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College Regulations / Code of Conduct

Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Public Order Pursuant to Article 129-A of the Education Law (The Henderson Rules.”)

The tradition of the University as a sanctuary of academic freedom and center of informed discussion is an honored one which is to be guarded vigilantly. The basic significance of that sanctuary lies in the protection of intellectual freedom: the rights of professors to teach, of scholars to engage in the advancement of knowledge, and of students to learn and to express their views, free from external pressures or interference. These freedoms can flourish only in an atmosphere of mutual respect, civility, and trust among faculty and students, and only when members of the University community are willing to accept self-restraint and reciprocity as the condition upon which they share in its intellectual autonomy.

Academic freedom and the sanctuary of the University campus extend to all who share these aims and responsibilities. They cannot be invoked by those who would subordinate intellectual freedom to political ends, or who violate the norms of conduct established to protect that freedom. Against such offenders the University has the right, and indeed the obligation, to defend itself.

We accordingly announce the following rules and regulations to be in effect at each of our colleges, which are to be administered in accordance with the requirements of due process as provided in the Bylaws of the Board of Higher Education.

With respect to enforcement of these rules and regulations, we note that the Bylaws of the Board of Higher Education provide that:

The President, with respect to his/her education unit, shall:

  1. Have the affirmative responsibility of conserving and enhancing the educational standards of the college and schools under his/her jurisdiction;

  2. Be the advisor and executive agent of the Board and of his/her respective College Committee and as such shall have the immediate supervision with full discretionary power in carrying into effect the Bylaws, resolutions, and policies of the Board, the lawful resolutions of the several faculties;

  3. Exercise general superintendence over the concerns, officers, employees, and students of his/her educational unit.

HENDERSON RULES

  1. A Member of the academic community shall not obstruct and/or forcibly prevent others from the exercise of their rights. Nor shall he/she interfere with the institution’s educational processes or facilities, or the rights of those who wish to avail themselves of any of the institution’s instructional, personal, administrative, recreational, and community services.

  2. Individuals are liable for failure to comply with lawful directions issued by representatives of the University/college when they are acting in their official capacities. Members of the academic community are required to show their identification cards when requested to do so by an official of the college.

  3. Unauthorized occupancy of University/College facilities, or blocking access to or from such areas is prohibited. Permission from appropriate college authorities must be obtained for removal, relocation, and use of University/College equipment and/or supplies.

  4. Theft from, or damage to University/College premises or property, or theft of or damage to property of any person on University/College premises is prohibited.

  5. Each member of the academic community or an invited guest has the right to advocate his/her position without having to fear abuse, physical, verbal, or otherwise, from others supporting conflicting points of view. Member of the academic community and other persons on the college grounds shall not use language or take actions reasonably likely to provoke or encourage physical violence by demonstrators, those demonstrated against, or spectators.

  6. Action may be taken against any and all persons who have no legitimate reason for their presence on any campus within the University/College, or whose presence on any such campus obstructs and/or forcibly prevents others from the exercise of the rights of those who wish to avail themselves of any of the institution’s instructional, personal, administrative, recreational, and community services.

  7. Disorderly or indecent conduct on University/college-owned or controlled property is prohibited.

  8. No individual shall have in his/her possession a rifle, shotgun, or firearm or knowingly have in his/her possession any other dangerous instrument or material that can be used to inflict bodily harm on any individual or damage upon a building or the grounds of the University/College without the written authorization of such educational institution. Nor shall any individual have in his/her possession any other instrument or material which can be used and is intended to inflict bodily harm on any individual or damage upon a building or the grounds of the University/College.

  9. Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization is prohibited.

  10. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of illegal drugs or other controlled substances by University student or employees on University/College premises, or as part of any University/College activities is prohibited. Employees of the University must also notify the College Personnel Director of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace not late than (5) days after such conviction.

  11. The unlawful possession, use or distribution of alcohol by students or employees on University/College premises or as part of any University/College activities is prohibited.

PENALTIES

1. Any student engaging in any manner in conduct prohibited under the Bylaws, including the Henderson Rules, shall be subject to the following range of sanctions as hereafter defined: admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, expulsions, ejection, and/or arrest by civil authorities.

Admonition: An oral statement to the offender that he/she has violated university rules.

Warning: Notice to the offender, orally or in writing that in continuation or repetition of the wrongful conduct, within a period of the time stated the warning, and may cause far more severe disciplinary sanctions in the event of conviction for the violation of any University regulation within a period stated in the letter of reprimand.

Disciplinary Probation: Exclusion from participation in privileges or extracurricular University activities as set forth in the notice of disciplinary probation for a specified period of time.

Restitution: Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of property. Reimbursement may take the form of appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damages.

Suspension: Exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities, these will be set forth in the decision of the student disciplinary panel or in any resolution agreement that is reached.

Expulsion: Termination of student status for an indefinite period. This may include expulsion from a residence hall. The conditions of readmission, if any I permitted, shall in the order of expulsion.

2. Any tenured or non-tenured faculty member, or other member of the instructional staff, or member of the classified staff engaging in any manner in conduct prohibited under the Bylaws, the applicable employment contract and/or substantive Rules 1-11 shall be subject to the following range of penalties: warning, censure, restitution, fine not exceeding those permitted by law or the Bylaws of The City University of New York or suspension with/without pay pending a hearing before an appropriate college authority, dismissal after a hearing, ejection, and/or arrest by the civil authorities, and, for engaging in any manner in conduct prohibited under substantive rule 10, may, in the alternative, be required to participate satisfactorily in an appropriately licensed drug treatment or rehabilitation program. A tenured or non-tenured faculty member, or other member of the instructional staff, or member of the classified staff charged with engaging in any manner in conduct prohibited under substantive Rules 1-11 shall be entitled to be treated in accordance with applicable provisions of the Education Law, or the Civil Service Law or the applicable collective bargaining agreement, or the Bylaws or written policies of the City University of New York.

3. Any visitor, licensee, or invitee engaging in any manner of conduct prohibited under the Bylaws, including the Henderson Rules 1-11 shall have its permission to operate on campus rescinded.

Penalties 1-4 shall be in addition to any other penalty provided by law or The City University Trustees.

ADDITIONAL CAMPUS RULES

  1. Any student violating any law or regulation established by the College, University, City, State, or Federal Government (including the use of drugs), shall be subject to the formal disciplinary procedures as outlined in Articles 15.3 to 15.5 of the Board of Higher Education Bylaws and Sanctions as listed in in the Board of Higher Education Bylaws and Article 129A of the Education Law (CUNY Henderson Rules). The initiation of disciplinary procedures requires notice to the student pursuant to 15.3 of the Board of Higher Education Bylaws.

In emergency or extraordinary circumstances, immediate suspension can be effectuated pending a hearing within seven (7) school days.

  1. All other person who violate New York State or Federal laws including those that govern gambling activities, the use of alcohol, and the possession, distribution, or consumption of any controlled substance will be subject to arrest.

WEAPON POLICY

No one within the University community (including visitors), except Campus Peace Officers, pursuant to authorization of the College President, shall have in his/her possession a rifle, shotgun, firearm, or any other dangerous instrument or material that can be used to inflict bodily harm on an individual, damage to a building, or campus.