General Policies and
Regulations of Student Life

Student Code of Conduct

I. Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students of Kennesaw State University are guaranteed all of the rights, privileges and freedoms granted to a citizen of the United States and the State of Georgia, including freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, nondiscrimination, privacy and fairness. In addition, they are entitled to an environment that is conducive to learning and individual growth. To this end, students enrolling at Kennesaw State University assume a responsibility for the University's Student Code of Conduct, just as they assume a citizen's responsibility to abide by federal, state and local laws.

Violation of statutory laws, or of the University Student Code of Conduct, may lead to disciplinary actions by Kennesaw State University. These regulations were adopted not to deny any rights or privileges previously guaranteed, but to ensure a pleasant educational environment for all Kennesaw State University students.

Alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct or other policies will be handled as informally as appropriate to resolve the issue.  However, any student who is accused of a violation is entitled to basic due process rights, which include:

  1. The rights to have a hearing before an impartial body,
  2. The right to present evidence and witnesses on his/her behalf,
  3. The right to question his/her accuser,
  4. The right to be considered innocent until a violation is proven,
  5. The right to remain silent and have no inference of guilt drawn from such silence,
  6. The right to request an appeal the decision of the hearing body based proper grounds, as detailed in the University's policies.
Disciplinary measures which may be assigned to individual students for violations of the Student Code of Conduct include expulsion, probated expulsion, suspension, probated suspension, probation, restrictions, reprimand (oral or written) restitution, and community service.

II. Academic Honesty
The high quality of education at Kennesaw State University is reflected in the credits and degrees its students earn. The protection of these high standards is crucial since the validity and equity of the University's grades and degrees depend upon it. Any student found guilty of an infraction of a regulation for academic honesty shall be suspended for at least one quarter unless evidence is provided to convince the court that substantial mitigating circumstances existed in that student's offense.

The following regulations are designed to assist students in developing appropriate standards and attitudes with respect to academic honesty. To this end, the regulations protect students against infractions that may compromise the validity of their degree or place them at an undue disadvantage with respect to the equity of their grades.

A. Plagiarism and Cheating
No student shall receive, attempt to receive, knowingly give or attempt to give unauthorized assistance in the preparation of any work required to be submitted for credit as part of a course (including examinations, laboratory reports, essays, themes, term papers, etc.) When direct quotations are used, they should be indicated; when the language, ideas, theories, data, figures, graphs, programs, electronic based information or illustrations of someone other than the student are incorporated into a paper or used in a project, they should be duly acknowledged.

B. Unauthorized Access to Official University Materials
No student shall take or attempt to take, steal, or in an unauthorized manner otherwise procure, gain access to, alter or destroy any material pertaining to the conduct of a class (including tests, examinations, grade change forms, grade rolls, roll books, laboratory equipment, university grade records in written or computerized form, etc.).

C. Misrepresentation, Falsification of University Records or Academic Work
No student shall knowingly provide false information in completing university forms or applications (including admissions forms, scholarship applications, time sheets, use of false or counterfeit transcripts, etc.) or in any work submitted for credit as part of a course.

D. Malicious Removal, Retention, or Destruction of Library Materials
No student shall misplace, take, or destroy or attempt to misplace, take or destroy any item or part of an item belonging to or in the protection of the university library with the intention of bringing about an undue disadvantage in the classroom work of other Kennesaw State University students.

E. Malicious/Intentional Misuse of Computer Facilities and/or Services
The malicious or intentional misuse of computer facilities and services is prohibited. Violation of state and federal laws (including copyright violations, unauthorized access or systems, alteration/damage/ destruction, or attempted alteration/damage/destruction, use for profit, etc.) or a department's rules for computer usage (including account violations, damage or destruction of the system and/or its performance, unauthorized copying of electronic information, use of threatening or obscene language, etc.) is prohibited. (See Academic Computing User Policies in the Academic Services and Policies section of the undergraduate catalog).

F. Student Identification Cards

  1. Lending, selling, or otherwise transferring a student identification card is prohibited, as is the use of an identification card by anyone other than its original holder.
  2. No student shall obtain under false pretenses any additional student identification cards.
  3. A student must present proper credentials to properly identified university faculty and staff upon their request while these persons are in the performance of their duties.

III. Disruption of Campus Life
It is the purpose of the institution to provide a campus environment which encourages academic accomplishment, personal growth, and a spirit of understanding and cooperation. An important part of maintaining such an environment is the commitment to protect the health and safety of every member of the campus community. Belligerent, abusive, profane, threatening and/or inappropriate behavior on the part of students is a violation of the Kennesaw State University Student Conduct Regulations. Students who are found guilty of such misconduct may be subject to immediate dismissal from the institution. In addition, those violations which may constitute misdemeanor or felony violations of state law may also be subject to criminal action beyond the university disciplinary process. (See the Kennesaw State University Student Handbook for detailed specifics of student misconduct).

IV. Financial Responsibility

A. Financial Responsibility
Students are required to meet all financial obligations to the university promptly.

B. Use of Student Activities Funds
Use of Student Activities funds must follow guidelines set by the Institution.

V. Use and Possession of Drugs, Including Alcohol
Use and/or possession of drugs (controlled substances) is prohibited. The Kennesaw State University Alcohol Policy can be found in the Kennesaw State University Handbook.

VI. Parking and Traffic Regulations

A. Authority
Kennesaw State University adopts these regulations pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of Regents to regulate the University System of Georgia Campus Traffic, Official Code of Georgia Annotated, (OCGA), Title 20. These regulations supersede all previous KSU Parking and Traffic Regulations pertaining to motor vehicle operation and parking on campus.

B. Application
These regulations apply to all persons operating motor vehicles at Kennesaw State University. Students, faculty, and staff shall not operate or park any motor vehicles on campus unless qualified to do so under applicable State law and KSU regulations. The campus includes that property owned or leased by the Board of Regents and designated as Kennesaw State University. For the purpose of these regulations, a motor vehicle is a conveyance with two or more wheels propelled by an electric or fuel-burning motor.

For details on registration, operation and parking, see the Kennesaw State University Student Handbook.

VII. Off-Campus Activities

The following regulations apply to off-campus activities including outings or field trips for classes of Kennesaw State University, off-campus university athletic events, any officially sanctioned off-campus events such as those under the auspices of a Kennesaw State University class, or an officially recognized university organization, or a Kennesaw State University group or organization that is seeking official university recognition.

a.	Students involved in off-campus activities shall not act in a disorderly
             or disruptive fashion, nor shall they conduct any dangerous activity. 
b. 	Students involved in off-campus activities shall not take, damage or destroy 
             or attempt to take, damage or destroy property of another. 
c.	Use and Possession of Drugs, including Alcohol.
	Use and/or possession of drugs (controlled substances) is prohibited. Alcohol 
            regulations appear in Section V of this code.

VIII. Organizations
A student organization is subject to the authority of the court in the following situations:

For specific regulations and policy for organizations, refer to the Kennesaw State University Student Handbook.

IX. Contempt and False Statements Under Oath

A. All students shall fully comply with the instructions of the Kennesaw State University Judiciary.

B. No student shall make a false statement while under oath in a university disciplinary hearing.

C. No student shall disrupt the proceedings of the Kennesaw State University Judiciary, behave in a manner which is intended to lessen the authority or dignity of the Kennesaw State University Judiciary, or otherwise obstruct justice on the campus.

D. All students are expected to serve as a witness when so requested by the Kennesaw State University Judiciary unless excused by the vice president for student success and enrollment services.

X. Revisions of the Regulations

Any student, faculty member, or administrator can initiate any revision of, additions to, and deletions from these Student Conduct Regulations. Recommendations shall be submitted to the vice president for student success and enrollment services. The vice president, in consultation with appropriate parties, shall ensure discussion of the proposed change(s). When all parties have had an opportunity to comment on the proposal, the vice president shall forward all recommendations to the University Senate. The Senate, in turn, shall send its recommendation, with comments, to the Kennesaw State University president and staff.

Refer to the Kennesaw State University Handbook for section on Disciplinary 
Measures.

Handling Student Code of Conduct Violations at KSU

Kennesaw State University's Student Code of Conduct, Judiciary Policies and Procedures, suspension policies, and campus police are organized in ways to preserve and protect the health, safety and academic integrity of the campus community, as noted in the following policies and procedures.

In General
The University Judiciary Program handles all charges against students which involve alleged violations of the Kennesaw State University Student Code of Conduct, including allegations of academic misconduct and disruptive behavior. In addition, the KSU Police may become involved with incidents of disruptive behavior.

Faculty, staff and/or students who are witnesses to or victims of incidents of alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct should immediately contact the University Judiciary Office and submit the proper documentation. The university judicial officer will conduct a preliminary investigation and advise as to the appropriate course of action in each situation. Incidents of misconduct may be subjected to mediation, or negotiation, if appropriate, prior to the formal hearing process.

A person bringing charges against a student for alleged violations of the Code of Conduct is expected to fully cooperate with the judiciary policies and procedures, which includes participation in investigations related to the charges and in the hearing process. Once a hearing date is set, both the accuser and the accused student will have the option of obtaining an advisor from the judiciary panel to assist in the preparation and presentation of their case. A detailed description of the hearing process is found in the Official KSU Judiciary Handbook.

I. Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is defined in Section II of the Kennesaw State University Student Code of Conduct. Procedures for addressing and reporting incidents of academic misconduct can be found in the Judiciary Policies and Procedures, as well as the Faculty/Staff Guide to Addressing Student Conduct Issues. The University's policies include procedures for both handling informal resolutions of academic misconduct, and filing formal charges with the Office of Judiciary Programs, which will result in a hearing.

In either situation, whether the matter is handled informally or forwarded to the judiciary for handling, the faculty member should document the incident on an Academic Misconduct Incident Report form, and forward this information to the university judiciary officer. Incident reports which are submitted to the Office of Judiciary Programs will not be released without the written consent of the student, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Under the informal procedure, a faculty member who has evidence that a student has committed academic misconduct may elect to resolve the issue within the confines of the class, if the student readily admits to the misconduct, without coercion or intimidation. The faculty member must first meet with the student to explain and discuss the allegations of misconduct. If the student admits the misconduct, and declines a judiciary hearing, the faculty member may assign an appropriate sanction. Informal sanctions may include additional academic work for the class, grade reduction, a grade of "F" on the assignment or in the course, etc.

However, if the student denies the misconduct, or the student and faculty member cannot reach an informal agreement regarding an appropriate penalty, the misconduct should be reported to the judiciary program for a hearing. Academic misconduct, as determined by a judiciary hearing, carries a mandatory minimum suspension of one semester, unless substantial mitigating circumstances are proven.

II. Disruptive Behavior
It is the purpose of the University to provide a campus environment which encourages academic accomplishment, personal growth, and a spirit of understanding and cooperation. An important part of maintaining such an environment is the commitment to protect the health and safety of every member of the campus community. Belligerent, abusive, profane, threatening and/or inappropriate behavior on the part of students is a violation of the Kennesaw State University Student Code of Conduct. Students who are found in violation of the Code of Conduct may be subject to immediate dismissal from the University.  In addition, those violations, which may constitute misdemeanor or felony violations of state or federal law, may also be subject to criminal action beyond the University disciplinary process.

Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to the following conduct (See the KSU Student Code of Conduct for additional categories of unacceptable student conduct.):

  1. Disorderly Assembly
    No student shall assemble on the campus for the purpose of creating a riot, or destructive or disorderly diversion, or obstructing or disrupting the normal operation of the University (including any teaching, administrative, disciplinary, or public service activity, or any other activity authorized to take place on the campus).
  2. Disruptive and/or Dangerous Conduct
    No student shall act in a manner which can reasonably be expected to disturb the academic pursuits or infringe upon the privacy, rights, privileges, health or safety of other persons.
  3. Disruptive Speech
    That speech is prohibited which:  a) presents an immediate or imminent clear and present danger, b) is disruptive to the academic functioning of the institution, and/or c) constitutes a threat against an individual(s) such that it would provoke that individual(s) to imminent violent reaction.
  4. Physical Attack
    Physical attack on or in University property or at functions sponsored by the University or any registered university organization, is at any time prohibited.

A faculty member is responsible for maintaining discipline in the classroom setting, to the extent that all students in that class have an opportunity to participate in the learning process. Free exchange of ideas through appropriate dialogue is a necessary and important part of the learning process. Outside the classroom, other areas of the campus provide support services which are also important to the total learning process. Sometimes a faculty or staff member may be confronted with a situation where the conduct of a particular student or students is inappropriate in that it impedes the natural and necessary learning process. The faculty or staff member must then determine whether the situation is disruptive but not imminently dangerous, or both disruptive and imminently dangerous to the health and safety of others.

If the situation is not imminently dangerous, the faculty or staff member may control the immediate situation by requiring the student(s) to meet specific criteria (not speaking during the remainder of the class period, leaving the classroom or office area immediately, etc.), or the faculty member may choose to dismiss the class for the remainder of the period to avoid a confrontation. Such action should be immediately reported to the department chair and to the Office of Judiciary Programs, using the Student Misconduct Incident Report Form.
If the faculty or staff member feels that there is a significant imminent danger to the health and safety of the student(s), others, or him/herself, the faculty or staff member should immediately contact the University's Public Safety office for assistance. The responding officer at the time of notification shall remove the student from the area immediately and refer the incident to the Vice President for Student Success & Enrollment Services, or his/her designated representative, for possible handling under the "interim suspension" policy.

Interim suspension measures may be taken against a student when the Vice President for Student Success & Enrollment Services or his/her designated representative shall determine, based on clear and convincing evidence, that the student has engaged, or threatens to engage, in behavior which (1) is seriously disruptive or significantly impedes the normal activities or academic endeavors of others, (2) poses an immediate, significant threat of physical danger to others, (3) poses an immediate, significant threat of danger to him/herself, and is of such a serious nature that it must be handled more expeditiously than the university judiciary procedures allow.
Interim suspension may include any or all of the following: (1) restriction from participation in any academic course, program, or activity; (2) restriction from participation in any student activity on or off campus; (3) restriction from use of any or all university facilities, including the library, labs, or offices; (4) restriction from entering the campus.

If a determination is made to suspend a student under the interim suspension policy, the person rendering the decision shall notify the student, the public safety department, the registrar, and the student's teachers that the student has been temporarily suspended from the institution pending the outcome of a hearing. The case will then be forwarded to the University Judiciary for a hearing, to be held as soon as practical. In such situations, the student may waive the normal ten-day notification requirement in order to have a more speedy hearing and decision.

Supplemental Program Specific Recourse
Some degree programs, such as those in education or nursing, have program-level admission and retention standards and review procedures in place beyond the generally applicable institutional admission and retention policies. If disruptive student behavior occurs in the context of fulfilling program requirements in such areas, the faculty or staff member may also have the recourse of filing a complaint with the designated program-level official and proceeding through the due process procedures established for handling such complaints. Individuals should consult the dean of the college/school and/or published standards as to the applicability of such program-specific recourse to the incident or incidents in question.

Resources

  1. Coordinator of the University Judiciary Program - (770) 499-3403.
  2. Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Services - (770) 423-6310.
  3. Director of University Police - (770) 423-6206.
  4. University Judiciary Program Handbook (found in many offices on campus, including
    the offices of all Deans and Department Chairs)
  5. The KSU Student Code of Conduct
  6. The University Judiciary Program Homepage (which includes all rules, policies and procedures related to the Judiciary) at http://www.kennesaw.edu/judiciaryprog

III. Sexual Assault
Victims should report instances of alleged sexual assault to either the KSU Department of Public Safety (770) 423-6666 or the Student Success and Enrollment Services Office (770) 423-6310.

The victim of a sexual assault should take care to preserve any evidence that may be necessary to prove that the assault occurred. Victims are advised to consult law enforcement authorities before showering/bathing, or changing or laundering any clothing that was worn during the assault. However, the fact that the victim of a sexual assault has already bathed, showered, or otherwise compromised potential evidence should in no way dissuade the victim from reporting the assault, as such actions may not prevent prosecution or conduct proceedings from going forward.
Students who report sexual assaults to the KSU Department of Public Safety or the vice president for student success and enrollment services shall be afforded assistance in seeking counseling and follow-up medical care, making changes to their academic situations and reporting to the appropriate criminal authorities after an assault has occurred.
 
Kennesaw State University recognizes and upholds the rights of victims of sexual assault, including: 
A.  	The right to have any and all sexual assaults against them treated with 
              seriousness; the right, as victims, to be treated with dignity; and the right for
              campus organizations which assist victims to be accorded recognition.
B.  	The right to have sexual assaults investigated and adjudicated by the duly 
             constituted criminal and civil authorities of the governmental entity in 
             which the crimes occurred; and the right to the full and prompt cooperation 
             and assistance of campus personnel in notifying the proper authorities. The 
             foregoing shall be in addition to any campus disciplinary proceedings.
C.  	The right to be free from any kind of pressure from campus personnel that
             victims (1) not report crimes committed against them to civil and criminal 
             authorities or to campus law enforcement and disciplinary officials; or (2) 
             report crimes as lesser offenses than the victims perceive them to be.
D.  	The right to be free from any kind of suggestion that campus sexual assault 
              victims not report, or under report, crimes because (1) the victims are 
              somehow responsible for the commission of crimes against them; (2) 
             victims were contributively negligent or assumed the risk of being assaulted; 
              or (3) by reporting crimes they would incur unwanted personal publicity.
E.  	The same right to advisement and assistance, or ability to have others 
             present, in any campus disciplinary proceeding that the institution permits
             the accused; and the right to be notified of the outcome of such proceeding.
F.  	The right to full and prompt cooperation from campus personnel in 
             obtaining, securing, and maintaining evidence (including a medical 
             examination) as may be necessary to the proof of criminal sexual assault in 
             subsequent legal proceedings.
G.  	The right to be made aware of, and assisted in exercising any options, as 
              provided by state and federal laws or regulations with regard to mandatory 
              testing of sexual assault suspects for communicable diseases and with regard 
              to notification to victims of the results of such testing.
H.  	The right to counseling from any mental health services previously 
              established by the institution, or by other victim-service entities, or by 
              victims themselves.
I.  	After campus sexual assaults have been reported, the victims of such crimes 
             shall have the right to require that campus personnel take the necessary 
             steps or actions reasonably feasible to prevent any unnecessary or unwanted 
             contact or proximity with alleged assailant(s), including transfer of classes 
             if requested by the victims.

 

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