If a Student withdraws or takes a leave of absence from the University with an investigation or resolution process pending, the University may proceed with the investigation and resolution to the fullest extent possible and may make an entry on the Student’s academic transcript indicating that the Student withdrew or is on a leave of absence with a non-academic disciplinary matter pending. The University may place a hold on the Student’s official and unofficial academic transcripts for up to three (3) years until the matter is resolved. Students may petition the Dean of Students to have this hold removed before three (3) years have passed.

Allegations of sex discrimination (as that term is defined in the Title IX Policy) will generally be subject to the Title IX Policy and the Title IX Grievance Procedure administered by the Title IX and Gender Equity Office. In cases for which there are alleged violations of the Title IX Policy and the Code of Student Conduct, OSCCS and the Title IX and Gender Equity Office will discuss and assign the cases on a case-by-case basis. Allegations of sex discrimination that are not subject to the Title IX Policy and/or Title IX Grievance Procedure but may constitute violations of the Code will be subject to the Code and Student Conduct Procedures.

Allegations of discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin – including actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity – disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste which is protected under The Corporation of Brown University’s Policy Statement on Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action, will generally be subject to the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and the Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Resolution Standard Operating Procedures administered by the Office of Equity Compliance and Reporting (“OECR”). In cases for which there are alleged violations of the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and the Code, the two offices will discuss and assign the cases on a case-by-case basis. Allegations of discrimination or harassment based on a person’s membership in a protected category that are not subject to the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and/or Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Resolution Standard Operating Procedures but may constitute violations of the Code will be subject to the Code and Student Conduct Procedures.

The University may pursue matters through the Student Conduct Procedures that may also be addressed in law enforcement investigations and the civil or criminal legal system. Proceedings under the Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with or following civil or criminal proceedings. Decisions about the timing of University proceedings will be at the sole discretion of the Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards or their designee.

Violation of the Student Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. The following charges may apply under this Code:

Offering or causing to be offered any bribe or favor to any member of the University community in an attempt to influence a decision or action. This includes attempting to unduly influence a University proceeding, including a disciplinary proceeding outcome or appeal process. 

Knowingly or recklessly aiding, abetting, assisting, or attempting to aid or assist another individual to commit a violation of any University policy.

Discrimination as defined in the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy. Refer to section 3.3.3 for information about jurisdiction.

Actions that are unreasonably disruptive to the University community and/or its neighborhoods. Examples include, but are not limited to, off-campus disturbances or nuisances in residential and commercial areas surrounding Campus, any disturbances that interfere with the quiet use and enjoyment of Campus or nearby properties, and behaviors that require the deployment of significant Campus resources.

Behavior that prevents, disrupts or materially interferes with the educational functions of the University. Examples include, but are not limited to, halting a lecture, debate, or any public forum, obstructing the passage of others, or creating an imminent threat of such disruption or obstruction.

Violation of the Student Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. The following charges may apply under this policy:

Failure to comply with the proper directive(s) of a University official. Examples include, but are not limited to, refusing to identify oneself or refusing to present University identification to a University staff member, failing to submit immunization records to University Health Services, and failing to attend mandatory meetings or trainings.

Harassment as defined in the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy. Refer to section 3.3.3 for information about jurisdiction.

Hazing as defined in the Hazing Policy. Examples include, but are not limited to, compulsory alcohol or drug consumption, physical brutality, psychological cruelty, public humiliation, morally degrading activities, forced confinement, creation of excessive fatigue, required removal or destruction of public or private property, or any other activity that endangers the physical, mental, or academic well-being and/or safety of an individual.

Intrusion into the personal life of another, in ways that are reasonably likely to cause injury or distress, in places where one would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Amnesty may be granted to individuals who use recording devices to document abuse against themselves or others, provided those recordings are not distributed. A determination of someone’s reasonable expectation of privacy will be at the discretion of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Examples include, but are not limited to, making, viewing, listening to, or distributing secret recordings or installing the equipment for such recordings, secretly monitoring others in their living quarters or bathrooms either in person (e.g., window peeping) or digitally (e.g., drones, pen cameras), intrusion on a person’s property or communications, and the appropriation or use of someone’s likeness, identifying personal data, or documents.

Lying or materially misrepresenting information to an official University body or officer, including a member of the Department of Public Safety. Examples include, but are not limited to, providing false identification of oneself or others, lying in the course of a student conduct investigation or hearing, filing a knowingly false report, or submitting altered, manipulated, or otherwise falsified information to any University official. This also includes the possession of a fake ID, even if it is not used, and the creation or distribution of fake IDs. 

Noncompliance with the terms or outcome of any student conduct proceeding. Examples include, but are not limited to, failing to complete assigned educational or restorative terms assigned as outcomes to a disciplinary proceeding. 

Knowingly affiliating with groups, teams, or organizations that have had their University recognition suspended or permanently revoked by the University for disciplinary reasons. Affiliation includes joining, rushing, pledging, promoting, or being involved in any activity that would normally be associated with being a member of such an organization. This applies to organizations that were created by members of a derecognized organization in an attempt to continue its presence in the University community and/or its neighborhoods.

This prohibited conduct does not apply to unrecognized Student groups who have never had University recognition or who are currently not recognized by the University because of non-disciplinary disbandment. However, known members of unrecognized Student groups may be held accountable for any prohibited conduct by these groups.

Please see the Student Activities Office website for a list of derecognized Student groups.

Actions that result in or can be reasonably expected to result in damage to property. This includes, but is not limited to, property owned by the University, property owned by individuals affiliated with the University, and property owned by individuals or entities not affiliated with the University.

Retaliation is defined as any adverse action or threat taken or made against an individual, including through third parties, for making a report of a policy violation or participating in any investigation or proceeding related to any policy. Examples include, but are not limited to, threatening, intimidating, harassing, or any other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from seeking services, receiving protective measures and accommodations, and/or reporting policy violations. Retaliation also includes maliciously and purposefully interfering with, threatening, or damaging the academic, professional, or living environment of another individual before, during, or after the investigation and resolution of a report of a policy violation in response to and/or on account of the report of the policy violation.

Sex discrimination as defined in the Title IX Policy. Sex discrimination under the Title IX Policy includes sex-based harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Refer to section 3.3.2 for information about jurisdiction.

Engaging in a course of conduct toward another person under circumstances that would cause a person to fear bodily injury or experience substantial emotional distress. Course of conduct means two or more instances including, but not limited to, unwelcome acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property. Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish. Stalking includes cyber-stalking, a particular form of stalking in which electronic media such as the internet, social networks, blogs, cell phones, texts, or other similar devices or forms of contact are used. Stalking as a form of sex-based harassment will generally be addressed under the Title IX Policy. Refer to section 3.3.2 for information about jurisdiction.

Theft or attempted theft of property and/or possession of stolen property. Examples include, but are not limited to, attempted or actual unauthorized use of a credit card, debit card, Student identification card, cell phone, personal identification number, University account, or personal check. 

Examples include, but are not limited to, the unauthorized entry into or occupation of any University room, building, or area of the Campus, including such entry or occupation at any unauthorized time; any unauthorized or improper use of any University property, equipment, or facilities; refusal to leave a space at the request of a University official; assisting another individual to enter a restricted area without authorization; and the unauthorized possession, use, or duplication of University keys, cards, codes, or other methods of access.

A Student’s residence hall room is considered a restricted area where permission to enter must be obtained on every occasion, even if the resident’s door is not closed. 

Violation of any federal, state, or local law, as determined by a court of law. 

Violation of operational rules governing various offices, departments, and facilities of the University (e.g., Residential Life, Student Activities Office, Dining Services, Office of Information Technology, the Libraries). This applies to any policy, rule, or standard operating procedure published in hard copy or available electronically on the University website. Examples include, but are not limited to, illegally downloading copyrighted material on the University’s network, possessing prohibited items in residence hall rooms, and failing to register a group event with the Student Activities Office.

Possession, use, or distribution of firearms, ammunition, explosives, or other weapons on Campus or while participating in University-sponsored activities or travel. This extends even to individuals licensed to carry such weapons. This includes any object or implement designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage, including those that have been made inoperable and those used for display or decorative purposes; all fireworks; chemicals used or intended to cause harm to others; and knives, except those that are designed and used for food preparation and multi-tools with knife blades shorter than 3 inches. A firearm is defined as any projectile-firing device including, but not limited to, conventional firearms (devices using gunpowder); all types of air rifles; any slingshot device; or any device firing BBs, pellets, darts, bolts, arrows or other hard or sharp objects.

Facsimile firearms are also prohibited. This refers to any device or object made of plastic, wood, metal or any other material that is a replica, facsimile or toy version of, or is otherwise recognizable as, a pistol, revolver, shotgun, sawed off shotgun, rifle, machine gun, rocket launcher or any other firearm. Examples of facsimile firearms include, but are not limited to, toy guns (including Nerf guns), movie props, hobby models (either in kit form or fully assembled), starter pistols, air guns, inoperative firearms or any other device which might reasonably be perceived to be a real firearm.

No use of prop weapons or staged combat of any kind is allowed for theater productions, in rehearsal or performance, without the advance, express, written permission of the supervising office or department.

The use or brandishing of any real or perceived weapon, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens, causes fear to, or otherwise endangers others is prohibited.