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A community exists on the basis of shared values, principles, and ideals. At EMU these ideals are articulated in Life Together: Commitments for a Community of Learning - Love for God and one another, wisdom, equality, sustainability, and accountability. EMU strives to build a community in which all belong and see themselves as members, owners, and curators of community. For the continuation of community in digital spaces, see additions for Digital Life Together.
All members of the community are expected to uphold and abide by standards of conduct that form the basis of the Standards of Conduct. Together with the ideals stated in Life Together, the standards of conduct are embodied within a set of core values that include integrity, justice, respect, community, and responsibility.
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- Disruptive Behavior
Substantial disruption of community operations including obstruction of teaching, research, administration, residential life, athletics events, and/or other university activities that occur on campus. - Damage or Destruction
Intentional, reckless, and/or unauthorized damage to or destruction of university property or the personal property of another (student, faculty, staff). Conduct which threatens to damage, or creates hazardous conditions such as dropping, throwing, or causing objects or substances to fall from windows, doors, ledges, balconies, or roofs. - Endangerment
Actions or threats which put other persons in danger, whether physical, psychological, or emotional. - Inappropriate Use of Technology
Any violations to the Technology Code of Responsibility for Students.
Using technology to include any form of social media and or electronic devices in aa threatening, harassing or bullying manner, using technology in a way that is inappropriate or offensive to students, faculty or staff or in ways that interfere with the University’s technological infrastructure, using University owned devices to access pornographic content, use of someone else’s University email account, gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to a computer facility or software, illegally using copyrighted software and materials on University information systems, knowingly engaging in any activity harmful to the information system.
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- Fire Safety
Violation of local, state, federal or campus fire policies including, but not limited to: - Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire which damages university or personal property or which causes injury;
- Failure to evacuate a university building during a fire alarm;
- Improper use of university fire safety equipment; or
- Tampering with or improperly engaging a fire alarm of fire detection equipment while on university property. *Such action may result in a local fine in addition to university outcomes.
- Gambling
Gambling as prohibited by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The exchange of money and/or goods by betting or wagering. - Inappropriate Use of Internet
Visiting pornography sites, viewing pornography, and use of so-called “hook-up” apps for the purpose of developing inappropriate relationships. Also included in inappropriate use of internet is downloading and/or viewing films or other media content that has not been legally released, we well as using the internet for purposes of gambling. #11 above. (See also University Policies: Information Systems Policies and Eastern Mennonite University Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct). - Weapons
The use or possession of firearms, explosives, knives, bows, flammable materials or weapons of any kind (including BB, paintball, pellet, and airsoft guns) is prohibited on the university campus or at any university-related function. If any of these items are needed on campus for educational purposes, the Dean of Students must be contacted for prior approval. The Dean of Students must also be contacted for storage questions related to hunting weapons. If weapons are allegedly stored on campus in a locker, room, or vehicle, campus authorities may search said location and confiscate weapons or other contraband that may be found.
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- Assault
Acts of violence or use of physical force against any member of the community, or any act that threatens the use of physical force. - Bullying
Bullying includes any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or a series of acts of physical, social, or emotional domination that cause physical or emotional harm to another student or group of students. Bullying conduct may not only cause a negative effect on individuals targeted but also others who observe the conduct. Bullying conduct is severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following: substantially interfering with a community member’s education, employment, or full enjoyment of the college; creating a threatening or intimidating environment; or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the University. Bullying is prohibited at EMU. - Hazing
Hazing is prohibited at EMU. Hazing is defined as “actions which are initiated against someone’s will by harassing through force, banter, ridicule or criticism”. Hazing is an act that, as an explicit or implicit condition for initiation to, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group organization, could be seen by a reasonable person as endangering the physical health of an individual or as causing mental distress to an individual through, for example, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning treatment; destroys or removes public or private property; involves the consumption of alcohol, other drugs, or other substances; or violates any of the policies of the university. Hazing that involves sexual misconduct will be investigated by the university's Title IX coordinator. See Eastern Mennonite University Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct. - Language Abuse
Profanity, vulgarity, and the use of words or names that demean, intimidate, or contain threats of unwanted physical contact or damage to property. - Pranks
Actions which cause harm, damage and/or inconvenience to others and property. - Relationship Violence*
Relationship violence is a broad term that encompasses domestic violence, dating violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking (definitions provided below). Relationship violence often includes ongoing emotional, psychological, physical, and fiscal abuse. Conduct that constitutes relationship violence is covered under the Eastern Mennonite University Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct.
Domestic Violence: violence committed by a current or former spouse, or sexual or intimate partner of the alleged victim, a person who is living as a spouse or who lived as a spouse with the alleged victim, parents and children, other persons related by blood or marriage, or by a person with whom the alleged victim shares a child in common. (see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)
Dating Violence: violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the alleged victim. The existence of such a relationship will be determined based on the reporting party’s statement, taking into consideration the following factors: a) the length of the relationship, b) the type of relationship, and c) the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. Dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. (see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)
Intimate Partner Violence: includes dating violence, domestic violence, and relationship violence, includes any act of violence or threatened act of violence against a person who is, or has been involved in, a sexual, dating, domestic, and/or other intimate relationship with that person. It may involve one act or an ongoing pattern of behavior. (see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)
Stalking: occurs when a person engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person under circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily injury or to experience substantial emotional distress. - Course of conduct means two or more acts, including but not limited to acts in which a person directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to, or about another person, or interferes with another person’s property.
- A reasonable person means a person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the victim.
- Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish.
- Stalking includes cyber-stalking, a particular form of stalking in which a person uses electronic media, such as the internet, social networks, blogs, cell phones, texts, or other similar devices or forms of contact. (see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)
*To report an instance of sexual violence and/or sexual misconduct, contact the Title IX coordinator at 540-432-4302 or by email at titleixcoordinator@emu.edu OR complete a Campus Safety Incident Report at https://emu.edu/safecampus/ OR see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct “Reporting” section for full details on reporting options and process. - Sexual Violence/Misconduct*
Sexual violence/misconduct is a broad term that encompasses sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and indecent exposure. Conduct that constitutes sexual violence and/or sexual misconduct is covered under the Eastern Mennonite University Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct.
Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful gender discrimination. Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favors, or other unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. (see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)
Gender-based harassment includes harassment based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression which may include acts of aggression, intimidation, or hostility, whether verbal or non-verbal, graphic, physical, or otherwise. (see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)
Sexual assault consists of sexual contact and/or sexual intercourse that occurs without affirmative consent. (see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)
Sexual exploitation is purposely or knowingly doing any of the following: - causing the impairment or incapacitation of another person (through alcohol, drugs, or any other means) for the purpose of compromising that person’s ability to give affirmative consent to sexual activity;
- allowing third parties to observe sexual activity from a hidden location (e.g., closet) or through electronic means (e.g., Skype or live-streaming of images);
- engaging in voyeurism (e.g., watching private sexual activity without the consent of the participants or viewing another person’s intimate parts (including genitalia, groin, breasts or buttocks) in a place where that person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy);
- recording or photographing sexual activity and/or a person’s intimate parts (including genitalia, groin, breasts or buttocks) without affirmative consent;
- disseminating or posting images of private sexual activity and/or a person’s intimate parts (including genitalia, groin, breasts or buttocks) without affirmative consent;
- prostituting another person; or
- exposing another person to a sexually transmitted infection or virus without the other’s knowledge.
(see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct) - Indecent Exposure: A person commits indecent exposure if that person exposes their genitals, buttocks and breasts in any public place or in any place where there are other persons present and under circumstances in which one knows or should know that this conduct is likely to offend, affront, or alarm. (see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct)
*To report an instance of sexual violence and/or sexual misconduct, contact the Title IX coordinator at 540-432-4302 or by email at titleixcoordinator@emu.edu OR complete a Campus Safety Incident Report at https://emu.edu/safecampus/ OR see EMU Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct “Reporting” section for full details on reporting options and process.
Procedures related specifically to conduct that has occurred that is listed in the EMU Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy as prohibited conduct can be found in the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy Appendix A if the violation is between two students and in the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy Appendix B if the conduct has occurred between a student and an employee. - Theft
Theft of money or property, shoplifting, possession of stolen property and/or the unauthorized use of personal or institutional property.
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