University Principles of General Conduct and Regulations
Introduction
The central purposes of a University are the pursuit of
truth, the discovery of new knowledge through scholarship
and research, the teaching and general development of
students, and the transmission of knowledge and learning to
society at large. Free inquiry and free expression within
the academic community are indispensable to the achievement
of these goals. The freedom to teach and to learn depends
upon the creation of appropriate conditions and
opportunities on the campus as a whole as well as in
classrooms and lecture halls. All members of the academic
community share the responsibility for securing and
sustaining the general conditions conducive to this
freedom.
The primary purposes of regulations and discipline in a
university are to protect the well-being of the community
and to advance its educational mission by defining and
establishing certain norms of behavior. At Princeton,
disciplinary proceedings have a role that is subordinate to
positive guidance, rational admonition, and reasonable
appeal to members of the University to observe its stated
norms. The disciplinary system establishes procedures for a
fair hearing, including advising a person fully of the
charges against him or her, affording him or her ample
opportunity to speak on his or her behalf, and requiring a
clear explanation of his or her rights of appeal.
Disciplinary proceedings are instituted only for violations
of standards of conduct defined in advance and published, or
for actions that can be reasonably deduced as violations in
light of those specifically defined as such. Regulations
governing the conduct of members of the University community
will be revised only after deliberations in which
representatives of the appropriate groups are invited to
participate.
Since rigid codification and relentless administration of
rules and regulations are not appropriate to an academic
community, the rules and policy statements that follow serve
mainly to clarify commonly accepted standards of conduct
within the University.
Academic Integrity
The ability of the University to achieve its purposes
depends upon the quality and integrity of the academic work
that its faculty, staff and students perform. Academic
freedom can flourish only in a community of scholars which
recognizes that intellectual integrity, with its
accompanying rights and responsibilities, lies at the heart
of its mission. Observing basic honesty in one's work,
words, ideas, and actions is a principle to which all
members of the community are required to subscribe. (See pp.
55-69 regarding the honor code and other academic
regulations.)
Statement on Diversity and
Community
Princeton University is a community devoted to learning.
We actively seek students, faculty, and staff of exceptional
ability and promise who share in our commitment to
excellence in teaching and scholarship, and who will bring a
diversity of viewpoints and cultures. By incorporating a
broad range of human experiences and a rich variety of human
perspectives, we enlarge our capacity for learning, enrich
the quality and texture of campus life, and better prepare
for life and leadership in a pluralistic society.
As a community, we respect the dignity, individuality,
and freedom of each member. At the same time, we strive to
be a place where individuals and groups learn with and from
each other. We aim to foster a sense of shared experience
and common purpose, along with a collective responsibility
for each other's well-being and for the well-being of the
University as a whole.
Although we acknowledge the difficulties inherent in
creating a community of individuals who are different from
each other, we remain unwavering in our commitment to both
diversity and community in a context of academic excellence.
We seek to enable all members of this community to pursue
their educational, scholarly, and career interests in an
environment that recognizes both the distinctiveness of each
person's experience and the common humanity that unites us
all, and permits us to take full educational advantage of
the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of
those who live and work here.
Honesty in University Matters
Members of the University Community are expected to be
honest and straightforward in their official dealings with
University processes, activities and personnel. This
obligation includes honoring contracts and agreements and
providing accurate information on official forms and
documents as well as to official University personnel,
offices and committees. Deliberate violations of this
provision will be considered serious offenses; subsequent
violations, or systematic violations in the first instance,
will be considered extremely serious.
Confidentiality of
Records
Any willful violation of the provisions of the Privacy
Rights which appear under Student Privacy Rights under
Federal Law, page 74, will be regarded as an extremely
serious offense.
Range of Penalties
For violations of University-wide rules of conduct,
members of the community are subject to several kinds of
penalties. The applicability and exact nature of each
penalty vary for faculty, students, professional staff, and
employees; but in general the penalties, in ascending order
of severity, are:
1. Warning
A formal admonition that does not become part of an
individual's permanent record, but that may be taken into
account in judging the seriousness of any future
violation.
2. Disciplinary Probation
A more serious admonition assigned for a definite amount
of time, up to two years. It implies that any future
violation, of whatever kind, during that time, may be
grounds for suspension, required withdrawal, or in
especially serious cases, for expulsion, from the
University.
Disciplinary probation appears on an individual's
permanent record at the University (but not on the
transcript) and may be disclosed by the Office of the Dean
of Undergraduate Students or the Office of the Dean of the
Graduate School in response to requests for which the
student has given permission.
Campus Service. Campus Service up to 10
hours per week may be added to disciplinary probation for a
portion of or the duration of the probationary period. This
penalty may be particularly appropriate in cases involving
vandalism, disorderly conduct and alcohol-related
infractions.
Relocation Within or Removal from University
Housing. When appropriate to the infraction,
particularly in instances involving anti-social behavior
having a serious impact on the residential community,
removal from University housing or relocation within
University housing may be added to disciplinary probation
for a portion of or the duration of the probationary period.
In the case of a first year student or a sophomore, this
penalty will be imposed only after consultation with the
master of the student's residential college. The dining
contract will not necessarily be revoked.
3. Withholding of Degree
In cases involving seniors or graduate students, the
University may withhold a student's Princeton degree for a
specified period of time. Often, this penalty is imposed
instead of suspension. In such a case, the student may be
permitted to remain on campus to complete his or her
academic requirements for the degree.
4. Suspension
Removal from membership in, or employment by, the
University for a specified period of time.
5. Required Withdrawal
Removal from membership in, or employment by, the
University for at least the period of time specified by the
suspension, with the suspension to continue until certain
conditions, stipulated by the appropriate body applying this
sanction, have been fulfilled. These conditions may include
restitution of damages, formal apology, or counselling.
6. Expulsion
Permanent removal from membership in, or employment by,
the University, without hope of readmission to the
community. For members of the faculty, expulsion may involve
revocation of tenure.
7. Censure
University censure can be added to any of the other
penalties listed above, except warning. Censure indicates
the University's desire to underscore the seriousness of the
violation and the absence of mitigating circumstances and to
convey that seriousness in response to future authorized
inquiries about the given individual's conduct or
character.
In circumstances seriously affecting the health or
well-being of any person, or where physical safety is
seriously threatened, or where the ability of the University
to carry out its essential operations is seriously
threatened, or impaired, the President or his or her
representative, a senior officer of the University
authorized by him or her, may summarily suspend, dismiss or
bar any person from the University. In all such cases,
actions taken are subject to reasonably prompt subsequent
review by regular University processes or authorities. If a
review process is not otherwise specified, the Provost will
act in this capacity if requested to do so.
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