STUDENT CONDUCT AND COMMUNITY STANDARDS
The following policies, rules and expectations apply to all undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as non-matriculated and auditing students, attending Gonzaga University, unless otherwise specifically superseded by the policies adopted by a particular college or school. The content of this Handbook also applies to all students enrolled in the Gonzaga-In-Florence program as well as other study abroad programs managed by Gonzaga University, except where modified by policies, rules and expectations specific to that program.
All provisions in this Student Handbook will be considered consistent with the Catholic, Jesuit mission and values of the University. Students and student organizations are responsible for knowing and following the provisions in the Student Handbook. The Vice President for Student Life or her/his designee shall resolve any questions involving the application or interpretation of the policies, rules and expectations set forth in this handbook, or those adopted by a particular college or school. In such instances, the decision of the Vice President for Student Life or her/his designee will be final and binding.
The student conduct expectations and standards apply to behavior on University property, at all University-sponsored activities held on or off-campus, and to students’ off-campus behavior which may negatively impact the institution. Expectations and standards apply to both the individual student and any student organization.
ETHOS STATEMENT: FIVE PRINCIPLES OF STUDENT CONDUCT
Gonzaga is a Catholic, Jesuit University dedicated to pursuing truth, discovering and transmitting knowledge, promoting a life of faith and developing leadership expressed in service to others. Our educational mission reflects a commitment to intellectual rigor, social justice, and an active engagement of contemporary issues.
Principles rooted in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition, challenge students to strive for excellence, to become men and women in service to others, to integrate classroom and out-of-classroom learning, to develop their talents through discovery and reflection, and to be concerned for each person (cura personalis). To achieve these ideals, all students are expected to contribute, through their words, actions and commitments, to the development and sustenance of a community characterized by respect, caring, and honesty. These characteristics are essential to ensure the rights and privileges of all students and to preserve the integrity of our educational community.
The University encourages the pursuit of knowledge by representation and exploration of diverse ideas in a manner consistent with its Catholic, Jesuit mission. It is understood though, that providing a forum for the open discussion of ideas does not imply University approval or endorsement of the views expressed.
Admission to the University carries with it the presumption that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the community. Upon registration, each student agrees to abide by the policies, rules and expectations of the University. Additionally, the University expects all community members to encourage others to actively commit to and uphold these policies, rules and expectations.
Working together as a community, students, faculty and staff help foster a campus atmosphere that furthers the mission of the University. Students are expected to enhance the campus ethos. This expectation calls for behavior which demonstrates the five principles of student conduct: respect for oneself; respect for others; respect for property; respect for authority; and honesty and integrity.
1) Respect for Oneself
The University values all of its students and is deeply concerned with their total development. Therefore, it is appropriate for the University to set expectations for personal integrity with the aim of encouraging students to appreciate their own talents, take themselves and their academic pursuits seriously, and enhance the quality of their lives. When an instance of disrespect for self is known, the University will routinely respond to a student engaging in self-destructive behaviors – behaviors which might impede an individual's ability to enjoy the privileges of education and to fulfill his/her obligations as an educated leader. Students engaging in such behaviors are also encouraged to seek help from resources within the University community. Examples of behavior that would indicate disrespect for oneself include but are not limited to:
- Inappropriate use of alcohol, including under-age drinking. The effects of alcohol do not relieve individuals of their responsibility to themselves or to the community
- Use, possession, or distribution of narcotics or other controlled substances
- Physical abuse, or harming oneself, or intentionally placing oneself in danger
2) Respect for Others
Gonzaga expects its members to treat one another with sensitivity, consideration, and understanding and to demonstrate an active concern for the welfare of others. Members of the campus community must act out of Christian charity and mutual respect to establish an atmosphere of trust, without which there is no community. Respect for others is founded upon observing reasonable community and societal standards of conduct and interaction. The effect of words and actions on third parties must also be considered. In an atmosphere of intellectual inquiry it is expected that students will be respectful and civil in discourse and discussion with those whose opinions they do not share. The University is particularly concerned that its members show respect for others regardless of race, creed, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or nationality and avoid all forms of offensive and harassing behavior. It is expected that students will be open to learning about and respecting persons and cultures different from their own.
Examples of behavior that would indicate disrespect for others include but are not limited to:
- Sexual misconduct, domestic, relationship and dating violence
- All forms of harassment including gender, sexual orientation, religious, ethnicity and disability harassment
- Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion and/or conduct which threatens or endangers the health, sense of security or safety of any person
- Hazing-like activity, including any behavior that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a person for the purpose of initiation, or as a condition for membership in a group or organization
- Disrespect for the privacy of another person including posting personal information without permission
3) Respect for Property
The mission we share depends upon the responsible use of all property, including such tangible goods as buildings, library materials, equipment, and green spaces. Respect for property also involves helping to foster a well-maintained environment: a sense of security, tranquility and ownership. This principle requires students to respect both personal and institutional property, as well as other public and private property, both inside and outside the Gonzaga community.
Examples of behavior that would indicate disrespect for property includes but is not limited to:
- Theft, improper possession, misuse, vandalism, or damage to the property of the University or another person
- Unauthorized entry, trespassing or tampering with University premises, facilities or property, including fire protection equipment.
- Arson, reckless burning and other inappropriate uses of fire
4) Respect for Authority
Authority derives its legitimacy from its commitment to act on behalf of the common good. The successful exercise of authority depends in part on the respect it enjoys from the community it serves. At Gonzaga, that authority especially resides in the officers of the University: its faculty, administrators, and staff – each of whom has been charged with responsibilities essential to the orderly operation of the University. These individuals serve as leaders and model by example the University’s expectations for all its members. In this respect they help define the atmosphere which supports and fosters our common mission. Additionally, these individuals provide structure to preserve the well-being and freedom of all community members and an orderly environment in which all can develop. The University’s authority includes creating and maintaining a code of conduct and behavioral expectations for all students, both on and off campus.
Examples of behavior that would indicate disrespect for authority include but are not limited to:
- Non-cooperation with University officials including Security staff, Residence hall staff, and Sodexho staff and student employees
- Non-cooperation with local law enforcement and fire officials
Violation of the University’s published policies, rules, or regulations regarding on and off-campus living, including violations of the law.
5) Honesty and Integrity
While at Gonzaga University students are expected to demonstrate the personal characteristics of honesty and integrity in all aspects of their campus life, both inside and outside the classroom. Honesty requires making an accurate presentation of facts, free of known errors or omissions. Incomplete checking of facts or gathering of information, as well as inaccurate or incomplete attribution may be considered dishonest. Integrity requires honest discourse with peers, professors and authority figures individually and with the community at large.
Examples of behavior that would indicate dishonesty and/or a lack of integrity includes but is not limited to:
- Engaging in any acts of dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, fabrications, or assisting others in doing so.
- Knowingly providing false information or identification to a University official.
- Engaging in forgery, alteration, or misuse of University records, documents, instruments, or identification
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
There is no perfect set of rules, regulations or policies which can compel a person to behave in a particular way for the benefit of self and others. Standards and values must come from within, and can be challenged and developed only when the individual is able to consider them in relation to others. A respectful, caring and sustainable community can be guided by the principles of the Ethos Statement, described above. It is impossible to provide a regulation for all situations and a particular course of conduct may run contrary to the Ethos Statement and guidance provided by this Handbook. Specific violations of University policies, rules and expectations, as well as the law, which are subject to disciplinary action, include but are not limited to the following:
Behavior Which is Disruptive: In its broadest and most generic sense, the term disruptive applies to behavior that persistently or grossly interferes with academic, residential and administrative activities on campus. This policy covers acts and attempted acts, regardless of whether the act or attempt was deliberate and whether the potential outcome was intended. Extreme forms of disruptive behavior may threaten the physical safety of students, staff and visitors. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Physical abuse, assault and battery
- Verbal abuse
- Threatening behavior and actions
- Intimidation and stalking
- Harassment (including sexual, racial, ethnic and other harassment as outlined in the Harassment section of the student handbook)
- Any action that might lead to serious physical harm is considered Endangering Behavior. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Throwing, dropping or suspending objects from windows, balconies or roofsOperating vehicles in an unsafe manner
- Tampering with fire protection equipment
- Possessing, displaying or using weapons, fireworks, or explosives
Self-destructive behavior endangers not only the person acting in that manner, but also impacts the entire community. The University will deal compassionately with such behavior, including, but not limited to:
- Suicidal manifestations, threats, and attempts
- Eating disorders
- Cutting and other self-mutilation
- Abusive consumption of alcohol and drugs
The participation in any activity that could lead to or cause a breach of the peace which causes a disruption to the community, either on or off campus, is not permitted. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Exhibitionism
- Fighting
- Public urination and other lewd or indecent conduct
- Profane or vulgar language
- Excessive noise and amplified sound
- Excessive noise of any type, either on or off campus, is also covered by the city of Spokane’s noise ordinance, which is in effect 24 hours a day.
- Violation of local, state or federal law
- Violation of criminal or civil statutes on- or off-campus which relate to behavioral expectations may be adjudicated under the University’s conduct code. This includes non-compliance with directives given by any law enforcement or fire official.
- Non-compliance with other University policies
Failure to comply with other University policies, rules and expectations as outlined in the Student Handbook or other official University publications including, but not limited to the Campus Safety & Security Guide, the University Catalogue and the handbooks or guidelines for specific University populations.
The aforementioned are illustrative rather than exhaustive. In the event that there arises some ambiguity, inconsistency or need for clarification of these statements, such definitions, interpretation or clarification will be determined by the Vice President for Student Life, Chief Judicial Officer or their designee.
MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY
The admission of a student to Gonzaga University and the student’s acceptance of that admission constitute an agreement of mutual responsibility. The student’s obligation is to accept the policies, rules and expectations of the University and to act in a manner consistent with these both on and off campus. The University’s responsibility is to provide an environment in which its educational goals may be achieved and the best interests of the community are considered. The University also recognizes its obligation to provide students with an opportunity to be heard in matters affecting their welfare. Gonzaga University assumes a responsibility to take appropriate action when behaviors are contrary to Gonzaga’s mission, Ethos statement, policies, rules and expectations, and thus, when the agreement of mutual responsibility has been violated.