Some actions infringe upon others' rights or otherwise directly undermine the kind of community Berea College is; such actions are unacceptable to the community. Therefore, certain kinds of actions and activities are prohibited and punishable by the College. The rules of conduct listed below govern Berea College student conduct on campus, on College property, and while students are participating in any officially sanctioned or supported activity on behalf of the College.
Punishments are as specified in these rules of conduct, except that any repeat offender of these rules may be punished more severely, up to and including expulsion from the College.
The following general prohibitions of this code are articulated and then illustrated following the phrase 'such as;' these listed illustrations, however, are not intended to be exhaustive.
(A) Violence
The following actions are unacceptable and thereby Berea College prohibits students to engage in such conduct on campus, or on College property, or while participating in any officially sanctioned or supported activity on behalf of the College:
- Violence of any kind perpetrated on another person, including rape, such as various sorts of physical assaults or interference with others' legitimate movements;
- Possession or use of weapons, firearms, or explosives.*
These prohibited acts are punishable by suspension or expulsion; in cases involving weapons or other circumstances that constitute an emergency, special judicial procedures apply. Cases deemed by the President or designee to be of an emergency nature will be referred to the Student Life Council for immediate action. In an emergency situation, the Vice President for Labor and Student Life may take disciplinary action pending completion of judgment by the Student Life Council.
*Except under relevant provisions of Kentucky Revised Statute 527.020(8)
(B) Offenses Against Persons
The following actions are unacceptable and thereby Berea College prohibits students to engage in such conduct on campus, or on College property, or while participating in any officially sanctioned or supported activity on behalf of the College:
- Any acts or course of actions aimed at specific persons in order to disgrace, threaten, intimidate, restrain, or injure them, whether the harassment be physical, verbal, or visual, whatever the medium used (such as electronic, telephonic, mail, etc.), and whatever the reason for the harassment (such as race, religion sexual orientation). (See Harassment.)
- Unwelcomed behaviors of a sexual nature and any acts or course of actions that constitute sexual harassment, including rape and sexual assault and inappropriate and unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. (See Sexual Harassment.)
These prohibited acts are punishable by a range of sanctions, from mediation to suspension or expulsion, depending on the nature of the harassment. Special reporting, adjudicative, and disciplinary procedures may apply, as specified in the College’s policies on harassment and sexual harassment.
(C) Property
The following actions are unacceptable and thereby Berea College prohibits students to engage in such conduct on campus, or on College property, or while participating in any officially sanctioned or supported activity on behalf of the College:
- Thefts of any kind, such as embezzlement, fraud, exploitation, or physical takings; thefts by any means, such as use of technology, checks, or forgery; and thefts of any kind of property, including others' ideas, exams, papers, copyrighted computer material, etc.;
- Vandalism, defacing, abusing, or damage to others' property, including College property, land, books, library holdings, computer materials, etc.;
- Unauthorized entry or presence in buildings, rooms, areas on campus, computer files, electronic accounts or programs.
These prohibited acts are punishable by restitution, punitive monetary damages, probation, suspension, or, in extreme cases, expulsion from the College. In cases involving thefts of academic property (such as plagiarism, cheating, exams, or papers), special reporting and adjudicative procedures may apply. (See Hutchins Library Material Use and Campus Safety and Security, and Network Usage Guidelines.)
(D) Dishonesty
The following actions are unacceptable and thereby Berea College prohibits students to engage in such conduct on campus, or on College property, or while participating in any officially sanctioned or supported activity on behalf of the College:
- Academic dishonesty of any kind, such as plagiarism, cheating, misrepresentation of authorship by ownership of work, etc. (See Academic Honesty and the Network Usage Guidelines.);
- Presentation of false information, misrepresentations, or altered documents (such as identification cards, records, papers), whether they be academic, labor, financial aid, housing, etc.; misrepresentations or false testimony in any judicial body, whether in writing or orally.
These prohibited acts are punishable by fine, probation, compulsory work to address community needs, suspension, or, in extreme cases, expulsion from the College. In cases of academic dishonesty, special reporting and adjudicative procedures may apply. (See Academic Honesty.)
(E) Offenses Against the Community
The following actions are unacceptable and thereby Berea College prohibits students to engage in such conduct on campus, or on College property, or while participating in any officially sanctioned or supported activity on behalf of the College:
- Intoxication, whatever the cause, such as intoxication by alcohol, hallucinogens, or any illegal, controlled substance;
- Possession, use, consumption, sale, or distribution (including trafficking) of alcohol or of any illegal, controlled substance;*
- Disturbing the peace, being a nuisance, disorderly conduct, creating a safety hazard, or inordinately disruptive activities, whether committed individually or in assembly with others;
- Lewd, lascivious, indecent, or obscene activities when imposed on others or in plain view of others, or in places openly accessible by others.
These prohibited acts are punishable by fine, probation, compulsory work to address community needs, suspension, or, in extreme cases, expulsion from the College. Participation in treatment, counseling, or education programs may also be required. (See Sanction Levels for Drug and Alcohol Violations.)
*While Berea College does not condone nor sanction the use of alcohol while participating in College-sponsored or approved activities, the consumption of alcoholic beverages by students engaged in international cultural immersion or international travel experiences shall not constitute a violation of the Rules of Conduct provided such consumption is consistent with rules and regulations of the host institution and with the culture and laws of the host country.
(F) State and Federal laws
Actions prohibited under Kentucky and/or Federal law are prohibited under the Rules of Conduct for Berea College. The College, however, reserves the right not to adjudicate acts of nonviolent civil disobedience for reasons of conscience.
College response need not await, depend upon, nor be constrained by any State provision for punishment or judicial process unless otherwise indicated in the Community Judicial Code or Student Conduct Regulations. Any student convicted of a crime may be suspended or expelled by the College.
Approved by the General Faculty April 12, 2001