2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog

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Student Conduct Code

Students and recognized student organizations at the University of Northern Colorado possess certain rights and responsibilities designed to promote a safe and respectful living and learning environment. The University values freedom of expression and the respectful exchange of diverse viewpoints. By choosing to attend the University of Northern Colorado, students agree to uphold standards of conduct that have been developed to guarantee students freedom to learn and to protect the fundamental rights of others. In an effort to foster tolerance, civility, and accountability, the student conduct process aims to serve as a learning experience that can result in growth and personal understanding of one’s responsibilities and privileges within both the university community and the greater community.

The University of Northern Colorado Student Code of Conduct shall apply to conduct that occurs on University premises, at University sponsored activities, and to off campus conduct that adversely affects the University community, poses a threat to safety of persons or property or damages the institution’s reputation or relationship with the greater community. In addition, University of Northern Colorado, in collaboration with the Greeley community, may respond to student violations of community-based laws and ordinances designed to protect civility and quality of life. The Director of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution or designee shall decide whether the Student Code of Conduct shall be applied to conduct occurring off campus, on a case by case basis, at his/her discretion. Each student shall be responsible for his/her conduct from the time of application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree, even though conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment (and even if his or her conduct is not discovered until after a degree is awarded). The Student Code shall apply to a student’s conduct even is the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending.

Prohibited Student Conduct

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to disciplinary action:

  1. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
    1. Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty.
    2. Furnishing false information to any University official.
    3. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any instrument of identification, University document, or record.
  2. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other University activities, including its public service functions on or off campus, or other authorized non-University activities when the conduct occurs on University premises.
  3. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person, including the student.
  4. Repeated conduct which would cause a reasonable person to fear for his/her safety or to alter his/her activities in response to the repeated conduct. Such repeated conduct may include, but is not limited to, any of the following: following, approaching, contacting, or placing under surveillance a person, a member of that person’s family, or close acquaintance, whether or not conversation ensures.
  5. Harassment, which consists of any verbal, visual, written or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it adversely affects, or has the purpose or logical consequence of interfering with any student’s educational program or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment within the University community.
    1. Sexual Harassment, which includes, but is not limited to non-consensual verbal or physical conduct related to sex which unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work, educational, or social performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work, educational, or social environment; or is a violation of an individual’s privacy, at the University, on University-owned or controlled property, at university sponsored or supervised activities, or at functions of recognized student organizations.
    2. Bias-Related Harassment, which includes harassment of a person or group because of factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, creed, national origin, disability, political affiliation or veteran status.
  6. Sexual Misconduct, which is defined as:
    1. Sexual conduct that is without consent by any party. It is the obligation of any person to obtain active consent from the other person prior to sexual contact. Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to, touching another’s genitals/breasts without consent; having sexual contact with someone whose decision making ability is compromised (e.g. from alcohol or drug usage); or continuing sexual activity after either party has made it clear, either verbally or by conduct, that they do not wish to have physical contact.
    2. Obscene or indecent behavior, which includes, but is not limited to, exposure of one’s sexual organs or the display of sexual behavior that would reasonably be offensive to others; deliberate observation of others for sexual purposes without their consent; taking or posting of photographs/images of a sexual nature without consent; possession or distribution of illegal pornography; or viewing or posting pornography in public venues.
  7. Theft of and/or damage to property of the University or property of a member of the University community or other personal or public property, on or off campus.
  8. Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule.
  9. Failure to comply with directions of University officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.
  10. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any University premises or unauthorized entry to or use of other persons’ or University property.
  11. Violation of any University policy, rule or regulation published in hard copy or available electronically on the University website, including, but not limited to, the Residence Life Handbook, Student-Athlete Handbook, UNC Computer, Internet & Electronic Communications Policies and Procedures, or any academic college policies.
  12. Violations of federal, state, and municipal laws, or any other conduct not included above, which unreasonably interferes with the operations of the University, and the pursuit of its educational purposes and objectives or the rights of others, or which renders a person or organization unfit or unsuitable for continued association or affiliation with the University.
  13. Use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of marijuana, heroin, narcotics, other controlled substances, and/or paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law.
  14. Public intoxication, use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by University regulations or by law. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstance, be used by, possessed by or distributed to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age.
  15. Possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on University premises or use of any object in a way that harms, threatens, or causes fear to others on or off campus. Weapons include, but are not limited to, any object or substance designed to inflict a wound, cause injury, or incapacitate, including, but not limited to, all firearms, pellet guns, switchblade knives, or instruments designed to look like any of the above. Concealed weapons may only be carried by sworn law enforcement officers. All other concealed weapons, whether carrying with a lawful permit or otherwise, are strictly prohibited on all campus premises.
  16. Participating in an on-campus demonstration, riot or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the University and/or infringes on the rights of other members of the University community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area.
  17. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on University premises or at University sponsored or supervised functions.
  18. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace. Disorderly conduct also includes, but is not limited to, any unauthorized use of electronic or other devices to make an audio or video record of any person without his/her prior knowledge, or without his/her effective consent when such a recording is likely to cause injury or distress.
  19. Abuse of the Student Conduct System, including but not limited to:
    1. Failure to obey the notice from a University Hearing Officer or designated University Official to appear for a meeting or hearing as part of the Student Conduct System.
    2. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a University Hearing Officer or designated University Official.
    3. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a University Hearing proceeding.
    4. Institution of a student code of conduct processing in bad faith.
    5. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the student conduct system.
    6. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a University Hearing Officer or Appeal Reader prior to, during the course of, or after a University Hearing proceeding.
    7. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a University Hearing Officer or Appeal Reader prior to, during the course of, or after a Hearing proceeding.
    8. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Code of Conduct.
    9. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the Student Conduct System.
  20. Intentional initiation or circulation of any false report, warning, or threat of fire, bombs, or explosives on University-owned or controlled property, at University-sponsored or supervised functions or at functions or facilities or recognized student organizations.
  21. Retaliation against any individual. Retaliation is defined as any conduct which serves as a reprisal with the intent of causing physical or psychological pain. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome or repeated contacts by telephone, by letter, in person, or by third party; damaging or vandalizing personal property; offensive acts/gestures; overt threats, whether or not they were actually carried out; or any conduct that would instill fear and trepidation in the victim.

The entire Student Code of Conduct, including hearing procedures and definitions of terms, can be found on the Dean of Students Office website at www.unco.edu/dos/student_code_conduct/pdf/StudentCodeofConducthand book.pdf. Revised 8/14/2009 — Please refer to link above for the most current version of the Student Code of Conduct.