Student Code of Conduct

The Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities receives all incident reports and refers cases to the appropriate investigators and hearing bodies. Charges of misconduct which, in the judgment of the Director, could lead to separation from the Institution (Suspension or Expulsion) will be handled through the formal hearing process, which will include the Student Conduct Review Board. Factors to be considered will be the present demeanor and past disciplinary record of the offender, as well as the nature of the offense and the severity of any damage, injury, or harm resulting from it. Repeated or aggravated violations of any section of this code may also result in expulsion or suspension or in the imposition of such lesser sanctions as may be appropriate.

1. Harassment 

Gettysburg College is committed to treating all members of the College community in an equitable manner, providing an environment that permits students to attain their educational goals without interference stemming from harassment.  Gettysburg College explicitly prohibits any form of illegal discriminatory harassment by any College community member, organization or group.

Harassment includes physical, verbal, graphic, or written conduct (including harassment via e-mail, instant messenger, text messaging or other electronic means), that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to unreasonably interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the programs, services, activities or privileges provided by the College.

Harassment is discriminatory if the conduct is based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, or disability.  It is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct to engage in harassment or to retaliate against anyone bringing a complaint of harassment, formal or informal, anyone involved in the Complaint process, anyone who pursues legal action, or anyone participating in an investigation into allegations of harassment (including witnesses). 

Stalking is also a form of harassment and a violation of the harassment policy. Stalking is defined by Gettysburg College as the act of pursuing, following or observing an individual in a persistent fashion (including but not limited to, cyber-stalking or an stalking via electronic means) that unreasonably interferes with or limits the ability of that individual to participate in or benefit from the programs, services, activities or privileges provided by the College.

Harassement policy amended by Student Life Committee on December 5, 2007 and is effective as of January 1, 2008.

2. Assault/fighting - Attempting, causing or threatening injury to an individual. Engaging in physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative. All participants in a fight are subject to disciplinary action regardless of who initiated the incident.

3. Disorderly or inappropriate conduct - This includes, but is not limited to, conduct which has the effect of unreasonably disrupting the life of, or interfering with the activities of, persons or groups in the College community; obscene or indecent acts.

4. Furnishing false information
Forgery, unauthorized alteration or misuse of any College document, record, or instrument of identification. Also includes withholding material information from the College, misrepresenting the truth before a hearing of the College and making false statements to any College official or law enforcement officer, and providing false information related to academic or financial status.

5. Damage to property
This includes damage, destruction, or defacement of College property or property of any person in the College or greater community as a result of a deliberate action or as a result of reckless or imprudent behavior.

6. Obstruction or disruption of classes, laboratories, seminars, research projects, administration, fire prevention, police activities, emergency services, student activities, or organizations, disciplinary proceedings, or other activities on College premises.

7. Unauthorized presence or forcible entry into a College facility or College-related premises or any College-sponsored activity or event; unauthorized use of keys.

8. False reporting of an emergency
False alarms or the false report of a bomb, fire, or other emergency on College premises or at activities sponsored by or affiliated with the College.

9. Tampering with fire/safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, pull stations, or sprinklers.

10. Illegal drugs and controlled substances - Manufacturing, possessing, having under control, selling, transmitting, using or being party thereto any dangerous drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia.

11. Theft or unauthorized use of property or services - This includes but is not limited to theft, unauthorized use of property or services, sale of College property, possession or purchase of stolen property including College property or property belonging to a member of the College, greater community or campus visitors.

12. Attempting, aiding, abetting, conspiring, hiring or being an accessory to any act prohibited by this code will be considered to the same extent as completed violations.

13. Computer abuse - This includes but is not limited to plagiarism of programs, misuse of computer files, unauthorized destruction or alteration of files or data, possession of unauthorized passwords, illegal use of software, attempted unauthorized access to computer systems, files and data, illegal copying or sharing of software and disruptive or annoying behavior on the computer or any other violation of the College's Computer Network Use Policy.

14. Behavior or activities which recklessly or intentionally endanger the safety of oneself or others. This includes but is not limited to self-destructive behavior, behavior which deliberately infringes on the rights of others, and arson.

15. Violation of commonwealth, federal or borough laws or ordinances when such violation occurs on or near the campus or when the interests of the College or the safety of individuals or the community are in question.

16. Possession of firearms, explosives, or dangerous chemicals on College premises, including personal vehicles, or use of any such item, even if legally possessed, is prohibited. A firearm is any weapon from which a projectile is fired by gunpowder. Possession of firearms and other weapons is inconsistent with the goals and mission of a learning community such as Gettysburg College. Students found in possession of a firearm are subject to an Interim Suspension during the investigation and pre-hearing process. For students who are found responsible at a hearing for possession of a firearm, the standard sanction is expulsion.

Other weapons or devices that are capable of inflicting a wound, injuring or incapacitating a person or persons are also prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, archery equipment, BB and pellet guns, paintball guns, slingshots, martial arts devices (items intended for use in martial arts or fencing activities are exempted), switchblade/open-assist knives, knives with blades exceeding 3 inches in length, swords, and clubs. For students found responsible for possession of a knife, pellet gun, or similar weapon, the standard sanction is suspension for the remainder of the current semester.

17. Violation of the terms of any sanction imposed by an authorized hearing board or officer.

18. Failure to leave building during emergency evacuation and drills.

19. Failure to comply with the proper requests of or to show respect to security personnel, residence hall staff, other College officials, or any law enforcement officer acting in performance of their duties, or to identify oneself when asked.

20. Misappropriation or misuse of student organization funds or property of the College or any student organization.

21. Misuse of telephone - This includes but is not limited to making or assisting in making unauthorized telephone calls, misuse or abuse or tampering with telephone or communications equipment, use of an authorization code of another person without that person's consent, or possession of telephone or communications equipment not assigned to that individual's room or apartment.

22. Library abuse - This includes but is not limited to theft or any other misuse that results in materials not being equally available to others, and disruptive or annoying behavior which impedes the use of the library by others.

23. Failure to assure proper conduct of a guest - Soliciting or allowing guests to violate the code of conduct or other College regulations.

24. Violation of published rules - This includes but is not limited to regulations of Housing/Residence Life, the dining services, library, telecommunications or campus solicitation, campus sales, traffic and parking, and demonstration and dissent policies or other College policies or regulations.

25. Use, possession, consumption, furnishing, or manufacturing of alcoholic beverages in violation of stated College Social Event Policy or the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All students, regardless of age, are prohibited from manufacturing alcohol.

26. Tampering or interfering with an investigation or the judicial process.

27. Failure to appear on official request to give testimony before judicial bodies.