Students' Rights and Responsibilities

Luvia Moreno

Associate Dean of Student Services

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities oversees the student disciplinary process to ensure effective and fair application of City Colleges of Chicago student conduct policies in support of student rights and due process.

Our office supports, advocates, adjudicates, and educates students who are involved in circumstances that may warrant college intervention, to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. In this page you will find several ways to report and seek support to address issues of misconduct or ac​tions that threaten the safety of Harold Washington College.


Reporting Non-Academic Misconduct

How to Report

Any student or employee may file a student conduct complaint with the Dean of Student Services or designee. If the complaint constitutes a violation of the student conduct policy, the student against whom a complaint is made has the right to due process and a conduct hearing.

To report non-academic misconduct, fill out a Discipline Complaint Form and submit it via email to hwc-conductofficer@ccc.edu. For questions regarding this form, please contact us at Student Services Office, Room 201, via email at hwc-conductofficer@ccc.edu, or call (312) 553-5664.

Next Steps

Once a complaint is submitted, the Conduct Officer, in collaboration with Safety and Security and/or the Wellness Center, assesses the appropriate categorization of the violations noted on the complaint and determine the type of disciplinary action and/or hearing that will take place.

Types of Hearings

Provides students with minor violations, as determined by the Code, with an option for resolving matters in an informal manner. After investigating the facts of the conduct case, the Dean of Student Services or designee determines whether the violations committed may be resolved through the Informal Resolution Agreement (IRA).

Formal Disciplinary Hearing

In this type of hearing, a Disciplinary Committee provides students the opportunity to communicate their position on the allegations brought forward.

Reporting Academic Misconduct

What is Academic Misconduct?

Academic dishonesty is a serious offense, which includes but is not limited to the following: cheating, complicity, fabrication and falsification, forgery, and plagiarism.

In instances of academic dishonesty, sanctions may include one or more of the following: an F grade on an assignment where academic dishonesty occurred, a written warning, a failing grade for the course, and/or issuing of an academic dishonesty withdrawal.

The severity of the penalty is left to the discretion of the instructor, except the issuing of an academic dishonesty withdrawal which requires Vice President approval. For further guidance, faculty may consult with their Academic Department Chair and/or Dean of Instruction.

How to Report

While a Discipline Complaint Form can be submitted to the Conduct Officer, academic dishonesty complaints are referred to the Dean of Instruction who will help determine the appropriate steps to address the complaint and come to a resolution. 

Reporting Title IX Violations

What are Title IX Violations?
Title IX violations are matters involving complaints of sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking on campus groups. This includes protection from gender-based violence between any of the following groups: men, women, transgender people, and gender non-conforming persons. 
 
How to Report

By filing a Title IX complaint, you have the right to ask for an Equal Opportunity (EEO) Office internal investigation and reasonable academic accommodation. To report a Title IX violation by a student, faculty, or staff, please fill out the EEO/Title IX Complaint Form https://apps.ccc.edu/EEO/ or email eeofficer@ccc.edu.

Next Steps

Once a Title IX complaint form is submitted, the CCC Director of Title IX will begin an internal investigation. A student has 180 days from the date the incident to file a complaint, even if the academic term is over. For more information on Title IX, your rights, and resources, visit https://www.ccc.edu/services/pages/titleix-and-you.aspx. 

Not ready to report but would like guidance in a confidential manner?

Contact the HWC Confidential Advisor – Sushma Kher, Director of Wellness Services at skher1@ccc.edu

Need psycho-social support in a confidential manner?

Visit the Wellness Center in Room 1041 or schedule an appointment at hwc-wellnesscenter@ccc.edu

Looking for additional legal, medical, or other resources outside HWC?

Find education, resources, and information through Project S.A.F.E. https://pages.ccc.edu/apply/project-s-a-f-e/

Reporting Behavioral Concerns to SIT

What is SIT?

The Supportive Intervention Team (SIT), is a collaboration among key College departments and engages the College’s resources to:

  • ​Investigate concerning behavior and assess the level of threat.
  • Develop and implement an intervention plan for the safety of all.
  • Identify sources of support for the person of concern.
  • Provide ongoing support and monitoring.

When to Report to SIT

Any student or employee who might pose a safety risk to themselves or others can be reported to SIT.

Keep in mind the 4 Ds:

  • Distressed: The behavior causes concern solely for the student’s well-being.
  • Disturbed: The behavior may be highly inappropriate, irrational, or delusional and makes others uncomfortable.
  • Disruptive: The behavior interrupts the classroom or work environment and represents an escalation of distress and/or inner disturbance.
  • Dangerous: The behavior threatens the safety and well-being of others.

How to Report

In an emergency:

CONTACT SECURITY IMMEDIATELY at (312) 553-5643 or use the blue light call box located on each floor. Threats toward others and suicidal threats and/or gestures always constitute an emergency. Otherwise, dial 911.

In a non-emergency:

Notify the Supportive Intervention Team (SIT) using the online Person of Concern Report Form. Submit the form as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after learning of the concerning situation.