DISCIPLINE SYSTEM

Preamble  |  Article I  |  Article II  |  Article III  |  Article IV  |  Article V

Preamble

John Carroll University, grounded in Roman Catholic and Ignatian traditions, strives to foster the fullest development of its students in an atmosphere of care and concern. Members of this university community are held to a high standard of behavior because of the nature of our enterprise: education and the development of students.

Student discipline has been delegated by the Vice President for Student Affairs to the Dean of Students. The rules and regulations of the university are enforced by the Dean of Students who may delegate certain responsibilities to “Student Conduct Administrators”. Questions or concerns about this system should be referred to the Dean of Students.

The Discipline System is meant to be educational. The Discipline System is never meant to be a substitute for civil or criminal proceedings off-campus. In fact, students and other members of the university community are encouraged to utilize local law enforcement officials in handling violations of local, state or federal law. At the same time, John Carroll University does reserve the right to internally enforce its own policies and impose sanctions on violators. The Student Conduct Administrator/Board’s determination shall be made on the basis of whether it is more likely than not that the Accused Student violated the Student Code.

BACK TO TOP

Article I:  Definitions

1. The term "university" means John Carroll University.

2. The term "student" includes all persons taking courses at the university, both full-time and part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, professional or extension studies and those who attend post secondary educational institutions other than John Carroll University and who reside in the university's residence halls. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the university are considered "students."

3. The term "faculty member" means any person hired by the university to conduct classroom activities. In certain situations, a person may be both a "student" and a "faculty member."

4. The term "university official" includes any person employed by the university who performs assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.

5. 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. A person's status in a particular situation shall be determined from the surrounding facts by the Dean of Students or his/her designee.

6. The term "university premises" includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the university (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).

7. The term “complainant” includes the student or student organization filing charges.

8. The term “accused student” means any student accused of violating this student code.

9. The term "organization" means any number of students joined together in the pursuit of a common purpose which is in support of the mission, goals and values of John Carroll University.

10. The term "discipline body" means any person or persons authorized by the Dean of Students to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code and to impose sanctions. Discipline bodies at John Carroll University include the Student Union Hearing Board, the University Hearing Board, the Appellate Board, and other administrators who are designated as “Student Conduct Administrators”.

11. The term "Student Conduct Administrator" means a university official authorized on a case-by-case basis by the Dean of Students to impose sanctions upon any student(s) found to have violated the Student Code.  A Student Conduct Administrator will be assigned as a non-voting member of the University Hearing Board and will run those hearings. 

12. The Dean of Students is the person designated by the Vice President for Student Affairs of John Carroll University to be responsible for the administration of the Student Code. The Dean of Students is also responsible for the final determination and interpretation of the Student Code.

13. The term "policy" is defined as the written regulations of the university as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code, Residence Life contracts and other information, Graduate/ Undergraduate Bulletins and the most recent edition of the Student Handbook and/or Community Standards Manual on-line at www.jcu.edu/campuslife/deanofstudents/csm.

14. The term "Student Code" refers to any published policy, rule, or regulation found in, but not limited to, the most recent edition of the Student Handbook, Community Standards Manual, Residence Life contracts, and the Graduate/Undergraduate Bulletins.

BACK TO TOP

Article II:  Discipline Authority

1. The Dean of Students or his/her designee shall develop policies for the administration of the Discipline System and procedural rules for the conduct of hearings that are consistent with the provisions of the Student Code.

2. The Dean of Students or his/her designee shall determine the composition of hearing boards and appellate boards and shall determine which board or administrator shall be authorized to hear each matter.

3. The standard for disciplinary decision making at all levels of the student code of conduct process will be made on the basis of whether it is more likely than not that the accused student violated the Student Code.

BACK TO TOP

Article III:  Proscribed Conduct

A.   Jurisdiction of the University Student Code

The University Student Code shall apply to conduct that occurs on University premises, at University sponsored activities, and to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the University Community and/or the pursuit of its objectives. Each student shall be responsible for his/her conduct from the time of application for admission 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 Student Code shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending. The Dean of Students shall decide whether the Student Code shall be applied to conduct occurring off campus, on a case by case basis, at her/his sole discretion.

B.     Student Code of Conduct

A student enrolling in John Carroll University assumes an obligation to behave in a manner compatible with the university’s function as an educational institution. The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct, herein referred to as the Student Code, is to establish the expectations regarding students’ behavior and to expand upon the Rights and Responsibilities. These guidelines are not arbitrary legislation but have, as their primary purpose, the welfare of the student and the entire John Carroll community. They have been formulated with the sincere objective of directing and channeling the efforts of John Carroll students toward a successful university life.

The university is dedicated not only to learning and the advancement of knowledge, but also to the whole development of persons within the Catholic and Jesuit tradition. The university seeks to achieve these goals through a sound educational program that includes clear policies governing student rights and responsibilities. Since all members of this institution freely affiliate with this university, they make a decision to be bound by the rules, regulations and principles of the university community. 

Certain behaviors are incompatible with the above standards and are unacceptable in the university community. For these reasons they are subject to disciplinary action by the university. Examples of    such behaviors include but are not limited to the following: (Students should consult the Undergraduate/Graduate catalogues, this Community Standards Manual, the Residence Life housing contract, Campus Safety Services parking regulations, and other published university policies for a more complete list of rules and regulations.)

1. Disrespect for Oneself
   1. Violating the university alcohol policy. This includes but is not limited to such behaviors as underage students being in the presence of or using alcoholic beverages, or any student being intoxicated. It must be understood that the effects of alcohol do not relieve individuals of their responsibility to themselves or the community.
   2. Possessing, using, distributing, being in the presence of and/or selling narcotics, drug paraphernalia, other drugs, or any controlled substance illegally.
   3. Exhibiting reckless actions that endanger the health or safety of any person.
   4. Engaging in illicit sexual behavior.
   5. Guests, engaging in policy violations. You are responsible for the behavior of your guest(s) on campus or at university sponsored events off campus.
       
2. Disrespect for Others
   1. Physically or verbally abusing, assaulting, threatening, endangering, or harassing any person either intentionally or recklessly.
   2. Engaging in harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, ability, or sexual orientation. (See Sexual Harassment Policy.)
   3. Engaging in sexual assault, defined as any form of sexual contact with another person without the consent of that person. (See Sex Offense Policy.)
   4. Participating in hazing or harassment, which includes actions or situations that do or could result in mental, emotional, or physical discomfort; embarrassment; ridicule; or endangerment whether intentionally, for fun, or by consent.
   5. Misusing or interfering with fire equipment, or failing to follow fire drill or other emergency procedures. This includes tampering with or disregard for security precautions in the residence halls or other facilities on campus.
   6. Interfering with the safety and health of a member of the university community.
   7. Possessing, using, or selling firearms, other dangerous weapons, or incendiary or explosive devices including fireworks.
   8. Engaging in behavior that is disruptive of the living and learning environment on campus.
   9. Throwing food or engaging in other disruptive behavior in the dining hall, Inn Between or other food service location.
   10. Participating in lewd or indecent misconduct.
        
3. Disrespect for Property
   1. Engaging in the unauthorized entry into, use of, or occupancy of university premises, facilities, or properties.
   2. Engaging in the theft of, misuse of, damage to, or destruction of institutional, group, or private property, including library materials, computers, or computerized information.
   3. Engaging in arson or the irresponsible use of fire.
   4. Possessing property that is not your own, such as room keys or university identifications.
       
4. Disrespect for Authority  
   1. Intentionally interfering with any normal function of a university-sponsored activity.
   2. Violating published policies and rules governing residence halls, student organizations, or the university.
   3. Engaging in illegal gambling.
   4. Failing to comply with the directions of university employees acting in the performance of their duties. This includes, but is not limited to, Campus Safety Services personnel, Residence Life staff, or Food Service staff.
   5. Engaging in acts or deeds that violate existing federal, state, county, or municipal laws or ordinances.
   6. Refusing to show or surrender university identification upon request by university employees acting in the performance of their duties.
   7. Failure to appear before the dean of students or his/her designee.
       
5. Dishonesty  
   1. Engaging in any form of dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, fabrications or assisting others to do so. Normally, individual instances of academic cheating or plagiarism are handled by the faculty member and department. (See Academic Honesty Policy.)
   2. Knowingly furnishing false identification to the university. Misrepresentation of identification about oneself or others when providing information to a university official acting in the performance of his/her duties.  This includes possessing identification that falsely gives information about a person such as an altered driver’s license.
   3. Engaging in forgery, alteration, or the unauthorized use of university records, documents, or instruments of identification.
   4. Misusing financial assistance (aid) through fraud and abuse.
   5. iolating a printed policy issued by Academic Affairs.
      
      
6. Offenses Against the Judicial System
   1. Not cooperating with any discipline body by not appearing at a hearing or not being forthcoming and honest with information
   2. Not complying with sanctions imposed by a discipline body in a timely manner.
   3. Violating disciplinary probation.

C.   Conduct: Rules and Regulations

Any student found to have committed any misconduct as defined by the Student Code is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined herein.

D.  Violation of Law and University Discipline

1.  The university may institute disciplinary proceedings against a student for a violation of the Student Code, regardless of pending civil litigation, criminal arrest, and/or prosecution rising out of the same factual situation. Disciplinary proceedings may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus. University disciplinary action will not be subject to challenge on the ground that civil or criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced.

2. When students are charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law,  the university will not request or agree to special consideration for the individuals because of their status as students. However, if the alleged offense is also the subject of a proceeding before a discipline body under the Student Code, the university may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Student Code and of how such matters will be handled internally within the university community. The university will cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators.

BACK TO TOP

NEXT PAGE>>

Preamble  |  Article I  |  Article II  |  Article III  |  Article IV  |  Article V