Mission:  The Student Conduct Process at Concordia University Chicago is meant to be developmental in nature, supportive of a stronger community and an environment conducive to successful academic endeavors.  To this end, it is student-centered, reflective, and learning based.  Through our process we aim to promote individual growth, enhance ethical development and decision making, and develop responsible citizenship. 

Philosophy: Because Concordia University exists for the purpose of providing a Christian education, the Student Code of Conduct is designed to set for students the level of conduct acceptable for young men and women being educated within the framework of Christian freedom and responsibility.  By voluntarily joining the Concordia community, a student assumes the obligation of abiding by the standards that the University has instituted relevant to its missions, processes, functions, and goals.  The University, at the same time, assumes the task of educating the students in assuming responsibility for their behavior, thus preparing them for responsible citizenship outside of the University community.

The Student Conduct Process is meant to promote stronger community and a supportive academic environment for the university as a whole.  While we work ultimately to enhance the learning experience of students involved, it is also important to keep in mind how a student’s actions affect the greater community.  By voluntarily joining the Concordia University Chicago Community all Concordia students assume the obligation of abiding by the standards that the university has instituted relevant to it’s mission, core values, processes, functions, and goals.  As such, all students are expected to willingly co-operate with and submit to the regulations of the Student Code of Conduct.  As all adults are responsible for the positive and negative consequences of their actions, those students found responsible for violations of the code are also expected to adhere to the sanctioning they receive or jeopardize their affiliation as a member of the community.  

Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of known violations of the student code of conduct are not neutral acts; they also maybe viewed as violations of the code.

Concordia University Chicago is not a sanctuary from the law.  Criminal and civil laws still apply within the academic community.  Students who violate criminal codes put themselves at risk of criminal prosecution.  In addition they take on additional responsibilities. 

The Student Code of Conduct is also applicable to off-campus student actions, and the University reserves the right to hold responsible students for their off-campus behavior if their actions:   affect their academic performance, demonstrate disregard for the rights of others, or cast a negative light on the reputation of the Concordia community.  Students are not exempt from proceedings which occur in both the criminal arena and the University’s discipline system as clearly defined in the student code.

The Student Code of Conduct is based upon the principles contained in the “Student and Faculty Statement on Rights and Responsibilities of Students.”  The Code of Conduct contains the rules and regulations of the University relative to personal conduct.  It further contains step-by-step procedures for the adjudication of conduct violations, appeal, and sanctioning.

Learning Objectives:  Learning from one’s choices is an important process in the development of a college student.  As such, the disciplinary process is designed to be educational.  A student’s participation in the process might result in one or more of the following learning outcomes:

1. Students will identify the consequences of personal actions
2. Students will understand and personalize the purpose of the Student Code of Conduct
3. Students will consider the concepts of respect and rights for others when making decisions
4. Students will consider the impact of current decisions on their academic and future professional endeavors
5. Students will articulate personal ethics and values in relationship to a framework of Christian Freedom and Responsibility
6. Students will learn to choose actions that are reflective of personal ethics and values
7. Students will articulate rationale for personal behavior
8. Students will learn the impact of individual choices in a community setting
9. Students will understand their rights and responsibilities prior to an official hearing

Student Code of Conduct

Definitions

1. The term “University” or “Concordia” means Concordia University Chicago.
2. The term “Student” includes all persons taking courses at Concordia University Chicago, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies.  Persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Code, who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the university or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission are considered “students” as are persons who are living in the university residence halls, although not enrolled in this institution.  This student code is binding at all locations of Concordia University Chicago.
3. The term “faculty member” means any person hired by the university to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the university to be a member of its faculty.
4. The term “university official” includes any person employed by the university, performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.  This does include, but is not limited to, student campus security officers or resident assistants acting rightfully in the performance of their assigned duties and responsibilities.
5. The term “advisor” includes any person who is a faculty or staff member, parent, guardian, official representative, and/or legal counsel for the accused student.
6. The term “community” includes any person who is a student, faculty member, official or any other person employed by the university.
7. The term “Concordia University Chicago premises” or “university premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned by, used, controlled, or leased by Concordia University Chicago (including adjacent streets and sidewalks.
8. The term “organization” means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for university or student association recognition or registration.
9. The term “Conduct Meeting Officer” means any person authorized by the Student Code Authority to determine whether a student has violated the Student code and to recommend sanctions that may be imposed when a rules violation has been committed.
10. The term “shall” is used in the imperative sense.
11. The term “may” is used in the permissive sense.
12. The term “policy” means the written regulations of the university and university departments as found in, but not limited to, Student and Faculty Statement on Rights and Responsibilities of Students, the Student Code of Conduct, the Undergraduate Student Handbook, the Graduate Student Handbook, and the Graduate/Undergraduate Catalogs.
13. The term “complainant” means any person who submits a charge allegation that a student violated this Student Code. 
14. The term “accused student” means any student accused of violating this Student Code.

Student Code Authority

1. The Dean of Students shall determine and grant the authorization of the Assistant Dean of Students and the additional Conduct Meeting Officers to hear and make determination of sanctioning on each matter.
2. The Assistant Dean of Students, under the supervision and direction of the Dean of Students, shall develop policies for the administration of the student conduct system and procedural rules for the structure of the Conduct Meetings that are consistent with provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.
3. Decisions made by a Conduct Meeting Officer, Assistant Dean of Students, and/or the Dean of Students shall be final, pending the normal appeal process. 
4. The University reserves the right to resolve alleged violations of the University’s Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation using the Formal Resolution Process set forth in that policy or to modify the Student Conduct Code Procedures set forth in below as may be required to ensure compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or other applicable law.

Proscribed Conduct 

Any student, university club or organization found to have committed or to have attempted to commit any of the following misconduct is subject to disciplinary sanctions.

1. False documentation or representations to the University, faculty, or to any University official in any form, written or verbal; or the alteration, misrepresentation, or falsification of any University records, forms, or procedures.
2. The theft or attempted theft of University, private or public property or services, on or off campus, and/or the willful possession of such property.
3. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives (including fireworks), other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on Concordia University Chicago premises or use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens or causes fear to others.  
4. The willful destruction of, defacing of, or altering of University, private or public property other than property owned by the student.
5. The unauthorized alteration, misuse, theft, destruction of, or any other willful act that might deem the equipment nonfunctioning of any fire alarm, detection, and fire fighting equipment, emergency exit signs, or security surveillance equipment.
6. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any Concordia University Chicago premises or unauthorized entry to or use of university premises.
7. Violations of the University’s Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, including, but not limited, to: physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person; and sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence.
8. Conduct that presents a danger to the fulfillment of the mission of the University or to the life, health, welfare, safety, or property of any member of the University community or other person.
9. Conduct that renders a student unable to function safely or effectively in the University’s programs, activities, or facilities without harming himself or herself, harming one or more other individuals, causing a disruption. 
10. Forcible or unauthorized entry into any building, structure, facility, or room therein, or vehicle on the premises of Concordia University Chicago.
11. Violators of Residential Hall policies, whether residential student or commuter, are subject to disciplinary sanctions.  Furthermore, students hosting guests are responsible for the actions of their guests within the halls.  Students are responsible for knowing the policies of the residence hall facilities they enter. 
12. Use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by Concordia University Chicago board of regents or administration), or public intoxication.  Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstances, be used by, possessed by, manufactured or distributed to or by any person under twenty-one (21) years of age.
13. Purchase, sale, use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution without prescription of any controlled substance or narcotic, or the unauthorized or illegal purchase, sale, use, possession, or distribution of prescription drugs on University premises, in University owned vehicles, or at off campus University sponsored events.  Furthermore, the purchase, sale, use, possession, or distribution of any paraphernalia for the illegal use of controlled or prescribed substances is also prohibited.
14. Failure to comply with the directions of Concordia University Chicago officials, including student officials such as campus security officers or resident assistants, acting in the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.
15. Violation of any federal, state, or local law is prohibited whether the violation occurred off or on university premises.
16. Any form of academic dishonesty of any kind, or assisting another in academic dishonesty with respect to examinations, course assignments, unauthorized recordings of lectures, plagiarism, alteration of records, or illegal possession of examinations. (all such violations are addressed through the Honor Code Violations process as outlined in the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Handbook)
17. Intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning or threat of fire, explosion or other emergency on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.
18. Any act of sexual misconduct, as defined in the University’s Policy Regarding Sexual Misconduct, below.
19. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other Concordia University Chicago activities, including its public service functions on or off campus, or of other authorized non- Concordia University Chicago activities when the conduct occurs on university premises.
20. Any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of oneself or any other person, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization. 
21. Participating in an on-campus or off-campus demonstration, riot, or activity that disrupts the normal operations of Concordia University Chicago and/or infringes on the rights of other members of the community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or on university premises.
22. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on Concordia University Chicago premises or at university sponsored or supervised functions.
23. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace; or aiding, abetting, or procuring  another person to breach the peace on Concordia University Chicago premises or at functions sponsored or participated in by, the university or members of the academic community. 
24. Any violation of rules (as described in, but not limited to, the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Handbook, the Residential Life Hall Policies and Procedures, the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog, and/or the student code ) that take place via the internet, including but not limited to facebook, MySpace, Blackboard, or Blogs; or other forms of electronic communication, including but not limited to digital photographs, text messages, or emails.
25. Theft or abuse of computer facilities and resources, including but not limited to:
    1. Unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose.
    2. Unauthorized transfer of a file.
    3. Use of another individual’s identification and/or password without consent.
    4. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member or Concordia University Chicago official.
    5. Use of the computing facilities and resources to send obscene or abusive messages.
    6. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with normal operation of the Concordia University Chicago computing system.
    7. Use of computing facilities and resources in violation of copyright laws.
    8. Any violation of the Cougarnet Computer Use policies.               
    9. Abuse of the Student Code Process, including but not limited to:
       1. Failure to obey the notice from a Student Conduct official to appear for a meeting or hearing as part of the Student Conduct process.
       2. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information during a Student Conduct proceeding.
       3. Disruption or interference with the orderly process of a Student Conduct proceeding.
       4. Retaliation or attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the student conduct process.
       5. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Student Conduct process.