Conduct Policy

American Career College (ACC) is dedicated to the belief that all students have the right to succeed and reach their full potential. To meet this challenge in postsecondary education, ACC’s mission is to provide adult learners with the skills and technical knowledge needed for initial employment in allied healthcare entry-level positions.

ACC recognizes that its responsibility for the protection of personal and institutional rights and property is a primary focus of the disciplinary process. Behavior on campus that infringes upon rights, safety or privileges, or that impedes the educational process, is unacceptable and may lead to sanctions up to and including dismissal from the school. Courteous behavior and professional conduct, appropriate to a business environment, is to be displayed at all times while on campus and school-sponsored events.

This Code of Conduct applies to all students, including those applying for admission.  ACC has authority over student conduct that occurs on college property or in connection with official college programs or functions whether on or off college property.  All students are expected to respect the rights of others and are held accountable for conforming to the conduct policy outlined here, as well as the laws of the federal, local, and state governments. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the best interests of ACC and of the student body.

ACC’s administration reserves the right to develop any policy or take any action(s) deemed appropriate to maintain the safety and well-being of any or all students. Student conduct offenses may be related to persons, property, campus operations, and welfare, and the health or safety of students, faculty and staff while on campus.

ACC reserves the right to discipline and/or dismiss a student, visitor, or employee for any of the following reasons:

• Failure to comply with the policies and procedures of ACC;
• Disruptive behavior (continued willful noncompliance, willful and persistent profanity or vulgarity, open and/or persistent defiance of authority, and/or persistent disrespect of personnel or students);
• Posing a danger to the health or welfare of students or other members of the campus community;
• Theft, on campus;
• Any form of assault on campus property;
• State and Federal drug law violations; electronic or social media violations on campus property; or
• Possession of firearms on campus property.

The list of examples is not intended to be all-inclusive, and ACC reserves the right to act in the best interest of the students, faculty, and staff and may deem actions committed by a student to be a conduct violation, although the action does not appear on a list of examples.

Violation of the conduct policy is grounds for suspension of privileges, up to and including dismissal from the Institution. The Campus Executive Director reserves the right to take any action(s) deemed appropriate to ensure the immediate safety and well-being of any or all students, faculty, and staff.

Students are encouraged to share personal experiences while participating in classes at ACC. However, students must be aware that should they disclose to any ACC faculty members or staff information that may cause harm to themselves or others, faculty members and staff are required to report such information to the Program Director, Director of Education, or Campus Executive Director.

Every student is subject to federal and state law and respective county and city ordinances. A student who is convicted of any criminal offense which interferes with the orderly operation of the school or which the administration feels would endanger members of the ACC community shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Infringements of the Student Code of Conduct are handled by the ACC Program Director, Director of Education, and Campus Executive Director. Students have the right to request further review in accordance with the school’s “Student Complaint & Grievance Policy” as outlined in this catalog.

Student Code of Conduct Offenses

Conduct Offenses Related to Persons

An offense related to a person is committed when a student is on campus or at a school-sponsored event and:

1. Intentionally or knowingly and without authority or consent limits or restricts the freedom of a person to move about in a lawful manner.
2. Threatens (by any means), intimidates or uses physical or sexual force in a manner that endangers the health or safety of another person or which reasonably causes another person to be fearful of physical or emotional harm.
3. Intentionally harasses another person. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, impeding another persistently or wronging or bothering another persistently.
4. Engages in any activity related to other persons which is prohibited by law or court order.

Conduct Offenses Related to Property

An offense related to property is committed when a student is on campus or a school-sponsored event and:

1. Knowingly and without consent or authorization possesses, removes, uses, misappropriates, or sells the property or services of another person or of ACC.
2. Intentionally or negligently damages or destroys property owned or in the possession of another person or of ACC.
3. Obtains the property of another person by misrepresentation or deceptive means.
4. Enters or uses the facilities or property of another person or ACC without consent or authorization.
5. Commits a computer-related offense, including, but not limited to, use of an ACC computer to access sexually explicit images of persons and/or children.

Conduct Offenses Related to Academic Integrity

An offense related to academic integrity is committed when a student intentionally or knowingly violates the Academic Honor Code (https://americancareercollege.edu/catalog/current/student-policies-and-procedures/academic-honor-code/academic-honor). Examples of violating the AHC include but are not limited to:   

• egregious, intentional plagiarism of another person’s or entity’s work or material 
• intentional misuse of AI   
• knowingly cheating on exams, quizzes, homework, or other assignments  
• purchasing or selling exams, essays, or other assignments 

Conduct Offenses Related to the Operation of ACC

An offense related to the operation of ACC is committed when a student:

1. Engages in illegal, obscene or indecent conduct on ACC property, affiliated sites, or at ACC-sponsored events.
2. Forges, alters, possesses, duplicates, or uses documents, records, keys or identification without consent or the authorization of appropriate ACC officials.
3. Fails without just cause to comply with the lawful order of an ACC official acting in the performance of his/her duties and authority.
4. Engages in solicitation in or on ACC property or involving the use of campus property unless such solicitation is approved by appropriate ACC officials.
5. Operation of any audio or video recording device without prior approval.
6. Intentionally acts to impair, interfere with, or obstruct the orderly conduct, processes, and functions of ACC.

Conduct Offenses Related to Welfare, Health or Safety

An offense related to welfare, health or safety is committed when a student:

1. Uses, possesses, or manufactures, without ACC authorization, firearms, explosives, weapons, unregistered fireworks, illegal chemical or biological agents or other dangerous articles or substances injurious to persons or property.
2. Falsely reports a fire, activates emergency warning equipment, or communicates false information regarding the existence of explosives or hazardous materials on ACC property.
3. Abuses, removes, or damages fire and safety equipment or fails to vacate a building or facility when a fire alarm is activated.
4. Intentionally mishandling or misuse of lab equipment, which may lead to bodily injury.
5. Fails to leave a building, streets, walks, driveways or other facilities of ACC when directed to do so by an official of the campus.
6. Uses, possesses, distributes, sells, purchases or is under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, hallucinogens, dangerous drugs, or controlled substances.

Anti-Hazing Policy

In accordance with federal and state regulations, hazing is prohibited in any form and is inconsistent with the values of our institution. This policy is designed to comply with the Federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, as well as applicable state laws, to prevent, address, and educate the campus community on the dangers of hazing.

Hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons), against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, which is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization  of physical or psychological injury.  Planning, soliciting or aiding in any act of hazing is also a violation of this policy. The following list of activities contains examples that qualify under the definition of hazing, and is not intended to be an exhaustive list:

• Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
• Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
• Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
• Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
• Any activity that includes, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

A student organization is defined as an organization at ACC, such as a club, society, association, or student government, in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.  

This policy applies to all members of the ACC community.

Hazing, as defined in this policy, is prohibited in all forms. The consent of a participant is not a defense to hazing.

Acts of hazing that violate this policy may also constitute criminal offenses under applicable state law. State specific hazing laws where ACC campuses are located are provided here:

California Education Code Ch 5.1 Section 66308

Texas Education Code Ch. 51 Sec. 936

Reporting, Investigation and Sanctions

Any member of the ACC community who witnesses or experiences hazing should report it immediately to:

• Student Services Office on your campus
• Community Standards Manager (Email: pHolt@americancareercollege.edu)
• Reporting through the campus reporting portal (with option for anonymous reporting): ACC Hazing Reporting Form

ACC will investigate all reports of hazing in accordance with the same process outlined in the Student Complaint Procedure. Any reports of alleged hazing activity involving associates or faculty will be directed to Human Resources for investigation. Retaliation against individuals who report hazing is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.

Individuals and organizations found responsible for hazing may face:

• Disciplinary action (e.g., suspension, expulsion, loss of organization recognition)
• Legal consequences (e.g., criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits)
• Educational sanctions (e.g., mandated training, community service)

ACC is committed to educating the campus community about hazing education and prevention. Primary prevention training will be provided to the community.

Educational materials and resources are available from the Community Standards Manager and Office of Student Services.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report: The first report will be available on December 1, 2025. This report is updated every six months.  Additional information on hazing incidents is also provided in the Annual Security Report on the institution’s website.