UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BOARD OF REGENTS POLICY |
Academic Student Conduct Code |
This policy applies to all students and student organizations at the University of Minnesota (University).
The Student Conduct Code (Code) shall apply to student conduct that occurs on University premises or at University-sponsored activities. At the discretion of the president or delegate, the Code also shall apply to off-campus student conduct when the conduct, as alleged, adversely affects a substantial University interest and either:
(a) constitutes a criminal offense as defined by state or federal law, regardless of the existence or outcome of any criminal proceeding; or
(b) indicates that the student may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of the student or others.
(a) The University seeks an environment that promotes academic achievement and integrity, that is protective of free inquiry, and that serves the educational mission of the University.
(b) The University seeks a community that is free from violence, threats, and intimidation; that is respectful of the rights, opportunities, and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University; and that does not threaten the physical or mental health or safety of members of the University community.
(c) The University is dedicated to responsible stewardship of its resources and to protecting its property and resources from theft, damage, destruction, or misuse.
(d) The University supports and is guided by state and federal law while also setting its own standards of conduct for its academic community.
(e) The University is dedicated to the rational and orderly resolution of conflict.
SECTION IV. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DUAL MEMBERSHIP.
Students are both members of the University community and citizens of the state. As citizens, students are responsible to the community of which they are a part, and, as students, they are responsible to the academic community of the University. By enforcing its Code, the University neither substitutes for nor interferes with other civil or criminal legal processes. When a student is charged in both jurisdictions, the University will decide on the basis of its interests, the interests of affected students, and the interests of the community whether to proceed with its disciplinary process or to defer action. Determinations made or sanctions imposed under the Code will not be subject to change because criminal charges arising out of the same facts were dismissed, reduced, or resolved in favor of the criminal law defendant.
Any student or student organization found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to appropriate disciplinary action under this policy:
Subd. 1. Scholastic Dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis.
Subd. 2. Disruptive Classroom Conduct. Disruptive classroom conduct means engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach or student learning. The classroom extends to any setting where a student is engaged in work toward academic credit or satisfaction of program-based requirements or related activities.
Subd. 3. Falsification. Falsification means willfully providing University offices or officials with false, misleading, or incomplete information; forging or altering without proper authorization official University records or documents or conspiring with or inducing others to forge or alter without proper authorization University records or documents; misusing, altering, forging, falsifying, or transferring to another person University-issued identification; or intentionally making a false report of a bomb, fire, natural disaster, or other emergency to a University official or an emergency service agency.
Subd. 4. Refusal to Identify and Comply. Refusal to identify and comply means willfully refusing to or falsely identifying one's self or willfully failing to comply with a proper order or summons when requested by an authorized University official.
Subd. 5. Attempts to Injure or Defraud. Attempts to injure or defraud means making, forging, printing, reproducing, copying, or altering any record, document, writing, or identification used or maintained by the University when done with intent to injure, defraud, or misinform.
Subd. 6. Threatening, Harassing, or Assaultive Conduct. Threatening, harassing, or assaultive conduct means engaging in conduct that endangers or threatens to endanger the health, safety, or welfare of another person, including, but not limited to, threatening, harassing, or assaultive behavior.
Subd. 7. Disorderly Conduct. Disorderly conduct means engaging in conduct that incites or threatens to incite an assault or breach of the peace; breaching the peace; obstructing or disrupting teaching, research, administrative, or public service functions; or obstructing or disrupting disciplinary procedures or authorized University activities.
Subd. 8. Illegal or Unauthorized Possession or Use of Weapons. Illegal or unauthorized possession or use of weapons means possessing or using weapons or articles or substances usable as weapons, including, but not limited to, firearms, incendiary devices, explosives, and dangerous biological or chemical agents, except in those instances when authorized by law and, where applicable, by proper University authority.
Subd. 9. Illegal or Unauthorized Possession or Use of Drugs or Alcohol. Illegal or unauthorized possession or use of drugs or alcohol means possessing or using drugs or alcohol illegally or, where applicable, without proper University authorization.
Subd. 10. Unauthorized Use of University Facilities and Services. Unauthorized use of University facilities and services means wrongfully using University properties or facilities; misusing, altering, or damaging fire-fighting equipment, safety devices, or other emergency equipment or interfering with the performance of those specifically charged to carry out emergency services; or acting to obtain fraudulently-through deceit, unauthorized procedures, bad checks, or misrepresentation-goods, quarters, services, or funds from University departments or student organizations or individuals acting in their behalf.
Subd. 11. Theft, Property Damage, and Vandalism. Theft, property damage, and vandalism include theft or embezzlement of, damage to, destruction of, unauthorized possession of, or wrongful sale or gift of property.
Subd. 12. Unauthorized Access. Unauthorized access means accessing without authorization University property, facilities, services, or information systems, or obtaining or providing to another person the means of such unauthorized access, including, but not limited to, using or providing without authorization keys, access cards, or access codes.
Subd. 13. Disruptive Behavior. Disruptive behavior means willfully disrupting University events; participating in a campus demonstration that disrupts the normal operations of the University and infringes on the rights of other individuals; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled or normal activities of the University; engaging in intentional obstruction that interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus; using sound amplification equipment on campus without authorization; or making or causing noise, regardless of the means, that disturbs authorized University activities or functions.
Subd. 14. Hazing. Hazing means any act taken on University property or in connection with any University-related group or activity that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of an individual (including, without limitation, an act intended to cause personal degradation or humiliation), or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation in, admission to, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.
Subd. 15. Rioting. Rioting means engaging in, or inciting others to engage in, harmful or destructive behavior in the context of an assembly of persons disturbing the peace on campus, in areas proximate to campus, or in any location when the riot occurs in connection with, or in response to, a University-sponsored event. Rioting includes, but is not limited to, such conduct as using or threatening violence to others, damaging or destroying property, impeding or impairing fire or other emergency services, or refusing the direction of an authorized person.
Subd. 16. Violation of University Rules. Violation of University rules means engaging in conduct that violates University, collegiate, or departmental regulations that have been posted or publicized, including provisions contained in University contracts with students.
Subd. 17. Violation of Federal or State Laws. Violation of federal or state laws means engaging in conduct that violates a federal or state law, including, but not limited to, laws governing alcoholic beverages, drugs, gambling, sex offenses, indecent conduct, or arson.
Subd. 18. Persistent Violations. Persistent violations means engaging in repeated conduct or action in violation of this Code.
The following sanctions may be imposed upon students or student organizations found to have violated the Code:
Subd. 1. Warning. A warning means the issuance of an oral or written warning or reprimand.
Subd. 2. Probation. Probation means special status with conditions imposed for a defined period of time and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to violate any institutional regulation during the probationary period.
Subd. 3. Required Compliance. Required compliance means satisfying University requirements, work assignments, community service, or other discretionary assignments.
Subd. 4. Confiscation. Confiscation means confiscation of goods used or possessed in violation of University regulations or confiscation of falsified identification or identification wrongly used.
Subd. 5. Restitution. Restitution means making compensation for loss, injury, or damage.
Subd. 6. Restriction of Privileges. Restriction of privileges means the denial or restriction of specified privileges, including, but not limited to, access to an official transcript for a defined period of time.
Subd. 7. University Housing Suspension. University housing suspension means separation of the student from University Housing for a defined period of time.
Subd. 8. University Housing Expulsion. University housing expulsion means permanent separation of the student from University housing.
Subd. 9. Suspension. Suspension means separation of the student from the University for a defined period of time, after which the student is eligible to return to the University. Suspension may include conditions for readmission.
Subd. 10. Expulsion. Expulsion means the permanent separation of the student from the University.
Subd. 11. Withholding of Diploma or Degree. Withholding of diploma or degree means the withholding of diploma or degree otherwise earned for a defined period of time or until the completion of assigned sanctions.
Subd. 12. Revocation of Admission or Degree. Revocation of admission or degree means revoking a student's admission to the University or revoking a degree already awarded by the University.
The president or delegate may impose an immediate suspension on a student or student organization pending a hearing before the appropriate disciplinary committee (1) to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the University community or to preserve University property, (2) to ensure the student's own physical or emotional safety and well-being, or (3) if the student or student organization poses an ongoing threat of disrupting or interfering with the operations of the University. During the interim suspension, the student or student organization may be denied access to all University activities or privileges for which the student or student organization might otherwise be eligible, including access to University housing or property. The student or student organization has a right to a prompt hearing before the president or delegate on the questions of identification and whether the interim suspension should remain in effect until the full hearing is completed.
Any student or student organization charged with violation of the Code shall have the opportunity to receive a fair hearing and access to a campus-wide appeal. To safeguard the rights of students and student organizations, the president or delegate shall ensure that each campus has an appeals procedure to govern alleged violations of this policy. The appeals procedure shall provide both substantive and procedural fairness for the student or student organization alleged to have violated the Code and shall provide for resolution of cases within a reasonable period of time.
The appeals procedure must describe:
(a) grounds for an appeal;
(b) procedures for filing an appeal; and
(c) the nature of an appellate review.
The president or delegate shall implement this policy, including publishing and distributing the Code and the procedures governing the student disciplinary process at the University.
