The Office of Student Conduct and Grievances (OSCG) receives written reports from members of the college community when possible violations of the standards of Student Conduct (aka “the rules”) have occurred. Students will then receive a letter from our office scheduling a meeting to discuss the report and allegations. This meeting will be with the OSCG team, either the Dean of Student Services, Faculty Coordinator for Student Conduct and Grievances, or the OSCG Graduate Assistant. This meeting is your opportunity to tell what happened from your perspective, and it is important we can hear from you.  

If you would like to request information about your case, you can call the Office of Student Conduct and Grievances at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2445 or email oscg@cerritos.edu to schedule an individual appointment with a hearing officer that will go over the case with you.  

Take time to think through and write out your account of the incident with specific information such as dates, times, places, names, and any other relevant information. Be prepared to respond whether you believe you are responsible or not responsible for each charge as outlined in your letter. 

We encourage students to ask questions and to be informed of their rights and due process. Please refer to the Standards of Student Conduct (see AP 5500) and Student Discipline Procedures (AP 5520) to become familiar with the student conduct process prior to meeting with our office. 

Students that have been found responsible for violating the Standards of Student Conduct (BP5500) will be issued sanctions and assignments to complete, as outlined in Student Discipline Procedures (AP 5520)

• Written or verbal reprimand – An admonition to the student to cease and desist from conduct determined to violate the Standards of Student Conduct. Written reprimands may become part of a student's permanent record at the college. A record of the fact that a verbal reprimand has been given may become part of a student's record at the college for a period of up to one year.
  
  
• Disciplinary Probation – A period on probation that may include, but is not limited to, exclusion of the individual from designated co-curricular activities of the college for a set period of time.
  
  
• Removal from class – Exclusion of the student by an instructor for the day of the removal and the next class meeting.
  
  
• Withdrawal of Consent to Remain on Campus – Withdrawal of consent by the President/Superintendent or designee for any person to remain on campus in accordance with California Penal Code Section 626.4 where the President/Superintendent or designee has reasonable cause to believe that such person has willfully disrupted the orderly operation of the campus.
  
  
• Short-term Suspension – Exclusion of the student by the President/Superintendent or designee for good cause from one or more classes for a period of up to ten consecutive days of instruction.
  
  
• Long-term Suspension – Exclusion of the student by the President/Superintendent or designee for good cause from one or more classes for the remainder of the school term, or from all classes and activities of the college for one or more terms.
  Expulsion – Exclusion of the student by the Board of Trustees from the District for one or more terms. 

In addition learning activities are often assigned, so that the student can show what they have learned from the incident and display their commitment to adhering to policy in the future.  Examples of learning assignments include reflection papers, watching videos and providing a reflection response, interviewing, service to the college, etc.  

Any sanctions and learning activities assigned will be fully outlined in an Outcome Notice that provides details, due dates, and how to submit items.  

An administrative hold may also be placed if you do not complete the sanction/assignment that was assigned to you in your Outcome Notice. The hold will only be lifted after you have satisfactorily completed the sanction/assignment(s). 
 
If there is a Student Discipline Hold on your record and you are not sure why, please email oscg@cerritos.edu with your name and ID number, and a team member will look up your file and assist you.  

To review your record please schedule an appointment with a hearing officer in OSCG. Appointments can be scheduled via phone at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2445, or via email to oscg@cerritos.edu

The student discipline process occurs between the individual student and the representative member from OSCG. Your records remain confidential and protected under the FERPA (Family Educational Right to Privacy Act) laws.  
 
In the case that a parent or other person calls our office requesting information, we will refer the individual back to the student for clarification. Under FERPA Laws all privacy rights transfer to the student once enrolled in college, even if the student is under 18 years of age.  In order for our office to share information with others you must sign a FERPA Waiver indicating who we are allowed to communicate with.  Limited information may be shared with employees at the College with an educational interest in the matter, however the scope of ‘educational interest’ is limited in these matters.  We take your privacy very seriously. 

Yes, you may bring a parent or other support person to the meeting.  You may be required to complete a FERPA Waiver prior to the meeting, providing permission to speak about your record.  The support person who attends the meeting may not speak on behalf of the student, or obstruct or disrupt the process in any way.  If a support person attending the meeting is disruptive the meeting will end.   

Should you choose not to schedule a meeting with the Office of Student Conduct and Grievances (OSCG), the office shall proceed through the disciplinary process without your input. We are here to support your success at the college, and we hope you take this opportunity to learn more about student expectations and college processes.   
 
If you choose not to meet with a member of the office, you also have the option to provide a statement or other information in writing by the date of your scheduled meeting.  To do this, email the information to the Hearing Officer assigned to your case.  Their information is available in the Initial Notice message sent to you.