Prohibited Conduct

Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to all conduct by students and  Registered Student Organizations (RSO). The Director of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) or designee shall have the sole discretion to decide on a case-by-case basis whether this policy shall be applied to conduct not on university property. This policy governs students enrolled at all campuses; however, students enrolled at VCUarts Qatar are advised to consult local campus publications for additional information or rules pertaining specifically to those campuses that may establish hearing boards or processes, consistent with the Student Code of Conduct.  

The following conduct**, committed or attempted, is prohibited for all students and RSO, and is subject to disciplinary sanctions:

  • Abuse of Computer Facilities and Resources
  • Abusive Conduct:
    • Assault
    • Battery
    • Disorderly Conduct
    • Endangering health or safety
    • Harassment
    • Hazing
    • Invasion of Privacy
    • Sex-based misconduct
    • Stalking
  • Academic Misconduct
  • Acts of dishonesty
  • Alcoholic and Other Drugs*
  • Failure to Comply
  • False reports
  • Fireworks/Explosives/ Dangerous Chemicals
  • Gambling
  • Involvement in a University Violation
  • Retaliation
  • Theft or Unauthorized Use of Property
    • Theft
    • Unauthorized use of university property or resources
    • Climbing
    • Damage or destruction of property
    • Unauthorized presence or entry
    • Tampering
    • Misuse of fire-fighting equipment/disregard of fire alarm signals/arson
    • Obstruction
  • Weapons
  • Violation of other disseminated university regulations, policies, or rules
  • Violation of any federal, state, or local law

* Disciplinary Amnesty and Immunity for Certain Prohibited Conduct Related to Alcohol, Drugs, and Hazing.

A. The university will not take disciplinary action against a student who has demonstrated Prohibited Conduct in the following limited circumstances.

1. For seeking emergency or timely medical assistance. If a student seeks emergency or timely medical assistance for themselves or others due to the use of alcohol or other drugs, neither the student seeking assistance, nor the student needing assistance will be subject to disciplinary action for Prohibited Conduct under this policy based on personal consumption of alcohol or other drugs or the disclosure of personal consumption of alcohol or other drugs related to the incident. In these circumstances, the university reserves the right to mandate that the student(s) participate in academic programming, or a medical intervention related to alcohol or drug use.

2. For reporting and cooperating. The university will not pursue disciplinary action under this policy based on disclosure of personal consumption of alcohol or other drugs where such disclosures are made in connection with a good faith report of violation of university policy or cooperation with a university investigation.

3. For bystanders reporting hazing. The university provides immunity from disciplinary action based on hazing or personal consumption of alcohol or other drugs where such disclosure is made by a bystander not involved in such acts in conjunction with a good faith report of an act of hazing in advance of or during an incident of hazing that causes injury or is likely to cause injury to a person. The university may require access to services to support individuals who receive disciplinary immunity as described here, including but not limited to (i) counseling specific to alcohol abuse or drug abuse, or both, or (ii) inpatient or outpatient (a) alcohol counseling or treatment programs, (b) drug counseling or treatment programs, or (c) both alcohol and drug counseling or treatment programs. A student’s failure to access the required services renders them ineligible for continued immunity. These requirements do not apply to bystanders reporting hazing.

B. The above provisions have the following limitations:
1. In an instance where a student has received medical amnesty on more than one occasion, the university may decide to notify the student that they may not be eligible.

2. A student with additional university responsibilities (including teaching assistants or resident assistants) may be subject to potential action related to those additional responsibilities under other applicable policies (such as performance requirements for hall staff).

*Please visit the link above for the definitions of the Prohibited Conduct