Student Handbook 2025-26 | Page 39

B. Standards of Student Conduct

To support the mission of the University and the academic goals of all students, the university community upholds the following standards of conduct: 1. Respect and equitable treatment for all individuals 2. Social responsibility and moral behavior 3. Respect for lawful authority

Conduct systems and procedures are substantially secondary to the use of example, guidance, counseling and admonition in the development of responsible student conduct. When these preferred means fail to resolve problems of student conduct, procedural safeguards allow for the imposition of appropriate sanctions while protecting the student from unfair imposition of serious penalties. Separable violations may result in either expulsion or suspension from the University, but lesser sanctions will be considered whenever appropriate. Non-separable violations cannot, standing alone, result in expulsion or suspension from the University, unless the student has a history of previous violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

The Code of Student Conduct permits any member of the University community( student, faculty, administrator or staff) to register a written complaint against a student / student organization with the office of the Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students.

If the complaint warrants adjudication, the options will be discussed with the referred student / student organization mentioned in the complaint.

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following violations is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Article IV:

Separable Violations 1. Violation of any local, State or Federal law on or off university property, classified as felonies, misdemeanors or citations. 2. Academic Integrity a. Separable violations of academic integrity are those that affect a significant portion of the course work and are often characterized by substantial premeditation or planning and clearly dishonest intent on the part of the student committing the violation. All Academic Integrity violations are adjudicated via the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs( VPAA). For the full policy, please see the section on Academic Integrity in the University Catalog.

3. Acts of Dishonesty a.

Providing false or misleading information, verbally or in writing, to the University or University personnel. This includes, but is not limited to: i. Forgery, fraud( including payroll fraud), bribery, alteration, or misuse of university documents or records; ii. Providing false or misleading information during a disciplinary proceeding or investigation related to potential policy violations; iii. Representing oneself as another member of the University community; iv. Failure to identify oneself when requested by a member of the University faculty, administration or staff; v. Use of another person’ s identity, password, identification number, University identification card or any other form of identification. b. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys or ID cards to any University premises or unauthorized entry to or use of university facilities or premises. c. Theft of public or private property including receipt of stolen property. d.

Assisting another student, individual or group through act or omission, in committing or attempting to commit a violation of this Code or any other written University policy.

b. Violation of the Gwynedd Mercy University Firearms, Fireworks, Explosives and Other Dangerous Instruments

Policy( see Institution Wide Policy Manual). 6. Violation of the Gwynedd Mercy University Child Abuse Policy( see Institution Wide Policy Manual). 7. Physical Misconduct a.

Deliberate destruction of, or damage to, misuse of, or abuse of public, private or university property, on or off campus. b. Violation of the Gwynedd Mercy University Violence Policy( see Institution Wide Policy Manual). c. Violation of the Gwynedd Mercy University Hazing Policy( see page 54).

8. Violations of the Gwynedd Mercy University Sexual Misconduct policy, including sexual harassment, hostile environment caused by sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, and stalking. Further information about the Gwynedd Mercy University Sexual Misconduct Policy is here.

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