University-wide Conduct Regulations
Respect for Others
Respect for the rights, privileges, and sensibilities of
each other is essential in preserving the spirit of
community at Princeton. Actions which make the atmosphere
intimidating, threatening, or hostile to individuals are
therefore regarded as serious offenses. Abusive or harassing
behavior, verbal or physical, which demeans, intimidates,
threatens, or injures another because of his or her personal
characteristics or beliefs is subject to University
disciplinary sanctions as described above. Examples of
personal characteristics or beliefs include but are not
limited to sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity,
national origin, religion, and handicap. Making tolerance of
such behavior or submission to it a condition of employment,
evaluation, compensation, or advancement is an especially
serious offense. Procedures for resolving complaints or
grievances on such matters are discussed on pages 19-21.
Princeton University strives to be an intellectual and
residential community in which all members can participate
fully and equally, in an atmosphere free from all
manifestations of bias and from all forms of harassment,
exploitation, or intimidation. As an intellectual community,
it attaches great value to freedom of expression and
vigorous debate, but it also attaches great importance to
mutual respect, and it deplores expressions of hatred
directed against any individual or group. The University
seeks to promote the full inclusion of all members and
groups in every aspect of University life.
Racial or Ethnic Bias and Harassment
Mutual respect requires special sensitivity to issues of
race and ethnicity.
Expressions of racial or ethnic bias directed at
individuals or groups undermine the civility and sense of
community on which the well-being of the University depends.
They devalue the distinctive contributions of the
individuals affected and impair their ability to contribute
their views and talents to the community and to benefit
fully from participating in it. By alienating those
individuals, they harm the whole community. The University
calls on all its members to display the appropriate
sensitivity and to challenge expressions of racial or ethnic
bias whenever they encounter them.
The University is seriously committed to disciplinary
action against racial or ethnic harassment, as defined in
"Respect for Others," above. Procedures for resolving
complaints or grievances relating particularly to racial or
ethnic harassment are described on page 20-21.
Sexual Harassment and Assault
Every member of the University community should be aware
that the University is strongly opposed to sexual harassment
and assault and that such behavior is prohibited both by
federal and state law and by University policy. It is the
intention of the University to take whatever action may be
needed to prevent, correct, and if necessary, discipline
behavior that violates this policy.
Definition of Sexual Harassment. Unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other
verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute
sexual harassment when:
1. Submission to or rejection of such conduct is made
implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of instruction,
employment, or participation in other University
activity;
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an
individual is used as a basis for evaluation in making
academic or personnel decisions affecting an individual;
or
3. Such verbal or physical conduct has the effect of
unreasonably interfering with an individual's work, academic
performance, or living conditions by creating an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Definition of Sexual Assault. Princeton
University defines sexual assault (including but not limited
to rape) as committing any of the following acts:
1. Any sexual physical contact that involves the use or
threat of force or violence or any other form of coercion or
intimidation;
2. Any sexual physical contact with a person who is
unable to consent due to incapacity or impairment, mental or
physical. "Incapacity" or "impairment" normally includes but
is not limited to being asleep or under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
The University defines rape as sexual assault involving
an act of penetration and considers it to be an especially
serious offense. Sexual assault includes both "stranger
rape" and "acquaintance rape" (in which the assailant and
victim know each other).
All forms of sexual assault and all attempts to commit
such acts are regarded as serious University offenses which
are likely to result in suspension, required withdrawal, or
expulsion. New Jersey criminal law encompasses the offenses
identified above, and prosecution may take place
independently of charges under University regulations.
Convictions under New Jersey law can result in imprisonment
for up to 20 years; see "The University and the Law" (page
7).
In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes
sexual harassment or assault, consideration will be given to
the totality of circumstances involved in the incident,
including the nature of the sexual conduct and the context
in which the alleged incident occurred. Procedures for
resolving complaints or grievances relating particularly to
sexual harassment and assault are described on page 20-21.
Details of University procedures for responding to
complaints, including an explicit listing of victim's
rights, can be obtained from the Offices of: SHARE (McCosh
Health Center), the Dean of Undergraduate Students (West
College), the Dean of the Graduate School (Nassau Hall), the
Dean of the Faculty (Nassau Hall), and the Vice President
for Human Resources (New South).
Protests and Demonstrations
Free speech and peaceable assembly are basic requirements
of the University as a center for free inquiry and the
search for knowledge and insight. These rights involve a
concurrent obligation on the part of all members of the
University to maintain on the campus an atmosphere conducive
to scholarly pursuits and to respect the rights of all
individuals.
Demonstrations and the distribution of leaflets,
statements, or petitions, therefore, are permitted on the
campus unless, or until, they disrupt regular and essential
operations of the University or significantly infringe on
the rights of others. On the same grounds, the campus is
open to speakers whom students, faculty, or staff wish to
hear, and to recruiters for agencies and organizations in
whom students or faculty have an interest.
1. It is a violation of these policies for a
member of the faculty, staff, or student body (a) to
prevent, or willfully attempt to prevent, the orderly
conduct of a University function or activity, such as
lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, and public
events; (b) to block, or willfully attempt to block, the
legitimate activities of any person on the campus or in any
University building or facility. Violations of this
provision, if persisted in after due warning, will be
regarded as serious offenses.
2. Officers of the University (see Bylaws of the Board of
Trustees) retain the right to take whatever legal actions
they may deem necessary against violators of these
provisions. Members of the press are fully subject to these
provisions unless special arrangements for press coverage
have been authorized by the responsible University official.
Ordinarily, arrangements of some kind to permit press
coverage will be made when circumstances allow, and will be
administered by the University's Office of
Communications.
Distribution of Written
Materials by Members of the University Community
Free inquiry, free expression and civility within this
academic community are indispensable to the University's
objectives. Inclusion of the name, telephone number and/or
e-mail address of the University sponsoring organization or
individual member of the University community on material
resembling petitions, posters, leaflets distributed on
campus, including materials disseminated using campus
information technology resources or University internet
access is encouraged, since such attribution promotes and
facilitates civility as well as vigorous debate in the
academic community. Anonymous public postings without
sponsorship of a registered University organization shall be
removed or deleted if a complaint by a member of the
University is lodged with the Office of the Dean of
Undergraduate Students or the Office of the Dean of the
Graduate School.
Personal Safety
Actions that threaten or endanger in any way the personal
safety or security of others will be regarded as serious
offenses. The following offenses will be regarded as
extremely serious:
1. Deliberate participation in a riot or general
disturbance that threatens the safety, or seriously
threatens the property, of either University members or
townspeople.
2. Intimidation by violence, by a threat of violence, or
by property damage, which seeks to interfere with the free
expression of ideas, or attempts to punish such free
expression.
3. The possession, storing, or use on campus of firearms
or ammunition, or of any explosive or incendiary device
(including firecrackers and other fireworks) that might
threaten human life, except inoperative antique firearms
used exclusively for decorative purposes.
4. The possession of weapons or the use or threatened use
of weapons or objects capable of being used as weapons.
5. Any physical assault committed in the course of any
University function or activity, or on the premises of the
University.
6. Any other act that seriously endangers human life, or
threatens serious physical or psychological injury.
Quiet
Activities that take place in the vicinity of University
residences, classrooms, the library, the chapel, and similar
facilities must be conducted in such a way as to respect the
necessity for maintaining a reasonable degree of quiet in
such areas. (Consult the Orange Page 44 for further
information.)
Identification cards
Identification cards are issued to all members of the
University community and are intended for campus use only.
Members of the community are asked to carry their cards
while on campus. ID cards are non-transferable and must be
presented on request to authorized University
representatives.
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