Student Code of Conduct

In addition to the conduct prohibited by the policies governing non-academic conduct included in this Handbook, the following conduct is prohibited:

1. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to:
   1. Furnishing false information to any College Official,* faculty, student, or staff member;
   2. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any College document, record, or instrument of identification; or
   3. Tampering with the election of any College recognized student organization.
2. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, college activities, including public-service functions on- or off-campus, or other authorized non-College activities which occur on College premises;
3. Gambling for material gain by any student or group of students;
4. Participation in a campus demonstration which disrupts the normal operations of the College and infringes on the rights of other members of the College community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area; intentional obstruction which unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus;
5. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on College premises or at College-sponsored or supervised functions;
6. Conduct which is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace; or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on College premises or at functions sponsored by, or participated in, by the College;
7. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, stalking, coercion and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person;
8. Attempted or actual theft of property of the College or property of a member of the College community or other personal or public property;
9. Damage or misuse of property of the College or property of a member of the College community or other personal or public property;
10. Except as otherwise provided by law, possession of weapons (firearms, handguns, including BB guns and air-soft guns), knives (other than utility tools), explosives (including firecrackers), other weapons, dangerous chemicals (outside of a controlled laboratory environment), or any item used in a threatening matter is not permitted on College property or in College buildings. Possession of any “look-alike” item, toy, etc. that resembles a weapon is also prohibited. This policy applies to all persons coming onto the College property or in College buildings, including faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors, and contractors, except where expressly permitted. This policy does not apply to law enforcement officers coming on to the College property or in College buildings while engaged in the performance of their official duties or while required to possess a firearm by rules of the officer’s employing agency. Persons found to be in violation of this policy are subject to immediate action under College policies applicable to that individual. Such responsive action may include, but is not limited to, removal, expulsion, dismissal, or termination from the College. Persons found to be in violation of the policy may also be subject to criminal prosecution or a no-trespassing directive.
11. Storage of hunting paraphernalia (e.g. knives, firearms, bow and arrows, etc.) is prohibited in all campus-owned housing;
12. Failure to comply with directions of College officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties, and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so, and/or fleeing or eluding College security officers or other College officials after receiving a visible or audible signal from the same to stop;
13. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any College premises or unauthorized entry to, or use of College premises. Trespassing on College property includes unauthorized entry into or on a building, in an office, or in the room of another without express permission or during such time that building, office, or room is generally open to the public.
14. Unauthorized use of campus phones;
15. Violation of published College policies, rules, or regulations;
16. Violation of federal, state, or local law, or any state or local mandate, on College premises or at College sponsored or supervised activities;
17. Violation of federal, state, or local law off College premises under certain circumstances:
    1. If a student is charged only with an off-campus violation of federal, state, or local laws, disciplinary action may be taken and sanctions imposed for grave misconduct, which demonstrates flagrant disregard for the College community. In such cases, no sanction may be imposed unless the student has been found guilty in a court of law or has declined to contest such charges, although not actually admitting guilt.
    2. College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a law that is also a violation of this Student Code. Legal action in addition to College disciplinary action may occur. Action by the College does not exclude external legal action. Proceedings under this Student Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off-campus.
    3. When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the College will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his or her status as a student. The College may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Student Code in those cases where the alleged offense is also under judicial proceedings. The College will cooperate fully with the law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators.
    4. Except for students who are established as independent, parents generally will be notified of charges pending (not results) when the charge(s), if substantiated, may lead to suspension or separation from the College.
    5. Notification of violations involving student athletes may be reported to the Senior Director of Athletics and appropriate Head Coach.
18. The College may take appropriate action if a student’s behavior or conduct indicates that he/she poses a threat to him/herself or to others.
19. Complicity: Condoning, supporting, or encouraging any violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Students who anticipate or observe any violation of the Code are expected to remove themselves from association or participation in any such inappropriate behavior.

*For purposes of this section of the Handbook, the term “College Official” means an individual who is employed by the College and can include, but is not limited to, student staff, support staff, administrators, and faculty. For purposes of this Handbook, an individual is a “student” for the period of time during which the individual has paid tuition and fees, registered for classes, or otherwise entered into any other contractual relationship with the College to take instruction. An individual ceases being a “student” when that individual graduates, formally withdraws, or is suspended.