Standards of Conduct: Information and Policies-Undergraduate

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: Oct 08, 2024 by Jennifer Bauman
12 min read

Accountability and Support

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.  EMU strives to be a community characterized by love for God and one another, wisdom, equality, sustainability, and accountability, and further, to be a place in which all belong and see themselves as members, owners, and curators of the community.  Life Together describes the broad ideals that the EMU community commits to, and the Standards of Conduct provide more specificity for these shared commitments. All members of the community are expected to uphold and abide by the Standards of Conduct. 

EMU is committed to building and maintaining a campus environment that is conducive to academic inquiry, engaged campus life, and thoughtful study and discourse. At EMU, student accountability prioritizes educational, developmental, and restorative processes that meet the needs of individual students as well as the needs of the university community.

Restorative Justice and Student Accountability at EMU

Restorative Justice (RJ) begins with the assumption that all people should be treated with dignity and respect, recognizing that each person has a unique perspective. By our presence we are all members of communities and are therefore connected to each other. Each of us needs to be responsible for our own actions and need to be held accountable for those actions.

Restorative Justice is a philosophy that focuses on meeting the needs of individuals and groups through community/relationship building as well as through the development of processes that lead to active and meaningful accountability. RJ embraces community empowerment and participation, multi-partial facilitation, active accountability, and social support. 

The purpose of a Restorative Justice process is to bring together all parties involved in an incident for the purposes of addressing the harms associated with the incident. The RJ process enhances the opportunity for learning amongst all involved, as well as providing a venue for discussion of various points of view.

Student accountability processes at EMU attempt to embody this Restorative Justice philosophy by creating space for inclusive decision-making, active accountability, repairing harm, and rebuilding trust. However, there may be incidences where there is not an easily defined harm/harmed party, or where harm is not the best descriptor of what happened (but there has still been a violation of policy or standards), or there may be respondents/those who have done harm who do not take responsibility and/or need to be held responsible for harm done or for a violation of university standards of conduct. While highlighting the restorative processes (conferencing and circles) used for repairing harm, rebuilding trust, and building community, the EMU student accountability procedures also contain mechanisms for incidents in which those who have done harm/respondents are held responsible for harm/wrongdoing/violation of policy.  


Scope of Community Expectations

Students at EMU are provided a copy of the Student Handbook annually in the form of a link on the EMU website. Students are responsible for reading and abiding by the provisions of the standards of conduct.  The standards of conduct apply to the conduct of enrolled students. A student will be considered enrolled if the following conditions are met:

  1. the student is pre-registered for courses in any term (fall, spring or summer); and
  2. the student’s attendance in at least one class has been verified.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the standards of conduct, whether or not on university premises/property, and may be considered for disciplinary action whenever and wherever a breach of conduct has occurred. The standards of conduct apply to conduct that takes place on campus, at university-sponsored events, and off-campus, especially when the conduct has impact on the campus community.   

While on an EMU Intercultural experience, students may encounter different cultural standards and values. During preparation for the Intercultural experience,students and faculty leaders will agree upon culturally appropriate behavior that still honors EMU’s standards of conduct. Violations of the Standards of Conduct that occur during a Intercultural trip will be jointly processed by the InterculturalLeader/s and the Dean of Students, with the full range of outcomes available. *If a student is required to return home from the Intercultural experience as an outcome of a Standards of Conduct violation, that student will be responsible for the cost of return travel. 

The standards of conduct are also applied to behavior conducted online, via email, or other electronic medium. Community members should be aware that online postings such as blogs, web postings, chats, and social networking sites and applications are considered part of the public sphere and are not private.

The standards of conduct apply to guests of EMU campus community members;hosts are expected to be accountable for the behavior of their guests. Visitors to and guests of the university may seek resolution of violations committed against them by members of the EMU campus community while they were visiting campus.

Whenever conduct violates federal, state and/or local law and EMU policies, the university is obligated to follow through on its own accountability processes separate from and independent of action taken by civil authorities.  A civil and/or criminal process may move forward simultaneously and independently from the university’s process. The university enlists assistance from civil authorities if and when the lives, property, or safety of its students or personnel are endangered and cooperates with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties.

Standards of Conduct

The following standards of conduct are believed to represent the commitments referred to in Life Together and take into account the best interests of the campus community. . These standards apply to all students (undergraduate and graduate/seminary) and include off-campus university-sponsored activities, including intercultural trips. 


  1. Dishonesty
    All forms of dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, forgery, furnishing false information to university officials acting in the performance of their duties, and falsification of official documents. See “Academic Accountability” for specifics related to academic accountability.
  2. Falsification
    Knowingly furnishing or possessing false, falsified, or forged materials, documents, accounts, records, identification, or financial instruments.
  3. Unauthorized Use or Entry
    Unauthorized entry into, presence in, or use of university facilities, equipment or property which has not been reserved or accessed through appropriate university officials.
  4. Collusion
    Action or inaction with another or others to violate the standards of conduct.
  5. Election Tampering
    Tampering with the election of any university-recognized student organization.
  6. Disruptive Behavior
    Substantial disruption of community operations including obstruction of teaching, research, administration, residential life, athletics events, and/or other university activities which occur on or off campus.   
  7. 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.
  8. Endangerment
    Actions or threats which put other persons in danger, whether physical, psychological or emotional.
  9. Fire Safety
    Violation of local, state, federal or campus fire policies including, but not limited to:
    1. Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire which damages university or personal property or which causes injury;
    2. Failure to evacuate a university building during a fire alarm;
    3. Improper use of university fire safety equipment; or
    4. 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.
  10. Gambling
    Gambling as prohibited by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The exchange of money and/or goods by betting or wagering. It is illegal to use the internet for purposes of gambling. 
  11. Inappropriate Use of Technology
    Any violations to the Technology Code of Responsibility for Students.

From Technology Code of Responsibility - Prohibited activities include:

  1. Using technology resources to threaten or harass others, even as a joke.
  2. Knowingly distributing malware, phishing emails or other malicious communication.
  3. Attempting to gain access to computers or network accessible resources for which I am not authorized.
  4. Hosting for-profit activities using EMU resources (e.g. selling items for personal profit or promoting a personal business, etc.).
  5. Using the EMU network or other technology resources for criminal or malicious activities. 
  6. My account (Royal username and password) identifies me to EMU systems. I will safeguard my account by:
    1. Not allowing others to use my EMU account; nor will I use someone else’s account. 
    2. Securing my computer against unauthorized access, including using a password-secured screensaver.
    3. Not leaving my computer unattended without securing it by either logging out from it or using a password-protected screen saver.
    4. Using strong passwords and not writing them in places where others can easily see them.
    5. Treating login pages and requests for my password with skepticism. IS will never ask for your password. 

Reports of alleged technology misuse that involve sexual misconduct will be investigated by the university's Title IX coordinator. See Eastern Mennonite University Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct. Hostile environments should be reported to campus officials via the Relationship Violence and/or Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) Campus Safety Incident Report (emu.edu/safecampus/)

  1. 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.
  2. Abuse of Conduct Process
    Abuse or interference with, or failure to comply in, university processes including conduct and academic integrity hearings including, but not limited to:
    1. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information;
    2. Failure to provide, destroying or concealing information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation;
    3. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the campus accountability system;
    4. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a campus conduct body prior to, during, and/or following a campus conduct proceeding;
    5. Failure to comply with the outcome(s) imposed by the campus accountability system;
    6. Influencing, or attempting to influence, another person to commit an abuse of the campus conduct system.    
  3. Bystanding
    Complicity with or failure of any community member to appropriately address known or obvious harm to other community members and/or violations of the standards of conduct.
  4. Discrimination
    Eastern Mennonite University does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, ability, sexual orientation, perceived gender, gender identity, expression, ethnicity/national origin, age, ancestry, color, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, creed, military or veteran status, club affiliation, organizational membership, or perceived political ideas. 

Discrimination is defined as any act or failure to act that is based upon an individual or group’s actual or perceived status that is sufficiently severe that it limits or denies the ability to participate in or benefit from the university’s educational program or activities. Any conduct that is potentially discriminatory should be reported to campus officials via the Bias/Discrimination Incident Report (emu.edu/safecampus/). Campus officials will act to remedy and resolve reported incidents.

  1. Harassment
    Respect for the dignity of all persons is the EMU standard. Any unwelcome conduct based on actual or perceived status including: sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, sexual orientation or other protected status. Any unwelcome conduct should be reported to campus officials via the appropriate Incident Report (emu.edu/safecampus/), who will act to remedy and resolve reported incidents.
  2. Hostile Environment
    A hostile environment occurs when harassment is sufficiently severe, pervasive and/or persistent and objectively offensive that it unreasonably interferes with, limits or denies the ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational or employment program or activities. 

Reports of alleged hostile environments, in-person or virtual, that involve sexual misconduct will be investigated by the university's Title IX coordinator. See Eastern Mennonite University Policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct. Hostile environments should be reported to campus officials via the Relationship Violence and/or Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) Incident Report (emu.edu/safecampus/).

  1. Retaliation
    Retaliation against any student, faculty or staff member reporting an alleged policy violation, regardless of where such conduct or retaliation might occur.
  2. 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.   
  3. Hazing
    Hazing is prohibited at EMU. In Virginia law "hazing" means to recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a student or students or to inflict bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a club, organization, association, fraternity, sorority, or student body regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity. 

Reports of alleged 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. Hazing should be reported to campus officials via the appropriate Incident Report (emu.edu/safecampus/).

  1. 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.
  2. Pranks
    Actions which cause harm, damage and/or inconvenience to others and property.
  3. Relationship Violence*
    Relationship violence is a broad term used by EMU to categorize types of violence, threats, coercion, or intimidation, other than sexual harassment, that occurs in the context of an intimate relationship, often including emotional, psychological, physical, or fiscal abuse, which results in a hostile environment. An incident of relationship violence can consist of a single act or a pattern of acts. Incidents of relationship violence can occur separate from or in tandem with incidents of sexual misconduct and/or sexual harassment.Conduct that constitutes relationship violence is covered under the Eastern Mennonite University Policy on  Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct- emu.edu/titleix/relationship-violence-policy.
    *To report an instance of relationship violence and/or sexual misconduct, contact the Title IX coordinator at 540-432-4302 or by email at titleixcoordinator@emu.edu OR complete a Relationship Violence and/or Sexual Misconduct (Title IX)  Incident Report at https://emu.edu/safecampus/ 
  4. 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: 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: purposely or knowingly doing any of the following-
    1. 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;
    2. 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);
    3. 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);
    4. recording or photographing sexual activity and/or a person’s intimate parts (including genitalia, groin, breasts or buttocks) without affirmative consent;
    5. disseminating or posting images of private sexual activity and/or a person’s intimate parts (including genitalia, groin, breasts or buttocks) without affirmative consent;
    6. prostituting another person; or
    7. 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 Relationship Violence and/or Sexual Misconduct  Incident Report at https://emu.edu/safecampus/ 
  5. Theft
    Theft of money or property, shoplifting, possession of stolen property and/or the unauthorized use of personal or institutional property.
  6. Alcohol
    The possession or use of alcohol is prohibited from the EMU campus as well as at all university-related functions. EMU prohibits the misuse of alcohol, where misuse refers to underage drinking and/or drinking to excess. (See Alcohol, Tobacco and Illegal Drug Policy in “University Policies” section.). Remaining in the presence of persons who are consuming alcohol on campus or at EMU-sponsored activities without objecting to its use may be considered a violation.  Those who host (i.e. provide a venue and/or provide alcohol or other substances where misuse occurs) may receive more serious outcomes. All members of the community are encouraged to report alcohol use by themselves or others preferably as a self-report for follow-up by EMU personnel (see below)
  7. Illegal Drugs
    The use and possession of drugs prohibited by law (such as hallucinogens, heroin, cocaine and marijuana) and the abuse of those drugs controlled by law (such as prescription drugs, narcotics, amphetamines and barbiturates) are prohibited. In addition, any substances which mimic the effects of illegal drugs or controlled substances (e.g. K2, bath salts, “designer drugs”, etc.) are also prohibited. Drug paraphernalia or other contraband are also prohibited.  If for any reason drugs are suspected in an on-campus location, those said locations including residence hall rooms and personal vehicles may be searched and drugs or other contraband confiscated, even without the owner of the location present
  8. Prescription Medications
    Abuse, misuse, sale, or distribution of prescription or over-the-counter medications is prohibited
  9. Non-Compliance
    Defined as failure to comply with the reasonable directives of university officials or law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so. EMU students are expected to have their EMU ID card with them at all times and must show it to university officials if and when they are asked.
  10. Tobacco
    The possession or use of tobacco (including vape pens and e-cigarettes) is prohibited in all university buildings as well as at university related functions. Smoking is not permitted within 25 feet of any university building, nor anywhere on EMU property unless specifically posted as a designated smoking area.  Exceptions are made for unique circumstances with explicit permission from the Dean of Students or their designate.


*NOTE on Self-Reporting/Amnesty: Individuals who self-report behaviors, consumption or potential misuse harmful to self  will not face university disciplinary action. In cases of self-reporting, a member of the student life staff will meet with the student to determine the best educational and/or recovery options available for the student, if needed. In cases of self-reporting, the university will offer its own resources (Counseling Center, Health Services, Mentoring, AOD educational activities) as well as community-based resources to help.


Reporting

Any member of the EMU community may report potential violations of these standards of conduct, and are especially encouraged to report incidents that have caused them harm or that negatively impact their educational experience at EMU. Reporters are encouraged to use the Reporting Landing Page to submit their concerns to the appropriate EMU staff.  

Reporting Landing Page: to report concerns or violations related to Bias/Discrimination, Relationship Violence and/or Sexual Misconduct, Campus Safety, or any other concerns - select, complete, and submit the appropriate form from the drop down menu on the EMU Reporting Landing Page -https://cm.maxient.com/reporting.php?EasternMennoniteUniv.