Student Code of Conduct Regulations

This section establishes behavioral standards which all students of Framingham State University are expected to follow. They are made in any exercise of the powers that are an inherent corollary of the University’s duty to protect its educational purposes by setting and distributing standards of student conduct and scholarship, and by regulating the use of University facilities and premises. Students have a right to expect enforcement of these regulations. The University also has the right to expect students to abide by these regulations in a manner that benefits the responsibilities given to students as members of the University community. Knowledge of these regulations can prove most beneficial to students in utilizing and protecting their rights. It is important to add, however, that unfamiliarity with institutional regulations or rules is not grounds for excusing infractions. Students have an individual obligation to ensure that the Code of Conduct is followed by taking an active role in reporting and discussing violations with the appropriate staff, administrator, or committee when they believe an offense has occurred. The following statements constitute the official record of Student Code of Conduct Regulations at Framingham State University. Students are expected to abide by these regulations and administrators are required to enforce them. Additional rules and regulations may be promulgated from time to time. The Student Code of Conduct also applies to guests of community members. Hosts of guests may be held accountable for the misconduct of their guests.

A student who is found responsible for violation of any Code of Conduct regulation as set forth below shall be subject to the maximum sanction of Expulsion or any lesser sanction authorized by this Code:

(a) On University premises; or,

(b) In connection with University-sponsored activities on or off premises; or,

(c) Off-campus where the Dean of Students or designee determines that the off-campus conduct affects a substantial University interest which may include, but is not limited to:

-Any situation where it appears that the student’s conduct may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of any member of the University community;

-Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property or achievements of self or others;

-Any situation that significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder;

-Any situation that is detrimental to the educational mission and/or interests of the University; or

(d) In conjunction with behavior conducted online, via email or through other electronic medium.

The Student Code of Conduct prohibits the following behaviors:

Disruption of administration, or activities by taxing campus resources as a result of unreasonable or inappropriate behavior.
Disruption of classes, seminars, research projects, administration, or activities of the University willfully, or through careless disregard of the rights of others.
Actual or threatened physical assault, or physical abuse or injury to persons. Threatened physical assault/abuse includes, but is not limited to, intimidation and/or conduct which threatens or endangers the physical health or safety of any person or group. Physical assault/abuse includes, but is not limited to, hitting, kicking, slapping, punching, pushing, and/or spitting on another person or persons.
Violation of the University’s Sexual Violence Policy. Please follow this link for the complete Policy.
Threatening harm or criminal activity against persons or property.
Harassment and/or abusive behavior toward persons. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Intimidation, invasion of privacy, verbal abuse, or any conduct constituting harassment, abuse or threats to the well-being of a person or group, including, but not limited to, communication via electronic means.
- Harassment and/or intimidation of persons involved in a campus disciplinary hearing, or of persons of authority who are in the process of discharging their responsibilities.
Behavior which is disorderly or which unnecessarily infringes on the rights of individuals or groups. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome physical contact, invasion of privacy, boisterous conduct, and/or disorderly conduct which is unreasonable for the area, time, or manner in which it occurs.
Violation of the Drug Policy.
Violation of the Alcohol Policy.
Violation of the Tobacco-Free Policy.
Behavior or activities committed intentionally, recklessly, or negligently that either cause physical harm or endanger the health or safety of any person. This includes, but is not limited to: arson, tampering/damaging or misusing fire equipment, striking others, creating a hazard, intoxication, and other behavior which does, or could, result in harm.
False reporting of an emergency including, but not limited to, activating a fire alarm without evidence of fire and/or false report of a bomb, fire, or other emergency.
Violation of the Firearms & Weapons on Campus Policy.
Failure to exercise reasonable care for property. This includes, but is not limited to, damage or attempted damage, destruction, and/or defacement of University property, or the property of any person.
Theft, attempted theft, or unauthorized possession of property. This includes University keys, ID cards or other FSU property and/or the property of any person or organization.
Public Exposure – deliberately and publicly exposing one’s intimate body parts, public urination, defecation, and public sex acts.
Violation of any Code of Conduct regulation while on disciplinary probation; or, failure to comply with any of the restrictions, conditions, or terms of any sanction resulting from a previously held disciplinary hearing.
Misappropriation or misuse of student organization and/or University funds or property. This includes, but is not limited to, overextension of the budget of a registered student organization, spending collected funds prior to proper deposit, and personal use of equipment.
Computer abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, the misuse of computer accounts; the sale, distribution, or use of unauthorized passwords; the unauthorized destruction of computer files; and/or the violation of the University Acceptable Use Policy. This also includes, but is not limited to, the misuse of intellectual property – illegal file transfer of audio and video materials, and copyright violation of print words and images.
Illegal gambling or betting in any form.
Violation of the Hazing Policy. Hazing is defined as “any conduct . . . whether on public or private property which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person.”
Knowingly furnishing or possessing false, falsified or forged materials, documents, accounts, records, identification or financial instruments. Falsification may include, but is not limited to: knowingly making false statements to any University staff member in performance of his/her duties, use or possession of a false ID card or, by falsely identifying oneself as a University staff member.
Misuse of University documents. Including but not limited to: forging, transferring, altering, or otherwise misusing any student fee card, identification card, course registration material, schedule card, other University identification, academic record, or any other document or record.
Unauthorized use of the name or insignia of the University by individuals or groups.
Unauthorized presence or entry in a University facility or University related premises, and/or the unauthorized attempted entry into a University facility or University-related premises.
Misuse of University facilities. The dumping of personal trash, violation of the posting policy, or misuse of University premises in any manner is prohibited.
Failure to honestly identify oneself when requested by a University staff member in the performance of his/her duties,
Failure to comply with the reasonable directives of a University staff member in the performance of his/her duties.
Unauthorized use or possession of keys or access cards. No one may use or possess any University key without authorization by a University staff member. No student is allowed to duplicate a University key or be in possession of more than one access card.
Failure to report a violation of the Student Code of Conduct by a student who has witnessed the offense or has reason to believe that an offense has been committed. Students have an obligation to report or discuss such violations with the appropriate staff or administrator in a timely manner. Students, however, are not obligated to testify against themselves.
Failure to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner and/or failure to abide by posted traffic regulations or campus parking and motor vehicle regulations.
Discrimination-Violation of the Policy Against Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment and Retaliation.
Any behavior which is prohibited by local ordinance or by state or federal law that also interferes with aims, purposes, activities, and responsibilities of the University and is not otherwise proscribed in the Student Code of Conduct Regulations.
Violation of the Guide to Residence Living and/or Residence Hall License Agreement, where the violation in question is not otherwise proscribed in the Student Code of Conduct Regulations.
Violation of the Guidelines and Policies found in the RAM Handbook or official University publications, postings, agreements, or notices, where the violation in question is not otherwise proscribed in the Student Code of Conduct Regulations.