(1) College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with conduct that potentially violates both the criminal law and this student code (that is, if both possible violations result from the same factual situation) without regard to the pendency of civil or criminal litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under this student code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus at the discretion of the vice president of student affairs or designee. Determinations made or sanctions imposed under this student code shall not be subject to change because criminal charges arising out of the same facts giving rise to violation of college rules were dismissed, reduced, or resolved in favor of, or against the criminal law defendant.

(2) When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the college will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his or her status as a student. If the alleged offense is also being processed under the student code, the college may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the student code and of how such matters are typically handled within the college community. The college will attempt to cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators (provided that the conditions do not conflict with campus rules or sanctions). Individual students and other members of the college community, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives as they deem appropriate.