The Student Code applies to students and to their student organizations. Unless otherwise noted, use of the term “student” in this document shall apply to the student as an individual and to a student organization as a single entity, as applicable. Registered student organizations may be held accountable through Department of Student Activities’ policies and/or The Student Code. The officers or the leaders of a particular registered student organization usually will be expected to represent the organization during the Student Conduct process. Nothing in this code shall preclude holding certain members of an organization accountable for their individual acts committed in the context of or in association with the organization’s alleged violation of The Student Code.

Individual accountability is a cornerstone of The Student Code. Normally, the influence of alleged drugs and/or alcohol on a student’s judgment or behavior will not be accepted as a mitigating factor with respect to the resolution of an act of misconduct.

A. Jurisdiction of the University

1. Each student shall be responsible for one’s conduct from the time of admission through the actual awarding of a degree, even though conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment (and even if the conduct is not discovered until after a degree is awarded). The Student Code shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from the University while a student conduct matter is pending.
2. The University may apply The Student Code to students whose misconduct has a direct and distinct adverse impact on the University community, its members, and/or the pursuit of its objectives regardless of where such conduct may occur. The following examples describe the kinds of off-campus acts that might be addressed through the University student conduct system. They are illustrative in intent and they should not be regarded as all-inclusive: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; physical/sexual assault; sale/distribution of illegal substances; and malicious destruction of property. Should the Director of Community Standards reasonably determine that a particular alleged act of off-campus misconduct falls within the jurisdiction of the University, the case will be referred to the University Student conduct System.
3. University Student Conduct proceedings may be instituted against a student without regard to the pendency of civil or criminal litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution resulting from the same or related conduct. Proceedings under The Student Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off-campus at the discretion of the Director of Community Standards. Determinations made or sanctions imposed under The Student Code shall not be subject to change because criminal charges arising out of the same facts giving rise to violation of University rules were dismissed, reduced, or resolved in favor of or against the defendant in the criminal matter.

B. Conduct Rules and Regulations

As members of the University community, students have an obligation to uphold The Student Code as well as to obey federal, state, and local laws. The Director of Community Standards or designee shall make the final determination on what constitutes a potential violation of The Student Code and shall establish the specific behavioral violation(s) as appropriate.

The following list of behaviors is intended to represent the types of acts that constitute violations of The Student Code. Although the list is extensive, it should not be regarded as all-inclusive. All community members are responsible for knowing and observing all University policies and procedures, which can be found at https://policy.uconn.edu.

1. Behavior in violation of the Academic Integrity in Undergraduate Education and Research policy (Appendix A).

2. Disruptive behavior, which is defined as participating in or inciting others to participate in the disruption or undue interference  of any University activity, including, but not limited to: teaching, research, events, administration, Student Conduct proceedings, the living/learning environment, or other University activities, on or off-campus; or of other non-University activities when the conduct occurs on University premises; or of the living environment, on or off-campus.

3. Harming behavior, which includes, but is not limited to, the true threat of or actual physical assault or abuse and also includes harassment. For the purposes of The Student Code, bullying is considered a form of harassment.

In determining whether an act constitutes harassment, Community Standards will consider the full context of the conduct, giving due consideration to the protection of University climate, individual rights, freedom of speech, academic freedom and advocacy. Not every act that might be offensive to an individual or a group constitutes harassment and/or a violation of The Student Code.

Harassment is the severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another individual that has the effect of:

1. causing physical or emotional harm to the individual or damage to the individual’s property; and/or
2. placing the individual in reasonable fear of harm to the individual and/or the individual’s property; and/or
3. infringing on the rights of other University community members to fully participate in the programs, activities, and mission of the University.

Bullying is the repeated use of a written, oral or electronic communication, or a physical act or gesture by one or more individuals, repeatedly directed at another individual that:

1. causes physical or emotional harm or damage to property and/or;
2. places the target of such behavior in reasonable fear of harm to self, or of damage to property and/or;
3. creates a hostile environment or otherwise infringes on the rights of such individual and/or;
4. substantially disrupts the education process.

Bullying shall include, but not be limited to, a written, oral or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.

4. Behavior in violation of the University of Connecticut Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence.

5. Endangering behavior, which includes, but is not limited to, conduct that threatens or jeopardizes the health or safety of any person including one’s self.

6. Hazing, defined as any activity without reasonable or legitimate educational value expected of someone for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional, psychological, and/or physical harm, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.

7.  Although Connecticut state law permits the use of medical and recreational marijuana (over 21 years of  age), the use, possession, and/or cultivation of marijuana remains a crime under federal law. As the University of Connecticut is a recipient of federal funding, the University is required to prohibit the use and/or possession of all federally-classified controlled substances, including marijuana. Therefore, the possession and use of marijuana in any form, even if accompanied by a medical prescription, is prohibited on all University property and/or during any University activity.

Misuse of alcohol and/or other drugs including but not limited to:

1. 1. Illegal consumption and/or possession. Possession of alcohol is limited to persons 21 years of age or older. If an individual is under 21 years of age, that person is not permitted to consume alcohol or carry alcohol on their person on or off University
2. Strength of alcohol. Any alcohol that is stronger than 80 proof is not permitted on University of Connecticut property except where approved for academic purposes of the
3. Serving, distributing, and/or obtaining Serving, distributing to, or obtaining alcohol for any individual who is under 21 years of age is prohibited. Allowing any person under the age of 21 to consume alcohol is also prohibited. Providing alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated and/or pressuring others to use alcohol is prohibited.
4. Public consumption. No alcohol is to be consumed in public areas and open containers of alcohol are not permitted in public areas on University property except in designated locations where the permittee assumes all liability of properly monitored events. “Public areas” are defined as any area that could be used for general use including, but not limited to, stairways, hallways, lounges, bathrooms, dining halls, arenas, libraries, academic and administration buildings, and outside of buildings on University
5. Location for consumption. Alcohol can only be consumed on University of Connecticut property where there is a liquor permit to serve alcohol or as defined by University A consumer can only ingest alcohol at the event location.
6. Alcohol procurement. Alcohol may not be purchased with University funds or Student Trustee Organization funds.
7. Common source containers. Common source containers containing alcohol are prohibited on University property. This includes, but is not limited to, kegs and beer Tap systems are only permitted on University property by a University licensed permittee.
8. Off-campus functions. All Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) must participate in the Student Activities Off-Campus Event Advising Process to receive risk management advising. Law School student organizations must assure compliance with the School of Law Alcohol Policy.
9. Driving under the influence. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is prohibited.
10. Illegal drugs and paraphernalia. Possession and/or consumption of illegal drugs, including marijuana, is prohibited. Possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited on University of Connecticut property.
11. Medications. Prescription drugs are permitted on University of Connecticut property if accompanied by an authentic medical prescription. Use of legal medication outside the parameters of the medical authorization is prohibited. Possession and/or use of prescription medications not prescribed to the user is prohibited.
12. Selling, distributing, or manufacturing drugs. The sale, distribution, and/or manufacturing of controlled substances or illegal drugs, including marijuana, except as expressly permitted by law, is prohibited.

8. Use, possession, or distribution of firearms, weapons, facsimile of weapons, fireworks, explosives, or dangerous chemicals.

9. Uncooperative behavior which includes, but is not limited to, uncooperative behavior and/or failure to comply with the directions of, providing false information, and/or failure to identify oneself to University officials or law enforcement officers acting in the performance of their duties.

10. The setting of or participation in unauthorized fires; the unauthorized or improper possession, use, removal, or disabling of fire safety equipment and warning devices; failure to follow standard fire safety procedures; or interference with firefighting equipment or personnel.

11. Assisting another person in the commission, or attempted commission, of a violation of The Student Code. This includes hosting a non-student who commits a violation.

12. Behaviors in violation of published University policies, rules, or regulations.

13. Behaviors in violation of the On-Campus Housing Contract.

14. Theft, which includes, but is not limited to, attempted or actual theft of property or services.

15. Forcible entry and/or unauthorized presence in University-owned buildings or property. Reasonable notice of authority, or lack thereof, shall be given.

16. Unauthorized possession, access, duplication, or misuse of University property or other personal or public property, including, but not limited to, records, electronic files, telecommunications systems, forms of identification, and keys.

17. Damage or misuse of property, which includes, but is not limited to, attempted or actual damage to or misuse of University property or other personal or public property.

18. Violation of federal, state or local law.

19. Abuse of the University student conduct system, including but not limited to:

1. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a Student Conduct Proceeding.
2. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information to a Student Conduct Officer or hearing body.
3. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the Student Conduct system.
4. Attempting to discourage or retaliate against an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the Student Conduct system.
5. Attempting to intimidate or retaliate against a Student Conduct officer, member of the hearing body, or any other participant prior to, during, and/or after a Student Conduct proceeding.
6. Institution of a Student Conduct Code proceeding in bad faith.
7. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under The Student Code.

20. Retaliation against any University community member for raising a good faith concern or issue regarding another community member.