VIII. College Policies: Respect for the Community

The college expects that in all relationships with each other, students will be guided by a mutual concern for each other’s feelings, integrity, and need to live in an environment conducive to academic achievement. The college believes that such concern requires sensitivity and a sense of responsibility in all relationships within the community on campus, off campus, and in any capacity as a member of the Wooster community both in-person and virtual.

For its part, the college undertakes to provide educational programs, guidance, and counseling in those areas involving personal relationships and to create and support a residential environment which in its diversity will complement and enhance the academic and social purposes of the college. Violation of federal, state, or local law, whether on or off campus is in violation of the college policy.

Anti-Harassment and Discrimination

Any member of the campus community who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, residential, and/or social access, benefits, and/or opportunities of any member of the campus community, guest, or visitor based on actual or perceived membership in the protected classes listed in the Statement of Non-Discrimination is in violation of the College policy on nondiscrimination. When brought to the attention of the college, any such discrimination will be appropriately addressed and remedied by the college according to the process described in the Student Conduct System.

Non-members of the campus community who engage in discriminatory actions within college programs or on college property are not under the jurisdiction of this policy. However, these individuals may be subject to actions that limit their access and/or involvement with college programs as the result of their misconduct.

Separation by sex and/or gender identity is allowed in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to housing, locker rooms, bathrooms, choirs or choruses, and fraternities and sororities. The College of Wooster has a separate Policy against Sexual Misconduct which applies to all students, faculty, and staff in all Wooster programs. 

Consensual Relationships

There are inherent risks in any romantic or sexual relationship between individuals in unequal positions (such as faculty and student or supervisor and employee). Consensual romantic or sexual relationships in which one party maintains a direct supervisory or evaluative role over the other party create real or perceived impropriety and may be unethical. These relationships may be less consensual than perceived by the individual whose position confers power. The relationship also may be viewed in different ways by each of the parties. Furthermore, circumstances may change, and conduct that was previously welcome may become unwelcome. Even when both parties have consented at the outset to romantic or sexual involvement, this past consent may not remove grounds for a later violation of applicable sections of this policy, as consent within any sexual or intimate relationship may be withdrawn at any time. For these reasons, dating, romantic, or sexual relationships between students and faculty or students and coaches, including relationships that occur when the college is not in session or students are on leave, are prohibited. Faculty and coaches who violate this prohibition are subject to appropriate college adjudication processes and disciplinary action.

For the personal protection of members of the community, relationships in which power differentials are inherent (department chair-faculty, faculty-staff, staff-staff, staff-student, Resident Assistant students over whom they have direct responsibility) are generally discouraged. However, if a relationship does exist, individuals with direct supervisory or evaluative responsibilities who are involved in such relationships must bring those relationships to the timely attention of their supervisor. It will likely be necessary to remove the employee from the supervisory or evaluative responsibilities or to shift a party out of being supervised or evaluated by someone with whom they have established a consensual relationship. While only faculty-student and coach-student relationships are prohibited by this policy, failure to self-report all other such relationships to a supervisor as required can result in disciplinary action for an employee.

Bias Related Harassment

Harassment constitutes a form of discrimination that is prohibited by law. The College of Wooster will remedy all forms of harassment when reported, regardless of whether the harassment rises to the level of creating a hostile environment. Following an investigation, if the harassment rises to the level of creating a hostile environment, The College of Wooster may initiate a conflict resolution process. The College of Wooster policies explicitly prohibits any form of harassment, defined as unwelcome conduct based on actual or perceived membership in a protected class, by any member or group of the community.

A hostile environment may be created by oral, written, graphic, or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or objectively offensive so as to interfere with, limit, or deny the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities or employment access, benefits, or opportunities.

Any event, (officially or unofficially recognized by the college), social interaction, or other incident that attempts to insult, ridicule, denigrate, make fun of, or mimic particular groups, races, ethnicities, or cultures, promote gender degradation, or otherwise violate campus policies or are considered insensitive to the campus community are prohibited.

Offensive conduct and/or harassment that does not rise to the level of discrimination or harassment that is of a generic nature may not result in the imposition of discipline under college policy, and may be addressed through civil confrontation, remedial actions, education, and/or effective conflict resolution mechanisms. For assistance with conflict resolution techniques students should contact the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.

Harassment that is not discriminatory or bias-related in nature is still prohibited and may still be addressed through the college conduct system.

The College of Wooster condemns and will not tolerate discriminatory harassment against any employee, student, visitor, or guest based on any status protected by college policy or law.

Bullying and Cyber-Bullying

Bullying is defined as any non-discriminatory conduct directed at another that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive and objectively offensive that it has the effect of altering the terms or conditions of employment or substantially limiting the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the College’s educational and/or social programs and/or student housing. Bullying may be top-down, perpetuated by someone with greater positional power towards another with lesser positional power; bottom-up, perpetuated by someone with lesser positional power towards someone with greater positional power; or peer-to-peer.

Examples of bullying may include, but are not limited to:

  • Publicly humiliating another
  • Subjecting an employee under one’s supervision to excessive monitoring, micromanaging, or unrealistic deadlines
  • Engaging in derogatory joking, ridicule, or mockery
  • Undermining or sabotaging another person’s work
  • Mobbing, a form of bullying involving multiple perpetrators engaged in bullying activity against one or more targets
  • Unwarranted systematic exclusion or isolation of a person or group

Bullying is not the same as:

  • Discriminatory harassment, which targets another on the basis of their membership in one, or more than one, protected class
  • Interpersonal conflicts or differences of opinion
  • Petty slights and annoyances, and isolated incidents of incivility and disrespect (unless extremely serious)
  • Rude or inconsiderate behavior that is not severe, persistent, or pervasive

Demonstrations and the Right to Dissent

Every member of the community has the right to speak freely, the right to listen to others, the right to assemble in public meetings, and the right to express themselves. Because these rights are for each member of the community, it follows that no member of the community has the right to prevent or to disrupt an exercise of such rights by others, whether the persons involved are expressing approval or disapproval of an idea or of an action.

Demonstrations that cause destruction of property or present a risk of harm to persons are not permitted and may be viewed as harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or creating a hostile environment on the campus. Those involved may be subject to appropriate response and/or referral through the college’s conduct process. Demonstrations may not interfere with bystander’s academic freedom, college sanctioned events, and/or college property.

Failure to Discourage

Students who fail to discourage behaviors in violation of policy are complicit with the violation and will be held equally accountable for the violation.  Students should extricate themselves from the vicinity of an ongoing policy violation about which they have knowledge.  Students are required to report known policy violations if the violation causes or threatens to cause a substantial negative impact on the safety of members of the college community.

Hazing

Below is the College’s abridged hazing policy. The College’s full anti-hazing policy explains the scope of the College’s response, provides examples of prohibited behavior, outlines investigatory and hearing processes, and discusses likely consequences.

Definition by the State of Ohio – 2903.31 

As used in this section, “hazing” means doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization or any act to continue or reinstate membership in or affiliation with any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse, as defined in section 3719.011 of the Revised Code. “(B) (1) No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another.

  • (B) (2)  No administrator, employee, or faculty member, teacher, consultant, alumnus, or volunteer of any organization, including any primary, secondary, or post-secondary school or of any other educational institution, public or private, shall recklessly permit the hazing of any person associated with the organization.
  • (C) (1) No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another when the hazing includes coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs of abuse resulting in serious physical harm to the other person.
  • (C) (2) No administrator, employee, faculty member, teacher, consultant, alumnus, or volunteer of any organization, including any primary, secondary, or post-secondary school or any other educational institution, public or private, shall recklessly permit the hazing of any person associated with the organization when the hazing includes coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs of abuse resulting in serious physical harm to that person.
  • (D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of hazing, A violation of division (B)(1) or (2) of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth second degree. A violation of division (C)(1) or (2) of this section is a felony of the third degree.

Definition – By the College of Wooster

Any activity, regardless of whether the act is voluntarily agreed upon, created through a new member process or in conjunction with membership with a student club/organization, sports team, other group on campus, or new employment, that produces, causes, or creates a risk of mental or physical harm, embarrassment, or harassment is prohibited, regardless of the intent or result of the activity. The college is required by law to contact the Wooster Police department about alleged hazing activities. In addition, the college will investigate hazing allegations whether they are reported to have occurred on campus or off-campus. The college will consider an activity to be hazing if the behavior exhibits and/or includes force, coercion, or restrictions on freedom of movement, speech, association, or the management of daily needs. 

Such acts of hazing may include, but are not limited to: forced or coerced use of alcohol or other drugs; creation of excessive fatigue; requiring new members to perform personal service to current members or their partners/friends; requiring new members to call current members, or their partners/friends, by a specific name or nickname or speak a specific phrase when addressing them; physical and psychological acts that embarrass or cause undue stress; restricted movement or assigned to stay in a space for extended period of time; wearing of apparel or costumes that would not normally be worn; restriction or monitoring of individual member actions; engaging in public stunts; degrading or humiliating games and activities; missions, treasure hunts/scavenger hunts, “kidnapping” or any other activities which are not consistent with the educational mission of the college, or the regulations and policies of the college. 

Reporting

Every member of the campus community has a responsibility to report any incidents of hazing or suspicions of hazing that come to their attention. Reports may be filed with Campus Safety, the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Director of Lowry Center and Student Activities, or the Associate Director for Greek Life and Leadership. The Title IX Coordinator will be involved in the assessment of the complaint and will work in conjunction with the Division of Student Affairs to address concerns of hazing in cases where hazing may be a gender-based offense and/or has also violated Anti-Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Civil Liability

Any person who is subjected to hazing, as defined in division (A) of section 2903.31 of the Revised Code, may commence a civil action for injury or damages, including mental and physical pain and suffering, that result from the hazing. The action may be brought against any participants in the hazing, any organization whose local or national directors, trustees, or officers authorized, requested, commanded, or tolerated the hazing, and any local or national director, trustee, or officer of the organization who authorized, requested, commanded, or tolerated the hazing. If the hazing involves students in a primary, secondary, or post-secondary school, university, college, or any other educational institution, an action may also be brought against any administrator, employee, or faculty member of the school, university, college, or other educational institution who knew or reasonably should have known of the hazing and who did not make reasonable attempts to prevent it and against the school, university, college, or other educational institution. If an administrator, employee, or faculty member is found liable in a civil action for hazing, then notwithstanding Chapter 2743. of the Revised Code, the school, university, college, or other educational institution that employed the administrator, employee, or faculty member may also be held liable.

The negligence or consent of the student or any assumption of the risk by the student is not a defense to an action brought pursuant to this section.

The penalty for recklessly participating in the hazing of another person – or for recklessly permitting the hazing of another person in the case of administrators, employees, faculty members, teachers, consultants, alumni or volunteers – will be a fourth-degree misdemeanor, increased from a second-degree misdemeanor. This means that the potential penalty increases from a possibility of 30 days in jail and/or a fine of $250 to a possibility of 90 days in jail and/or a fine of $750. See Ohio Revised Code, §§ 2929.24 and 2929.28.

The penalties are more severe for hazing incidents which involve “coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs of abuse resulting in serious physical harm to that person.” According to Collin’s Law, hazing incidents in this new category may result in a third-degree felony charge for the hazing participants, as well as those who recklessly permit hazing involving coerced consumption. In these cases, offenders face a prison sentence and/or a fine of $10,000.  See Ohio Revised Code, §§ 2929.14 and 2929.18.

Housing Policies

Community Standards

We recognize that each individual residential community may set their own standards of behavior and expectations. Residence Life staff are asked to submit any such standards to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, at which point those standards may be enforceable college policies. No community standards may remove any college policies set forth in The Scot’s Key nor may they be in contradiction to the values and beliefs set in the Wooster Ethic.

Check In and Check Out

Check-In: Upon checking in to college housing, students are responsible for acknowledging the condition of their assigned space by signing the Room/Suite/House Condition Report within twenty-four (24) hours of arrival.

  • The purpose of the Condition Report is to provide information about housing conditions that may need to be addressed as well as to serve as a basis on which the premises will be inspected for any damages upon check-out.
  • Changes to the Condition Report must be submitted to Residence Life, in writing, within five business days of check in and contain detailed information about the condition of the item described.
  • At the time of checkout, students will be billed for all damages/losses above ordinary wear and tear that were not noted on the check-in Condition Report.
  • Failure to sign the check-in Condition Report will result in the loss of the right to appeal damage charges assessed upon checkout.
  • The student is responsible for the behavior of their guests and may be held responsible for damages caused by them. No furniture assigned to a student room or lounge may be removed.

Check-Out: The student must arrange a time to complete the check-out process with Residence Life staff member 24 hours in advance of checking out. The student also has the option to return an Express Check-Out form to the Residence Life Office once the room is completely vacated.

  • If the checkout process or an Express Check Out are not completed, the student waives the right to contest an improper check-out fee of $100 and any damage charges.
  • It is the student’s responsibility at the end of the occupancy period to remove all personal possessions and leave room in regulations set forth in the Express Checkout form.
  • All college-owned property that is in the room at the start of the occupancy period must be in the room at the end of the occupancy period. Students are expected to reassemble furniture and to remove all trash, personal belongings, and college property not itemized on the Condition Report prior to check-out.
  • Fines and/or charges will be assessed for failure to meet the check-out requirements or for damage or loss of college property. Residence Life and Facilities staffs are all able to assess fines/charges to students. It is important for students to understand that additional charges may occur after check-out when a final inspection is completed by college staff. Students must vacate college-owned housing by the published deadlines. Failure to vacate will result in the assessment of a late check-out charge of $100.

Break Periods

The housing and dining agreement does not include break periods. Students may apply for break housing during these periods. If approved, these options may be an additional cost to the student. During certain break periods, only a select number of halls will remain open. Students are expected to work with others in the on-campus community to secure housing and complete the online forms provided on the Residence Life webpage. It is the student’s responsibility to secure permission from Residence Life to arrive early or depart later than stated dates of the agreement, or to remain in designated residential facilities during periods when halls are closed.

Meal plan meals are not provided between semesters, and during Thanksgiving and winter break.  If Campus Dining locations are open during these periods, students may purchase meals with cash and credit/debit cards.

If students are found responsible for violating college policies or the local, state, or federal law during break periods, they may be asked to leave housing until the day before classes resume.

Cleanliness of Residence Hall Spaces, Rooms, and Houses

Students are responsible for the cleanliness of their personal space, including disposal of trash and recyclables. For safety purposes, students should maintain their rooms in a way that allows quick and safe egress to their doors in case of emergency. It is also expected that spaces used by students are left in the order that they were found. Students are encouraged to utilize lounge space and other meeting spaces on-campus, but it should be cleaned to the best of their ability after they have finished using the space.

Students who do not properly clean up their space and/or whose uncleanliness causes permanent damage to the room or furnishing may be subject to fines and/or the student conduct process. Damages that occur to public areas (e.g., restrooms, lounges, study rooms, etc.) that are not attributable to a specific individual or group may be equally shared by the residents of the area(s) where those damages occurred.

Residents of on-campus houses are expected to keep their lawns and exterior areas, including porches, clean from trash.

Furniture Use

Student room furniture may not be moved out of student rooms to public rooms or out of the residence hall/house. Lounge furniture may not be moved into student rooms or out of the residence hall/house. Indoor furniture is not to be moved to front porches or decks at houses and apartments. No structures may be constructed which are attached to or otherwise damage or permanently alter rooms or furnishings.

Guests and Visitors

Guests and visitors of students are welcome in the residential units on a limited basis.

A “visitor” is defined as any non-College of Wooster person, including alumni, visiting a current College of Wooster student.

A “guest” is defined as a currently enrolled College of Wooster student who is not currently assigned as a resident of a particular space.

Students that are on-leave from or withdrawn the institution will be considered a visitor and are expected to follow all policy and procedure. It should be noted that conduct deemed a violation of college policy may impact the re-enrollment of the student should they choose to return as a current student.

All currently enrolled College of Wooster students have 24-hour access to the common spaces of the residence halls.

College of Wooster students are permitted to have guests and visitors under the following circumstances:

  • Resident host assumes responsibility for their visitors and must accompany them for the duration of the visit. Residents are responsible for informing their visitors of College of Wooster policies and appropriate parking areas
  • Residents are responsible for registering a visitor’s car if it is on-campus. All hosts and visitors should report to Campus Safety to obtain a visitor’s parking pass, at no cost to the visitor, which can be issued for up to three days. Unregistered vehicles, vehicles parked in fire lanes, or blocking trash dumpsters may be towed at the expense of the owner
  • All visitors and guests must have the approval of roommates to be in the room, especially during overnight visits
  • Visitors and guests may stay overnight a maximum three (3) consecutive nights and no more than six (6) nights total in any 30-day period. An extended pattern of visitation may lead to immediate removal of the guest or visitor
  • There may be no more than three guests or visitors per student at one time. If a student has guests or visitors, then they must adhere to all fire safety capacity policies
  • No overnight visitors or guests may sleep in common areas
  • Knowingly inviting or hosting a person who has been banned from the campus is not permitted
  • Visitors are not permitted to stay overnight during early arrival, break, and extended stay periods
  • Though the Department of Residence Life does offer students with dependent children the ability to live on campus, babysitting is not allowed in the residence halls.  Any exceptions to this policy must be approved through Residence Life
  • All minor visitors are held to the same policies as non-minor visitors

Liability

The college is not responsible for loss of or damage to students’ personal property. It is recommended that students insure their personal property.

Modifications to Living Space

Any physical changes to a room (e.g., permanently installed hooks, painting) require prior approval through Residence Life. Paneling, wallpaper, border, and similar wall coverings violate local and state fire codes and are not permitted. Due to personal injury and liability and campus insurance limitations, loft or loft-like structures (this includes the use of cinder blocks to loft beds), and any other modifications to school furniture are not permitted at The College of Wooster. Students may be allowed to use an extra set of bed ends provided by Residence Life, to loft or bunk their beds. Residents may not hang beds from the residence hall ceilings or walls. Further, no modification to college issued furniture is permitted. Microwaves, computers, refrigerators, and any other electrical appliances that produce heat cannot be stored under beds. Penetration of the ceiling is not permitted per state fire code.

Students are not permitted to paint rooms, including the common spaces, within a college-owned  building.

Residency Expectations

Students must live in college housing. Most special circumstances can be accommodated on campus for individual students. There are exceptions made for those:

  • Who are living exclusively in the permanent, primary residence of parent(s)/guardian(s) within thirty (30) driving miles of campus
  • Who are married, divorced, widowed, reside with a dependent, or a custodial parent (documentation required)
  • Who will be 24 years of age or older prior to September 1 for the academic year

In these cases, students must apply for an exemption by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students or their designee.

Any lease or arrangement to live off-campus that the college does not have knowledge of and has not been approved is considered unauthorized housing. For any unauthorized housing arrangements discovered (e.g., signed leased, city citation, etc.), the student(s) may be subject to student conduct proceedings, which may include disciplinary sanctions, and may not be released from the responsibilities of their on-campus housing assignment. Additionally, the college will not intervene on behalf of the student with any third-party proprietor(s).

Students may not reside or utilize residential rooms that they are not assigned. Spaces should be utilized by the student who is assigned that living space. Any student that does a room change or utilizes residential space without permission from the Office of Residence Life will be considered in violation of this policy which may result in sanctions up to and including suspension from the college.

All students residing on-campus agree that the housing assigned to the resident shall be used only by the individual assigned to the space and may not be transferred, assigned, or sublet to another person. Residents may not be assigned to more than one (1) residency space at the same time or occupy more than one (1) space at the same time. The space will be used only for personal living, sleeping, and studying. No commercial business operation, solicitation, canvassing, sales, marketing, or advertising will be conducted out of the assigned space. Residents should be aware that they are subject to all local, state, and federal laws, including those regarding gambling, firearms, and the use and possession of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs.

Reassignment

The college reserves the right to make changes in room assignments and to assign a student to any room at any time. In the event of a campus emergency, all students in campus residence halls have the obligation to make space available within their assigned housing for occupancy by other students.

Storage of Belongings

Students may not store personal belongings on campus and should seek outside storage vendors if this service is desired. Belongings left behind in residential facilities after the student has checked out of a space or their housing has been terminated for that space, may be disposed by college personnel. The college is not responsible for replacing belongings that are left behind or stored without prior permission from the Office of Residence Life.

Storage of bicycles in stairwells, halls, or rooms is prohibited. Students are not permitted storage of personal items such as sports bags/equipment, furniture, or suitcases in stairwells or halls unless they are in designated and approved storage areas. Storage areas will be approved in collaboration with Lowry Center & Student Activities and Residence Life.

Termination of Housing Agreement

Students who are suspended, leaving, or withdrawing from the college must immediately vacate their college housing assignment unless stated otherwise.

The College of Wooster reserves the right to terminate a housing agreement with a “student tenant” prior to the expiration of the term of the agreement and require that the student vacate the dwelling unit only when the termination follows a hearing in which it was determined by the college that the student violated a term of the housing agreement or violated the Scot’s Key or other policies and procedures.  The hearing process is fully described in the Conduct System section of this handbook.

Vacancies

When vacancies occur in college housing spaces, the college has the right to show these spaces and assign new occupants to fill these vacancies. The college also reserves the right to reassign the remaining occupant of a housing space to different accommodations. During the academic year, if student(s) have a roommate who fails to move in, leaves the college, or moves to other college housing, the remaining student must request a housing change subject to availability, or inform Residence Life of an individual they would like to fill the space, within five (5) business days. After five (5) business days, the college may consolidate assignments and assign new students to the empty space(s). The college will make decisions for filling the vacancy based on the resident’s gender identity listed in the college’s student database.

Students are not given the option of maintaining a room as a single when a space becomes available in the room and should expect that the vacant space will be reassigned. Students are also not permitted from denying a roommate when assigned from Residence Life staff. Students requesting to move into a specific space that is vacant must be able to fill all beds assigned to that space. Students exhibiting inappropriate behavior intended to discourage prospective roommates, such as removing or dismantling or using the other sets of furniture, or otherwise manipulating the housing assignment process, will face serious ramifications, including the loss of privileges to make housing preferences in the future and/or possible referral for disciplinary action.

The college retains the right to fill any vacancies that occur over the summer and winter break at its own discretion.

Waitlist

Students who, after receiving an assignment, would prefer another housing option may place themselves on the waitlist beginning on the third week of classes fall semester. Priority is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reassignments required for students in temporary housing will take priority over students on the waitlist. Applications for the housing waitlist are only good for the academic year in which the request is made. The college reserves the right to alter priorities for students on the waitlist in exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Singles Waitlist: Students who apply for single housing during housing selection and are not offered the opportunity to take part in that process due to numbers will automatically be placed on the Singles Waitlist for the following academic year. Those students will be offered priority, according to housing selection number, when those spaces become available.

Intimidation, Coercion, and Threats

Intimidation, coercion and/or threats will be defined as words or actions that threaten to or endanger another individual’s health or safety or cause an articulable fear of harm. Any of this behavior is prohibited.

No Contact Orders

Students are expected to abide by all provisions when/if issued a No Contact Order.  Violations of No Contact Orders are subject to adjudication under the college conduct process. This includes violations of No Contact Orders by third-parties connected with violating party.

Physical Violence and or Assault

Physical violence will be defined as behavior that encompasses any action where physical contact is made resulting in harm or with the intent to cause harm. Under no circumstance is such violence an acceptable means to resolve problems, disputes, or interpersonal relations, and this behavior is prohibited. Such actions include, but are not limited to:

  • assault and battery (simple and/or by means of a dangerous weapon)
  • use of bodily fluids on another individual
  • fighting/brawling
  • slapping
  • shoving

It should be noted that any physical violence deemed to rise to the level of a felony will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, as applicable.

Recording, Photography, Filming

Recording, photography, or filming in any space in which a reasonable person would have an expectation of privacy (e.g., residence hall room, private conversation, locker room, office, toilet, or shower) is prohibited unless consent is obtained by the individuals who are being recorded or filmed. Live tweeting, streaming, or other use of Social Media as a form of recording actions or conversations where one has a reasonable expectation of privacy are considered under this policy.

Recording and filming within the context of a classroom and/or educational environment is also prohibited, whether in person or virtual. The college recognizes that in online formats, recording, screenshots, streaming, and other methods of replicating online class-based activity are easier. However, social media norms differ from classroom expectations. To maintain a learning environment that is respectful of all participants and open to free inquiry, please observe the following practices, in alignment with Policies shared by Academic Affairs:

  • No student may record, screenshot, stream, or otherwise replicate any online or in-person classroom course content without the express written consent of the faculty member. If a student requires accommodations in which they may need to record, photograph, or film online or in-person classroom course content, they must be approved for the accommodation from the Academic Resource Center.
  • If a faculty member plans to record a class discussion so that students can access them later, those recordings should be posted only on password-protected websites (such as Moodle, Teams, or Stream). These recordings should be made available only to course participants. If students are uncomfortable with their video or audio being recorded and shared with the rest of the class, students will need to work with the faculty member to arrange for alternative options for participation (which could include muting video and audio but being active in a Teams chat).
  • No one should distribute recordings of class material beyond class without the express permission of all involved in the recording.

Retaliation

Retaliation is words or actions taken in response to reporting of a policy violation or participation in the college’s complaint process or the follow up to a complaint. Retaliation is a violation of this policy when it is sufficiently serious (e.g., severe and/or pervasive) to discourage a reasonable person from accessing their rights under this policy. The protection against retaliation applies to both parties and to all witnesses. All persons who believe they have been subjected to retaliation under this policy are encouraged and entitled to seek support, utilize available resources, and come forward with their concern or complaint.

Behavior that may be considered retaliatory includes but is not limited to:

  • Discouraging an individual from reporting an incident
  • Discouraging witness participation
  • Threatening or intimidating a participant in a complaint, investigation, and/or hearing
  • Intentionally causing negative consequences for a participant in a complaint, investigation, and/or hearing
  • Behavior using another individual, through third party, may also be considered a means of retaliation

Sexual Harassment and Misconduct

Students should review the Interim Anti-Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct Policy 

Stalking

Stalking is engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person with similar characteristics under similar circumstances to:

  • Fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others
  • Suffer substantial emotional distress

A course of conduct includes two or more acts, including but not limited to, those in which the alleged perpetrator directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about the complainant, or interferes with the complainant’s property.

The Title IX Coordinator will be involved in the assessment of the complaint and will work in conjunction with the Division of Student Affairs to address concerns of stalking in cases where stalking may be a sex- or gender-based offense and/or has also violated the Anti-Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct Policy. 

Theft

Theft is prohibited. Theft includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • Removal of lounge furniture in one’s own building or removal of furniture from one building to another
  • Theft of computer equipment
  • Theft from any room in a residential unit, college office, or service building, including the bookstore and dining halls
  • Theft of books, equipment, or personal belongings from Lowry Center, the Physical Education Center, the Student Wellness Center, and/or from individuals

In addition, the unauthorized use of individual or department telephone identification numbers (Personal Security Codes), photocopier code numbers, and computer accounts is considered an act of theft.

Library books, journals, and other materials are essential to the academic program of the college and must be available to all students on a fair and equal basis. Because theft of Library materials deprives students and faculty of vital resources, it is considered a particularly serious offense.

The unauthorized removal of property for any reason, including, but not limited to, scavenger hunts, will be treated as theft.

Theft may result in action by the civil authorities as well as the college.