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. Review the full Code of Student Conduct.

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 misconduct 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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Concerned About Yourself? What To Report:

Submit a Care Referral if you are worried about your own wellbeing or the wellbeing of another student. 

Examples include:

• Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or feelings of hopelessness 
• Sudden changes in behavior or appearance 
• Housing, food, or financial insecurity 
• Repeated absence from classes or campus activities 
• Concerns about personal safety 
• Comments about self-harm or suicide 
• Harassment, intimidation, or threatening behavior 

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.

If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, call 911 or Campus Safety at 253-566-5111. 

Submitting a Care Referral is intended to connect students with support, not to punish them. 

Submit a Care Referral

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Concerned About Another Student? What To Report:

Submit a Care Referral if you are worried about your own wellbeing or the wellbeing of another student. 

Examples include:

• Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or feelings of hopelessness 
• Sudden changes in behavior or appearance 
• Housing, food, or financial insecurity 
• Repeated absence from classes or campus activities 
• Concerns about personal safety 
• Comments about self-harm or suicide 
• Harassment, intimidation, or threatening behavior 

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.

If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, call 911 or Campus Safety at 253-566-5111. 

Submitting a Care Referral is intended to connect students with support, not to punish them. 

Submit a Care Referral

 

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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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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 include:

• 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
• A representative from:
  • Office of Student Engagement
  • Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Dual Enrollment
  • Academic Advising
  • Access Services
  • International Student Services and Programs (Ad-Hoc)

Process once report filed

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

1. The Care Team reviews the information as quickly as possible, typically within 2 business day. 
2. If there is an immediate safety concern, appropriate emergency response measures are taken. 
3. A Care Team member may contact the student to better understand their needs. 
4. The Care Team identifies available resources and support options. 
5. When appropriate, the Care Team coordinates with campus partners to provide assistance. 
6. The team continues to monitor and follow up as needed.

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Tacoma Community College complies with anti-hazing legislation known as Sam’s Law (HB1571) that was adopted by Washington State. The law requires colleges and universities to provide hazing awareness and prevention education.

Learn more about Hazing Prevention

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Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. _ 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds. Title IX is most commonly associated with gender discrimination in sports and is credited with advancing participation of women in athletics. However, the scope of Title IX is much broader. It prohibits gender-based discrimination in all college programs and activities.

Title IX protection from discrimination extends to faculty, staff and students and includes such things as: sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, gender-identity and pregnancy. It also prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes or participates in a complaint.

Learn more about the Title IX policy

 

Where to Report

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Academic Misconduct

• Academic Affairs has created a policy for handling academic misconduct. Please follow thei process to determine whether misconduct occurred and what the outcome should be.
• To report Academic Misconduct/Dishonest, please review the Administrative Procedure for Academic Dishonesty: Policy
• Academic Dishonesty Incident Report

Behavioral Misconduct

• Student Code of Conduct:
  • Please report to the Office of Community Standards via the Report a Conduct Issue 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).
• Care Team:
  • 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 and Submit a Care Referral. 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 include:

• 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
• A representative from:
  • Office of Student Engagement
  • Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Dual Enrollment
  • Academic Advising
  • Access Services
  • International Student Services and Programs (Ad-Hoc)

What to report

Faculty and staff should submit a Care Referral when a student exhibits concerning behavior, experiences significant personal challenges, or shows signs that their wellbeing or academic success may be at risk. 

Examples include: 

• Behavior you feel is disruptive to your teaching 
• Concerning written or verbal communications 
• Noticeable changes in appearance, behavior, or engagement 
• Reports of housing, food, or financial insecurity 
• Expressions of hopelessness, self-harm, or suicidal ideation 
• Threatening, intimidating, or aggressive behavior 

For immediate safety concerns, contact Campus Safety at 253.566.5111 or 911 rather than waiting to submit a Care Referral. 

Process once report filed

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

1. The referral is reviewed promptly, typically within 2-4 business hours. 
2. Any immediate safety risks are assessed and addressed. 
3. The Care Team gathers relevant information from available campus sources. 
4. Appropriate interventions, outreach, and support strategies are identified. 
5. The team coordinates with relevant offices when necessary. 
6. Ongoing follow-up occurs based on the student's needs and the nature of the concern. 

Because of privacy laws, the Care Team may not be able to share specific outcomes with the reporting party. 

Submit a Care Referral

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Tacoma Community College complies with anti-hazing legislation known as Sam’s Law (HB1571) that was adopted by Washington State. The law requires colleges and universities to provide hazing awareness and prevention education.

Learn more about Hazing Prevention

Back to top

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. _ 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds. Title IX is most commonly associated with gender discrimination in sports and is credited with advancing participation of women in athletics. However, the scope of Title IX is much broader. It prohibits gender-based discrimination in all college programs and activities.

Title IX protection from discrimination extends to faculty, staff and students and includes such things as: sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, gender-identity and pregnancy. It also prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes or participates in a complaint.

Learn more about the Title IX policy

 

Where to Report

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• Student Code of Conduct:
  • Please report to the Office of Community Standards via the Report a Conduct Issue form. These could be anything from ongoing disruptions to harassment or bullying, or even being on campus while impaired from substance use (legal or illegal).
• Care Team:
  • 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 and Submit a Care Referral. 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.

Back to top

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 include:

• 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
• A representative from:
  • Office of Student Engagement
  • Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Dual Enrollment
  • Academic Advising
  • Access Services
  • International Student Services and Programs (Ad-Hoc)

What to report

Community members, parents, guardians, and visitors can submit a report when they have concerns about the wellbeing or safety of a TCC student or the campus community. 

Examples include: 

• Concerns about a student's emotional wellbeing 
• Significant behavioral changes 
• Safety concerns 
• Threatening or concerning communications 
• Situations that may affect a student's ability to succeed

If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm, call 911 first. 

Process once report filed

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

1. The Care Team reviews the information provided. 
2. Immediate safety concerns are addressed right away. 
3. The team determines what support or outreach may be appropriate. 
4. When possible, the Care Team connects students with resources and assistance. 
5. Follow-up actions are coordinated with appropriate campus offices.

Please note that privacy regulations may limit what information can be shared regarding individual students. 

Submit a Care Referral

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