The Board of Trustees of the Kern Community College District (KCCD), in support of public education and the exercise of general supervision of the campuses of the district, believes that student conduct must reflect the standards of good behavior expected by society. Since public education is furnished by the people of the district, it becomes a privilege for students to have this opportunity to further their education.

When working with student grievances, sexual harassment, discrimination, students with reported behaviors, academic integrity, or students of concern, the Office of Student Life at Bakersfield College reviews, investigates, and works with each student case carefully while integrating several student development theories that model after the restorative justice practices. The fundamental premise of restorative justice practices is to engage with the student to lead to a helpful outlook, more cooperative and productive interactions, and more likely to make positive changes when the Office of Student Life and the Bakersfield community interact with them. It has a greater impact on student learning and success than the typical punitive models. The Office of Student Life approaches restorative justice with five objectives in mind to assist the student in their development.

1. Reflecting with the student-in-question about their purpose through self-authorship, giving them constructive instruction that allows for self-reflection and clear understandings of self-beliefs
2. Aiding the students to self-acknowledge their responsibility and be willing to gear their situation to a positive outcome.
3. Providing and connecting students to various on and off-campus resources in hopes to achieve positive student success.
4. Assisting the students to connect their energies and interests with meaningful activities.
5. Finding closure while supporting the students through facing their consequences, learning from their situation, and moving past it for future success.

Taking a restorative justice approach requires a philosophical shift and a personable professional to interact with the students, parents, faculty, and the community to repair the balance back into the students’ life, rather than simply the following protocol and penalizing.

Students are expected to observe proper standards of conduct, showing respect for order, morality, personal honor, and the rights of others as demanded by good citizens. Failure to do so will be sufficient cause for disciplinary review. The Student Code of Conduct is available in the Office of Student Life located at the Campus Center building, which is in the center of campus.