Article 6: Student Code of Conduct and Rules

Upon registration, students automatically become members of the University community and assume full responsibility for proper conduct until their separation from the institution. Misconduct at the University is not tolerated as it diminishes the overall value of the degrees awarded by Texas A&M International University.  All students at the University should be involved in assuring the honesty of all students through their own individual actions and deeds.

Conduct standards at the university are set forth in writing in order to give students general notice of prohibited conduct. These rules should be read broadly and are not designed to define prohibited conduct in exhaustive terms.

Student Rules

The University reserves the right, through fair process, to impose disciplinary and academic sanctions on students who have violated the Student Code of Conduct. Below is a list of student rules, they should not be expected to be exhaustive.

Academic Dishonesty (see Article 7)

Alcohol. Drinking or having in possession any alcoholic beverage in public areas of university premises not approved for such activity; and possession and/or consumption by a minor; and public intoxication; and driving while intoxicated.

Complicity. Attempting, aiding, abetting, conspiring, hiring or being an accessory to any act prohibited by this code shall be considered to the same extent as completed violations.

Computing resources.  Abuse or misuse of University Computing Resources; Failure to comply with laws, license agreements, and contracts governing network, software and hardware use. Abuse of communal resources. Use of computing resources for unauthorized commercial purposes or personal gain. Failure to protect your password or use of your account. Breach of computer security, harmful access or invasion of privacy.

Destroying, damaging or littering of any property. Behavior that destroys, damages, or litters any property of the university, of another institution, or of another person, on university premises or at university-sponsored activities.

Disorderly conduct.  Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, indecent or a breach of peace on university premises or at university-sponsored activities.

Disruptive activity. Participation in disruptive activity that interferes with teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other University missions, processes, or functions including public-service functions, or other university activities. Such activities may include, but are not limited to:

  a) Leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities on university premises.

  b) Classroom behavior that seriously interferes with either (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of other students to profit from the instructional program.

  c) Any behavior in class or out of class, which for any reason materially disrupts the class work of others, involves substantial disorder, invades the rights of others, or otherwise disrupts the regular and essential operation of the University.

Failure to appear. Failure to appear for a university disciplinary/academic proceeding to respond to allegations or to appear as a witness when reasonably notified to do so.  This includes disciplinary hearings, university investigations, and appeals hearings.

Failure to comply. Failure to comply with directions of University officials acting in the performance of their duties.

False reporting.  Intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning, threat of fire, explosion or other emergency concerning the university and university-sponsored activities.

Fire Safety. Misuse or damage of fire safety equipment.

Furnishing false information and/or withholding information. Forgery, unauthorized alteration or misuse of any document, record or instrument of identification. Also includes withholding material information from the university, misrepresenting the truth before a hearing of the university and making false statements to any university official. The submission of false information at the time of admission or readmission is grounds for rejection of the application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, cancellation of enrollment, dismissal or other appropriate disciplinary action.

Gambling. Gambling in any form on University-owned or controlled property grounds.

Harassment. Conduct (physical, verbal, graphic, written, or electronic) that is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent so as to threaten an individual or limit the ability of an individual to work, study or participate in the activities of the university.

  a) Sexual Harassment. (Appendix B)

  b) Racial and Ethnic Harassment.

  c) Stalking. Any repeated conduct directed specifically at another person that causes that person [or a member of that person’s family or household] to fear his/her safety. Such conduct includes following another person and acts that threaten or intimidate another person through fear of bodily injury or death of self or members of that person’s family or household or an offense being committed against that person’s property.

  d) Cyber-bullying. The use of electronic media to intimidate or threaten an individual.

Hazing.  Prohibited acts committed for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization; or as part of any activity of a recognized student organization, student group.  Prohibited behavior includes any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property; and/or assisting, directing, or in any way causing others to participate in degrading behavior and/or behavior that causes ridicule, humiliation, or embarrassment; and/or engaging in conduct which tends to bring the reputation of the organization, group, or university into disrepute.  Excessive pressure, harassment, threats, or any form of coercive tactics or mind control to retain or recruit a student for membership in an organization.

Hindering or interfering.  Action or conduct that hinders, or otherwise interferes with the implementation of this Code.

Identification. Failure to present identification upon the request of a university official.

Illegal drugs. The manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of controlled substances, illicit drugs, or drug paraphernalia on University property or at University sponsored activities.

Motor vehicle violations. Repeated or flagrant violations of any regulations related to the use of parking motor vehicles on campus property.

Obstruction or disruption.  Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedure, or other University affiliated activities including its public service functions, or of other authorized activities on the University campus.

Off-Campus Conduct. When a student is alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code by an offense committed off of university premises, the university reserves the right to investigate and adjudicate. The University may take action in situations occurring off university premises involving: student misconduct demonstrating flagrant disregard for any person or persons; or when a student's or student organization's behavior is judged to threaten the health, safety, and/or property of any individual or group; or any other activity which adversely affects the University community and/or the pursuit of its objectives.  This action may be taken for either affiliated or non-affiliated activities.  If the Vice President for Student Success determines that the offense affects the university as stated above, then the Office of Student Affairs shall hold an administrative hearing to consider whether the offense is of such nature as set out above, whether or not the student committed the offense, and take appropriate action. The action of the university administrative hearing officer shall be made independent of any off-campus authority.

Physical abuse.  Any attempt to cause injury or inflict pain; or causing injury or inflicting pain.  Also causing physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative.  It is not a defense that the person (or group) against whom the physical abuse was directed consented to, or acquiesced to, the physical abuse.

The physical abuse rule is not intended to prohibit the following conduct:

Customary public athletic events, contests, or competitions that are sponsored by the university or the organized and supervised practices associated with such events; or

Any activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate educational curriculum, a legitimate extracurricular program or a legitimate military training program as defined and approved by the university.                                                                              

Retaliation. Harassment of complainant or other person alleging misconduct, including but not limited to intimidation and threats.

Sexual abuse. Attempting or making sexual contact, including but not limited to inappropriate touching or fondling, against the person’s will, or in circumstances where the person is physically, mentally or legally unable to give consent. See Section 9.09

Sexual Assault/Rape. Sexual assault is the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by a sexual organ of another or anal/vaginal penetration by any means against the victim’s will or without his/her consent. An individual who is mentally incapacitated, unconscious, or unaware that the sexual assault is occurring is considered unable to give consent. The type of force employed may involve physical force, coercion, intentional impairment of an individual’s ability to appraise the situation through the administering of any substance, or threat of harm to the victim. See Section 9.09

Student Organizations.  Violations of University policies, or of campus regulations concerning the registration of student organizations, the use of University facilities, or the time, place, and manner of public expression.

Theft. Unauthorized removal or stealing of public or private property or unauthorized use or acquisition of services on university premises or at university-sponsored activities. This includes knowingly possessing such stolen property.

Unauthorized Entry. Unauthorized entry into or use of University facilities.

Unauthorized representation. Unauthorized representation of the University or any recognized entity of the University.

Violation of Law. Any act that violates federal, state, or local laws or regulations and which is not otherwise covered in this code is not allowed.

Violation of published university rules. Such rules include University Housing contracts and rules, university motor vehicle rules, rules relating to the use of student identification cards, entry and use of university facilities and dining hall conduct.

Violating terms of any disciplinary/academic sanctions. Knowingly violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction (including failing to meet deadlines and/or committing a violation of university rules while serving a probationary sanction) imposed in accordance with university rules.

Weapons and explosives.  Possession or use of firearms, fireworks, or explosives on University-owned or controlled grounds and property. The term weapon may be defined as any object or substance designed to inflict a wound, cause injury or pain, or to incapacitate. Weapons may include, but are not limited to, all firearms, pellet guns, slingshots, martial arts devices, switchblade knives and clubs.