Rules of Conduct
Conduct Philosophy & Disciplinary Process
Life in a University Residence Hall is based on the premise that individuals are accountable for their actions to other members of the floor‚ the residence hall‚ and the campus community. Residents must conduct themselves so that their actions do not interfere with the ability of other residents to sleep‚ study‚ or enjoy their environment. All residence hall regulations affirm that people must be treated with respect and that property must be used appropriately.
Residence hall staff are responsible for enforcing the rules and policies set out in this handbook. Staff members are not authorized to grant exceptions to regulations. If a student engages in behavior that could be a violation of a residence hall policy‚ a residence hall staff member will write a report of the incident and refer the report to the appropriate individual or office for follow–up.
Follow–up on an incident report usually means that the student must meet with a hearing officer (either his or her Hall Director or the Assistant Director of Residence Life). If the hearing officer‚ after providing the student an opportunity to meet‚ determines that it is more likely than not that the student violated residence hall policy‚ then a sanction will be issued. Possible sanctions include verbal warning‚ written warning‚ restriction of visitation privileges‚ restitution‚ community service‚ participation in educational programs‚ and transfer to another residence hall. In cases where the violation is very serious or in cases of multiple violations‚ the Assistant Director may consider cancellation of the student's housing contract and immediate removal from the residence hall.
In all cases where a sanction is issued‚ the student has the right to appeal the decision to the next level. For decisions made by Hall Directors‚ the appeal agent is the Area Coordinator. For decisions made by the Assistant Director‚ the appeal agent is the Director of Residence Life. Appeals must be based on one or more of the following assertions:
- The information that was available to the hearing officer was insufficient to support the decision that a violation of policy occurred.
- The assigned sanction is too severe for the violation that occurred‚ or
- New information is available that was not available during the original judicial meeting.>
Residents of the University residence halls and undergraduate apartments should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations as given in this handbook‚ the rental agreement‚ and the University Code of Student Conduct. These rules and regulations govern behaviors that occur inside or in the immediate vicinity of University residence halls or undergraduate apartments.
Rules of Conduct
Category A‚ Commission of acts described under Category A will result in immediate referral to the office of the Assistant Director of Residence Life for adjudication.
- Use‚ possession‚ or distribution of controlled substances and/or drug–related paraphernalia‚ except as expressly permitted by law. Possession includes the presence of such controlled substances or paraphernalia in one's residence hall room.
- Defacing‚ disfiguring‚ damaging‚ or destroying property belonging to the University or to a member of the University community.
- Stealing property belonging to the University or to a member of the University community.
- The threat of‚ or commission of‚ physical violence against any person.
- Verbal‚ written‚ or physical harassment or intimidation of any person by any means.
- Possession or use of deadly weapons.
- Possession or use of explosive materials‚ including fireworks.
- Misuse‚ theft‚ or vandalism of fire fighting‚ smoke detection‚ or alarm equipment.
- Failure to evacuate a building when a fire alarm begins to sound.
- The intentional commission of any act in a residence hall area which poses a substantial threat to the health and/or safety of oneself or others. This includes‚ but is not limited to‚ engaging in suicidal gestures or attempts‚ or throwing objects out of a residence hall window.
- Repeated violation of Category B Rules of Conduct.
Category B‚ Commission of acts described under Category B will be investigated and adjudicated by the Hall Director of the individual who is alleged to have engaged in the misconduct.
- Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages‚ or exhibiting drunken behavior. Presence in a room in which alcohol is being consumed or is in plain view.
- Dishonest conduct including‚ but not limited to‚ falsely accusing another of misconduct or knowingly providing false information to a Residence Life staff member or other university official.
- Violation of the Quiet Hours Policy.
- Violation of the Visitation Policy or residence hall sign–in/sign–out procedures. (Please see Visitation Policy)
- Allowing another resident or guest to violate university policy in the residence hall room to which one is assigned.
- Individual or group activities that result in disturbance or distress to others.
- Using‚ or attempting to use‚ University property in a manner inconsistent with its designated purpose. This includes‚ but is not limited to‚ removing furniture from a residence hall lounge‚ misusing emergency keys‚ misusing emergency exits‚ misusing recycling bins‚ or opening windows on south campus.
- Any form of unauthorized solicitation or door–to–door distribution of materials‚ including surveys and questionnaires.
- Indecent or obscene behavior or the distribution of obscene material.
- Gambling
- Failure to comply with the directions of‚ or interference with‚ a Residence Life staff member acting in the performance of her or his duties. This includes‚ but is not limited to‚ verbal abuse of a staff member‚ failure to identify oneself when requested to do so‚ failure to dispose of alcoholic beverages when requested to do so‚ failure to comply with the terms of a disciplinary sanction‚ or failure to abide by any policies in this handbook that are not explicitly referenced in other rules of conduct.
Category C‚ Commission of acts described under Category C will be investigated by the Office of the Dean of Students.
- Unauthorized acquisition‚ sale‚ alteration‚ use or other misrepresentation of the Diner and/or Plus–Accounts for the purpose of acquiring meals‚ services or refunds from the University of Kentucky.
- Violation of the University Code of Student Conduct.
office of residence life . university of kentucky . 537 patterson office tower . lexington‚ ky . 40506–0027 . (859) 257–4784 . fax (859) 323–4941