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1. RowanSOM Student Responsibilities, Rights and Disciplinary Procedures
2. Honor Code and Professional Conduct sections of the [Cooper Medical School of Rowan University] Student Handbook
   

VI.  POLICY

1. Rowan University is an academic community and as such the University has instituted this Student Code of Conduct to set forth the standards and expectations that are consistent with its purpose as an educational institution. The University reaffirms the principle of student freedom, coupled with an acceptance of full responsibility for one's behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Rowan University recognizes the rights of its students guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the State of New Jersey, which include a student's rights within the institution to freedom of speech, inquiry, assembly, peaceful pursuit of an education, and reasonable use of services and facilities of the University.
2. While it is the goal of the disciplinary process to educate students as to the purpose and importance of abiding by the Student Code of Conduct, the University will also issue sanctions as are appropriate and necessary to ensure continued and/or future adherence to this Code, and to protect the University community from disruptive behavior.
3. In addition to the Code, students must also recognize and comply with the standards of classroom behavior as stated in their individual course syllabi. This document and supporting materials have been developed to guarantee procedural fairness to students when there has been an alleged failure to abide by Rowan University's policies and regulations. Procedures may vary in formality given the gravity and nature of the offense and the sanctions that may be applied. Each student is responsible for reading and complying with the Student Code of Conduct.
4. Authority
   1. The Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students and his/her designees have the responsibility for maintaining and implementing the Student Code of Conduct. In a situation where a student's health or safety is/was seriously endangered the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students or his/her designees will make every attempt to notify the student's parent/guardian as soon as possible.
5. Violation of Law and University Discipline
   1. Students may be accountable to both the University and to civil authorities for acts which violate the Student Code of Conduct. Disciplinary action at the University will normally proceed during the pendency of criminal proceedings. The University reserves the right to reach its own determination on violations of this Code independently of the outcome of any civil or criminal proceedings.
6. Conduct Rules
   1. Individual students and student organizations are expected to abide by the Conduct Rules and Regulations (see Attachment 3), and administrators are expected to enforce them. Additional rules and regulations may be promulgated during the year; announcements will be made upon adoption of the changes or additions.
   2. Attempting, abetting, or being an accessory to any act prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct will be considered the same as a completed violation.
7. Rowan Global Students
   1. Rowan students in online or hybrid courses must also meet the "conduct" expectations as listed at www.rowanonline.com. Students participating in off-site Rowan Global Extension programs will also be expected to follow the guidelines provided by that facility. Questions should be directed to the Office of the Assistant Dean of Rowan Global at global@rowan.edu.
8. Violation Levels
   1. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct are generally grouped into three levels based upon their magnitude or seriousness. Multiple violations or the severity of a single violation may increase the given sanction. Some acts of misconduct may fall within two or more standards of the Student Code of Conduct. In such cases, the University has the right to impose all of the sanctions available for all of the violations.
      • Level One violations are generally a breach of the Student Code of Conduct which adversely affect a smaller community.
      • Level Two violations generally are breaches of the Student Code of Conduct which are more serious and adversely affect the Rowan community at-large (including repeated Level One violations).
      • Level Three violations generally are breaches of the Student Code of Conduct which include threatening statements and/or behavior and unwanted contact that may compromise the health and safety of the Rowan University community at large or individuals, specifically (including repeated Level Two violations).
9. Application of Standard Sanctions
   1. Standard sanctions have been adopted by Rowan University to respond to disciplinary violations. Of particular concern are substance abuse-related violations, off-campus conduct violations, as well as weapon and violence violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Rowan University is deeply concerned about the extent to which some students engage in underage consumption of alcohol, unlawful use of drugs, and/or consumption of alcohol or other drugs to a degree that renders them in need of emergency medical intervention or other extraordinary assistance. In addition, Rowan University seeks to deter students from engaging in conduct that poses risks to the safety and well-being of the individual student and/or the University and Glassboro community as a whole.
   2. Standard sanctions are intended to alert students and other members of the University community to the seriousness of alcohol-related and drug-related behaviors, violence, and safety violations; provide meaningful consequences for violations of the Student Code of Conduct; and, ensure that students are provided opportunities to access education, counseling, and support. Standard sanctions apply only to those offenses described in Attachment 8.
   3. Standard sanctions apply to misconduct that occurs both on-campus and off-campus, at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students or designee. Incidents falling within the Student Code of Conduct but not described below will be handled on a case-by-case basis in light of all the circumstances.
   4. Please Note: Students found responsible for multiple violations will receive the cumulative sanctions associated with each violation. (Example - A student who is found responsible in a single incident for the first violations of creating loud noise, supplying alcohol to underage persons and selling alcohol should expect to receive a sanction which includes a fine of $800, Completion of Alcohol and Other Drugs Education Program, Mandatory participation in the Community Responsibility Program, Disciplinary Probation and Notification of Parent/Guardian). Sanctions of University Suspension and Expulsion will be noted on the student's transcript.
10. Appeals
    1. Upon receiving notification of the outcome of a case, the accused student, victim (in cases of "sex offenses" or "crimes of violence) or the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students or designee (in Campus Hearing Board cases) may file an appeal as outlined in Attachment 9. The appeals process described will be the final step in the discipline process and constitutes final agency action.
11. Procedures for Interim Suspension from Campus, Residence Areas and University Related Activities
    1. A student may be suspended from the campus as a whole, from residence areas or from University related activities for an interim period pending a disciplinary hearing; the interim suspension is effective immediately without prior notice whenever there is evidence that the continued presence of the student on the campus may pose a substantial threat to others in the University or to the stability and/or continuance of normal University functions.
12. Conduct Code Violations' Effect upon Graduation
    1. A student found responsible for violations of the Code, which could have led to expulsion or suspension had s/he remained a registered student at the University and who has otherwise satisfied the University's published requirements for graduation, may have the awarding of his/her degree postponed to a future date or permanently withheld. A student whose graduation is postponed or permanently withheld may also be refused a copy of his/her official transcript and cannot have it sent to others during the period of his/her sanction. In cases where graduation is delayed due to pending charges, cases normally will be adjudicated within as short a period of time as is practicable.
13. Release of Disciplinary Record Information
    1. In accordance with current guidelines established in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and implemented by Rowan University, the record of most disciplinary proceeding's findings is not open to the public without the consent of the individual student.
    2. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the N.J. Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights, and/or 34 CFR 668.47(a)(12) (vi) and the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C 13925 (a)) does permit the disclosure of campus discipline system findings to victims of "sex offenses" (including non-forcible ones) or "crimes of violence." In addition, FERPA permits, once all appeals are exhausted, the final results of campus disciplinary hearings for crimes of violence and forcible and non-forcible sex offenses to be publicly disclosed, including the name of the accused held responsible and the nature of the offense.
    3. Parents or guardians may be notified for cases involving crimes of violence and forcible and non-forcible sex offenses and in certain cases involving violations of campus drug or alcohol regulations, when the student is a dependent (as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or when the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students or designee deems the matter to have been a health or safety emergency. Complainants in other kinds of cases will be notified about case adjudication and sanctions imposed if, in the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students' or designee's opinion, such disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of the complainant or of other members of the University community.
    4. If FERPA or other pertinent regulations change, the complainant and the accused student will be notified before a hearing is held. The Office of the Registrar's Notice to Students Regarding Provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 can be accessed at www.rowan.edu/provost/registrar/ferpa.html
14. Record Keeping
    1. The Office of Community Standards will maintain student disciplinary files, which contain all necessary and appropriate correspondence, Hearing Officer, Campus Hearing Board, and appeal decisions as well as other documentation pertinent to any cases for which a student was found responsible for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Records of cases that are designated as "pending" will also be maintained. Student disciplinary files will be maintained as follows:
    2. Disciplinary records will be maintained for a period of seven years after the last year of the student's attendance at the University.
    3. The University reserves the right to retain any disciplinary records for longer periods.
15. Timelines
    1. All times set in the Student Code of Conduct may be extended by the University, for good cause. Reasonable extensions will be determined by the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students or designee. 
16. Interpretation and Revision
    1. Any question of interpretation regarding the Student Code of Conduct will be referred to the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students or designee for final determination. The Student Code of Conduct may be periodically reviewed and amended as necessary under the direction of the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students or designee. 

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