14 . The term Student means all persons who are enrolled at the University , either full-time or part-time , including but not limited to : |
a . |
Persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Code of Student Conduct ; |
b . |
Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular semester or accelerated non-term but who have a continuing |
relationship with the University ; |
c . |
Persons who have been notified of their acceptance to the University ; |
d . |
Persons participating in study abroad programs ; or |
e . |
Persons who are enrolled online and at all locations of the University , including the Bensalem and Center City campuses |
15 . The term Student Organization means any club or group that has complied with the formal requirements for University recognition / registration as determined by the Office for Student Engagement .
16 . The term Witness means a person who may have personal knowledge of the incident in question . 17 . The term will is used in the imperative sense , not imparting a choice . 18 . The term may is used in a permissive sense , imparting a choice .
19 . The term Preponderance of Evidence means the standard of proof employed in the conduct process to determine if a student is responsible for violating the Code . This standard is satisfied if there is sufficient information to conclude that it is more likely than not that the alleged Code violation occurred .
ARTICLE II : STUDENT CODE OVERSIGHT
The Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students or designee has the responsibility for maintaining and implementing the Code of Student Conduct , and shall be responsible for the administration of the conduct system and procedural rules for the management / administration of the Campus Hearing Board processes that are consistent with provisions in the Code .
Decisions made by the Campus Hearing Board and / or the Administrative Hearing Officer shall be final , pending the normal appeal process .
ARTICLE III : PROSCRIBED CONDUCT A . Jurisdiction of the University Code of Student Conduct
The University Code of Student Conduct shall apply to conduct that occurs on University premises at all Gwynedd Mercy University campuses , at University sponsored activities , and to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the University Community and / or the pursuit of its mission or objectives . Each student shall be responsible for their conduct from the time of acceptance to the University 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 their conduct is not discovered until after a degree is awarded ). The Code shall apply to a student ’ s conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending . The Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students or designee shall decide whether the Code shall be applied to conduct occurring off campus , on a case by case basis . The University Code of Student Conduct applies to guests of community members . Student hosts will be held accountable for the misconduct of their guests .
There is no time limit on reporting violations of the Code of Student Conduct ; however , the longer someone waits to report an offense , the harder it becomes for University officials to obtain information and witness statements and to make determinations regarding alleged violations .
Though anonymous complaints are permitted , doing so may limit the University ’ s ability to investigate and respond to a complaint . Those who are aware of misconduct are encouraged to report it as quickly as possible to the Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students , the Office of Residence Life or to the Office of Public Safety .
Off-Campus Behavior and Responsibility Students at Gwynedd Mercy University are members of both the University community and the communities surrounding the University . All members of the University community have the obligation to adhere to the policies of the University and laws of the federal , state and local jurisdictions .
The University ’ s practice is to hold students responsible for behavior off campus . Student behavior , both positive and negative , reflects upon the University . The University reserves the right to investigate , and if deemed appropriate , take disciplinary action on complaints received concerning off-campus student behavior from the police , neighbors , property owners , other students , faculty , staff , and the public at large . Students whose behavior off campus is contrary to public law and / or the Code will be subject to disciplinary sanctions .
All students must be aware of the following :
• The University may discipline students for incidents that occur off campus .
• The decisions of the University and Magistrate / Courts are independent and mutually exclusive .
• The University may discipline students in all cases where a citation or arrest takes place .
• The University will not delay issuing a decision in a case because of a pending case before the Magistrate or Courts .
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