Minnesota Administrative Rules Agency 184 - Community Colleges State Board

26 Jun 2025 --
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Minnesota Administrative Rules – Agency 184: Community Colleges State Board

1. Overview

MAR Agency 184 governs the Minnesota State Community Colleges Board, which oversees:

Administration and governance of public community colleges

Academic programs and curriculum standards

Faculty and staff employment policies

Student conduct, rights, and academic integrity

The rules ensure that colleges operate legally, ethically, and efficiently, while protecting the rights of students, faculty, and staff.

2. Key Provisions

A. Academic Standards

Colleges must adhere to curriculum standards, program accreditation requirements, and assessment practices.

MAR 184 sets rules for credit transfer, grading policies, and graduation requirements.

B. Faculty and Staff

Hiring and evaluation procedures for faculty and staff.

Rules on tenure, promotions, and professional conduct.

C. Student Conduct

Students must follow academic integrity, behavioral, and safety standards.

Violations include cheating, plagiarism, harassment, and unsafe behavior.

D. Governance and Compliance

Boards must ensure proper budgeting, reporting, and institutional compliance with state and federal law.

Rules apply to finance, procurement, and internal controls.

3. Enforcement Mechanisms

Internal Investigations

Complaints from students, faculty, or staff trigger internal reviews.

Colleges must document violations and corrective actions.

Administrative Hearings

Students or employees may contest disciplinary actions before the Board or designated hearing officers.

Corrective Actions

Faculty or staff may face reprimands, suspension, or termination.

Students may face academic probation, suspension, or expulsion.

Audits and Compliance Reviews

Financial audits, academic program reviews, and operational compliance checks.

4. Illustrative Cases

Here are six detailed enforcement scenarios/cases under MAR Agency 184:

Case 1 – Academic Integrity Violation

Facts:
A student submitted a research paper copied from an online source without proper citation.

Issue:
Violation of MAR 184 rules on academic integrity.

Action:

Faculty reported the incident.

College conducted an investigation, including interviews and evidence review.

Outcome:

Student placed on academic probation for one semester.

Required to attend an academic integrity workshop.

Significance:

Ensures students understand ethical standards and plagiarism rules.

Case 2 – Faculty Misconduct

Facts:
A faculty member was found to have graded students unfairly, favoring friends and penalizing others without cause.

Issue:
Violation of MAR 184 faculty professional conduct rules.

Action:

College review committee interviewed students and reviewed grade records.

Outcome:

Faculty member received a formal reprimand and required training on grading policies.

Significance:

Protects fair academic evaluation and institutional credibility.

Case 3 – Harassment Complaint

Facts:
A staff member filed a complaint alleging repeated harassment by a supervisor.

Issue:
Violation of MAR 184 rules on workplace behavior and safety.

Action:

College conducted investigation with interviews and documentation review.

Outcome:

Supervisor suspended for 30 days, with mandatory harassment training.

Policy revisions implemented to prevent recurrence.

Significance:

Highlights MAR 184’s role in ensuring safe and respectful work environments.

Case 4 – Financial Mismanagement

Facts:
A department misused allocated funds for unauthorized events and purchases.

Issue:
Violation of MAR 184 financial governance rules.

Action:

Internal audit conducted.

Department required to repay misused funds and submit a corrective plan.

Outcome:

Department placed under financial oversight for one year.

Significance:

Ensures accountability in budgeting and financial management.

Case 5 – Unsafe Laboratory Practices

Facts:
A science lab instructor allowed students to work with hazardous chemicals without proper safety equipment.

Issue:
Violation of MAR 184 safety and compliance rules.

Action:

College safety officer conducted inspection and interviews.

Outcome:

Instructor suspended and required to complete lab safety training.

Laboratory temporarily closed until compliance verified.

Significance:

Protects student safety and regulatory compliance.

Case 6 – Student Disciplinary Action for Misconduct

Facts:
A student repeatedly disrupted classes and refused to follow college policies.

Issue:
Violation of MAR 184 student conduct rules.

Action:

College conducted disciplinary hearing with evidence and witness testimony.

Outcome:

Student suspended for one semester and required to meet with a counselor.

Significance:

Reinforces behavioral standards and campus safety.

5. Summary Table of Enforcement Cases

Case	Violation	Enforcement Action	Significance
Academic Integrity	Plagiarism	Academic probation, workshop	Upholds ethical standards
Faculty Misconduct	Unfair grading	Reprimand, training	Protects fair evaluation
Harassment Complaint	Supervisor harassment	Suspension, training	Ensures safe workplace
Financial Mismanagement	Misuse of funds	Repayment, oversight	Financial accountability
Unsafe Lab Practices	Safety violations	Suspension, training, lab closure	Student safety
Student Misconduct	Disruption, policy violation	Suspension, counseling	Campus safety and discipline