Code of Student Conduct

Susquehanna University Mission and Guiding Values

Susquehanna University’s mission is to educate its “undergraduate students for productive, creative, and reflective lives of achievement, leadership, and service in a diverse and interconnected world.” Its members freely associate themselves with the institution and in doing so affirm their commitment to valuing a living and learning environment that emphasizes the following guiding values.

Susquehanna University is:

A selective, residential, national liberal arts college focused on an undergraduate education integrating the liberal arts and preparation for professions and careers
A learning community that values diversity; intellectual collaboration among faculty and students; scholarship and research; health in mind, body and spirit; and learning in and out of the classroom
A working community that recognizes its faculty and staff as its greatest resource, values cooperation, and expects ethical behavior and mutual respect from all its members
A responsible community committed to financial stability, good stewardship, and a pragmatic and ambitious approach to its work
A valuable resource serving the local community and region, while engaging in the larger world through strong urban and international connections
A physically attractive setting for reflection and learning
A community that expresses its Lutheran heritage through the free and open exploration of ideas, commitment to service, development of individual talents, and the welcoming of individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs

As a community, Susquehanna strives to recognize these values as a guide in its practices and policies. Within this framework, it is essential to recognize the many perspectives and multiple points of view that our various community members represent. We each have the responsibility to hold one another to a high standard of integrity, challenging our peers and addressing any infringements in a manner that is both constructive and conducive to maintaining the dignity of each individual. By choosing to be a member of Susquehanna University, students will also observe the following rights and responsibilities as influenced by the institution’s Guiding Values.

Students’ Rights

As stated in Susquehanna University’s Statement on Ethical Living (approved by the Board of Trustees on May 14, 2007):

The right to “freedom from belittling, harassment, exploitation, violence, and any other harm”
The right to advocate for oneself and others by participating in self-governing organizations which provide a means for using democratic processes to solve problems
The right to participate in discussion, inquiry, and expression which represents the scholarly nature of an academic community
The right to due process as outlined in the Hearing Board Procedures (Part 34) of the Code of Student Conduct
Freedom from unreasonable access to one’s residence, intellectual and personal property, and university records

Students’ Responsibilities

As stated in Susquehanna University’s Statement on Ethical Living:

The responsibility “to treat all individuals with dignity regardless of their values or origins”
The responsibility for knowledge and observance of established university policies and other information presented in official university publications or electronic resources
The responsibility for assuming the consequence of one’s own actions and holding oneself and other accountable for the Code of Student Conduct
The responsibility to honor and allow for free discussion, both in and out of the classroom, which represents the scholarly nature of an academic community

As stated in the university’s non-discrimination policy, students have the responsibility to ensure that no student organization, constitution, or other organizational document includes discriminatory clauses pertaining to “race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status”

Revised July, 2009

Acknowledgements

This code and its annotations are adapted from a Model Code prepared by Gary Pavela from the University of Maryland. (July 2008) The code was reviewed and revised during the summer of 2009.

Purpose of the Student Conduct System

As an educational institution, Susquehanna University seeks to encourage the intellectual and personal growth of its students as scholars and citizens. Therefore, Susquehanna is committed to student engagement in achievement, leadership and service both in and out of the classroom. Choosing to join the Susquehanna University community requires each member to recognize and adhere to a code emphasizing personal responsibility, awareness of how one’s actions affect the community, and one’s personal growth both inside and outside of the classroom. As positive community relations and personal responsibility continue to be valued off campus, the university campus should not be viewed as a sanctuary where its citizens avoid responsibility to observe civil law.

This Code of Student Conduct seeks to promote these qualities, both as a means to individual fulfillment and to guide Susquehanna students in “productive, creative, and reflective lives of achievement, leadership, and service in a diverse and interconnected world.” Thus, students are expected to exhibit high standards of behavior and concern for others. The university has established a Code of Student Conduct, as well as other rules and regulations, which individuals and student groups or organizations are expected to observe.