Student Conduct

Student Conduct

Policy Statement

1. Authority and Jurisdiction
   1. The Dean of Student Engagement is responsible for promoting observance of the Student Conduct Policy (hereinafter, the “Policy”), enforcing the provisions, interpreting the provisions, and acting on violations of the Policy.
   2. This policy applies to individuals who were students at the time of the alleged misconduct. The term “student” means any person who has confirmed his/her admission, is a new student at Orientation, or who is currently enrolled in undergraduate and/or graduate courses, whether full- time or part-time, was enrolled in the previous semester, and/or is registered for a future semester.
      The term “Student Organizations” means Registered Student Organizations, club sports, intramurals, and any other student groups or programs.
   3. Students and Student Organizations are both subject to the Student Conduct Policy. It is the student’s and Student Organization’s responsibility to be familiar with and abide by the Policy. Lack of knowledge of the Policy does not relieve the responsibility of any violation of the Policy.
   4. Students and Student Organizations will be held accountable to this Policy for conduct occurring while on College premises and for off-campus conduct that demonstrates disregard for the law or community standards or compromises the health and safety of the College community. Any disciplinary action taken by the College shall be independent of civil and/or criminal legal proceedings.
   5. A Student Organization may be held responsible for violating the Policy when: (1) one or more officers or authorized representatives, acting in the scope of their organizational duties, commit a violation; (2) a violation is committed at an activity funded by the Student Organization; or (3) the violation occurred as a result of a Student Organization-sponsored function or activity. In the event that a Student Organization is undergoing proceedings related to violating the Policy, the head (e.g., president, chair, etc.) of the Student Organization will represent the Student Organization in the disciplinary proceeding.
   6. Both an individual student and a Student Organization can be held responsible for violations resulting from one event or activity.

2. Principles of Student Conduct
   Students at Fort Lewis College are representatives of the institution. As members of the College and the community, students are expected to observe all Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances. Moreover, students are expected to exhibit at all times self-discipline and standards of personal conduct that demonstrate maturity, good judgment, and respect for persons, property, and the rights of others. Behavior that compromises the health, safety, or welfare of individuals or groups on campus, disregards property, or violates the basic mission of the College will not be tolerated.

3. Prohibited Conduct
   The list below is not intended to be all-inclusive or exhaustive. Students should be aware that other actions or behaviors might constitute violations of the Policy and therefore be subject to disciplinary action. The following is a list of examples of prohibited conduct:

   1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Commission of any act that is a violation of local, State, or Federal law, regardless of whether the act is criminally prosecuted.
                  2. Forgery, alteration, or unauthorized use or possession of College documents, forms, or records, including identification cards, course registration materials, parking permits, or any other official College document. This includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized use of the name, logo, seal and trademark of the College.
                  3. Unauthorized use of the College computer system or any violation of the Fort Lewis College Information Technology Policies.
                  4. Knowingly furnishing false information to a College official or member of college committee, or local, county, State, or Federal official acting in the performance of his/her duties which includes, but is not limited to, applications for admission, petitions, requests, or other matters of record or transaction. College officials include students working for the College in para- professional roles such as Student Housing staff, Student Life Center staff, etc.
                  5. Failure to truthfully identify oneself when requested to do so by a College official, or local, county, State, or Federal official in the process of discharging his/her responsibilities; or misrepresenting to any other person or organization one’s position or identification.
                  6. Disruptive behavior, inside and outside of the classroom, that substantially disrupts or materially interferes with teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other conduct of business within the College.
                  7. Physical violence or the threatened use of violence against any member or guest of the College community.
                  8. Sexual misconduct. See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE for definitions for sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, non-consensual sexual intercourse, non- consensual sexual contact, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, as well as the College’s definition of sexual consent, reporting options, and resources for victims.
                  9. Hazing. Defined as any activity by which a person endangers the health or safety of or causes a risk of bodily injury to an individual for purposes of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any group or organization. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, forced and prolonged physical activity; forced consumption of any food, beverage, medication, or controlled substance in excess of the usual amounts for human consumption or forced consumption of any controlled substance or any substance not generally intended for human consumption; and prolonged deprivation of sleep, food, or drink. The willingness of an individual to participate in such activity does not relieve the respondent of responsibility for violation of the Policy.
                  10. Disorderly or threatening conduct. Defined as individual or group behavior that substantially disturbs other individuals or groups.  Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome physical conduct, and boisterous or threatening conduct that is unwanted and unreasonable for the time, place, or manner in which it occurs.

                  11. The unauthorized use, abuse, or destruction of College property or the property of any members, or guests of the College community. This includes, but is not limited to, defacement as a result of a deliberate action or reckless behavior.

                  12. Theft of property or possession of stolen property of the College, College community members or guests.
                  13. Unauthorized occupancy of or forceful entry into College property, facilities, or College-related premises.
                  14. Tampering with locks of College buildings or unauthorized possession, use, transfer or duplication of keys belonging to the College, including campus housing keys.
                  15. Behavior or activities that endanger the safety of oneself or others. This includes, but is not limited to, destructive behavior to self and/or others, arson, and tampering, damaging, or misusing safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, lighted exit signs, and smoke detectors.
                  16. Drugs. The use, possession, or distribution of drugs or drug paraphernalia that is unlawful under any law; use, possession or distribution of controlled substances that is unlawful under any law; alteration of a drug prescription; or inappropriate behavior resulting from the use of drugs or other substances. Possession or use of medical marijuana or lawful recreational marijuana on the Fort Lewis College campus, including residential buildings, is a violation of this policy, regardless of the student’s age.
                  17. Alcohol. The abuse or unlawful use, consumption, possession, transportation, offer for sale, manufacture, dispensing of alcohol, or inappropriate behavior resulting from the use of alcohol.
                  18. Violations of Student Housing alcohol policies.
                  19. Making a false report of fire alarm, bomb, crime, or any other emergency.
                  20. Violations of Student Housing drug policies.
                  21. Violations of the College's Student Housing Contract and its rules and regulations.
                  22. Possession of weapons of any kind (functional or not), ammunition, explosive substances or chemicals, hazardous chemicals or materials, or any incendiary devices, as listed in the Fort Lewis College Weapons Policy, on the Fort Lewis College campus, including all residential facilities.
                  23. Violations of any of the restrictions, conditions, or terms of any existing disciplinary sanctions.
                  24. Failure to comply with directions of College officials, faculty members, or para-professionals acting in the performance of their duties including, but not limited to, a request for a meeting.
                  25. Misuse of telephone. Making or assisting in making unauthorized telephone calls, harassing telephone calls, or otherwise misuse or abuse telephone equipment or access codes.
                  26. Misappropriation or misuse of a Student Organization's funds or property.
                  27. Accessory to misconduct by being present while the offense is committed; advising, instigating, or encouraging the act; failing to attempt to discourage or to prevent the offense; or facilitation in the committing of an offense in any way.
                  28. Violation of other College policies, rules, and procedures.
4. Adjudication
   All violations of the Student Conduct Policy are handled through the Fort Lewis College Grievance Procedure.
5. Review Process
   A review of the Student Conduct Policy will take place annually. This review will be initiated by the Dean and will include the Dean of Student Engagement or designee, the Student Conduct Coordinator, and others as deemed necessary by the Dean.

   The purpose of this review is to evaluate the existing disciplinary process and make recommendations for changes, if and when necessary that are consistent with the educational goals, the law, and the current practices in disciplinary affairs.

This Policy is promulgated in accordance with the policies of Fort Lewis College. Should you have a question or concern about a policy or procedure, please contact the Student Engagement Office. Hard copies Student Conduct Policy are available at the Student Affairs Office, 230 Skyhawk Station, 970-247-7573.

Responsibilities 

For following the policy: All Fort Lewis College Students

For enforcement of the policy: Dean of Student Engagement and Student Conduct Coordinator, or designee

For oversight of the policy: Dean of Student Engagement

For notification of policy: Policy Librarian

For procedures implementing the policy: Dean of Student Engagement, and Student Conduct Coordinator, or designee

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Adjudication and sanction, if needed.

Policy History

Approved by Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees, June 4, 2003. Revised, March 2013 and December 2014. This revised policy was approved by the President's Cabinet on August 24, 2016 and the Board of Trustees on October 7, 2016.