Student Code of Conduct

Student Code of Conduct

Rules & Regulations
The following is a summary and explanation of the rights, responsibilities, and rules governing student conduct at Casa College. This statement serves as a general framework and is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all possible infractions. Students violating any of the following are subject to disciplinary action. All sanctions imposed by the student conduct system must be obeyed or additional sanctions may be levied. For a complete description of the College’s student conduct process, please see the corresponding section on Internal Rules and Regulations.

Alcohol & Other Drugs
The unlawful possession, use, purchase, or distribution of alcohol on College property or as part of any College activity is prohibited. The unlawful possession, use, purchase, or distribution of illicit drugs, controlled substances (including stimulants, depressants, narcotics, or hallucinogenic drugs), or paraphernalia—or the misuse of prescription drugs, including sharing, procuring, buying, or using in a manner different from the prescribed use, or by someone other than the person for whom it was prescribed—is prohibited on College property or as part of any College activity.

Assault, Endangerment, or Infliction of Physical Harm
Physical restraint, assault, or any other act of violence or use of physical force against any member of the community, or any act that threatens the use of physical force is forbidden. Conduct—whether reckless or intentional—that a person knows, or which any reasonable person under the circumstances would know, places oneself or another at risk of bodily harm is subject to disciplinary action, whether or not the risk is realised. The more reckless the conduct and the greater the risk of serious bodily harm and/or the greater the actual bodily harm caused, the greater the likelihood of a severe sanction.

Banners & Posters
Banners may only be hung on designated boards within the College premises after obtaining specific permission. Banners hung elsewhere without permission will be removed. Requests for banner space must be made to the Student Affairs and Welfare Office five (5) business days in advance of the requested starting display date. All banner designs must be reviewed by the Director of Student Affairs and Welfare.
All advertisements, flyers, notices, etc., constitute posters and may only be posted on public bulletin boards. Outdated posters must be promptly removed.
Posters need to be “signed” with a recognised student organisation or the individual name of a matriculated student. No mentions or images of alcohol are allowed. If posters do not conform to these rules, they may be removed, and the individual or group may be fined or held financially responsible for damage.

Bullying & Intimidation
Bullying includes any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or a series of acts of physical, social, or emotional domination that cause physical or emotional harm to another student or group of students. Bullying conduct may not only cause a negative effect on individuals targeted, but also others who observe the conduct. Bullying conduct is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:

• substantially interfering with a community member’s education, employment, or full enjoyment of the College;
• creating a threatening or intimidating environment; or
• substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the College. Bullying is prohibited, and participating in such acts will result in disciplinary action.

Intimidation is any verbal, written, or electronic threats of violence or other threatening behaviour directed toward another person or group that reasonably leads the person(s) in the group to fear for her/his physical well-being. Intimidation is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.
Anyone who attempts to use bullying or intimidation to retaliate against someone who reports an incident, brings a complaint, or participates in an investigation in an attempt to influence the judicial process will be subject to disciplinary action.

Disorderly Conduct
Students at Casa College have the right to express their views, feelings, and beliefs inside and outside the classroom and to support causes publicly, including by demonstrations and other means.
These freedoms of expression extend so far as conduct does not impinge on the rights of other members of the community or the orderly and/or essential operations of the College. Disorderly conduct is not permitted.
Violation of the orderly operation of the College includes, but is not limited to:

• Excessive noise, which interferes with classes, College offices, neighbours, or other campus and community activities;
• Unauthorised entry into or occupation of a private work area;
• Conduct that restricts or prevents faculty or staff members or student employees from performing their duties, including interruption of meetings, classes, or events;
• Failure to maintain clear passage into or out of any College building or passageway, and/or work space;
• Failure to disperse when a building, office, or campus space is closed; and/or
• Other conduct that disrupts the normal operations of the College.

Events & Parties
The College defines an event as an academic, intellectual, cultural, and/or social gathering, which is open to all or a registered group of, current Casa College students, in a designated campus space in which alcohol may/may not be present for the entirety of the event.
A College party may be held off-campus and may only be sponsored by Casa College students. If an individual and/or organisation holds a party off-campus that interferes with the well-being of other students, they may be subject to disciplinary action from the police.

Failure to Comply
The College expects students to comply with the directions of law enforcement officers or College officials acting in the performance of their duties.
Furthermore, the College expects students held responsible for Student Code of Conduct violations to fully comply with all disciplinary sanctions imposed by the College. A responsible student’s failure to comply with imposed sanctions or any related directions of a College official in the performance of their duties will be subject to further disciplinary action.

False Representation
A student may not knowingly provide false information or make misrepresentation to any College office. In addition, the forgery, alteration, or unauthorised possession or use of College documents, records, or instruments of identification, forged or fraudulent communications (paper or electronic mail) are prohibited.

Fire Safety
Open flames, including the burning of candles, incense or other unauthorised objects, are not permitted on campus.
Tampering, interference, misuse, causing damage, and/or destruction of fire safety and fire prevention equipment are prohibited and are a violation of government law. Any student who causes an alarm to be set off for improper purposes may be liable for the expenses incurred by the fire department(s) in responding to the alarm, in addition to any fines, charges or sanctions that may be applied for violation(s) of this policy.
Fire drills are held on a regular basis. Directions for fire drill procedures are posted in every building. Hallways and stairwells must be kept clear. Items impinging on free movement in public spaces, including halls and stairways, will be removed.
Students are financially responsible for damages resulting from reckless conduct or violation of this policy. Any student in violation of the College’s fire safety rules (e.g. unauthorised candle/incense/object burning, tampering with fire safety equipment, etc.) may be subject to restitution and replacement costs, a fine, adjudication through the student conduct process, or other reasonable resolution as deemed by the student conduct administrator.

Discrimination, Including Harassment Based on a Protected Class
Discrimination, including harassment based on a protected class, is defined as unreasonable, unwelcome conduct that is based on an individual’s sex, race, colour, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, disability, or any other College-recognised protected classification. This type of discrimination can occur in any form and can be directed at individuals or groups. When appropriate, minor infractions can be resolved informally and with remedial steps, including training, counseling, or mediation. When this discrimination objectively and subjectively harms the person by severely, persistently, or pervasively interfering with the person’s educational opportunities, peaceful enjoyment of residence and community, or terms of employment, it is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion/dismissal. In all cases, the College encourages individuals to seek support and assistance as soon as discriminating conduct occurs. Before any conduct can be considered for the student conduct process, it must be clear that no substantial free expression interests are threatened by bringing a formal charge of discrimination. If a person has been subject to discrimination including harassment on the basis of a College-recognised protected classification as described above, the student should consult with the director of equal opportunity and engagement for guidance.
The College’s Sexual Assault and Harassment Policy prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, indecent exposure, intimate-partner violence, dating violence and domestic violence, retaliation, stalking, and other misconduct that is sex -or gender-based, or in the context of an intimate partner relationship including: bullying and intimidation, physical assault, and stalking, discrimination.

Retaliation
The College will not tolerate retaliation. Retaliation against any person or group who makes a complaint, cooperates with an investigation, or participates in a resolution process is a violation of College policy. Retaliation can take many forms, including continued abuse or violence, bullying, threats, and intimidation. Any individual or group of individuals, not just a complainant or respondent, can engage in retaliation.
Retaliation should be reported promptly to the Director of Student Affairs which may result in disciplinary action independent of any sanction or interim measures imposed in response to the underlying allegation of misconduct.
Casa College is committed to establishing and maintaining a community rich in equality and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. The College seeks to create an environment in which the greatest academic potential of students and professional potential of employees may be realised. In order to create and maintain such an environment, the College recognises that all who work and learn at the College are responsible for ensuring that the community is free from discrimination based on sex gender, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, and intimate-partner violence. These behaviours threaten our learning, living, and work environments and will not be tolerated.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all indoor spaces throughout the College, including classrooms, meeting rooms, lounges, offices, corridors and toilets. A €25 fine in addition to other potential penalties will be charged for violating this policy. Altering smoke detectors creates danger for all building occupants and will be met with disciplinary action.

Theft & Vandalism
Theft and negligent or intentional damage to personal or College property is prohibited, as is the possession of stolen property. Repair and replacement costs will be charged to the appropriate students and may warrant College disciplinary action.

Unauthorised Entry or Access
Unauthorised entry into or presence within enclosed College buildings or areas, including athletic facilities, construction sites, and student rooms or offices, even when unlocked, is prohibited. Tampering with locks to College buildings, unauthorised possession or use of College keys, and alteration or duplication of College keys is against College policy. Climbing on any College building or College-owned structure or being present on building roofs is not allowed. Participation in any of these activities may subject a student to fines and other sanctions.

Unauthorised Use of College Facilities or Services
The unauthorised use of College property, including but not limited to College buildings, spaces and grounds, College documents and records, or College furnishings, equipment and materials, is a violation of College policy and is subject to disciplinary action.

Violation of Local & EU Law
Violation of any other government law may imply disciplinary action from the College as well and is at the discretion of the president of the College. A pending appeal of a conviction shall not affect the application of this rule.

Weapons & Firearms
No student may possess or use a firearm on Casa College property. Firearms, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, air guns, and gas-powered guns and all ammunition or hand-loading equipment and supplies for the same, are not allowed. No student may possess or use fireworks, dangerous devices, chemicals, or explosives on Casa College property. Items such as knives that could be viewed as weapons are forbidden.