Student Conduct Philosophy Statement

The Albertus Magnus College community is committed to fostering a campus environment that is conducive to academic inquiry, a productive campus life and thoughtful study and discourse. The Office of Community Standards is committed to an educational and developmental process that balances the interests of individual students with the interests of the College community.

A community exists on the basis of shared values and principles. At Albertus Magnus College, student members of the community are expected to uphold and abide by certain standards that form the basis of the Code of Student Conduct. These standards are embodied within a set of core values: integrity, social justice, respect, community, and responsibility.

Each member of the College community bears responsibility for their conduct and assumes reasonable responsibility for the behavior of others. When members of the community fail to exemplify these five values by acting in violation of the rules below, campus conduct proceedings are used to assert and uphold the Code of Student Conduct.

The student conduct process at the College is not intended to punish students; rather, it exists to protect the interests of the community and to challenge those whose behavior is not in accordance with our policies. Sanctions are intended to challenge students’ moral and ethical decision-making and to help them bring their behavior into accord with our community expectations. When a student is unable to conform their behavior to community expectations, the student conduct process may determine that the student should no longer share in the privilege of participating in this community.

Students should be aware that the student conduct process is different from criminal and civil court proceedings. Procedures and rights in student conduct procedures are conducted with fairness to all, but do not include the same protections of due process afforded by the courts. Due process, as defined within these procedures, assures (1) written notice and (2) an opportunity for a hearing before an objective decision-maker. No student will be found in violation of College policy without information showing that it is more likely than not that a policy violation occurred and any sanctions will be proportionate to the severity of the violation and to the cumulative conduct history of the student.

Students at the College are provided a copy of the Code of Student Conduct annually in the form of a link on the College website. Hard copies are available upon request from the Office of Community Standards. Students are responsible for having read and abiding by the provisions of the Code of Student Conduct.

The Code of Student Conduct and the student conduct process apply to the actions of individual students, both undergraduate and graduate, including all College-affiliated student organizations. For the purposes of student conduct, the College considers an individual to be a student when an offer of admission has been extended and thereafter as long as the student has a continuing educational interest in the College.

The College retains conduct jurisdiction over students who choose to take a leave of absence, withdraw or have graduated for any misconduct that occurred prior to the leave, withdrawal or graduation. If sanctioned, a hold may be placed on the student’s ability to re-enroll [and/or obtain official transcripts and/or graduate] and all sanctions must be satisfied prior to re-enrollment eligibility. In the event of serious misconduct committed while still enrolled but reported after the accused student has graduated, the College may invoke these procedures. Should the former student be found responsible, the College may revoke that student’s degree.

The Code of Student Conduct applies to behaviors that take place on campus, at College-sponsored events and may also apply off-campus when the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee determines that the off-campus conduct affects a substantial College interest. A substantial College interest is defined to include:

• Any situation where it appears that the student’s conduct may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of him/herself or others.
• Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property or achievements of self or others or significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder.
• Any situation that is detrimental to the educational mission and/or interests of the College.

The Code of Student Conduct may be applied to behavior conducted online, via email or other electronic medium. Students should also be aware that online postings such as blogs, web postings, chats and social networking sites are in the public sphere and are not private. These postings can subject a student to allegations of conduct violations if evidence of policy violations is posted online. The College does not regularly search for this information but may take action if and when such information is brought to the attention of College officials. Most online speech by students not involving College networks or technology will be protected as free expression and not subject to this Code, with two notable exceptions:

• A true threat, defined as “a threat a reasonable person would interpret as a serious expression of intent to inflict bodily harm upon specific individualsâ€