POLICIES GOVERNING THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY STANDARDS CODE

PREAMBLE

The University of Scranton, as a community of scholars seeking to sustain a culture of excellence, requires that its students conduct themselves in ways that allow for their personal growth and development and for that of others in the most positive ways possible.

Freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom of the individual must be preserved. These personal freedoms must be constantly balanced against our mutual responsibility for supporting and nurturing a community whose ministry of education is informed by the vision of life contained in both the Gospel and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, and which holds as its major purpose the education of young people as leaders. Students are expected to be respectful, truthful and fair in their dealings with others and to act in ways that truly support the ideals of charity in community on which The University of Scranton is founded.

The University of Scranton’s Strategic Plan calls for the continuing creation of an environment for learning. Clearly, such an environment calls for each student, staff member, administrator, and faculty member to take real and positive steps to forge a community in which individual and collective learning is promoted and sustained daily.

An environment for learning is characterized by:

1. Free exchange of ideas and openness to the presentation of theories, concepts and thoughts not held by the listener or reader and care for the good name of those proposing;

2. Genuine appreciation for the positive interactions necessary to sustain this University community;

3. Respect for the University's facilities as a special gift from benefactors as well as from tuition and fees collected from current and past students;

4. Responsible citizenship in and respect for the laws of the multiple communities of which we are all members, including the City of Scranton, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America;

5. Participation of all members of The University of Scranton community in its judicial system, not only through service on the University Review Board and related boards, but also in the provision of information necessary to resolve disputes involving possible violations of University policy;

6. Recognition of The Student Handbook as the compendium of policies and regulations that govern our behavior as members of The University of Scranton.

In summary, actions that run counter to the creation of an environment for learning are not only grounds for disciplinary action but may in some cases lead to dismissal from The University.

PROSCRIBED CONDUCT

A. Jurisdiction of The University of Scranton

The University of Scranton’s jurisdiction in disciplinary matters extends to conduct that occurs on the premises of The University of Scranton and to any conduct that adversely affects the University community, the University’s reputation and/or the pursuit of its mission and objectives regardless of where it occurs.

B. Rules of Conduct

Any student found to have committed the following misconduct will be subject to disciplinary sanctions as outlined in the University Judicial System:

1. Offenses Against Persons

   1. Assaulting, striking, or in any way threatening or causing physical harm to another;

   2. Verbal or written abuse beyond a reasonable expression of opinion that is likely to cause another person humiliation, stress, discomfort, psychological harm or that is harassing in nature;

   3. Harassment (unwanted conduct that threatens the well-being of another person or persons and that serves no legitimate purpose) or deliberate acts of insensitivity or intolerance toward individuals/groups, including groups defined by race, creed, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, and Vietnam veteran status;

   4. Sexual assault (any non-consensual attempted or completed sexual intercourse (oral, anal or vaginal) with a body part and/or object) or sexual misconduct (non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature including touching, fondling, kissing or groping and/or behavior in which no physical contact is made, but where sexual activities are perpetrated without the clear, explicit approval of the other party);

   5. Hazing, defined as, any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or that damages or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in a group or organization;

   6. Theft, damage, destruction, or unauthorized use of the property of another person.

2. Offenses Against The University Community

   1. a. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:

      1. Furnishing false information to a University of Scranton official;

      2. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any documents, records or instruments of identification of The University of Scranton;

      3. Tampering with the election of officers of any University student organization.

   2. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings or other University activities, including its public-service functions on or off campus, or of non-University activities when the act occurs on University premises;

   3. Failure to comply with the directions of University of Scranton officials or law-enforcement officials acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so;

   4. Participation in a campus demonstration that disrupts the normal operations of The University of Scranton and/or infringes on the rights of other members of The University of Scranton community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area; intentional obstruction that unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus or at sponsored or supervised functions of The University of Scranton; taking over buildings;

   5. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of the peace; or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on University premises or at functions sponsored by or participated in by The University of Scranton;

   6. The possession of firearms, explosives, other weapons or dangerous chemicals on the premises of The University of Scranton.

3. Offenses Against University Property

   1. Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to any property of the University or property of a member of the University community or other personal or public property;

   2. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any premises of The University of Scranton or unauthorized entry to or use of such premises;

   3. Failure to evacuate University facilities when ordered to do so or willfully disregarding any emergency or fire alarm signal;

   4. Dispersing litter in any form onto the grounds or facilities of the campus.

4. Offenses By Criminal Conduct

   1. a. Violation of federal, state or local laws regardless of where they occur;

   2. Use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by law and by The University of Scranton alcohol policies;

   3. Use or possession or distribution of narcotic or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.

5. Offenses Against University Policies

   A student shall be deemed in violation of The University of Scranton Community Standards for failure to comply with all regulations appearing in the Student Handbook governing social conduct including, but not limited to, the following:

   1. Alcohol and Illegal Drugs Policy;

   2. Campus Social Norms Policy;

   3. Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Policy;

   4. Emergency Evacuation Plan for people with Disabilities;

   5. Firearms and Weapons Policy;

   6. Free Assembly Policy;

   7. Gunster Student Center Regulations;

   8. Handicaps/Disabilities, Policy on Students with;

   9. Hazing Prohibition Policy;

   10. HIV/AIDS Policy;

   11. Local Authorities;

   12. Off-Campus Behavior Policy;

   13. Parking Policy;

   14. Parking Regulations;

   15. Pet Policy;

   16. Residence Life and Housing Guidelines;

   17. Sex Offense Policy;

   18. Sexual Harassment Policy;

   19. Smoking Policy;

   20. University of Scranton Judicial System.

6. Offenses Against the University Judicial System

   1. Failure to obey the summons of a University judicial body or of a University official;

   2. Failure to provide whatever necessary information is called for by the University administration or judicial bodies;

   3. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a judicial body;

   4. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a judicial proceeding;

   5. Institution of a judicial proceeding knowingly without cause;

   6. Attempting to discourage another person’s proper participation in, or use of, the judicial system;

   7. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a judicial body prior to or during the course of the judicial proceeding;

   8. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a judicial body prior to, during, or after a judicial proceeding;

   9. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the judicial system;

   10. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the judicial system;

   11. Willful non-participation in the University judicial system.

C. Violation of Law and University Discipline

1. A student charged only with an off-campus violation of federal, state or local laws, but not with any violation of this code, is subject to disciplinary action and sanction(s) that may be imposed for grave misconduct which demonstrates flagrant disregard for the University 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 without admitting guilt (e.g., a no contest or nolo contendere plea).

2. Disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a federal, state or local law that is also a violation of the Community Standards Code. If both violations result from the same factual situation, proceedings under the Community Standards Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following any off-campus civil or criminal proceedings.

3. When a student is charged by federal, state or local authorities with a violation of law, the University will not request or agree to special consideration for the individual because of his or her status as a student. If the alleged offense is also the subject of a proceeding before a judicial body under this Code, however, the University may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Community Standards Code and of how such matters will be handled internally within the University community.

D. Summary Suspension

Routine infractions of the Community Standards Code will be addressed through the appropriate University Judicial System channels. In certain circumstances, the University may, through its Vice President for Student Affairs, impose a suspension prior to a review of misconduct within the University Judicial System. An interim suspension may be imposed only: (1) to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the University community or preservation of University property; (2) to ensure the student’s own physical or emotional safety and well being; (3) if the student poses a definite threat of disruption of or interference with the normal operations of the University; (4) the behavior of the student violates the lawful mission of the University; or (5) the student is currently facing charges of a criminal or civil nature in the court system that are pending adjudication which also constitute infractions of the Community Standards Code. During the interim suspension, the student shall be denied access to the residence facilities and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all other University activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Vice President for Student Affairs may determine to be appropriate.