Prohibited Conduct

Students have the right to learn without interference from others. Faculty and staff members have the authority to protect this right by creating and maintaining an environment that is conducive to learning. 

To help students better understand the types of behavior that would violate the Code of Student Conduct, the following list identifies prohibited conduct. This list is representative rather than exhaustive. Additional conduct that is inconsistent with University expectations may also result in educational outcomes, disciplinary sanctions, or other appropriate University responses.

  1. Academic Integrity and Classroom Behavior Prohibited Conduct. Academic integrity violations include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and fabrications. See the Academic Integrity and Classroom Behavior Policy in the Academic Catalog for more detailed information as well as the hearing procedures used for these violations.
  2. Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct. Any conduct that unreasonably interferes with the activities of individuals or groups in the University community, including disruptive behavior in academic settings, disruption or obstruction of teaching and learning, or engaging in harmful or destructive behavior in an assembly on campus.
  3. Dishonesty. Providing intentionally false or misleading information or statements to any University or community official including reporting incorrect information on payment/reimbursement forms or student employment timesheets. This also includes failing to respond to inquiries or making false, incomplete or misleading statements or accusations during the course of an investigation, hearing or informal resolution process. Dishonesty and participation in the context of sexual misconduct allegations is addressed separately in the University’s Title IX Policy.
  4. Stealing, Vandalizing, Damaging, or Tampering with Personal or University Property. Theft or the unauthorized taking, use, or possession of public or private property; unauthorized use or acquisition of services; or conduct that defaces, destroys, damages, litters, or otherwise tampers with University property or the property of an individual or group.
  5. Possession of Fireworks, Incendiary Devices or Weapons (including firearms). See Firearms and Weapons Policy.
  6. Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Violations. Any violation of the University’s alcohol, drug and tobacco policies including policies outlined in the Residence Life Policies section, Residential Housing Agreement or any published student organizations policies. For more information, see the Alcohol, Drug and Smoking Policy.
  7. Residence Hall Policy Violations. Any violation including, but not limited to violations of the residential housing agreement; unlawful discharging of fire extinguishers; excessive noise; unlawful entry into residence halls, suites, loungers or rooms. For more information, see section on Residence Hall Policies and the Residential Housing Agreement (provided to residence hall students separately).
  8. Guest Policy Violations. See Guest Policy section.
  9. Unauthorized Presence or Forcible Entry into University Facilities.
  10. Misuse of University Identification Card. Using or presenting another student’s University identification card or allowing another person to use their identification card. This includes using another University member’s Identification card  to gain unauthorized access to University facilities, services, or resources. University identification cards are non-transferable.
  11. Misuse of the Internet or Other Electronic Resources. Unauthorized or inappropriate use of the Internet, University technology, electronic resources, or recording devices, including cameras, audio recorders, computers, mobile devices, and other electronic devices, in a manner  that violates the principles of academic integrity, personal respect, and the expectation of privacy of members of the campus community. This includes the unauthorized recording, photographing, or distribution of images, audio, video, or other electronic content in violation of University policy or the privacy rights of others. The use of the University’s digital environment to defame another person is prohibited. Defamation is the "publication" of a false statement of fact that harms another person's reputation. A defamatory statement is "published" whenever it is communicated to a third person; this includes email messages and social media. For more information, see the Acceptable Use of Technology Policy and the Camera & Photography Policy.
  12. Failure to Comply with Educational Outcomes, Disciplinary Sanctions, or Other Conduct Requirements. Failure to comply with educational outcomes, disciplinary sanctions, conditions, restrictions, or other requirements assigned through the student conduct process.See the sections on Process and Procedure for Student Conduct Violations and on Sanctions for Student Conduct Violations.
  13. Failure to Comply with a University Official. Non-compliance with the directives of University officials, including but not limited to: Campus Public Safety officers, administrators, faculty members, and residence hall staff (including student staff members) or any other person who has been designated and authorized by the University to perform an institutional function within the scope of his/her responsibilities.
  14. Endangering the Well-Being of Another. Any conduct that jeopardizes the physical or emotional well-being of another person. This may include, but is not limited to, intentionally or recklessly starting a fire or causing an explosion; Misusing fire safety equipment, fire escapes or elevators; Intentionally or recklessly obstructing fire, police, or emergency services; Using, possessing, or storing dangerous chemicals; Obstructing the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic; Falsely alerting others about an emergency. This also includes hazing and bullying; for more information, see the Bullying & Hazing Policy.
  15. Threat of Violence. Any language or conduct that could be reasonably interpreted as an effort to intimidate or threaten another.
  16. Acts of Violence. Any physical conduct directed towards another that causes physical harm to the targeted individual or group.
  17. Gang Affiliation. Involvement in gang-related activities includes, but is not limited to, the display of gang symbols, gang paraphernalia, colors, signs, or graffiti. A gang is defined as a group of individuals with identifiable leadership that conspires and acts in concert, mainly for criminal purposes. 
  18. Indecent or Obscene Behavior. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, indecent exposure, urinating or defecating in public, voyeurism, etc.
  19. Sexual Misconduct Including Sexual Harassment or Violence. See the Title IX Policy & Statement of Non-Discrimination.
  20. Discrimination and/or Harassment Of a Protected Class. See the Statement of Non-Discrimination for more information. 
  21. Harassment of Others (In a Non-Protected Class). Unwelcome behaviors that are persistent or repetitive and create an unreasonably uncomfortable educational, work, or living environment for an individual, or unreasonably interfere with an individual’s academic or job performance and opportunities. Harassment may include stalking, or more than one instance of unwanted attention, physical or verbal contact, or any other course of conduct directed at an individual that could be reasonably regarded as likely to alarm that individual or place him/her in fear of harm or injury, including physical, emotional, or psychological harm.
  22. Retaliation for Filing a Discrimination or Harassment Complaint. Retaliation against anyone for filing a complaint of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, or participating in an investigation or hearing regarding such a complaint, is prohibited. See the Title IX Policy & Statement of Non-Discrimination.
  23. Violations of Applicable Federal, State, or Local Law. Including, but not limited to, violating laws governing alcoholic beverages, drugs, gambling, sex offenses, indecent conduct, arson, copyright, etc. The conduct process may be instituted without regard to the pendency of civil or criminal litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution.
  24. Any Other Violation of a Published Policy of the University. Students are responsible for making themselves aware of and complying with all policies and guidelines.
  25. Complicity in Violating the Student Code of Conduct. Bay Path does not condone any behavior that assists or results in a violation of this Code. Such behavior includes attempting, aiding, abetting, conspiring to commit, hiring someone to commit, or being an accessory to any act prohibited by this Code. If a student has knowledge of another student, individual, or group committing or attempting to commit a violation of this Code, the student is expected to remove themselves from the situation and report it.