Emmanuel College has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and intellectual inquiry, for values-based education and for a caring, friendly environment. Members of the Emmanuel College community are expected to demonstrate respect and show sensitivity to differences in others. All members of the community are entitled to and responsible for maintaining an environment of civility that is free from disparagement, intimidation, harassment and violence of any kind. With this in mind, the Student Government Association approved the following set of guidelines, which a representative group of students developed on behalf of the student body. These guidelines delineate the expectations that they and their peers have of themselves and one another.
Community Standards for Emmanuel College Students
- We expect each member of the community to take responsibility for building and improving the quality of our community life and, when necessary, will communicate with those in a position to make changes.
- We expect that members of the Emmanuel Community will take pride in their environment and take personal responsibility for keeping it clean.
- We expect that as an educated community we will have a tolerance for others' opinions and openness to their perspectives.
- We expect that every member of the Emmanuel Community will respect personal and public property.
- We will not tolerate the destruction or theft of personal or public property.
- We will not tolerate vandalism.
- We expect that every member of the Emmanuel Community will accept diversity and be civil in dealings with each other.
- We will not tolerate racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, ableism, ageism, or any form of discrimination.
- We hope that all students will model and teach respect.
- We hope that every member will reach out to one another with care and concern in a friendly manner, strengthening the sense of a campus community.
Student Code of Conduct
The Emmanuel College student conduct process is rooted in the notion that all people deserve the right to a safe, developmental, and just educational environment. Our commitment to strong relationships, ethical values, and service to others shapes the Emmanuel College belief that students can and should learn through their decision-making experiences. The student conduct process is designed to address student behavior, foster a safe and supportive learning environment, educate students through conduct hearings, mentoring, and developmental sanctioning, and work collaboratively with the community to address harm when caused. As such, the student conduct process is guided by the belief that:
- Students have the right to an educational experience free from physical and psychological harassment based upon protected status, including, but not limited to, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability status, veteran status or age.
- Students have the right to study and socialize in a clean and safe environment with a reasonable expectation of privacy and quiet.
- Students are fundamentally responsible for their actions and the effects they have on themselves, their peers, and the Emmanuel College community.
- There is profound educational opportunity present in a student’s guided, critical reflection on their actions, the impact those actions have on the community, and the process of restoring community well-being. As such, the student conduct process should be educational in nature if the student accepts responsibility for their actions and demonstrates a desire to amend, as applicable.
- The student conduct process should aim to be learning-centered, community-focused, and procedurally sound.
- Emmanuel College is bound to address through disciplinary action student behavior that violates the spirit and/or substance of federal, state, municipal, and institutional policies, adversely impacts the educational well-being of the community, and does not demonstrate an understanding of personal responsibility.
Purpose and Scope
The College expects all students to take responsibility for their actions and be willing to accept the consequences of their behavior. College regulations have been designed to protect the rights of all members of the community and to ensure the integrity of the institution. The Emmanuel College Student Conduct System is intended to aid the individual student in developing self-discipline and a sense of responsibility and community membership. Collective work and responsibility are possible only if students, faculty and administrators feel confident that rules will be enforced for the benefit of the entire Emmanuel community. When infractions of specific academic or social regulations occur, the cases will be heard at the appropriate level, either by a College official, an Ad Hoc Hearing Board, the Academic Review Board or the Academic Integrity Committee.
Emmanuel College students are expected to abide by all policies of the College including but not limited to those in the Student Handbook, in the Academic Catalog, and on the website. The following actions are considered violations of the Emmanuel College Student Code of Conduct and are punishable by sanctions imposed in accordance with the conduct procedures of Emmanuel College.
- Injury or threat of injury to self or others.
- Physical or verbal altercations or abuse.
- Intimidation, threats, or harassment of any kind of another person or group of persons, or action which threatens or endangers the health, well-being, or safety of self or another person.
- Use, sale, distribution, possession, or being in the presence of paraphernalia or stimulants, intoxicants, or drugs other than drugs prescribed by a physician for the student's own use, or over-the-counter medications. Suspicion of drug use due to smell, paraphernalia, etc.
- Intoxication, use, sale, distribution, possession, or being in the presence of alcoholic beverages or related paraphernalia on campus, regardless of age. Being attended to for over-intoxication.
- Deliberate or careless endangerment of self or others including but not limited to: creating a fire risk; tampering with and/or falsely activating fire or other safety alarms or equipment; climbing on building roofs, hanging out windows; throwing items out windows; not evacuating building when alarm sounds, or when asked to leave.
- Gaining or assisting in unauthorized entrance into College facilities or office space.
- Initiation or circulation of a report or warning of an impending crime, emergency, catastrophe, or information about a community member knowing that the report is false.
- Possession or use of firearms, guns, knives, other weapons, mace, explosives, dangerous chemicals, fireworks, or other items with potential to cause harm.
All forms of sexual misconduct, including any form of unwanted sexual advances or contact. "Unwanted" means against a person's wishes or without consent and includes those instances in which the individual is unable to give consent because of sleep, unconsciousness, impairment, or intoxication due to alcohol, other substances, or drugs.
Behavior or conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent. Disregarding the privacy of self or of others, including indecent or inconsiderate behavior, and exposure of others to highly offensive conditions. Such inappropriate behavior or conduct may include but is not limited to touching or patting, written or verbal comments or suggestions, obscene or offensive pictures, or "jokes," hostile or threatening gestures.
- Behavior or conduct that serves to degrade the status of self or others.
- Damage to, vandalism of, or alteration of College property, the property of a member of the College community, or other personal or public property.
- Attempted or actual theft of, or unauthorized possession or use of College property, the property of a member of the College community or other personal or public property.
- Smoking or tobacco use.
- Behavior or conduct, including but not limited to hazing for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group, team, or organization. Consent of the student or participant is not a defense against inappropriate behavior or conduct.
- Acts of dishonesty, including those applicable to the classroom. Furnishing false personal information.
- Violation of guest or visitation policies.
- Violation of the Computing and Communication Acceptable Use Policy including but not limited to illegal downloading and file sharing of music or video, and unauthorized access to College information systems.
- Gambling.
- Obstruction or disruption of College activities, including but not limited to teaching, research, administration, campus services, campus meetings, organized and/or sponsored events, and operation and maintenance of any property owned or controlled by Emmanuel.
- Failure to comply with the lawful directions of any College official, staff member, or student employee who is acting in the performance of their duties or who has responsibility in the absence of a particular official. Failure to render reasonable cooperation when requested by others.
- Use of the College name, seal, or other forms of College identity without written permission from the Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students, or designee.
- Solicitation, without the written permission of the Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students, or designee.
- Noise disturbances, violation of residence hall & college-sponsored housing quiet hours, disruptive activities and/or activities which can cause damage or risk.
- Refusal to identify oneself and/or to conspicuously display student identification card.
- Failure to provide an accurate local address to the Office of the Registrar.
- Playing sports in academic or residential buildings or in restricted areas.
- Violation of rules and regulations published by College offices and departments, including but not limited to parking and traffic rules, residence hall & college-sponsored housing regulations, food service rules, fitness center rules, and health regulations.
- Conduct that is a state or federal crime.
- Inciting others to commit any of the acts listed above; involvement as an accessory to any of these acts; failure to take responsibility for one's guest(s); assisting or encouraging others to engage in violations; staying with violator when there is enough time and opportunity to leave.
- Actions committed off College property that are related to the security of the College community, the integrity of the educational process, or the reputation of the College.
Sanctions
The range of disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed on students includes but is not limited to: warning; educational project; community service; loss of privileges; fines; family notification; restitution; residence hall & college-sponsored housing re-assignment; residence hall & college-sponsored housing probation; residence hall suspension; residence hall & college-sponsored housing dismissal; counseling or health assessment; no trespass order; stay away order; interim suspension; suspension; dismissal. Sanctions are handled on a case-by-case basis and all sanctions are at the discretion of the administrator or board conducting the conference or hearing.
Emmanuel College reserves the right to suspend or dismiss a student from the College for violation of College policy. In cases where the presence of the student at the College would constitute a danger to themselves or other persons, to property, or to the normal conduct of College activities, a student may be suspended immediately and restricted from all or part of the campus until a disciplinary hearing is held. The student is entitled to discuss the basis for the decision with the College official rendering the interim suspension decision. Final authority over suspension or expulsion rests with the Vice President of Student Affairs. Any one or more of the sanctions listed below may be imposed upon any student or student organization responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, the administrator or board may render a sanction not listed but one which would be consistent with the violation.
Warning: A written notification that the conduct engaged in is inconsistent with College policy and that a future violation may result in a more severe sanction being imposed.
Educational Project: The development of an activity or event designed to help the student become more aware of College policies, to educate the community about a critical issue and/or to assist the student to understand the inappropriateness of the behavior.
Community Service: Participation in a specified service activity at the College or in the community for a designated number of hours.
Loss of Privileges: Denial of specific privileges for a period including but not limited to: residence hall college-sponsored housing visitation, guest privileges, overnight visitation, housing lottery, participation and leadership positions on an athletic team and/or in a student club or organization, at programs, activities, and ceremonies, etc.
Probation: A written notification that the behavior or action violated the Student Code of Conduct and that any further action is likely to result in suspension from the residence halls, college-sponsored
housing, or the College. A specific time period is required when probation is sanctioned.
Family Notification: Written communication with the parent/guardian that the student was found responsible for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Restitution: The student or student organization is required to replace or restore damaged, stolen or misappropriated property or otherwise make amends for the behavior that led to the sanction.
Residence Hall Re-Assignment: Re-assignment to another area and/or residence hall for a specific time period or for the remainder of enrollment.
Residence Hall Suspension: Separation of the student from the residence halls and/or college sponsored housing for a defined period of time, after which the student is eligible to apply for residency. During the time of suspension, it may be specified that the student may not enter the campus residence halls.
Residence Hall Dismissal: The student is permanently separated from the residence halls and/or college and/or college sponsored housing sponsored housing, and it may be specified that the student may not enter any residence hall during the remainder of the student's tenure at Emmanuel.
Counseling or Health Assessment: There are times when the behavior a student has exhibited may be a response to some deeper issues or when there may be indications of emotional distress, an eating disorder, substance abuse or other problem that could affect his/her functioning as a member of the Emmanuel College community. The student may be referred to a professional for a series of meetings and/or a general psychological, health and/or substance abuse evaluation. If indicated, the student may be required to follow a treatment plan recommended and/or adhere to a set of behavioral expectations, outlined in a Behavioral Contract, in order to remain a member of the Emmanuel community. Ongoing information may be shared with the Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students, or other professionals as needed within the bounds of confidentiality.
Family Meeting: A meeting to discuss student behavior may include administrators, staff, family members and students.
No Trespass: A person may be prohibited from entering a building, residence hall or the campus. Failure to comply with this sanction may result in arrest for trespassing.
Stay Away Order: The student is prohibited from having any contact—direct, indirect or third party on his/her behalf—with a particular person(s). Contact includes, but is not limited to, mail, e-mail, telephone, text, social media, etc. Stay away orders are reciprocal regardless of who initiates the order.
Deferred Suspension: Separation of the student from the residence halls or from the College that is delayed at the time of the sanctioning and invoked with any subsequent violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Interim Suspension: When an individual is considered an imminent threat to either persons and/or property, the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee may invoke an immediate interim suspension from housing and/or the College. A student may be temporarily suspended from the residence halls, but may be permitted to attend class. In the case of an interim suspension imposed as a result of criminal
charges, the suspension may remain in effect until the matter is resolved both off and on campus.
Suspension: Separation of the student from the College for a defined period of time after which the student is eligible to apply for readmission.
Dismissal: Permanent separation of the student from the College, noted on the student's academic transcript.
Appeal Procedure for Status Affecting Conduct Outcomes
By follow-up written notification, the student is informed of the decision. The student, by such notice, shall be offered the choice either of consenting to the determination and proposed penalty, or by directing a written request for review of the decision. Letters requesting review must be directed to the person named in the decision letter within five business days. Substantial reasons for requesting review usually demonstrate one of the following conditions:
- The student was denied rights, or process was not followed.
- Relevant evidence became available after the conference.
- The sanction is believed to be inconsistent with the circumstances of the charge.
Upon review of the request for decision review, the appeal officer will either deny or consider the appeal. The appeal officer may schedule a meeting with the student to review the incident and incident reports and the reasons for the appeal. Following the review, the appeal officer will either uphold the decision and the sanctions, uphold the decision but change the sanctions or overturn the decisions and the sanctions.
Prevention of Harassment/Intimidation of Staff
College personnel, particularly Residence Hall Staff and Campus Safety Officers, are charged with the critical tasks of responding to emergencies, enforcing college policies, reporting violations of policy, and enforcing local, state, and federal laws. Interfering with or undermining the execution of these duties is a serious breach of college policy. Any attempt to physically, verbally, or psychologically/emotionally abuse, harass, intimidate, or threaten any college personnel charged with these responsibilities will be considered a severe violation and will be subject to immediate disciplinary action through the Student Code of Conduct process.
Good Samaritan Amnesty Policy – Safety First
Sometimes students are reluctant to report an alcohol related or other emergency out of concern that they will face an alcohol or drug violation. We expect and encourage students to always put their health, safety and well-being and that of others first and make responsible decisions in potentially life threatening or dangerous situations. Therefore, we will grant amnesty from violations of the alcohol and drug policies to any students who seek assistance or call for help on behalf of another student or guest.