Academic Dishonesty
Academic Dishonesty is any attempt to obtain credit for course work other than by submitting original work created by the student. Forms of academic dishonesty include plagiarism, cheating, and multiple submissions of the same work. The consequences of academic dishonesty include receiving a failing grade for the assignment, receiving a failing grade for the course, or dismissal from the school.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the use of another person’s distinctive ideas or words without acknowledgment. The incorporation of another person’s work into one’s own requires appropriate identification and acknowledgment, regardless of the means of appropriation.
Inappropriate Use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)
For information regarding academic dishonesty and the use of A.I., please refer to pages the Academic Policies & Procedures.
Cheating
Cheating involves the following: possession, communication, or use of information, materials, notes, study aids, or other devices that are not authorized by the instructor in any academic exercise or communication with another person during such an exercise.
Prohibited Conduct
Conduct that threatens the safety or security of the school community or substantially disrupts the functions or operation of the school is within the jurisdiction of this Student Code of Conduct regardless of whether the conduct occurs online or on/off campus.
Unacceptable conduct includes but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty.
- Allowing other persons to access the online Learning Management System using one’s school log-on credentials.
- Forgery, alteration, or misuse of school documents, records, or identification or knowingly furnishing false information to the school or any of its faculty or staff.
- Forgery or identity theft including but not limited to alteration or illegal usage of school documents, student records, and/or admissions applications.
- Misrepresenting or falsely using student identification, including misuse of Photo ID cards or posing as another individual.
- Conduct reflecting discredit on the professional ethical standards of the school.
- Harassment of any kind including, but not limited to, threats, bullying, spam messaging, and sexual harassment.
- Physical or mental abuse on or off campus of the person or property of any member of the campus or online community including, but not limited to, name-calling, belittling, or intimidation.
- Possession or usage of fireworks, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or deadly weapons on school property or at a school-sponsored function.
- Abusive, discriminatory, or aggressive behavior including, but not limited to, the use of profanity directed toward staff, faculty, students, guests, or visitors, or the act of sending, posting, or sharing false information about an individual.
- Obscene, lewd, or indecent behavior on campus or at a school-sponsored function.
- Hazing or false imprisonment.
- Possessing, distributing, manufacturing, or using illegal drugs or misusing legal pharmaceutical drugs on campus or at a school-sponsored event.
- Defacement, vandalism, tagging, or using graffiti on campus buildings or property.
- Engaging in arson, blocking emergency exits, or falsely activating the fire alarm system.
- Breaking into or unauthorized use of any campus facility or building.
- Theft of school property or assisting in storing or knowingly using stolen school property, as well as the non-return of school-owned equipment.
- Misuse of the computer system, including hacking into academic or student records, or knowingly sending computer bugs or viruses electronically.
- Disruption of the educational process, administrative process, or other school-sponsored event.
- Refusal to follow policy-compliant instructions and instructions given by school personnel that results or may result in bodily harm to oneself, other students, faculty, or staff, including but not limited to emergency evacuation and requests to disassemble and vacate premises.
- Violation of any published school rules and regulations now or later in effect.
Policy Prohibiting Recreational &
Medical Marijuana Use
Although California state law allows the use of marijuana for medical and/or recreational purposes, marijuana is still illegal under federal law and categorized as an illicit substance (Drug Enforcement Agency Schedule I) under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Amendments of 1989. The Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) receives federal funding for student financial aid. As such, LAFS must comply with federal law, including all current federal drug laws. The possession, use, and storage of marijuana is therefore prohibited on school property. Students are also prohibited from being under the influence of marijuana while attending classes or working on projects utilizing school equipment or facilities.
Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the school.
Student Dress Code
Students are prohibited from wearing attire that is inappropriate and not normally in good taste while on campus, in a school setting, during class, or at school events. Minimum dress should cover the torso and upper legs and shoes must be worn at all times. No offensive or abusive language, images, or logos is permitted.
Disciplinary Proceedings
The Office of Student Conduct is responsible for addressing violations of the Student Code of Conduct that occur within the scope of the school’s authority. The Office of Student Conduct can be reached by emailing conductofficer@lafilm.edu. Faculty and staff, should they need to refer a student for support services or flag behavioral concerns, should visit studentadvocacy.lafilm.edu and complete the online form. To report student conduct violations, faculty and staff should fill out this form.
The focus of any disciplinary proceedings is to determine if an individual is responsible or not responsible for violating the standards set forth in the Code of Conduct. Formal rules of evidence shall not be applicable in disciplinary hearings, and minor deviations from these policies and procedures shall not necessarily invalidate a decision or proceeding. Students may be accountable to both criminal and civil authorities and to the school for acts that constitute violations of the law and of this Code. Disciplinary proceedings may proceed even if criminal charges are still pending, and sanctions imposed by the school will not be subject to challenge on the grounds that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced.
Process
- Alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct should be reported to the Office of Student Conduct who will be responsible for investigating the incident/conduct. The Office of Student Conduct will conduct an investigation and may refer the matter to the Conduct Review Board (CRB). The student may be asked to attend a CRB hearing and provide testimony regarding the alleged incident/behavior. The Conduct Review Board may conduct its own investigation into the alleged incident/behavior before or after the conduct hearing by requesting to meet with any other individuals who were involved or who witnessed the alleged incident/conduct.
Before or during the CRB hearing, the student may:
- Present supporting documentation and the testimony of other witnesses, if any.
After completing the conduct hearing, the CRB will make a determination as to whether the student is responsible for the alleged incident/behavior and recommend what sanctions, if any, should be imposed.
Possible findings include:
- The student is not responsible for the alleged incident/conduct.
- The student is responsible for the alleged incident/conduct with informal counseling and/or a verbal warning as an appropriate sanction.
- The student is responsible for the alleged incident/conduct and formal disciplinary sanctions will be imposed.
Sanctions
During the disciplinary process, every attempt will be made to foster student learning through a system of appropriate and escalating consequences. The student may be subject to the following sanctions and penalties as part of the school disciplinary process:
Warning
Written notice that continued or repeated violations of school policies or regulations may be cause for further disciplinary action. A permanent record of the violation(s) will be retained in the student’s file.
Suspension
Termination of a student’s enrollment for a specified period of time, including an academic term or terms with reinstatement subject to specified conditions; further violations of school policies or violation of the terms of the suspension will normally result in permanent dismissal from the school.
Interim Suspension
Immediate suspension when there is cause to believe that keeping the student active could put at risk the safety of other LAFS Community members and/or disrupt the maintenance or order. The student will be promptly notified and given the opportunity for an administrative conference or a conduct hearing within seven days of the interim suspension. Violations of the of the terms of the interim suspension will result in permanent dismissal from the school.
Dismissal
Termination of student status at the school.
Restitution
Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of either school or private property may be imposed exclusively or in combination with other disciplinary actions. Such reimbursement may take the form of monetary payment or appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damages.
Additional educational or developmental sanction(s) as determined by the CRB.
Mandatory Sanctions
Suspension followed by a dismissal hearing, as well as police involvement, will be used for the following offenses:
- Possession of a weapon, including, but not limited to, firearms and knives
- Possession of illegal drugs or trafficking drugs or weapons
- Use of a weapon to cause bodily harm or to threaten serious harm
- Serious physical assault
- Sexual assault
Suspension followed by a penalty hearing will be used for the following offenses:
- Acts of vandalism causing damage to school property
- Threatening physical assault against any member of the faculty, staff, or student body
- Foul and/or inappropriate language directed at the faculty, staff, or student body
- Being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
- Action constitutes a hate crime
- Action constitutes hazing
Applicants for Enrollment and Students on Enrollment Trial Period (ETP) Status: The Office of Student Conduct reserves the right to:
- Request clearance from the Background Check Committee if there is evidence of a criminal record
- Conduct a penalty hearing for non-compliance with the school’s policies, rules, or standards without the respondent’s participation.
Access to campus and/or LMS privileges may be temporarily suspended pending a conduct hearing.
Scope of Jurisdiction
The Office will review and respond to student conduct matters that:
- Take place on school property
- Occur during school-sponsored activities or events (whether on or off campus)
- Involve the use of school systems, platforms, or resources
- Have a direct impact on the safety, integrity, or functioning of the school community.
The Office of Student Conduct does not have jurisdiction over personal disputes between students and third parties not affiliated with the school, unless those disputes substantially affect the school environment or violate school policies.
Legal and Court-Imposed Sanctions
In instances where a student is subject to legal action or court-imposed sanctions outside of school, the Office of Student Conduct may consider those sanctions when evaluating whether additional action by the school is warranted.
Legal outcomes do not prevent the school from enforcing its own policies and standards of conduct.
Disciplinary sanctions made by the school are independent of external legal proceedings and may be applied even if a matter is being handled in a court of law.
Disciplinary Appeal Procedures
Any disciplinary decision made by the Office of Student Conduct or the Conduct Review Board may be appealed to the Appeals Committee on one or more of the following grounds:
- The sanction imposed is grossly disproportionate to the offense.
- The procedures outlined in this policy were not followed, resulting in significant prejudice to the student.
- New, relevant evidence is available that, despite the exercise of reasonable diligence, could not have been presented at the time of the Conduct Review.
- The decision is not supported by substantial and sufficient evidence to establish that a violation of the Code of Conduct occurred.
All appeal requests must be submitted to the Appeals Committee at:
appealscommittee@lafilm.edu
- Appeals must be submitted within three business days of the date of the imposition of the original decision. Failure to appeal within the allotted time will render the original decision final and conclusive. An appeal decision will be provided in writing within 7 business days of the date the appeal was received.
- While an appeal is pending, the student respondent must comply with all sanctions imposed by the Office of Student Conduct.
The Appeals Committee shall only review records of the hearing/conduct process and supporting documentation. The Appeals Committee, by means of a neutral fact-finding process, will do one of the following:
- Confirm the sanction(s) imposed by the Office of Student Conduct
- Recommend modification of the sanction(s)
- Recommend reversal of the sanction(s)
All decisions by the Appeals Committee are final and binding.
Title IX Policy, Nondiscrimination and Sex-based Harassment Policy
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) is committed to providing equal access to educational and employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, familial status, spousal affiliation, medical condition, military veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.
Sex-based Harassment Policy Statement
LAFS does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including admissions and employment, as required by Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106.
LAFS will promptly respond to and equitably investigate complaints regarding prohibited conduct that may violate this policy in order to eliminate, prevent, and remedy the adverse effects of such conduct within LAFS- related programs or activities.
The following protections and grievance procedures shall apply to all complaints, of any form of sex-based harassment including quid pro quo harassment, hostile environment harassment, and the specific offenses of sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. Discrimination based on pregnancy or pregnancy-related health conditions is also prohibited.
Retaliation against complainants is considered sex-based harassment; LAFS strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who brings a good faith complaint under this policy or participates in any portion of an investigation. Retaliatory conduct violates not only LAFS policy and Title IX but may also violate state and federal law. While LAFS will not tolerate making an intentionally false complaint, simply because the complaint is found to not be a violation of this policy does not necessarily mean the complaint was made in bad faith.
Individuals that believe they have been the victim of retaliation should promptly report the misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator.
LAFS’ Title IX Coordinator
LAFS’ Director of Education Administration serves as the institution’s Title IX Coordinator and coordinates LAFS compliance with Title IX. All reports of potential violations of this policy, including oral or written complaints made to an employee, agent or other person authorized by LAFS to provide an aid, benefit, or service under the LAFS education programs or activities and who are not designated as Confidential Resources, should be made to the LAFS’ Title IX Coordinator. Confidential Resources who receive oral or written complaints are not required to report potential violations of this policy.
The Title IX Coordinator’s contact information is as follows:
Dana Franklin
Director of Education Administration
6353 Sunset Boulevard
5th Floor
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-769-6827
dfranklin@lafilm.edu
In addition to the Title IX Coordinator, LAFS personnel have been designated to assist in the implementation of this policy and grievance procedure. Title IX Investigators and panel members all serve as members of the Title IX Team. All employees and staff shall receive Title IX training, including information on the school’s obligation to address sex discrimination, the scope of conduct constituting sex discrimination, the definition of sex-based harassment, and all applicable notification and information requirements. In addition, all members of the Title IX Team shall also receive training on the investigation and grievance process, including how to serve as an impartial member, the meaning and application of the term “relevant” in relation to questions and evidence, the information resolution process, and the specific responsibilities of their positions.
Inquiries regarding the application of LAFS’ Title IX Policy may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Contact information for the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights is:
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
OCR Email: OCR@ed.gov
OCR Hotline: (800) 421-3481
More information regarding Title IX can be accessed at the following link: