Code of Social Conduct

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Skidmore College expects students to conduct themselves with the guiding principles of fairness, respect, and honesty. Considering how we ourselves would like to be treated will usually provide guidance on how to interact with other members of the community. The social policies listed below cannot capture all of the values of a respectful and cooperative community. The items listed do, however, state some of the more serious issues that sometimes confront our community.

Culpability is not diminished for acts in violation of this Code that are committed in ignorance of the Code or under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or improper use of controlled substances.

Based on students’ agreement to the Honor Code, students shall abide by the Code of Social Conduct as outlined below. Students found to have committed, or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct are subject to the College’s student conduct process.

1. Abuse of Conduct Process.Abuse or interference with, or failure to comply in, College processes including student disciplinary processes, including, but not limited to:
   • Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information;
   • Failure to provide, destroying or concealing information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation;
   • Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the campus conduct system;
   • Influencing, or attempting to influence, another person to commit an abuse of the campus conduct system.
2. Alcohol and Other Drugs. Illegal use, possession, purchase, distribution, manufacture or sale of alcohol, drugs or controlled substances, or any other violation of the College Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. For definition, policy, and conduct procedures, see the Student Handbook.
3. Animals/Pets. Unauthorized dogs, cats, mice, birds, or other animals are not permitted in residence halls, College buildings, or anywhere on College property; Any violation of the Service Animal Policy or the Emotional Support Animal Policy, found here in the Student Handbook.
4. Collusion. Action or inaction in concert with another or others to violate the Honor Code and Code of Social Conduct.
5. Damage and Destruction. Intentional, reckless and/or unauthorized damage to or destruction of College property or the property of another.
6. Disruptive Behavior. Disruption of College operations including obstruction of teaching, research, administration, other College activities, and/or other authorized non-College activities which occur on campus; general disorderly conduct.
7. Discrimination. Any act or failure to act that is based upon an individual or group’s actual or perceived status (sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or other protected status) that is sufficiently severe that it interferes with, limits or denies the ability to participate in or benefit from College programs or activities. The College reserves the right to sanction discrimination even if the behavior in question does not rise to the level of legally recognized or actionable discrimination; For more on campus climate and bias incidents reporting and protocols, see the Student Handbook.
8. Failure to Comply. Failure to comply with the authorized directives of College officials or law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so; failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by the campus conduct system.
9. Falsification/Tampering. Knowingly creating, furnishing or possessing false, falsified or forged materials, documents, accounts, records, identification, or financial instruments; tampering with the election of any College-recognized student organization; knowingly sharing false information with a College official.
10. Fire/Life Safety. Interference with or misuse of fire alarms, blue lights, elevators or other safety and security equipment or programs; Engaging in behavior that places an unnecessary strain on emergency personnel when their services are not required (i.e. false reporting to 911); Intentionally lighting an open fire in or on any Skidmore College property; Any instances of multiple violations and/or high level violations of the Residential Life Fire Safety Policy, found on page 10 of the Residential Life and Housing Handbook: 
11. Gambling. Gambling as prohibited by the laws of the State of New York. Gambling may include, but is not limited to, hosting gambling events, sports pools and online betting activities.
12. Harassment. Any unwelcome conduct based on actual or perceived status, including race, color, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected category.  For sexual and gender-based misconduct definitions, policy, and conduct procedures, see https://www.skidmore.edu/sgbm/.
13. Harm to Persons. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical or emotional harm; threatening or endangering the physical or emotional health or safety of any person, including but not limited to, hazing, bullying or cyber bullying, or any other threatening or intimidating behavior;
    1. Threat: written or verbal conduct that causes a reasonable fear of injury to the physical or emotional health or safety of any person or damage to any property.
    2. Intimidation: express or implied acts that cause a reasonable fear of injury to the physical or emotional health or safety of any person or damage to any property.
    3. Bullying and Cyber bullying: bullying and cyber bullying are repeated and/or severe aggressive behaviors that intimidate or intentionally harm or control another person physically or emotionally.
    4. Hazing: violation of the Hazing Policy, found here in the Student Handbook.
14. Health and Safety. Creation of health and/or safety hazards, including but not limited to, dangerous pranks, hanging out of or climbing from/on/in windows, balconies, roofs, etc.
15. Hosts and Guests. The host of guests are expected to take reasonable precautions to ensure that their guests comply with the Honor Code and the Code of Social Conduct, and are subject to discipline if they fail to take such precautions; hosts are required to accompany their guests on campus at all times.
16. Infringement of Certain Intellectual Property Rights. Unauthorized use, including misuse, of the name, images, logos, trademarks or service marks, or other infringement of intellectual property rights, of the College or an organization recognized by the College.
17. Residential Life Policies. Students are expected to abide by the policies outlined in the Residential Life and Housing Handbook: .
18. Retaliation. Any intimidation, harassment, discrimination, or other adverse action against an individual as a result of that individual participating in, or cooperating with, College processes, including without limitation student disciplinary processes.
19. Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct. For sexual and gender-based misconduct definitions, policy, and conduct procedures, see https://www.skidmore.edu/sgbm/:

• Title IX Policy: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation as defined specifically by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Enough is Enough Policy: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Intimate-Partner Violence (Domestic Violence or Dating Violence), Sexual Exploitation, Stalking, Attempted Act and Retaliation outside of the jurisdiction of Title IX.

20. Smoking. Skidmore College is a smoke-free and tobacco-free campus. Smoking and tobacco use within all buildings and throughout all Skidmore College grounds is prohibited. For additional information, please see: https://www.skidmore.edu/smokefree/.
21. Taking of Property. Intentional and unauthorized taking of College property or the personal property of another, including goods, services and other valuables; or knowingly maintaining possession of stolen property.
22. Unauthorized Access. Unauthorized access to any College building, including but not limited to access through unauthorized use of keys, cards, etc., unauthorized possession, duplication or use of means of access to any College building, or failing to report a lost College identification card or means of access (e.g., a key or card), propping of doors (of any kind) or unauthorized use of alarmed doors for entry into or exit from a College building, presence in a space without express permission from the room resident (residential spaces), or the appropriate College official (academic and administrative buildings).
23. Weapons. Possession, use, or distribution of explosives, including but not limited to fireworks and ammunition, guns (air, BB, paintball, facsimile weapons and pellet guns, etc.), or other weapons or dangerous objects such as arrows, axes, machetes, nun chucks, throwing stars, or knives having blades in excess of six inches in length (except for culinary knives reasonably necessary for cooking in on-campus residences), including the storage of any item that falls within the category of a weapon in a vehicle parked on College property.
24. Other Policies. Violating other published College policies or rules, including but not limited to Information Technology Policy, Student Government Association Policies, etc.