4.1.5.2 Responsibilities

Added: 07/01/2015
Revised: 07/01/2018
Last Reviewed: 07/31/2018
Effective: 08/01/2018

Scholars may debate whether or not there was an actual written Code of Chivalry. However, there are some basic tenets that most agree were a part of the Code: Courtesy, Honesty, Valor, Honor, and Generosity.

 

With the Knight as the University’s mascot, those same tenets can be seen in the responsibilities that Middle Georgia State University students accept as a part of the learning community. In fact, the primary expectations of all Middle Georgia State University students are integrity and civility. Each student should approach his/her academic endeavors, relationships and personal responsibilities with a strong commitment to personal integrity and interpersonal civility. These responsibilities apply collectively to members of recognized student organizations. These responsibilities are:

 

  • Individuals will fulfill their academic responsibilities in an honest and forthright manner.

 

  • Individuals will respect and foster the academic endeavors of other members of the University community.

 

  • Individuals will protect and support the personal safety of all members of the University community.

 

  • Individuals will respect other members of the University community.

 

  • Individuals will show regard for the property of the University, its community members, and visitors to campus.

 

  • Individuals will respect the integrity of the University’s academic and administrative records.

 

  • Individuals will contribute to a safe environment within the University community.

 

  • Individuals will adhere to federal, state, local, University System of Georgia and University laws/regulations that govern individual actions and relationships among community members.

 

  • Individuals will assist the University in fulfilling its administrative responsibilities.

 

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit any of the following misconduct is subject to student conduct sanctions outlined later in this Code.

 

  1. Acts of dishonesty. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:
    1. Cheating (defined in Part 1, #15).
    2. Plagiarism (defined in Part 1, #16).
    3. Other forms of academic dishonesty, which includes, but is not limited to: (1) submitting course assignments that are not the student’s own work; (2) failing to follow class or test taking policy as instructed by the faculty member and/or in the course syllabus; (3) duplicate submission of the same paper in different classes without prior permission of both instructors; (4) academic fraud; (5) attempts to influence grading.
    4. Falsification of academic and/or administrative records, which includes but is not limited to: (1) misrepresentation of academic status, performance, awards, or graduation material; (2) omission of material from or manipulation of records; (3) falsification of a signature; (4) falsification, alteration, theft, or destruction of University records; (5) alteration, forgery, or misuse of University academic records; (6) obtaining grades, course access, or endorsement dishonestly.

 

  1. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administrative, conduct proceedings, or other University activities, including its public service functions on or off campus, or of other authorized non-University activities when the conduct occurs on University premises. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:
    1. Behavior that disrupts teaching, research, or other programmatic, administrative, or public service activities of the University.
    2. Excessive noise that disrupts classes, studying, or other University activities.
    3. Activities or behaviors that seriously disrupt the learning environment and/or interfere with another student’s right to learn and participate.
    4. Participation in an on-campus or off-campus demonstration, riot, or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the University, or infringes on the rights of other members of the University community.
    5. Leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area.
    6. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on University premises or at University sponsored or supervised functions.

 

  1. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:
    1. Harassment of a faculty member, staff member, or student worker.
    2. Sexual assault.
    3. Sexual contact without expressed permission.
    4. Stalking (defined in Part 1, #17).
    5. Unsolicited physical contact with another person.
    6. Sexual harassment (as defined in the University's Sexual Misconduct policy 6.5.1).
    7. Fighting and/or simple battery
    8. Physical violence and/or physical assault.
      1. Middle Georgia State University observes a strict policy with regard to acts of physical violence. Any person perpetrating an act of physical violence is automatically subject to the severest sanction including suspension or expulsion.
    9. Actions and/or behaviors that endanger the health or safety of another person or that disregard the harm that may ensue.
    10. Terroristic threats (as defined in O.C.G.A 16-11-37).
    11. Verbal or written harassment, including but not limited to phone, email, or social media.
    12. Verbal or written intimidation, including but not limited to phone, email, or social media.
    13. Verbal abuse – beyond a reasonable statement of opinion – that may cause humiliation or stress to another (i.e. bullying).
    14. Calumny, or making false statements with the intent to harm another.
    15. Slander (as defined in O.C.G.A 51-5-4).
    16. Retaliation towards an individual for involvement in a University activity.

 

  1. Attempted or actual theft of, damage to, and/or misuse/wrongful use of property of the University or property of a member of the University community or other personal or public property, on or off campus. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:
    1. Vandalism (the deliberate destruction or defacement of public or private property).
    2. Destruction of property.
    3. Theft, and/or acting fraudulently to obtain goods, services, or funds from University departments, recognized student organizations or individuals.
    4. Misuse and/or wrongful use of University facilities and/or equipment.
    5. Wrongful sale or use of another’s property.
    6. Knowingly possessing or using stolen property.
    7. Misuse or damage of firefighting, safety, or other emergency equipment.

 

  1. Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule. Hazing shall also include the mandating of any undesirable activities, patterns of behavior, ridicule, criticism and/or use of humiliation for the purpose of initiation.

 

  1. Failure to comply with directions of University officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself, or one’s guest(s), to these persons when requested to do so. Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to the following:
    1. Willful failure to identify or false identification of oneself, or one’s guest(s).
    2. Failure to comply with appropriate requests from Campus Police, University Security personnel, or any University Staff members.
    3. Failure to appear, in response to a proper summons, when requested to do so by a University official.

 

  1. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any University premises or unauthorized entry to or use of University premises. Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to the following:
    1. Unauthorized possession or duplication of University key(s) or key card(s).
    2. Providing a key or key card to another person without proper authorization.
    3. Misuse of University key(s) or key card(s).
    4. Misuse, alteration, or transference of a Student Identification Card to another person.
    5. Trespassing, or entering a room, office, building, or other University premises, without expressed or written permission by a University official.
    6. Failure to comply with restriction from areas on campus.

 

  1. Violation of University policy, rule, or regulation published in hard copy or available electronically on the University website. Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to the following:
    1. Failure to comply with written policies and/or agreements regarding the timely return of materials or equipment checked out or on loan to the student.
    2. Violation of University, school, or department regulations, to include, but not limited to the University catalog, Student Handbook, Residence Life Handbook, Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Handbook, and Parking Regulations.
    3. Violation of any University, Board of Regents, or University System of Georgia policy.
    4. Violation of University email or computer usage policy.

 

  1. Violation of any federal, state, or local law. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Not reporting a crime committed on campus.
    2. Violation of laws.
      1. University conduct proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with conduct that potentially violates both the criminal law and this Student Code of Conduct (that is, if both possible violations result from the same factual situation) without regard to the pendency of civil or criminal litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution.
      2. Proceedings under this Student Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off campus at the discretion of the Chief Student Conduct Officer. Determinations made or sanctions imposed under this Student Code shall not be subject to change because criminal charges arising out of the same facts giving rise to violation of University rules were dismissed, reduced, or resolved in favor of or against the criminal law defendant.

 

  1. Use, possession, manufacturing, and/or distribution of marijuana, heroin, narcotics, and other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Possession of illegal substances
    2. Sale, manufacture, or distribution of illegal substances.
    3. Possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

  1. Use, possession, manufacturing, and/or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by University regulations and/or officials), or public intoxication. Alcohol beverages may not, in any circumstances be used by, possessed by, or distributed to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age.   Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Intoxication that disrupts other individuals or any University activities or administrative responsibilities.
    2. Unauthorized possession of alcohol.

 

  1. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on University premises, or the use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens, or causes fear to others. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Threatening with a weapon.
    2. Illegal possession of weapon (refer to the MGA Weapons policy), incendiary device, or explosive.
    3. Possession of articles or substances that are used as weapons or simulated weapons unless prior written authorization is received from the Chief of Police, or his/her designee.

 

  1. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on University premises or at functions sponsored by, or participated in by, the University or members of the academic community.
    2. Indecent exposure.
    3. Any unauthorized use of electronic or other devices to make an audio or video record of any person while on University premises without his/her prior knowledge, or without his/her effective consent when such a recording is likely to cause injury or distress.   This includes, but is not limited to, surreptitiously taking pictures or video of another person in a gym, locker room or restroom.

 

  1. Theft or other abuse of computer facilities and resources. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change the contents, for academic benefit, or for any other purpose.
    2. Unauthorized transfer of a file.
    3. Use of another individual’s identification, login information, and/or password.
    4. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member, or University official.
    5. Commit computer fraud.

 

  1. Abuse of the Student Conduct system and/or process. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Disruption of student conduct procedures and/or investigations.
    2. Dishonesty as a part of a University student conduct hearing.
      1. Lying, falsifying or omitting information during a part of a conduct hearing may result in additional charges.
    3. Failure to comply with sanctions from a student conduct adjudication and/or hearing.

 

  1. Students are required to engage in responsible social conduct that reflects credit upon the University community and to model good citizenship in any community. Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Using one’s leadership position for personal gain, including but limited to financial advantage, manipulation, or advantage at the expense of others.
    2. Failure to report knowledge of an alleged infraction of the Code of Conduct.
    3. Misuse of one’s position within or outside of the University community.
    4. Submission of a false or purposely incomplete statement or report.