Student Conduct

See the attached Addendum with recent changes from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS)

Scope

This policy outlines the types of student misconduct subject to disciplinary action at the college.

Responsibilities

This policy applies to students, student organizations, the Dean of Students office, and employees of the college. All full-time and part-time students are responsible for following this policy. The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students office is responsible for updating and maintaining this policy.

Policy

Generally, college disciplinary action shall be limited to conduct which adversely affects the college community’s pursuit of its educational objectives. The following misconduct is subject to disciplinary action:

Not abiding by the college’s contagious disease safety protocols found in the Student Handbook: Contagious Disease Policy.
All forms of dishonesty including cheating and plagiarism (see Academic Dishonesty Policy).
Knowingly furnishing false information to the college, forgery, alteration or use of college documents or instruments of identification with intent to defraud.
Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings or other college activities
Physical, psychological, written and/or verbal abuse or the threat of such abuse of any person on college premises or at college activities. This includes hazing, sexual harassment and sexual assault (see Title IX Policy). NOTE: If the college determines that the alleged violation does not rise to the level of Title IX, the alleged violation may be adjudicated under policy 19.12 Student Disciplinary Policies and Procedures.
Not affording appropriate respect to faculty, staff and administrators in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.
Participating in or inciting a riot or an unauthorized or disorderly assembly.
Seizing, holding, or damaging property or facilities of the college, or threatening to do so, or refusing to depart from any property or facilities of the college upon direction by college officials or other persons authorized by the President.
Use of alcoholic beverages including the purchase, consumption, possession or sale of such except where specifically authorized within the regulations of the college.
Gambling or holding a raffle or lottery on the campus or at any college function without proper college and other necessary approval.
Possessing, using, selling or distributing any types of illegal drugs (see Policy Governing the Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs).
Possessing on college property or at any college activity any dangerous chemical, or explosive elements or component parts thereof, or rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, or other firearm, knife, or any other items being used as a weapon not used for lawful college studies without an authorization by the President of the college or designee.
Physically detaining or restraining other persons or removing such persons from places where they are authorized to remain or in any way obstructing the free movement of persons or vehicles on college premises or at college activities.
Littering, defacing, destroying or damaging property of the college or property under its jurisdiction or removing or using such property without authorization.
Willfully encouraging others to commit any of the acts that have been prohibited herein.
Violating any local, state, or federal laws.
Violating any rule or regulation not contained within the official college publications but announced as an administrative edict by a college official or other person authorized by the President.
Violation of college parking regulations.
Violation of college fire regulations, such as failure to comply with emergency evacuation procedures or tampering with fire protection apparatus.
Theft or attempted theft of college or personal property on college premises.
Unauthorized entry into or presence in any college building or facility.
Violation of college policy on expressive activity.
Violation of college policy on solicitation and distribution of materials on college property.
Texting, receiving and making phone calls, emailing, taking photos, creating videos, filming or recording in class is prohibited unless otherwise approved by the instructor or by accessibility services as an approved accommodation. Please note that recording accommodations may not be appropriate in all classes or all situations in a class. For example, recording, filming or taking photographs in a nursing, art, communications or other class where personally identifiable information regarding a patient, student or model is presented would not be appropriate or allowed. Please be aware that instructors may ask students to put away or close cell phones, close laptops, cameras, or other devices during all or a portion of the class. In cases where the student needs to use a cell phone for emergencies, the student should consult the instructor for direction. 
Downloading student speeches and other work without permission is prohibited in online, hybrid and in-person classes.
Using a preferred name in MyBrightpoint that is disruptive to the operation of the college, to include teaching and learning. Please note that VCCS policy allows students to indicate a preferred name in the MyBrightpoint Student Information System (SIS), which will appear on class rosters and in Canvas. The official student name record may not be changed without legal documentation.

NOTE: Nursing students should consult the Brightpoint Nursing Handbook for additional information regarding conduct.

NOTE: Emergency Medical - Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician students should consult the Brightpoint Emergency Medical Services Student Handbook for additional information regarding student conduct.

NOTE: See the attached Addendum with recent changes from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS)

Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Student Conduct Policy Addendum for Brightpoint Community College’s Student Conduct Policy 19.11

The following provisions shall be adopted by every college within the Virginia Community College System as an addendum to its Student Conduct Policy, and any violation of such shall be grounds for discipline under each college’s student conduct policy.

Student Conduct Addendum

The college’s Student Conduct Policy 19.11 is hereby amended to include the following provisions and any violation of such shall be grounds for discipline under the college’s Student Conduct policy 19.11. All other provisions remain unchanged and applicable:

Disruptive Acts
1. Disrupting or obstructing the normal learning, living, or work environments of other members of the College community or the functions or activities of the college (as well as activities conducted on the college’s property with its permission) is prohibited. Examples include: blocking entrances, corridors or exits; interfering with ongoing educational activities, cultural events, or recreational, extracurricular or athletic programs; unauthorized presence in a building after normal closing hours or after notice that the building is being closed; interfering with vehicular or pedestrian traffic; creating unsanitary conditions; and interfering with any other effort to protect the health and safety of members of the college community or larger public.
2. No person may obstruct, disrupt, or attempt by physical force to cancel or discontinue speech by any speaker or the observation of speech by any person intending to see or hear a speaker.
Violations of Laws, Regulations, and Ordinances
1. Prohibited conduct includes violations of federal, state, or local laws, regulations, orders, or ordinances.
  1. Students have a continuing duty to promptly report to Brightpoint security and/or dean of students office any arrests for violations of federal, state, local, or international law, excluding minor traffic violations that do not result in injury to others. This duty applies regardless of where the arrest occurred (inside or outside the Commonwealth of Virginia) and regardless of whether the college is in session at the time of the arrest. An arrest includes the issuance of a written citation or summons regardless of whether the student is taken into custody by law enforcement. Charges related to driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are not “minor traffic violations” and must be reported.
Masking to Conceal Identity
1. Consistent with Virginia Code § 18.2-422, any individual who is present on college property or attending a college event who is wearing a mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, must present a valid college or government issued identification document containing both the person’s legal name and photograph when requested by a security officer or otherwise establish the individual’s identity to the satisfaction of the security officer.
Encampments
1. The construction or occupation of a Camping Tent is prohibited.
  1. “Camping Tent” means any collapsible tent or structure, typically having as its basic components a flexible material supported by a framework, designed, intended, or used as temporary shelter while camping or on recreational outdoor outings. Camping Tents may include tents known as “pup tents,” “dome tents,” “cabin tents,” “hiker tents,” and “backpacking tents.”
  2. A “Camping Tent” does not include a tent with all sides entirely open and where there is an unobstructed view into such tent from the outside at all angles. All other conduct provisions apply to the use of open tents.
  3. All tents require advance approval through the facility use approval process. Only event tents shall be permitted to remain on college property overnight. See Expressive Activity Policy 19.16 for definition of event tents. No Camping Tents shall be permitted at any time. All tents, other than event tents, must be removed no later than 10:00 pm.
2. Camping is prohibited on property owned, leased, or operated by the college, Virginia Community College System, or their foundations.
  1. “Camping” means the act of using any part of the property or facilities for living accommodation purposes, such as establishment of temporary or permanent living quarters, sleeping outdoors overnight or making preparations for overnight sleeping (including the laying down of bedding), storing personal belongings, using any tent, shelter, or similar structure regardless of size for sleeping; sleeping in, on, or under parked vehicles, or setting up temporary or permanent sleeping areas outdoors or in structures not designated for human occupancy.
  2. “Camping” does not include the use of college, VCCS, or their foundations’ property that has been wholly or partially designated as sleeping or relaxation areas; a tailgating activity in conjunction with a college, VCCS, or foundation event; or the use of temporary hammocks or lounge furniture for recreation or studying activities outdoors on college, VCCS, or foundation owned property during the hours of 7 am to 10 pm.
3. These prohibitions shall not apply to the college, the Virginia Community College System Office, or the college or System foundations or to Non-Camping Tents erected for their use.
4. These prohibitions shall not apply to federal, state, or local governments or their agencies or to Non-Camping Tents erected for their use.
Applicability:
1. The Student Conduct Policy, including this Addendum, shall apply both to the conduct of individual students as well as student organizations.
2. Each recognized student organization shall represent that its activities and the activities of its members will not violate federal, state, or local law; or the college’s Student Conduct Policy, including this Addendum.
3. The Student Conduct Policy, including this Addendum, applies to all student activities within college, VCCS, or their foundations’ programs or activities wherever located. The Student Conduct Policy, including this Addendum, also applies to all student conduct occurring on the college campus and on any property owned, leased, or operated by the college, VCCS, or their foundations. The Student Conduct Policy, including this Addendum, additionally applies to any property used as a student residence and in regard to which students have expressly agreed to abide by or provided written consent to be governed by college policies. Violations of other college or VCCS policies may result in disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Policy.

Library Group Study Rooms Student Conduct

The Midlothian and Chester library study rooms are available for currently enrolled Brightpoint students in good standing with the library. Study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Both individuals and groups of students may use the study rooms. Reservations are not taken for group study rooms.

Library Food and Drink Policy

Covered/lidded drinks and snack foods are allowed in the library lounge areas. Please keep all food items away from library computers and workstations. Library staff have the discretion to ask patrons to remove any food or drink item from the library.