care Form. Learn more about the Care Team and contact any of the Care Team members to discuss what you are seeing prior to filing a report.

Resources

Ai Use: TCC has a policy regarding Generative AI in academics: Generative AI Academic Policy

The library also has additional resources: Generative AI: A Guide for Faculty and Staff

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We prioritize a culture of care at TCC by responding to issues of concern related to students, our campuses (Tacoma and Gig Harbor), and to the overall wellbeing of our community. The TCC Care Team serves as a central network focused on prevention and early intervention in situations involving people who may be experiencing serious distress or engaging in harmful or disruptive behaviors. Some examples of reported concerns include unexplained absences (after multiple contact attempts), persistent disruptive classroom behavior, housing insecurity, intimidation, harassment, and suicide ideation. 

The Care team receives, assesses, and responds to reports of concerning behaviors. This team is made up of counselors, faculty, campus safety professionals, and student affairs administrators who are experienced in conduct, trauma, emergency response, and supporting student success in and out of the classroom.

Who is on the Team and When we meet

Care Team meets on a bi-weekly basis (Tuesdays at 2:00pm starting Sept 09, 2025), and if needed more regularly.

The team members are:

• Jason O. Parker – Dean of Retention and Student Success (Co-Chair)
• Surtida B. Shelton – Director of Community Standards (Co-Chair)
• Brandon Kilgore – Director of Emergency Management and Campus Safety
• Dr. James Mendoza – Counselor
• Sonja Morgan – Director of Office of Student Engagement
• Dr. Sultana Shabazz – Dean of Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Kyra Smith – Director of Dual Enrollment
• Rick Souza – Academic Advisor
• Laquida Williams – Director of Access Services
• James Newman – Executive Director of International Student Services and Programs (Ad-Hoc)

What to report

A student in distress will often display behavior that gets in the way of their success. Anyone is strongly encouraged to contact the Care Team if they are concerns with the wellbeing or safety of a student or the community.

For emergencies, please contact the appropriate emergency response by calling Campus Safety at 253-566-5111, or for urgent situations call 911.

Some indicators of distress (remember to look for groupings of indicators, duration, and severity – not just isolated instances (someone just having an off day):

Academic: repeated absences, disorganized work/performance, overly demanding of faculty/staff time, sudden decline in quality of work/grades etc.

Physical: Noticeable changes in appearance (deterioration in grooming, hygiene, weight gain/loss), disoriented or “out of it”, out of context/bizarre behavior etc.

Psychological: Self-disclosure of personal distress, delusions or paranoia, excessive crying or panicked reactions, concern disclosed by peers etc.

Safety Risk: Implying a direct threat to self or others, communicating threats verbally or in writing, unprovoked hostility, academic assignments showing themes of extreme hopelessness, isolation, suicidal ideation etc. PLEASE SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS.

Process once report filed

Once a referral is received, the following procedures are implemented:

1. Respond to the referral as soon as possible – typically within 24 hours
2. Assess immediately whether there is an imminent threat to self or others and take appropriate action (Care Team uses the NaBita threat assessment inventory to discern this)
3. If no immediate threat, collect all available information about student of concern
4. Develop specific intervention/prevention strategy
5. Facilitate meetings with appropriate parties regarding the situation on an as needed basis
6. Follow up with all involved as the situation permits

Student of Concern Report

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Learn more about Hazing Prevention

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Learn more about the Title IX policy

Where to Report

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