Judicial Sanctions

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Terms And Definitions

Admonishment. A warning to the student to refrain from any and all actions that may result in disciplinary action. No sanctions are given, unless the student violates the Trenholm State Community College rules and regulations or Student or Collegiate Codes of Conduct.

Campus-Community Service. A sanction imposed upon a student as a result of a violation of the Student or Collegiate Codes of Conduct. Service is provided by the student to a specific on-campus area or department of the college for a specific amount of hours as imposed by the judicial body. Monetary compensation is not provided. A service contract is to be signed detailing the tenets of the service to completed. NOTE: Failure to complete required campus service will result in the student being placed on a disciplinary hold, fine, or suspension from the college.

Exonerate. To clear the accused of any and all blame, with all charges being dismissed or dropped.

Fine. A monetary payment imposed as punishment for an offense. Payment must be made to the college for violations of the Student or Collegiate Codes of Conduct. NOTE: A disciplinary fine may range from $25.00 (twenty-five dollars) to $500.00 (five hundred dollars), depending upon the severity of the offense(s).

Probation. A specified amount of time, involving restrictions, after which college authorities will determine if the student’s behavior has improved. During this time period, the student may receive additional disciplinary measures resulting in suspension, if he/she is involved in violations of any type of the college Student or Collegiate Codes of Conduct and /or the breaking of any laws. The types of probation are Regular and Indefinite. NOTE: Probationary statuses range from one (1) semester through graduation. A violation of a probationary status may result in the student being immediately suspended from the college

Loss Of Privileges. A student who receives a judicial sanction will be notified in writing of the specific privilege(s), which he/she has lost. The privileges may include removal/eviction from on-campus facilities, events, sporting, activities, and restrictions from affiliation and or representing the college. The written notification shall include the time period for which the student has lost certain privileges.

Pre-Hearing Suspension. The Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services or designee may suspend students from the college pending a scheduled judicial hearing, given the severity of the infraction.

Research Assignments. Based on the nature of the offense, students may be required to complete a research assignment as a part of the service agreement on a topic related to the offense committed. The research assignment must be typed, completed and submitted by the deadline specified. It must be thorough, comprehensive, and scholarly. The completed project must also conform to other specifications that may be given by the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services or judicial body. NOTE: Failure to comply with the terms of this sanction will result in a fine or temporary suspension from the college until all matters are agreed upon by the student and the appropriate official or all requirements have been completed.

Restitution. Compensation, reimbursement of, or a required replacement of a loss, injury, or property (personal or private) by the student in violation. Restitution must be made within a specified time period. Failure to pay full restitution to the appropriate party will result in the student being placed on disciplinary hold and /or suspension. NOTE: Restitution is due in full, prior to or within the 30th day from official notification to the offender, unless otherwise approved by a judicial administrator.

Suspension. Dismissal from the college for a specific period of time following severe acts of violation of the Student or Collegiate Codes of Conduct or violation of a present probationary status. Suspensions are recorded on the student’s permanent record. Students suspended from the college are required to return their student identification card and room keys and may not return to campus for the duration of their suspension, except to conduct official business with an administrative officer or faculty member, and then only with prior permission of the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services/ designee. If a student returns to the campus without permission during the period of suspension, his or her eligibility to return to Trenholm State Community College will be threatened and he/she will be subject to arrest. During the period of suspension, the student is not eligible or entitled to receive any college services. His or her name is deleted from the roster of enrolled students and from the faculty class roll. The student will not get credit for course assignment, papers, projects, make-up work, or other course-related work during the period of suspension. During the period of suspension, therefore, the student’s relationship with the college is terminated, and he or she is, in fact persona non-gratis. If a student is suspended from the college, a letter will be sent to his or her parents and the registrar, financial aid personnel, and fiscal affairs will be notified to administratively withdraw the student. Following a fully served suspension period, a student who wishes to re-enter the college must make a written request to be re- admitted to the college. The student must present a typed letter to the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services no later than (30) days prior to the beginning of the semester for which he/she is asking to be allowed to return (e.g. letter must be received 30 days before the fall semester is to begin if this is the semester the student wishes to return to the college.)

The Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services will review the file of the student and determine the student’s eligibility to return to the college following a suspension period. Regardless of the fact that a student has served the specified amount of a suspension period, it is left to the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services’ discretion whether to allow re-admittance. The types of suspension are as follows: Suspension; Interim Suspension; Indefinite Suspension; Expulsion. They are defined below:

  1. Suspension. Suspension period begins with an existing semester and continues through that semester or a portion of that semester; however, suspension may become effective at the beginning of a specified semester (usually the following semester) and continue through that semester and future ones.

     All students and student organizations returning to “active” status at Trenholm State Community College following a disciplinary suspension will be placed on mandatory “Probationary Status” for up to one calendar year. Any violations of the probationary status within this time period may result in an additional suspension effective immediately and continuing throughout the time period recommended by the appropriate judicial council.
  2. Interim Suspension. Suspension that is immediately sanctioned when charges are alleged. The suspension will remain in effect until the disciplinary hearing is held or the student has completed requirements of the sanction imposed. Suspensions of this type are usually temporary; however, if the student is found guilty of the violation(s), or fails to satisfy the requirements of the sanction imposed, the interim suspension may be changed to another sanction, including suspension or expulsion.
  3. Indefinite Suspension. Dismissal or Suspension from the college to be served for a period of not less than (1) one year.
  4. Expulsion. Permanent separation from the college. Expulsion is the most severe sanction that can be imposed upon a student for a violation. The student who receives a sanction of expulsion is not eligible to apply for readmission to the college and will not be allowed on the main campus or off-site campus for any reason. When a student is expelled from the college, the student’s relationship with the college is permanently severed, unless criminal acts and/ or restitution is pending and the student is persona non-gratis. The student (s) should understand that an arrest will be warranted if to be found on the premises of Trenholm State Community College.

Special Notation to Students

Each violation of the Trenholm State Community College Student or Collegiate Codes of Conduct is treated separately from any other case. Disciplinary sanctions will vary accordingly, depending upon the severity of each offense. All sanctions will be determined on an individual basis; however, all mitigating circumstances are reviewed and taken into consideration by the appropriate Judicial Council, the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services or designee. Therefore, students may or may not receive similar sanctions for offenses of the same or similar nature.

Disabled Student Services Grievances

A grievance is defined as the claim of an individual employee or student that there has been a violation, misinterpretation or misapplication of a rule, policy or procedure in relation to policies or the laws. The grievance procedures outlined in the faculty, staff, and students handbooks may be used by any faculty, staff, or student to resolve disability complaints.

Trenholm State Community College assures prompt and impartial consideration of any complaints, which an individual may experience in the college environment. When the circumstances require, faculty, staff, or students are encouraged to submit complaints or grievances in accordance with the procedures outlined below. Faculty, staff, or students may use this procedure without penalty or fear of reprisal. Particular attention must be given to the time period shown for each step of the grievance process. For example:

  • Request for accommodations, academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and services for individuals with disabilities are as follows:
  • Request for accessible location for classrooms or offices due to a physical disability.
  • Request for extended time due to a learning disability.
  • Request for a sign language interpreter due to a hearing impairment, etc.

Informal Grievance Procedure (Disabled Student Services)

  1. A grievance should be filed in writing, with the name and address of the person filing it and a briefly description of the alleged violation.
  2. A grievance should be filed within 60 days of the alleged violation or such time after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. (Processing of allegations of discriminations, which occurred before this grievance procedure was in place, will be considered on a case-by case basis in a prompt and equitable manner.)
  3. The investigation shall be conducted by the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services, consulting the American with Disabilities Act Compliance Officer. The investigation shall be informal but thorough, affording all interested persons and their representatives an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a grievance.
  4. A written determination as to the validity of the grievance and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Officer and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than 10 days after its filing.
  5. The Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services and the Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Officer shall maintain the files and records of Trenholm State Community College relating to the complaints filed.

Formal Grievance Procedure (Disabled Support Services)

If the informal grievance process has not led to a mutually satisfactory resolution of the problem at the written request of the faculty, staff, or student, the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services will refer the matter to the Administrative Council. The Administrative Council will be comprised of three full-time, non-academic employees appointed by the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services. The committee’s purpose is to review the grievance thoroughly and render a decision. The committee’s decision can be appealed to the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services and an appeals process shall be invoked within three (3) business of the request.

After a thorough review of the grievance, the committee shall have five (5) working days to render a written decision to the Dean of Student Affairs and Information Services. The Dean shall review the recommendation and make a written recommendation to the President. The decision will be communicated within ten (10) working days to the faculty, staff, or student that filed the grievance or the appeal. The decision of the President shall be final for the college. The student has the right to submit their case to the Office of the Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS).

For Assistance (Disabled Student Services)

When faculty, staff or students have concerns related to the ADA or Section 504, they should address this information to:

Ms. Monica Robinson
ADA Coordinator
Trenholm State Community College
Post office Box 10048
Montgomery, AL 36108
(334) 420-4418

The ADA Compliance Office is located in Building F, Student Services Building, on the Trenholm Campus.

VA Complaint Policy

Any complaint against the school should be routed through the VA GI Bill Feedback System by following the link: http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp. The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels to investigate the complaint and resolve it satisfactorily.