MassArt Community Standards

Massachusetts College of Art has established these Community Standards to promote and maintain the rights, health, and safety of members of the MassArt Community in order that they may pursue their educational goals without undue interference.  Members of the MassArt Community, students, faculty, and staff, are expected to carefully review these Community Standards. The Standards make known to the MassArt community what is expected of individuals and groups. 

Under the terms of enrollment, students (including student organizations) are bound by these Standards and acknowledge the right of the College to take disciplinary action for behavior that violates them. 

The development and enforcement of these Community Standards is an educational endeavor that fosters students’ educational, personal, and social development and growth.  MassArt encourages students to assume a significant role in the development and enforcement of these Standards in order to be better prepared for their role and responsibilities as global citizens. 

The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, has specific responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Community Standards. The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, will conduct training sessions for Hearing Officers and bodies and will manage and maintain all records

Definitions
College – Massachusetts College of Art.
Student – a person enrolled in or auditing any course offered by the College.
Faculty member - a person employed by the College to conduct and evaluate course
activities for Students.
College official - a person, employed by the College, to perform assigned
administrative or professional responsibilities.
Member of the College community - any person who is a Student, Faculty member, or
College official, and any other person employed by the College.
College premises - all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession
of, owned, used, or controlled by Massachusetts College of Art.
Student Organization - an association of persons holding a charter issued by the
Student Government Association.
Hearing Officer - the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, designated to serve
as hearing officer.
Hearing Body - group of persons authorized to determine whether a student has
violated the Policy and to recommend the imposition of sanctions.
Policy - any written regulation of the College, including, but not limited to those
published in the Community Standards, the Student Handbook, Residence Hall Handbooks, occupancy agreements, leases and the Graduate/Undergraduate Catalogue.
Cheating - includes: use of any unauthorized assistance or sources in taking quizzes,
tests, or examinations, writing papers or reports, solving problems, or performing other course assignments.  The acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the College faculty or staff.
Plagiarism - the misrepresentation of another's work as one's own. In creative work,
plagiarism is the inappropriate and unethical representation of another's work as one's own. In those instances where a significant portion of a creative work is intentionally "appropriated," plagiarism is the failure to note, orally or in writing, the source of the appropriation. In expository or academic writing, whenever your work incorporates someone else’s research, images, words, or ideas, you must properly identify the source unless you can reasonably expect knowledgeable people to recognize it.  Proper citation gives credit where it is due and enables your readers to locate sources and pursue lines of inquiry raised by your paper.  Students who do not comply may be penalized.  For further information, see the “Introduction” to the Critical Studies Handbook of Citation and the MassArt Student Handbook.

Authority
The Community Standards apply to: All accepted and/or registered full and part-time students as well as continuing education students enrolled at MassArt. All Student Organizations.

Jurisdiction
Students are subject to provisions of these Standards while they are on College premises or while they are participating in off-campus, College-sponsored programs or courses.  Additionally, MassArt reserves the right to take disciplinary action as set forth in the Standards for the conduct of its students off-campus when such conduct constitutes misconduct, as defined in these Standards, and is sufficiently serious to call into question a student’s suitability to remain as a student of the College, e.g., the use of controlled substances or alcohol, or conduct that the College reasonably judges would, if prosecuted, constitute a crime. 

Hearing Bodies
Hearing bodies seek to discover truth, protect the innocent, and sanction those students who violate College Policy, including these Community Standards. Hearing bodies and alternates are trained by the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, to conduct proceedings that are fair, objective, and just.

The Hearing Officer
Jurisdiction: the Hearing Officer shall be a member of the Division of Student Development staff and may include member(s) of the Residence Life staff to carry out these responsibilities for incidents occurring in the residence halls. The Hearing Officer may render a decision on cases if the accused student(s) waives the right to have the case heard by the College Hearing Board.

College Hearing Board
Jurisdiction: the College Hearing Board is the board of original jurisdiction. The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, will refer cases of alleged violations to the Board.

Composition: the College Hearing Board is composed of two students, one faculty member, and two administrators. One administrator serves as Chair.

Student members of the College Appeals Board are appointed by the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, from students nominated by the Student Government Association.  The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, selects the administrators and the faculty member.  Vacancies may be filled at any time. One alternate for each member is appointed by the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, to serve in the absence of a regular member. During break periods or under special circumstances as determined by the Hearing Officer, the composition of the College Hearing Board may be amended to be composed of one student, one faculty member and one administrator. 

Term of Office: members of the College Hearing Board and alternates will serve one-year terms. Members may serve a maximum of four consecutive terms.  Vacancies may be filled at any time.

Sanctions: the College Hearing Board may make recommendations of any sanction(s) provided in this policy to the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee.

College Appeals Board
Jurisdiction: the College Appeals Board considers appeals by involved student parties from sanctions imposed by the Hearing Officer or the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee.  The College Appeals Board serves as the Hearing Body of original jurisdiction for an offense whenever the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, has imposed an interim restriction.

Composition: the College Appeals Board is composed of one student, one faculty member, and one administrator, none of whom are members of any other Hearing Board. The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, also serves as non-voting Chair. The student member of the College Appeals Board is appointed by the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, from students nominated by the Student Government Association. The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, selects the administrator and the faculty member.   One alternate for each member is appointed by the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, to serve in the absence of a regular member

Term of Office: members and alternates of the College Appeals Board will serve two-year terms. Members may be appointed to consecutive terms at the discretion of the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee. Vacancies may be filled at any time.

Sanctions: the College Appeals Board may make recommendations of any sanction(s) provided in this policy to the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee.

Guiding Principles for the MassArt student
MassArt expects its students to be good citizens and to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times, whether on or off campus. The MassArt community holds it members responsible, both formally and informally, for the manner in which they exercise the privileges and freedoms afforded them.

All MassArt students are expected to act with integrity and demonstrate responsible behavior.  They are encouraged to offer assistance to others whose behavior appears to be harmful to themselves or to the community.  In addition, MassArt students are held responsible for the actions of their guests.

Students are expected to hold themselves and each other responsible to these principles as members of our College community.

 

Principles:
Respecting and treating all members of the College community with common  courtesy.

Respecting the diversity of the community in respect to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, physical ability, class, age and opinion.

Taking pride in academic and artistic honesty in all matters.

Respecting and taking pride in our campus and community environment.

Respecting the roles and authority of all members of the College community.

Respecting the role and the use of new and emerging technologies

Respecting local, state and federal laws

MassArt trusts that students will make appropriate decisions.  However, the College reserves the right to take disciplinary action against any student who engages in any activity on or off campus which is inconsistent with the College’s expectations of behavior, or adversely reflects upon the good name and reputation of MassArt. 

The following conduct constitutes a violation of the Massachusetts College of Art Community Standards.

Prohibited Conduct
Any violation by a member of the MassArt community can and will be subject to action and sanction in accordance with the procedures that are set out in a later portion of these Community Standards.  Members of the MassArt Community include but are not limited to:  accepted students, matriculated students, continuing education students and students auditing classes. 

1. Acts of Dishonesty
1.1 Acts of dishonesty including but not limited to:  cheating, plagiarism (artistic or academic), furnishing false information to faculty, staff, department, or any College official, forgery, alteration or misuse of any College document, record, or instrument of identification (including all software and computer databases, systems or email) or misrepresenting oneself as another.

1.2 Tampering with the election of any student organization.

2. Personal Conduct
2.1 Conduct on or off campus that brings into question the student’s ability to be a member of the College Community according to our principles.

2.2 Conduct that corresponds to any violation of federal, state, or local law while on College premises or at College sponsored or supervised activities. 

2.3 Participation in the disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administrative actions, hearing proceedings, or the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic; breaking the peace; or leading or inciting others in acts of disruption or obstruction of any other College activities, including public service functions on and off campus or authorized non-College activities occurring on campus.

2.4 Attempted or actual theft, damage, or vandalism, by intent or negligence, to property of the College or property of a member of the College community, or other personal or public property; possession of property stolen from the College or any of its members or visitors. 

2.5 Disregarding the request of College Official or law enforcement, fire, or other public officials acting in the performance of their duties or failing to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.

2.6 Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any College premises.

2.7 Prohibited or unauthorized gambling.

2.8 Violating the College Network Use Policy.

2.9 Theft or abuse of computer time including but not limited to:
2.9.1 Misuse of online community networks, including, but not limited to, email, MySpace, Facebook, instant messenger, etc.
2.9.2 Unauthorized entry into a network and or file to use, read, or change it, or for any other purpose.
2.9.3 Unauthorized duplication or transfer of a file.
2.9.4 Unauthorized use of another individual’s identification or password.
2.9.5 Using computing facilities to interfere with work of another student, faculty member, or College official.

2.10 Violation of the event registration process.

2.11 Unauthorized solicitation.

2.12 Violating poster/posting policy.

2.13 Abuse of the Student Disciplinary System:
2.13.1 Failure to obey the summons of a Hearing Officer.
2.13.2 Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a Hearing Body.
2.13.3 Disruption or interference with the proceedings of a hearing.
2.13.4 Falsely alleging misconduct.
2.13.5 Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a Hearing Body.
2.13.6 Failure to comply with sanction/s.
2.13.7 Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the hearing system.
2.13.8 Harassment or intimidation of a witness, administrator, or member of any Hearing Body.

2.14 Conduct that is lewd or indecent.

2.15 Intentionally and repeatedly following of another person online and/or in person.

2.16 Use or possession of illicit drug paraphernalia; and/or use, possession, distribution or being under the influence of narcotics or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.

2.17 Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by Massachusetts State law and college regulations), or public intoxication.

3. Personal Identification and Representation
3.1 Unauthorized use of the MassArt name, logo, or other symbol.

3.2 Unauthorized use of the MassArt directory.

4. Physical/Emotional Health and General Safety
4.1 Trespassing or unauthorized entry to or use of College premises, including balconies, roofs, courtyards.

4.2 Harassment, which can be any action that insults, stigmatizes, threatens, or endangers the health of safety of any person or any action that may subject another person to physical or emotional injury because of the person’s race, gender, disability, age, marital status, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristic and that can reasonable be expected to impair his or her ability to enjoy and benefit from the College.

4.3 Sexual assault, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, or threats of a sexual nature.

4.4 Violating the College hazing policy. 

4.5 Attempted use or use of electronic devices that invade a person’s privacy.

4.6 Use, possession, or carrying of firearms (for the purpose of this section, “firearms” shall mean any pistol, revolver, rifle, or smoothbore arm from which a  shot, bullet or pellet can be discharged by whatever means) incendiary devices, smoke devices, hunting or assault knives, explosives, or other dangerous weapons while on College premises or at a College sponsored event. 

4.7 Creating a fire hazard or a situation that endangers others, such as false reports of fire or bombs, possession of fireworks, failing to evacuate, throwing objects from windows, or tampering with, damaging, or removing fire safety equipment.

4.8 Improper use of College vehicles.

5. Other
5.1 Violation of published College policies, rules, or regulations, including but not limited to, this Mass Art Community Standards, the “Massachusetts College of Art Electronic Mail, Internet and Telecommunications/Voicemail Policy”, Residence Hall Occupancy Agreement, Residence Hall Handbook, fire safety regulations, parking policies, College Alcohol and Drug policies, Affirmative Action Policy, and any other College policy.

Academic Misconduct Procedures
A faculty member who suspects cheating or plagiarism in work submitted to that faculty member in fulfillment of a class requirement should confer with the student submitting the work in an attempt to determine whether a violation has occurred.

The faculty member has the discretion to accept the work as academically and/or artistically honest, or to resolve the issue as a classroom issue, or to refer the matter to the Department Chair.

In the event the student does not concur with the disposition proposed by the faculty member, the student may refer the matter to the Department Chair.

If the matter is referred to the Department Chair, the Chair and faculty member will meet with the student to pursue information that may be pertinent.

In the event that the Chair and faculty member determine that a violation has occurred, they will review the student's educational record to determine if a prior sanction for academic misconduct has been imposed and may impose one or more of the following sanctions:

• The student redoes the assignment or retakes the test.
• The student receives no credit for the plagiarized assignment.
• The student fails (or receives no credit) for the class.
• The student is referred to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for further academic sanction.

The Chair will inform the student, in writing, of the finding and the sanction imposed. If the sanction imposed is failure (or no credit) for the class, the Chair's letter to the student constitutes a letter of reprimand. A copy of any letter of reprimand is retained by the College as a component of the accused student's educational record.

An academic sanction imposed or approved of by the Academic Vice President is not subject to further review or appeal.

If just cause is determined by the Academic Vice President in consultation with the Department Chair and the faculty member, the matter may also be referred by the Academic Vice President to the Chief Student Affairs Officer to be dealt with as a disciplinary matter under the general provisions of these Community Standards.

Disciplinary Matters: Hearing Process
Charges and Hearings
Any member of the College community may file a complaint against any student for misconduct. Complaints must be prepared in writing and directed to the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee. A complaint should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place, preferably within thirty (30) days.

The Hearing Officer may conduct an investigation to determine if the complaint has merit and/or if it can be resolved by mutual consent of the parties involved on a basis acceptable to the Hearing Officer. Such disposition shall be final and there will be no subsequent proceedings.

All complaints are to be presented to the accused in written form. The accused may choose not to contest the charges, waive rights to a hearing, and request that the Hearing Officer issue a determination with appropriate sanction(s); in that event, the Hearing Officer’s decision will in all respects be final and binding and will not be subject to appeal. Whether to accept a student’s decision to resolve a case in this fashion or to require a hearing before the Hearing Board is the decision of the Hearing Officer.

If a hearing is requested before the Hearing Board, a time will be set for a hearing not less than five nor more than fifteen class days, after the student has been notified of charges. Maximum time limits for scheduling of hearings may be extended at the discretion of the Hearing Officer.

Hearing Board Process
Hearings before the Hearing Board will be conducted under the following guidelines:

Hearings will normally be conducted in the open. Upon the request of the accused or complainant, however, the hearing will be closed. A verbatim record will be made of any hearing.

Admission of any person to a closed hearing will be at the discretion of the Hearing Officer or Board Chairperson. In the case of an open hearing, admission will be unrestricted to any member of the College community.

In hearings involving more than one accused student, the Hearing Officer, at his or her discretion, will determine if hearings concerning each student will be conducted jointly or separately.

The accused has the right to be assisted by an advisor of his or her choice who must be a member of the College community (faculty, staff, or student). The advisor may assist the accused student in preparing a case, but the accused student must speak for him/herself at any hearing or other proceeding. Under extraordinary circumstances (as determined by the Hearing Officer), the accused may also be accompanied to the hearing by legal counsel. The primary purpose of allowing legal counsel into the hearing is to safeguard the accused's rights at pending criminal proceedings. The counsel's function shall be limited to advising the accused on whether or not to answer questions and on what the accused should not say so as to safeguard the accused from self-incrimination. When the accused has professional legal counsel, the board may also secure legal counsel. The board may also permit the complainant to be accompanied by legal counsel. A written request to have legal counsel present at a hearing shall be made sufficiently in advance of the hearing (no later than five (5) class days before the hearing) so that a request may be thoroughly considered; the request shall include the name, address, any phone number of legal counsel.  If the request is approved, other parties to the hearing may be offered the opportunity to obtain legal counsel.  Legal counsel shall play no role at any hearing or other proceeding other than to advise their clients.

On behalf of the College, the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, will present the information and circumstances of a case before a Hearing Board.

Presentation of information shall generally proceed as follows:

• Complainant’s opening statement and perspective.
• o Questioning of complainant (Hearing Board and accused student(s)).
• Accused student’s opening statement and perspective.
• o Questioning of accused (Hearing Board and complainant student(s)).
• Statement from complainant’s witnesses.
• o Questioning of complainant’s witnesses (Hearing Board and accused student(s)).
• Statement from accused student’s witnesses.
• o Questioning of accused student’s witnesses (Hearing Board and complainant student(s)).
• Final questions from the Hearing Board.
• Complainant’s closing statement.
• Accused student’s closing statement, including any statement as to mitigating circumstances.

Pertinent records, exhibits, and written statements may be accepted as information for consideration by a Hearing Board at the discretion of the Chairperson.

All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the Chairperson of the Hearing Board.

After the hearing, the Hearing Board will determine (by majority vote if the Hearing Board consists of more than one person) whether the student has violated each section of the Community Standards with which the student is charged. The Hearing Board’s determination shall be made on the basis of whether it is determined to be more likely than not that the accused student violated the Community Standards.

If a Hearing Board determines that the Community Standards have been violated, the Hearing Board must recommend an appropriate sanction. In doing so, the Hearing Board may consider the disciplinary history of the student.

Recommendations of sanctions from the Hearing Board are made to the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee.  The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, will then issue a sanction.

No student may be found to have violated the Community Standards solely because the student failed to appear before a Hearing Board. In all cases, the information/facts in support of the charges shall be presented and considered.

A student who files a disciplinary complaint that results in the Hearing Officer bringing College charges of Standards violation #4.3 (all forms of sexual assault) has the following rights in connection with the College’s handling of his of his or her complaint:

• The right to be kept informed of the status of proceedings throughout the process.
• The right, in all disciplinary hearings and proceedings, to have the presence of an advocate, support person, counselor, or advisor as long as this person is a member of the College community (faculty, staff, student). This person may consult with the student but not participate directly in the hearing.
• The right to remain present throughout the disciplinary hearing, excluding board deliberations.
• The right to submit, orally or in writing, a victim impact statement to any Hearing Body.
• The right to have past unrelated behavior excluded from any hearing.
• The right to be informed of the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.

The Hearing Officer serves as the liaison with students who have been placed on probation.

The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, serves as the liaison with students who have been separated from the College and is responsible for informing the students of the procedure for reinstatement.

Sanctions
The Hearing Officer is authorized to impose sanctions on any student found in violation of the Community Standards.  Multiple sanctions may be imposed for a single violation.

The following sanctions may be imposed on any student found responsible for violating the Community Standards:

Warning – a formal notice in writing that continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct may result in additional disciplinary measures.  Decertification – a student organization or club to which the student belongs can lose its charter issued by the Student Government Association (SGA). 
Probation – a more sever sanction than a warning. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe sanctions if the student is found to be in violation of any institutional policy during the probationary period. The student must demonstrate the ability to comply with rules and other requirements stipulated for the probationary period.
Loss of Privileges – denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
Restitution - Compensation for loss, damage, or injury to an individual, a group, or the College for which the student was found responsible, whether intentionally or accidentally. This sanction may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material restitution for the loss, damage or injury.
Discretionary Sanctions – Work assignments, services to the college, or other related discretionary assignments.  All discretionary sanctions must have the prior approval of the Hearing Officer. 
Relocation/Suspension from the Residence Hall or Loss of Residence Hall Privileges – Temporary exclusion, for a designated period of time, from a particular residence hall or from College housing.  The student may also be barred from visiting certain residence halls. 
Drug and/or Alcohol Treatment - Requires that a student undergo professional assessment and, if indicated, treatment for drug or alcohol addiction pursuant to a recognized addiction intervention program.
Deferred Suspension – Under certain circumstances, a suspension may be deferred until the end of the semester. If a student is again found guilty of violating a College rule or regulation during the deferral period, suspension takes effect immediately.
Residence Hall Expulsion - Permanent separation of the student from the residence hall(s).
College Suspension - Student is denied access to the residence halls and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all other College activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible for a specified period of time. Conditions for re-admission may be specified.
College Expulsion - Permanent separation of the student from the College.
No Contact Order – This requires students not to have contact with another student for an extended period of time.  This includes personal contact, virtual contact, phone calls, emails, instant messages, etc. 
Mental Health Assessment – If the Hearing Officer feels it is necessary, he or she can require a student to have a mental health assessment for the purpose of ascertaining whether the student can psychologically and emotionally remain part of the MassArt Community.
Please note: Under the guidelines established by the Board of Higher Education, the third offense of underage possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverage may result in expulsion from the institution. When any student who is under 21 years of age is found responsible for violating alcohol and other drug policies, the College may, in its discretion, notify parents or legal guardians.

Interim Restrictions
The Chief Student Affairs Officer, or designee, may impose restriction(s) upon a student pending disciplinary proceedings. Interim restrictions become effective immediately without prior notice whenever the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or designee, believes the student may pose a serious threat to self, others, or property, or may cause serious disruption to the College community.

Interim restrictions may include:  Separation from the College or residence areas; relocation of residence, restriction to designated College residence areas or other campus facilities by time or location; restriction of communication with named individuals or groups within the College community; or the requirement to obtain advance authorization to engage in a specific activity.

Whenever reasonably possible, a meeting between the charged student and the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or designee, will be held prior to the imposition of interim restrictions.

The charged student will have the opportunity to meet with the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or designee, to present his/her version of the information and to indicate why interim restrictions should not be imposed.  Following this meeting, the decision of the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or designee, will be final.

Violations of interim restrictions may result in separation or dismissal from the College.

Whenever the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or designee imposes interim restrictions, a prompt hearing will be held by the Hearing Board.

Appeals
1. A party to a hearing conducted by the College Hearing Board may file an appeal to the College Appeals Board (CAB).

2. An appeal hearing is limited to a review of the initial hearing and supporting documents for only one or more of the following purposes:

a. To determine whether the original hearing was conducted fairly in light of the charges and information/facts presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures, giving the parties a reasonable opportunity to prepare and present.

b. To determine whether the decision reached regarding the accused party was based on the weight of the information/facts, that is, whether the information/facts in the case demonstrated that it was more likely than not that a violation of the Community Standards occurred.

c. To determine whether the sanction(s) imposed was appropriate to the violation of the Community Standards.  Only an accused student can use this as a basis for appeal.

3. In all cases, a detailed, written appeal must be submitted within five (5) class days after written notification of the sanction.  The student must write an appeal letter that specifically addresses the reason for the appeal.  The written appeal must be sent to the attention of the Hearing Officer and directed to the CAB. 

4. Upon receipt and review of the written appeal, the Hearing Officer will forward the request to the CAB within five (5) class days.

5. The CAB, within five (5) class days of receiving the appeal, will make a decision whether the appeal shall be heard based on the detailed written appeal and will inform the Hearing Officer, who will notify the student on the status of the case.

6. Subject to the authority of the Chief Student Affairs Officer to make a final decision concerning any sanction, the decision of the CAB is final. The CAB may:

a. Affirm the decision of the Hearing Board and determine that there are no grounds for the appeal; or

b.Reverse the decision of the Hearing Board and, consistently with its doing so, take such other actions as are appropriate in that regard; in all cases the Hearing Board may make to the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, a recommendation that the sanction be altered.

7. In the event a request for an appeal hearing is granted, parties to the original hearing are informed of the time and place of the appeal hearing and may attend it. The nature of this hearing is not to rehear the original case but to allow the accused student to articulate only the reasons for the appeal.

8. Following receipt of the CAB’s recommendation concerning any sanction, the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, will issue a sanction.  This sanction is the final disposition of the matter.  There are no further appeals allowed of this sanction.

In cases of Interim Restrictions, the CAB serves as the Hearing Body of original jurisdiction.  A party to the hearing conducted by the CAB may file an appeal with the President of the College or his/her designee.

Disciplinary Records
All records of misconduct are maintained confidentially in the Division of Student Development. In cases that involve suspension or expulsion, the action is also recorded on the student's academic transcript.

No one outside the institution has access to a student's record of misconduct nor does the Division of Student Development disclose any information in these records without the express written consent of the student involved except as provided in the "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974".

Students wishing to review their records of misconduct may do so by making a written request to the Office of Student Development. Records are made available within seven days from the date of request.

Students who believe that their records of misconduct contain information that is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights should follow procedures described in the "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974" in order to correct them.

Misconduct records are retained until two years after the date of the student graduation or, in the case of withdrawals, the date the student would have normally graduated and then destroyed at the end of the next following semester. Records of suspensions and expulsion are retained indefinitely.

Arbitration and Mediation
In cases which do not involve a violation of the Community Standards, a Hearing Body may serve as arbiter of disputes within the student community. All parties must agree to arbitration and to be bound by the decision of the Hearing Body with no right of appeal.

In lieu of adjudication by a Hearing Body, members of the College community may choose mediation conducted by a neutral third party to help resolve disputes, leaving final resolution in the hands of the disputing parties. All parties, including the Hearing Officer, must agree to this.  The purpose of mediation is not to determine responsibility, but to help parties get to the root of their problems and to devise their own solutions. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached through mediation, the complainant may refer the complaint to the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, for hearing. Students interested in pursing mediation should contact the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee, in the Division of Student Development.

Interpretation and Revision
Any question of interpretation regarding the Community Standards shall be referred to the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or designee, for final determination.

The Community Standards shall be reviewed at least every 3 years under the direction of the Chief Student Affairs Officer, or his/her designee. This review will be conducted in accordance with the College's governance procedures.

Approved: Massachusetts College of Art Board of Trustees   6/2000
Amended: Massachusetts College of Art Board of Trustees 6/2001
Revised:     Massachusetts College of Art Board of Trustees  6/2003
Approved: Massachusetts College of Art Board of Trustees 6/16/2003
Revised: Massachusetts College of Art Board of Trustees 5/31/2007

5/31/07