STUDENT CONDUCT

• POLICIES, COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY
• INTEGRITY OF SCHOLARSHIP
• DISCIPLINE
• WHAT IS "AGAINST THE RULES"?
• WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I AM ACCUSED OF MISCONDUCT?
• WHAT IF ATTEMPTS AT INFORMAL RESOLUTION ARE UNSUCCESSFUL?
• STUDENT RECORDS AND CONFIDENTIALITY

POLICIES, COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY

It seems that there's a policy covering just about everything you can imagine; the university has a Polices and Procedures Manual that fills more than a yard of shelf space. Muir's Business Office has a copy and will help you check out any question you may have. Answers to questions most frequently asked by students have been collected in one much slimmer booklet, University of California , San Diego Student Conduct Code. A copy is yours, free for the asking, at the Student Affairs Office. See also the entries in this handbook about these popular policies: "Alcohol Consumption," "Discipline," "Disorderly Conduct," "Drugs," "Firearms and Fireworks," "Integrity of Scholarship," and "Student Records and Confidentiality."

INTEGRITY OF SCHOLARSHIP

The Academic Senate has promulgated official regulations for UCSD regarding cheating, plagiarism, and similar slimy practices; the full statement is printed in your current UCSD General Catalog.

In summary, presenting academic work to an instructor as your own, when it was really done by someone else (be it William Shakespeare or the kid in the next seat at your exam) is prohibited. Likewise, bringing a "cheat sheet" to an exam or peeking at lecture notes or a textbook during an exam is forbidden. Changing your answers on an assignment or exam after it was graded and returned to you, and then claiming that it was graded incorrectly, is another popular way to violate the Integrity of Scholarship regulations. Doing a computer assignment, quiz, or exam with someone else, when you're expected to fly solo, is also a violation. "Plagiarism" is a special form of cheating in which you copy words directly or rephrase ideas from someone else-or even from work you've done for another course-without giving proper recognition of your source.

There are many other ways to cheat or plagiarize, all of them equally unacceptable. See the Dean of Student Affairs or stop by the Muir Writing Program Office if you are not sure you are giving proper attribution to a source.

The handbook section on "Discipline" describes what happens if you are accused of Academic Dishonesty. If you admit guilt, or if you are found guilty by a hearing board, serious consequences will follow. For one, the instructor has the right to award you the grade he or she believes you deserve for the course. Frequently this is an "F." In addition, the Dean of Student Affairs will start a disciplinary file in your name, and he must impose a disciplinary penalty.

For a first violation of these regulations, a student is normally placed on disciplinary probation ("one false move and you're dead"), but a particularly heinous violation could lead to immediate suspension or dismissal. A second violation of the Policy on Integrity of Scholarship will undoubtedly lead to suspension or dismissal. Refer to "Discipline" for additional information.

DISCIPLINE

The university expects that ALL students will:

1. respect the rights, well-being and property of others,
2. respect the academic process, and
3. not interfere with university business, events, or activities.

Regulations expanding on this, and related disciplinary procedures, are published in a booklet called the University of California, San Diego Student Conduct Code. Copies are available at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, the Resident Dean's Office, the Student Policies and Judicial Affairs Office (Student Center, Building B), and on Infopath.

Whenever it appears that a student may have violated one or more of these regulations, they are subject to disciplinary review.

IN ADDITION, if it appears that a student has also violated federal, state or local law, then s/he may also be referred to the criminal justice system for prosecution.

University disciplinary regulations and procedures are quite complex. Students accused of misconduct should always refer directly to the Student Conduct Code , to view the full text of the regulations, learn about disciplinary procedures, and ascertain their rights. A plain language summary of these regulations, titled "Essential Information," is available at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and Residential Life offices.

University regulations are summarized below. These regulations correspond to subsections of the Student Conduct Code beginning with 22.14.10.10 as numbered below. They were being revised as this book went to print.

WHAT IS "AGAINST THE RULES"?

The university prohibits (on university property, or in connection with any university activity anywhere):

• CHEATING (otherwise referred to as Academic Misconduct): In a recent poll of undergraduates, nine out of ten agreed that "Cheating Sucks!" Your faculty instructors and College Dean tend to be displeased when you are caught cheating, and they are likely to do unspeakable things to you. See sections on "Integrity of Scholarship" and "Discipline" for the big picture.

• DRUGS: Aspirin can be purchased at the College Center or the UCSD Bookstore, and penicillin or other prescription drugs will be ordered for you by a Student Health Center physician and can be purchased at the Health Center Pharmacy. So-called "recreational drugs" are another matter altogether. The state of California (and the U.S. government) have classified certain drugs and substances as illegal, and those laws apply fully to UCSD students, including on-campus residents.

  Flagrant use of drugs, for instance marijuana, is bound to come to the attention of a campus security or police officer, who will then have no choice but to take the same actions that a San Diego or L.A. policeman would. Occasionally students with a "green thumb" try to nurture a cannabis specimen in their window. If you're tempted to do so, just say no! Finally, being a student working your way through college is fine, unless you try doing it by being your friendly neighborhood dealer. Such entrepreneurship is, to put it mildly, frowned upon by the powers that be (to whose attention your behavior inevitably will come). See "Discipline".

• ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: Being on a university campus-and living in campus residence halls-in no way negates California state law regarding booze. State law prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages by anyone under the age of twenty-one. Campus policy further prohibits anyone from possessing or consuming booze-including beer-in public areas of campus, except under very carefully defined circumstances.

  On-campus Residents should check the Muir Residential Life Handbook or consult with the Muir Residential Life Office for information about further restrictions, such as UCSD's infamous "zero tolerance" keg policy. The bottom line: if you are under twenty-one, Thou Shalt Not Drink at UCSD!.

• Academic Misconduct. (dishonest deeds such as cheating, copying, or plagiarizing). The UCSD General Catalog (under the index heading "Dishonesty, Academic") contains the full current policy, and gives examples of academic dishonesty.
• Other Dishonest Behavior. Examples include giving false information to a university police officer, or reporting a false emergency
  (e.g., false fire alarm).
• Forging, altering, or misusing university documents, including records, keys, ID's, etc. One example is using a parking permit that was purchased by another individual (NOTE: permits are never transferable).
• Stealing, damaging, or destroying property; or possessing or selling stolen property.
• Abusing computer facilities or time. University computer use policies are posted on the Web at http://wwwacs.ucsd.edu/cgibin/getart?userhelp/policy,d.
• Misusing the name, insignia, or seal of the campus or the University.
• Entering, possessing, or using University property, equipment, or resources without authorization.
• Violating rules of university housing facilities.
• Physical abuse, including conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person.
• Battery , including physical abuse, unwanted touching, or fighting.
• Sex Offenses, involving force/no consent, such as rape, sexual assault, or sexual battery.
• Sex Offenses not involving force or with consent, such as statutory rape.
• Sex Offenses such as indecent exposure, prostitution, or voyeurism.
• Sexual Harassment. Refer to the Student Conduct Code (on Infopath, or at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs), for the exact definition.
• "Stalking" another person.
• Using "fighting words" to harass another person.
• "Hazing", or other types of initiation activities that are likely to harm, degrade, or disgrace somebody.
• Obstructing or disrupting teaching, research, administrative or disciplinary procedures, or other university business.
• Disorderly conduct such as drunkenness.
• Participating in a disturbance of the peace or an unlawful assembly.
• Failing to identify yourself or comply with the directions of officials (university or otherwise) performing their duties; or resisting or obstructing officials as they try to perform their duties.
• Controlled substances: possessing, using, trying or actually manufacturing, dispensing, distributing, or selling them.
• Alcohol: possessing, using, trying or actually manufacturing, dispensing, distributing, or selling alcoholic beverages unless in compliance with university policy or campus regulations.
• Possessing or using fireworks.
• Possessing, manufacturing, or using firearms or explosive devices without the prior written approval of the UCSD Chief of Police.
• Possessing or using firearms or other weapons.
• Violating conditions imposed in disciplinary action.
• Violating conditions imposed in a written Notice of Emergency Suspension.
• Selling or distributing course notes or related materials without authorization from the instructor.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I AM ACCUSED OF MISCONDUCT?

1. A written summary of the charges will be sent or handed to you. This summary will describe the nature, time, and place of the alleged incident. It will state the university regulation[s] allegedly broken, the name of the university official you should contact, a deadline by which to do so, etc. You should also receive a useful brochure titled Essential Information.
2. At a preliminary meeting with the Dean of Student Affairs (or a member of the Student Affairs' staff), s/he will review the complaint and evidence, describe university regulations and disciplinary procedures, listen to whatever you volunteer to say, discuss your options, and refer you to individuals who are available to give you counsel and advice. An informal resolution of the complaint ("plea bargain") will be discussed at this time.
3. Informal resolution: Should you and the Dean of Student Affairs or staff member reach an informal agreement, then the penalties you accept will be imposed, and the process is concluded.

WHAT IF ATTEMPTS AT INFORMAL RESOLUTION ARE UNSUCCESSFUL?

1. Review before a hearing board. If an informal resolution is not reached, then the student exercises his/her right to a hearing before an appropriate hearing board or officer. Different "venues" and procedures may be involved, depending on the nature of the alleged misconduct. Muir College has both a college-wide and a Residential Life Judicial Board.
   
   The Student Conduct Code and Muir's Essential Information brochure describe judicial board procedures, and outline the rights of a student accused of misconduct. Copies are available from the Dean of Student Affairs, Resident Dean, or Student Legal Services.
2. "What if I am found not guilty?" Then you should suffer no negative consequences.
3. "What if I admit guilt, or I am found guilty?" Then appropriate disciplinary sanction(s) will be imposed. Possible penalties include Warning; Censure; Loss of Privileges; Exclusion from Activities; Exclusion from Areas of Campus; Restitution; Fines; Community Service, a lowered grade or failure of a course in which you cheated; Probation (Residence Halls, and/or College); Suspension; or Dismissal.
4. May I appeal an unfavorable decision? Yes. The Student Conduct Code specifies circumstances, procedures, and deadlines under which findings of guilt, and/or specific sanctions imposed, may be appealed to a higher authority.

STUDENT RECORDS AND CONFIDENTIALITY

You are the "owner" of any records the university may have on you, and therefore you control the access of non-university folks to them. The most important such record is your academic transcript, which the Registrar keeps and updates regularly. Copies of your current transcript will be sent off-campus only at your written request. (To prove your sincerity, you pay a small fee for the service.)

Muir's Academic Advising Office receives an updated, unofficial photocopy of your transcript after the end of each quarter. This, along with copies of petitions and other items that you have filed with the college, are kept in your "student file" in the Advising Office. Access to this file is strictly limited to those with legitimate educational interest (in practice, this means our Dean of Academic Advising, the Academic Advisors and occasionally the Provost, Dean, or Assistant Dean of Student Affairs). Your file is open for your inspection, but if you ever bother to do so you'll find that it contains no surprises.