Code of Conduct

Oxford College of Emory University is an institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities, transmitting and advancing knowledge, and providing a range of services to both students and the general community. The College endeavors to foster in each student a love of learning, commitment to fair and honorable conduct, and respect for the safety and welfare of others. It also strives to protect the community from the influence of those who do not embody these values in their conduct, and to protect the integrity of the College and its property for the benefit of all. For this purpose, and in accordance with the bylaws of the College, the President of Emory University has defined the interests of the College community to be promoted and protected and has delegated to the Dean of Oxford College and Dean for Campus Life the responsibility of implementing such a system via the Oxford College Code of Conduct, hereafter referred to as the Code.

The activities of students beyond the classroom influence the educational process and learning environment, just as the intellectual atmosphere of the campus contributes to students' personal growth and development. Many forms of nonacademic conduct, as well as all academic affairs, are therefore areas of proper concern and regulation by the College community. The guiding principle of College regulation of undergraduate conduct is the responsible exercise of freedoms and privileges. Members of the College community are granted the greatest possible degree of self-determination correlative to acceptance of the full responsibility for their conduct and the consequences of their actions.

Because the College is an institution of learning, the Code has education as its foremost aim; it is not intended to be a solely punitive process nor a substitute for the law. The Code aims to sustain an environment conducive to learning, promote a climate of mutual respect, foster open dialogue that promotes learning and understanding, promote individual well-being and personal development, and encourage the application of ethical decision-making in the daily life of undergraduates.

Oxford College of Emory University expects that all students act honorably, demonstrating a keen sense of ethical conduct. The College expects that its students behave respectfully, providing particular consideration for other people and for property. As members of a community, Oxford College expects that students act responsibly, being accountable for the safety and wellbeing of themselves and others. College students are expected to be trustworthy, demonstrating honest character upon which others may rely with confidence.

Instances of misconduct that are considered violations of this Code and could result in disciplinary action against a student include, but are not limited to the following.

a. Attempting, assisting, knowingly permitting, or encouraging any conduct in violation of Oxford College's expectations of students' conduct.

b. Failure to comply with the direction of College officials or law enforcement officials acting in performance of their duties; failing to identify oneself to these officials when requested to do so.

c. Failure to complete sanctions assigned by the conduct officers of the College and/or knowingly violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed or any mutual agreement reached in accordance with this Code.

d. Disrupting the normal operations of the College (including teaching, research, service, and business operations) or College-sponsored activities by participating in an on-campus or off-campus demonstration, riot, or activity, or infringes on the rights of other members of the College community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled or normal activities within any campus building or area.

e. Misuse of computer or network resources, including but not limited to, use of another individual's identification or password; using computer or network resources to send anonymous, obscene, or abusive messages; using computer or network resources in violation of copyright laws; use of computer or network resources to interfere with the normal operation of the College computer system; or any other violation of policies established by Oxford College Information Technology.

f. Violating policies established by Residential Educational Services (RES) for College-owned residential facilities, including but not limited to the RES Housing Policies and the Oxford Housing Agreement.

g. Violating College rules, regulations, or policies.

h. Violating the University Tobacco Free Policy.

i. Violating any government laws or ordinances.

a. Causing physical harm to any person, animal or living object.

b. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, or other conduct that threatens or endangers the emotional or physical health or safety of any person.

c. Behaving in a manner that a reasonable person would consider alarming, disorderly, or indecent.

d. Violating the College Sexual Misconduct Policy. 

e. Violating the College's Discriminatory Harassment Policy, including engaging in sexual harassment. (Acts of Intolerance)

f. Violating the University Anti-Hazing Policy.

g. Joining, administering, representing, paying dues to, or claiming membership in a banned student organization.

h. Exposing one's own genitals, buttocks, or breasts in a public place (unless specifically authorized for activities such as theater productions or class).

i. Using social media or electronic devices in a manner that violates this Code, including but not limited to, cyber bullying.

a. Violating the College's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy including but not limited to:

1. Use or possession of alcoholic beverages. This includes being in the presence of alcoholic beverages and not consuming. 
2. Intoxication.
3. Use or possession of any illegal drug or controlled substance (including prescribed medications) except as expressly permitted by law. This includes being in the presence of an illegal drug and not consuming. 
4. Manufacture or distribution of any illegal drug or controlled substance (including prescribed medications) except as expressly permitted by law.

b. Using, possessing, or storing any weapon on campus without authorization.

c. Using, possessing, or storing fireworks, explosives, or dangerous or flammable chemicals on College premises without express permission from a College official.

d. Intentionally misusing, damaging, or tampering with fire or other safety equipment, including covering or disabling a smoke detector. Additional fire safety restrictions are detailed in the student housing regulations.

e. Possession or use of items commonly associated or interpreted as paraphernalia (hookah, bongs, pipes, etc.).

f. Participating in behavior considered to be inappropriate by a College official.

a. Intentional misrepresentation, including but not limited to:

1. Providing false or misleading information to a College official.
2. Filing a false or misleading report with College officials or law enforcement officials.
3. Manufacture, use, intended use, purchase or possession of false documents, identification, or access devices.
4. Impersonating another individual through email, social media, electronic communication or other means.
5. Violating the Honor Code of Oxford College.

b. Using or being in or on College premises without express permission from a College official.

c. Misuse of property or services, including but not limited to:

1. Taking, using, or possessing property without the express permission of its owner or utilizing a service without express authorization from its provider.
2. Refusing to return property to its owner when requested or refusing to discontinue the use of a service when requested to by its provider.
3. Transferring or accepting the transfer of property or services that are known to be non-transferrable.
4. Knowingly accepting, using, or possessing improperly obtained property or services.

d. Destroying, damaging, or vandalizing property.

e. Inappropriately participating in the Code of Conduct and/or hearing processes, including but not limited to:

1. Providing false or misleading information during the conduct process.
2. Disrupting a conduct meeting or hearing.
3. Filing a conduct complaint as a means to retaliate, harass, coerce, or intimidate another person.
4. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a hearing body or other involved party prior to or during the course of proceeding conduct meeting or hearing; harassment or intimidation of a hearing body, during, or after a conduct meeting or hearing.
5. Influencing another person to engage in any of the aforementioned acts.