Code of Conduct

Alcohol

Violations including, but not limited to, the following: 

Animals on Campus 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Bringing an animal into any University building, except in instances where the animal is covered by the Assistance Animals policy for individuals with disabilities.   

2. Falsely identifying an animal as a service or support animal to circumvent the Animals on Campus policy 

3. Violations of the Animal Handler Expectations including, but not limited to approved animals causing injury to others, presence of animals in unauthorized areas, unsanitary conditions, disruptions of peace (i.e. incessant barking or whining), property damage, and improper disposal of waste. 

Disorderly or obscene conduct 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Engaging in a physical altercation 

2. Creating a disturbance that impacts the rights of others 

3. Verbal or physical harassment 

4. Excessive noise 

5. Public nudity 

Disruption or Obstruction 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Disruption or obstruction of the normal living and work environments of other members of the university community or the functions or activities of the university, including, but not limited to, teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other official University activities, or authorized non-University activities when the activity occurs on university premises 

2. Examples of disruptive or obstruction conduct include: blocking entrances, corridors or exits; interfering with ongoing educational activities, cultural events, or recreational, extracurricular or athletic programs; unauthorized presence in a building after normal closing hours or after notice the building is being closed; obstructing or interfering with the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic; creating unsanitary conditions; and interfering with any other effort to protect the health and safety of members of the university community or larger public. 

Drugs

Violations including, but not limited to, the following: 

1. Possession, use, or being under the influence of any illegal drug, including medication not prescribed to you 

2. Possession, use, or being under the influence of marijuana or any THC derivatives, regardless of age 

3. Sale, manufacture, or cultivation of any drug, including marijuana 

4. Possession or use of drug paraphernalia, including hookahs, on campus regardless of age. 

5. Violations of the UMW Drug Policy 

1. University administration, staff, or faculty member 

2. University Police 

3. Honor Council and Student Conduct Review Board 

4. Residence Life staff members (including Resident Assistants and Senior Resident Assistants) 

5. Ancillary employees including staff in dining facilities and the mailroom 

False Identification 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Possession of fake or altered official identification regardless of intended use 

2. Manufacturing, acquisition, or attempted acquisition of fake or altered official identification for oneself, or for other individuals, regardless of intended use 

Fire Safety 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Arson/Setting fire 

2. Tampering with, or removing from their intended location, fire alarms, smoke detectors, emergency lights, or exit signs or exit lighting 

3. Tampering with, removing from its intended location, or needlessly discharging a fire extinguisher 

4. Open flames and/or the use of candles or using candles as decoration 

5. Using incense in a university building 

6. Failing to vacate a building during a fire alarm 

7. Failing to abide by the expectations found on the Fire Safety website 

Hazing 

Hazing is defined as forcing, compelling, requiring, encouraging, or expecting, whether direct or implied, any individual to participate in any action that could reasonably be described as having a mental or physical impact on a student, cause physical harm, degradation, discomfort, disgrace, or fright regardless of an individual’s consent or willing participation in such activities.  The full Hazing Policy can be found here 

Identification 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Failing to identify oneself or refusing to provide correct documentation (e.g. an Eagle One card) when requested by a university official such as administration, police, or residence life staff 

2. Providing a false name or ID when requested by a university official such as administration, police, or residence life staff 

Keys 

Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys or access cards to any university building 

Masking to Conceal Identity

Consistent with Va. Code § 18.2-422, any individual who is present on University Property or attending a University Event who is wearing a mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, must present an Identification document when requested by a university official such as administration, police, or residence life staff or otherwise establish their identity to the satisfaction of the university official.

Misuse of the Student Conduct System 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Failure to obey the summons of a conduct body or university official 

2. Attempting to discourage any individuals proper participation in or use of the conduct system 

3. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a conduct body prior to, and/or during the conduct proceeding 

4. Harassment and/or intimidating a member of the conduct body prior to, and/or after a conduct proceeding 

5. Failure to comply with a sanction imposed by the conduct system 

6. Influencing, or attempting to influence, another person to commit an abuse of the conduct system 

7. Submitting a false report of a code of conduct violation against another student or group of students. 

8. Other abuse of the student conduct system 

Motor Vehicles 

Violations include, but are not limited to:

1. Bringing a vehicle to campus without authorization (First-year residential students are not permitted to bring cars to campus)  

2. Failing to register a vehicle with Parking Management  

3. Transferring a university-issued parking decal without authorization  

4. Other violations of Parking Management rules and regulations 

Policies, Regulations, or Rules and Expectations 

Students who violate any of the following policies may face charges under the Code of Conduct in addition to any departmental charges for violating the following:  

1. Housing and Dining Services Agreement 

2. Residence Life Rules and Expectations 

3. Network and Computer Use Policy 

4. Other University policies, conduct expectations, prohibitions, or regulations 

Projectiles and thrown objects 

Throwing, or causing to be projected, any object or substance that has potential for defacing or damaging University or private property, or for causing personal injury or disruption.   

Property Violations 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Conduct which results in damage to any property  

2. Redistributing University furniture  

3. Storing items outside of your residential room, in a common hallway, or outside of spaces designated by a university official / instructor  

4. Unsanitary, cluttered, or obstructive conditions  

5. Throwing objects from roofs, windows, or balconies  

6. Theft of University, public, or personal property  

7. Other property violations  

Reckless or dangerous behavior 

Conduct that intentionally or recklessly threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person on or off campus.   

Smoking and vaping 

Violations include, but are not limited to:   

1. Possession of tobacco products, nicotine vapor products, or alternative nicotine products is prohibited for students under 21.  FDA approved nicotine replacement products are allowed for those who are 18 or older 

2. Smoking or vaping in the residence halls, within 50 feet of any university building, or in a non-smoking area, as determined by the university is prohibited 

Telephones and Communication Devices 

Misuse of a telephone or personal communication device include, but is not limited to, the following: 

1. Unauthorized entry into another individual’s telephone or personal communication device to access to its contents, functions, or apps  

2. Unauthorized use of another individual’s passcode  

3. Other misuse of a telephone or a personal communication device 

Unauthorized Access 

Violations include, but are not limited to: 

1. Entering any university building that is closed 

2. Entering storage rooms, mechanical rooms, and other service areas 

3. Accessing any roofs, balconies, or ledges of any University buildings 

4. Entry into a residence hall where you do not reside, unless accompanied by a resident of that hall 

5. Use of a door not intended for regular use (i.e. exiting a fire door when there is no emergency or use of a service entrance) 

1. Making, using, disclosing, or distributing a recording of a person in a location or situation in which that person has a reasonable expectation to privacy (such as a residence, bathroom, gym, locker room, office) and is unaware of the recording or does not give express consent to it.  Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized recording of videos, personal conversations, images, meetings, or activities. 

2. The use of an undisclosed and/or hidden recording device 

3. The use of AI, or other methods, to create a facsimile of another person (e.g. a “deepfake) without their express consent 

4. Impersonating an individual via call, text, or e-mail 

University computing resources 

Abuse of university computing resources and facilities, including, but not limited to: 

1. Unauthorized entry into a computer or file for any purpose 

2. Unauthorized transfer of a file 

3. Unauthorized use of another individual’s identification or password 

4. To interfere with the work of another student, faculty member, administrator, or university official 

5. To interfere with the normal operating procedures of the university computing system 

6. To make copies, or make available to others, copywrite material without authorization 

7. Other abuse of university computing resources and facilities 

Violence 

Engaging in physical violence or threats of physical violence against another individual or group of individuals on or off campus 

Weapons

Possession of firearms, weapons, stun weapons, or related devices on campus is prohibited.  Toys or replica weapons are also prohibited unless required as part of a program sponsored or facilitated by the university and express permission given by a University Administrator.