Student Conduct Code

All members of the University community have a strong responsibility to protect and maintain an academic climate in which the fundamental freedom to learn can be enjoyed by all and where the rights and well-being of all members of the community are protected. To this end, certain basic regulations and policies have been developed to govern the conduct of all students as members of the University community.

The University reserves the right to review student conduct that occurs on and off campus when such behavior is inconsistent with these expectations and the Student Conduct Code. In addition, students are responsible for the actions of their guests and will be held accountable for any violations of University standards, policies, and procedures by a guest. Students should accompany their guests while on campus. If necessary, the University reserves the right to limit the guest privileges of  a student.

The following acts may subject students to disciplinary action:

1. Engaging in any form of academic dishonesty such as plagiarism (i.e., representing the work or ideas of others as one’s own without giving proper acknowledgment), cheating (e.g., copying the work of another person, falsifying laboratory data, sabotaging the work of others), and other acts generally understood to be dishonest by faculty or students in an academic context. (Law students, refer to School of Law code.)
2. Illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs. The use or possession of equipment, products, or materials that are used or intended for use in manufacturing, growing,  using, or distributing any drug or controlled substance. Possessing, concealing, storing, carrying, or using any drug paraphernalia as defined in California Health and Safety Code §11364.5, including, but not limited to, objects intended for use, or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing cannabis, cocaine, hashish, or hashish oil into the human body.
3. Falsification or misuse, including non-authentic, altered, or fraudulent misuse, of University records, permits, documents, communication equipment, or identification cards and government-issued documents.
4. Knowingly furnishing false or incomplete information to the University, a University official, or a conduct hearing board in response to an authorized request.
5. Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct; excessive  or prolonged noise; behavior that interferes with the  orderly functioning of the University, or interferes with  an individual’s pursuit of an education on University owned or controlled property or during an authorized University class, field trip, seminar, competition or other meeting, or University-related activity.
6. Detention, physical abuse, or conduct that threatens imminent bodily harm or endangers the physical well-being of any person.
7. Nonconsensual physical contact of a sexual nature such as sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and rape.
8. Destruction, damage, or misuse of University property or the property of any other person or group.
9. Theft or conversion of University property or the property of any other person or group.
10. Hazing, harassing, stalking, threatening, bullying, degrading language or actions, or any practice by a group or individual that degrades a student or employee, endangers health, jeopardizes personal safety, or interferes with an employee’s duties or with a student’s class attendance or a person’s educational pursuits.
11. Engaging in single or multiple acts—verbal, written, or physical—in violation of the Student Conduct Code motivated in whole or in part by a person or group’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religious creed, physical, or mental disability, medical condition, as defined by California law, marital status, citizenship status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other status protected by law, and which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with an individual’s or group’s safety or security, or which creates an intimidating, hostile, and objectively offensive educational, living or working environment. Bias related conduct in violation of the Student Conduct Code on the basis of actual or perceived religious faith and political affiliation/orientation is also prohibited.
12. Making a video recording, audio recording, or streaming audio/video of private, non-public conversations and/or meetings, inclusive of the classroom setting, without the knowledge and consent of all recorded parties.*                                                                          * ^{The recording of classroom lectures, discussions, simulations, and other course-related activity is  governed by this University recording policy which balances the legitimate needs of students with disabilities that require the accommodation, the intellectual property concerns of its instructors, and the privacy of its students. In some instances, federal law may permit students with documented disabilities to record classroom activity. The Office of Accessible Education determines if classroom recording is an appropriate academic adjustment, auxiliary aid, and/or service with respect to each individual student’s documentation.}
13. Intentional obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other University activities; or obstruction or disruption that interferes with the freedom of movement, both pedestrian and vehicular.
14. Possessing, concealing, storing, carrying, or using any real or simulated weapons (including toy guns). The definition of weapons includes but is not limited to, firearms (including BB/pellet, Airsoft, and paintball guns— regardless of whether they are disassembled), knives (switchblade, double-edged, hunting-style [fixed-blade] of any length, throwing, folding [pocket-style with a blade that locks into place], and knives with blades of 2.5 inches in length or greater), explosives (including, though not limited to, fireworks and firecrackers), ammunition, dangerous chemicals, or any other dangerous weapons or instruments, or chemicals as defined by, though not limited to, California State Law except if expressly authorized by University policy or procedure (See “Housing and Residence Life Policies, Procedures, and Standards” for information that pertains to Residence Life).
15. Unauthorized entry into, or use or defacement of University facilities, including residence halls and other buildings and grounds, including unauthorized entry into, or presence in or on a University building; unauthorized erection, or use on University property of any structures including specifically, but not limited to tents, huts, gazebos, shelters, platforms, and public address systems; or unauthorized use of University property for dances, concerts, assemblies, meetings, sleeping, cooking, or eating if said activity interferes with the operation of the University or surrounding community.
16. Publication, posting, or distribution through the use of University resources (e.g., computer networks, telephone lines, email services, Internet connections), or at authorized University activities of material that violates the law of libel, obscenity, postal regulations, the fair use of copyrighted materials, or any law or statute or University policy.
17. Failure to comply with a reasonable request or order of a University executive or other authorized official(s); refusal or failure to leave such premises because of conduct prescribed by this code when such conduct constitutes violations of this code or a danger to personal safety, property, or educational or other appropriate University activities on such premises; or refusal or failure to identify oneself when requested by a University official provided the official is identified and indicates legitimate reason for the request.
18.  Possession, consumption, sale, or action under the influence of alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21; furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21; consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public place (all areas other than individual residences, private offices, and scheduled private functions); excessive and inappropriate use of alcoholic beverages. (See also “Alcohol and Controlled Substances Within University Housing”)
19. Engaging in acts or deeds that may violate existing federal, state, county, or municipal laws or ordinances that materially or adversely affect the individual’s suitability as a member of the Santa Clara University community. 
20. Tampering with, removing, damaging, or destroying fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, smoke or heat detectors, emergency call boxes, and other safety equipment anywhere on University property; creating a fire, safety, or health hazard; or failure to respond to fire alarms, evacuate buildings during alarm activation, or respond to the directions of emergency personnel.
21. Any behavior that disrupts or causes disruption of computer services; damages, alters, or destroys data or records; adversely affects computer software, programs, systems, or networks; or uses data, computer systems, or networks to devise or execute any scheme to defraud, deceive, extort, or wrongfully obtain money, property, or data.

Students who are alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code may be subject to disciplinary action and, if applicable, may also be subject to criminal prosecution. A reported violation involving alcoholic beverages, cannabis, other drugs, and related equipment or paraphernalia, or weapons (real or simulated) will result in those items being confiscated and disposed of (when appropriate) by a responding University official.