Pathfinder - Colorado College

Student Conduct Policies

Respect

We expect that all students treat themselves and others with respect as demonstrated through their behaviors and interactions. Policies that reflect this community value include: complying with college officials, hazing, sexual misconduct, verbal abuse, and violence. In general, inappropriate conduct that is disorderly, disruptive, or indecent while on campus or at functions sponsored by or participated in by the college is prohibited.

• Complying with College Officials: Failure to comply with the directions of a college representative, college staff member, or law enforcement officer during the performance of their duties is not permitted. Examples of violations of this policy include:
  1. Failing to show a CCID to any college staff member (including an R.A.) upon request;
  2. Failing to schedule a meeting when requested or return a phone call from a college staff member;
  3. Failing to provide information during the student conduct process;
  4. Not cooperating with a college official, even when you believe you may not be at fault for anything.
• Hazing: The college forbids hazing, which is defined as any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, or which produces ridicule, embarrassment, harassment, intimidation or other such result, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition of continued membership in, a group or organization.  Examples include paddling, creating excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shock, public stunts and buffoonery, and morally degrading or humiliating games and activities. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense of this violation, and apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is also seen as a violation of this policy.
• Sexual Misconduct: Sexual misconduct is any non-consensual sexual contact between students, ranging from unwanted sexual touching to sexual intercourse. Sexual misconduct also includes unwelcome sexual conduct that does not include physical contact. Examples of this conduct include, but are not limited to: crude, obscene or sexually offensive gestures or unwelcome sexual comments. In other words, all sexual contact between students must be with each person’s active consent. “Active consent” means that each person involved in sexual contact not only agrees to the sexual activity but also agrees to such activity freely and knowingly. A person who has been threatened or whose judgment is substantially impaired by drugs or alcohol or by other physical or mental impairment cannot, by definition, give consent to sexual contact. For more information on the sexual misconduct policy and procedures, refer to the sexual misconduct portion of the College Policies and Procedures section of the Pathfinder.
• Abusive Behavior: The college forbids abusive behavior, understood as any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or group, or which destroys or removes public or private property, or which produces ridicule, embarrassment, harassment, intimidation or other such result.  These behaviors are not conducive to maintaining a mutual learning environment.  Angry outbursts or disagreements do not in themselves constitute abuse.  While we hope spectators at athletic events will choose to convey enthusiasm and team support, demeaning, disrespectful or vulgar behavior may be found to be in violation of this policy.
• Violence: Violence is defined as threatening physical harm, causing physical harm, or any other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person and is prohibited.

Integrity

We expect that all students are honest with themselves and others. Policies that reflect this community value include: collusion, complying with college officials, deception, honesty, and theft/misuse of services.

• Collusion: Collusion is action or inaction by someone who is aware of a potential policy violation and does nothing to discourage the behavior. This includes assisting in the violation of a policy, as well as knowingly failing to take preventative measures relative to violations of policy. Students are expected to confront their peers, and/or remove themselves from the situation, and report the information to a judicial authority for action.
• Deception: Students may not act in ways that are deceptive or manipulative. This includes knowingly misrepresenting oneself, involving others in violations without their knowledge, or manipulating people or processes. Lying is a violation that may warrant probation as a minimum sanction.
• Honesty: Students are expected to communicate honestly and demonstrate a respect for truth. It is prohibited to knowingly furnish false, falsified, or forged information.  This includes making false statements as well as falsifying or misusing documents, accounts, records, identification, or financial instruments. Unauthorized use, possession, or duplication of means of access (such as keys or Gold Cards) to college facilities is also prohibited.
• Theft/Misuse of Services: Theft is defined as the unauthorized acquisition or possession of items/services that belong to another person or entity. Unauthorized entry into or use of college facilities or resources is prohibited. Misuse of services is defined as using college property or facilities in ways that they are not designed or intended, Examples include, but are not limited to:
1. Entry onto roofs or into maintenance, construction, or other restricted areas or buildings
2. Misuse of long­ distance telephone codes or cable
3. Unauthorized use of college equipment, facilities, vehicles, college logos or names
4. Use of campus resources or personnel for profit such as using a residence hall room, residence phone extension, or college email address to establish and/or operate a business

Responsibility

We expect that all students follow laws and policies intended to minimize risk of harm. Policies that reflect this community value include: alcohol, drugs, fire safety, hazardous materials, safety and security, and weapons and explosives.

• Alcohol: The irresponsible use of alcohol is prohibited on Colorado College property or as a part of any of the college’s activities. Irresponsible drinking is defined by the college as consuming alcohol in a way that is likely to result in a harmful level of intoxication or intoxication related behaviors that are disruptive, damaging or dangerous. Any behaviors or decisions that promote irresponsible drinking are prohibited. Further, unlawful possession, distribution, or dispensing of alcohol either on or off-campus may result in the initiation of judicial proceedings. When this policy is not specific on a certain point, students are expected to conduct their activities in a lawful and socially responsible manner. Please read the Pathfinder section titled “Alcohol at Colorado College” for complete college policy on alcohol. 
• Drugs: The unlawful use, possession, distribution, manufacture, or dispensing of illicit drugs* is prohibited on Colorado College property or as part of any of the college’s activities. In addition, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications must be utilized according to prescribed instructions. Unauthorized distribution of prescription drugs is also prohibited by law. Drug paraphernalia, including bongs, are not permitted on campus.
  *“Illicit drugs” refers to “controlled substances” as defined in Schedules I through V, Section 22 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Section 812) and related regulations (21 C.F.R. 1308.11 through 1308.15) as amended from time to time, and in Title 12, Article 22, Part 3 of the Colorado Statutes, as amended from time to time.
• Fire Safety: It is the responsibility of each student to review and follow fire evacuation procedures, fire drill practices, and proactive measures that can minimize risk of fire. Any action or inaction by a student that contributes to increased risk of fire is a violation of fire safety. For detailed procedures and information, refer to the Emergency Preparedness, Procedures, and Evacuations in the Student Life Procedure section. For detailed information about fire safety and drills in residential facilities, refer to the Residential Life section. Examples of violations of this policy include:
  1. Failure to evacuate when a fire alarm is activated
  2. Improper use of or tampering with college safety equipment, including alarms, signs, and pull stations
  3. Discharging a fire extinguisher other than in an attempt to extinguish a fire
  4. Starting or causing a fire on campus
• Hazardous Materials: Students may not possess or use materials and articles that can create hazardous conditions on campus. Hazardous conditions pose a threat to building facilities and occupants. Facilities services personnel and/or environmental health and safety staff will determine what situations constitute hazardous conditions. Legally permitted chemicals and substances that can cause harm, threaten, or cause fear in others are also not permitted.
• Weapons and Explosives: The possession or use of any weapons — including but not limited to firearms, ammunition, pellet guns, air guns, paintball guns, smoke devices, bows/arrows, swords, large knives, explosives, and fireworks — is prohibited on the Colorado College campus and property because of the potential for personal injury, theft, unauthorized use of such items, and disruptive impact on the campus community. 
  In addition, verbal or written threats by a student indicating they have a prohibited weapon or explosive will be taken and responded to as an actual threat, whether or not evidence of said weapon or explosive exists.

Community

We expect that all students demonstrate a care for the communities of which they are a part and in which they live, which requires considering the effects of their actions on others. Policies that reflect this community value include: health concerns, misuse of campus computing network, off-campus behavior, parking, safety and security, smoking, and vandalism/damage.

• Health Concerns: Conditions that may risk the health of another person prohibited.  Examples include, but are not limited to:
  1. use of noxious materials like varnish;
  2. use of pungent materials like incense or marijuana;
  3. abuse of toilet facilities such that vomit, excrement or urine is left for others to clean;
  4. littering in public areas, allowing excessive trash to build up, or spilling garbage cans with the expectation someone else will clean them up.
• Misuse of Campus Computing Network: Any misuse of college computing facilities, equipment, network, passwords, accounts or information is prohibited.  Misuse of college computing network that results in network interruption or failure is prohibited and may also result in legal action against those found responsible. 
• Off-Campus Hosting and Behavior: All students who live on or off campus have the responsibility to uphold the Code of Conduct. Students granted the opportunities to live off campus are expected to be involved and responsible members of their community.

Surrounding properties are subject to the Colorado Springs Open Container Law, city noise ordinances, and municipal codes.

Off-campus student behavior that disrupts their neighbors or may impact the reputation of the college will be handled administratively.  Any student whose behavior does not fall within the standards of the college may face conduct responses including suspension, loss of privileges such as participating in graduation ceremonies or campus events, and potentially being required to move back on campus.

Students hosting parties in off-campus houses are responsible for the size and activities occurring at or associated with their gatherings.  Parties that overrun the capacities of the hosts’ house are the ones most apt to draw attention and complaints from neighbors, and the response of Colorado Springs police.  Examples of irresponsible hosting include:

1. noise complaints resulting from guests coming to or from an off-campus party;
2. noise complaints resulting from an off-campus party;
3. littering before, during or after a party;
4. public urination by those attending an off-campus party;
5. unmonitored source of alcohol that risks dangerous levels of intoxication by guests;
6. unmonitored source of alcohol that results in consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage individuals.

• On-Campus Hosting and Noise:  Students need to be aware that noise and negative behavior that can result from on-campus hosting can have a disruptive effect on the community and may be responded to via a conduct process. Students may be held responsible for disruptive or destructive behavior on-campus just as students may be held responsible at off-campus locations.
• Parking:  Excessive or flagrant violation of the parking policies may be referred to student conduct process for adjudication in addition to normal fines or revocation of parking privileges.
• Safety & Security: Students are expected to act in ways that minimize risk of harm and promote individual and community safety. The following actions are examples of violations of this policy:
  1. Failure to keep room and building doors locked and closed/unpropped.
  2. Misuse of campus emergency phones.
  3. Failure to report lost/stolen key(s) or CCID cards
  4. Misuse of or failure to participate in whistle-stop program
  5. Opening doors or allowing entry to anyone (including other CC students) into residence area if they are not a personal guest
  6. Failure to report suspicious/unusual circumstances or behavior to campus security or college staff immediately
  7. Revealing door codes or CCIDs to others
  8. Failure to carry CCID with you while on campus
• Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in campus buildings, including residential facilities, or in entryways/exits where individuals entering or exiting a building can be affected by the smoke.
• Vandalism/Damage: Damage is defined as the actual destruction of or harm caused to any property, regardless of intent.  Vandalism is defined as the intentional and/or senseless damage of or harm to the property of another person without permission, or misuse of property that leads to damage. As damage to college property has a financial impact on the college, the repair charges and/or related fines will be assessed to the student(s) found responsible for the damage. If the responsible student(s) are not identified, the total cost could be divided among students present at any event or incident that results in student-caused damage to college property.  A punitive fine may be assessed in addition to the charge for the actual cost of repair. For more detailed information about damages occurring in residential buildings, please refer to the Residential Life section of the Pathfinder.

Fairness

We expect that all students follow procedures designed to enable individuals and departments to support and further the mission of the college. Policies that reflect this community value include: abuse of campus conduct system, breach of confidentiality, disruption of college activities, and solicitation and on-campus fundraising.

• Abuse of the Campus Conduct System:
  1. Failure to attend meetings scheduled for conduct code administration purposes;
  2. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information;
  3. Failure to provide, destroying, or hiding information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation;
  4. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the campus conduct system;
  5. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a campus conduct body prior to, during, and/or after a campus conduct proceeding;
  6. Retaliation (coercive, threatening, intimidating, or interfering behavior) toward an individual or group for reporting information, making a charge, assisting, or participating in any manner in an investigation, hearing, or other conduct process.
  7. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by the campus conduct system;
  8. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the campus conduct system.
• Breach of Confidentiality: Students should expect their privacy and confidentiality to be respected, especially in formal circumstances where the demands for confidentiality have been made clear (e.g., Honor Council, Student Conduct Committee, student employment, and SOSS).  Breaches in confidentiality can be pursued by a group or department (to reprimand or otherwise enforce accountability), and/or through student conduct processes.
• Disruption of College Activities: Disruption of college business, activities, and academic courses is prohibited. Examples of violations of this policy include:
  1. Obstructing freedom of movement of community members or campus visitors, either pedestrian traffic or vehicular traffic
  2. Causing noise or participating in a demonstration that disrupts the normal college activities (see Protest and Dissent in the College Policies and Procedures section for guidelines about acceptable ways to protest and express dissent)
  3. Leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled or normal activities of the campus
• Solicitation and On-Campus Fundraising: Solicitation and peddling, by students and other individuals, are prohibited on campus, with one exception.  Student organizations may receive permission to sponsor pre-approved fundraising events. Contact the campus activities office for more information about getting approval for organizational fundraising events.
• Publicity on Campus:  The use of campus facilities and resources for publicity and advertising may require appropriate approval. For a listing of all publicity policies, please reference “The Guide” accessible on the campus activities link from the CC homepage. Please note that anonymous postings are not permitted and may be removed at any time by any member of the community.