All Clark University students are expected to behave in ways that demonstrate their care, respect and responsibility for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of all members of the community. They should also respect university property and the property of others. Adherence to the provisions of the Code, along with other university policies and laws outside the university, will insure an environment of academic and personal growth for all members of the university.
Harassment
Harassment includes conduct that has the intent or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's life in the Clark community. Examples of harassment may include, but are not limited to the following: intimidation, threats, stalking, slurs, derogatory graffiti, internet posting or any conduct which endangers the health, safety or well-being of an individual or group.
Hate Incidents
Hate incidents include any act or attempted act by any person against another person, group, or property that has the intent of hostility towards the victim. Hate incidents may be based on a person's race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, ethnicity or social/political affiliation. Examples of hate incidents may include, but are not limited to the following: threats, physical assaults, or vandalism, including destruction of religious symbols.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment consists of any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This includes: submission to, or rejection of, such conduct that is made either implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of employment or participation in an education program; submission to, or rejection of, such conduct that is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting a student; such conduct that has the purpose or effect of interfering with a student's work or academic performance; or such conduct that creates a hostile or intimidating work or academic environment.
Hazing
Hazing is any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which endangers the physical or mental health of any student or participant. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to weather, forced consumption of food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other treatment or forced activity that humiliates, abuses, degrades or endangers the health and safety of any of the involved participants regardless of their willingness to participate. Massachusetts State Law (General Laws Chapter 269, Section 18) also states that anyone with knowledge that an incident of hazing has occurred has an obligation to report that incident. Clark University complies with Massachusetts State Law and NCAA regulations prohibiting hazing. Copies of the Massachusetts law and/or NCAA regulations on hazing are available in the Department of Athletics, Dean of Students Office, and the Office of Student Activities.
Physical Assault/Battery
Physical assault or battery is any unwanted physical contact or threat of contact with harmful intent or result by a Clark student against another individual.
Rape/Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is any sexual contact or activity with a person that occurs without that persons consent. Consent is not implied or effective when physical or emotional harm or the threat of such harm exists. If the act occurs while the victim is unconscious, asleep or otherwise unable to communicate consent, then it is still considered sexual assault.
Support services are available on a 24-hour emergency basis by calling ext. 7575. Further information about support is available at http://www.clarku.edu/offices/dos/ . On this site, please find the “Survivor Guide”, a document that contains helpful information in the event that you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence.
Alcohol
Students under the legal drinking age of 21 years may not consume alcohol on Clark property and/or at Clark sponsored events. In addition, students under the legal drinking age may not possess alcohol or alcohol containers.
Students aged 21 years and older are allowed to possess and consume alcohol, as per Massachusetts State Law, and are asked to do so in a responsible manner which takes into account the effects their behavior may have on others. It is a violation of Massachusetts State Law to serve or provide alcohol to persons under the legal drinking age of 21 years. The distribution, purchase or conveyance of alcohol by or for a minor is prohibited.
Communal sources of alcohol (i.e. kegs, beer balls, punches) are prohibited without the appropriate University sanction and city licensure. Alcohol game-related paraphernalia (e.g. game tables, beer funnels) are also prohibited and may be confiscated by the University.
Illegal Drugs
Clark does not tolerate the distribution, possession, sale or use of illegal drugs or drug-related paraphernalia (i.e. bongs, hookahs, pipes, etc.), including the improper use of prescription drugs. A student found either having recently used, under the influence of or currently using illegal drugs may be found in violation of this code. Usage may be indicated by, for example, odor, fans, or towels under the door. Infractions that involve the distribution of drugs may well result in more severe sanctions. Clark retains the right to report all infractions of this code to local, state and/or federal authorities.
Non-compliance with University Staff
Students are required to comply with reasonable directives or requests from members of the University staff acting in the performance of their duties.
Creating Dangerous or Unhealthy Conditions
Creating dangerous or unhealthy conditions for yourself or others threatens the community. Examples of such prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to the following: exposing others to biohazards such as bodily fluids or wastes; drugging another person's food or drink; possession or unauthorized use of flammable, corrosive or poisonous chemicals on University premises; possessing firearms, explosives or other weapons; tampering with any fire or safety equipment or fixtures; tampering with door locks, peepholes or emergency doors (including the propping of doors); inappropriate use of windows (e.g. entrance, exit, throwing things from or out of); and lending a Clark card or key to allow entry to a residence hall.
Abuse of Property
Abuse of property may include damaging, destroying, misappropriating or misusing University buildings, grounds, equipment, computing resources, educational materials or the personal belongings of others.
Inappropriate Use of Computing Resources
Students' use of computer and network resources must comply with all local, state, federal and other applicable laws; all applicable contracts and licenses; and University policies as articulated in student, faculty and staff handbooks.
All students are responsible for complying with the University Technology Policy which can be viewed in its entirety at www.clarku.edu/offices/vpit/policy.shtml .
Disruption
Students may not disrupt the orderly processes of the University involving teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other University activities. Actions disruptive to the orderly processes of Clark include, but are not limited to, unauthorized entry into private offices, work areas, teaching areas, libraries, laboratories, or social facilities. It is also a violation to deprive anyone who is exhibiting freedom of expression the opportunity to speak or be heard, to physically obstruct their movement, or to otherwise interfere with academic freedom.
Forgery and Unauthorized Duplication
The forgery, alteration or unauthorized possession or use of official documents, records, and instruments of identification is prohibited. In addition, the duplication of University keys is not allowed.
Censorship of the Media
Censoring the press or broadcast media which includes, but is not limited to, impeding the circulation of printed media is prohibited.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings. Smoking outside is only permitted if done at least 20 feet from the building entrance or exit.
Gambling
Massachusetts State Law defines gambling as any unsanctioned game of chance where currency, property and/or service is exchanged. Gambling, including taking or placing bets or payoffs, is prohibited.
Departmental Regulations
Members of the community are expected to abide by established regulations. This includes the operating regulations of academic or nonacademic offices, laboratories, and campus departments. Departmental policies are available in Synergy, on individual websites and/or at the specific offices.
Responsibility of Hosts
Hosts must be able to account for the whereabouts of their guests at all times, and hosts assume responsibility for their guest's actions and behaviors. Guests must comport themselves in a manner in keeping with the rules, regulations and standards of the campus community. All guests are expected to produce identification at the request of a staff member and may be asked to leave campus at the discretion of a University official.
External Community
Responsibility for actions of the Clark student extends to areas that are outside the confines of the University. The University may invoke disciplinary action when notified of violations of federal, state and local laws and/or the Student Code of Conduct whether such violations occur on or off campus.