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Student Code of Conduct

Academic Misconduct

Offences involving academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following: 

a. Cheating

While taking a test or examination, students shall rely on their own mastery of the subject and not attempt to receive help in any way not explicitly approved by the instructor; for example, students shall not try to use notes, study aids, or another’s work.
Such cheating includes trying to give or obtain information about a test, trying to take someone else’s exam, or trying to have someone else take one’s own exam.

Recommended range of actions: [3-5].

b. Plagiarism

Whenever students draw on another’s work, they must specify what they borrowed, whether facts, opinions, or quotations, and where they borrowed it
from. Using another person’s documented ideas or expressions in one’s writing without acknowledging the source constitutes plagiarism.

Recommended range of actions: [3-5].

c. In-Class Disruption

Students in class are expected to behave appropriately, and shall not disrupt classes or exams by extraneous conversation and/or misbehaving.

Recommended range of actions: [1-3].

d. Dishonesty

Students are expected to be honest in all dealings with the University. Certain kinds of dishonesty, though often associated with academic work, are of a different category than cheating or plagiarism. These kinds of dishonesty include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Misrepresenting personal circumstances to an instructor (for example, in requesting a makeup exam or special due date for an assignment, or in explaining an absence).
    Recommended range of actions: [1-3].
  • Forging parts of, or signature on, official documents (including both, university documents and relevant outside documents, such as doctors’ notes).
    Recommended range of actions: [3-5].
  • Taking credit for work in a team-project when little or no contribution to the work of the team has been made.
    Recommended range of actions: [1-3].
  •  Unlawfully copying computer software.
    Recommended range of actions: [2-4].
  • Engaging in bribery of any kind.
    Recommended range of actions: [3-5].

Non-academic Misconduct

Offences involving non-academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Disruption/Obstruction

Students have the right to express their opinions on matters of concern to the University in an organized manner and in a public space, excluding residences on campus, but they must notify and consult with the dean of student affairs before doing so. The nature of the event and any publicity accompanying it must be reviewed by the dean to assure that neither Lebanese law, nor university policies and norms are being violated.
In cases where student-sponsored events, including protests, sit-ins, and demonstrations are, after such consultation, not approved by the dean of student affairs, or, if needed by the Board of Deans or the president, it may become necessary for the dean of student affairs to undertake disciplinary measures and even to instruct campus protection to bring the public gathering to an end.
Disrupting or obstructing the normal educational process or any university function or activity by student demonstrations, sit-ins, or ‘strikes’ is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: disrupting classes, library operations, seminars, exhibitions, meetings, ceremonial events, or examinations; impeding or preventing others from attending such events; falsely activating a disaster alarm; or making a threat.
Under no circumstances are any members of the university family to be intimidated or threatened in the execution of their normal duties and responsibilities. That means that students and faculty who wish to hold or attend classes or to go to their offices or places of study shall not be prevented from doing so; non-academic staff and administrators shall not be impeded from going to their places of work.

b. Distribution of Unauthorized Published Material

The public distribution and posting of published materials such as fliers, leaflets, posters, audiovisuals, etc., must be approved and stamped by the dean of student affairs. The campus protection office will remove from display any such unauthorized material.

c. Theft

Stealing on campus or at a university-authorized event off campus, including unauthorized use of university equipment or services (e.g., telephones, photocopiers, or computer facilities), or possession of stolen property, is prohibited.

d. Destruction of Property/Endangering Public Safety

Students are expected to protect university property and to respect the safety of others. Acts contrary to these principles, which include, but are not restricted to, the following, are subject to disciplinary procedure:

      i. Engaging in vandalism or other intentional damage (such as spray painting or graffiti) to property on campus or at university-authorized events off campus.

 

ii. Littering, such as disposing of waste (empty bottles, cigarette butts, food containers, etc.) in other than designated places on campus.

iii. Unjustified discharge, damaging, or tampering with any fire extinguisher, fire alarm, or other safety devices.

iv. Taking, or attempting to take, action that damages or could damage private property, without the consent of the owner or person legally responsible.

v. Appropriating, or attempting to appropriate or possess, private property, without the consent of the owner or person legally responsible.

vi. Unauthorized entry, unapproved duplication of keys or use of such, or unauthorized use of campus facilities.

e. Mental or Physical Harm

Acts that inflict mental or physical harm are prohibited, including the following:

      i. Engaging in physical aggression including, but not limited to, assault.

 

ii. Engaging, or attempting to engage, in intimidation, coercion, extortion, blackmail, or bribery; bullying; threatening violence, injury, or harm to others on campus or at university-authorized events off campus; endangering or tending to endanger the safety, health, or life of any person.

iii. Engaging in behavior that creates a substantial risk of, or results in, injury to others, such as committing arson or causing a riot.

iv. Using force, inciting violence, inflicting or attempting to inflict injury to others on campus or at a university-authorized event off campus.

v. Engaging in any activity that endangers the health and safety of an individual or demeans an individual in conduct of an unbecoming or humiliating nature, or in any way that detracts from an individual’s academic pursuits.

Many of these acts may be interpreted as harassment. Cases of discriminatory harassment are addressed through AUB’s Procedures to Address Formal Allegations of Sexual and other Discriminatory Harassment . Cases of non-discriminatory  harassment, which do not invoke one of the protected characteristics (race, color, religion, etc.) under the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy , are addressed through the Grievance Policy and Procedures .

f. Possession of Dangerous Weapons or Materials

Students must not distribute, possess, store, or use, on campus or at a university-authorized event off campus, any kind of weapon, device, explosive, dangerous chemicals, hazardous materials, or any other instrument designed to do bodily harm or to threaten bodily harm. Instruments used to simulate such weapons, which endanger or tend to endanger any person, shall be considered weapons.
Students are also prohibited from distributing, possessing, storing, transferring, selling or attempting to sell, delivering, using or attempting to use, any illegal drugs, narcotic or hallucinogenic, on campus or at any universityauthorized event off campus.

g. Discrimination and Harassment

AUB prohibits Non-Discrimination Policy on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national or ethnic identity, gender or gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, alienage or citizenship status, political affiliation, or any legally protected characteristic, except as required by Lebanese law. Intimidating, insulting, or threatening others, whether verbally, in writing, or through electronic means, is harassment and may be discriminatory or non-discriminatory in nature. Discriminatory harassment is fully described in Policies Concerning Sexual and Other Discriminatory Harassment ; and procedures to address it are in Procedures to Address Formal Allegations of Sexual and other Discriminatory Harassment .
Non-discriminatory harassment may be addressed through the University’s Grievance Policy and Procedures .
Engaging in sexual harassment, e.g., requests for sexual favors, unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature, spoken
comments or abuse (including email) of a sexual nature, and the public display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures is prohibited (refer to the University’s Non-Discrimination Policy ).

h. Smoking and Alcohol

The consumption of alcohol, on campus, by students is not permitted. Smoking is not permitted in university buildings other than private residences and those areas within the student dormitories, as may be designated from time to time by the dean of student affairs (refer to the University’s Non-Smoking Policy ).

i. Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

Publicly engaging in sexual behavior is prohibited as deemed by Lebanese law.

j. Use of Computers

Accessing protected computer accounts or other computer functions, knowingly transmitting computer viruses, and unethical use of AUB access is prohibited (refer to the Information and Computer Resources Acceptable Use).

k. Inappropriate Conduct in the AUB Libraries

Any action that impedes the safe and effective use by all patrons of the AUB Libraries for the purpose of study, research, reading, and other intellectual
pursuits, is prohibited (refer to the University Policy on Appropriate Conduct in Libraries).

Disciplinary Actions

Disciplinary action will be imposed according to the nature (academic or nonacademic) and severity level of the violation.

1. Academic Misconduct

In principle, enforcement of disciplinary actions for academic violations is carried out by those immediately responsible. It is the responsibility of the faculty to uphold university policies. Thus, the immediate responsibility for dealing with instances of cheating, plagiarism, and other academic violations rests with the faculty member. If a faculty member has good reason to believe that a student has violated academic standards, it is his or her responsibility to discipline the student expeditiously. A faculty member who has good reason to believe that a student has violated academic standards must give a grade of zero on the exam or assignment where the violation occurred.
When the instructor has taken the initial disciplinary action, he or she should send a letter (see Appendix I) to the office of the Dean of the Faculty or School, in which the incident occurred, informing him/her of the incident and the initial action he/she has taken. A copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s file, and
another copy forwarded to the student’s advisor for follow-up. See detailed flow in Appendix II.

2. Non-Academic Misconduct

    a. General
    Violations of a non-academic nature are the responsibility of the dean of student affairs, in consultation with the dean of the faculty or school in which the student is enrolled and, as necessary, the chief of campus protection.
    Students should know that the laws of the Republic of Lebanon apply on campus, and those who violate these laws may be subject to criminal prosecution. See detailed flow in Appendix II.
    b. Library-Related
    As detailed in the “University Policy on Appropriate Conduct in Libraries”, the immediate responsibility for dealing with violations of library rules rests with the librarian or library staff in charge of a department, section, or room of the Library where a violation occurs. Violations that are not dealt with internally by the librarian will follow the flow in Appendix II.

3. List of Primary Disciplinary Actions

All disciplinary actions listed below will be recorded in the student’s permanent record at the registrar’s office. Only suspension and expulsion, will become part of the student’s official transcript or record. Records of the University Disciplinary Committee decisions, including charges and sanctions, will be maintained as part of the confidential records in the office of the respective dean, for a period of up to four years after the student graduates or ceases to be a student.

Range of Actions:

  • Warning
  • This may be oral or written. It is a statement that the student has inadvertently violated a university regulation. The warning will be documented and recorded.
    Examples: Littering and smoking in prohibited areas.

  • Reprimand
  • This will be in writing. It is a statement that the student has violated a university regulation. It is intended to communicate most strongly, both the disapproval and the reprimand of the university community.
    Examples: Inadvertent plagiarism – failure to cite sources appropriately, and inappropriate physical contact.

  • Dean’s Warning
  • This will be in writing. Only two Dean’s Warnings are allowed in a student’s academic career at AUB. It is recommended that any violation of university regulations after the second Dean’s Warning results in consideration of suspension. Dean’s warnings are normally accompanied by secondary disciplinary actions (see section 5 below).
    Examples: Plagiarism, academic dishonesty, disruption-obstruction, In-class disruption, mental or physical harm, discrimination and harassment.

  • Suspension*
  • This will be in writing and will form part of the student’s permanent record (and will appear on the student’s transcript). A student will be suspended for a fixed period of time during which the student may not participate in any academic or other activities at the University. At the end of the suspension period, the student may be readmitted to the University, only upon the recommendation of the University Disciplinary Committee.
    Examples: Cheating, theft, and destruction of property.

  • Expulsion*
  • This will be in writing and will form part of the student’s permanent record (and will appear on the student’s transcript). Expulsion denies the student the right to participate in any academic or other activities of the University for an indefinite time. Only under the most unusual circumstances, and upon the recommendation of the University Disciplinary Committee, will an expelled student be readmitted to the University.
    Examples: Academic dishonesty, possession of dangerous weapons or materials, and endangering public safety.

    *Cases whereby the student affairs committee recommends suspension or expulsion should be referred to the University Disciplinary Committee.
    N.B: Any person who maliciously lies to cover up an act sanctioned by the code of conduct will be considered to be an accessory after the fact and may be subject to disciplinary action.

    4. Required Withdrawal from Campus Pending Hearing

    In extraordinary circumstances, when the student’s continued presence is deemed a danger to the university community, the student will be required to withdraw from the campus, pending a meeting of the University Disciplinary Committee.
    This action shall normally require the approval of the president of the University.

    5. Secondary Disciplinary Actions

    In addition to the disciplinary actions listed above, the following secondary disciplinary actions may be imposed upon those who violate the Student Code of Conduct. Secondary disciplinary actions may be of an academic or non-academic nature.

    a. Secondary Disciplinary Actions – Academic

      i. The student may be prohibited from participating in the work study program.
      ii. The student may be prohibited from receiving any form of financial aid, scholarship, or monetary award.
      iii. The student may be prohibited from receiving any form of honor, merit award, or other academic recognition award.
      iv. The student may be prohibited from holding a graduate assistantship.
      v. The student may be given a failing grade in a course or a test or any other form of academic assessment.

    b. Secondary Disciplinary Actions – Non-Academic

      i. The student may be prohibited from representing AUB in any official role, activity, or event.
      ii. The student may be prohibited from serving as an officer of any AUB organization including club, team, or society.
      iii. The student may be prohibited from living in any AUB hall of residence or similar facility.
      iv. The student may be strongly advised to attend treatment or counseling as determined by the director of the counseling center, in consultation with the dean of student affairs.
      v. The student may be required to make financial restitution.
      vi. The student’s case may be referred to an external agency for further action (this could include the filing of criminal charges).

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