2011-2012 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
Rules of University Conduct are included
under University Regulations in Essential
Policies for the Columbia Community
(http://facets.columbia.edu).
STUDent conduct
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
Columbia Engineering 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 subject to
discipline are:
• dishonesty 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
• violating the rules governing Columbia
University Information Technology
(CUIT) policies and procedures
• representing any commercial interest
on campus or operating any business
on campus without authorization from
the Associate Dean of Career Services
Disciplinary Procedures
Many policy violations that occur in the
Residence Halls rules are handled by
the Associate Directors of Residential
Programs. Some serious offenses are
referred directly to the Office of Judicial
Affairs and Community Standards.
Violations in University Apartment
Housing are handled by building
managers and housing officials. Some
incidents are referred directly to the
School’s housing liaison in the Office of
Graduate Student Services.
engineering 2011–2012