Student Code of Conduct

Limestone University has the right and responsibility to provide an environment that is conducive to students’ freedom to grow and learn. In order to safeguard this freedom, the University defines and delineates standards of conduct for members of the campus community. Every student who attends Limestone University, by virtue of enrollment, has agreed to comply with these standards and, therefore, to be a cooperative member of the campus community.

The University is committed to maintaining an environment on campus that is safe and secure. In this attempt, the University will exercise any means available to ensure this commitment. Students charged with a violation of campus policy are subject to the disciplinary process and penalties ascribed for violations of the Student Conduct Code. In incidents that violate local, state, and federal laws, the subject will be referred accordingly. All students charged with an alleged violation are guaranteed certain rights including the right of appeal. In cases where a student is a danger to themselves, others, and/or property, the President, Provost, or Associate Vice President /Dean of Student Success reserves the right to impose a penalty that is effective immediately with the right of appeal suspended until the threat of danger has been eliminated.

Students are expected to know and abide by all the standards, rules and regulations that are published in, but not restricted to, the Student Handbook and the Academic Catalog. Students who fail or refuse to comply with these standards will be subject to penalties that may include permanent dismissal from the University.

Standards of Conduct: Charges may result from violations of Sections and/or more specific Codes. A student may be charged for the following:

Section 1.0: Failure to comply with the responsibilities of citizenship; violations of federal, state, or local law

Section 2.0: Cheating; plagiarism; forgery; knowingly furnishing false information.

Section 3.0: Theft. unauthorized possession; damaging or misusing the property of others.

Code 3.1: Unauthorized appropriation of the property of another

Code 3.2: Forgery or the misuse of Non-transferable documents or instruments

Code 3.3: Unauthorized possession and/or use of credit cards, computer accounts and passwords.

Code 3.4: Unauthorized possession and/or use of room keys, building keys, or student ID cards.

Code 3.5: Vandalizing, destroying, or damaging property belonging to the University or to an individual.

Section 4.0 Physical or sexual assault; battery; physical or verbal abuse of any person or conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person on or off university property.

Code 4.1: Verbal abuse is the intentional use of obscene, profane or derogatory language, or the intentional use of an abusive tone or manner directed toward an individual or individuals.

Code 4.2: Harassment is any action, verbal or nonverbal, direct or indirect against an individual or individuals, with the intent to berate, humiliate or torment that individual or individuals. This includes phone calls, texts and/or social media.

Code 4.3: Threat of physical abuse is conduct that indicates, or reasonably could be understood to indicate, either through speech or actions or a combination of both, an intent to physically injure an individual or individuals.

Code 4.4: Endangering conduct is any act that imperils or jeopardizes the health or safety of any person or persons.

Code 4.5: Physical abuse is any action that physically injures or inflicts physical discomfort on an individual or individuals.

Code 4.6: Pranks and careless or irresponsible behaviors which cause or have the potential for causing damage to university or personal property, personal injuries, or which infringe upon the rights of others is unacceptable, including, but not limited to water fights, shaving cream battles, indoor sports, etc.

Code 4.7: Unwanted attempts of contact (verbal or nonverbal), unwanted advances, and/or stalking is prohibited on university owned or controlled property.

Section 5.0 Alcohol*

*Alcohol defined as any beverage or food item with an alcohol content above 0.0 %

This includes use of Alcohol on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus. No alcohol is allowed in University Housing.

Exceptions to this policy can be found in the Alcohol and Tailgating Policies.

Code 5.1: Use of Alcohol while under the legal age of consumption (21) on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

Code 5.2: Distributing / Dispensing alcohol on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

Code 5.2.1: Distributing / Dispensing alcohol on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off campus to individuals under the legal age of consumption (21).

Code 5.3: Manufacturing alcohol on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

Code 5.4: Under the Influence of alcohol on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus while under the age of legal consumption (21). Influence can be determined via sobriety tests issued by Campus Safety staff.

Code 5.5: Possession of kegs or other alcohol containers, empty or containing alcohol on University-owned or controlled property, or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

It is the policy of Limestone University to notify the parent(s) or guardian of any student who is found guilty of second and/or additional alcohol and/or drug violations. The parent or guardian will be notified of the first alcohol or drug violation if the incident involved property damage or personal injury.

Section 6.0: Drugs*

Drugs are defined as but not limited to Marijuana (to include Cannabis pens, cartridges, and edibles), Cocaine, Heroin, Meth, Fentanyl, Prescription Drugs not prescribed in your name, and others as listed by federal and state law.

Code 6.1: Use of Drugs on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

Code 6.2: Possession of Drugs on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

Code 6.3: Manufacturing of Drugs on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

Code 6.4: Distributing / Dispensing of Drugs on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

Code 6.5: Under the influence of Drugs on University-owned or controlled property or during University-sponsored activities on and off-campus.

Code 6.6: Possession of Drug-related paraphernalia: List includes rolling paper, pipes, bongs, hookahs, and grinders.

Upon probable cause, students are subject to drug testing by a University official. Refusal to comply with testing when it is requested will be considered a violation of the University’s policy against usage. Drug testing may be required when a student exhibits behavior that indicates there may be the use of illegal drugs. Such “for cause” situations include but are not limited to 1) erratic behavior; 2) violent behavior, including altercations; 3) changes in behavior; 4) evidence of physical symptoms associated with drug use; 5) anything that can give someone a reasonable, sincere belief that the individual is illegally using drugs.

Section 7.0: Disorderly conduct or breach of peace on University-owned or controlled property, or during University sponsored or supervised activities on and off campus.

Code 7.1: Disruptive behavior is any behavior that, in a Limestone University official’s judgment, interferes with the ability to conduct class, meetings, other campus events or another students’ ability to benefit from the learning environment or activity.

Section 8.0: Unauthorized use of or entry to University building or facilities.

Code 8.1: No objects may be thrown or dropped from windows, roofs, balconies, or other elevated areas.

Code 8.2: Climbing, rappelling or related activity is prohibited on campus buildings or structures.

Code 8.3: Electric scooters, bicycles, skateboards, and other recreational conveyances are prohibited in all buildings on University property.

Code 8.4: Propping exterior residence hall doors with any object and/or altering a door’s locking mechanism is prohibited.

Code 8.5: Unauthorized or forced entry to any University building.

Code 8.6: Using another students ID to access a residential space, dining hall or other University resources.

Code 8.7: Presence of unaccompanied guest is residence halls. The host student is responsible for the actions of their guests.

Section 9.0: Obstruction or disruption of teaching, administration, or disciplinary proceeding; riots, unauthorized or unlawful demonstrations.

Section 10.0: Failure to comply with directives of University officials or disciplinary boards; refusal to respond to a request to report to a University administrative officer, disciplinary hearings, or any summons by authorized University officials.

Code 10.1: Failure to give identification to University officials upon request.

Code 10.2: Failure to exit a building, facility, or other designated area of campus when directed to do so by a University official.

Code 10.3: Inappropriate behavior or tone of voice during judicial proceedings or in meetings with University officials.

Code 10.4: Inappropriate behavior, gesture, or tone of voice directed towards a University official.

Section 11.0: Violation of University’s Housing and Residence Life policies and procedures. Residence Life Policies

Section 12.0: Arson; falsely reporting emergencies; tampering with fires extinguishers; hoses; or other emergency equipment (pull station); failure to evacuate in response to a fire alarm.

Code 12.1: Deactivation or covering residence hall room and common area smoke detectors

Code 12.2: False activation of fire alert systems

Section 13.0: Weapons. Use, possession, or distribution on campus of any device, instrument, or substance that is designed to, or reasonably could be expected to, inflict a wound, incapacitate, or cause serious bodily injury or death, including, but not limited to, firearms (loaded and unloaded, real and replica and/or toy), ammunition, electronic control devices (such as Tasers and stun guns), devices designed to discharge an object (such as bb guns, air guns, pellet guns, potato guns, and slingshots), explosives, dangerous chemicals (such as tear gas), martial arts weapons, bows and arrows, artificial knuckles, nightsticks, blackjacks, daggers, swords, and knives (pocket or fixed blade) with a blade longer than three (3) inches.

Section 14.0: Obscene, lewd, or immoral conduct that is offensive to the prevailing standards of the University community.

Code 14.1: Inappropriate use of, or display of, obscenities, verbal or nonverbal, on University owned or controlled property.

Section 15.0: Aiding, abetting or inciting others in violations of University policies and regulations or federal, state or local laws; being present without being directly involved, but failing to take preventative action or to inform University officials.

Section 16.0: Registration of parole or probation status:

Code 16.1: Limestone University students who are under the supervision of a federal or state probation or parole officer at the time of their admission to the University must report their status to the AVP/Dean of Student Success and Chief of Campus Safety Code prior to enrollment.

Code 16.2: Any student who is subsequently placed on probation or parole must report this to the AVP/Dean of Student Success and Chief of Campus Safety within 72 hours of the date the student is placed on probation or parole.

Section 17.0: Respect for privacy. Misuse of recording devices and/or photographic devices.

Code 17.1: Students are expected to respect the privacy of fellow students, faculty, and staff. Surreptitious/secret use of recording and/or photographic devices are strictly prohibited.

Section 18.0: Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material (music, movies, etc…) through use of file-sharing programs on our network is strictly prohibited. Violators could face institutional files and/or loss network access and may even be subject to civil and criminal penalties such as fines and/or imprisonment. For detailed information concerning this policy, as well as legal alternatives, visit www.limestone.edu/p2pcompliance

Section 19.0: Tobacco - The use of all tobacco and smoke-related products is not allowed on any properties owned or leased by Limestone University, including buildings, facilities, and student housing, as well as outdoor areas such as sidewalks parking lots, athletic fields, and common areas. The terms “tobacco and smoke-related products” include cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless/chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes, herbal smoke products, hookahs, and any other smoke-related substances or products the University chooses to prohibit.

Section 20.0: Electric Scooters/ Bikes- Starting August 1, 2024 Limestone University prohibits the use of all electronic scooters, hoverboards and other electronic recreational conveyances inside any University Buildings. This includes all residence halls and campus buildings. Anyone found to have one inside a building for any reason will be ticketed and fined and asked to remove the vehicle immediately. Failure to remove will result in removal by campus safety.

Section 21.0: Animals of any type are not to be brought to campus. Please see our Service Animal and Emotional Support Animal policy for exceptions. Pets and other animals are prohibited from all university owned buildings with the following exceptions:

A service animal in the service of a person with a disability.

An Approved Emotional Support Animal (ESA) approved by a committee in accordance with the ESA policy.

Animals invited to campus for an approved event

Student Code of Conduct

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