UNIVERSITY POLICE

Xavier’s Office of University Police is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure campus environment. Students must understand that personal safety and security begin with the individual. The University Police Office is open 24 hours per day and serves as the information center to visitors entering the campus. Officers patrol the campus on a regular schedule by foot, bicycle, and vehicles. Officers also serve as crime prevention practitioners by re-enforcing safety and security information to Xavier’s students, faculty, and staff. The Office of University Police offers several crime prevention and safety awareness programs throughout the year. The Office of University Police is a sponsor of a nationally accredited crime prevention program, “Rape Aggression Defense for Women,” and has two certified instructors on staff.

GENERAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

One of the goals of education is the development of the truly disciplined individual. Self-discipline is the aim of the University in its policies on student conduct. Xavier University assumes that it is a community of mature people. Xavier expects responsible and mature conduct that reflects credit upon the students and the University; Xavier requires behavior that is consistent with laws of decency and with the generally accepted morals and manners of our society.

All students are accorded freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression. They must assume, however, the responsibility for their actions and the obligations of membership in a community of individuals.

The University aims to do all it can through its various Deans, staff and faculty members to assist the student in his or her development and to encourage the best college work and conduct.

Each student is required to make himself or herself aware of policies associated with life at the University. While on or off campus, students are expected to abide by all laws (Federal, State and Municipal). Any violations of these laws or of regulations associated with university life may result in a review of the student's university status, resulting in a possible termination of that status.

In order for Xavier to maintain and achieve its educational purposes for the entire academic community, the responsibility to maintain the balance between the individual student or group rights and the general welfare is ultimately the University's. Hence, the University, in cooperation with faculty and students, will be the final judge of the excesses, the inappropriateness, or the undesirability of student conduct on campus. Concurrently, the obligation to establish and to promulgate the reasonable norms of good conduct in the Student Handbook and by other campus memoranda is also reserved to the University. All judicial committees which serve the University will be guided in their determinations and recommendations by these norms.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Xavier University views its role in the administration of institutional policy as one of both ensuring fairness and consistency and providing an educational opportunity for the student. This approach protects the campus community by providing a system of educational sanctions for those violating university policies and also encourages growth and development of students through supporting the practice of responsible behavior in a community. The educational approach implies a need for understanding and self discipline on the part of the student as well as a respect for the rights and privileges of others. The focus of the judicial system is corrective and preventive rather than punitive.

The University reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student whose personal conduct indicates an inability to achieve minimum standards of progress for personal development in the University community. All decisions in these situations will be made with regard for reasonable due process in each case. The Vice President for Student Services, or his designee, will have administrative oversight of student judicial affairs.

In cases of suspension or expulsion, the student is granted tuition and other types of refunds based upon the university’s published policy on refunds.

Cheating

Students may not receive or give assistance during examinations, plagiarize essays, term papers, etc., or obtain without authorization an examination or parts of an examination before taking the examination. Such behavior may result in disciplinary sanctions that lead to failure of the course, suspension, dismissal or expulsion from the University.

Demonstrations

The right of peaceful protest within the Xavier community is an important aspect of the freedom to dissent. It is not, however, without certain limitations, and its protection is guaranteed only when it is exercised within responsible guidelines.

By the same standard the University is obligated to prohibit any activity or conduct promoted, staged or encouraged by a student, group of students or others when such activity jeopardizes the safety of individuals, the security of property, or disrupts, minimizes, interferes with or curtails the University, its staff members or its guests in the pursuit of its educational goals, principles or processes. The University activities would include authorized University functions, public or private meetings, normal administrative functions or service-related activities (recreation, health services or placement).

Disruptive activity, or the encouragement of such activity, exceeds the permissible limits of the freedom to protect, and all individuals involved therein or promoting same will be held responsible for such conduct as a violation of the above University right.

The University reserves the right to enjoin such violations by immediate action of any authorized administrative official.

Sanctions

The sanctions for violations will depend upon the gravity of the circumstances, and the range of disciplinary actions may extend as high as dismissal from the University.

Censure

A censure is an official written notification to the student that his/her behavior is unacceptable and inappropriate for a student at Xavier. Any further misconduct will result in the evaluation of his/her status as a student at Xavier University.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary probation indicates to a student that his/her behavior has not met certain standards expected of students at Xavier. The student is excluded from participation in privileges or extracurricular university activities as set forth during his/her disciplinary probation. He/she is prohibited from election to a university office and must relinquish any office currently held. Involvement in further misconduct subjects the student to suspension or dismissal from the University.

Suspension

Suspension prohibits a student from attending classes or any activities on campus for a definite period of time. Students who have been suspended for disciplinary reasons must petition for re-enrollment after their suspension through the Office of the Vice President for Student Services.

Interim or Emergency Suspension

This suspension shall be invoked when officials are faced with an immediate situation where the facts indicate that a student's continued presence on campus constitutes a clear and convincing danger to the normal functions of the University, to property, to others, or to the student him/herself. In such situations, the University shall suspend the student(s) immediately on an emergency basis.

The suspended student shall have the right to appeal this decision immediately to the Vice President for Student Services until normal student judicial procedures are implemented.

Dismissal

This disciplinary action terminates a student's status for an indefinite period.

Expulsion

Expulsion is a permanent release from the University without the privilege of readmission. The University further reserves the right to notify civil authorities whenever the student is guilty of, or charged with, violating civil law.

The administrative officer or judicial board may impose other sanctions deemed appropriate.

Sanctions and Notification of Parents

NOTE: When a student is placed on disciplinary probation, emergency suspension, disciplinary suspension, expulsion or loss of housing privileges, the student's parents or legal guardian(s) will be notified concerning the disciplinary action unless the student can prove independent status. The notification will specify when the violations involve the alcohol or drug policy. Students who do not complete sanctions by the assigned due date will not be returned to "good standing" status until the sanctions are completed.

For violations of the Academic Honor Code for which students are found responsible, the Xavier Hearing Committee may recommend an "F" for the assignment or class involving the violation; the professor may choose to accept or reject this recommendation.