A fundamental goal of UWest is to foster an environment in which its students, faculty, and staff may live and work productively together. The university’s rich resources can promote individual and collective pursuits of academic excellence, extracurricular accomplishment, and personal growth.

The rules of UWest provide a framework within which all students are free to work under the safest and most equitable conditions the university can create. These rules serve as the guidelines that help protect each individual’s well-being. UWest will treat violations of these rules as matters of serious concern because such violations disrupt the individual lives of its students and the shared life of its community.

UWest expects that all students, whether on or off campus and regardless of current enrollment status as degree candidates, will behave in a mature and responsible manner. Furthermore, the university expects every student to be familiar with the UWest regulations set forth in the following pages.

Careful note should be taken that the university is not and cannot be considered a protector or sanctuary from the existing laws of the city, state, or federal governments.

Standard Codes for Student Behavior

Student Rights

It is the policy of University of the West to guarantee that each student enjoy certain rights as a member of the academic community. University of the West does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or any other classification that deprives any person of their rights as a valued individual.

At UWest, all students have freedom of expression both in and out of the classroom, provided that they do not infringe on the rights of others. Such infringements include disruption of classes, physical violence, and verbal or written threats. Students also have the right to participate in any association that does not engage in illegal behavior or activities.

Students have the right to due process in any action taken by UWest that may reasonably be expected to affect their standing with the university. Due process rights include the right to notification and explanation of charges made and actions taken, a prompt, fair, and impartial hearing, and an appeals process.

Students have the right to participate in the formulation and application of institutional policy related to both academic and non-academic student affairs. Student participation shall include the right to access information, to express views, and to have these views respectfully considered by other members of the UWest community.

By committing an act of misconduct, a student is subject to disciplinary action by the university. Code of Conduct rules apply to misconduct that adversely affects a clear interest of UWest as an academic community as well as the rights and lives of other people. Students who advise or incite others to violate university rules are as equally responsible for the violations as the students who actually commit them. The university may enforce its own rules regardless of any criminal or civil proceedings or dispositions external to the university.

Student Code of Conduct

Students are expected to behave responsibly while attending UWest. The university expects every student to be familiar with its guidelines and regulations and to follow the moral and ethical principles supported by this institution.

A student may fail a course or be dismissed from UWest for academic dishonesty. A student may also be dismissed for committing acts that violate professional ethics and disrupt the educational mission of UWest or harm any person.

The following acts are expressly prohibited:

• • • Cheating, plagiarism, or participation in such violations in connection with an academic program.
    • Forgery, alteration, or misuse of UWest documents, records or identification, knowingly furnishing false information to the university, or misrepresentation of oneself or of an organization as an agent of UWest.
    • Obstruction or disruption of the educational process, administrative process, or any other campus function.
    • Physical abuse of any person.
    • Sexual misconduct, including unwanted sexual touching, sexual harassment, stalking, sexual violence, domestic abuse, dating abuse, and sexual coercion.
    • Theft or vandalism to university property or the property of others.
    • Graffiti or defacement of property.
    • Unauthorized entry into, unauthorized use of, or misuse of university property.
    • Sale or possession of illegal drugs or alcohol.
    • Possession or use of dangerous or illegal guns or other weapons.
    • Lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior.
    • Abusive speech or behavior directed toward a member of the university community.
    • Smoking in any campus building.
    • Committing acts of arson or other deliberate destruction using fire.
    • Unauthorized barbecuing.
    • Activation of any fire alarm or calling 911 in the absence of a true emergency.
    • Use of fire extinguishers for purposes other than extinguishing fires.
    • Conduct of any kind which intimidates, harasses, threatens, or endangers the health or safety of any person.
    • Violation of the campus speed limit of 10 miles per hour.
    • Pets on campus.

Students found in violation of one or more of the rules above shall be appropriately disciplined by the university. Such discipline may include probation or expulsion from University of the West. See the UWest Conduct Code or inquire in the Office of Student Life or the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs for full details of UWest’s conduct policies and procedures.