Student Rights and Responsibilities
Student Code of Conduct-Code of Conduct Policy
I. General
Presumably, students working toward degrees are mature, responsible, and committed to preparing themselves for their professions. One manifestation of that maturity is a highly-developed sense of self-respect coupled with an equally high regard for the rights and privileges of others and for the rules that regulate society.
It is hoped that students realize the extent to which personal growth depends upon the development of self-discipline and the exercise of it in getting along well with others and maintaining high standards of honesty and moral conduct. Therefore, although minimal rules exist so as to create the atmosphere for a truly liberal education, all students are expected to act in a way that does not infringe upon the rights of others or upon the educational process. The University respects the laws and ordinances of the civil jurisdiction within which it lies. The University does not stand in loco parentis for its students, nor is the campus to be considered a sanctuary from civil law.
II. Unacceptable Conduct
Students found responsible of unacceptable conduct will be subject to the complete range of sanctions and penalties provided in the Student Judicial Policies and Procedures. Conduct, occurring on or off campus that violates generally accepted standards of good behavior and is adverse to the University’s purpose or interests or presents a danger to the health and safety of the University community may be subject to discipline. The University has special concern for incidents in which students are subject to physical assault or harassment because of membership in a particular racial, religion, gender, ethnic, cultural, or sexual orientation group.
Below is a list of violations that includes, but is not limited to, the types of behaviors that are unacceptable by University standards. Any violation of residence halls rules and regulations, violation of civil law, conduct that is made a crime by the criminal law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the United States of America and that takes place on University property or in the course of University activity, will be adjudicated through the University judicial process.
Unacceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to:
1) Acts of Violence
1.1 Assault/Battery
1.2 Harassment
1.3 Sexual conduct without consent
1.4 Rape
1.5 Stalking
1.6 Threatening
1.7 Sexual harassment
1.8 Endangering one's own safety or the safety of others or violating their rights
1.9 Hate crimes
1.10 Hate incident
2) Alcohol & Other Drugs
2.1 Alcohol Policy- possession, presence of, use
2.2 Alcohol Policy – common source (kegs, punch bowls, etc)
2.3 Alcohol Policy- distribution, serving minors (for profit or not)
2.4 Drug Policy – possession, presence of, use of illegal and/or dangerous drugs
2.5 Drug Policy- distribution (for profit or not) of illegal and/or dangerous drugs
3) Disorderly Conduct
3.1 Public Urination
3.2 Falsifying information submitted to any University officer or agency; offering a false statement in any University disciplinary proceeding.
3.3 Forgery, alteration or misuse of a University identification card; failure to show an ID to an identified official or employee of the University upon proper request; falsely identifying oneself to a University official.
3.4 Deliberate disobedience or resistance of an identified University official acting in the line of duty.
3.5 Refusal to vacate a building, street, sidewalk, driveway or other facility of the University when directed to do so by an authorized officer of the University having just cause to order the evacuation; failure to evacuate
for a fire alarm or re-entry prior to return signal.
3.6 Individual or group activities that intentionally or recklessly cause serious disturbance or distress to others.
3.7 Aiding or abetting any conduct described herein this document.
3.8 Gambling: under no circumstances are students permitted to gamble on University property
3.9 Altered Licenses: Anyone found in possession of an altered driver’s license, or anyone altering a valid driver’s license, or anyone altering a valid driver’s license of another person, shall be dealt with as follows:
said license shall be forwarded to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, a hearing will be held; proof of the charges shall result in loss of license for 90 days. Under Massachusetts General Law any of the above mentioned
offenses are felonies. Further disciplinary action will be taken against students in the university.
3.10 Theft, accessory to theft, and/or possession of stolen property. Includes reselling stolen property.
3.11 Violation of University purchasing procedures. Includes mishandling of funds, failure to follow fundraising procedures, misrepresentation of University involvement in purchases/contracts, etc.
3.12 Failure to complete judicial sanction.
3.13 Violation of judicial restriction.
4) Safety Violations
4.1 Possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons on University property, except in the course of an authorized University activity.
4.2 Intentional possession or use on University property of a dangerous article or substance as a potential weapon, or of any article or substance that could injure or discomfort any person.
4.3 Possession and/or use of fireworks.
4.4 Intentionally false reporting of a fire; intentionally false reporting of a bomb or other explosives having been placed in any University building or elsewhere on University property.
4.5 Tampering with fire-fighting or fire alert equipment.
4.6 Trespassing or unauthorized entry.
4.7 Occupation of all or part of any University building, obstructing or coercing any persons, or threats of violence to persons for the purpose or with the effect of:
- hampering or preventing the discharge of any University function;
- limiting the freedom of anyone to go about in a lawful manner; or
- compelling or preventing specific activities related to the University.
4.8 Intentional or reckless interference with any class, other University function, or campus activity by means of noise, projectiles, or other form of disturbance or disruption.
4.9 Rioting, or aiding, abetting, encouraging, or participating in a riot or rioting, or inciting a riot, including food fights, when conduct occurs on University property or in the course of a University activity.
4.10 Violation of Hazing Policy.
5) Damage/Vandalism
5.1 Using, or attempting to use, University property in a manner inconsistent with its designated purpose.
5.2 Possession of/misuse of residence hall furniture, University property, etc.
5.3 Intentional or reckless damage to or destruction of University property or of property on University premises belonging to others.
5.4 Graffiti
5.5 Destroying/removing advertisements
5.6 Littering
6) Academic Violations
6.1 Academic Dishonesty
6.2 Plagiarism
6.3 Unauthorized removal or mutilation of library materials
6.4 Irresponsible, unethical or illegal use of university computer hardware, software, or facilities.
7) Residential Violations
7.1 Guest Policy
7.2 Quiet Hours
7.3 Residential Rules and Regulations
Definitions
Assault/Battery
Physical assault which includes, but is not limited to physical attack upon or physical interference with a person (including hitting, kicking, spitting, or biting), puts the person in fear for his or her physical safety, or causes the person to suffer actual physical injury.
Harassment
Harassment included but is not limited to, actions that prevent the person from conducting his or her customary or usual affairs. Also included is conduct less than a physical attack or physical interference that is directed at a person and that unreasonably interferes with that person in the conduct of his or her customary or usual affairs, such as the posting of threatening letters directed to the person; the use of threatening language directed at another; intimidation (incl. witnesses); threatening telephone calls, e-mails, instant messages and text messages; or the vandalism of a person’s room or property.
Sexual Conduct
Engaging in sexual conduct with another person without the consent of that person which includes but is not limited to: any unwanted sexual contact including unwanted touching of the breasts, genitals or buttocks, forced vaginal intercourse (rape), forced oral sex, forced anal sex, and forced digital penetration or fingering. This conduct violates the UMD Code of Conduct. Also, situations in which persons cannot make free and informed decisions to engage in sexual behavior such as unconsciousness, being asleep or disabled by drugs/alcohol constitute sexual conduct without consent.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in regard to students of the University covered by Title IX, of the 1972 Amendments to the Higher Education Act, is defined as follows: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when the conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the education program, or to create a hostile or abusive educational environment.
Hate Crimes
A hate crime is any criminal act coupled with overt actions motivated by bigotry and bias including, but not limited to a threatened, attempted or completed overt act motivated at least in part by racial, religious, ethnic, handicap, gender or sexual orientation prejudice, or which otherwise deprives another person of his or her constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion, which seek to interfere with or disrupt a person’s exercise of constitutional rights through harassment or intimidation (Chapter 22c, Section 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws).
Last Updated On: 9/26/07