Introduction
Academic institutions exist for the advancement of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students are encouraged to develop a capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. Students are expected to exercise their freedom to learn with responsibility and to respect the general conditions conducive to such freedom. Accordingly, the University has developed the following general regulations pertaining to student conduct which provide and safeguard the right of every individual student to exercise fully the freedom to learn without undue interference by others.
The Code of Student Life is applicable whether or not the University is in session and pertains to all persons registered for a University of Iowa course, all persons admitted to any academic program, and all persons attending a University-sponsored program. In addition, conduct violative of the Code of Student Life and engaged in prior to admission or after withdrawal from the University may be taken into account in admissions decisions and may be grounds for filing disciplinary charges after admission or acceptance into a program. For purposes of the conduct regulations and judicial procedures, a student is any person fitting one or more of these descriptions.
In those cases where a complaint for misconduct in violation of the Code of Student Life is filed against an individual not currently registered as a student, the complaint may proceed to adjudication or the dean of students may elect to restrict the individual's registration and resolve the complaint later when the individual seeks to re-enroll. In the event that an individual named in a complaint has satisfied the academic requirements for a graduate or undergraduate degree after the misconduct allegedly took place but before the complaint was resolved, the individual may not receive his or her degree until the complaint is resolved.
It is the duty and responsibility of all students to acquaint themselves with all provisions of the code and particularly with the rules and regulations pertaining to personal conduct, and every student will be conclusively presumed to have knowledge of all rules and regulations contained in the code from the date of his or her initial registration at the University. The code may be amended at any time by authority of the president of the University. Amendments are effective upon approval of the president and publication on the Code of Student Life website, provided that students have been notified of the amendment by mass electronic mailing, which will be conclusively presumed as adequate notice to all students. A full and complete text of the code and other general University rules and regulations of personal conduct currently in effect, including all amendments, shall be on file in the Office of the Dean of Students at all times and shall be available for inspection by students.
General Conduct Regulations
Any student who commits any of the following acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action by the University. "Campus" includes, in addition to University-owned or leased property, streets and pathways contiguous to University property or in the immediate vicinity of campus. As used in these procedures, "willful" and "intentional" conduct includes conduct which the student knew or reasonably should have known could lead to the results listed below. These regulations shall be construed so as not to abridge any student's constitutional rights of free expression of thought or opinion, free association, peaceable assembly, or the petition of authorities. In interpreting these regulations, administrative hearing officers may take notice of appropriate reference books, such as standard English dictionaries. Hearing officers may also refer to the Code of Iowa but are not bound by the strict definitions of criminal law.
- Academic misconduct: defined as any dishonest or fraudulent conduct during an academic exercise, such as cheating, plagiarism, or forgery, or misrepresentation regarding the circumstances of a student’s non-attendance, late assignment, or previous work or educational experience, or aiding or abetting another person to do the same. “Dishonest” conduct includes, but is not limited, to attempts by students to cheat or misrepresent, or aid or abet another person to do the same, whether or not the attempts are successful. Academic exercises covered by this rule include classroom assignments (such as examinations, papers, or research) and out-of-classroom activities (projects, practicum, internship and/or externship assignments off campus, or University employment, for example) that are related to an academic program at or through the University. A “classroom” can be a lecture hall, discussion room, laboratory, or clinic, for example. The acquisition of honors, awards, or degrees, or academic record notations, course enrollments, credits, or grades, or certifications (including language proficiency or professional licensure or other endorsement) by any dishonest means is strictly prohibited. Resolution of academic misconduct complaints will be handled within the college or department concerned, with provision for review (see Part C, Academic Misconduct).
- Willful misrepresentation of any material fact to a University of Iowa office, instructor, department, or committee; willful representation to anyone inside or outside the University regarding any material fact relevant to a University educational program or activity; or willful misrepresentation to anyone, within or without the University community, of his or her status or academic performance with the University or of the support, sponsorship, or approval by the University of the services or activities of any person, group, or organization. Willful misrepresentation may include, but is not limited to, oral or written statements; or forgery, alteration, or misuse of any University record, form, or document, including student identification card. “Misrepresentation” includes, but is not limited, to attempts by students to mislead someone, or aid or abet another person to do the same, whether or not the attempts are successful. If a student involved in a University-related dispute with a faculty or staff member agrees to resolve the dispute through mediation or binding arbitration or negotiates an agreement with a University official, acting within the scope of his or her authority, and subsequently fails to comply with one or more provisions of the outcome of the dispute, he or she is considered to have violated Section 2.
- Willful failure to comply with a reasonable directive or a proper order or summons of any member of the faculty or other University official, properly identified—by stating his or her name and title if requested by a student—and acting within the scope of his or her authority, or willful failure of a student to identify himself or herself by stating his or her name to such faculty member or official.
- In a classroom or other instructional setting, willful failure to comply with a reasonable directive of the classroom instructor or other intentional conduct that has the effect of disrupting University classroom instruction or interfering with the instructor’s ability to manage the classroom. When disruptive activity occurs, a University instructor has the authority to determine classroom seating patterns and require that a student exit the classroom, laboratory, or other area used for instruction immediately for the remainder of the period. Instructors who impose a one-day suspension are asked to report the incident to appropriate departmental, collegiate, and Student Services personnel.
- (a) Intentionally disrupting the orderly process of the University, or (b) intentionally disrupting or denying access to services or facilities by those entitled to use such services or facilities, or (c) intentionally interfering with the lawful rights of others on the campus, or (d) inciting others to do acts proscribed by paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section. Intentional conduct which has the effect of disrupting the orderly processes of the University violates this section.
- Willful demonstrations within the interior of any University building or structure, except as specifically authorized and subject to reasonable conditions imposed to protect the rights and safety of other persons and to prevent damage to property.
- Unauthorized entry into or occupation of any University room, building, or area of the campus, including such entry or occupation at any unauthorized time, or any unauthorized or improper use of any University property, equipment, or facilities.
- Intentional setting of fires in any University building or on the campus without proper authority, or tampering or activation of a fire alarm without justification or improper use of fire prevention equipment in any University building or on the campus.
- Misuse or misappropriation of University property or private property on campus or off-campus in connection with University activities, including but not limited to, theft or attempted theft, burglary, willful possession of stolen property, and willful destruction, damage, defacement, or mutilation of property belonging to or in the custody of the University or another member of the University community.
- Assaulting, threatening, stalking, physically abusing, unduly harassing, or endangering in any other manner the health or safety of any person on the campus or at any University-sponsored or supervised function or event. Drunken driving (i.e., Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated) within the area patrolled by University Police violates this provision.
- Use or possession of serviceable firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, or other dangerous articles on campus or within any University building on the campus, or at any University-sponsored or supervised function or event. Weapons of any kind are prohibited on campus, including paintball markers and other devices that fire projectiles . Devices that resemble serviceable weapons are also prohibited, such as a pellet gun or toy gun that a reasonable observer would believe to be a handgun.
- Possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage on campus, within any University building, or at any University-sponsored or supervised function or event off-campus, except as permitted under the Policy Regarding the Use of Illegal Drugs and Alcohol, Code of Student Life, the Residence Hall Guidebook, or as authorized by other University regulations.
- Use or possession of any narcotic drug, marijuana, or any other addictive, dangerous, or controlled substance on campus or at any University-sponsored or supervised function or event off-campus.
- Sale, manufacture, distribution, or administration of any drug described in Section 12 or 13 on campus, or criminal conviction of any illicit drug distribution offense on campus or off campus. Drug distribution offenses include but are not limited to local, state, and federal laws which prohibit the distribution of, manufacture of, or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, such as marijuana, or counterfeit controlled substance.
- (a) Intentionally disrupting access of other students, faculty, or staff members to University computer resources, or (b) intentionally obtaining the password of a computer account assigned to another person without authorization or attempting to do so, or any other unauthorized attempt to gain access to a computer account assigned to another person, or (c) knowingly using an account belonging to another University student, faculty, staff member, or academic department for other than its intended purpose without permission from the owner, or using an inactive account, or (d) using University computer equipment to interfere with the lawful rights of others by such activities as falsifying or altering records or documents, creating false or fraudulent documents, damaging programs belonging to another, sending harassing or threatening material, accessing confidential information without proper authorization, or duplicating copyrighted software unlawfully, or (e) downloading from the internet and/or uploading to the internet a copyrighted music file or video file using University computer equipment or the University network without express permission from the copyright holder; or (f) assisting another person to do any act proscribed under this section.
- Conviction of any federal, state, or local crime committed on campus, or violation of any other rule, regulation, or policy which may be promulgated by the president of the University or an authorized representative, by any college, department, residence hall, office, or other facility within the scope of its authority, or by the State Board of Regents, provided such rules, regulations, or policies were published, posted, or otherwise adequately publicized or the student had actual knowledge thereof. Included among “such rules, regulations, or policies” are the Smoke-free Campus Policy, the University Policy on Human Rights, the Policy on Violence, the Alcohol & Drug Policy, Safe Saturday guidelines, Motor Pool regulations, Parking and Skateboarding rules, smoking regulations, employment work rules, the Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources, the Policy on Sexual Harassment, the policy relating to Sexual Misconduct Involving Students, the Policy Concerning Use of the Pentacrest and Kautz Plaza, the Anti-Retaliation Policy, relevant student organization regulations such as anti-hazing rules, alcohol restrictions, and other rules in the Interfraternity Council or Panhellenic Council Constitution or By-Laws, student financial aid rules, and all provisions contained in University residence halls contracts which pertain to personal conduct, including the Residence Hall Guidebook.
- Any conduct or action in which the University can demonstrate a clear and distinct interest as an academic institution and which seriously threatens (a) any educational process or other legitimate function of the University or (b) the health or safety of any member of the academic community.
- Violent conduct committed anywhere in Johnson County if the same conduct committed on UI property would violate UI conduct regulations. Conviction for Operating While Intoxicated (i.e., operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs) is considered to fall within this rule.
- Student misconduct as defined in Regulations 1-16 that occurs on property governed by the State of Iowa Board of Regents is considered within the scope of this regulation. This includes the campuses of Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. Misconduct committed on college campuses not governed by the State Board of Regents may also violate this regulation.