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Student Code of Conduct

Shepherd University does not tolerate violations of any of the following policies. Should investigations of violations of these policies and regulations warrant a hearing, violations will be processed, through the University Student Conduct System, in the following manner:

Class I offenses: May be heard by the Campus Student Conduct Board for any offense. This class of offense could carry a suspension or expulsion penalty.

Class II offenses: May be handled by a Student Conduct officer in the Student Affairs Office or an administrator in Residence Life. An accumulation of Class II offenses may result in a hearing before the Campus Student Conduct Board with an outcome of suspension or expulsion as a possible sanction.

100. Violations of Law

Violation of federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.

200. Violations of Other University Regulations and Policies

Violation of any other university rule, regulation, or policy.

300. Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on examinations, falsifying records, submitting plagiarized work of any kind, or providing or receiving assistance in coursework in a manner not authorized by the instructor.

400. Orientation

Failure to attend Orientation Programs as required by Shepherd University unless given written permission by Orientation Staff.

500. Failure to Comply

600. Computer Misuse

700. ID Card/Key Card/Keys

800. Accessory

Assisting or complicity to any violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook, or other published policies. Presence at or failure to leave immediately a situation where a violation is occurring.

900. Damage to Property

1000. Theft

Theft or attempted theft of university property or another person’s property including unauthorized use or possession of university property or another person’s property.

1100. Fire Emergency/Threat

1200. Fireworks and Chemicals

1300. Weapons

Carrying, maintaining, or storing of any firearm or weapon not permitted by the Campus Self-Defense Act. Weapons include any instrument carried or used for the purpose of inflicting or threatening bodily injury.

1400. Alcohol

NOTE: That signs or symptoms that might reasonably indicate use of or intoxication by alcohol, or the presence of alcohol beverage containers, may be construed as proximate indicators of alcohol possession or consumption.

1500. Tobacco/Smoking

Smoking and the use of all tobacco products are prohibited on Shepherd University campuses. This policy includes the use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco such as chew or snuff, electronic vaping devices and hookahs. This prohibition includes all Shepherd University facilities, grounds within the campus boundaries as well as within University-owned or leased vehicles (regardless of registration or off-road status).

See more about the Tobacco Free Campus here: https://www.shepherd.edu/tobaccofree

1600. Drugs

1700. Invasion of Privacy

Transmitting, recording, or photographing the image or voice of another person without their knowledge or consent while in an environment that is considered private or where there is an expectation of privacy, such as inside a residence hall or bathroom.

1800. Misrepresentation

Submitting false, incomplete, or misleading information on official documents or to police, faculty, staff, administration, or resident assistants when they are acting in an official capacity.

1900. Lewd or Indecent Behavior

Any conduct that is offensive to accepted standards of decency such as public nudity or public urination.

2000. Disruptive Conduct

Actions which disrupt or interfere with the instructional program or threaten the orderliness, operation, or well-being of the campus, the surrounding community, or its members.

2100. Endangering Conduct

Any act that jeopardizes the health or safety of self or others.

2200. Abuse

Verbal abuse, physical abuse, intimidation, the threat of these actions, or any other that endangers or threatens the well-being, safety, or educational opportunity of any person(s).

2300. Hazing

Any action or situation, whether recklessly or intentionally, which has the effect of endangerment of personal safety, interference with academic work, violation of university policy, or production of psychological, mental, or physical discomfort, embarrassment, safety, harassment, or ridicule, regardless of the person’s consent.

2400. Discrimination

2500. Harassment

Unwanted physical, verbal, nonverbal or other conduct relating to a person’s protected status, including ability, age, beliefs, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, life experiences, medical condition, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or other status protected by law, and which may result in one or more of the following:

A) The creation of intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, living, or academic environment; or

B) Substantial or unreasonable interference with an individual’s work, living, or academic performances; or

C) The development of an adverse effect on an individual’s employment or academic opportunities.

2600. Sexual Misconduct

2700. Relationship Violence

For more information on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct, see http://www.shepherd.edu/title-ix/gender-based-discrimination-sexual-misconduct-and-interpersonal-violence-policy

2800. Stalking

Stalking includes engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.

2900. Retaliation

Retaliation includes retaliatory action of any kind, including intimidation, coercion, or threats, against any individual as a result of a person’s attempt to seek redress or to participate in an investigation under applicable procedures dealing with sexual and other misconduct.

3000. Guest Responsibility

Being with any guest, both students and non-students who violate university policies. Shepherd University students are responsible for their guest’s actions while on campus and for informing guests of university policies.

3100. Unauthorized Building/Facility Use

Unauthorized presence on, in, or use of university premises, facilities, or property.

3200. Entering/Exiting Building

3300. Chalking

Students may use washable sidewalk chalk on campus sidewalks to under the following conditions:  

3400-4900 Reserved

5000. Residency Requirement

Failure to live on campus for all single, full-time undergraduate students who are not commuting from a parent’s or guardian’s home within a designated commuting area.

5100. Active Sports

Participating in active sports in areas that are not designated for that purpose. Active sports include, but are not limited to: football, baseball, basketball, golf, volleyball, soccer, hockey, track and field, tennis, use of skateboards, longboards, scooters, bicycles, or battery-powered, electric, or gasoline-powered motorized vehicles indoors.

5200. Appliances in Residence Halls

Plugging an appliance such as a microwave or refrigerator into anything other than the wall outlet.

5300. Bathroom Use

Utilizing the bathroom facilities that are not designated for one’s gender identity in traditional halls.

5400. Bathroom capacities

Having more than one person in a shower or toilet stall.

5500. Unattended Guest

Having a guest who is not escorted by their host. Being a guest without a specific host in the areaA guest is defined as a non-resident of the building. A host is defined as a resident of the hall who has a guest in the building. 

5600. Unapproved Guest

Hosting a guest or another building resident who is not assigned to that space in the student living area without prior roommate permission. 

5700. Guest–Overnight

Hosting the same guest overnight more than three nights per week, defined as the time period Sunday night through Saturday night. An overnight guest is defined as a guest which stays in a student living space where reasonable indicators would indicate a prolonged stay.

5800. Laundry

Use of residence hall laundry facilities by anyone who is not a resident of the building.

5900. Personal Storage

Leaving or storing personal items in common areas or facilities areas within the residence halls without permission from Residence Life staff.

6000. Animals in Residence Halls

6100. Prohibited Items in Residence Halls

Possession, storage, or use of any of the following items:

NOTE: hookahs and other smoking devices may be considered to be paraphernalia and proximate indicators of drug use.

6200. Sound Levels

Having sound which interferes with other students’ abilities to study, sleep, or live in an undisturbed at any timeSound travels differently in each residence hall community so those next door or on another level of a building may be affected. 

6300. Removal of University Property

Removing or relocating university property and furniture from its assigned location.

6400. Room Alteration

Making any type of alteration or repair to the structure of the residence hall facility, furnishing, or equipment.

6500. Window Screen Removal

Removing residence hall window screens from their casings.

6600. Room Assignment

6700. Room Capacities

6800-6900 Reserved

7000. Room Condition

7100. Room Responsibility

Behaviors which are in violation of the Student Code of Conduct that occur within a student’s living space or common area. Residents are responsible for all behaviors which occur in their assigned spaces.

7200. Solicitation

Solicitation or sales of any service, product, or promotion in the student residence areas of a building without prior permission from the director of Residence Life, or designee. Advertisements, sale, or solicitation of alcoholic beverages is not allowed in residence halls.

7300. Trash

Placing personal trash items in a location other than the designated locations, such as dumpsters outside of the residence halls.