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Code of Conduct for Graduate Students

  1. Actions which violate the human rights of any student or member of the university community; use or threatened use of physical force or violence to restrict the freedom of action or movement of another, to endanger the physical health, psychological health or safety of any person, including oneself; or behavior or language disrespectful of university employees or students.
     
  2. Conduct, on or off campus, that is detrimental to the good of the university or which discredits the university. Such conduct off campus includes, but is not limited to hosting house parties and/or student behaviors that are disruptive to the community and violate laws. Conduct on campus includes, but is not limited to, behavior disruptive to a residence hall community as detailed in the Resident Student Handbook; Conduct detrimental to the university also includes knowingly assenting to or condoning violation of university policies or state, federal or local laws by others.
     
  3. Misrepresentation and/or academic dishonesty such as: cheating and plagiarism; knowingly furnishing false information or identification; and fraud, forgery, alteration or unauthorized use of university documents, records, identification or property. *
     
  4. Unauthorized taking or possession of university property, services or the property or services of others.
     
  5. Intentional damage to, or destruction of, university property, or the property of others on university premises. This includes damage as a result of gross negligence (including vandalism or tampering with fire alarms or extinguishers.)
     
  6. Underage use or possession of alcohol, distribution of alcohol to underage persons, excessive consumption of alcohol, public intoxication, possession of alcoholic beverages or beverage containers on University property contrary to law or university regulations, or knowingly assenting to or condoning violation of university alcohol policies by others.
     
  7. Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia.
     
  8. The possession or use of explosives, fireworks, firearms, knives, ammunition, other dangerous weapons or materials on university property.
     
  9. Gambling on university premises.
     
  10. Failure to comply with the directives of University officials and their authorized agents acting in the performance of their duties; failure to appear before the Dean of Students (or designee**) or the Committee on Discipline when properly notified to do so as either a witness or a student charged in a discipline case or as a witness; disruption or purposeful interference with faculty, administrators, security officers or staff in the performance of their duties.
     
  11. Students, when on campus, must be able to produce identification, usually a St. Thomas ID card, when requested to do so by any official representative of the University including security, resident assistants, dining hall authorities, library personnel, et al.
     
  12. Violations of federal, state, city laws/ordinances: Should an act violate both university regulations and public law, the student is subject to dual jurisdiction.

* The appropriate academic dean or designee will adjudicate misrepresentation related to academic services. The Dean of Students or designee will hear misrepresentation related to nonacademic services.
** Designee may include individuals of the Dean of Students staff given the responsibility of adjudicating discipline cases or the University Hearing Board.
 *** All decisions made by the designees of the Dean of Students are subject to review and approval by the Dean of Students.