Community Standards

Authority of College Judicial Hearing Bodies

Jurisdiction

College jurisdiction and discipline are limited to conduct of students and student organizations, and their guests, that constitute conduct code violations, as defined in those policies, rules, and regulations established in the Student Handbook, or any other College publication, as well as in the operating regulations of academic and non-academic offices, laboratories, classrooms and departments of the College. Conduct code violations may be generally defined as:

  • Conduct adversely affecting the College community and/or the pursuit of its objectives, whether that conduct occurs on or off College premises; or
  • Conduct resulting in charges of violation of any federal, state or local law, whether that conduct occurs on or off College premises, where the interests of the College community and/or the pursuit of its objectives may be adversely affected.

Where College Policies, Rules and Regulations are violated, a student or student organization may also be in violation of civil or criminal law. Where College and civil laws overlap, or where criminal prosecution is pending or foreseen, the College may initiate judicial action of its own on the same infraction and may impose penalties independent of those imposed by civil and/or criminal authorities.

Guests

The host student or student organization assumes responsibility for the guest’s conduct. In addition to the disciplinary action to which the host student or student organization may be subject for violation of the College’s Conduct Code, the host student or student organization may be subject to disciplinary sanctions arising from the conduct of their guest.

In cases where the information is known, the home institution and/or guardian of the guest will be notified. You can learn more about the Guest Policy in the Residential Life Policies & Procedures page.

Student Organizations/Athletic Teams

In addition to the disciplinary action for student violations of the College’s Student Conduct Code, when such behavior is part of an activity that is associated with a student organization or athletic team, the student organization or team will be subject to disciplinary sanctions in accordance with the Group Disciplinary Process which include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Warning: The organization or team will be placed “on warning” for a specified period of time with the understanding that subsequent misconduct will result in additional disciplinary action.
  • Probation: Restrictions will be placed on some or all of the organization’s or team’s activities and its use of College services and facilities for a specified period of time.
  • Suspension: The organization or team will not be permitted to exist or compete for a specified period of time.
  • Loss of Recognition: The group’s status as an organization or team will be withdrawn; it will cease to exist or compete at Union College.
  • Sanctions set forth in the Hazing Policy.