Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Actions
Students planning to study abroad are required to read and understand the following Code of Conduct, including potential disciplinary repercussions that result in not following these rules.
Code of conduct
- Standards of conduct: You are required to understand and follow the University of Rochester Standards of Student Conduct Guide. These rules apply everywhere, in matters relating to student-to-student relationships, class attendance, and academic honesty.
- Academic policy: The University of Rochester rules override those of the study abroad program. For example: the program might say you can take less than a full load of courses, but we don’t allow overloads or underloads on study abroad programs, so you have to follow Rochester’s rules.
- Disciplinary probation: It’s your responsibility to notify our office if you are currently on disciplinary probation. If you are placed on disciplinary action before your study abroad program begins, you must contact our office to discuss how this will affect your study abroad plans.
- Health and safety policies: The University of Rochester rules override the study abroad program’s rules. For example, some programs may allow students to rent or operate motorized vehicles, and we don’t. In some cases, the judgments of local area experts may be based on more current and accurate information than is available to us. In such cases, we’ll rely on the recommendations of local security consultants and site directors.
Disciplinary actions
Engaging in the following behaviors will lead to disciplinary actions that can include loss of privileges, community service, fines, and dismissal from the program, at the sole discretion of the University administration. Learn about progressive discipline procedures.
Illegal drugs
The use, distribution, or possession of any quantity of illegal drugs, including marijuana. Prescription drugs with a valid prescription will be allowed and then only for use by the individual for whom it was prescribed.
Weapons and explosives
The use or possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and other weapons, including, but not limited to pistols, rifles, shotguns, handguns, BB guns, paint guns, swords, knives, spears, and dangerous chemicals.
Violence
Any form of physical violence, including sexual assault.
Theft and property damage
The theft or damage of personal property of another individual, company or University of Rochester equipment. Risking the safety and the property of others by not securing common spaces like failure to observe directions for locking doors, windows, shutters, or loss of keys.
Offensive conduct
Public conduct (in host countries and in the program location) deemed offensive by ordinary standards of courtesy like indecent exposure, drunkenness or abuse of alcohol, personal injury, or property damage. Any other behavior, which directly has an effect on the rights of others.
Academic participation
Not being willing to participate fully in the academic program such as refusal to attend classes or to turn in assignments.
Compliance
Failure to read and to comply with written directions and pre-arrival materials provided by the University of Rochester and your study abroad program concerning your safety, adjustment, and academic success.
Communication responsiveness
Failure to respond in a timely fashion to any communication received from the University of Rochester, and from your program, prior to and during your time abroad. This includes failure to monitor and to keep in working order your University email account. This also includes failure to provide your overseas mailing address to the College Center for Study Abroad at the beginning of your program.
Harassment
Harassment directed toward individuals or groups. Harassment may include, but is not limited to, threat of physical violence, coercion, intimidation, or persistent verbal or written statements (beyond a reasonable expression of opinion), which are likely to cause another person humiliation, stress, or psychological harm.
Travel responsibilities
Returning to the program late, intentionally missing the train, bus, or other type of transportation, or traveling to a prohibited area during elective travel. Failure to inform the local site director, to the best of your ability, of your whereabouts during elective travel.
False information
Knowingly furnishing false or misleading information to a representative of the University of Rochester, and the falsification, alteration, duplication, or misuse of the official identification card, passport, and/or other documents issued to participants.
Noise disruption
Creating excessive noise resulting in the disruption of others’ rights to a peaceful environment, privacy, and rest in the living areas during quiet hours. Failure to respect the rights of others during the remaining time periods.
Unauthorized visitors
Assisting with or bringing unauthorized visitor(s) or substances in program housing or premises. Animals, including dogs, cats, reptiles etc. are prohibited in housing on study abroad programs.
Property use
Unauthorized use of University of Rochester property and/or unauthorized entrance into offices, and common spaces during office hours.
Safety hazards
Creating a fire, safety or health hazard; tampering with fire safety equipment of any kind, including sprinklers, smoke detectors, and/or operating a fire alarm or emergency signal without the existence of a fire or a similar emergency situation.
Disciplinary sanctions
Failure to comply with the terms of any disciplinary sanctions.
Motor vehicles
Operating motor vehicles of any type (automobiles, moped, motorcycles, etc.), or engaging in other dangerous travel behavior such as hitchhiking.
Substance policy adherence
Failure to abide by smoking, drug, and alcohol policies established by the program.
Academic integrity
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty or facilitating any such act inconsistent with the standards of academic integrity established by the University of Rochester.
Computer use
Unauthorized use of computers or use that is inconsistent with the local computer use policies. This can include downloading any files to public machines in cases where students have been forbidden to do so, violating time limits set by the program, or using applications not permitted on program computers, which might include Instant Messenger or music download software.
Financial responsibilities
Failure to promptly meet financial responsibilities to the University of Rochester, including, but not limited to, knowingly passing a worthless check, money order, credit card, or other methods of payment to the University of Rochester or a member of the University of Rochester study abroad community acting in official capacity.
Unauthorized distribution
Unauthorized distribution of flyers, advertisements, informational materials, etc. The University of Rochester does not permit any type of unauthorized sales and solicitations for individuals or companies for private gain.
Non-compliance
Failure to comply with the directives of University of Rochester staff or faculty acting in the performance of their duties.
Disruption of activities
Disruption or obstruction of teaching, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other study abroad activities.
Host country conduct
Failure to follow the standards of conduct and behavior as established for all students while in the host country and on field trips, including failure to learn and to obey local laws as outlined by your program director.
Progressive discipline
Some behaviors, including, but not limited to the use and/or possession of drugs, firearms, and physical assault, may result in immediate dismissal.
Any case may involve the entire range of punishments. In general, University of Rochester administrators will use progressive discipline when addressing issues of student misconduct. Typical progressive discipline includes verbal warnings, written warnings, community service, revocation of privileges, and dismissal from the program.
The disciplinary process through which punishment may be imposed will vary from location to location, however program administrators in each location will generally consider the following:
- Seriousness of the conduct
- Student’s academic and behavioral record
- The student’s ability to correct conduct
- Surrounding circumstances
- Should the individual have been aware of the rule or behavioral violations?
- Is there a reasonable excuse for the infraction?
The University of Rochester may, at any time, contact the student’s parents (and home school, if the student is not a University of Rochester student) if program officers believe that their behavior is inconsistent with the terms of this agreement.