Dean of Student Life

IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct Summary

Individual rights are best protected by a collective commitment to mutual respect. Our responsibilities and obligations to one another preserve our individual rights and freedoms, and promote our collective values. The "Code of Conduct" is intended to identify the basic rights, responsibilities, and expectations of all students and student groups and serve as a guide for the overall student experience at Indiana University.

Student Responsibilities

A student who accepts admission to Indiana University agrees to:

• Be ethical in his or her participation in the academic community,
• Take responsibility for what he or she says and does,
• Behave in a manner that is respectful of the dignity of others, treating others with civility and understanding, and
• Use university resources and facilities in appropriate ways consistent with their purpose and in accordance with applicable policies.

Student Rights

Indiana University recognizes its responsibility to support and uphold the basic freedoms and citizenship rights of all students. Within that context, students have the following rights.

• Rights in the pursuit of education.
• Right to be free from discrimination.
• Right to be free from harassment, including sexual harassment, harassment based on sexual orientation, and racial harassment.
• Right to access their academic records and university facilities
• Right to freedom from association, expression, advocacy, and publication.
• Right to contribute to university governance.
• Right to accommodation for individuals with disabilities.
• Rights in the judicial process, including the right to file a complaint if a student believes his/her rights, as defined in the Code, have been violated.
• Rights as University employees.

The University community will not tolerate inappropriate behavior. The University Police and staff will enforce policies that protect individual rights and freedoms.

Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to:

Academic Misconduct

• Cheating
• Fabrication
• Plagiarism*
• Interference**
• Violation of course rules
• Facilitating academic dishonesty

* A student must not adopt or reproduce ideas, opinions, statements, etc. of another person without appropriate acknowledgment.

** A student must not steal, change, destroy or impede another student's work.

Faculty members are in charge of their classrooms and, as such, will establish acceptable behavior, and will initiate Academic Misconduct proceedings when appropriate.

Personal Misconduct

• Dishonesty, including initiating a false report
• Assuming another person's identity
• Violation of technology policies
• Disorderly or obscene conduct
• Actions which endanger self, others, or the academic process
• Failure to comply with the directions of authorized university officials
• Damage to university property
• Acting with violence, encouraging or participating in a riot
• Harassment
• Physical or verbal abuse
• Stalking or hazing
• Unauthorized possession or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs
• Unauthorized use or entry of university facilities
• Unauthorized taking or possession of university property or property of others
• Unauthorized setting of fires or unauthorized use or interference with fire equipment
• Unauthorized possession, use, etc. of incendiary devices
• Possession or sale of any weapon or potential weapon on campus
• Intentionally obstructing access to university facilities, property or programs
• Violation of disseminated university policies (e.g. housing policies), state or federal law
• Acts that threaten or intimidate any potential participant in a judicial process

Student Conduct Procedures

A student who allegedly commits a violation of the "Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct" will be notified of such in writing by the appropriate student conduct officer and must meet to discuss the situation. The judicial conference is the student's opportunity to provide his/her version of the incident. The student conduct officer will determine if the alleged wrongdoing occurred and, if warranted, the appropriate sanctions. Students may appeal any sanction within a certain period of time.

Refer to the "Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct" for complete information on the rights, responsibilities, and conduct expected of all students. The "Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct" may be accessed at Code of Student Rights. The "Student Complaint and Conduct Procedures" may be accessed at Student Complaint and Conduct Procedures.

Source: Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct 7/09
For additional information, call the Office of Student Affairs at (812) 941-2420.