TITLE: CODE OF CONDUCT WITH CLERC CENTER STUDENTS	New X Revised
SECTION: 1	SUBSECTION: 13
PAGE: 1 OF 6	EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2004

 

SCOPE

 

This policy applies to employees of the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center (Clerc Center) at Gallaudet University and to other employees and individuals (including, but not necessarily limited to, volunteers, interns, practicum students, and University students) who may come in contact with students of the Clerc Center, including students in the Child Development Center.

 

POLICY

 

The Clerc Center and its demonstration elementary and secondary schools and Child Development Center (CDC) provide students with a positive and nurturing environment where their welfare and self-esteem are constantly fostered. The legal and human rights of students must be respected at all times, both on and off campus. All those involved with Clerc Center students are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct in their relationships with them, regardless of the student’s age. Any act of misconduct, neglect, exploitation, or inappropriate fraternization will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

 

Anyone who observes or suspects an act of misconduct, neglect, exploitation, or inappropriate fraternization is expected to intervene and provide for the safety and well-being of the student. All witnessed or suspected acts of misconduct, neglect, exploitation, or inappropriate fraternization should be reported immediately to the Principal of the Demonstration School (or his/her designee) or to or to the Department of Public Safety. All reports will be promptly investigated and, when appropriate, submitted to legal authorities.

 

This policy is not intended to discourage appropriate and professional interaction with students. It is not intended to abridge the rights of parents or legal guardians who may also be employees of the Clerc Center. Its purpose is to assure the safety and well-being of Clerc Center students. The guidelines and definitions in this policy may not be all inclusive. The University will, at all times, take whatever action is necessary to fulfill the intent of the policy and to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

 

PROHIBITED ACTS/DEFINITIONS

 

Misconduct: Inflicting or attempting to inflict physical pain or injury, causing or attempting to cause serious emotional distress, contributing to the delinquency of students, attempting to coerce or encourage a student to follow the employee’s (or other individual’s) personal or professional convictions, or engaging in sexual activity or conduct or in an amorous relationship with a student. Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to:

 

 

TITLE: CODE OF CONDUCT WITH CLERC CENTER STUDENTS	New X Revised
SECTION: 1	SUBSECTION: 13
PAGE: 2 OF 6	EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2004

 

A.         Any physical action which causes or may cause physical harm such as: (1) hitting, kicking, pinching, pulling, biting, dragging, spitting on, jerking, burning, cutting, shoving, or throwing an object at a student; (2) subjecting a student to any excessive, inappropriate, or unauthorized force, conditions or treatment.

 

B.         Any non-physical action which causes or may cause sustained psychological harm or distress such as: (1) locking a student in an isolated area; (2) intimidating a student; (3) belittling, degrading, embarrassing, or ridiculing a student; (4) using obscenities or profanity in the presence of, or directed to, a student; (5) threatening a student with the intent to injure or harm; (6) taunting, baiting, or attempting to embarrass or humiliate a student; (7) yelling and/or signing in uncontrolled anger at a student; (8) making fun of disabling conditions; (9) using ethnic, racial, religious, or sexual orientation slurs; (10) depriving a student of understanding by not signing when communicating with him/her.

 

C.         Any violation of the University's policies related to drug and alcohol use, or any act which encourages or condones a student's involvement in illegal or unethical activities.

 

D.         Any form of sexual activity with a student, consensual or otherwise, such as sexual intercourse, molesting, fondling, sodomy, viewing, touching of a sexual nature, or penetration with objects.

 

E.         Direct or indirect propositions, sexual advances or invitations, or subtle pressure for sexual activity.

 

F.              Any form of relationship with a student, other than a professional relationship, regardless of the student's age or consent, unless a parent, relative, or legal guardian.

 

G.             Any pattern of conduct (not legitimately related to the subject matter of a course in which the student is involved) which may discomfort or humiliate a reasonable person that includes one or more of the following: (1) comments of a sexual nature; (2) sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes, or anecdotes; (3) unnecessary following, including repeated unwarranted appearances anywhere on campus; (4) remarks of a sexual nature about a student's clothing or body; (5) remarks about sexual activity or speculations about sexual experiences; (6) physical touches of a sexual nature; (7) sexual pictures, calendars, graffiti, or objects.

  

 

TITLE: CODE OF CONDUCT WITH CLERC CENTER STUDENTS	New X Revised
SECTION: 1	SUBSECTION: 13
PAGE: 3 OF 6	EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2004

 

Misconduct does not include actions which are an approved part of a treatment program or behavior management program, reasonable acts to

gain a student's attention, reasonable demonstrations of caring or greeting (such as hugging a student), reasonable acts of restraint or force if the

student poses a threat to himself/herself or to others, or unavoidable or unintended accidents.

 

Neglect: The failure to provide, or the careless disregard for, the care and services necessary to maintain the mental health, physical health, and well-being of students. This particularly refers to any situation in which those individuals involved in the provision of services to Clerc Center students fail to fulfill their responsibilities or fail to act in a situation which adversely affects the health, safety, or welfare of students. Examples of neglect include, but are not limited to:

 

A.         Failure to provide adequate supervision of, or attention to, students.

 

B.         Failure to assist a teacher or staff member needing assistance with a student, or failure to intervene in a situation in order to prevent possible harm (mental or physical) to a student.

 

C.         Failure to assure prompt and appropriate medical care for, or to report, iIlnesses and injuries.

 

D.         Failure to provide for the students’ proper personal hygiene, nutritional care, or proper dress, within the scope of services provided by, and while under the direct care of, the Clerc Center.

 

E.         Failure to exercise precautions and interventions to protect students from, or failure to report observed or suspected misconduct, neglect, exploitation or inappropriate fraternization.

 

            Neglect does not include reasonable inattention to students while a teacher or staff member is in the process of intervening with another student.

 

Exploitation: The improper or illegal use of a student and/or his/her resources for profit, pleasure, or advantage. Examples of exploitation include, but are not limited to:

 

A.         Taking, borrowing, buying or using a student's funds or other personal possessions for other than the student's personal benefit, or selling personal items to a student.

 

B.         Using a student for professional or personal work unless part of a school activity or a planned vocational training activity that is clearly described in the student's Individualized Education Plan.

 

C.         Encouraging or allowing a student to participate in sexual activities for personal pleasure or gain.

 

Exploitation does not include receiving a non-monetary gift of nominal value from a student.

 

TITLE: CODE OF CONDUCT WITH CLERC CENTER STUDENTS	New X Revised
SECTION: 1	SUBSECTION: 13
PAGE: 4 OF 6	EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2004

 

FRATERNIZATION

 

The Clerc Center recognizes the very positive benefits to be gained from student interaction with the adult role models who work in the demonstration schools and on campus. These interactions are encouraged and supported when they are kept at a professional level and promote healthy social, emotional, and intellectual development. To assure that all interactions are kept within the professional context, members of the campus community may not:

 

            A.      Allow any Clerc Center student to visit their home. (This is not intended to preclude home visits by students whose parents/legal guardians are also members of the campus community and approve of such visits. Written authorization is required while students are under the care and supervision of the Clerc Center.)

 

B.      Permit any Clerc Center student to reside in their home unless they are parents, relatives, or legal guardians of the student(s).

 

C.          Allow any Clerc Center student to travel in their personal vehicle unless a parent or legal guardian or unless specifically approved by the Principal of the Demonstration School or his/her designee and the parent/legal guardian. (Special situations intended to provide for the safety and care of students may be authorized by the Principal or his/her designee.)

 

REPORTING AND CONFIDENTIALITY

 

Any knowledge of misconduct, neglect, exploitation, or inappropriate fraternization involving a Clerc Center student must be reported, regardless if the student asserts that the information is confidential.

 

Any report of misconduct, neglect, exploitation, harassment, or inappropriate fraternization is promptly investigated. Incidents involving a University employee or student are reported to the appropriate administrative officer for investigation. The purpose of any investigation is to establish whether there is a reasonable basis for believing that an alleged violation of this policy has occurred. At all times, the administrator conducting the investigation will take steps to provide for confidentiality. Employees and other individuals are expected to keep matters under investigation confidential.

 

The Clerc Center will report incidents of misconduct, neglect, exploitation, harassment or inappropriate fraternization to the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and legal authorities as appropriate.

  

TITLE: CODE OF CONDUCT WITH CLERC CENTER STUDENTS	New X Revised
SECTION: 1	SUBSECTION: 13
PAGE: 5 OF 6	EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2004

 

FORMAL DISCIPLINARY ACTION

 

Formal disciplinary action may range from a reprimand to termination of employment or assignment. A Clerc Center employee may be placed on administrative leave, suspended, or transferred while a case is being reviewed. Decisions regarding administrative leave, suspension, transfer or dismissal will take into consideration the nature of the appointment, the severity of the offense, any pattern or history of similar incidents, the possible duration of the investigation, and other factors.

 

Any individual found to have been intentionally dishonest in making allegations or in filing a false report is subject to disciplinary action.

 

Violations of this policy and any appeals will be governed, in part, by the Clerc Center teacher policies. Violations of this policy and any appeals by University faculty members will be governed by University faculty guidelines and by-laws. Violations of this policy and any appeals by staff employees will be governed by policies and procedures in the Administration and Operations Manual. Violations of this policy by a University student will be governed by student judicial procedures.

  

TITLE: CODE OF CONDUCT WITH CLERC CENTER STUDENTS	New X Revised
SECTION: 1	SUBSECTION: 13
PAGE: 6 OF 6	EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2004

 

PROCEDURES FOR THE CLERC CENTER

1.         Any Clerc Center employee, volunteer, intern, or practicum student who observes or suspects misconduct, neglect, exploitation, or inappropriate fraternization is expected to intervene and take appropriate steps to provide for the safety and well-being of the student.

 

2.         All witnessed or suspected acts of misconduct, neglect, exploitation, or inappropriate fraternization must be reported promptly to the Principal of the Demonstration School or his/her designee prior to the end of the school day. A written incident report must be submitted within 24 hours.

 

3.         The Principal or his/her designee will arrange for immediate medical care for the student if needed and will promptly contact the school social worker. The role of the social worker is to interview the student and to consult with the Principal regarding contacting the appropriate legal authorities, if appropriate.

 

4.         The Principal of the Demonstration School or his/her designee will arrange for an investigation (including participation by the Department of Public Safety if appropriate) and determine any action to be taken with the employee, volunteer, intern, or practicum student. Any investigation will afford the accused a full opportunity to respond to the allegations.

 

5.         The Principal of the Demonstration School or his/her designee will report the incident to the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) when appropriate.

 

6.         Anyone who has used any reasonable restraint or force to control a situation or who has been involved in an unavoidable or unintended accident that could later be suspect should make an oral report to his/her immediate supervisor prior to the end of the school day and make a written report to the immediate supervisor within 24 hours of the incident. Written reports must be submitted to the Principal of the Demonstration School.