Prohibited Conduct

Prohibited student actions include, but are not limited to:           

1. Conduct that is inconsistent with the values, expectations, and standards of a Hamilton Student, including but not limited to:
   1. Physical altercations
   2. Verbal abuse
   3. Harassment
   4. Threatening or intimidating actions, statements, behavior, or coercion
   5. Intentional or reckless conduct that is likely to have a substantial adverse effect on, or pose a threat to, any person.
2. Harassment or sexual misconduct. The Harassment and Sex-Based Discrimination Board responds to these complaints.
3. Theft of property or services; knowingly possessing stolen property.
4. Intentionally or recklessly damaging private, public, or College property.
5. Conduct that is disruptive. This includes but is not limited to conduct that disrupts members of the College community’s ability to participate in College programs and/or activities, and/or of orderly campus operations.
6. Conduct that is lewd or indecent.
7. Violation of College policies on possession or use of alcohol.
8. Violation of College policies on possession or use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia.
9. Tampering with fire safety equipment or intentionally activating a false fire alarm, failure to evacuate during a fire alarm, or violation of other College or Community Living fire safety policies.
10. Possession of firearms, explosives, fireworks, or other weapons, including all knives with blades over 3.5 inches. This includes all decorative, novelty, and collectible weapons. 
11. Hazing, as defined in the College's hazing policy.
12. Abuse of the Conduct Process, including but not limited to:
    1. Harassment and/or intimidation of a member of a conduct body or any participant prior to, during, and/or after a conduct proceeding; 
    2. Perjury or obstruction of an investigation; knowingly providing false or incomplete information or attempting to cause someone else to furnish false information; 
    3. Falsification, misrepresentation, or distortion of information before a conduct body; 
    4. Failure to comply with or evading the sanction(s) imposed through a conduct process.
13. Falsification or misuse of any document, record, or instrument of identification.
14. Failure to comply with the request of or interfering with College officials or law enforcement acting in the performance of their duties; failure to identify oneself to a College official or law enforcement personnel when requested to do so; knowingly furnishing false information to a College official.
15. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys to any College premises or unauthorized entry to or use of College premises.
16. Intentionally and unreasonably interfering with the freedom of expression of others.
17. Obstructing the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on the College premises or at College-sponsored or supervised functions.
18. Violation of the Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources Policy.
19. Violation of published College policies, rules, or regulations.
20. Violation of any federal, state, or local law that has a negative impact on the College or members of the College community.

Without limiting the College’s ability to impose sanctions in response to single instances of significant violations, attempts to commit acts prohibited by this Code of Conduct may be punished to the same extent as completed violations.

Repeated and aggravated violations of any section of this code may also result in the imposition of more significant penalties, including suspension or expulsion, as may be appropriate.

Hamilton College reserves the right to place on a status of suspension, and suspend for an interim period, any student whose presence on the campus, in the sole judgment of the College, poses a threat to their safety or welfare or that of others.  A student who is placed on an interim suspension may appeal this status to the Vice President of Student Life within three days of notification of their suspension.

The Student Code of Conduct also applies to student groups.  It is expected that groups, or students representing groups, will behave in a way that is consistent with the standards of the College.  Groups and the individuals involved, when charged with a violation of the Code of Conduct, will generally have their cases heard through the Judicial Board.