Student Code of Conduct

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Each student shall be responsible for their conduct from the time of admission through the actual awarding of a degree, even though that conduct may occur before classes begin or after classes end, as well as during the academic year and during periods between terms of actual enrollment. The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending.

Student Code of Conduct

The following terms describe behavior that violates the Student Code of Conduct.

Student Code of Conduct Contents

Alcohol

The sale, use, distribution, consumption or procurement of alcoholic beverages on University premises (except when authorized at a University-sponsored event). The sale, use, distribution, consumption or procurement of alcoholic beverages for anyone who is under the age of twenty-one (21).

Assault

Inflicting bodily harm upon any person.

Bias and Discrimination

Any verbal or physical action committed against or directed toward a person or property that is motivated, in whole or in part, by another person’s actual or perceived status with respect to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence or status in the uniformed services of the United States, or other protected characteristic.

Criminal Law

This charge may be brought against a student who pleads guilty to or is convicted of violating a state, federal or local law.

Compliance

Failure to comply with the directions or requests of a University employee (faculty, administrator, and/or staff) acting in the performance of their duties, and/or with a policy, procedure and/or guideline. Specific Compliance violations include:

Compliance with Emergency Regulations
Failure to comply with specific emergency regulations and evacuation procedures for buildings on University premises.

Compliance with Student Conduct Process
Failure to complete the sanctions imposed on a student pursuant to the Student Conduct Process.

Compliance with Public Health Guidelines
Failure to abide by all public health guidelines (such as social distancing and wearing a mask or face covering) and/or the terms of the Johnnies Care Commitment.

Complicity

An attempt to commit an act or acts prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct and/or encouraging others to commit an act or acts prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct. A student may be found responsible for Complicity if they are aware of a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and fails to report it and/or fails to remove oneself from reasonable proximity of a violation.

Computing and Cyber Harassment

Using information and communication technologies (email, social media, the Internet) to intimidate and/or harass others.

Damage to Property

Damaging University property or property that belongs to others.

Disorderly Conduct

Engaging in behavior that is destructive, dangerous, harmful, obstructive or disorderly.

Drugs

The use, possession, distribution or manufacture of illegal drugs, and the misuse or unlawful possession or distribution of drugs prescribed by a physician. Students shall abide by all federal, state, and local laws regarding illegal or controlled substances.

False Information

Knowingly furnishing false information to a University employee.

False Reporting of an Emergency

Intentionally making a false report of a bomb, fire, attack or other emergency.

Fire Safety

Tampering with or misusing fire alarms or obstructing the functioning of fire alarms, fire exits, fire-fighting equipment, smoke/heat detectors and sprinkler systems on University premises. Causing or creating a fire; using open-flame devices including, but not limited to, incense, candles, kerosene lamps, hibachis, and barbecue grills; using natural trees or wreaths; using fireworks.

Forgery/Fraud

Forgery, alteration or misuse of University documents, records or identification.

Gambling

Gambling in any form is prohibited on all University premises.

Harassment

Any behavior (verbal, written, or physical) that abuses, assails, intimidates, demeans, and/or victimizes.

Hazing

Hazing is defined as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any student organization. Individuals who witness hazing and fail to report it may be found responsible for violating this provision. Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

  • behavior could be seen by a reasonable person as pressuring or coercing the student into violating a federal, state and/or local law;
  • any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, alcohol, liquor, drug, or other substance, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student;
  • any activity that would subject the student to mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student;
  • destroying or removing property; or
  • violating any University policy.

It is not a legitimate defense to a Hazing offense for an accused student or student organization to claim that: (1) participants consented to the documented conduct; (2) the conduct was not part of an official organizational event or otherwise sanctioned or approved by the student organization; or (3) the conduct or activity was not an explicit condition of membership to or affiliation with a student organization.

For information on hazing prevention initiatives, please visit www.hazingprevention.org.

Keys

Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys or StormCards.

Misconduct

Misconduct means any conduct that reflects a failure to live up to the expectations of all St. John’s students. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • the possession on University premises of any type of paraphernalia analogous to the consumption of alcohol;
  • possessing alcohol containers on University premises;
  • the possession of any type of paraphernalia analogous with the use, distribution or sale of illegal substances/narcotic drugs (e.g. scales, bongs, gutted cigars, rolling papers, pipes, glassine baggies);
  • being in the presence of the use of narcotic or dangerous drugs and/or illegal or controlled substances on University premises or off-campus;
  • admission to previous drug use;
  • the possession of any item that may be deemed a risk to the health and safety of a St. John’s University student, a member of the University community or a visitor to the University; or
  • taking or retaining property from any campus location which is not immediately brought to the Public Safety Command Center;
  • any violation of the Human Resources Policy Manual.

Mission Statement and Core Values

Any conduct which is inconsistent with the Mission Statement and/or the Core Values of St. John's University.

Pets

All pets are prohibited on University premises, except for authorized Service and Assistance animals.  The University’s Service and Assistance Animal Policy can be accessed here.

Retaliation

An act to intimidate, threaten, coerce or discriminate against any individual who reports a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or participates in the Student Conduct Process. 

Residence Hall Policies and Procedures

A violation of the Residence Life Community Standards.

Sexual Misconduct

The University’s Sexual Misconduct policy can be accessed here.

Smoking

Smoking, e-cigarettes, or the use of any tobacco products is prohibited in University buildings and within thirty (30) feet of building entrances and open windows.

Solicitation

Unauthorized solicitations conducted on University property.

Theft

Theft or attempted theft of property.

University Facilities

Unauthorized entry to or use of University facilities, and facilitating unauthorized entry by another.

University Identification

The misuse or transfer of a StormCard. Refusal to present a StormCard to a University employee.

University Name and Related Graphics

Unauthorized use of the St. John’s University name and/or logos.

Weapons and Explosives

The possession of any firearms, ammunition, knives and other deadly or dangerous weapons, such as are defined in New York Penal Law Article 265. This prohibition extends to imitation firearms and other objects that can be construed or used as weapons, and to items that pose a potential hazard to the safety or health of others; and unauthorized hazardous materials or chemicals. This prohibition also applies to individuals licensed to carry firearms (such as off-duty law enforcement officers). Exceptions to this policy require written permission from the Executive Director of Public Safety.