Student Resources

Office of Judicial Affairs

CODE OF CONDUCT
I. UNIVERSITY STANDARDS

1. Academic Dishonesty     

Academic dishonesty such as cheating, theft of examinations and/or other class-related materials, or plagiarism.

Alcohol (Also see Social Policy on page 29)

1. Alcohol is not allowed on university property or at university functions unless specifically so designated. No kegs are allowed on campus, in the residence halls, and/or the university campus apartments.  Students who are living on campus and are 21 years or older but have a roommate who is under the age of 21 may not possess alcohol in the residence hall room or university apartment.  Students and guests at UNA are expected to abide by Alabama State Law. Persons less than 21 years of age may not purchase, consume, possess, or transport alcohol, liquor, or malt or brewed beverages within the state of Alabama. Alabama State Law prohibits furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

Computer Misuse
Conduct that involves the misuse of computer facilities and data networks includes, but is not limited to, the following: Violating university security or damaging university systemsAttempts to circumvent data protection schemes or uncover security loopholes. This includes creating and/or running programs that are designed to identify security loopholes and/or decrypt intentionally secure data.Knowingly running or installing on any computer system or network, or giving to another user, a program intended to damage or to place excessive load on a computer system or network. This includes, but is not limited to, programs known as computer viruses, Trojan Horses, and worms.Attempted use, or possession in one's university account, of programs intended to crash the system, fraudulently imitate system responses, "sniff" secure or encrypted information, or gain unauthorized access to privileges, accounts, data, software, computers, or networks.Attempting to damage, disrupt, or impede the operation of computing and information technology resources equipment; data, voice, and video communication equipment; or data, voice, and video communication lines.Deliberately wasting/overloading computing resources, such as printing too many copies of a document.Transmitting or reproducing materials that are slanderous or defamatory in nature, or that otherwise violate existing laws or regulations.Displaying obscene, lewd, or sexually harassing images or text in a public computer facility or location that can be viewed by others.Violating copyright and software agreements, including, but not limited to, copying university-owned or –licensed software or data to another computer system.Attempting to make unauthorized modifications to university-owned or -licensed software or data.Storing excessively large files or amounts of data on university-owned computer systems. The University reserves the right to periodically purge excessively large files.Installing or running any software and hardware, such as routers, that the University has not granted express permission to install or run.Knowingly accepting or using software or data obtained by illegal means or by methods violating university policy.Accessing data belonging to an individual or university department, even if access was inadvertently given to such information. For example, if a person fails to log off his/her computer system and another individual comes behind that person and uses an account accidentally left open, this statement has been violated by the second person. In this situation, the person finding the open account should report it so the account can be safely logged out.Failure to remove files, including e-mail, from university-owned systems in a prompt and timely fashion. The University reserves the right to periodically purge files and e-mail that have not been removed in a timely manner.Misrepresenting your identity or affiliation, or the falsification of information.Disrupting or monitoring the activity or communications of other users. This includes, but is not limited to, electronic "stalking" and harassment of others, sending electronic chain letters, or using information technology resources for unauthorized commercial or profit-making purposes.Allowing another person the use of your computer password(s). Computer accounts are to be used only by the person to whom they are issued. The individual to whom the account(s) is issued will be held responsible for all activity on that account.Using computers and/or network facilities in ways that impede the computing activities of others. For example, in a student laboratory, an individual who attempts to use several computing stations at the same time is preventing other students from reasonable use of the computing lab. This also includes using computers for games or recreational use while other students require access for course assignments.Removing or defacing hardware, software, manuals, supplies, etc., from computing sites.Disobeying lab and system policies, procedures, and protocol (e.g., time limits on workstation usage).Destroying or damaging equipment, software, or data that belongs to the University or to other users.

Damage or Destruction of Property

1. Damage to or destruction of university property or to property of any of its members or visitors.

1. Disorderly Conduct
2. Taking disorderly, lewd, or indecent action, or being found in an intoxicated condition as defined by Alabama State Law. Taking action that creates hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, actions such as dropping, throwing, or causing objects to fall from windows, doors, ledges, balconies, or roofs.Taking action that intentionally interferes with or disrupts normal university or university-sponsored activities, including, but not limited to, teaching, service, research, or administration.
4. Drugs
5. Use, possession, or being under the influence of stimulant, depressant, narcotic, or hallucinogenic drugs or other agents having potential for abuse, except as permitted by law. Possession of any drug paraphernalia is prohibited.
7. Furnishing False Information
8. Furnishing false or misleading information to the University or other similar forms of dishonesty in university-regulated affairs, including knowingly making oral or written false statements to any university official.
10. Failure to Comply
11. Failure to comply with any reasonable and lawful request (verbal, written, or other) of university officials acting in the performance of their official duties.
    Failure to appear before any university hearing officer as summoned without proper excuse or justification as deemed by the university hearing officer.

1. Gambling
2. Gambling is prohibited.
4. Harassment (Physical and Verbal)Behavior that involves an expressed or implied threat to interfere with an individual's personal safety, academic efforts, employment, or participation in university-sponsored extracurricular activities and causes the person to have a reasonable apprehension that such harm is about to occur; or that has the purpose or reasonably foreseeable effect of interfering with an individual's personal safety, academic efforts, employment, or participation in university-sponsored extracurricular activities and causes the person to have a reasonable apprehension that such harm is about to occur  Inflammatory speech, spoken or inflammatory communication (e-mail, posters, online postings, etc.) written as a personal insult to the listener(s) in personally abusive language inherently likely to provoke a violent reaction by the listener(s) toward the speaker.

 

1. Harm to Self
2. No student shall cause physical harm or threaten to cause physical harm to himself/herself, nor shall any student take any action that creates a danger to his/her own health, safety, or personal well-being.

1. Hazing
2. Any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a university student or guest, or that 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. Previously relied-upon “traditions,” whether fraternity/sorority or other group-related terms, intent of such acts, or consent or cooperation of the recipient will not suffice as a justifiable reason for participation in such acts. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Misuse of authority by virtue of one’s class rank or leadership position
2. Striking another student by hand or with any object
3. Any form of physical bondage of a student
4. Taking of a student to an outlying area and dropping him/her off
5. Forcing a student into a violation of the law or a university policy

Having firsthand knowledge of the planning of such activities or firsthand knowledge that an incident of this type has occurred and failing to report it to appropriate university officials constitutes a violation under this section.
Alabama Hazing Law § 16-1-23. states that any person who participates in the hazing of another, or any organization associated with a school, college, university, or other educational institution in this state that knowingly permits hazing to be conducted by its members or by others subject to its direction or control, shall forfeit any entitlement to public funds, scholarships, or awards enjoyed by him/her or by it and shall be deprived of any sanction or approval granted by the school, college, university, or other educational institution.

Interference
Interference with or disruption of the mission of the University or its campus environment.

Physical Assault
Physically contacting another person without his or her permission causing or intending to cause injury or creating or intending to create an imminent fear of injury; or willfully participating or contributing to an incident of physical abuse.

Sexual Assault
Any physical contact of a sexual nature with any person that occurs without that person’s consent or when the individual is unable to give consent due to being mentally incapacitated, unconscious, or sufficiently impaired so as to be unable to render sound judgment. Consent is not implied or effective when physical or emotional harm or the threat of such harm exists.

1. Slander/Libel
2. Knowingly publishing or circulating false and malicious information for the purpose of damaging or potentially damaging the name, character, or reputation of another person.
4. Telephone Misuse
5. Misuse of any university telephone by vandalism or by attempting to place a local or long distance call through any method, trick, device, or fraud with intent to avoid payment. Such action will subject a student to prosecution under federal and state laws as well as disciplinary action by the University.
7. Theft
8. Theft of any type, or the removing or possession of property that is not the student’s own, or the unauthorized sale of property that is not the student’s own.

1. Unauthorized Entry/Tampering
2. Unauthorized access to university facilities; intentionally damaging door locks; unauthorized possession or duplication of university keys or access cards; or propping open of exterior doors; or
   Tampering with fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarm pull stations, or emergency exits.

1. University Documents
2. Forgery, alteration, destruction, or misuse of university documents, records, identification cards, or papers.
4. Violation of Any Law Adversely Affecting the University of North Alabama
5. Behavior that would constitute a violation of local, state, or federal law on university property or off campus when such behavior has an adverse effect upon the university community and/or aiding, abetting, or attempting to commit an act or action that would constitute an offense under any of the types of misconduct described in the Code of Conduct.
7. Weapons
8. Use, possession, or carrying of fireworks, firearms—including, but not limited to, pistols, air rifles, paintball guns, or shotguns (or ammunition)—billy clubs, dangerous knives, explosives, or other dangerous weapons while on university-owned or -controlled property, or at activities sponsored by the University or university organizations is prohibited, except by authorized law officers or other persons specifically authorized by the University is prohibited.

II. HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE STANDARDS

1. Activities Resulting in Disturbance, Distress, or Damage
Individual or group activities that may result in disturbance or distress to others or that cause, or may reasonably be expected to cause, damage or destruction to self or property are prohibited. When individual responsibility cannot be determined, the residents of a unit or floor may become collectively responsible for restoration costs. Examples of behavior covered by this policy include, but are not limited to, noise; damage to a building, laundry equipment, or furniture; sports in the hallway; smoking; graffiti; publicly spoken or displayed materials that are pornographic, obscene, sexist, racist, or homophobic; vandalism; and disregard for bathroom cleanliness, including the disposal of food or any foreign objects in sinks, toilets, water fountains, etc. 

2. Advertising/Solicitation
Flyers and other advertising must have approval through Residence Life for posting in on-campus residential facilities under its jurisdiction or the Office of Student Life for other campus facilities. Once approved, flyers/posters will be posted by Residence Life staff within the residence halls. Solicitation is not allowed in the residence halls or university apartments.  The Department of Residence Life will post approved flyers on Tuesday and Thursday of each week.  Registered Student Organizations must have their flyers approved by the Department of Residence Life the business day prior to posting.

3. Arson
A. Any activity that could potentially compromise fire safety in the halls, including, but not limited to, burning candles, incense, fires, or burning posters is considered a serious offense, which could result in suspension or dismissal from the University. Withholding information/evidence concerning a fire is a serious offense.
B. Fire drills will be conducted during the semester. A resident will be subject to disciplinary action for failure to leave the building during a drill. Please refer to emergency procedures posted on the back of your room door. 

4. Candles, Incense, and Potpourri
Candles, decorative or otherwise, incense, potpourri, and/or other items that generate open flame are prohibited in the residence halls. Melted wax, burned wicks, lingering aroma, etc., may be considered evidence of a violation of this policy. 

5. Cooking and Appliances
Students are not allowed to cook in residence hall rooms. With the exception of the microwave oven, all cooking appliances are prohibited in students’ rooms. Other prohibited appliances include space heaters and halogen lamps.  All violations will result in confiscation of the appliance(s).  The appliance will also be discarded and a fine will be levied against the student.

6. Escort
Students and visitors may not enter a residence hall where they do not live without an escort who is a resident of that hall and is the one who actually checked in the guest(s). Allowing unescorted non-residents access to a building or living area is a violation of this policy. 

7. Fire Safety Equipment
Fire safety equipment is provided to help ensure everyone's safety. Tampering with alarms, extinguishers, or smoke detectors is a violation of local, state, and federal laws, as well as a violation of university policies. Tampering with fire safety equipment is a criminal offense, and if the incident is reported to the Fire Department, a ticket may be issued. 

8. Flammable Liquids/Explosives
Possession of containers holding fluids used for igniting fires is prohibited. Prohibited fluids include, but are not limited to, charcoal lighter, gasoline, propane, and cigarette lighter refueling containers. 

9. Guests
Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests and are responsible for making sure their guests adhere to Residence Hall policies. First time offense for late check-out or for failure to sign your guest out is an automatic loss of one month of visitation in any hall. Further disciplinary action will be taken for multiple offenses including the possible revocation of living in the residence halls.  

10. Pets
Pets are not permitted in the residence halls, with the exception of fish. Fish tanks may be no larger than five gallons total capacity per room. It is not the responsibility of hall staff to feed fish in a student's absence.

 
11. Public Area Decorations
Any mode of decoration that contains obscene, profane, pornographic, or otherwise offensive elements, as determined by the hall staff, will not be permitted. 

12. Public Area Usage
Area Coordinators must approve any usage of residence hall facilities by residents, students, recognized student organizations, and/or any other person or group. Generally, residence hall spaces are reserved for the exclusive use of the staff and residents of that building.                    

                                             
13. Public Property as Decoration
Possession of stolen property, including city, county, or state government property, such as road signs, is not permitted. Students wishing to display public road signs, traffic cones, real-estate signs, etc., in their rooms may be asked to provide proof of ownership by a receipt or some other official means. Possession of stolen property is a violation of state law and university policy. Stolen or unauthorized property is subject to confiscation. 

14. Quiet Hours/Courtesy Hours
Residents have the right to sleep and study in their rooms at any time. When asked by someone to respect this right, residents are expected to demonstrate courtesy and consideration by complying with the request. Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a general rule, at no time should noise be heard from a resident's room more than two doors away or from another floor.
Until otherwise established, quiet hours are in effect from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. daily. During finals week, 24-hour quiet hours will be in effect.  If a violation of 24-hour quiet hours occurs, a $50 fine will be assessed.

15. Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any residence hall. Students must confine smoking to designated smoking locations outdoors. Cigarette butts must be properly discarded or the student’s privilege of smoking outside may be revoked. All violators will be assessed $50 plus disciplinary action. 

16. Sports in the Halls
Running, hackey sack, hockey, in-line skating, skateboarding, bouncing balls, riding bikes, wrestling, and other athletic/sport-type activities are prohibited in the residence halls. No remote control toys are to be operated in the hallways. Staff members reserve the right to confiscate equipment used in violation of this policy. 

17. Stairwells
Opposite-sex guests are not allowed in the building stairwells unless there is an emergency evacuation or the elevator(s) are out of order. 

18. Trash Removal
Students are responsible for taking out their own trash. Students found to have disposed of any waste inappropriately will face disciplinary action.

19. Unauthorized Residence Hall Entry
The University Residence Halls are a private residence, and thus no student shall gain access to any University Residence Hall in an unauthorized manner.  No Resident of a University Residence Hall shall allow another person the use of their University MANE Card for the purpose of entering a University Residence Hall.

 20. Vents and Windows
Closing or covering vents is prohibited in all residence halls.  It is also prohibited to enter or exit a Residence Hall through a window or pass any item in or out of the window.

21. Visitation
All residence hall residents must register their guests’ arrival and departure in person at the check-in/-out table. A guest is one who visits in a residence hall at the invitation of the resident registering them as a guest.
A. Opposite-sex visitation will not exceed the maximum hours set in a particular hall.  Lobby and common areas are considered part of the Residence Hall and thus the visitation hours hold true for those areas as well.
B. Guests are permitted in a residence hall room only by consent of all occupants of the room.
C. The visitation policy applies to all family members as well.
D. A guest must be signed in and out by the resident in person. The resident will escort the guest at all times.
E. Opposite-sex visitation hours for all residence halls are as follows:
 Rice, Rivers
     Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-12 a.m.
     Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-1 a.m.
 
LaGrange, Lafayette, Hawthorne, Covington, Appleby East and West
     Sunday-Thursday 9 a.m.-12 a.m.
     Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-1 a.m. 
F. Guests of the same sex may be accommodated in university housing for no more than three nights in any 30-day period, providing they are registered at the front desk. Opposite-sex guests are not permitted to stay overnight at any time.
Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed visitation without permission from the designated Area Coordinator at least 24 hours in advance.