Bellarmine University Code of Conduct

Bellarmine students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner, showing respect for persons and property. The following is an illustrative list of inappropriate behavior which will be considered cause for disciplinary action. This list is illustrative only and intended to give a guide to expected behavior. It cannot and does not include all behavior that may lead to disciplinary action.

  1. Any form of academic dishonesty, which includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, and misrepre-sentation of one’s work.
  2. Intentionally or recklessly harassing or causing physical harm to others or causing apprehension of harm. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, verbal harassment, sexual harassment, hate speech, and verbal threats.
  3. Intentionally or recklessly interfering with University functions, University sponsored activities, or any activity on University premises.
  4. Violation of federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, or University policies including the residence hall contract.
  5. Theft, unlawful use or possession of property of the University or others.
  6. Forgery, falsifying identification, and providing false information to University officials.
  7. Intentionally or recklessly destroying, altering, or damaging University property or the property of others.
  8. Unauthorized use of University property or facilities.
  9. Unauthorized use or possession of fireworks, or incendiary, dangerous or noxious devices or materials or setting an unauthorized fire.
  10. Unauthorized use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons. On the Bellarmine campus, only authorized federal, state and local law enforcement officers are permitted to possess firearms or dangerous weapons.
  11. Intentionally initiating or causing any false report, warning or threat of fire, explosion or other emergency; misusing or damaging fire or other safety equipment.
  12. Hazing or behavior which creates a situation that may endanger mental or physical health, or involves forced consumption of alcohol or drugs for the purpose of initiation or affiliation with any campus organization or group.
  13. Conduct which is disorderly, obscene, lewd, indecent, or a breach of peace.
  14. Failure to comply with the directions of University officials, which include student/staff personnel acting in the performance of their duties.
  15. Abuse of the student conduct system including, but not limited to, filing a false complaint, abuse of student conduct proceedings, and/or violating the terms of a student conduct sanction.
  16. Any demonstration of gang-related activity or affiliation.
  17. Gambling (e.g., lotteries, betting on athletic events, numbers games, cards and dice.).
  18. Any form of sexual misconduct, which includes, but is not limited to: sexual harassment, stalking,dating violence, domestic violence, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation, or retaliation.  Violations involving sexual discrimination and/or sexual misconduct may be heard separately from other code violations occurring at the same time.

Standard Sanctions

Alcohol Violations:
  • 1st offense: Warning & completion of Alcohol EDU at cost to student ($100), Parental Notification depending on severity of the offense.
  • 2nd offense: University On-Notice, Educational Sanction, Substance Education Fine of $150, Parental Notification*, completion of an alcohol screening & assessment through the University Counseling Center
  • 3rd offense: University Probation and Parental Notification*
  • 4th offense: University Suspension
  • Transportation to hospital or EMS call due to intoxication: automatic completion of three assessment sessions at the Counseling Center. Additional sanctions as deemed necessary by the appropriate student conduct body, which may include, but are not limited to, assignment of community service hours, residence hall or University probation, educational sanctions, restitution, etc…
Tobacco:
  • 1st offense: verbal warning will be given, and name will be sent to tobacco policy email account
  • 2nd offense: written warning, name sent to tobacco email again, $15 fine
  • 3rd offense: written warning, name sent to tobacco email, $15 fine, and educational sanction

*FERPA & Parental Notification

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which is part of the Higher Education Act, the University has a right to notify parents/legal guardians if a student under the age of 21 violated an alcohol or drug policy or is accused of a violent crime. Bellarmine University may inform parents/legal guardians of students who have received the sanction of University or Residence Hall Probation or higher.

Additional information on Bellarmine policies and procedures can be found in the Student Handbook.