The University and the Law
Members of the University community are expected to act
with respect for the safety, personal rights, and property
of individuals and groups both within and outside the
University, as well as acting in accordance with local,
state and federal laws. Some of these laws, such as equal
opportunity and nondiscrimination, underlie fundamental
University policy and have been discussed previously in this
document. Some principles and laws of particular importance
to our academic community are discussed below.
On-Campus Misconduct and the
Law
On-campus misconduct by members of the University will
normally result in internal disciplinary action, although in
some instances the University may deem it necessary to call
upon external authorities and to file charges in the courts.
In particular, misconduct by members of the University or
others that inflicts or threatens to inflict personal injury
or serious damage to property, that severely impairs
essential functions of the University, or that cannot be
adequately handled by the University Department of Public
Safety, may require the intervention of outside authorities.
Outside authorities will be called only by a senior officer
of the University or a specifically designated
representative. In addition to the President and the
Provost, authorized senior officers include the Dean of the
Faculty, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Dean of the
College, and the Vice President for Campus Life.
Persons on Leave of Absence; Persons Who Are Not
Members of the University
1. On-campus misconduct by persons who are, for whatever
reason, withdrawn, suspended, or on leave of absence from
the University will be evaluated before these persons may
resume their status as regular members of the University. In
these instances, such persons will be granted the right to a
full and prompt hearing by the appropriate University
judicial body of any evidence relating to them. The results
of such a hearing may have an effect upon their
reinstatement as members of the University.
2. Incidents involving persons not subject to University
discipline cannot always be handled by the University
Department of Public Safety and may require the calling of
outside authorities (under the conditions of the paragraph
under On-Campus Misconduct and the Law). Members of the
University involved in such cases, when their conduct is in
violation of the law, cannot be guaranteed immunity either
from arrest or prosecution. When persons who are not members
of the University engage in serious misconduct on the
campus, the University has no recourse but to press charges
against them in the courts.
Off-Campus Misconduct
In general, the University does not impose disciplinary
penalties for misconduct off campus beyond the local
vicinity. However, actions by a member of the Princeton
University community which make use of the University's
electronic resources or Internet access from a remote
location will be considered misconduct if such actions would
be considered misconduct were the person physically present
on the campus when the behavior occurred. Also, in
certain other cases in which the activities violate a stated
University regulation, or are of such a serious nature as to
indicate danger to members of the University community and
others, the responsible University official may initiate
disciplinary proceedings, whether or not legal sanctions
have been incurred.
Violations of Local, State, or
Federal Law
Violations of local ordinances or of state or federal
laws by members of the University community may entail
University disciplinary actions regardless of where such
violations occur, if they are of a serious nature and
clearly violate University standards of conduct.
An individual or group of individuals who contemplate
actions that may be deemed illegal should be aware that they
risk harm both to their own reputations and to that of the
University, and should deliberate seriously and seek to
reach an informed decision before acting. When it is
anticipated that legal difficulties may result from
off-campus activities, members of the University may seek
advice from University representatives, but responsibility
must rest exclusively with the person or persons
involved.
University Discipline and the
Courts
When members of the University are faced with court
proceedings for offenses committed either on or off the
campus, and when University disciplinary proceedings are
also appropriate, the University will normally make its own
determinations promptly, whether or not court action has
been brought to a conclusion.
Legal Assistance
Should a University member charged with violation of a
law request assistance from the University, a University
representative will advise him or her and, if asked, will
facilitate obtaining suitable legal counsel; however, the
University will not seek special immunity for its members if
they come in conflict with the laws of the civic
communitynational, state, or local. (Students should also
consult the Orange Page 50, under Legal Assistance.)
University Security
1. The University Department of Public Safety serves to
protect the rights, safety, and property of members of the
University community. The Department of Public Safety is not
intended to replace either of the local municipal police
departments as a general law-enforcement agency on
campus.
2. Public Safety personnel have a major responsibility
for ensuring that members of the University observe the
basic standards of conduct and respect the specific
University regulations. Public Safety personnel are equally
assertive in working to assist members of the University in
emergency situations, as well as in their routine security
duties.
3. The Department of Public Safety consists of uniformed
supervisors (lieutenants and sergeants) and plain clothed
proctors who are commissioned police officers with the power
of arrest. Non-commissioned uniformed Public Safety officers
monitor vehicular entrances and also patrol the campus.
Public Safety personnel do not carry firearms.
Regulations Regarding Security and Prior
Restraint
Security Measures
Security measures taken at on-campus events must be
adequate to provide for the maintenance of order and to
ensure the safety of those attending or participating.
Within the University, the Dean of Undergraduate Students,
the Dean of the Graduate School and the Director of the
Department of Public Safety are responsible for deciding
whether security measures are necessary for a given event
and for making appropriate arrangements. In consultation
with sponsors of the event, they will make security
arrangements which involve minimal interference with the
scheduled event and with the privacy and freedom of those
attending.
Prior Restraint
1. Normal access to facilities of the University and
normal activities within the University should not be
restrained merely on suspicion of disruptive intent, even
when this suspicion seems well-founded. Normal access and
activities should be restricted only in circumstances that
affect the health and well-being of persons, that seriously
threaten physical safety, that impair or seriously threaten
to impair the ability of the University to carry on its
essential operations, or that threaten serious damage to
University property. Except in circumstances of very grave
dangers of these kinds, which admit of no delay, restraint
will be invoked only by the President or his representative,
or by a senior officer of the University authorized by
him.
2. "Normal access" shall be construed in this context
within the following conditions and limitations:
a) Normal access to physical facilities is governed by
existing practices and policies defining hours of operation,
and categories and numbers of persons to be admitted in
given circumstances.
b) Any University organization has the right to restrict
attendance at any of its meetings to members and their
invited guests; nonmembers have no normal right of access to
such activities.
3. The imposition of a physical search of persons
attending a University event as a condition for their entry
to the event will be authorized only under the most extreme
circumstances. A decision to authorize such a search will be
taken only when the following conditions are met:
a) Either the sponsors of the event, the Department of
Public Safety, or law enforcement authorities judge such a
search to be essential to the safety of those participating
or attending and request authorization from the President of
the University.
b) It is the judgment of the President, in consultation
with the University's legal counsel, that the search is
legal as essential to the safety of those participating or
attending.
When a search has been authorized, steps will be taken to
ensure that those who do not wish to be searched have the
opportunity to leave without being searched. Whenever
possible, the fact that a search will be conducted will be
publicized well in advance of the event. All such searches
will be conducted by the Department of Public Safety unless
others, similarly accountable to the University or legally
authorized, are requested by the President to act on behalf
of the University.
For further information concerning University Security
Policy for persons who are not members of the University
Community, see page 85.
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