Community Conduct
A fundamental goal of UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ is to foster an environment in which its students, faculty, and staff may live and work productively together. The university’s rich resources can promote individual and collective pursuits of academic excellence, extracurricular accomplishment, and personal growth.
The rules of UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ provide a framework within which all students are free to work under the safest and most equitable conditions the university can create. These rules serve as the guidelines that help protect each individual’s well-being. UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ will treat violations of these rules as matters of serious concern because such violations disrupt the individual lives of its students and the shared life of its community.
UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ expects that all students, whether on or off campus and regardless of current enrollment status as degree candidates, will behave in a mature and responsible manner. Furthermore, the university expects every student to be familiar with the UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ regulations set forth in the following pages.
Careful note should be taken that the university is not and cannot be considered a protector or sanctuary from the existing laws of the city, state, or federal governments.
Standard Codes for Student Behavior
Student Rights
It is the policy of ÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ to guarantee that each student enjoy certain rights as a member of the academic community. ÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or any other classification that deprives any person of their rights as a valued individual.
At UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ, all students have freedom of expression both in and out of the classroom, provided that they do not infringe on the rights of others. Such infringements include disruption of classes, physical violence, and verbal or written threats. Students also have the right to participate in any association that does not engage in illegal behavior or activities.
Students have the right to due process in any action taken by UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ that may reasonably be expected to affect their standing with the university. Due process rights include the right to notification and explanation of charges made and actions taken, a prompt, fair, and impartial hearing, and an appeals process.
Students have the right to participate in the formulation and application of institutional policy related to both academic and non-academic student affairs. Student participation shall include the right to access information, to express views, and to have these views respectfully considered by other members of the UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ community.
By committing an act of misconduct, a student is subject to disciplinary action by the university. Code of Conduct rules apply to misconduct that adversely affects a clear interest of UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ as an academic community as well as the rights and lives of other people. Students who advise or incite others to violate university rules are as equally responsible for the violations as the students who actually commit them. The university may enforce its own rules regardless of any criminal or civil proceedings or dispositions external to the university.
Student Code of Conduct
Students are expected to behave responsibly while attending UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ. The university expects every student to be familiar with its guidelines and regulations and to follow the moral and ethical principles supported by this institution.
A student may fail a course or be dismissed from UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ for academic dishonesty. A student may also be dismissed for committing acts that violate professional ethics and disrupt the educational mission of UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ or harm any person.
Expressly prohibited acts include, but are not limited to:
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- Cheating, plagiarism, or participation in such violations in connection with an academic program.
- Forgery, alteration, or misuse of UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ documents, records or identification, knowingly furnishing false information to the university, or misrepresentation of oneself or of an organization as an agent of UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ.
- Obstruction or disruption of the educational process, administrative process, or any other campus function.
Physical abuse of any person. - Sexual misconduct, including unwanted sexual touching, sexual harassment, stalking, sexual violence, domestic abuse, dating abuse, and sexual coercion.
- Theft or vandalism to university property or the property of others.
Graffiti or defacement of property. - Unauthorized entry into, unauthorized use of, or misuse of university property.
- Sale or possession of illegal drugs or alcohol.
- Possession or use of dangerous or illegal guns or other weapons.
- Lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior.
- Abusive speech or behavior directed toward a member of the university community.
- Smoking in any campus building and anywhere outdoors besides areas designated for smoking. Committing acts of arson or other deliberate destruction using fire.
- Unauthorized barbecuing.
- Activation of any fire alarm or calling 911 in the absence of a true emergency.
- Use of fire extinguishers for purposes other than extinguishing fires.
- Conduct of any kind which intimidates, harasses, threatens, or endangers the health or safety of any person.
- Violation of the campus speed limit of 10 miles per hour.
- Pets on campus.
Students found in violation of one or more of the rules above shall be appropriately disciplined by the university. Such discipline may include probation or expulsion from ÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ. See the UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ Conduct Code or inquire in the Office of Student Life or the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs for full details of UÌìÃÀÓ°ÊÓ’s conduct policies and procedures.
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For Questions about Conduct
Vanessa Karam
Chief Student Services Officer
email: vanessak@uwest.edu
phone: (626) 656-2130
