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Section 4: Policies, Core Values, and Behavioral Expectations

The University considers the behavior described in the following sub sections as inappropriate for the University community and in opposition to the core values set forth in this document. These expectations and rules apply to all students, whether undergraduate or graduate. The University encourages community members to report to University officials all incidents that involve the following actions. Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the sanctions outlined in Section 7: Conduct Procedures.

INTEGRITY: Woodbury University students exemplify honesty, honor, and a respect for the truth in all of their dealings.

Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Falsification. Knowingly furnishing or possessing false, falsified, or forged materials, documents, accounts, records, identification, or financial instruments;
  2. Academic Dishonesty. Acts of academic dishonesty as outlined in the Code of Academic Integrity;
  3. Unauthorized Access. Unauthorized access to any University building (i.e., keys, cards, etc.) or unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of means of access to any University building or failing to timely report a lost University identification card or key;
  4. Collusion. Action or inaction with another or others to violate the Student Code of Conduct;
  5. Trust. Violations of positions of trust within the community;
  6. Election Tampering. Tampering with the election of any University-recognized student organization;
  7. Taking of Property. Intentional and unauthorized taking of University property or the personal property of another, including goods, services, and other valuables;
  8. Stolen Property. Knowingly taking or maintaining possession of stolen property;

COMMUNITY: Woodbury University students build and enhance their community.

Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Disruptive Behavior. Substantial disruption of University operations, including obstruction of teaching, research, administration, other University activities, and/or other authorized non-University activities that occur on campus;
  2. Unauthorized Entry. Misuse of access privileges to University premises or unauthorized entry to or use of buildings, including trespassing, propping, or unauthorized use of alarmed doors for entry into or exit from a University building;
  3. Trademark. Unauthorized use (including misuse) of University or organizational names and images;
  4. Damage and Destruction. Intentional, reckless, and/or unauthorized damage to or destruction of University property or the personal property of another;
  5. IT and Acceptable Use. Violating the University Acceptable Use and Computing Policy.
  6. Weapons. Possession, use, or distribution of explosives (including fireworks and ammunition), guns (including air, BB, paintball, facsimile weapons and pellet guns), or other weapons or dangerous objects such as arrows, axes, machetes, nun chucks, throwing stars, or knives with a blade of longer than 2 ½ inches (without a valid educational purpose), including the storage of any item that falls within the category of a weapon in a vehicle parked on University property;
  7. Smoking. Smoking is prohibited on campus, including but not limited to: any building owned, leased, or rented by the University, whether on or off campus, campus grounds, at events on or off campus that are Woodbury affiliated. The smoking policy is inclusive of e-cigarette, vapes, or other smoking devices. Sale of smoking materials is prohibited on any University properties.
  8. Fire Safety. Violation of local, state, federal, or campus fire policies including, but not limited to: Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire which damages University or personal property, or that causes injury; failure to evacuate a University- controlled building during a fire alarm; improper use of University fire safety equipment; or tampering with or improperly engaging a fire alarm or fire detection/control equipment while on University property. Such action may result in a local fine in addition to University sanctions;
  9. Animals. Animals, with the exception of animals that provide assistance (i.e., seeing-eye dogs), and pets as outlined in the Residence Life Handbook, are not permitted on campus except as permitted by law.
  10. Wheeled Devices. Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, bicycles, and similar wheeled devices are not permitted inside University buildings, or residence halls. Additionally, skateboards and other wheeled items may not be ridden on railings, curbs, benches, or any such fixtures that may be damaged by these activities, and individuals may be liable for damage to University property caused by these activities.

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Students recognize that respecting the dignity of every person is essential for creating and sustaining a flourishing university community. They understand and appreciate how their decisions and actions impact others and are just and equitable in their treatment of all members of the community. They act to discourage and challenge those whose actions may be harmful to and/or diminish the worth of others.

Conduct that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Discrimination. Any act or failure to act that is based upon an individual or group’s actual or perceived status (sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental ability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, or sexual orientation, or other protected status) that is sufficiently severe that it limits or denies the ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational program or activities.
  2. Harassment. Any unwelcome conduct based on actual or perceived status including: sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected status. Any unwelcome conduct should be reported to campus officials, who will act to remedy and resolve reported incidents on behalf of the impacted party and community.
  3. Hostile Environment. Sanctions can and will be imposed for the creation of a hostile environment only when harassment is sufficiently severe, pervasive (or persistent), and objectively offensive that it unreasonably interferes with, limits, or denies the ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational or employment program or activities.
  4. Retaliatory Discrimination or Harassment. Any intentional, adverse action taken by a responding individual or allied third party, absent legitimate nondiscriminatory purposes, against a participant [or supporter of a participant] in a civil rights grievance proceeding or other protected activity under this Code.
  5. Bystanding.
    1. Complicity with or failure of any student to appropriately address known or obvious violations of the Student Code of Conduct or law;
    2. Complicity with or failure of any organized group to appropriately address known or obvious violations of the Student Code of Conduct or law by its members.
  6. Abuse of Conduct Process. Abuse or interference with or failure to comply in University processes including conduct and academic integrity hearings including, but not limited to:
    1. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information
    2. Failure to provide, destroying, or concealing information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation
    3. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the campus conduct system
    4. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a campus conduct body prior to, during, and/or following a campus conduct proceeding
    5. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by the campus conduct system
    6. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the campus conduct system

RESPECT: Woodbury University students show positive regard for each other and for the community.

Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Harm to Persons. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm or endangering the health or safety of any person.
  2. Threatening Behaviors:
    1. Threat. Written or verbal conduct that causes a reasonable expectation of injury to the health or safety of any person or damage to any property.
    2. Intimidation. Intimidation defined as implied threats or acts that cause a reasonable fear of harm in another.
  3. Bullying and Cyberbullying. Bullying and cyberbullying are repeated and/or severe aggressive behaviors that intimidate or intentionally harm or control another person physically or emotionally and are not protected by freedom of expression.
  4. Hazing. Defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. Participation or cooperation by the person(s) being hazed does not excuse the violation. Failing to intervene to prevent (and/or), failing to discourage (and/or), failing to report those acts may also violate this policy;
  5. Sexual Misconduct. Includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and/ or sexual exploitation (See Sexual Misconduct Policy for further information);
  6. Public Exposure. Includes deliberately and publicly exposing one’s intimate body parts, public urination, defecation, and public sex acts.

RESPONSIBILITY: Woodbury University students are given and accept a high level of responsibility to self, to others, and to the community.

Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Alcohol. Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law and the University’s Alcohol Policy;
  2. Drugs & Controlled Substances:
    1. Possession, cultivation, usage, sale, purchase, transportation, importation, distribution, or manufacturing of illegal drugs and other controlled substances on University property or University- sponsored programs/events are prohibited.
    2. Use and possession of marijuana on University property or University-sponsored programs/ events, regardless of medical permit/doctor’s note, is prohibited.
    3. Possession, usage, or distribution of paraphernalia related to illegal drugs and/or other controlled substances are prohibited.
    4. Abuse, misuse, sale, and/or distribution of prescription medication, over-the-counter medications, cleaning products & other chemicals/fumes for other than their intended/ prescribed uses are prohibited.
    5. Violation of other University policies while under the influence of drugs or controlled substances is prohibited.
    6. Inability to exercise care for one’s own safety and/ or the safety of others while under the influence of drugs or controlled substances is prohibited.
  3. Prescription Medications. Abuse, misuse, sale, or distribution of prescription or over-the-counter medications;
  4. Failure to Comply. Failure to comply with the reasonable directives of University officials or law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so;
  5. Financial Responsibilities. Failure to promptly meet financial responsibilities to the institution, including, but not limited to; knowingly passing a worthless check or money order in payment to the institution or to an official of the institution acting in an official capacity.
  6. Arrest. Failure of any student to accurately report any off-campus arrest by any law enforcement agency for any crime (including non-custodial or field arrests) to the Office of Student Conduct within 72 hours of release.
  7. Other Policies. Violating other published University policies or rules, including all residence hall policies;
  8. Health and Safety. Creation of health and/or safety hazards (dangerous pranks, hanging out of or climbing from/on/in windows, balconies, roofs, etc.).
  9. Violations of Law. Evidence of violation of local, state, or federal laws when substantiated through the University’s conduct process.