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Ethical Standards

Affirmation of Ethical Standards and Responsibilities

As a member of the [board or committee],

• I understand the purpose of the Campus Conduct Office is to be educational by redirecting behavior and increasing student awareness of the behavioral expectations of the University.
• I will attend all scheduled training sessions and meetings of the given board or committee, and will arrange for a substitute when I am unable to attend.
• I understand that hearings and meetings should be conducted in an atmosphere of friendliness, with only enough emphasis on formal procedure to maintain dignity and decorum.
• I understand that all hearings are completely confidential. This includes my responsibility to observe the following ethical standards:
  
  • The names of all parties in a case and information pertaining to the case, whether pending or completed, shall not be revealed to any person other than board members responsible for reviewing the case or University employees designated in the Standards of Conduct as participants in the University conduct system.
  • The conduct record of any student is not to be discussed, shown, or shared in any way with anyone outside of the membership of the given judicial board or committee.
  • The vote of each member is confidential. Decisions of the boards or committees are assumed to be of the board or committee as a whole.  Decisions are expected to be supported by all members of the board or committee, even dissenting members.
  • Should I be contacted by a news media representative regarding board or committee business, I may comment on the general procedures and philosophy of the judicial process. I cannot answer any questions regarding details of a specific case and if asked to do so will explain that it would be inappropriate to comment.
  • I understand that this oath of confidentiality is a continuing affirmation and will remain in effect for any information acquired during my association with the given board or committee.
  • Should I reveal the identity or circumstance of a case, I can be held in violation of the Standards of Conduct, sanctioned, and removed from the given board or committee. I understand that roommates, fellow students, spouses or partners, parents and friends are not exempted from the above.
• I will attempt to gain necessary information without attempting to pry into personal matters, without prejudice and without hostility.  I will strive to ask questions in a respectful and noncondescending manner.
• I will inform the Chair of my given board or committee if I have any potential conflict of interest in or prior knowledge about any case that I believe may affect my ability to objectively consider the information presented. 
• I will dismiss myself from a hearing if I have personal bias or if I believe that I may be partial in the case.  Note that personal bias refers to personal malice or favoritism toward any individual involved in the case.  It does not include general political or social perspectives.
• University files or records shall not be removed from the Office of Residence Life without permission of a professional staff member of Residence Life.
• I will, at all times, be conscious of my status as a representative of the University and will avoid involvement in situations which may tend to lessen the perceived credibility or objectivity of the conduct system. I understand that if I am charged with any violation of the Standards of Conduct [or with a criminal offense], the Chair of my board or the Director of Residence Life may suspend me from my board by while charges are pending. If found responsible for a serious violation or for multiple violations of the Standards of Conduct, I may be removed from the board by the Chair of my board or by the Director of Residence Life.
• I understand that I must remain in good standing with the University (2.0 GPA) and the given board or committee system in order to maintain my position on the given board or committee.
• I understand that failure to fulfill my responsibilities as outlined above may result in my dismissal.

Student's Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights

1. Students have a right to pursue an education free from discrimination based upon sex, race, cultural background, religion, political creed, marital status, age, sexual orientation or disability.
2. Students have a right to fair and impartial academic evaluation.
3. Students have a right to be free from involuntary disclosure of information about their views, beliefs and political association which professors or administrators acquire in the course of their work as advisors.
4. Students have a right to have the University maintain and protect the confidential status of all educational records except as directed by appropriate legal authority.
5. Students, through student representatives, may have a right to participate in formulating and evaluating institutional policies.
6. Students have a right to organize and join associations to promote interests held in common with others.
7. Students have a right to peaceful protest on University premises. These protests may not interfere with entrance to and exit from campus facilities, unreasonably disrupt the educational process or damage property.
8. Individual students, student groups and campus organizations have a right to invite to the campus and hear any persons, or to view films or other media of their own choosing, subject to University requirements regarding reasonable time, place and manner for the use of its facilities.
9. Students have a right to be interviewed on campus by any graduate or professional school or employer desiring to recruit at the University, subject to the Non-Discrimination Policy and requirements for the use of University facilities.
10. Students have a right to a press free of any censorship, subject to state, local and federal laws and University policies.
11. Students have a right to an environment conducive to intellectual freedom and a campus characterized by safety and order.
12. Students have a right to a confidential disciplinary process, as outlined in the University Standards of Conduct.

Student Responsibilities

1. Students are responsible for acting in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of other members of the University community.
2. Students are responsible for maintaining an atmosphere that promotes respect for learning and human dignity.