Mission Statement

The Student Code of Conduct has been established to maintain order on campus and to guarantee the broadest range of freedom for all who come to learn at the college.

Each student is responsible for knowledge of and compliance with this Student Code of Conduct. The College further recognizes each student’s rights to fair procedures, including notice which specifies the alleged violation(s) of the Code of Conduct, an opportunity to respond to the allegations, and an appeal process appropriate to the nature and potential consequences of the violation.

The Office of the Associate Vice President, Student Success has responsibility for the Student Code of Conduct. 

Contact Information

Alex Berry

Associate Vice President, Student Success
Location: Menard Hall, Student Services Hub
Phone: 217-786-2848
Email Alex Berry 

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (spring and fall semesters)
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (summer session)

Online Complaint Form

Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) is committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment. For this reason, LLCC seeks to address student complaints in a thorough and timely manner. LLCC empowers students to advocate for themselves by first talking with the person against whom they want to file a complaint. If the direct conversation did not remedy the complaint, please submit information about the situation through LLCC's Online Complaint Form.

This complaint form is not intended to address all types of complaints. Please note the exceptions listed on the complaint form.

• Filing complaints about an Illinois community college with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB)
• Submit a complaint to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) about an institution.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students shall have all the rights and privileges provided by federal, state and local statute or rule, including but not limited to freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of assembly. (Board Policy 5.4) Shelley Vaughan, compliance & prevention coordinator, is available to talk with students about their rights and privileges as members of the LLCC community. She can be reached at 217-786-3682 or email: StudentRights@llcc.edu. 

Student Conduct

Students at Lincoln Land Community College assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Student conduct at the college, or at any college-sponsored activity, shall be governed by federal, state and local statutes and board policy. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the catalog and the Student Rights and Responsibilities. Any and all conduct which adversely affects a student's responsible membership in the college community shall result in the appropriate disciplinary action.

Complaints of intimidation against students on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, order of protection status, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, political affiliation, sexual orientation or any other such status protected by the provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act or other applicable laws should refer to Board Policy 1.7.

The Student Code of Conduct as set forth below applies specifically to student behavior and shall be in effect when the requirements of Board Policy 5.4. (Student Rights) have not been violated. Therefore, violations of any rule of the following Code of Conduct shall result in appropriate disciplinary action.

Behavioral expectations of students are outlined in Board Policy 5.36 and are as follows:

1. Students shall exhibit integrity and honesty. They shall refrain from cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty and shall be truthful in the information they provide to the college and their representation of college documents, records or identification to others.
2. Students shall abide by federal, state and local statutes and LLCC Board Policy.
3. Students shall exhibit respect for themselves, others and the property of others. They shall also respect the rights of others to hold and express differing viewpoints from their own. They shall contribute to an educational environment free of harassment, intimidation and other behaviors that threaten their well being or that of others.
4. Students shall comply with the directions of college officials acting in the performance of their duties.
5. Students shall maintain an environment free from illegal drugs and unauthorized alcohol.

Students may obtain due process procedures from the associate vice president of student success.

Suspension From Class

A student's opportunity to participate in class may be suspended by the instructor for intentional obstruction or disruption of teaching. A faculty-imposed suspension shall continue until the suspended student meets with the appropriate staff responsible for student services administration. In certain praxis (e.g. nursing or other allied health clinicals) a student’s participation may also be suspended if his/her actions pose an immediate danger to others, regardless of intention. (Board Policy 5.41)

Disciplinary Suspension or Expulsion

A student may be suspended from the college (leave the college for a specified time) if the student's conduct is judged to be detrimental to the general welfare of the college (as defined on Board Policy 5.36), or interferes with the orderly and proper operation of the college. Prior to suspension a student shall be given oral or written notice of the cause(s) for suspension and shall be offered the opportunity to discuss the situation with the appropriate college officer.

The president or vice presidents may suspend a student and recommend to the Board expulsion (permanent banishment from the college) if, in their judgment, the student's conduct is detrimental to the general welfare of the college and its students or employees, or interferes with the orderly and proper operation of the college. The student will be given written notice of the cause(s) for the suspension and recommended expulsion, and will be given the opportunity to appeal such action at the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. The suspension will remain in effect until the Board of Trustees takes action regarding the recommendation for expulsion. (Board Policy 5.37)

Student Grievances & Appeals (Board Policy 5.40)

The College will ensure that students be served equitably and appropriately at all times. 

This policy should be used to resolve student complaints and grievances. Grievances are appropriately claimed with regard to, but are not limited to, allegations of the following nature:

• A violation of rules and/or procedure of the College;
• Arbitrary or capricious action by a College employee;
• Improper removal from the College or a program of the College for academic reasons;
• Improper denial of admission or re-admission to the college or a program of the College;
• Inaccurate or inappropriate information contained in the student’s record; and
• Improper suspension from the College for disciplinary reasons.

In addition, this policy should be used by students appealing decisions made through the following LLCC Board Policies:

• Board Policy 5.36: Student Conduct
• Board Policy 5.37: Disciplinary Dismissal or Expulsion
• Board Policy 5.41: Suspension from Class
• And any other LLCC Board Policy and Procedure referring resolutions to this policy.

Complaints regarding the assignment of course grades should be made in accordance with College Policy 4.14 and are not subject to this Student Grievances and Appeals Procedure.

Complaints of sexual harassment, other harassment or discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, order of protection status, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other such status protected by the provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act or other applicable laws should be reported to the appropriate College officials in accordance with College Policy 1.7 and are not subject to this Student Grievances and Appeal Procedures.

This policy is not intended for reviewing the professional judgment of faculty regarding the assessment of the quality of work of their students and shall not abridge, circumvent, nor diminish academic freedom in any way.

Students can refer to Board Policy 5.40 procedures to review definitions, due process rights, and steps for complaints; fill out the student complaint form; or contact Shelley Vaughan, compliance and prevention coordinator, Title IX Compliance/Risk Management.

Purpose of Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

Lincoln Land Community College is concerned about the care, welfare, and safety of all of its students, faculty, and staff, and we are committed to providing an environment where individuals are free to work, learn, and teach, unencumbered by concerning, alarming, and/or distressed behaviors.

The BIT process coordinates a response to a student behavior/s of concern. When reports of concerning behavior are made by students, staff or faculty, to the Behavior Intervention Team, the team will follow up on the reported concerns and respond appropriately.

The BIT is an interdisciplinary group with representation from the Student Success Office, Accessibility Services, Campus Police, Compliance & Prevention, Human Resources, and Office of the Vice President, Student Services. The group meets regularly to assess and implement an intervention plan for students deemed to be at risk to themselves or others socially, mentally, and/or physically.

BIT balances the needs of "behaviorally at risk" students with the safety and security of the larger college community. BIT will act quickly to respond to reports; however, it is not always able to provide an immediate response to a concern. If an immediate response is needed the LLCC Police Department should be contacted.

The BIT process DOES NOT REPLACE faculty classroom management, disciplinary processes, and/or LLCC Police Department responses to incidents. It provides one more opportunity to report concerning, alarming and/or distressed behaviors.

Members of the LLCC Behavioral Intervention Team

Co-chairs

• Associate Vice President - Student Success
• Chief - LLCC Police Department

Team members

• Vice President - Student Services
• Accessibility Services Coordinator
• Director - Student Success (or designee)
• Coordinator - Compliance & Prevention
• Assistant Vice President - Human Resources

If you are concerned about a student’s care, welfare or safety, please report this information through LLCC's online BIT Reporting Form, or by contacting  Kellee Phillips, student care coordinator or Chris Russell, Chief of LLCC Police Department.