Student Code of Conduct

DEFINITIONS

Disciplinary Probation: Restriction or exclusion from University-related activities. Disciplinary probation may be imposed for a period not to exceed two years. Further misconduct of any kind during the probationary period may result in further disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.

Disciplinary Suspension: Exclusion from classes or other privileges for a period not to exceed two years.

Expulsion: Indefinite termination of student status.

Formal Reprimand: A written notice to the student that his/her conduct does not meet the standards of the University. A reprimand is considered warning that further incidents of misconduct may result in further disciplinary action. Written reprimands will remain in the student file until graduation, at which time the reprimand will be removed and destroyed.

Minor Infraction: Misconduct that, in the judgment of the Provost or designate, has limited impact on safety or the learning environment and can be addressed through lower-level or educational measures.

Major Infraction: Misconduct that presents or has presented a significant risk to safety, security, or reputational harm to the institution its faculty, staff, or students, or the integrity of the learning environment, or involves repeated or egregious behavior. Such behavior may warrant a formal investigation and hearing processes and more serious sanctions up to and including suspension or dismissal from a program or expulsion from the University.

Program Code of Conduct, Professional Codes of Conduct, and/or Professional Dispositions: Expectations for conduct and professional behavior that apply to students in the program and in related professions (e.g., teachers or counselors), including program-specific standards and any applicable professional codes of ethics or conduct.

Report: A statement of facts including dates, times, locations, and nature of any incidents and names of observers or persons with knowledge of the incident(s), containing sufficient detail of the behavior to allow the University to assess the Report and investigate if required.

Reporting Party: A person filing a report of a violation of the student code of conduct.

Respondent: A Student against whom an allegation of misconduct under this Policy has been made.

Restitution: Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property or fines from a third party e.g. fire department, as a result of tampering with emergency safety equipment.

Student: Any person who has been accepted to be enrolled as a student at the University.

Student Misconduct: Any conduct by a student that violates this Policy.

Summary Suspension: Temporary dismissal from the University and temporary termination of the student's status for a period of time not to exceed ten business days.

University Community: Includes students, faculty, adjunct faculty, employees, advisory board members, volunteers, and visitors.

University-Related Activity: An activity conducted under the authority of the University at any location, including online activities or environments and internship or practicum locations; the conduct must have a real and substantial connection to the University, University activities or University-related functions, whether or not the conduct occurred on University property (e.g., internship sites, field trips, competitions, conferences, study-abroad programs).

Verbal Warning: A verbal notice to the student that his/her conduct does not meet the standards of the University. Record of the verbal warning will remain in the student file until graduation at which time the reprimand will be removed and destroyed.

POLICY STATEMENT

Admission to the University carries an expectation that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the University community. The University student conduct procedures are designed to protect the rights of the individual and of the community as a whole. Students enrolling in the University assume responsibility for their actions while participating in University activities.

This Policy applies to misconduct that is alleged:

To have occurred on or off the University’s property, including online activities or platforms and any other University-related activity; and
Where the parties are acting in a capacity defined by their relationship to the University; or
Where the alleged conduct adversely affects the University or the rights of a member of the University community.

This Policy may operate independently or in parallel with other applicable University policies, including academic integrity, prohibitions on sexual violence, and related human resources policies.

EXAMPLES OF MISCONDUCT

Violations of Student Conduct include, but are not limited to:

Theft or damage to property of a student, faculty or staff member, or visitor to University premises;
Possession, use, or threatened use of firearms (concealed, permitted, or otherwise), explosives, dangerous chemicals, or any other weapons and instruments (including but not limited to knives, stun guns, tasers) on any University site or at any University - related activitysponsored or sanctioned function. Exceptions to the rule forbidding possession of firearms may be granted to uniformed police officers by the University Provost or President.
Falsely setting off or tampering with emergency safety equipment, alarm or other device designed for the safety of individuals or University property, ; or ignoring established safety protocols.
Verbal, written, or physical abuse or threats directed toward or about any member of the University Community or personnel at institutions with which the University has cooperative agreements (such as schools and internship sites).
Disorderly or indecent conduct, personally or intentionally abusive language, breach of the peace, or procuring another to breach the peace.
Disrespectful communication in any form or modality (including verbal, written, visual, digital, or non-verbal); conduct that diminishes the dignity of others, including false allegations or statements that could reasonably be expected to cause reputational harm or discredit others.
Hazing, initiation practices, or other group activities that reasonably could be expected to cause physical or psychological harm or that humiliate or degrade participants.
Sexual harassment as defined in the current published City University of Seattle Catalog.
Discriminatory harassment based on a protected characteristic, where such conduct violates applicable law or University policy.
Retaliation or reprisal against any person who, in good faith, reports a concern; seeks advice; files a complaint; or participates in an investigation, hearing, or resolution process under this Policy.
Major infraction or repeated minor infraction of either (a) the student’s program’s code of conduct, ethics or disposition and/or (b) the Professional Code of Conduct, Ethical or Practice Guidelines applicable to the student’s program of study.
Forgery, alteration, misrepresentation or misuse of University documents, records, credentials or identification.
Intentional violations of University rules, policies, or procedures, or interference with the administration or enforcement of University policies, such as providing false information, destroying or concealing evidence, discouraging participation in a conduct or investigative process, obstructing proceedings, or aiding, or otherwise facilitating a violation of University policy.
Obstruction or disruption of the teaching, operation of a class or other University-related activity.
Failure to comply with directions of University employees acting in the legitimate performance of their duties.
Violating the term(s) of any disciplinary sanctions or outcomes imposed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct or other University policies.
Unauthorized use of University property, facilities, services, or technology resources, or otherwise violating the University’s Information Technology Resource Code of Conduct for Students.
Privacy violations, including sharing confidential or personal information without consent or unauthorized recording, including surreptitious or non-consensual audio, video, or image capture of classes, meetings, or University community members during a University-related activity.
Use, possession, or distribution of alcohol, unprescribed cannabis products, or illegal substances on any University site or at any University-related activity.
Unauthorized entry into or occupancy of University facilities, or blocking access to or egress from such areas.
Misuse of University branding or representation, including unauthorized use of logos, marks, or platforms; falsely representing oneself as a University official; or otherwise misusing University name or affiliation.

PROCESS & SANCTIONS OVERVIEW

The President, Provost, Vice President(s), or Deans of the University may summarily suspend a student in order to protect University community members from the immediate possibility of disorder, misconduct, threat or harm. The student is required to immediately leave the University premises and all of his/her privileges are suspended until an investigation has been conducted. Summary suspensions may be in effect for up to ten business days.

In some cases, an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be resolved by a staff member when the infraction is not serious.If successful resolution is not reached, and for more serious violations of the Code, the student will be referred to the Office of the Provost.

Allegations of misconduct and summary suspensions referred to the Provost’s Office will be investigated and a determination made regarding the validity of the complaint and the severity of the violation. If the violation is found to be a minor infraction, the Provost may dismiss the violation or impose a sanction including but not limited to dismissal, a verbal warning, formal reprimand, restitution, or disciplinary probation.

If the violation is found to be a major infraction, the Provost will convene the Student Conduct Hearing Board for a formal review. The Student Conduct Hearing Board will recommend to the Provost the appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to a verbal warning, formal reprimand, restitution, disciplinary probation, disciplinary suspension, or expulsion.

Student's Right to Appeal

The student will be notified in writing of the decision. The student may accept the decision or may appeal in writing within ten working days to the President. The President's decision is final.

(Policy #2300.02)