Arkansas State University Code of Conduct

Preamble

Arkansas State University is a tax-supported educational institution whose mission is to provide an educational opportunity to all who enroll. Attendance is not compulsory, and whether the opportunity to attend is called a "right" or "privilege," it is optional and voluntary.  

The enrollment of a student at the university is a voluntary entrance into the academic community. By such entrance, the student voluntarily assumes obligations of performance and behavior, which are imposed by the university relevant to its lawful missions, processes and functions. These obligations may be much higher than those imposed on all citizens by civil and criminal law.  

Arkansas State University is an interdependent learning community consisting of students, faculty and staff. Just as any community has a culture, along with written and unwritten "expectations" for conduct, we too have a culture and associated expectations for behavior. The community's expectation is that conduct is marked by integrity. Any student who chooses to enroll at the university also chooses to become part of this community and constructively contribute to its culture. This choice is an obligation to conduct oneself in such a way as to facilitate the mission of the community, which is to "...pursue and share knowledge..."

The following principles are part of the collective expectation of the members of this community relative to personal conduct. We hope they serve to explain and illustrate our position.

• Civility — Members of a learning community interact with others in a courteous and polite manner. Members of the community are expected to respect the values, opinions or feelings of others.

• Ethical Behavior — The pursuit of a higher education is a privilege. Associated with that privilege is an obligation to aspire to a set of principles and values that demonstrate a commitment to fairness, honesty, empathy and achievement.

• Morality — Members of a learning community commit to the ideals of appropriate human conduct. This lifestyle seeks to harm no one and attempts to be a positive contributor in every interaction.

• Respect — Every member of this community should seek to gain and demonstrate respect. Members should hold one another in high regard. Each individual should conduct him or herself in a manner worthy of that regard, which is gained by decent and correct behavior.

The learning community at Arkansas State University does not intend to be prescriptive regarding the personal beliefs and value systems of its members. However, this community does believe that it has a right to expect its members to demonstrate personal responsibility and integrity in word and deed. When the conduct of any member falls outside the bounds of civil, moral and ethical behavior, that member can expect the community of Arkansas State University to call such conduct into question.

The university reserves the right to discipline students or student organizations for inappropriate actions that occur on or off the campus to secure compliance with these higher obligations. Students failing to maintain these higher obligations may be asked to leave the academic community. Students are expected to comply with all university policies and procedures

"Responsibility for student conduct and the University Student Conduct System is vested within the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. The Vice Chancellor may designate the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Conduct, Rights, & Responsibilities Affairs, the campus Student Disciplinary Committee, the associate director of Residence Life (Conduct/Operations), and/or Residence Hall directors as the Initial Conduct Officer/Body depending upon the severity of the infraction and where it occurred."

CODE OF CONDUCT

It is understood that a regulation concerning every possible act of misconduct cannot be specifically stated. However, the following acts of misconduct apply whether they are performed singly, in groups, or at a function of an organization. These acts of misconduct could result in arrests and charges being filed under local, state or federal laws.

By allowing the existence of behaviors or items that violate Arkansas State University policy, procedures, or Code of Conduct, students have demonstrated an implied consent for the violation(s) and thus may be equally charged for the violation(s).  In addition, students will be considered in violation if they fail to remove themselves from incriminating situations and/or report the incident to proper authorities.

Finally, the university reserves the right to discipline students for acts of misconduct wherever they occur. Acts of violence, weapons possession, and possession of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and will result in separation from the university.    

1.  Possession, use and/or distribution of alcoholic beverages, in any form, in or about university grounds, instructional buildings, residence halls, or at any university approved activity on or off campus and/or impairment which can be attributed to the use of alcohol; 

2.  Use, manufacturing, distribution or possession of drugs, narcotics, chemicals and/or drug paraphernalia without medical prescription under medical supervision and/or impairment which can be attributed to the use of such drugs;

3.   Gambling on or about university property and residence halls;

4.   Disorderly conduct, such as, but not limited to, acts that are against the public peace, order, or safety, and/or lewd, indecent, obscene conduct or expression on or off the campus;

5.   Unauthorized or illegal entry into a building, classroom, office, room, vehicle or residence hall, and/or unauthorized use or possession of university property;

6.    Violation of regulations and policies governing residence in university owned or controlled property (see the Residence Hall Calendar/Contract);

7.   Dishonesty, such as academic cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration, or misuse of university documents, or identification;

8.   Physical assault (including rape/sexual assault) or harassment (including sexual harassment/verbal abuse), threat of physical harm of any person or self, and/or conduct which threatens or endangers the health, safety, or welfare of any such person;

9.   Non-recognized student groups attempting to function on the campus or in the name of Arkansas State University;

10.Failure to comply with directions, verbal or written, of university officials, law enforcement agents, or residence hall staff while performing of their duties. Refusing to respond to an official request related to an alleged violation of university policy or regulation or giving false testimony or fraudulent evidence in university disciplinary proceedings;

11.  Failure to fulfill obligations associated with an official disciplinary sanction;

12.Possession or use of firearms, fireworks, other weapons, or chemicals which are of an explosive or corrosive nature on university property or at university functions;

13.Theft, attempted theft, possession, sale or barter of, or damage to property of the university or of a member of the university community or campus visitor;

14.Failure to register a motor vehicle operated on the campus and abide by the stated rules of the university regulating the use of such vehicles;

15.Engaging in overt physical acts that interfere with the normal or sponsored activities of the university on or off the campus, including, but not limited to, the blocking of ingress or egress to the university’s physical facilities, tampering with public utilities, or prevention of freedom of movement or expression by other students, university officials, law enforcement agents, faculty members, employees and invited guests;

16.Failure to abide by university regulations regarding residence hall visitation, inter-visitation, and security;

17.The instigation of false fire/explosion, or emergency alarms, bomb threats, tampering/misusing or damaging fire extinguishers, alarms or other safety equipment;

18.All forms of hazing such as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule, or possibly cause mental or physical harm or injury to any person on or off the university campus

(NOTE: Arkansas Act 75 of 1983 states: No student of any school, college, university, or other educational institution in Arkansas shall engage in what is commonly known and recognized as hazing, or encourage, aid, or assist any other students in the commission of this offense);

19.Violation of policies, procedures or regulations included in official publications of the University such as, but not limited to, the undergraduate and graduate bulletins, the traffic brochures, posted notices, other departmental publications, and Residence Hall Calendar/Regulations;

20.Misuse, abuse, and unauthorized use of computing resources, and/or use of computing resources for unauthorized purposes such as, but not limited to, destroying, modifying, accessing, or copying programs, records, or data belonging to the university or another user without permission;

21.Arrest for violation of local, state, or federal law, and/or conduct that adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the university community.

22.Students are responsible for the conduct of their guests on or in university property and at functions sponsored by the university or any recognized university organization. 

Specific Residence Hall Violations: 

23.Knowingly, recklessly or negligently obstructing any fire exit in a residence hall or at a residence hall-sponsored activity;

24.Knowingly, recklessly or negligently interfering with the normal operation of an elevator in a residence hall;

25.Knowingly or recklessly using or possessing in a residence hall or at any residence hall-sponsored activity, any object or substance designed to inflict physical injury, including but not limited to: all firearms, pellet guns, knives with blades longer than five inches, clubs and switchblade knives;

26.  Attempting suicide or repeatedly threatening to commit suicide;

27.  Knowingly, recklessly, or negligently causing any object to be thrown or dropped from a residence hall;

28.Knowingly furnishing false information to the Residence Life Office or to any staff member acting for the Residence Life Office;

29.Knowingly or recklessly interfering with the normal operation of a residence hall including, but not limited to visitation rules and quiet hours rules;

30.Knowingly or recklessly playing any audio device in a manner which unreasonably interferes with the ability of another resident to use and enjoy his/her assigned room or common area;

31.  Failing to pay housing fees;

32.Failing to remain as a full-time student of the university without permission from the Office of Residence Life.

33. Window coverings must be the provided mini-blinds. Cloth curtains are also permitted. No cardboard, aluminum foil, cellophane or other window coverings are permitted on windows.

Academic Integrity Policy