Our community expectation is that all students will strive to live our values, be bold and Benedictine, in every word, thought and deed.

Our values are:
Community, Hospitality, Respect, Stewardship, and Love of Learning

Our baseline minimum behavioral standards are outlined in the Code of Conduct. Please note that these are the minimum rules of conduct and we expect students' behavior to meet or exceed these standards.

The College has found that the activities listed below are disruptive to the community and may violate the rights or property of other members of the community. Usually when there is a violation of the Code of Conduct, it is a violation of our CSS Benedictine Values.

When a Code of Conduct violation has occurred, in addition to a review of whether the specific behavior violates this or other college policy, there will be a review of whether there has been a violation of community, hospitality, respect, stewardship or an impediment to learning for any member of the community. There has been no attempt to define all variations and interpretations of these standards, or to include every regulation. It is also recognized that within each activity a wide range of severity is possible and any of the available disciplinary sanctions may be appropriate.

A.

Academic misconduct, including but not limited to cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. (See Academic Honesty Policy and Dishonesty Procedures)

B.

Violation of Residential Life policies. (See the Residential Life Handbook).

C.

Theft or other abuse of computers or computer access including, but not limited to, unauthorized entry into a file, unauthorized use of another's password, or use of computer facilities to interfere with the normal operation of the College computer system.

D.

Harassing or sending harassing, threatening, or unwanted messages to any member of the community by any means, including those accessed through technology systems. This includes, but is not limited to: email, social media sites, texting, etc. Note, however, that if such behavior might constitute harassment or stalking, as those terms are defined by the College's Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy, the behavior will be addressed under the College's Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy. Moreover, if such behavior might constitute general harassment and/or bullying (E), as those terms are defined in the General Harassment and Bullying policy, the behavior will be addressed under the applicable policy (See Power-Based Violence Policies)

E.

Bullying, which includes systematically, chronically and/or intentionally inflicting physical hurt or psychological or emotional distress on one or more students, faculty or staff and may involve verbal, written or physical expressions intended to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, humiliate, taunt, threaten or intimidate. Bullying may be carried out using any electronic communication device through means including, but not limited to, e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games, websites or social media. Such behavior may also constitute general harassment and/or bullying, as defined in the General Harassment or Bullying policy in which case the behavior will be addressed under the applicable General Harassment or Bullying policy. (See Power Based Violence Policies)

F.

Bias incidents, which include single or multiple acts of verbal, written, electronic or physical expressions of disrespectful bias, hate, intimidation, or hostility against an individual, group or their property because of the individual or group's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, gender identification, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. Expressions may be in the form of language, words, signs, symbols, threats, or actions that could potentially cause alarm or fear in others or that endanger the health, safety, and welfare of members of the campus community. (See Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy)

G.

Threatening or inflicting physical or psychological harm upon any person. This behavior may fall under the Violence within Community Relationships policy. If such behavior might constitute sexual violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, as those terms are defined by the College's Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy, such behavior will be addressed under the Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Policy. In turn, if such conduct might constitute prohibited conduct under the General Harassment or Bullying policy, such behavior will be addressed under bullying policy (E) or general harassment (D). (See Power Based Violence Policies)

H.

Attempt or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the College or property of a member of the College community or other personal or public property.

I.

Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other College activities on or off campus including authorized non-College activities on college facilities.

J.

Trespassing or unauthorized entry into a building, facility, or room, including student residences.

K.

Unauthorized possession, use, or creation of a key for a building or room of the College without expressed and authorized permission.

L.

Knowingly providing to a College employee (including Resident Assistants) written or oral information that is false or misleading including providing a false ID card.

M.

Failing to produce identification upon reasonable request of a College employee.

N.

Flagrant disrespect of persons or community or inflicting of harm, including flagrant disregard for the health and safety of others. Note: During times when COVID-19 is present in our state and region, this can include failure to follow community standards around safety precautions as outlined by the College (such as wearing adequate face coverings, adhering to vaccination and testing requirements, maintaining physical distancing, truthful reporting of symptoms, honesty and forthright participation in the testing, contact tracing process, quarantine, isolation, etc.)

O.

Misuse, unhealthy, or unauthorized use of alcoholic beverages as defined by the Alcohol Policy. This includes elements of misuse, possession, consumption, and furnishing of alcoholic beverages. (see Alcohol Policy).

P.

Unlawful use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of illegal drugs or other controlled substances. This includes possession of paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law. Note: Students who have paraphernalia or who possess or consume food or beverages containing THC will have the burden of proving that the product is lawful. (See Drug Policy)

Q.

The possession or carrying of a firearm, dangerous weapon, fireworks or dangerous chemicals is prohibited on all property owned, leased, or occupied by the College. (See Weapons Policy)

R.

Abusive or disorderly behavior on any campus site or at a College-sponsored event.

S.

Hazing, defined as committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a person in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student group or organization.

T.

Misuse or unsafe operation of motor vehicle violating regulations of the College.

U.

ncurring financial obligations on behalf of the institution without proper authorization.

V.

Misuse, abuse or tampering with alarm systems, safety equipment including fire extinguishers, or operating systems of College facilities and/ or failure to promptly follow safe evacuation procedures.

W.

Unauthorized or unsafe use of fire including candles, campfires, incense, etc.

X.

Violations of federal, state, or local law on College premises or at College-sponsored or supervised activities.

Y.

Gambling for money or other things of value, except as permitted by law and authorized by the College.

Z.

Abuse of the College's Student Conduct System and/or Behavioral Intervention Team or Care Team processes, including but not limited to: failure to obey formal participation requests of the College, misrepresentation of information, interference with student conduct proceedings or an individual's participation in the student conduct or threat assessment processes, destruction of evidence, or harassment or intimidation of a person involved in or connected to an investigation or hearing.

The Complete Student Handbook, Code of Conduct, And Policy Library can be found here