2009-2010 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

234
POLICY ON CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
LIFE IN THE ACADEMIC
COMMUNITY
The Fu Foundation School of Engineering
and Applied Science within Columbia
University is a community. Admitted students,
faculty, and administrators come
together and work through committees
and other representative bodies to pursue
and to promote learning, scholarly
inquiry, and free discourse. As in any
community, principles of civility and reasoned
interaction must be maintained.
Thus, methods for addressing social as
well as academic behaviors exist.
RULES OF UNIVERSITY
CONDUCT
The Rules of University Conduct (Chapter
XLIV of the Statutes of the University) provide
special disciplinary rules applicable
to demonstrations, rallies, picketing, and
the circulation of petitions. These rules
are designed to protect the rights of free
expression through peaceful demonstration
while at the same time ensuring the
proper functioning of the University and
the protection of the rights of those who
may be affected by such demonstrations.
The Rules of University Conduct are
University-wide and supersede all other
rules of any school or division. Minor
violations of the Rules of Conduct are
referred to the normal disciplinary procedures
of each school or division (‘‘Dean’s
Discipline’’). A student who is charged
with a serious violation of the Rules has
the option of choosing Dean’s Discipline
or a more formal hearing procedure
provided in the Rules.
All University faculty members, students,
and staff members are responsible
for compliance with the Rules of
University Conduct. Copies of the full
text are available at the Office of the
University Senate, 406 Low Memorial
Library.
DISCIPLINE
The continuance of each student upon
the rolls of the University, the receipt of
academic credits, graduation, and the
conferring of the degree are strictly
subject to the disciplinary powers of
the University.
Although ultimate authority on matters
of student discipline is vested in the
Trustees of the University, the Dean of
the School and his staff are given
responsibility for establishing certain
standards of behavior for SEAS students
beyond the regulations included in the
Statutes of the University and for defining
procedures by which discipline will
be administered.
We expect that in and out of the
classroom, on and off campus, each
student in the School will act in an honest
way and will respect the rights of
others. Freedom of expression is an
essential part of University life, but it
does not include intimidation, threats of
violence, or the inducement of others to
engage in violence or in conduct which
harasses others. We state emphatically
that conduct which threatens or harasses
others because of their race, sex, religion,
disability, sexual orientation, or for
any other reason is unacceptable and
will be dealt with very severely. If each
of us at Columbia can live up to these
standards, we can be confident that all
in our community will benefit fully from
the diversity to be found here. Any
undergraduate student who believes he
or she has been victimized should speak
with an adviser in the Center for Student
Advising, a member of the Residential
Programs staff, or a member of the
Office of Judicial Affairs and Community
Standards; graduate students should
speak with an officer in the Office of
Graduate Student Services.
While every subtlety of proper behavior
cannot be detailed here, examples
of other actions that would subject a
student to discipline are:
• dishonesty in academic assignments
or in dealings with University officials,
including members of the faculty
• knowingly or recklessly endangering
the health or safety of others
• intentionally or recklessly destroying,
damaging, or stealing property
• possession, distribution, or use of
illegal drugs
• possession of weapons
• refusal to show identification at the
request of a University official; failure
to respond to the legitimate request
of a University official exercising his
or her duty
• threatening, harrassing, or abusing
others
• violating local, state, or federal laws
• violating the ‘‘Rules of University
Conduct’’ (copies of which are available
in 406 Low Library and other
locations mentioned above)
• violating the rules of the residence
halls as outlined in the “Guide to
Living”; this also applies to all fraternity
and sorority housing
• violating the University’s Alcohol Policy
• violating the University’s Sexual
Assault Policy (see page 239)
• violating the rules governing Columbia
SEAS 2009–2010