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Article IV: Proscribed Conduct

A. Jurisdiction of the college Student Code

The college Student Code shall apply to conduct that occurs on college premises, at college sponsored activities, and to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the college community and/or the pursuit of its objectives. Each student shall be responsible for his/her conduct from the time of matriculation through the actual awarding of a degree, even though conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment (and even if their conduct is not discovered until after a degree is awarded). The Student Code shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending. The administration may also regard actions off-campus, which threaten or harm larger community welfare as occasions for disciplinary action either through normal conduct proceedings or administrative decision. The college may, for example, hold students living off-campus responsible for their behavior if their behavior causes neighbors to complain to the College. The Vice President and Dean of Student Life or his/her designee shall decide whether the Student Code shall be applied to conduct occurring off campus, on a case by case basis, in his/her sole discretion.

B. Conduct—Rules and Regulations

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article V:

Category 1:

1.1. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other college activities, including its public service functions on or off campus, or of other authorized non-college activities when the conduct occurs on college premises.
1.2 Disrespect (harassment, true threats, defamation, obscenity, incitement) for a college official while carrying out their official job responsibilities.
1.3 Failure to comply with directions of college officials acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.
1.4. Use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by college regulations), or public intoxication.
1.5. The display, on campus, of any alcoholic beverage in the original container by anyone, regardless of age.
1.6. Hosting a party in a residence hall.
1.7 Violation of policies set forth in the Residence Life section of the Student Handbook.

Category 2:

2.1. Habitual or egregious Category I violations.
2.2. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
  1. Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty as outlined in the student handbook.
  2. Furnishing false information to any college official, faculty member, or office.
  3. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any college document, record, or instrument of identification.
2.3. Physical, mental, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or conduct, including, but not limited to abuses on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age and disability, of any person on college premises or at College-sponsored or College-supervised functions, which threatens or intimidates, or endangers the health or safety of any person.
2.4. Sexual Misconduct, which includes, but is not limited to sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, stalking, cyber-stalking, bullying, cyber-bullying, aiding or facilitating the commission of a violation, and retaliation. (More information on the College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy can be found in the current Student Handbook).
2.5. Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the college or property of a member of the college community or other personal or public property, on or off campus.
2.6. Hazing, defined by Centre College as any act or behavior whether physical, emotional, or psychological, which subjects a person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to abuse, mistreatment, degradation, humiliation, harassment, embarrassment, or intimidation, or which may in any fashion compromise her or his inherent human dignity. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule.
2.7. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any college premises or unauthorized entry to or use of college premises.
2.8. Violation of any college policy, rule, or regulation published in hard copy or available electronically on the college website.
2.9. Violation of any federal, state or local law.
2.10. Use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of marijuana, heroin, narcotics, or other controlled substances, or possession of drug paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law.
2.11. Possession of firearms, explosives, fireworks, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on college premises or use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens or causes fear to others.
2.12. Conduct that 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 or members of the academic community.
2.13. Violation of College Computer Network “Acceptable Use Policy”.
2.14. Arson or other intentional setting of fires without a proper permit.
2.15. Abuse of the Student Conduct System, including but not limited to:
  1. Failure to obey the notice from Student Conduct Staff or college official to appear for a meeting or hearing as part of the Student Conduct System.
  2. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before Student Conduct Staff or Student Judiciary.
  3. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a Student Conduct or Student Judiciary proceeding.
  4. Institution of a Student Conduct proceeding in bad faith.
  5. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participating in, or use of, the student conduct system.
  6. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of Student Conduct Staff or Student Judiciary prior to, and/or during the course of, the Student Conduct or Student Judiciary proceeding.
  7. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of Student Conduct Staff or Student Judiciary prior to, during, and/or after a Student Conduct proceeding.
  8. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Code.
  9. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the Student Conduct system.

C. Violation of Law and College Discipline

  1. College disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with conduct that potentially violates both the criminal law and this Student Code (that is, if both possible violations result from the same factual situation) without regard to the pendency of civil or criminal litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under this Student Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus at the discretion of the Vice President and Dean of Student Life. Determinations made or sanctions imposed under this Student Code shall not be subject to change because criminal charges arising out of the same facts giving rise to violation of College rules were dismissed, reduced, or resolved in favor of or against the criminal law defendant.
  2. 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. If the alleged offense is also being processed under the Student Code, the college may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Student Code and of how such matters are typically handled within the college community. The college will attempt to cooperate with 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 (provided that the conditions do not conflict with campus rules or sanctions). Individual students and other members of the college community, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives as they deem appropriate.

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