Treating people with respect means acting in a manner that supports the safety, freedom, belonging, and well-being of others. The University takes all incidents seriously in which a student’s respect is violated. The following policies address such disrespect and violations of these policies are specifically prohibited:
- Discrimination: No student shall violate the rights of or deny the privileges of the University community to another person for reasons of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, criminal convictions, and veteran or military status, or other rights and privileges as may be protected under federal, state and/or local law. Alleged violations on the basis of sex/gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation that fall under sexual misconduct will follow the procedures provided in the University Sexual Misconduct Policy. First, the conduct is directed at an individual(s) on the basis of that individual(s) being in, or being perceived to be in, a protected class. Second, the conduct is intended to intimidate or injure the individual(s). This injury could result in physical, mental, or emotional harm.
- Harassment: No student should engage in behavior that is unwelcome; and is directed at an individual; and is sufficiently objectively offensive and either so severe or pervasive such that it interferes with an individual’s work or education program and/or activities.
- Dangerous conditions: No student shall create a condition that endangers or threatens the safety or well-being of themselves or others. This includes but is not limited to the misuse of devices such as box cutters, laser pointers, paintball guns, and compromising fire and security systems. All wheeled modes of transportation or motor vehicles, with the exception of handicapped service equipment, are prohibited within the confines of any University facility.
- Interference: No student shall interfere with the right of any person to go where they have a right to go or remain where they have a right to remain on University property. No student shall intentionally prevent any person from doing anything they have a right to do or require any person to do anything they have a right to refrain from doing.
- Weapons and dangerous objects: No student shall use with intent to injure, or threaten another with any instrument, device, or object capable of inflicting physical harm or death. Students are also prohibited from possessing any weapons (even if they possess a license).
- Unprotected Speech: No student shall engage in expressive activity that constitutes defamation; true threats, which are defined as statements meant by the speaker to communicate a serious expression of intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals; or other expressive activity that materially and substantially disrupts the University’s operation or that substantially interferes with the protected free expression rights of others. The prohibition against unprotected speech does not apply to speech that is merely offensive, repugnant, false, or hateful (ex: “hate speech”).
- Hazing