Student Conduct Code
The University of Minnesota regents adopt regulations for governing the University to provide educational opportunities to its students, transmit and advance knowledge, and provide a wide range of services to both students and the general public. To carry out these responsibilities, the University requires a community free from violence, threats, and intimidation; protective of free inquiry; respectful of the rights of others; open to change; supportive of democratic and lawful procedures; and dedicated to the rational and orderly approach to the resolution of human problems. To safeguard the rights, opportunities, and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University community, and to assure protection of the interests of the University as it seeks to carry out its mission on behalf of the citizens of Minnesota, certain minimum standards of conduct become necessary.
Unauthorized collaboration with others on papers or projects can inadvertently lead to a charge of plagiarism. In addition, it is plagiarism to submit as your own any academic exercise (for example, written work, printing, computer program, art or design work, musical composition, and choreography) prepared totally or in part by another.Plagiarism also includes submitting work in which portions were substantially produced by someone acting as a tutor or editor.
Fabrication
Fabrication is the intentional use of information that the author has invented when he or she states or implies otherwise, or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive. Examples include, but are not limited to:Conduct Code
The following are defined as disciplinary offenses actionable by the University:- Scholastic Dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; or altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying of data, research procedures, or data analysis.
- Disruptive Classroom Conduct. Disruptive classroom conduct means engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach or student learning. The classroom extends to any setting where a student is engaged in work toward academic credit or satisfaction of program-based requirements or related activities.
- Falsification. Falsification means willfully providing University offices or officials with false, misleading, or incomplete information; forging or altering without proper authorization official University records or documents or conspiring with or inducing others to forge or alter without proper authorization University records or documents; misusing, altering, forging, falsifying, or transferring to another person University-issued identification; or intentionally making a false report of a bomb, fire, natural disaster, or other emergency to a University official or an emergency service agency.
- Refusal to Identify and Comply. Refusal to identify and comply means willfully refusing to or falsely identifying one's self or willfully failing to comply with a proper order or summons when requested by an authorized University official.
- Attempts to Injure or Defraud. Attempts to injure or defraud means making, forging, printing, reproducing, copying, or altering any record, document, writing, or identification used or maintained by the University when done with intent to injure, defraud, or misinform.
- Threatening, Harassing, or Assaultive Conduct on Campus. Threatening, harassing, or assaultive conduct on campus means engaging in conduct on campus that endangers or threatens to endanger the health, safety, or welfare of another person, including, but not limited to, threatening, harassing, or assaultive behavior.
- Disorderly Conduct on Campus. Disorderly conduct on campus means engaging in conduct on campus that incites or threatens to incite an assault or breach of the peace; breaching the peace; obstructing or disrupting teaching, research, administrative, and public service functions; or obstructing or disrupting disciplinary procedures or authorized University activities.
- Possession or Use of Weapons on Campus. Possession or use of weapons on campus means possessing or using on campus weapons or articles or substances usable as weapons, including, but not limited to, firearms, incendiary devices, explosives, and dangerous biological or chemical agents, except in those instances when expressly authorized by an appropriate University authority for activities properly requiring the use or possession of the item.
- Unauthorized Possession or Use of Drugs or Alcohol on Campus. Unauthorized possession or use of drugs or alcohol on campus means possessing or using drugs or alcohol without authorization.
- Unauthorized Use of University Facilities and Services. Unauthorized use of University facilities and services means wrongfully using University properties or facilities; misusing, altering, or damaging fire-fighting equipment, safety devices, or other emergency equipment or interfering with the performance of those specifically charged to carry out emergency services; or acting to obtain fraudulently through deceit, unauthorized procedures, bad checks, or misrepresentation of goods, quarters, services, or funds from University departments or student organizations or individuals acting in their behalf.
- Theft, Property Damage, and Vandalism. Theft, property damage, and vandalism include theft or embezzlement of, damage to, destruction of, unauthorized possession of, or wrongful sale or gift of property belonging to the University, a member of the University community, or a campus guest.
- Unauthorized Access. Unauthorized access means accessing without authorization University property, facilities, or services, or obtaining or providing to another person the means of such unauthorized access, including, but not limited to, using or providing without authorization keys, access cards, or access codes.
- Disruptive Behavior. Disruptive behavior means willfully disrupting University events; participating in a campus demonstration that disrupts the normal operations of the University and infringes on the rights of other individuals; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled or normal activities of the University; engaging in intentional obstruction that interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus; using sound amplification equipment on campus without authorization; or making or causing noise, regardless of the means, that disturbs authorized University activities or functions.
- Violation of University Rules. Violation of University rules means engaging in conduct that violates University, collegiate, or departmental regulations that have been posted or publicized, including provisions contained in University contracts with students.
- Violation of Federal or State Laws on Campus. Violation of federal or state laws on campus means engaging in conduct on campus that violates a federal or state law, including, but not limited to, laws governing alcoholic beverages, drugs, gambling, sex offenses, indecent conduct, or arson.
- Persistent Violations. Persistent violations mean engaging in repeated conduct or action in violation of this code.
Procedures and Sanctions
If any person is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense under this code, the sanctions available shall include the following:
- Warning and Admonition. A warning or admonition means the issuance of an oral or written warning, admonition, or reprimand.
- Required Compliance. Required compliance means satisfying a bona fide University requirement as a condition for admission or continued membership in the University; restriction of privileges; restitution; removal from quarters; or withholding of diploma and degree for a specified period of time.
- Confiscation. Confiscation means confiscation of goods used or possessed in violation of University regulations or confiscation of falsified identification or identification wrongly used.
- Probation. Probation means special status with conditions imposed for a limited time afteŽ determination of misconduct.
- Suspension or Expulsion. Suspension or expulsion means termination of status in a given course for not more than one calendar year, termination of student status for not more than one calendar year, or indefinite termination of student status.
- Interim Suspension. Pending a hearing before the appropriate disciplinary committee, the president or delegate may impose immediate suspension with resultant loss of all student rights and privileges after evaluating the evidence received, the identification of parties, and the safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff, campus guests, and University property. Immediate suspension is reserved for those cases in which: (a) there is an indication that a student's misconduct will be repeated or continued or (b) where the president or delegate believes immediate suspension is necessary to permit the University to carry on its functions. The student has a right to a prompt hearing before the president or delegate on the limited questions of identification and whether the interim suspension should remain in effect until the full hearing is completed.