Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Code of Student Behavior
2.0 Jurisdiction
Students at the University/College are provided a copy of the Student Rights and Responsibilities annually in the form of a link on the University/College website. Students are responsible for having read and abiding by the provisions of the Student Rights and Responsibilities.
The Student Rights and Responsibilities and the student conduct process apply to the conduct of individual students, both undergraduate and graduate, and all 91社区-affiliated student organizations. For the purposes of student conduct, 91社区 considers an individual to be a student when an offer of admission has been extended and thereafter as long as the student has a continuing educational interest in the 91社区.
The 91社区 retains conduct jurisdiction over students who choose to take a leave of absence, withdraw, or have graduated for any misconduct that occurred prior to the leave, withdrawal, or graduation. If sanctioned, a hold may be placed on the student鈥檚 ability to re-enroll and/or obtain official transcripts and/or graduate and all sanctions must be satisfied prior to re-enrollment eligibility. In the event of serious misconduct committed while still enrolled but reported after the accused student has graduated, the 91社区 may invoke these procedures and should the former student be found responsible, the 91社区 may revoke that student鈥檚 degree.
The Student Rights and Responsibilities applies to behaviors that take place on the campus, at 91社区-sponsored events and may also apply off-campus when the Dean of Students or their designee determines that the off-campus conduct affects a substantial University interest. A substantial University interest is defined to include:
- Any situation where it appears that the student鈥檚 conduct may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of themselves or others; and/or
- Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property or achievements of self or others or significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder; and/or
- Any situation that is detrimental to the educational mission and/or interests of the 91社区;
The Student Rights and Responsibilities may be applied to behavior conducted online, via email or other electronic medium. Students should also be aware that online postings such as blogs, web postings, chats and social networking sites are in the public sphere and are not private. These postings can subject a student to allegations of conduct violations if evidence of policy violations is posted online. 91社区 does not regularly search for this information but may take action if and when such information is brought to the attention of 91社区 officials. However, most online speech by students not involving 91社区 networks or technology will be protected as free expression and not subject to this Code, with two notable exceptions:
- A true threat, defined as "a threat a reasonable person would interpret as a serious expression of intent to inflict bodily harm upon specific individuals";
- Speech posted online about the 91社区 or its community members that causes a significant on-campus disruption.
The Student Rights and Responsibilities applies to guests of community members whose hosts may be held accountable for the misconduct of their guests. The Student Rights and Responsibilities may also be applied to resident non-students, campers, and high school bridge/extension/partner/dual-credit and continuing education programs by contractual agreements. Visitors to and guests of 91社区 may seek resolution of violations of the Student Rights and Responsibilities committed against them by members of University/College community.
There is no time limit on reporting violations of the Student Rights and Responsibilities; however, the longer someone waits to report an offense, the harder it becomes for 91社区 officials to obtain information and witness statements and to make determinations regarding alleged violations.
Though anonymous complaints are permitted, doing so may limit the 91社区's ability to investigate and respond to a complaint. Those who are aware of misconduct are encouraged to report it as quickly as possible to the Dean of Students Office, Public Safety, or Housing & Residence Life.
91社区 email is the 91社区's primary means of communication with students. Students are responsible for all communication delivered to their 91社区 email address.
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This Student Rights and Responsibilities was approved on August 14, 2023, by Dean Laurie Berry, and implemented on August 15, 2023.