1720-05-01-.04
Standards Of Conduct
Cite as Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1720-05-01-.04
Students are prohibited from engaging in the following
types of misconduct:
(1)
Academic Dishonesty. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other act of academic dishonesty,
including, without limitation, an act in violation of the Honor Code.
(2)
False Information. Providing false information to a University official.
(3)
Misuse of Information in Connection with University Investigation or Hearing. Falsifying,
distorting, misrepresenting, or withholding information in connection with a University
investigation or hearing.
(4)
Misconduct Relating to Records or Identification. Forging, altering, destroying, falsifying, or
misusing records or identification, whether in print or electronic form.
(5)
Harm to Others. Causing physical harm to any person; endangering the health, safety, or
welfare of any person; engaging in conduct that causes a reasonable person to fear harm to
his/her health or safety; or making an oral or written statement that an objectively reasonable
person hearing or reading the statement would interpret as a serious expression of an intent
to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals.
(6)
Harassment. Unwelcome conduct that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive, that
it substantially interferes with the ability of a person to work, learn, live, or participate in or
benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the University. In no event shall
this rule be construed to discipline a student for speech protected by the First Amendment to
the United States Constitution (e.g., mere insulting or offensive speech).
(7)
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, Sexual
Exploitation, and/or Retaliation. Violating the University’s Policy on Sexual Harassment,
Sexual Assault, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking, which includes sexual
exploitation and retaliation.
(8)
Invasion of Privacy. Invasion of another person’s privacy when that person has a reasonable
expectation of privacy, including, without limitation, using electronic or other means to make a
video or photographic record of any person in a location in which the person has a
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reasonable expectation of privacy, without the person’s knowledge or consent. This includes,
but is not limited to, making a video or photographic record of a person in shower/locker
rooms or restrooms. The storing, sharing, and/or distributing of such nonconsensual
recordings by any means is also prohibited.
(9)
Private or Public Property. Any of the following conduct with respect to private or public
property, including, without limitation, University-controlled property: theft; misappropriation;
unauthorized possession, use, sale, duplication, or entry; vandalism; destruction; damage; or
conduct that is reasonably likely to cause damage.
(10) Hazing. Any intentional or reckless act, on or off University-controlled property, by one (1)
student, acting alone or with others, which is directed against any other student, which
endangers the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that student, or which induces
or coerces a student to endanger his or her mental or physical health, safety, or welfare.
“Hazing” does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions and is
limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or
affiliation with any organization.
(11) Disorderly Conduct. Fighting or other physically violent or physically threatening conduct;
creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act that serves no legitimate
purpose; making noise that could unreasonably disturb others who are carrying on lawful
activities; or conduct that breaches the peace.
(12) Lewd, Indecent, or Obscene Conduct. Engaging in lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct,
including, without limitation, public exposure of one’s sexual organs, public urinating, and
public sexual acts.
(13) Imminent Lawless Action. Engaging in speech either orally or in writing that is directed to
inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.
(14) Fire Safety. Any act of arson; falsely reporting a fire, the presence of an explosive or
incendiary device, or other emergency; setting off a false fire alarm; or tampering with,
removing, or damaging fire alarms, fire extinguishers or any other safety or emergency
equipment from its proper location except when removed in a situation in which there is a
reasonable belief of the need for such equipment.
(15) University Keys, Access Cards, and Identification. Possessing, using, or duplicating
University keys, University access cards, or University identification cards without
authorization from the University.
(16) Information Technology. Theft, misuse, or unauthorized use of information technology
facilities, resources, or access codes, including, without limitation: unauthorized entry into or
transfer of a file; using another person’s identification and/or password without that person’s
consent; using information technology facilities or resources to interfere with the work of
another student, faculty member, staff member, or other member of the University
community; using information technology facilities or resources to interfere with normal
operation of a University information technology system or network; circumventing University
information technology system or network security; using information technology facilities or
resources in violation of copyright laws; falsifying an e-mail header; and conduct that violates
the University’s policy on the acceptable use of information technology resources.
(17) Weapons. Possessing, carrying, using, storing, or manufacturing any weapon on University-
controlled property or in connection with a University-affiliated activity, unless authorized in
writing by the Chief of Police or his/her designee or unless federal or state law affirmatively
gives a student a right, irrespective of this Chapter, to possess or carry a weapon on
University-controlled property or in connection with a University-affiliated activity.
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(18) Alcohol-Related Conduct – University Property or University Activities. Consuming,
manufacturing, possessing, distributing, dispensing, selling, or being under the influence of
alcoholic beverages on University-controlled property or in connection with a University-
affiliated activity unless expressly permitted by University policy.
(19) Alcohol-Related Conduct Prohibited by Law. Consuming, manufacturing, possessing,
distributing, dispensing, selling, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages, if
prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
(20) Providing Alcohol to Underage Person. Providing an alcoholic beverage to a person younger
than twenty-one (21) years of age, unless permitted by law.
(21) Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia. Using, manufacturing, possessing, distributing, selling,
dispensing, or being under the influence of drugs, if prohibited by federal, state, or local law;
using, manufacturing, possessing, distributing, or selling drug paraphernalia, if prohibited by
federal, state, or local law; using or possessing a prescription drug if the prescription was not
issued to the student; or distributing or selling a prescription drug to a person to whom the
prescription was not originally issued.
(22) Failure to Fulfill a University Financial Obligation. Failing to timely fulfill a University bill,
account, or other financial obligation owed to the University.
(23) Failure to Respond, Comply, or Identify. Failing to respond to a request to report to a
University administrative office; failing to comply with a lawful directive of a University
employee or other public official acting within the scope of his/her duties; or failing to identify
oneself to a University employee or other public official acting within the scope of his/her
duties when requested to do so.
(24) Failure to Appear. Failing to appear at a University hearing, including, without limitation, a
hearing of a University conduct board, following a request to appear either as a party or as a
witness, unless the student has a right to not appear under state or federal law.
(25) Violation of Interim Administrative Actions, Disciplinary Sanctions, or Conditions of Re-
Enrollment. Violating the terms of a no-contact directive, an interim restriction (e.g., interim
suspension), a disciplinary sanction, or a condition of re-enrollment imposed by the
University.
(26) Obstruction or Disruption of University Activity. Obstructing or disrupting teaching, learning,
studying, research, public service, administration, disciplinary proceedings, emergency
services, or any other University-affiliated activity, or the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular
traffic on University-controlled property. In no event shall this rule be construed to discipline a
student for speech protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
(27) Violation of University Policy or Rule. Violating a University policy or rule, including, without
limitation, University policies or rules relating to facilities’ use, smoking, the acceptable use of
information technology resources, research misconduct, finder’s fees relating to clinical
investigations involving human subjects or access to University data or materials, University
libraries, dining services, parking or transportation, University identification card use, sexual
harassment, residence halls, and registered student organizations.
(28) Act Prohibited by Law. Committing an act that is prohibited by local, state, or federal law.
(29) Attempted Violation; Accessory to Violation. Attempting to commit a violation of a Standard of
Conduct or being an accessory to the commission of an act or attempted act in violation of a
Standard of Conduct.
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(30) Retaliation. Engaging in retaliation. Retaliation is an act or omission committed by a student
because of another person’s participation in a protected activity that would discourage a
reasonable person from engaging in protected activity, including, without limitation, any act or
omission constituting “retaliation” under the University's Policy on Sexual Harassment,
Sexual Assault, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking and University rules. Retaliation
violates the Standards of Conduct regardless of whether the underlying allegation of a
violation of the Standards of Conduct is ultimately found to have merit. Retaliation can
include, without limitation: (1) an act or omission committed against a person’s family, friends,
advisors, and/or other persons reasonably expected to provide information in connection with
a University investigation or hearing; and (2) an act or omission committed by a student
through a third party.