Section 2: Jurisdiction

Students at the University of Saint Francis are provided a copy of the Code of Student Conduct annually in the form of a link on the University of Saint Francis website. Hard copies are available upon request from the Office of Student Affairs. Students are responsible for upholding the provisions of the Code of Student Conduct while they are a student at University of Saint Francis.

The Code of Student Conduct and the conduct process apply to the conduct of individual students, both undergraduate and graduate, and all University of Saint Francis-affiliated student clubs, organizations, and groups. For the purposes of student conduct, the University of Saint Francis considers an individual to be a student when the student has enrolled at the University and thereafter as long as the student has a continuing educational relationship with the University of Saint Francis.

The University of Saint Francis retains conduct jurisdiction over students who choose to take a leave of absence, withdraw or have graduated, for any misconduct that occurred prior to the leave, withdrawal or graduation. If sanctioned, a hold may be placed on the student’s ability to re-enroll and/or obtain official transcripts and/or graduate and all sanctions must be satisfied prior to re-enrollment eligibility. In the event of serious misconduct committed while still enrolled but reported after the accused student has graduated, the University of Saint Francis may invoke these procedures and should the former student be found responsible, the University of Saint Francis may revoke that student’s degree.

The Code of Student Conduct applies to behaviors that take place on the campus, at University of Saint Francis-sponsored events and may also apply off-campus when the Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee) determines that the University has a compelling interest. A compelling University interest includes but is not limited to any of the following:

  • Any situation where it appears that the student’s conduct may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of him/herself or others; and/or
  • Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property or achievements of self or others or significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder; and/or
  • Any situation that is inconsistent with the educational mission and/or interests of the University of Saint Francis; and/or
  • Any situation where the student has committed multiple prior violations.

The Code of Student Conduct may be applied to behavior conducted online, via email, or other electronic medium. Students should also be aware that online postings such as blogs, web postings, chats and social networking sites are in the public sphere and are not private. These postings can subject a student to allegations of conduct violations if evidence of policy violations is posted online. The University of Saint Francis does not regularly search for this information but may take action if and when such information is brought to the attention of University of Saint Francis officials.  Students should be mindful that free speech does not cover the following:

  • A true threat, defined as “a threat a reasonable person would interpret as a serious expression of intent to inflict harm upon specific individuals”;
  • Speech posted online about the University of Saint Francis or its community members that causes a significant disruption.

The Code of Student Conduct applies to guests of community members whose hosts may be held accountable for the misconduct of their guests. The Code may also be applied to campers, conference attendees, and continuing education programs by contractual agreements. Visitors to, and guests of, the University of Saint Francis may seek resolution of violations committed against them by students of the University of Saint Francis through the Code of Student Conduct.

There is no time limit on reporting violations of the Code of Student Conduct; however, the longer someone waits to report an offense, the harder it becomes for University of Saint Francis officials to obtain information and witness statements and to make determinations regarding alleged violations.

Though anonymous complaints are permitted, doing so may limit the University of Saint Francis’s ability to investigate and respond to a complaint. Those who are aware of misconduct are encouraged to report it as quickly as possible to the Office of Student Affairs and/or to Campus Security.

University of Saint Francis email is the University of Saint Francis’s primary means of communication with students. Students are responsible for all communication delivered to their University of Saint Francis email address.