Student Conduct Rules: Values And Behavioral Expectations

MTSU has adopted the following Community Standards of conduct. Each person who joins or affiliates with the University community does so freely and is expected to abide by these Community Standards. Following each Community Standard is a non-exclusive list of prohibited behaviors for which both students and student organizations may be subject to disciplinary action if such prohibited behavior is engaged in. These prohibited behaviors are considered inappropriate and in opposition to the Community Standards and expectations set forth by MTSU. (1) Community Standard: MTSU is committed to developing and nurturing a community devoted to learning, growth, and service. Behavior by students or student organizations including, but not limited to, the following, may be considered as being in violation of this Community Standard. (a) Alcoholic Beverages. 1. The use and/or possession of alcoholic beverages on University owned or controlled property. This offense includes the violation of any local ordinance, state, or federal law concerning alcoholic beverages, on or off University owned or controlled property, where an affiliated group or organization has alcoholic beverages present and available for consumption. It will not be considered a violation of this rule if a student of legal drinking age possesses or consumes alcohol purchased from a third-party vendor during approved events taking place at a sports authority facility so long as the beverage is consumed within the sports authority facility. It will also not be considered a violation of this rule if a student of legal drinking age possesses or consumes alcohol provided at an event approved by the President to serve alcoholic beverages so long as the beverage is consumed within the confines of the designated area of the event. STUDENT CONDUCT CHAPTER 0240-07-05 2. A student who is under the influence of alcohol should not be reluctant to seek assistance in the event of a health or safety emergency for fear of being sanctioned. The Office of Student Conduct will generally not pursue disciplinary action against a student (or against a witness) for his/her improper use of alcohol (e.g., underage drinking) under that circumstance. This practice only applies to amnesty from violations of this rule. It does not grant amnesty for criminal, civil, or legal consequences for violations of federal, state, or local law. (b) Drugs. 1. The unlawful possession or use of any drug or controlled substance (including, but not limited to, any stimulant, depressant, narcotic or hallucinogenic drug, or marijuana), sale or distribution of any such drug or controlled substance. This offense includes: (i) The violation of any local ordinance, state, or federal law concerning the unlawful possession or use of drugs, on or off University owned or controlled property; (ii) Abusing legally obtained drugs by failing to take the drug as prescribed/directed and/or providing the prescribed drug to another person; (iii) Using a prescription drug that has not been prescribed to the individual. 2. Any reasonable suspicion of drug use or possession including, but not limited to, the odor of burnt or raw marijuana, physical characteristics of impairment, and/or possession of any paraphernalia that can be used for drug consumption may lead to an investigation and possible violation of this rule. 3. A student who is under the influence of drugs should not be reluctant to seek assistance in the event of a health or safety emergency for fear of being sanctioned. The Office of Student Conduct will generally not pursue disciplinary action against a student (or against a witness) for his/her improper possession or use of drugs under that circumstance. This practice only applies to amnesty from violations of this rule. It does not grant amnesty for criminal, civil, or legal consequences for violations of federal, state, or local law. (c) Drug Paraphernalia. The use or possession of equipment, products, or materials that are used or intended for use in manufacturing, growing, using, or distributing any drug or controlled substance. This offense includes, but is not limited to, the violation of any local ordinance, state, or federal law concerning the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, on or off University owned or controlled property. (d) Public Intoxication. 1. Appearing on University owned or controlled property or at a University sponsored event while under the influence of a controlled substance or of any other intoxicating substance to the degree that the individual may be endangered; there is endangerment to other persons or property; or, the individual unreasonably annoys people in the vicinity. 2. A student who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not be reluctant to seek assistance in the event of a health or safety emergency for fear of being sanctioned. The Office of Student Conduct will generally not pursue disciplinary action against a student (or against a witness) for his/her improper use of alcohol (e.g., underage drinking) under that circumstance. This practice only applies to STUDENT CONDUCT CHAPTER 0240-07-05 amnesty from violations of this rule. It does not grant amnesty for criminal, civil, or legal consequences for violations of federal, state, or local law. (e) Explosives, Fireworks, and Flammable Materials. The unauthorized possession, ignition, or detonation of any object or article which could cause damage by fire or other means to persons or property, or possession of any substance which could be considered to be, and used, as fireworks. (f) Violation of University Rules. Any violation of the rules of the University. (g) Violation of State or Federal Laws. Any violation of state or federal laws or regulations proscribing conduct or establishing offenses, which laws and regulations are incorporated herein by reference. (h) Disorderly Conduct. Any behavior that unreasonably disrupts the academic environment (e.g., including, but not limited to, that which interferes with teaching, classroom operations, research, etc.) or unreasonably interferes with operations, events, or programs on University owned or controlled property, or during a University event. This includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized use of sirens, loudspeakers, and other sound amplification equipment. (i) Misuse of or Damage to Property. Any act of misuse, vandalism, malicious or unwarranted damage or destruction, defacing, disfiguring, or unauthorized use of property belonging to another including, but not limited to, any personal or University property, fire alarms, fire equipment, elevators, telephones, University keys, library materials, and/or safety devices. (j) Obstruction of or Interference with University Activities or Facilities. Any intentional interference with, or obstruction of, any University program, event, or facility including, but not limited to, the following: 1. Any unauthorized occupancy of facilities owned or controlled by the University or blockage of access to or from such facilities; 2. Interference with the right of any University member or other authorized person to gain access to any activity, program, event, or facilities sponsored or controlled by the University; 3. Any obstruction or delay of a campus security officer, public safety officer, police officer, firefighter, EMT, or any official of the University, or failure to comply with any emergency directive issued by such person in the performance of his/her duty; 4. Participation in, or inciting others to participate in, activities that substantially impede University operations; 5. Interference of either: (1) the instructor’s ability to conduct class; or (2) the ability of other students to participate in and profit from instructional activity; or, 6. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on University owned or controlled property, or at a University event. (k) Unacceptable Conduct in Disciplinary Proceedings. Any conduct at any stage of a University disciplinary process or investigation that is contemptuous, disrespectful, threatening, or disorderly. This includes, but is not limited to, false complaints, retaliation, providing false testimony or other evidence, and attempts to influence the impartiality of STUDENT CONDUCT CHAPTER 0240-07-05 a member of a judicial body, verbal or physical harassment or intimidation of a judicial board member, complainant, respondent, or witness. (l) Unauthorized Access to University Facilities and/or Grounds. Any unauthorized access and/or occupancy of University facilities and grounds is prohibited including, but not limited to, gaining access to facilities and grounds that are closed to the public, being present in areas of campus that are open to limited guests only, or being present in academic buildings after hours without permission. (m) Pornography or Obscenity. Public display on property owned, leased, or controlled by the University of literature, films, pictures, or other materials which an average person applying contemporary community standards would find taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; and, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. (n) Student Identification Cards. Failure to possess at all times a valid student identification card or an alternate ID that will prove student status; or, failure to surrender ID card to a University Official upon proper request. (o) Gambling. Unlawful gambling in any form. (p) Joint Responsibility. Any attempt to commit any of the offenses listed under this section, or the aiding or abetting of the commission of any of the offenses listed under this section (an attempt to commit an offense is defined as the intention to commit the offense coupled with the taking of some action toward its commission). Being present during the planning or commission of any offense listed under this section will be considered as aiding and abetting. Students who anticipate or observe an offense must remove themselves from the situation and are required to report the offense to the University. (q) Litter. Dispersing litter in any form onto the grounds or facilities of the University or on property owned, leased, or controlled by the University. (r) Sirens and Loudspeakers. Unauthorized use of sirens, loudspeakers, and other sound amplification equipment. (s) Graffiti. Damage or defacement of MTSU property or on property owned, leased, or controlled by the University by painting, chalking, writing, stenciling, or by any other means of application on such property. (2) Community Standard: Honesty and Integrity. The notions of personal and academic honesty and integrity are central to the existence of the MTSU community. All members of the community will strive to achieve and maintain the highest standards of academic achievement in the classroom, and personal and social responsibility on and off campus. Behavior by students or student organizations including, but not limited to, the following, may be considered as being in violation of this Community Standard. (a) Theft, Misappropriation, or Unauthorized Sale of Property. Any act of theft, misappropriation, or unauthorized possession or sale of University property, or any such act against a member of the University community or a guest of the University, including identity theft. (b) Failure to Cooperate with University Officials. Failure to comply with directions or directives of University Officials acting in the performance of their duties. STUDENT CONDUCT CHAPTER 0240-07-05 (c) Providing False Information. Giving any false information to, or withholding necessary information from, any University Official acting in the performance of his/her duties in connection with a student’s admission, enrollment, or status in the University. (d) Misuse of Documents or Identification Cards. Any forgery, alteration of, or unauthorized use of University documents, forms, records, or identification cards including, but not limited to, the giving of any false information, or withholding of necessary information, in connection with a student’s admission, enrollment, or status in the University. (e) Financial Irresponsibility. Failure to meet financial responsibilities to the University promptly including, but not limited to, knowingly passing a worthless check or money order in payment to the University. (f) Violation of Imposed Disciplinary Sanctions. Intentional or unintentional violation of a disciplinary sanction officially imposed by a University Official or a constituted body of the University. (g) Unauthorized Surveillance. Making or causing to be made unauthorized images of a person in a location in which that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without the prior effective consent of the individual, or in the case of a minor, without the prior effective consent of the minor’s parent or guardian, recognizing that the parent cannot consent on behalf of a child for criminal acts as provided in state law. This includes, but is not limited to, taking video or photographic images in shower/locker rooms, residence hall rooms, and restrooms, and storing, sharing, and/or distributing of such unauthorized images by any means. (h) Unauthorized Duplication or Possession of Keys. Making, causing to be made, or the possession of any key for a University facility without proper authorization. (i) Fire Drills. Failure to evacuate University facilities or willfully disregarding any emergency or fire alarm signal. (3) Community Standard: Respect for Diversity. The MTSU community is composed of individuals representing different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, cultures, and ways of thinking. We respect individual differences and perspectives and acknowledge our commonalities. Behavior by students or student organizations including, but not limited to, the following may be considered as being in violation of this Community Standard. (a) Harassment or Retaliation. Any act against another person or group in violation of MTSU rules, as well as federal and/or state laws prohibiting discrimination or retaliation. (b) Retaliation also includes, in this context, an act intended or reasonably likely to dissuade a person from participating in the student disciplinary process or pursuing a complaint about a violation of MTSU rules, as well as, state or federal law. (4) Community Standard: Commitment to Non-violence. MTSU is committed to the principles of non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution. Community members will freely express their ideas and resolve differences using reason and persuasion. Behavior by students or student organizations including, but not limited to, the following, may be considered as being in violation of this Community Standard. (a) Threatening or Dangerous Conduct. Any conduct, or attempted conduct, which poses a threat to the safety of others or when the behavior is disruptive of the University’s learning environment. STUDENT CONDUCT CHAPTER 0240-07-05 (b) Hazing. Hazing, as defined in T.C.A. § 49-7-123(a)(1), means any intentional or reckless act, on or off the property, of any higher education institution by an individual acting alone, or with others, which is directed against any other person(s) that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that person(s), or which induces or coerces a person(s) to endanger such person(s) mental or physical health or safety. 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. (c) Firearms and Other Dangerous Weapons. Except as may otherwise be permitted by law, the possession or use of firearms, explosives, fireworks, inflammables, dangerous chemical mixtures, and/or dangerous weapons of any kind including, but not limited to, knives, tasers, asp batons, tactical or telescoping batons, brass knuckles, whips, BB guns, pellet guns, propelled missiles, and/or stun guns is prohibited. The possession or use of ammunition, which includes, but is not limited to, bullets, paint balls, pellets, and BBs is prohibited. Any possession or use of replica/toy guns including, but not limited to, BB guns or cap guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, water guns, "Super Soakers," toy knives, slingshots, or other items that simulate firearms or dangerous weapons is prohibited. (d) Sexual Misconduct. 1. Sexual misconduct includes dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault as defined by applicable University rules. 2. A student who is a victim of sexual misconduct and who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the sexual misconduct incident should not be reluctant to seek assistance for fear of being sanctioned for his/her improper use of alcohol or drugs. The Office of Student Conduct will generally not pursue disciplinary action against the victim (or against a witness) for his/her improper use of alcohol or drugs (e.g., underage drinking) if the victim or witness is making a good faith report of sexual misconduct. This practice only applies to amnesty from violations of this rule. It does not grant amnesty for criminal, civil, or legal consequences for violations of federal, state, or local law.