Section V: The Rules

Texas Wesleyan University students exemplify honesty, honor, and respect for the truth in all of their dealings.  Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

1. Falsification. Knowingly furnishing or possessing false, falsified or forged materials, documents, accounts, records, identification, or financial instruments.
2. Academic Dishonesty. Acts of academic dishonesty as outlined in the Academic Integrity policy found in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.  Please refer to the appropriate catalog for policies and procedures.
3. Unauthorized Access. Unauthorized access to any University building (keys, ID cards, fobs, etc.) or unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of means of access to any university building or failing to timely report a lost University identification card or key.
4. Collusion. Action or inaction with another or others to violate the Code of Student Conduct.
5. Trust. Violations of positions of trust within the community.
6. Election Tampering. Tampering with the election of any University-recognized student organization (minor election code violations are addressed by the Student Government Association).
7. Taking of Property. Intentional and unauthorized taking of University property or the personal property of another, including goods, services, and other valuables.
8. Stolen Property. Knowingly taking or maintaining possession of stolen property

Texas Wesleyan University students build and enhance their community in a positive and healthy manner. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

1. Disruptive Behavior. Substantial disruption of University operations including obstruction of teaching, research, administration, other University activities, and/or other authorized non-University activities which occur on campus.
2. Rioting. Causing, inciting, or participating in any disturbance that presents a clear and present danger to self or others, causes physical harm to others, or damage and/or destruction of property.
3. Unauthorized Entry. Misuse of access privileges to University premises or unauthorized entry to or use of buildings, including trespassing, propping, or unauthorized use of alarmed doors for entry into or exit from a University building.
4. Trademark. Unauthorized use (including misuse) of University or organizational names and images.
5. Damage and Destruction. Intentional, reckless, and/or unauthorized damage to or destruction of University property or the personal property of another.
6. IT and Acceptable Use. Violating the University Acceptable Use and Computing Policy.
7. Gambling. Gambling as prohibited by the laws of the State of Texas. Gambling may include raffles, lotteries, sports pools, and online betting activities. 
8. Weapons. Possession, use, or distribution of explosives (including fireworks and ammunition), guns (including air, BB, paintball, facsimile weapons, and pellet guns), or other weapons or dangerous objects such as arrows, axes, machetes, nun chucks, throwing stars, or knives with a blade of longer than six (6) inches.
9. Tobacco. Use, including smoking, of tobacco in any area of campus including dip, chew, cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, etc.
10. Fire Safety. Violation of local, state, federal, or campus fire policies including, but not limited to:
    • Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire which damages University or personal property or which causes injury;
    • Failure to evacuate a University-controlled building during a fire alarm;
    • Improper use of University fire safety equipment; or
    • Tampering with or improperly engaging a fire alarm or fire detection/control equipment while on University property. Such action may result in a local fine in addition to University sanctions.
    • Failure to follow all regulations, stipulations, and risk mitigation expectations outlined for student and student organization events or activities.  
11. Ineligible Pledging or Association. Pledging or associating with a student organization without having met eligibility requirements established by the University.
12. Animals. Animals, with the exception of animals that provide assistance (e.g. seeing-eye dogs), and pets, as outlined in the Residence Life Handbook, are not permitted on campus except as permitted by law.
13. Wheeled Devices. Skateboards, hoverboards (including, but not limited to self- balancing scooters, battery operated scooters, hands free Segways & electric powered skateboards), roller blades, roller skates, bicycles, and similar wheeled devices are not permitted to be used inside University buildings, residence halls, or on tennis courts. Specifically, hoverboards and their analogues are not permitted on University property.  Additionally, skateboards and other wheeled items may not be ridden on railings, curbs, benches, or any such fixtures that may be damaged by these activities and individuals may be liable for damage to University property caused by these activities.

Texas Wesleyan University students are fair, just, and equitable in their treatment of all members of the community and act to discourage and/or intervene to prevent unjust and inequitable behaviors.  Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

1. Discrimination. Any act, or failure to act, that is based upon an individual or group’s actual or perceived status (sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected status) that is sufficiently severe that it limits or denies the ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational program or activities.
2. Harassment. Any unwelcome conduct based on actual or perceived status including: sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected status.Any unwelcome conduct should be reported to University officials, who will act to remedy and resolve reported incidents on behalf of the complainant and community.
   • Hostile Environment. Sanctions can and will be imposed for the creation of a hostile environment only when harassment is sufficiently severe, pervasive (or persistent), and objectively offensive that it unreasonably interferes with, limits, or denies the ability to participate in, or benefit from, the University’s educational or employment program or activities.
3. Retaliatory Discrimination or Harassment. Any intentional, adverse action taken by a responding individual or allied third party, absent legitimate nondiscriminatory purposes, against a participant or supporter of a participant in a civil rights grievance proceeding or other protected activity under this Code.
4. Bystanding.
   • Complicity with or failure of any student to appropriately address known or obvious violations of the Codeor law;
   • Complicity with or failure of any organized group to appropriately address known or obvious violations of the Code or law by its members.
5. Abuse of Conduct Process. Abuse or interference with, or failure to comply in, University processes including conduct and academic integrity hearings including, but not limited to:
   • Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information;
   • Failing to provide, destroying, or concealing information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation;
   • Attempting to discourage an individual’s participation in, or use of, the University conduct process;
   • Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a campus conduct body prior to, during, and/or following a University conduct proceeding;
   • Failure to comply with sanction(s) imposed by the University conduct process;
   • Influencing, or attempting to influence, another person to commit an abuse of the campus conduct process.

Texas Wesleyan University students show positive regard for each other, for property, and for the community.  Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

1. Harm to Persons. Intentionally or recklessly causing emotional or physical harm or endangering the health or safety of any person.
2. Threatening Behaviors.
   • Threat. Written or verbal conduct that causes a reasonable expectation of injury to the health or safety of any person or damage to any property;
   • Intimidation. Intimidation defined as implied threats or acts that cause a reasonable fear of harm in another.
3. Bullying and Cyberbullying. Bullying and cyberbullying are repeated and/or severe aggressive behaviors that intimidate or intentionally harm or control another person physically or emotionally, and are not protected by freedom of expression.
4. Hazing. Defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. Participation or cooperation by the person(s) being hazed does not excuse the violation. Failing to intervene to prevent, failing to discourage, and/or failing to report those acts may also violate this policy.
5. Intimate Partner/Relationship Violence. Violence or abuse by a person in an intimate relationship with another.
6. Stalking. Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that is unwelcome and would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. 
7. Sexual Misconduct. Includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, and/or sexual exploitation.
8. Indecent Public Exposure. Includes, but is not limited to, deliberately and publicly exposing one’s intimate body parts, public urination, defecation, and public sex acts.

Texas Wesleyan University students are extended and accept a high level of responsibility to self, to others, and to the community.  Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:

1. Alcohol. Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law and the University’s Alcohol Policy. (See University Policies and Community Standards for further information.)
2. Drugs. Use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs and other controlled substances or drug paraphernalia except as expressly permitted by law and the University’s Drug Policy. (See University Policies and Community Standards for further information.)
3. Prescription Medications. Abuse, misuse, sale, or distribution of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
4. Failure to Comply. Failure to comply with the reasonable directives of University officials or law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.
5. Financial Responsibilities. Failure to promptly meet financial responsibilities to the institution, including, but not limited to, knowingly passing a worthless check or money order in payment to the institution or to an official of the institution acting in an official capacity.
6. Other Policies. Violating other published University policies or rules, including all Residence Hall, student organization, or other institutional policies.
7. Health and Safety. Creation of health and/or safety hazards (dangerous pranks, hanging out of or climbing from/on/in windows, balconies, roofs, etc.).