(1) Administration of the disciplinary procedure is the responsibility of the vice president of student services. The student conduct officer, or designee, shall serve as the principle investigator and prosecutor for alleged violations of this code.

(2) Faculty members have the authority to take appropriate action to maintain order and proper conduct in the classroom and to maintain the effective cooperation of students in fulfilling the objectives of the course.

(3) Bringing any person, thing, or object to a teaching and learning environment that may disrupt the environment or cause a safety or health hazard, without the express approval of the faculty member is expressly prohibited.

(4) Faculty members or college administrators have the right to suspend any student from any single class or related activity for no more than one day, if the student's misconduct creates disruption to the point that it is difficult or impossible to maintain the decorum of the class, related activity, or the learning and teaching environment. The faculty member or college administrator shall report this suspension to the student conduct officer or designee on the same day of the suspension. In consultation with the faculty member or college administrator, the student conduct officer may set conditions for the student upon return to the class or activity.

(5) The student has the right to appeal any disciplinary action of an instructor or college employee to the student conduct officer in accordance with the procedures set forth in this code.

(6) A student formally charged or under investigation for a violation of this code may not excuse themselves from disciplinary hearings by withdrawing from the college.

(7) In addition to initiating discipline proceedings for the violation of the student conduct code, the college may refer any violations of federal, state, or local laws to civil and criminal authorities for disposition. The college shall proceed with student disciplinary proceedings regardless of whether the underlying conduct is subject to civil or criminal prosecution.