Santa Clara University

Student Conduct Code

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

For the most current information on the student conduct code and all policies and procedures regarding the student judicial system, please refer to the following Web site: www.scu.edu/studentlife/handbook

The goal of Santa Clara University is to provide students with a general education so that they will acquire knowledge, skill, and wisdom to deal with and contribute to contemporary society in constructive ways. As an institution of higher education rooted in the Jesuit tradition, the University is committed to creating and sustaining an environment that facilitates not only academic development but also the personal and spiritual development of its members. This commitment of the University encourages the greatest possible degree of freedom for individual choice and expression, with the expectation that individual members of the community will

• Be honest
• Demonstrate self-respect
• Demonstrate respect for others
• Demonstrate respect for the law and University policies, procedures, and standards; their administration; and the process for changing those laws, policies, procedures, and standards

In keeping with this commitment, this Statement of Responsibilities and Standards of Conduct and related policies and procedures have been formulated to guarantee each student’s freedom to learn and to protect the fundamental rights of others. There can be no rights and freedoms if all who claim them do not recognize and respect the same rights and freedoms for others. In addition to the laws of the nation, the state of California, and the local community, the University administration has established policies, procedures, and standards deemed necessary to achieve its objectives as a Catholic Jesuit university.

All members of the Santa Clara community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the goals of the institution and to demonstrate respect for self, others, and their property. Students living off campus are members of this community, and as such are representatives to the community at large. In this regard, students living off campus maintain an equal measure of accountability to the values and expectations of all members of this community as identified in the Student Conduct Code.

Whether living in or traversing through the neighborhood, or parking in the street, students are expected to adhere to the same high standards of conduct and behavior that are consistent with the students’ developing role as responsible and accountable citizens, and that reflect well upon the Santa Clara University community.

All members of the University community have a strong responsibility to protect and maintain an academic climate in which the fundamental freedom to learn can be enjoyed by all and where the rights and well-being of all members of the community are protected. To this end, certain basic regulations and policies have been developed to govern the conduct of graduate and undergraduate students as members of the University community. The University reserves the right to review student conduct that occurs on and off campus when such behavior is inconsistent with this expectation and the Student Conduct Code. The following acts subject students to disciplinary action:

1. Engaging in any form of academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism (representing the work or ideas of others as one’s own without giving proper acknowledgment), cheating (e.g., copying the work of another person, falsifying laboratory data, sabotaging the work of others), and other acts generally understood to be dishonest by faculty or students in an academic context. (Law students refer to the School of Law code.)
2. Illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs on University-owned or controlled property. The use or possession of equipment, products, or materialthat is used or intended for use in manufacturing, growing, using, or distribut- ing any drug or controlled substance.
3. Falsification or misuse, including nonauthentic, altered, or fraudulent misuse, of University records, permits, documents, communication equipment, or identification cards.
4. Knowingly furnishing false or incomplete information to the University, a University official, or judicial hearing board in response to an authorized request.
5. Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct; excessive or prolonged noise; behavior that interferes with the orderly functioning of the University or interferes with an individual’s pursuit of an education on University-owned or controlled property or during an authorized University class, field trip, seminar, competition or other meeting, or University-related activity on or off University property.
6. Detention, physical abuse, sexual misconduct, or conduct that threatens imminent bodily harm or endangers the physical well-being of any person on any University-owned or controlled property.
7. Malicious destruction, damage, or misuse of University property or the property of any other person or group where such property is located on University-owned or controlled property, or regardless of location, is in the care, custody, or control of the University.
8. Theft or conversion of University-owned or personal property.
9. Hazing, harassing, threatening, degrading language or actions, or any practice by a group or individual that degrades a student or employee, endangers health, jeopardizes personal safety, or interferes with an employee’s duties or with a student’s class attendance or a person’s educational pursuits.
10. Intentional obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other University activities on University-owned or controlled property; or obstruction or disruption that interferes with the freedom of movement, both pedestrian and vehicular, on University-owned or controlled property.
11. Possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or other danger- ous weapons or instruments on University-owned or controlled property, except as expressly authorized by University regulation.
12. Unauthorized entry into or use or defacement of University facilities, includ- ing residence halls and other buildings and grounds, including unauthorized entry into or presence in or on a University building; unauthorized erection or use on University property of any structures, specifically including but not limited to tents, huts, gazebos, shelters, platforms, and public address systems; or unauthorized use of University property for dances, concerts, assemblies, meetings, sleeping, cooking, or eating if said activity interferes with the operation of the University or surrounding community.
13. Publication, posting, or distribution on University property, through the use of University resources (e.g., computers, telephone lines, e-mail services, Internet connections), or at authorized University activities of material that violates the law of libel, copyright, or obscenity; postal regulations; or any law, statute, or University policy.
14. Failure while on University-owned or controlled property to comply with a reasonable request or order of a University executive or other authorized official(s); or refusal or failure to leave such premises because of conduct prescribed by this code when such conduct constitutes violations of this code or a danger to personal safety, property, or educational or other appropriate University activities on such premises; or refusal or failure to identify oneself when requested by a University official provided the official is identified and indicates a legitimate reason for the request.
15. Possession, consumption, or sale of alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21 years on University property; furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 years on University property; consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public place (all areas other than individual residences, private offices, and scheduled private functions); excessive and inappropriate use of alcoholic beverages.
16. Misconduct that arises off campus in which a student is detained, arrested, cited, or otherwise charged with violations of local, state, or federal laws that materially or adversely affect the individual’s suitability as a member of the Santa Clara University community.
17. Tampering with, removing, damaging or destroying fire extinguishers, fire alarm boxes, smoke or heat detectors, emergency call boxes, and other safety equipment anywhere on University property. Creating a fire, safety, or health hazard. Failure to respond to fire alarms, evacuate buildings during alarm activation, or respond to the directions of emergency personnel.
18. Any behavior that disrupts or causes disruption of computer services; damages, alters, or destroys data or records; adversely affects computer software, programs, systems, or networks; and uses data, computer systems, or networks to devise or execute any scheme to defraud, deceive, or extort, or wrongfully obtain money, property, or data. Introduction of any computer contaminant into a computer system or network is a public offense and is subject to disciplinary action up to andincluding dismissal from Santa Clara University.

The Judicial Records Policy applies to all students and is as follows:

1. All judicial files are kept for a minimum of one academic year beyond the academic year in which the date of the last violation of the Student Conduct Code occurred.
2. All confidential student judicial files are maintained in the Office of Student Life.
3. The files of students who have received the following sanctions shall be maintained for three academic years beyond the academic year in which the students’ tenure in their current degree program at the University has ended.
4. • Removal from University housing
   • Disciplinary probation
   • Deferred suspension
   • Suspension
5. The files of a student who has been expelled shall be maintained for seven years beyond the academic year in which the student’s tenure at the University has ended.
6. As judicial records are part of educational records, please refer to “Student Records” in Section 4 of this bulletin.