Official University Policy Manual

File code: STU.STUCODE.POL
Approval Date: 05/15/98
Approved By: Board of Trustees

Code of Student Conduct

Upon approval by the Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University, this document, with approved changes, will become effective August 1, 1998.

Introduction:

Western Illinois University strives to maintain a community which values academic excellence; institutional integrity; and justice, equity, and diversity. Such an environment is essential in fostering the intellectual growth and personal development of all students. Each member of the University community shares responsibility in maintaining conditions which support the University's purpose. The Code of Student Conduct is designed to provide basic guidelines to advance the University's mission as a premier educational institution.

As citizens of the larger community in which the University is located, students retain the rights and responsibilities common to all citizens; affiliation with the University does not diminish the rights or responsibilities held by a student or any other community member as a citizen of the State, the nation, or the world. Students are subject to the behavioral prescriptions promulgated by each of these entities. Therefore, the University as well as civil authorities have jurisdiction over violations of law that occur on University property.

The Code of Student Conduct outlines the standards of behavior expected of every student at Western Illinois University. The policies and procedures outlined have been designed through a representative process by students, faculty, and administrators to further the institution's educational purposes and to assist students in their pursuit of knowledge and personal development.

A student voluntarily joins the Western Illinois University community and thereby assumes the obligation of abiding by the standards prescribed in the Code of Student Conduct. The University, through the office of the Vice President for Student Services, maintains the exclusive authority to impose sanctions for behaviors that violate the Code of Student Conduct.

All students enrolled at Western Illinois University have access to the Code of Student Conduct. Printed copies are available through the following: Student Judicial Programs; Student Support Services; Student Development and Orientation; University Housing & Dining Services; Student Legal Services; Student Advocate; and Vice President for Student Services. The Code may be accessed on-line at www.student.services.wiu.edu/misjp/.

  1. Definitions:
    1. The term "Board" means Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University.
    2. The term "University" means Western Illinois University.
    3. The term "student" means all persons registered for and taking courses at the University, both full-time and part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies and those who attend post-secondary educational institutions other than Western Illinois University and who reside in University residential facilities. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the University are considered "students".
    4. The term "faculty member" means any person hired by the University to conduct classroom activities.
    5. The term "University official" includes any person employed by the University, performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
    6. The term "member of the University community" includes any person who is a student, faculty member, University official, or any other person employed by the University. For the purpose of administering this Code, a person's status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Student Judicial Officer.
    7. The term "University premises" includes all land, buildings, facilities, or other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the University including adjacent streets and sidewalks.
    8. The term "student organization" means any number of students who have complied with the formal requirements for University recognition.
    9. The term "judicial body" means any person or persons authorized by the Student Judicial Officer to determine whether a student has violated the Code of Student Conduct and to recommend imposition of sanctions.
    10. The term "judicial officer" means the Student Judicial Officer. Other judicial officers may be authorized by the Student Judicial Officer to assist in determining whether a student has violated the Code of Student Conduct and to impose sanctions.
  2. Authority:
    1. The University has established these regulations regarding standards of conduct in order to protect its educational mission, provide for the orderly conduct of its activities, and safeguard the interests of the University community.
    2. The Vice President for Student Services retains ultimate responsibility for the administration of this Code (policies, procedures, sanctions, and processes). The Vice President or designee expressly retains final authority to determine the following:
      1. Jurisdiction of any judicial board/panel in any given case where ambiguity exists.
      2. Whether a violation of this Code shall be adjudicated administratively or by a judicial board/panel.
      3. Whether a violation or serious criminal act, occurring off campus, shall be adjudicated by the University judicial system.
      4. The selection, training, and eligibility standards for being a judicial board/panel member, advisor, or judicial officer.
      5. The removal, for cause, of any judicial board/panel, judicial board/panel member, advisor, or judicial officer.
      6. How violations of this Code are to be adjudicated at the end of the academic year and during the summer session.
  3. General Provisions:
    1. These regulations are set forth in writing in order to give students general notice of prohibited conduct and are not designed to define misconduct in all-inclusive terms.
    2. All students, regardless of their status in the University community, shall be afforded the rights and privileges of due process when accused of violations of this Code.
    3. The provisions of the Code of Student Conduct are not to be regarded as a contract between the student and the University. The University reserves the right to amend any provision herein at any time in accordance with established University procedures. Communication of any changes will be made to the University community in an appropriate and timely fashion.
    4. This Code of Student Conduct shall apply to conduct which occurs on University property and to conduct which occurs elsewhere during the course of a University function. Actions not committed on University property may also be subject to judicial action provided that the offense adversely affects the University and/or the pursuit of its objectives.
    5. The actions of a student organization involved in University-related activities or University sponsored activities that are in violation of University regulations may result in disciplinary action against the organization.
    6. Students may be accountable to both civil authorities and to the University for acts which constitute violations of the law and the Code of Student Conduct. Disciplinary action at the University will normally occur during the pendency of criminal proceedings and will not be subject to challenge on the ground that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced.
    7. Any behavior which may have been influenced by a student's mental state (regardless of the ultimate evaluation) or use of drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not in any way limit the responsibility of the student for the consequences of his or her actions.
  4. Regulations for Student Conduct:
    The following actions/behaviors shall constitute violations of the Code of Student Conduct and will subject any student committing a violation to disciplinary sanctions including separation from the University or any lesser sanction authorized by the Code:
    1. Violating published Board or University policies, rules, or regulations including, but not limited to, the policies on racial harassment, sexual harassment, campus disruption, and drug and alcohol abuse.
    2. Violating federal, state, or local laws on University premises or while in attendance at University sponsored or supervised events or committing off-campus violations of federal, state, or local law that adversely affect the University and/or the pursuit of its objectives.
    3. Committing acts of sexual assault (stranger, date, or acquaintance), sexual abuse, or other forms of coerced sexual activity. (Refer to Policy Statement A at the close of this document for the Western Illinois University Policy on Sexual Assault.)
    4. Committing acts of physical abuse or engaging in actions which intimidate, harass, threaten, coerce, or otherwise endanger the health or safety of any person.
    5. Engaging in disorderly conduct or fighting. For purposes of this Code, disorderly conduct is defined to include, but is not limited to, acts which breach the peace or are lewd, indecent, or obscene.
    6. Planning, directing, or committing acts of hazing, defined as any activity which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of an individual or subjects an individual to ridicule, embarrassment, or unlawful activity for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization. (Refer to Policy Statement B at the close of this document for a description of the kinds of activities covered by this Code.)
    7. Interrupting or disturbing the day-to-day academic and operational functions of the University or committing intentional acts that obstruct, disrupt, or physically interfere with the use of University premises, buildings, or passages. (Refer to Policy Statement C at the close of this document for the Board of Trustees Universities Policy on Campus Disruption.)
    8. Possessing, duplicating, or using keys to any University building or facility without authorization by appropriate University officials or committing an act of unauthorized entry into or use of University buildings or facilities.
    9. Engaging or participating in acts of unauthorized possession, use, removal, defacing, tampering, damage, or destruction of University owned or leased property, equipment, programs, or materials, or of property, equipment, programs, or materials belonging to any University community member, guest, visitor, vendor, or contractor.
    10. Posting, affixing, or otherwise attaching written or printed messages or materials, (e.g. posters, signs, handbills, brochures, or pamphlets) on or in unauthorized places including but not limited to trees, shrubbery, sidewalks, buildings, and lawn areas.
    11. Engaging or participating in unauthorized possession or use of explosives, firearms, dangerous weapons, or other hazardous objects or substances. Weapons, explosives, and other hazardous objects or substances covered by this regulation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
      1. Any device defined as a "deadly weapon" under 720 Illinois Combined Statutes, 5/24-1 (refer to Policy Statement D at the close of this document);
      2. All handguns, rifles, and shotguns;
      3. All longbows, crossbows, and arrows;
      4. All knives having a blade length of three inches or more (with the exception of culinary knives used solely in kitchens and dining rooms in the preparation and eating of meals);
      5. All BB guns, pellet guns, air/CO2 guns, or blow guns;
      6. All fireworks;
      7. All explosives, laboratory chemicals, dangerous compounds, gunpowder, firearm ammunition, and flammable petroleum fuels;
      8. Any martial arts weapons, e.g., numbchucks and throwing stars;
      9. Any item used as a weapon in the commission of a crime; and
      10. Any operative animal trap or other device that is used to ensnare animals.
    12. Committing acts of arson, creating a fire hazard, or possessing or using, without proper authorization, inflammable materials or hazardous substances on University property.
    13. Committing acts which endanger the property of the University (including but not limited to altering or misusing any fire fighting equipment, safety equipment, or emergency device).
    14. Making false reports of a fire, bomb threat, or other dangerous condition; failing to report a fire, or interfering with the response of University or municipal officials to emergency calls.
    15. Failing to comply with the directions of or obstructing University officials acting in the performance of their duties and/or failing to positively identify one's self to a University official when requested to do so. The preferred form of identification shall be a current, valid University identification card.
    16. Aiding and abetting another person in committing an act that violates the Code of Student Conduct.
    17. Committing acts of dishonesty including but not limited to the following:
      1. Engaging or participating in cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty (students committing acts of academic dishonesty are also subject to academic sanctions).
      2. Furnishing false information to any University official, faculty member, or office.
      3. Forging, altering, or misusing any University document, record, or instrument of identification.
      4. Tampering with the election of any University-recognized student organization.
      5. Attempting to represent the University, any recognized student organization, or any official University group without the explicit prior consent of the officials of that group.
    18. Gambling on University property or engaging in unauthorized canvassing or solicitation.
    19. Engaging in acts of theft or abuse of computer time, including but not limited to:
      1. Unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change its contents.
      2. Unauthorized transfers of a file or files.
      3. Unauthorized use of another person's identification and password.
      4. Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member, or University official.
      5. Use of computing facilities to send obscene messages.
      6. Use of computing facilities to interfere with the normal operation of the University computing system.
    20. Using, possessing, or distributing cannabis (marijuana) or any State or federally controlled substance except as expressly permitted by law. (Refer to Policy Statement E at the close of this document for a list of substances which fall under this Code.)
    21. Using, possessing, or distributing alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by law, University regulations, or residence hall policy. (Refer to Policy Statement F at the close of this document for applicable University alcohol regulations.)
    22. Engaging or participating in abuse of the judicial system, including but not limited to:
      1. Falsifying or misrepresenting information before a judicial body.
      2. Disrupting or interfering with the orderly conduct of a judicial proceeding.
      3. Instituting a judicial complaint knowingly without cause.
      4. Attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in, or use of, the judicial system.
      5. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a judicial body prior to, during, and/or after a judicial proceeding.
      6. Harassing (verbal or physical) and/or intimidating a member of a judicial body prior to, during, and/or after a judicial proceeding.
      7. Failing to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Code of Student Conduct.
      8. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the judicial system.
    23. Committing violations of rules and regulations duly established and promulgated by other University departments.
    24. Parading or marching on streets, roadways, or property of the University without the advance approval of the Vice President for Student Services or designee and the Director of Public Safety or designee.

Code of Student Conduct continued | Policies Manual Index