Rules of Conduct

Each student, faculty, staff, vendor and guest is expected to comply with all rules and regulations set by Manhattanville College. These rules are in place to ensure that all campus buildings and grounds are used correctly for the safety and well-being of the campus community.

Climbing on Structures: Climbing, rappelling, entering or exiting a building through a non-designated opening, or related activities on campus buildings or structures is prohibited.

Damage to Property: Damage to property and furnishings, whether college property or property belonging to other person(s), is prohibited. Restitution to the college for damages may be required.

Dishonesty: All forms of dishonesty are prohibited, including cheating on student employment records, Admissions applications, Financial Aid documents, supplying false information to any College official, or in the course of a College judicial investigation, as well as forgery or use of College documents or instruments of identification including college transcripts and letters of recommendation with intent to defraud. Cases of Academic Dishonesty will be handled according to the procedures prescribed under “Academic Conduct”.

Disorderly Conduct & Disruptive Behavior: Disorderly conduct is any behavior which disrupts the regular or normal functions of the Manhattanville College community and all communities where Manhattanville students are carrying out educational activities, including behavior which endangers the health and safety of others, breaches the peace and/or violates the rights of others. Lewd, obscene or indecent behavior is prohibited. Engaging in racist, sexist or other forms of discriminatory behavior is also prohibited.

Door Propping: Propping doors pose a serious risk to the campus community. Individuals who prop doors will be subject to disciplinary measures and fines.

Electronic Use Policy- Misuse or abuse of the College computer system, voice mail or telephone services. This includes, but is not limited to:

Unauthorized use or abuse of your e-mail account and/or internet service.
Sending abusive or threatening messages to students, faculty, or staff.
Accessing a student or staff account without authorization.
Viewing of lewd or indecent material on College owned computers.
Unauthorized entry into College computer labs.
Unauthorized entry into any office computer, data systems or distribution of any information contained therein.

Failure to be an Upstanding Citizen: It is the responsibility of the student to adhere to any rule or regulation as well as report any violation that may presumably be known. Failure to abide by this rationale does not show an example of being an upstanding citizen.

Failure to Comply: Failure to comply with the directions of College officials, Residence Life staff, or those appointed or elected to act on behalf of the College, acting under provisions of the Code of Conduct or in the performance of their duties, is prohibited. This shall include, but is not limited to, failing to produce identification to College officials when directed, failing to respond to personal directives, failing to evacuate a building during an emergency alarm, hiding or fleeing from a College official, and failing to comply with a disciplinary sanction. Any incident in which the Code of Conduct has been violated and which also accompanies an individual’s failure to comply will automatically be elevated to the next higher level of severity (refer to the SANCTIONS section for descriptions of the schedule of sanctions).

NOTE: If you are ever instructed by a College official to do something you feel is inappropriate or feel you have been dealt with in an inappropriate manner, you should advise the person's supervisor of your specific concerns or contact the Dean of Students. Just because you dislike the approach a College official uses in handling a problem, it does not justify any rule violations on your part. You should cooperate with the instructions given by the College official and report your concerns later.

Failure to Report Actions Which Threaten the Health, Safety or Well Being of Members of the College: Community members who have knowledge that another individual has committed one of the following acts are required to report the violation to a Manhattanville College official within 24 hours: false fire alarm; bomb threat; misuse of fire extinguisher; damage to fire exit sign, fire door or exit door; physical abuse; arson; sexual assault or harassment; use or possession of a weapon or explosives; driving a motor vehicle on campus grounds or sidewalks; use of controlled substance or illegal drugs or other endangering conduct.

Fire Alarm Activation: When a fire alarm sounds, every Student must evacuate the premises immediately and remain at the designated “safe” area with their Resident Advisors until approved to re-enter by a College Official or the Fire department. Failure to evacuate a building and/or report as directed by the College or Office of Residence Life during a fire situation will result in judicial sanctioning and follow up.

False Fire Alarms and Misuse of or Tampering with Fire Equipment: Persons who knowingly or negligently cause or attempt to cause a false alarm by the setting off of the fire alarm system or give any other common or recognized alarms of fire or bomb threat are guilty of endangering the lives of other people and may cause damage to the persons and/or equipment responding to such false alarms. Tampering with building smoke or fire detectors and misuse or tampering with fire extinguishers or any other fire or safety equipment is prohibited. Hanging of any items from sprinkler pipes is prohibited. Any violation of this policy may result in suspension or expulsion and a $500.00 fine plus associated fees.

Fire Alarm Evacuation Procedure: When a fire alarm sounds in a College building, all persons must immediately evacuate the building, exiting by the most direct safe route. Occupants must evacuate the building to points sufficient to ensure their personal safety. In the case of Residence Hall evacuations, all residents must report to their designated evacuation points. Any person who fails to immediately evacuate a building during an alarm will be judicially charged and will be fined.

Fire Hazards & Electrical Safety: Electrical appliances and other items, which constitute fire hazards, are not permitted. Illegal items found will be confiscated. Additionally, a $250.00 fine per item may be assessed and judicial action may be taken. The following items are prohibited on the Manhattanville College campus: Hot plates, Candles (with or without wicks), Incense, Heaters with a safety shut off (need to be approved by the Office of Residence Life), Electric skillets, Electric blankets, Heating pads, Sterno, Toasters/Toaster ovens, Multi-plug extension cords, Halogen lamps, Outdoor and indoor grills/Camp stoves, Charcoal/Propane/Gasoline and/or other combustible liquids, Hookahs, Liquid potpourri, Unauthorized Loft beds, Satellite dishes, Window bird feeders, DJ speakers, Novelty lights (including Christmas & other string lights), Air Conditioners (unless considered a medical need and documented by a doctor). The College also prohibits the use of any other objects that may be utilized in a dangerous manner. The College, Office of Residence Life, and their designees reserve the right to deem any item banned at any time.

Gambling: Is not permitted except at College sanctioned events.

General Rules: No objects may be thrown or dropped from windows, or areas designated as being restricted, in any of the buildings on campus. No golf balls can be hit from any building, field, or location on campus except those areas designated by the Department of Athletics. Throwing objects from residence hall or any campus windows or hitting golf balls in non-approved areas on campus is dangerous and could result in the immediate revocation of residential or student status.

BBQ grills of any type are not permitted. Grilling is not permitted anywhere on campus unless there is prior approval from the Vice President of Student Affairs or Office of Residence Life.

Guest & Visitor Policy:

A visitor is defined as a Manhattanville resident student who is visiting a residence hall other than their assigned building.

Guests are defined as any non-residential student who chooses to visit a resident student. Due to the adult living nature of residence halls, guests under the age of 18 are not permitted to spend the night; unless the guest is a sibling of the host and the College requires written consent from parent/guardian.All guests must be registered through the appropriate college guest registration system. Only residential students may register overnight guests for the residence hall areas. Commuters may register guests for campus events.

Non-Manhattanville students who do not have the appropriate guest pass will be removed from the residence hall and/or the campus immediately.

Students hosting guests must accompany them and are responsible for their behavior at all times. Students are held accountable for any disturbance and/or damage their guests may cause.
Students are limited to two guests or visitors at a time.
The maximum number of people permitted to occupy any individual room or suite at any one time may not exceed twice the number of residents of that living unit at any one time.
Students living in graduate housing units must adhere to the guest and visitor policies as well as all other Manhattanville policies.
Overnight visitors or guests must have the approval of all residents in a given living unit.
A guest or visitor may not spend more than two consecutive nights within a seven day period.

Students alleged to be in violation of this policy are charged under the College Student Handbook. Any concerns regarding overnight guests/visitors should be reported to the residence director immediately.

“Squatting” by Guests: Anyone who takes up residence (unregistered guest for any period exceeding 48 hours within a 7-day period) in a student’s room will be removed from the premises and will not be allowed in any residence hall space above the ground floor. Any student who hosts an unregistered guest in their Residence Hall and allows him/her to take residence with them may immediately forfeit housing privileges and may not be allowed in any residence hall space above the ground floor.

Harassment: Any unwelcome conduct that: (1) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment; or (2) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance; or (3) otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment or educational opportunities. Examples include vulgar or offensive conversation or jokes; unwelcome comments about an employee’s physical characteristics, religious beliefs, ethnic background, medical condition, or disability; teasing, slurs, threats, derogatory comments, or other similar verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct directed toward a person, which is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an unprofessional and hostile working or educational environment.

Hate Crime: “A crime reported to local police agencies or to a campus security authority that manifests evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the perpetrator's bias against the victim. For the purposes of this section, the categories of bias include the victim’s actual or perceived race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, and disability.” 34 C.F.R. § 668.46.

Hazing: The College prohibits hazing. Hazing is defined as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or emotional or physical health or safety of another person for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in an organization or team whose members, mentors, sponsors or coaches are or included students of Manhanttanville College. In addition, any requirement by a member or pledge which compels another member or pledge to participate in any activity that is against College policy or New York State Law is defined as hazing.

Hazing behaviors include but are not limited to the following:

Forcing or requiring an individual to drink alcohol or use other substances or consume unreasonable amounts of food;
Engaging in activities that compel an individual or group to remain at a certain place, or transporting anyone anywhere without their knowledge and/or consent (road trips, kidnaps, etc.);
Creating excessive fatigue or distress through the deprivation of privacy, sufficient sleep or decent and edible meals;
Participating in morally degrading or humiliating games and activities (Shaving, tattooing, piercing or branding);
Participation in or creation of situations that cause physical harm or emotional strain, such as causing a member or non-member to be the object of malicious amusement or ridicule;
Using brutality or force.
Engaging in or simulating sexual acts, nudity
Throwing substances or objects at individuals
Assigning unreasonable chores or acts of servitude
Forcing or coercing consumption or use of any substance
Interfering with adequate time for study
Requiring the wearing of apparel or acting in a way that is conspicuous and not within community norms

Passive participation in hazing may include:

Witnessing hazing taking place as a group member, affiliate or guest
Participating in or being present in person or via technology in discussions where hazing is planned

As these examples illustrate, hazing activities do not need to involve alcohol to be in violation of this policy.

Any of these activities, if a condition, either directly or indirectly, of membership, advancement, or good standing in a College-recognized organization, shall be presumed to be a forced activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding. The College may treat the action of even one member of a group as constituting hazing by the entire group. Executive leaders of an organization found responsible for hazing are also subject to disciplinary action.

Hazing is a violation of the New York State Law when such action by a group or organization recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves the forced consumption of liquor or drugs for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with any organization. Any individual, group or organization found responsible for hazing will be subject to disciplinary action, which may result in probation, suspension or revocation of College recognition.

The College will report allegations of hazing to law enforcement authorities when, in the judgment of the dean of the College, the nature of the allegations suggests that the hazing activity, if it occurred or is occurring, presents a risk of serious harm to students or other persons, or involves a potentially serious violation of law.

Identification Card Policy: Currently enrolled Manhattanville College students are required to carry a valid Manhattanville College ID at all times when they are on College property. ID Cards must be displayed for the use of most College services and upon the request of a member of the College faculty, staff, administration or a student official acting in the performance of his/her official duties. Students in possession of another individual’s ID card, or any other form of false identification, will be judicially charged. Students who lend others their ID card will also be judicially charged.

ID Cards are non-transferable and may not be duplicated.
Lost ID cards and the ID cards of those students who are withdrawing from the College must be turned into Campus Safety and Security or the Office of Residence Life upon departure.

Noise: Excessive noise (at any time) is prohibited. Reasonable quiet must prevail in the academic buildings, outside areas and residence halls at all times. Under no circumstances should noise be projected out of windows. In addition, playing portable stereos in public areas (lounges, halls, etc.) is prohibited. Repeated noise violations may result in the confiscation of the equipment in question as well as additional conduct action.

Personal Mobility Devices: (Hover boards, Segways, Swagways, IO Hawks, Skywalkers, and other personal mobility devices (PMD’s) are banned from the Manhattanville College campus. If a PMD is found on campus, it will be confiscated by Campus Safety and/or Residence Life and the owner and operator will be subject to disciplinary actions.

Pet Policy: With the exception of non-dangerous fish, service animals, and assistance animals, no pets are allowed in the residence halls at any time. Pets are not allowed to “visit” in the residence halls. Fish must be kept in the aquariums that do not exceed ten gallons in size. Violations of this policy will result in a $250.00 fine, the removal of the animal/pet within a 48-hour period, and disciplinary action, which may result in loss of residency.

Physical Assault: Including but not limited to: a) Inflicting bodily harm upon any person (student or non-student) b) Taking any action for the purpose of inflicting harm upon any person. c) Threatening use of force upon any person d) subjecting another person to unwanted physical contact.

Public Areas: While Manhattanville College respects the right of students to access public areas, such as lounge space in buildings or the Quad or Mini-Quad outdoors, the rights of students to sleep and study take precedent. If unauthorized activities in public areas disrupt the ability of other students to sleep and/or study, the unauthorized activity must end. If the unauthorized activities taking place in public areas violate the College’s Code of Conduct, for example underage consumption of alcohol on the Quad or open containers of alcohol outdoors, additional conduct action will be taken. The Office of Residence Life may determine an activity to be unauthorized in a public area at any time. Grills and tents are not permitted on campus unless approved by the Office of Student Activities or the Office of Residence Life.

Reckless Endangerment: Taking any action that creates a substantial risk such that bodily harm could result to any person. These include but are not limited to: objects or people on windows ledges, use of weapons of any kind for any purpose, throwing objects (i.e. snowballs), use of fireworks, and/or jeopardizing the physical or emotional safety of oneself or another. All person(s) involved will be disciplined.

Restricted Areas: For safety reasons, students are restricted from all campus building roofs, electrical or mechanical rooms, and any other premises of the campus where access is designated as prohibited.

Sales and Solicitation: Students are not permitted to run a business out of any College facility.

Smoking/Vaping: In accordance with New State Law, "vape/vaping" or smoking is not permitted inside any building on campus. Smoking is not permitted in or within 30 feet outside of any building. Students who violate this policy will be subject to fines.

Social Fraternal Organizations: Manhattanville College does not recognize any social fraternal organizations. As such, social fraternity/sorority recruitment, pledging or hazing is not permitted. On-campus events co-sponsored by members of off-campus social fraternal/sorority organizations will be permitted on campus; under the guidelines of the Office of Student Activities.

Stalking:
“(i) Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to—
(A) Fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or
(B) Suffer substantial emotional distress.

(ii) For the purposes of this definition—
(A) Course of conduct means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property.
(B) Reasonable person means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the victim.
(C) Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.

(iii) For the purposes of complying with the requirements of this section and section 668.41, any incident meeting this definition is considered a crime for the purposes of Clery Act reporting.”
34 C.F.R. § 668.46.

Theft: Theft, including theft of College property or theft of the property of another or knowingly receiving, retaining, or disposing of the lost or mislaid property of a member of the College community or of the College staff, in addition to College work study and campus employment work hours not actually performed, is considered in the entire community to be a serious violation. Theft on the part of students may be adjudicated through the College conduct system and/or through civil or criminal courts. All persons apprehended will be disciplined. Theft violates the law and, as such, violators may be referred to law enforcement.

Cases of theft of personal possessions or College Property should be reported at once to Campus Safety and the Resident Director (if living in a Residence Hall). Persons accused of theft will be accorded all the rights outlined under the basic procedures for student conduct hearings. If there is reasonable cause to believe that a room contains misappropriated property belonging to a member of the College community, or another party, a room search may be conducted.

Unauthorized Entry: The unauthorized entry, use, or occupation of College facilities, as well as the unauthorized possession, use or duplication of keys and/or cards to College facilities is prohibited.

Upstanding Citizen: The student understands that (s)he is part of a community. In order to promote a positive setting it is the responsibility of the student to adhere to any rule or regulation as well as to report any violation that may be known. Failure to adhere to or report any violation may be subject to disciplinary sanctions.

UAVs (Drones and Model Aircraft) on Campus: A recent FAA law prohibits the use or operation of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle, drone, or model aircraft) within five (5) miles of an airport; the College is within that range of the Westchester Airport. In order to comply with FAA regulations, the College is prohibiting the use of operation of a UAV over College property, with limited exceptions.

If you decide to bring your UAV to campus and if you wish to operate it on College property, you MUST obtain written approval of the Director, Campus Safety, at least seven (7) days prior to the planned operation. Without written prior approval, anyone operating a drone on/over the College property will be subject to disciplinary actions as well as possible criminal sanctions. Please refer to Manhattanville College’s full UAV policy

Vandalism: Damage to property, whether College property or property belonging to other person(s), is prohibited. Members of the community will be held responsible for damage to any room or furnishings. Any damage by students to College property will be charged to the student.

Charges for damages to residence hall common-use areas and furnishings therein will be assessed equally to all residents of the residence hall. Should the identity of the person(s) responsible for the damage in common areas be known, that individual(s) would be properly assessed for the necessary repairs. All building common area damages will be billed equally to all the residents of that building as per the Housing Contract and Room Condition Report.

Violations of Criminal Law: Violations of federal, state or local criminal law or actions that adversely affect the College and/or pursuit of its objectives are prohibited on campus or elsewhere and may be subject to disciplinary proceedings here. The criminal case burden of proof, obviously, does not apply to Manhattanville College cases.

Weapons: Students are not permitted to possess or imply possession of a weapon anywhere on property owned, leased, or controlled by Manhattanville College. It is illegal to possess weapons, even if legally possessed in a manner that harms, threatens, or causes fear to self or others. Examples of weapons include, but are not limited to, any type of firearm, pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, weapon, devices which resemble weapons, dangerous chemicals, fireworks, explosive materials, accelerants, dangerous devices capable of casting a projectile, crossbows, pellet guns, paint guns, “BB” guns, knives (including switchblades), martial arts tools, paintball and air soft guns, explosives, chemicals used in a dangerous way, and ammunition. The College also prohibits the use of any object, which is utilized in a dangerous manner – an example of this would be matches used to set fire to or damage any object. Hazardous chemicals, which could pose a health risk, are also prohibited from the campus. This includes chemicals which, when combined with other substances, could be hazardous or present a danger to others. Violation of this policy may result in immediate expulsion. The College considers possession of weapons to be very serious and a violation of the law, and therefore, requires any student, staff, or faculty to report the existence of such weapon immediately to the Director of Campus Safety, Director of Residence Life or the Dean of Students or to any staff member.

Additional Regulations: The student must be aware of the full extent of expectation placed on them by the College. This information is presented in this handbook, the Housing Contract, and other publications by the College, its Schools, Office of Residence Life and the Dean of Students. The College reserves the right to change or alter any rule or regulation at any time. It is the student’s responsibility to understand and abide by any change that occurs.

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Code of Conduct