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Policy on Conduct and Discipline

Life in the Acad­emic Community

Rules of University Conduct

The Rules of University Conduct (Chapter XLIV of the Statutes of the University) provide special disciplinary rules applicable to demonstrations, rallies, picketing, and the circulation of petitions. These rules are designed to protect the rights of free expression through peaceful demonstration while at the same time ensuring the proper functioning of the University and the protection of the rights of those who may be affected by such demonstrations.

The Rules of University Conduct are University-wide and supersede all other rules of any school or division. Minor violations of the Rules of Conduct are referred to the normal disciplinary procedures of each school or division (‘‘Dean’s Discipline’’). A student who is charged with a serious violation of the Rules has the option of choosing Dean’s Discipline or a more formal hearing procedure provided in the Rules.

All University faculty members, students, and staff members are responsible for compliance with the Rules of University Conduct. Copies of the full text are available at the Office of the University Senate, 406 Low Memorial Library.

Discipline

The continuance of each student upon the rolls of the University, the receipt of academic credits, graduation, and the conferring of the degree are strictly subject to the disciplinary powers of the University.

Although ultimate authority on matters of student discipline is vested in the Trustees of the University, the Dean of the School and his staff are given responsibility for establishing certain standards of behavior for SEAS students beyond the regulations included in the Statutes of the University and for defining procedures by which discipline will be administered.

We expect that in and out of the classroom, on and off campus, each student in the School will act in an honest way and will respect the rights of others. Freedom of expression is an essential part of University life, but it does not include intimidation, threats of violence, or the inducement of others to engage in violence or in conduct which harasses others. We state emphatically that conduct which threatens or harasses others because of their race, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or for any other reason is unacceptable and will be dealt with very severely. If each of us at Columbia can live up to these standards, we can be confident that all in our community will benefit fully from the diversity to be found here. Any undergraduate student who believes he or she has been victimized should speak with an adviser in the Center for Student Advising, a member of the Residential Programs staff, or a member of the Office of Judicial Affairs; graduate students should speak with an officer in the Office of Graduate Student Services.

While every subtlety of proper behavior cannot be detailed here, examples of other actions that would subject a student to discipline are:

• dishonesty in academic assignments or in dealings with University officials, including members of the faculty
• knowingly or recklessly endangering the health or safety of others
• intentionally or recklessly destroying, damaging, or stealing property
• possession, distribution, or use of illegal drugs

• possession of weapons
• refusal to show identification at the request of a University official; failure to respond to the legitimate request of a University official exercising his or her duty

• threatening, harrassing, or abusing others
• violating local, state, or federal laws
• violating the ‘‘Rules of University Conduct’’ (copies of which are available in 406 Low Library and other locations mentioned above)
• violating the rules of the residence halls as outlined in the “Guide to Living”; this also applies to all fraternity and sorority housing
• violating the University’s Alcohol Policy
  
• violating the University’s Sexual Assault Policy (see page 239)
• violating the rules governing Columbia University Information Technology (CUIT) policies and procedures
• selling or otherwise commercializing notes (whether taken in class by a student or distributed to the class by an instructor), syllabi, exams, or content on a University or individual faculty member Web site that is not accessible to anyone outside of the University community
• representing any commercial interest on campus or operating any business on campus without authorization from the Associate Dean of Career Services

Disciplinary Procedures

Many policy violations that occur in the Residence Halls rules are handled by the Associate Directors of Residential Programs. Some serious offenses are referred directly to the Assistant Dean for Judicial Affairs. Violations in University Apartment Housing are handled by building managers and housing officials. Some serious offenses are referred directly to the School’s housing liaison in the Office of Graduate Student Services.

Most violations of rules concerning fraternities or sororities as organizations are handled by the Assistant Director of Greek Life and Leadership. Some serious offenses are referred directly to the Office of Judicial Affairs.

In matters involving rallies, picketing, and other mass demonstrations, the Rules of University Conduct outlines procedures.

The Office of Judicial Affairs (located within the Division of Student Affairs) is responsible for all disciplinary affairs concerning undergraduate students that are not reserved to some other body. The Office of Graduate Student Services is responsible for all disciplinary affairs concerning graduate students that are not reserved to some other body.

Dean’s Discipline Process for Undergraduate Students

The purpose of the Dean’s Discipline process is twofold. First, it is used to determine the accused student’s responsibility for the alleged violation(s) of SEAS or University policy(ies). In addition, it is an opportunity for the student to engage in a meaningful conversation regarding his or her role as a member of the Columbia community. The Dean’s Discipline process is not an adversarial process, nor is it a legalistic one, and therefore the technical rules of evidence applicable to civil and criminal court cases do not apply.

After a complaint is received a student may be removed from housing and/or placed on interim suspension by the Student Affairs staff if it is determined that the student’s behavior makes his or her presence on campus a danger to the normal operations of the institution, or to the safety of himself or herself or others or to the property of the University or others.

When a complaint is received, the Office of Judicial Affairs determines whether Dean’s Discipline is an appropriate response or if the complaint should be referred elsewhere. If Dean’s Discipline is to occur, a student is informed in writing of the complaint made against him/her and of the time and place of the hearing. At the hearing, at least two members of the staff of the Dean of Student Affairs present the accused student with the information that supports the allegation that he/she has violated SEAS or University policy(ies). The student is then asked to respond and will be given an opportunity to present information on his or her behalf.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing administrators will make a determination, based on all of the information available to them, regarding whether the accused student is responsible for the violation. The standard of proof that the hearing administers will use to make this determination is the preponderance of the evidence standard. This standard allows for a finding of responsibility if the information provided in the hearing shows that it is more likely than not that a violation of Columbia policy(ies) occurred. If the student is found responsible, the degree of seriousness of the offense and the student’s previous disciplinary record, if any, will determine the severity of the sanction that will be issued. The student will be notified of the outcome of the hearing in writing.

A student found responsible after a hearing has the right to request an appeal of the decision and the resulting sanctions. There are three grounds upon which an appeal of the decision may be made. A student found responsible for the violation of Columbia policy(ies) may request a review of the decision if (1) the student has new information, unavailable at the time the hearing; (2) the student has concerns with the process that may change or affect the outcome of the decision; or (3) the student feels that the sanction issued is too severe. The request for review must be made in writing to the individual indicated in the decision letter and must be received within ten calendar days (or as indicated in the hearing outcome letter) after the student receives notice of the hearing outcome. For more information about the discipline process for undergraduate students, please visit the Office of Judicial Affairs Web site.

Discipline Process for Graduate Students

When sufficient evidence exists, a student is charged with a particular offense and a hearing is scheduled. Present at a hearing for graduate students are the charged student and at least two members of the Office of Graduate Student Services staff. At the hearing, the student is presented with the evidence that supports the accusation against him or her and is asked to respond to it. The student may then offer his or her own evidence and suggest other students with whom the deans or their designee might speak. On the basis of the strength of the evidence and the student’s response, the deans or their designee reach a determination and notify the student of their decision after the hearing. The student can be exonerated, found guilty of the accusations, or found not guilty due to insufficient evidence; if he or she is found to have committed an infraction, the penalty can range from a warning to disciplinary probation to suspension or dismissal. The student may also be barred from certain University facilities or activities. An accused student has the right to appeal a decision that results from a disciplinary hearing. The appeal must be made in writing within the time period specified in the letter regarding the decision, and to the person specified in the letter.

Confidentiality

In general, under University policy and federal law, information about Dean’s Disciplinary proceedings against a student is confidential and may not be disclosed to others. A limited exception to this principle is that the outcome of Dean’s Disciplinary proceedings alleging a crime of violence may be disclosed both to the accuser and the accused.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to intentional or unintentional dishonesty in academic assignments or in dealing with University officials, including faculty and staff members.

Here are the most common types of academic dishonesty:

• plagiarism (copying word for word or paraphrasing without proper citation or acknowledgment from a written or electronic source)
• cheating on examinations
• unauthorized collaboration on an assignment
• receiving unauthorized assistance on an assignment
• copying computer programs
• forgery
• submitting work for one course that has already been used for another course
• unauthorized distribution of assignments and exams
• lying to a professor or University officer
• obtaining advance knowledge of exams or other assignments without permission

A student alleged to have engaged in academic dishonesty will be subject to the Dean’s Discipline process.

Students found responsible for academic dishonesty may face reports of such offenses on future recommendations for law, medical, or graduate school. The parents or guardians of
students found responsible may also be notified.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity defines a university and is essential to the mission of education. At Columbia students are expected to participate in an academic community that honors intellectual work and respects its origins. In particular, the abilities to synthesize information and produce original work are key components in the learning process. As such, academic dishonesty is one of the most serious offenses a student can commit at Columbia and can be punishable by dismissal.

Students rarely set out with the intent of engaging in academic dishonesty. But classes are challenging at Columbia, and students will often find themselves pressed for time, unprepared for an assignment or exam, or feeling that the risk of earning a poor grade outweighs the need to be thorough. Such circumstances lead some students to behave in a manner that compromises the integrity of the academic community, disrespects their instructors and classmates, and deprives them of an opportunity to learn. In short, they cheat. If you ever find yourself in such circumstances, you should immediately contact your instructor and your adviser for advice. Just keep in mind how hard you have worked to get to this point in your academic career, and don’t jeopardize your Columbia education with a moment of unwise decision making.

The easiest way to avoid the temptation to cheat in the first place is to prepare yourself as best you can. Here are some basic suggestions to help you along the way:

• Understand what your instructors deem as academic dishonesty and their policy on citation and group collaboration.
• Clarify any questions or concerns about assignments with instructors as early as possible.
• Develop a timeline for drafts and final edits of assignments and begin preparation in advance.
• Avoid plagiarism: acknowledge people’s opinions and theories by carefully citing their words and always indicating sources.
• Utilize the campus’s resources, such as the advising centers and Counseling and Psychological Services, if you are feeling overwhelmed, burdened, or pressured.
• Assume that collaboration in the completion of assignments is prohibited unless specified by the instructor

Plagiarism and Acknowledgment of Sources

Columbia has always believed that learning to write effectively is one of the most important goals a college student can achieve. Students will be asked to do a great deal of written work while at Columbia: term papers, seminar and laboratory reports, and analytic essays of different lengths. These papers play a major role in course performance, but more important, they play a major role in intellectual development. Plagiarism, the use of words or ideas belonging to others without quotation marks or proper citation, is considered one of the most serious violations of academic integrity and is a growing problem on university campuses.

One of the most prevalent forms of plagiarism involves students using information from the Internet without proper citation. While the Internet can provide a wealth of information, sources obtained from the Web must be properly cited just like any other source. If you are uncertain how to properly cite a source of information that is not your own, whether from the Internet or elsewhere, it is critical that you do not hand in your work until you have learned the proper way to use in-text references, footnotes, and bibliographies. Faculty members are available to help as questions arise about proper citations, references, and the appropriateness of group work on assignments. You can also check with the Undergraduate Writing Program. Ignorance of proper citation methods does not exonerate one from responsibility.

Personal Responsibility, Finding Support and More Information