Student Conduct Policy

ACE students are expected to conduct themselves professionally, ethically, and respectfully in all academic and administrative interactions. Misconduct that impairs the rights, safety, or educational opportunities of others or disrupts college operations or functions may be subject to disciplinary action.  

Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

A. Disruptive or Disrespectful Behavior 

• Actions, verbal statements, written communications, and/or online posts that intimidate, harass, threaten, or endanger the personal safety of any member of the ACE community, including students, faculty, staff, or administrators. 
• Cyberbullying or cyberstalking in any form, including written statements designed to intimidate, threaten, or violate personal safety, or that interfere with the educational process or college operations. 
• Persistent disruptive behavior, including harassment, verbal insults, ethnic and/or racial slurs, or other conduct that hinders or interferes with the learning environment or institutional functions. 
• Failure to comply with reasonable directives issued by faculty or staff acting in their official capacity. 

B. Harassment and Discrimination 

• Sexual, racial, ethnic, religious, or any other form of harassment that creates a hostile or offensive educational or workplace environment for students, faculty, or staff. 
• Retaliatory actions taken against individuals for reporting or participating in investigating policy violations. 

C. Academic Violations 

• Violating academic integrity policies, professional codes of ethics, or program-specific dispositions. 

D. Technology and Communication Violations 

• Violation of the information technology policy, including unauthorized use of college systems, misuse or sharing of login credentials, or any actions that disrupt or interfere with digital learning environments. 
• Recording or transmitting live classroom sessions, lectures, or discussions without prior instructor approval and the informed consent of all participants. Recordings authorized for disability accommodations are exempt. 
• Posting, distributing, or sharing unauthorized recordings on social media or public platforms that infringe on privacy rights or violate college policy. 

E. Health and Safety Violations 

• Possession, use, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during official college interactions, or college-sanctioned events, unless alcohol is explicitly permitted by the College at a designated event. 
• Possession of weapons at college events or during meetings with college personnel. 

F. Legal and Policy Violations 

• Hazing or initiation activities that intentionally or recklessly endanger the mental, physical, or emotional health or safety of a student, especially as a condition of affiliation with any college organization. 
• Breach of any ACE policies, procedures, or regulations not explicitly listed here, including but not limited to academic integrity, information technology, and program-specific standards. 
• Violate federal, state, or local laws impacting the educational environment or college operations. 

​Interim Actions 

While an alleged violation of the Student Conduct Policy is under review, the college may temporarily restrict a student’s participation in classes, college-sanctioned events, or other activities to prevent further disruption, ensure a productive educational environment, or address other concerns related to the situation. 

Potential disciplinary actions for a violation may include, but are not limited to: 

• Written warning 
• Educational or corrective counseling (may include faculty, department chairs, program directors, Student Services) 
• Reduction of a course grade 
• Loss of academic credit 
• Administrative withdrawal from a course with a grade of “F” 
• Probation for a specified period 
• Suspension for a specified period 
• Expulsion (permanent dismissal from the institution) 
• Revocation of admission or degree, if warranted 
• Referral for criminal prosecution, when applicable 

Student Conduct Procedures

​For students admitted to ACE and enrolled in an academic program: 

1. Reporting the Alleged Violation. Alleged violations must be submitted in writing to the appropriate academic department leader (chair or director), along with supporting documentation, such as emails, assignments, discussion board posts, or other relevant materials. 
2. Initial Review and Investigation. The academic department leader (or designee) will investigate the alleged violation by: 
   • Communicating with all involved parties. 
   • Reviewing the student’s prior record of conduct violations, if any. 
   • Consulting with their supervisor for input when appropriate. 
3. Determination of Violation and Severity. The academic department leader (or designee) will determine whether a violation occurred and assess its severity:
   • If no violation is found, the matter will be considered dismissed. 
   • If the violation is minor, the department leader may issue a written warning to the student. 
   • If the violation is severe or the student has prior warnings for conduct violations, the academic department leader will refer the case to the respective department disciplinary committee for further review and recommendation. 
4. Student Response Opportunity. The respective Assistant Provost (or designee) will email the student to inform them of the alleged violation and provide an opportunity for the student to submit a written statement addressing the situation. 
5. Committee Review and Recommendation. The disciplinary committee will: 
   • Review all submitted materials, including the student’s statement (if provided). 
   • Make a recommendation to the academic department leader regarding appropriate academic or disciplinary action. 
6. Final Decision. The academic department leader will review the committee’s recommendation and finalize a disciplinary action, consulting their supervisor for appropriate input. 
7. Notification and Record-Keeping. All formal notifications regarding violations of Student Conduct Policy are issued through the respective Assistant Provost (or designee). 
8. Appeal Process. In rare cases, students may ask that the department’s decision be reviewed through an Escalation Request. This may occur for two reasons: 

   • The student provides new evidence or documentation that was not available when the department disciplinary committee reached the original decision, and the documentation is potentially sufficient to alter the original decision. 

   • There was a substantive procedural error that may have prohibited the committee’s review from being conducted fairly.

​For an individual who is a prospective or former student: 

1. Reporting the Alleged Violation. Alleged violations must be submitted in writing to the Provost’s office along with supporting documentation, such as emails, assignments, discussion board posts, or other relevant materials. 
2. Appointment of Designee. The Provost will appoint a senior leader at ACE (“designated leader”) to review and manage the investigation of the alleged violation. 
3. Initial Review and Investigation. The designated leader will investigate the matter by: 
   • Communicating with all involved parties. 
   • Reviewing the individual’s prior record of conduct violations, if applicable. 
4. Determination of Violation and Severity. The designated leader will determine whether a violation occurred and assess its severity: 
   • If no violation is found, the matter will be considered closed. 
   • If the violation is minor, the designated leader may issue a verbal or written warning. 
   • If the violation is severe or the individual has prior warnings for conduct violations, the designated leader will email the individual to inform them of the alleged violation and provide an opportunity for them to submit a written statement addressing the situation. 
5. Recommendation. After reviewing all materials, including the individual’s statement (if provided), the designated leader will recommend any appropriate disciplinary or admission-related actions to the Provost. 
6. Final Decision. The Provost (or designee) will review the designated leader’s recommendation and render a final decision regarding the individual’s admission status or disciplinary outcome. 
7. Notification and Record-Keeping. The Provost’s Office will issue a formal letter to the individual documenting the final decision and retain a record of the outcome. 
8. Appeal Process. As the individual is not an enrolled student, no appeal rights exist. The Provost’s Office decision is final.