Student Code of Conduct
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards will adjudicate all reports of alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct and the Policy for Academic Integrity in a consistent manner, and in compliance with University Policy and relevant laws, including but not limited to KRS 164.370.
Procedures for Non-Academic Student Conduct Cases can be found in EKU Policy 5.1.3ADR.
Procedures for Academic Integrity Student Conduct Cases can be found in EKU Policy 4.1.3ACR
A. Core Values and Behavioral Expectations
The following expectations and rules, hereinafter referred to as the Code of Conduct, apply to all Students, whether undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, or professional:
1. *Falsification. Knowingly falsifying ones identity, or furnishing or possessing false, falsified or forged materials, documents, accounts, records, identification, social media, or financial instruments.
2. Academic Dishonesty. Acts of academic dishonesty as outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy 4.1.3.
3. Unauthorized Access/Entry. Unauthorized access to any University building (i.e. keys, cards, fobs, etc.) or services; unauthorized possession, duplication, use of means, providing accessto any university building.Unauthorized Entry. Misuse of access privileges to University premises or unauthorized entry to or use of buildings, including trespassing, propping or unauthorized use of alarmed doors for entry into or exit from a University building.
4. Collusion. Encouraging, assisting or helping someone violate University regulations.
5. Trust. Violations of positions of authority, whether elected, hired or appointed, within the University community.
6. Election Tampering. Tampering with the election of any University Registered Student Organization.
7. *Taking of Property. Intentional and unauthorized taking of University property or the personal property of another, including goods, services and other valuables.
8. *Stolen Property. Knowingly taking or maintaining possession of stolen property.
9. IT and Acceptable Use. Violating the University Code of Ethics for Communications and Computing 11.2.2p. Interfering with the use of or abusing any part of University computing services or facilities.
10. Disruptive Behavior. Substantial disruption of University operations including but not limited to, obstruction of teaching, research, administration, residential living, other University activities, and/or other authorized non-University activities which occur on campus.
11. *Rioting. Causing, inciting or participating in any disturbance that presents a clear and present danger to self or others, causes physical harm to others, or damage and/or destruction of property.
12. Trademark. Unauthorized use (including misuse) of University or organizational names and images (See Intellectual Property policy 4.2.2p).
13. *Damage and Destruction. Intentional, reckless and/or unauthorized damage to or destruction of University property or the personal property of another.
14. Gambling. Gambling as prohibited by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (Gambling includes but not limited to raffles, lotteries, sports pools and online betting activities).(154A.063 K)
15. *Weapons. Unless expressly exempt by Policy 9.4.1P, all persons are prohibited from possessing Deadly Weapons and Dangerous Materials/Instruments including, but not limited to, tasers/stun guns, pellet guns, BB guns, airsoft guns, paint ball guns and firearms, explosives, fireworks or other deadly weapons or look-alike or replica weapons on all property owned, leased, or controlled by Eastern Kentucky University, including but not limited to all classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, clinics, office buildings, performance halls, athletics and recreation facilities, farms, forests and other natural areas, parking lots and structures, University owned, leased or controlled vehicles, and all outdoor areas of the campus, including extended campuses and all other property now or hereafter owned, leased, or controlled by Eastern Kentucky University, of any unit of Eastern Kentucky University. This policy applies to all persons who possess lawfully issued licenses or permits pursuant to KRS 237.110 and to all persons who do not possess lawfully issued licenses or permits pursuant to KRS 237.110.
16. Tobacco. Smoking or tobacco use in any area of campus, to include vaping or electronic cigarettes.
17. *Fire Safety. Violation of local, state, federal or campus fire policies including, but not limited to:
a. Intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause a fire on University or personal property;
b. Failure to evacuate a University-controlled building during a fire alarm;
c. Improper use of University fire safety equipment; or
d. Tampering with or improperly engaging a fire alarm or fire detection/control equipment while on University property. Such action may result in a local fine in addition to University Restorative Actions.
18. Ineligible Association. Pledging or associating with a Registered Student Organization without having met eligibility requirements established by the University or organization.
19. Wheeled Devices. Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, bicycles and similar wheeled devices are not permitted inside University buildings, residence halls or on tennis courts, except in authorized storage facilities. Hover-boards are prohibited from campus. Additionally, skateboards and other wheeled items may not be ridden on railings, curbs, benches, or any such fixtures that may be damaged by these activities, and individuals may be liable for damage to University property caused by these activities.
20. Retaliatory Actions. Any intentional, adverse action taken by an responding individual or allied third party against a participant or supporter of a participant in a protected activity under this Code.
21. Abuse of Conduct Process. Abuse or interference with, or failure to comply in, University processes including conduct and academic integrity hearings including, but not limited to:
a. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information.
b. Failure to provide, destroying or concealing information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation.
c. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the campus conduct system.
d. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a campus conduct body prior to, during, and/or following a campus conduct proceeding.
e. Failure to comply with the Restorative Action(s) imposed by the campus conduct system.
f. Influencing, or attempting to influence, another person to commit an abuse of the campus conduct system.
22. *Harm to Persons. Intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause physical harm or endangering the health or safety of any person.
23. Threatening Behaviors:
a. Threat. Written or verbal conduct that causes a reasonable expectation of injury to the health or safety of any person or damage to any property.
b. Intimidation. Intimidation defined as implied threats or acts that cause a reasonable fear of harm in another.
24. *Harassment. Defined as repeated and/or severe aggressive behaviors that intimidate or intentionally harm or control another person physically or emotionally, and are not protected by freedom of expression.
25. *Hazing. Defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a Student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. Participation or cooperation by the person(s) being hazed does not excuse the violation. Failing to intervene to prevent (and/or) failing to discourage (and/or) failing
to report those acts may also violate this policy. (See Part 7 Statement on Hazing).
26. *Intimate Partner/Relationship Violence. Violence or abuse by a person in an intimate relationship with another, which is governed by the Discrimination and Harassment Policy, 1.4.1POL.
27. *Stalking. Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress, which is governed by the Discrimination and Harassment Policy, 1.4.1POL.
28. *Sexual Misconduct. Includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and/or sexual exploitation, or sexually based behavior not included in the NDHP, all of which is governed the Discrimination and Harassment Policy, 1.4.1POL.
29. *Public Exposure. Includes deliberately and publicly exposing one’s intimate body parts, public urination, defecation, and public sex acts, which may also be governed by the Discrimination and Harassment Policy, 1.4.1POL.
30. Alcohol. Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by law and the University/College’s Alcohol Policy, 9.1.1POL., and includes but is not limited to, exhibiting behavior under the influence of alcohol that unreasonably disrupts others in the vicinity, or that endangers self/others or property.
31. *Drugs. Use, possession or distribution of illegal drugs and other controlled substances or drug paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law, which includes but is not limited to, exhibiting behavior under the influence of drugs that unreasonably disrupts others in the vicinity, or that endangers self/others or property.
32. *Prescription Medications. Abuse, misuse, sale, or distribution of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
33. Failure to Comply. Failure to comply with the reasonable directives of University employee or law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so. This includes but is not limited to any public health protocols and expectations.
34. Arrest. Failure of any Student to accurately report an off-campus arrest by any law enforcement agency for any crime (including non-custodial or field arrests) to the Office of Student Conduct within seventy-two (72) hours of release.
35. *Sex Offender Registration. Failure to self-report as a registered sex offender within 5 days of classes starting. See policy 8.3.5P.
36. Other Policies. Violating other published University rules or regulations, including all Residence Hall policies and the Residential Community Guide.
37. Health and Safety. Creation of health and/or safety hazards (dangerous pranks, hanging out of or climbing from/on/in windows, balconies, roofs, etc.).
38. Violations of Law. Evidence of violation of local, state or federal laws, when substantiated through the University’s conduct process.
All Paragraphs designated by the asterisk (*) shall be considered Serious Misconduct Violations and possible sanctions may include suspension, expulsion or eviction from University housing.
At the discretion of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, charges not defined as Serious Misconduct that are egregious or occur with enough frequency may also include possible sanctions of suspension, expulsion or eviction from University housing.
The University considers the behavior described above as inappropriate for the University community and in opposition to the core values set forth in this document.