Judicial Affairs & Community Standards
*If there is an active or urgent incident, contact Public Safety immediately for assistance.
Any member of the MVCC community may file a report alleging that a student violated
the Student Code of Conduct or a Residence Hall Rule or Regulation. Reports may be
submitted to Public Safety or to a Conduct Officer, as defined in the Student Code
of Conduct.
Public Safety can also assist individuals who wish to file a criminal or civil complaint.
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Public Safety Department: Utica Campus, Academic Building Room 106; Rome Campus, Plumley Complex Room 118.
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Conduct Officer: The Coordinator of Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, a Resident Director, the Assistant Director of Residence Life, the Dean of Student Life, or the Vice President for Student Affairs can provide a Conduct-Related Complaint Form. Non-student employees should contact Public Safety or Human Resources.
A complaint is officially filed only when the complainant signs a Public Safety complaint or when a student submits the electronic complaint form. Informally sharing a concern with an office or staff member does not, by itself, create an official complaint.
Under MVCC’s Code of Conduct, the college judicial procedure provides students with a structured process for addressing alleged violations while protecting basic rights of fairness, notice, and the opportunity to be heard. Students should be informed of the alleged conduct violation, given a meaningful chance to respond, and allowed to participate in the conduct process before a decision is made. The procedure generally includes review by an appropriate conduct officer, a determination of responsibility, and the assignment of outcomes or sanctions when warranted. It also protects the student’s ability to understand the basis for the decision, receive information about any sanction, and use the appeal process when appropriate. Appeals are limited and are not simply a rehearing of the case; they are typically based on specific grounds such as a significant procedural error, new information that was not reasonably available earlier, or a sanction that appears substantially disproportionate to the violation. Overall, the process is intended to hold students accountable in a fair, educational, and consistent manner while protecting both individual student rights and the safety and integrity of the MVCC community. Student Handbook.
Any person involved in the college judicial process may request reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including students who are responding to an alleged violation, reporting parties, witnesses, advisors, or others participating in the process. Requests should be made as early as possible so appropriate accommodations can be reviewed and arranged. For more information or to begin the accommodation request process, please visit MVCC’s Office of Accessibility Resources webpage.
If you do not complete an assigned judicial sanction by the required deadline, you may be subject to further judicial action. This may include being reassigned the original sanction, receiving additional sanctions, or both. If you believe you may have difficulty completing your sanction on time, you should contact your Conduct Officer as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
Beau's Law provides transparency on Parent or Guardian Emergency Contact Notification.
In accordance with Beau’s Law (New York State Education Law §6438-d) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the College may notify a parent or guardian listed as an emergency contact when a student under the age of 21 is found responsible for a violation of the College’s alcohol or drug policies, or when the student is involved in an alcohol or drug related medical emergency, including an overdose, particularly when there is a concern for the student’s health or safety, regardless of whether or not the student has submitted a FERPA release disclosure as detailed below.
Mohawk Valley Community College recognizes the important role parents and guardians can play in supporting student success. At the same time, the College must protect each student’s privacy rights. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), MVCC is generally restricted from sharing student information, including judicial or conduct-related information, without the student’s written consent.
Commuter students: In order for the Office of Judicial Affairs and Community Standards to discuss a judicial matter with a parent, guardian, or other designated individual, the student must submit a FERPA Disclosure Authorization Form. Students may complete the Disclosure Authorization Form through their MyMV account under the “Academic Records” tile. To authorize the release of judicial records, commuter students should select either “All Records” or “Other” and type Judicial Records on the form.
Residence Hall Students: Because parent and guardian communication may be especially important for students living in the Residence Halls, students are encouraged to complete the Disclosure Authorization Form through their MyMV account under the “Academic Records” tile. The form includes a specific section for Residence Hall students to authorize the release of judicial records to parents, guardians, or other designated individuals.