1.1 Purpose of This Code
Genesee Community College is committed to providing a safe and orderly environment where students may receive quality educational services without disruption or interference. This Code has three primary functions:
It communicates GCC’s behavioral expectations for its students.
It explains what students can expect from GCC when a concern is raised.
It describes how conduct matters are resolved.
In support of the mission of the College, the Code of Conduct is designed to foster a safe and supportive learning environment for its students in their pursuit of their educational goals. The Code is designed to be both educational and protective, helping students understand the impact of their choices, repairing harm where possible, connecting students with support where needed, and preserving a safe environment for those in the College community.
This Code is an internal College process with its own standards, timelines, and outcomes. It is not a criminal or civil proceeding.
1.2 Authority
This Code is issued under GCC Procedure 401, Student Code of Conduct, which establishes that the College maintains and enforces a Student Code of Conduct and sets out the minimum purposes the Code must serve. Review and approval of changes to this Code are governed by Procedure 401 and described in 1.7.
This Code is also governed by and interpreted consistently with:
Policies of the State University of New York Board of Trustees;
New York State Education Law Article 129-A (public order) and Article 129-B (sexual violence prevention and response);
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations;
The Jeanne Clery Act;
The New York State Hazing Prevention Act;
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
The Dean of Students is the College’s primary administrator of student conduct and is responsible for administering this Code.
1.3 Scope
This Code applies to all Genesee Community College students, as defined in Appendix A. This includes students who are:
Full-time or part-time;
Enrolled in credit or non-credit coursework;
Studying in person, online, or in a hybrid format;
Not enrolled in a particular term but who have a continuing academic relationship with the College;
Enrolled in pre-collegiate programs, co-sponsored partnerships, and other recurring programs; and
Withdrawing or withdrawn from the College while a conduct matter is pending.
A student is subject to this Code from the point of enrollment through the completion of their program, including periods between terms and during academic breaks.
This Code also applies to registered student organizations and to student groups recognized by the College. Sanctions available for organizations are described in Section 6.7.6.
1.4 Jurisdiction
This Code covers student behavior that occurs:
On College property, or on property the College manages or controls, including College Village;
At College-sponsored programs, activities, or events, whether on or off campus;
At clinical, internship, field placement, and other College-affiliated off-campus sites; and
Off campus or online, when the behavior poses a risk of harm to members of the College community or substantially interferes with College operations.
Sexual and interpersonal misconduct covered by Title IX or New York Education Law Article 129-B is addressed under Section 4, which governs the scope of those matters.
1.5 Relationship to Other College Policies
Some students are held to additional standards because of where they live, what they study, or what they participate in. Those standards apply alongside this Code, not instead of it.
College Village residents are also subject to the College Village Housing Regulations and License Agreement.
Student-athletes are also subject to the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct and applicable NJCAA rules.
Students in clinical, health, and field placement programs are also subject to the standards of their program and placement site.
Registered student organizations are also subject to the standards outlined in Student Engagement & Inclusion, and any national or regional governing body.
Where this Code conflicts with federal law, New York State law, or SUNY Board of Trustees policy, the law or policy controls. Where this Code conflicts with another College policy or procedure on a student conduct matter, this Code controls, except that Section 4 controls all matters within its scope.
A student who is also employed by the College is subject to this Code as a student, and the conduct process decides only whether the Code was violated, not the student’s employment. Conduct that is solely a matter of job performance is an employment matter handled by the student’s supervisor and Human Resources, not under this Code. The two processes are independent, and a finding under this Code is not automatic grounds for employment action.
1.6 Reading This Code
Defined terms appear in Appendix A. Where a term is defined there, that definition applies throughout this Code.
Section titles and headings are for convenience and do not change the meaning of the text beneath them.
This Code is written to be read and understood by students, and plain language will be used where possible. As needed, such as to meet compliance requirements, some technical language will be used with precision. Where plain language and precision are in tension, the precise language will govern.
If any provision of this Code is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.
It is the responsibility of every Genesee Community College student to become familiar with this Code and with College policies and procedures. All students enrolled at the College agree to follow this Code and all College policies and procedures.
1.7 Amendments and Effective Date
The official and most current version of this Code is the version published on the College website. That version supersedes any other version online or in print.
This Code is reviewed annually by the Dean of Students to ensure clarity and accuracy, compliance with legal and regulatory standards, and relevance to the commitments of the College. Proposed revisions are reviewed and approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs, with notification to the President’s Cabinet.
Approved changes take effect for the upcoming academic year. A change may take effect during an academic year where it is required by federal, State, or SUNY regulation. Students will be notified of any mid-year change by College email.
Alleged conduct is evaluated under the version of this Code in effect at the time the conduct occurred. The process used to resolve the matter is the process in effect at the time the report is received.