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Student Code of Conduct

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All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code and their individual responsibility under it.

The Student Code of Conduct is the product of the combined efforts of the administration, faculty, and students and is approved by the Board of Trustees.

The purpose of this Code is to outline nonacademic standards of conduct appropriate to the University in consonance with the educational goals of the University.

The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to all undergraduate students matriculating at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Students shall also be subject to other regulations properly adopted by the University.

The following shall be the meaning of terms as used herein:

  • “GUEST” assumes a broader definition than the technical definition of “guest” and “visitor” as defined in the Residence Hall Visitation Policy. Its use will include and refer to any person visiting within a University facility for a period of time.
  • “INFRACTION” means a violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule, policy or Student Code of Conduct provision of the Univesity of Pittsburgh at Johntown, as determined by the Univesity Judicial System.
  • “OFFENSE” means conduct and/or attempts to engage in conduct inappropriate to the University community for which disciplinary action may be instituted.
  • “RESIDENT” means any person who holds a valid contract to reside in the University residence halls or other University housing.
  • “STUDENT” means any person matriculated, registered, or enrolled in a University program or pursuing a course of study at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
  • “UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL” means any person employed by the University who is assigned administrative, staff, or professional responsibilities.
  • “UNIVERSITY PROPERTY” means all property (real or personal) owned, leased, controlled or utilized by the University.

All University of Pittsburgh students are required to carry currently validated identification cards at all times. These cards identify one as a currently enrolled student, and afford the individual University privileges. Residence hall students must carry valid University I.D. to gain access into the residence halls.

Students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the University community. Those students whose conduct demonstrates a disrespect for law, the rights of others, or the health, welfare, and safety of members of the University community will be subject to disciplinary action by the University, provided such conduct takes place on University Property or in the course of a University-sponsored or University-supervised activity, or if such conduct otherwise results directly from membership in the University community. In addition, conduct off-campus may be subject to disciplinary action by the University if that conduct seriously threatens the health, welfare or safety of the University community or any individual member thereof; or that conduct reflects upon the student’s character and fitness as a member of the student body; provided in either case the conduct would violate this Code if it took place on-campus.

Students are advised that other University policies may more appropriately apply to a given grievance or avenue of redress, including, but not necessarily limited to, the University of Pittsburgh Guidelines on Academic Integrity and the University of Pittsburgh Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure.

OFFENSES RELATED TO PERSON(S)

An offense related to a person is committed when a student:

1. Without authority or consent limits or restricts the freedom of a person to move about in a lawful manner.

2. Abuses or injures oneself or another person physically.

3. Harasses, threatens, intimidates, coerces, or uses physical force in a manner which causes another person to be reasonably apprehensive or which endangers the health or safety of oneself or another person.

4. Obstructs, interferes, or denies another student the rights and privileges affirmed by the Board of Trustees.

5. Engages in any act or preparation intended to result in a violation of this Code, which if not prevented, would have resulted in the completion of the act intended.

6. Violates any provision of any of the following: the University of Pittsburgh Policy on Sexual Harassment; the University of Pittsburgh Anti-Harassment Policy Statement; the University of Pittsburgh Anti-Hazing Policy; the University of Pittsburgh Certified Student Organization Policy; the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Student Alcohol Policy; or the University of Pittsburgh Drug Free Workplace/Drug Free Schools Policy.

7. Uses a telephone or electronic media to carry out any offense related to a person.

8. Commits any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent; or engages in unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse. 

OFFENSES RELATED TO PROPERTY

An offense related to property is committed when a student:

1. Knowingly and without consent or authorization has in his or her possession dominion or control property of another person or the University.

2. Removes or uses in his/her room University Property which has been placed in lounges or other public areas of the residence halls.

3. Knowingly and without consent or authorization removes, uses, misappropriates, or sells the property of another person or the University.

a. A student is not permitted to remove food or property from University food service areas unless expressly authorized by University food service personnel.
b. A resident may not lease, sublet, or change rooms without authorization from the Office of Residence Life and/or Housing.

4. Intentionally or negligently damages or destroys property owned or in the possession of another person or the University.

a. A resident to whom University Property has been assigned is absolutely responsible for the condition of that property during the period of assignment.
b. A student may not affix, implant, or otherwise fasten any object to the floors, ceilings, or walls of the residence halls which might stain, scar, or otherwise damage the residence hall facilities.
c. A student may not alter or interfere with the normal operation of elevators within any University building.
d. A resident shall not allow his/her screen(s) to be opened or removed from the windows.
e. A resident shall not allow his/her window(s) to be opened beyond the point restricted by a physical barrier or mechanical means.

5. A student is absolutely prohibited from throwing anything from the windows and/or balconies of any University building. Resident students are responsible for the actions of their guests.

6. Obtains the property of another person or the University by misrepresentation or fradulent means.

a. A student may not borrow, buy, or use meal tickets or University identification issued in the name of another person.

7. Enters or uses facilities or property of another person or the University without consent or authorization.

a. Students may not hold group functions in any University common area without the express advance approval of the appropriate University office.
b. A student and/or his/her guests may not enter University food service areas in an unauthorized manner (e.g., via elevator, exit doors, garage, etc.) or without proper identification (e.g., invalid meal tickets).
c. A student may not enter the University food service areas without being completely clothed.

8. Knowingly and without consent alters and/or misuses cable devices.

OFFENSES RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY

An offense related to the operation of the University is committed when a student:

1. Forges, alters, takes possession, duplicates, or uses documents, records, keys, identification, or computer accounts without consent or authorization by appropriate University officials.

a. A student may not deface, transfer, duplicate, loan, borrow, or sell meal tickets or University identification.
b. A student may not duplicate University building keys; this includes residence hall keys.
c. A student may not possess or use keys to University facilities unless expressly authorized to do so.

2. Falsifies information or records submitted to a University official or office.

3. Fails without just cause to comply with the lawful directions of a University official acting in the performance of his or her duties and authority.

4. Fails to present University identification upon request by an authorized University official who has offered proper identification as to his or her status.

5. Purports to represent the University or another person in the University community improperly and without authorization.

6. Engages in solicitation of any type in or on University Property unless approved in advance by an appropriate University official.

7. Engages or participates in non-University commercial activity on campus, unless written authorization for such activity has been given by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs designee. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the sale or misuse of his class notes and recordings, papers, examinations and other class materials, which may not be sold, exchanged or distributed for commercial purposes, or for any purpose other than study.

8. Obstructs the operation and functions of the University by failing to comply with regulations properly established and approved by an administrator which shall by incorporation, become part of this Code including, but not limited to the following:

a. A student may not possess or use any cooking appliances and/or cooking equipment in any residence hall unless the appliance, equipment, and/or facility is provided by the University or unless the usage of such is expressly authorized by Office of Residence Life and/or Housing.
b. A student may not have pets in the residence halls unless express authorization has been given by the Office of Residence Life and/or Housing.
c. A student may not post or display posters, banners, or advertising on residence hall property (except in his/her individual room), or in a food service area without the advance approval of the or the Office of Housing and Residence Life and/or Food Service.
d. A student is required to observe QUIET HOURS in the residence halls, Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM, also Friday and Saturday from 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and is expected to maintain reasonable quiet at all other times.
e. A student shall be responsible for his/her guest(s) at all times, and shall be held responsible for any violations of the Student Code of Conduct committed by his/her guest(s).

9. Violates any provision of the Residence Hall Visitation Policy.

10. Obstructs or interferes with the reprimand, discipline, or apprehension of another person who is involved in commission of an offense under the Student Code of Conduct or other University regulations or rules.

11. Disrupts or prevents the peaceful and orderly conduct of classes, lectures and meetings or deliberately interferes with the freedom of any person to express his/her views, including invited speakers.

12. Interferes with the operation of the University’s computer facilities by deliberately attempting to degrade or disrupt system performance, security or administrative operations.

13. Degrades or disrupts University network performance through high-volume file sharing.

14. Engages in conduct which is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace; or aiding, abetting or procuring another to do the same.

15. Fails to control the behavior of a guest or seek University assistance in controlling the behavior of a guest.

16. Violates the provisions of the Housing License Agreement.

17. Violates any University of Pittsburgh Policy not specifically named in this Code. 

OFFENSES RELATED TO WELFARE, HEALTH, OR SAFETY

An offense related to welfare, health or safety is committed when a student:

1. Uses, possesses, or manufactures, without University authorization, firearms, explosives, weapons, or other dangerous articles or substances injurious to person or property.

OFFENSES RELATED TO WELFARE, HEALTH, OR SAFETY

An offense related to welfare, health or safety is committed when a student:

1. Uses, possesses, or manufactures, without University authorization, firearms, explosives, weapons, or other dangerous articles or substances injurious to person or property.

OFFENSES RELATED TO WELFARE, HEALTH, OR SAFETY

An offense related to welfare, health or safety is committed when a student:

1. Uses, possesses, or manufactures, without University authorization, firearms, explosives, weapons, or other dangerous articles or substances injurious to person or property.

OFFENSES RELATED TO WELFARE, HEALTH, OR SAFETY

An offense related to welfare, health or safety is committed when a student:

1. Uses, possesses, or manufactures, without University authorization, firearms, explosives, weapons, or other dangerous articles or substances injurious to person or property.

2. Refuses to vacate buildings, street walks, driveways, or other facilities of the University when directed to do so by an official of the University or any other lawful authority having just cause or fails to vacate a University building, including residence halls, when a fire alarm sounds.

3. Uses, possesses, distributes, sells, or is under the influence of narcotics, hallucinogenics, dangerous drugs, controlled substances except as permitted by law, or possesses drug paraphernalia which can be demonstrated to be linked to drug activity, such as pipes with drug residue.

4. Students who are knowingly present during the commission of the violation(s) of “uses, possesses, distributes, sells, or is under the influence of narcotics, hallucinogenics, dangerous drugs, controlled substances except as permitted by law, or possesses paraphernalia which can be demonstrated to be linked to drug activity, such as pipes with residue,” will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

5. Distributes or sells narcotics, hallucinogens, dangerous drugs, controlled substances except as permitted by law, or possesses drug paraphernalia which can be demonstrated to be linked to drug activity, such as pipes with drug residue.

6. Students who are knowingly present during the commission of the violation(s) of “distributes or sells narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, dangerous drugs, controlled substances except as permitted by law, or possess paraphernalia which can be demonstrated to be linked to drug activity, such as pipes with residue,” will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

7. Possesses or consumes alcoholic beverages if under the age permitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or if in facilities where prohibited by the University; or dispenses alcoholic beverages to an individual who is under the age permitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or violates any provision of the University alcohol policies.

8. Students who are knowingly present during the commission of the violation(s) of “possesses or consumes alcoholic beverages if under the age permitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or if in facilities where prohibited by the University; or dispenses alcoholic beverages to an individual who is under the age permitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or violates any provision of the University alcohol policies,” will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.

9. Falsely reports a fire, or activates emergency warning equipment, or communicates false information regarding the existence of explosives on University property.

10. Abuses, removes, or damages fire or safety equipment.

11. Engages in games of chance for money or other gain in violation of the law.

12. Ignites or burns materials in a manner which causes a fire.

13. Ignites or burns incense, candles and/or like materials.

14. Violates University restrictions on smoking.

OFFENSES RELATED TO THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT JUDICIAL SYSTEM (USJS)

An offense related to the University Student Judicial Board is committed when a student:

1. Attempts to intimidate, coerce, or influence a person by any means in an effort to discourage or prevent his/her use of or participation in any judicial process or proceeding.

2. Attempts to influence the impartiality of any member of a judicial body prior to or during the course of judicial proceeding.

3. Fails to respond to the summons of a judicial body or official.

4. Knowingly falsifies, distorts, or misrepresents information before a judicial body.

5. Disrupts or interferes with a judicial proceeding.

6. Knowingly institutes a judicial proceeding without proper cause.

7. Attempts to circumvent settlement agreements.

OFFENSES, CRIMINAL OR PENAL

These offenses are committed when a student violates any criminal or penal statute or ordinance that is applicable where the offense takes place. The Judicial Board’s standard of clear and convincing evidence shall apply in all cases.

POLICY ON ROOM ENTRY WITHIN THE RESIDENCE HALLS BY AUTHORIZED UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL

Authorized University personnel may enter student rooms for health and safety inspections, maintenance, housekeeping, and as otherwise permitted by law.

Last Reviewed: June 4, 2007


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