Section 2: Jurisdiction
Woodbury University students are provided a copy of the Student Code of Conduct annually in the form of a link on the University portal. Hard copies are available upon request from the Office of Student Conduct. Students are responsible for having read and abiding by the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.
The Student Code of Conduct and the student conduct process apply to the conduct of individual students, both undergraduate and graduate, including all University affiliated student organizations. For the purposes of student conduct, the University considers an individual to be a student when an offer of admission has been extended and thereafter as long as the student has a continuing educational interest in the University.
The University retains conduct jurisdiction over students who choose to take a leave of absence, withdraw, or have graduated for any misconduct that occurred prior to the leave, withdrawal, or graduation. If sanctioned, a hold may be placed on the student’s ability to re-enroll and/or graduate and all sanctions must be satisfied prior to re-enrollment eligibility. In the event of serious misconduct committed while still enrolled but reported after the accused student has graduated, the University may invoke these procedures and, should the former student be found responsible, the University may revoke that student’s degree.
The Student Code of Conduct applies to behaviors that take place on campus, at University sponsored events, and may also apply off-campus when the Associate Dean of Students or designee determines that the off-campus conduct affects a substantial University interest. A substantial University interest is defined to include:
- Any situation where it appears that the student’s conduct may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.
- Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property, or achievements of self or others or significantly breaches the peace and/ or causes social disorder.
- Any situation that is detrimental to the educational mission and/or interests of the University.
The Student Code of Conduct may be applied to behavior conducted online, via email, or other electronic medium. Students should also be aware that online postings, such as blogs, web postings, chats, and social networking sites, are in the public sphere and are not private. These postings can subject a student to allegations of conduct violations if evidence of policy violations is posted online.
The University does not regularly search for this information but may take action if and when such information is brought to the attention of University officials. However, most online speech by students not involving University networks or technology will be protected as free expression and not subject to this Code, with two notable exceptions:
- A true threat, defined as “a threat a reasonable person would interpret as a serious expression of intent to inflict bodily harm upon specific individuals.”
- Speech posted online about the University or its community members that causes a significant on-campus disruption.
The Student Code of Conduct applies to guests of community members whose hosts may be held accountable for the misconduct of their guests. Visitors to and guests of the University may seek resolution for violations of the Student Code of Conduct committed against them by members of the University community.
There is no time limit on reporting violations of the Student Code of 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.
A responding student facing an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct is not permitted to withdraw from the University until all allegations are resolved.