General Conduct and Discipline
Yale College is an academic community dedicated to the advancement of learning. Its members freely associate themselves with the College and in doing so affirm their commitment to a philosophy of mutual tolerance and respect. All students admitted to Yale should understand the responsibility thus placed upon them. If any member of the community should interfere with its functions or show himself or herself unable or unwilling to assist in them, the community may find it necessary to protect itself by suspending or terminating his or her membership. Indeed, by formal vote the Yale College Faculty has affirmed:
1. Its commitment to protect free expression and peaceful dissent and to preserve mutual respect and charitable relations among all members of the Yale community.
2. Its belief that physical restriction, coercion, or intimidation of any member of that community is contrary to the basic principles of the University.
3. Its expectation that such action will ordinarily result in temporary or permanent separation from Yale College.
The purpose of the regulations that follow is to spell out some of the actions that place the community in jeopardy and that may therefore result in suspension or expulsion from it. In general, these regulations are concerned with conduct on campus. While off-campus misconduct will not normally be the basis for disciplinary action by the University, it may result in disciplinary action under the circumstances specified in section V, "Special provisions concerning student organizations," or if such conduct otherwise imperils the integrity and values of the University community. Students also must recognize that Yale College exists within a larger community that has its own laws and standards of behavior, and that membership in Yale College confers no exemption from those laws and standards. Unruly behavior or illegal or destructive acts that adversely affect the community surrounding the Yale campus will not be condoned. Students, whether on campus or off campus, are under the jurisdiction of the city, state, and national governments.
Authority for disciplinary matters proceeds from the Yale Corporation, which has empowered the Yale College Faculty to oversee disciplinary actions with respect to undergraduates. Penalties for misconduct by undergraduates are ordinarily imposed by the Yale College Executive Committee, a standing committee of the Yale College Faculty by whose authorization it acts. The Executive Committee's jurisdiction includes offenses described in the Undergraduate Regulations as well as other actions on the part of students that may in the judgment of the committee warrant disciplinary action because they may imperil the integrity and values of the Yale community or the well-being of its members. The Executive Committee may assign penalties as provided in the Undergraduate Regulations, though in some cases that authority resides in the president of the University, or is delegated to other University officials such as the masters of the residential colleges, the University Librarian, the directors of the Yale computer facilities, and the director of the division of University dining services, who may summarily impose certain penalties for violations of the dormitory regulations, the library regulations, the computer facility regulations, and the dining services regulations. (See Dormitory Regulations; appendix C, University Library Disciplinary Regulations; Use of Additional Services and Facilities, section C, "Computer facilities"; and Dining Services Regulations. See also section W, "Disciplinary penalties," below.)
As an institution, the Executive Committee is responsible to the Yale College Faculty and ultimately to the University. The committee is charged with protecting the Yale College community so as to ensure the integrity of academic instruction, the well-being of students, and the preservation of the property and educational resources of the University. The committee is bound at all times to consider the manner in which its actions and decisions may affect the persons and groups—faculty, student body, administration, and staff—whose activities carry forward and foster the life of Yale College. All proceedings and records of the Executive Committee are confidential.
The Executive Committee is appointed by the dean of Yale College. It has thirteen members: three tenured members of the Yale College Faculty; three untenured members of the Yale College Faculty; three undergraduates; the dean of Yale College or the dean's designated representative; and the three officers of the committee, the chairman, the secretary, and the factfinder.
A member of the faculty finding evidence of academic dishonesty on a class assignment or examination may bring the matter to the attention of the committee. Any member of the faculty, residential college master, residential college dean, or member of the University administration or staff may bring to the attention of the committee an alleged infraction of the nonacademic Undergraduate Regulations. An undergraduate student may bring a complaint of a nonacademic infraction to the attention of the committee only in conjunction with his or her residential college master, residential college dean, a member of the Yale College Dean's Office, a member of the Yale College Sexual Harassment Grievance Board, a human relations counselor, a member of the president's Committee on Racial and Ethnic Harassment, or the University Police. (See appendix B, The Disciplinary Procedures of the Yale College Executive Committee.)
Among the offenses that are subject to disciplinary action are the following:
Cheating on examinations, plagiarism, improper acknowledgment of sources in essays, and the use of a single essay in more than one course except in academically appropriate circumstances with the prior permission of the instructors. (See appendix F, Cheating, Plagiarism, and Documentation.)
Forging, altering, misrepresenting, or otherwise falsifying any transcript, academic record, identification card, or other document or communication. (See also Use of Additional Services and Facilities, section A, "Undergraduate Career Services"; and Library Regulations.)
C. Acts of violence: Physical restriction, assault, sexual assault, or other acts of violence
Any act of violence including physical restriction, assault, or sexual assault, or any act that threatens violence. (See appendix G, Definition of Sexual Misconduct Including Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment.)
D. Harassment, intimidation, or coercion
Any act of harassment, intimidation, or coercion, including harassment on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sex, or sexual orientation, and also including sexual harassment. (See appendix G, Definition of Sexual Misconduct including Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment.)
E. Interference with University functions
Participation in any effort to prevent or disrupt a class or other University function, or to seize or occupy any University building or part thereof, or to violate the right of an audience to listen at a University function. (See also Free Expression, Peaceful Dissent, and Demonstrations.)
Participation in or attendance at riots or mass disturbances on the city streets or on any area of the campus.
Defiance or belligerence toward or lying to a University police officer, faculty member, or other University official who, in the line of duty, issues an order or asks for identification or information. Students are expected to carry University identification cards at all times and must identify themselves to University officials upon request. It is understood that University officials or police officers will identify themselves before making such a request.
H. Misconduct at a formal hearing
Deliberate and knowing misrepresentation or lying during a formal hearing conducted by University authorities.
I. Misrepresentation in applying for financial aid
Knowingly and deliberately supplying false information in an application for financial aid from the University or processed by the University.
The possession or use of explosives, incendiary materials, or weapons (guns, ammunition, air rifles, paintball and pellet guns, BB guns, Tasers, knives, and other weapons) by any Yale student, which is absolutely prohibited.
The unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol on University property or as part of any University activity, which is prohibited.
The unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs on University property or as part of any University activity, which is prohibited.
M. Theft and willful property damage
Presence in University buildings, steam tunnels, or on University property at times or places where such presence is prohibited, as, for example, when a building, facility, or room is locked and permission to enter has not been given. (See also Dormitory Regulations, section B, "Conduct in the dormitories," number 8, "Restricted Areas.")
O. Offenses compromising campus fire safety
Deliberate and unnecessary activation of fire alarms, tampering with fire alarms or smoke detectors, deliberate and unnecessary discharge of fire extinguishers; deliberate or reckless starting of unauthorized fires; and other conduct creating a serious risk to persons or property from fire or smoke. (See also Dormitory Regulations, section G, "Fire safety," number 1, "Fire Extinguishers," and number 2, "Fire Alarms, Smoke Detectors, and Sprinkler Systems.")
P. Offenses compromising campus security
Improper use, tampering, or vandalism of security systems or devices. Unauthorized possession or duplication of University identification/proximity cards or keys. Unauthorized propping of, or tampering with, a door or gate, or actions in disregard of security postings. (See also Dormitory Regulations, section J, "General security.")
Q. Unauthorized, unlawful, or fraudulent use of services or facilities (such as computer services or the University's telephone or reprographic facilities)
See also Use of Additional Services and Facilities.
Unauthorized removal, stashing or sequestering, defacing, mutilating, or theft of library materials, or willful and repeated failure to respond to recall notices. (See also Library Regulations and appendix C, University Library Disciplinary Regulations.)
S. Offenses compromising course materials
Recording lectures without explicit permission of the lecturer, or selling or distributing for commercial purposes notes, transcriptions, or outlines of class lectures, or any course materials, in any course of instruction, which is prohibited.
T. Violation of the regulations on social functions or the Yale College regulations on alcoholic beverages
See Regulations on Social Functions and Yale College Regulations on Alcoholic Beverages.
Any act of hazing, as defined in the Connecticut General Statutes, against a member, a person pledged to be a member, or a person seeking membership in a fraternity or other registered or unregistered student organization. (A copy of the statute is available from the Yale College Dean's Office or the Office of the General Counsel.) As provided in the statute, the implied or express consent of the victim shall not be a defense. Hazing is a violation whether it occurs on or off the campus.
A deliberate attempt to commit any of the above offenses is in itself an offense.
Concerning these and other offenses, the Executive Committee will not consider that the use of alcohol or drugs constitutes a mitigation of the seriousness of an offense. Further, a student found guilty of a disciplinary offense while under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be referred to the substance abuse counselor at the University Health Services. Any record of such a visit is confidential to the substance abuse counselor and does not become part of a student's Yale College record.
V. Special provisions concerning student organizations
1. Conduct at Off-Campus Events. Conduct occurring off campus, at an event, or in connection with an event, held or sponsored by a fraternity or other registered or unregistered student organization, is a violation of these regulations if (1) the conduct occurs in the normal patrol area of the University Police, (2) the event is advertised on campus, and (3) the conduct, had it occurred on campus, would be a violation of section C, "Acts of violence: Physical restriction, assault, sexual assault, or other acts of violence," section K, "Alcohol," or section L, "Drugs," above. In addition, as provided above, any conduct occurring off campus that imperils the integrity and values of the University community may result in disciplinary action.
2. Responsibility for Events. If any violations of sections K, "Alcohol," or L, "Drugs," occur at an event, or in connection with an event, where alcohol is served or permitted to be consumed, and which is held, sponsored, or supported by a fraternity or other registered or unregistered student organization (either on campus or under the circumstances specified in subsection 1 above, off campus), and the individual or individuals directly responsible for the violations are not identified, the host or hosts of the event will be held personally responsible for the violations. If the hosts are also not identified, the officers of the organization will be held personally responsible for the violations. The Executive Committee may consider the efforts made by the hosts or officers to prevent such violations, and their cooperation with the investigation of the violations, as mitigating factors with respect to the penalty for the violations.
The following penalties are among those which may be imposed by the Yale College Executive Committee:
1. Reprimand. (This is a matter of internal record only. Upon graduation, records of reprimands in college deans' offices will be destroyed.)
2. Probation. The student is in official jeopardy. The commission of a serious offense while on probation will normally result in suspension or expulsion.
3. Restriction. Denial of the use of certain University facilities or of the right to participate in certain activities or to exercise certain privileges.
4. Suspension. Separation from the University for a stated period of time. A suspended student forfeits all privileges of enrollment, including residence, attendance at classes, participation in organized extracurricular activities, and use of University libraries as well as athletic and other facilities. Suspension may require petition for readmission.
5. Expulsion. Permanent separation from the University. Expulsion shall be recorded on the academic transcript.
In addition to imposing these penalties for offenses subject to disciplinary action, the University may refer students for prosecution. The president of the University, or an official of the University authorized by the president, may impose an emergency suspension from residence or academic status when, in the judgment of the president, such action appears necessary for reasons relating to a student's physical or emotional safety and well-being or the safety and well-being of a member of the University community or of University property, or may impose an immediate interim suspension when it appears necessary to deal with a continuing disturbance or a forcible interference by students with any University activity or with the free movement of any member of the University community. When an undergraduate in Yale College is suspended in this fashion, the matter may be referred either to the Yale College Executive Committee or to the University Tribunal, if the Tribunal is convoked. Interim suspension may remain in effect until the Executive Committee or the University Tribunal has taken action with regard to the student; however, interim suspension may be lifted earlier by action of the president or the president's authorized designee, or by action of the Executive Committee or University Tribunal panel after a preliminary review, which will be held at the earliest opportunity. (On the University Tribunal, see appendix E, A Brief Note on the University Tribunal.)
