Office of Academic and Community Conduct

1. Introduction and Standards of Conduct

1.1 Introduction

Michigan Technological University, referred to hereinafter as “the University”, helps “prepare students to create the future.”  In doing so, the University inspires the values of community, scholarship, possibilities, accountability, tenacity, and leadership. These values should serve to guide decisions and foster learning. Standards of conduct are set forth in the Student Code of Community Conduct and in this document are to assist the University community in furthering its mission and values. The Office of Academic and Community Conduct has been given the responsibility for enforcing these standards, regardless of where incidents occur.

The University is committed to supporting registered student organizations, referred to hereinafter as “RSOs”, and the students' ability to freely associate and express themselves. Student organizations registered with the University, accept the rights and responsibilities outlined in this policy and in their organization’s governing documents. All RSOs are required to be registered with the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement. The standards of conduct for RSOs do not replace any policies and sanctions implemented by an organization’s own governing affiliations or by any federal, state, or local laws, or other University policies. 

1.2 Standards of Conduct

All RSOs are expected to act consistently with the values of the University. RSOs are responsible for actions by their members when those members are acting on behalf of the RSO and violate University policy. Depending on the facts of an incident, the University may take disciplinary action against an RSO and against individual students. Action against an RSO and against an individual student are separate.

1.3 Case Criteria

The following criteria are used to determine if an allegation will be considered an organizational violation for which an RSO may be held responsible:

  1. One or more of the RSO’s officers commit a violation while acting within the scope of their duties;
  2. One or more of the RSO members commit a violation as a part of an activity or assignment voted on by the organization and/or approved by the local, regional, or national leadership;
  3. The violation is committed at an activity funded, hosted, or facilitated by the RSO or by an individual(s) in the name of the RSO;
  4. The violation is committed by RSO members attending or traveling to a function as a representative of the University, including, but not limited to, competitions, conferences, and conventions;
  5. RSO members or officers permit, encourage, aid, assist in committing, or has knowledge of a violation;
  6. RSO members or officers fail to report knowledge or information about a violation of University policy and/or local, state, or federal law to appropriate University authorities;
  7. RSO members or alumni commit a violation in the name of the organization.