Code of Conduct Violations

POSSIBLE CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS 

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit any of the following misconduct is subject to student conduct sanctions outlined later in this Code. Words in bold print are intended to indicate general categories of related behaviors/alleged violations.

  1.  Academic Dishonesty.  Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following: 
    1. Cheating: The definition includes but is not limited to: 
      1. The use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; 
      2. The use of any source(s) or item(s) beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out assignments; 
      3. The acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to or intended for University faculty or staff; 
      4. Engaging in behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus, class discussion, or via Brightspace/D2L; 
      5. Working with or collaborating with others to share information related to tests or exams without the express written permission of the faculty member. 
    2. Plagiarism: The definition includes but is not limited to: 
      1. The intentional or unintentional use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement or citation; 
      2. The unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials; 
      3. The use of internet material or sources without proper citation; 
      4. The use of one’s own previous work for duplicate academic credit or advantage without prior approval from the current faculty member and/or without citation, also known as self-plagiarism; 
      5. A definition provided by the faculty member in the course syllabus or by a program, department or school, and found in a handbook or other material shared as a part of an orientation, or available online or electronically. 
    3. Other forms of academic dishonesty, which may include, but are not limited to: 
      1. Submitting course assignments that are not the student’s own work;
      2. Failing to follow class or test taking policy as instructed by the faculty member and/or in the course syllabus; 
      3. Academic fraud, or the fabrication or alternation of data in the completion of lab or classroom assignments; 
      4. Attempts to influence grading. 
    4. Falsification of records or reports, academic or administrative, which may include but is not limited to: 
      1. Misrepresentation of academic status, performance, awards, or graduation material to include but not limited to falsification of clinical site location reporting or false statements/communications related to presence/absence at assigned clinical sites; 
      2. Omission of material form or manipulation of records; 
      3. Falsification of a signature; 
      4. Falsification, alteration, theft or destruction of University records, reports, investigations, or processes; 
      5. Alteration, forgery, or misuse of University academic records; 
      6. Obtaining grades, course access, or endorsement dishonestly. 
  2.  Disruption or obstruction of University activities, including its public service functions on- or off-campus, or other authorized non-University activities when the conduct occurs on University premises.  Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to: 
    1. Disorderly behavior that disrupts teaching, research, or other programmatic, administrative, or public services activities of the University;
    2. Excessive noise that disrupts classes, studying, other University activities, or other authorized non-University activities occurring on University premises; 
    3. Activities or behaviors that seriously disrupt the learning environment and/or interfere with another student’s right to learn and participate. 
    4. Failure to abide by or violation of the General Provisions of MGA Policy 6.4 – Freedom of Expression Policy. 
  3. Acts of Harm.  Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to: 
    1. Physical violence, or engaging in any form of violence against another person including but not limited to pushing, shoving, kicking, hitting, or other physical actions; 
    2. Threats, or physically, verbally, or by any other means threatening another individual or group, whether communicated to one or more individuals such that the individual or group reasonably believes that the threat is likely to be carried out.  Examples include, but are not limited to intimidation or coercion; 
    3. Reckless behavior, or intentionally or recklessly causing an act that creates a substantial risk of physical violence to another person; 
    4. Acts against a member of the University community or Emergency Personnel, or placing a member of said group in fear or at risk of physical harm or danger or engaging in physical violence against a member of said group; 
    5. Threats toward a University-sponsored activity, or directing threats of violence in order to disrupt a University-sponsored event or activity; 
    6. Bullying/Cyberbullying or engaging in repeated or aggressive behavior that intimidates or intentionally harms, controls, or seeks to control another individual, physically, mentally, or emotionally to a point that it alters the conditions of education, employment, or participation in a university program or activity.  An isolated incident, unless sufficiently severe, does not constitute a violation. 
    7. Endangerment, or acting in a manner that could or did endanger another person, place the health or safety of another person at serious risk, or injure another person or the community with disregard for the harm that may ensue. 
  4. Damage to, and/or misuse of University property, the property of a member of the University community, or other personal or public property, on- or off-campus.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Vandalism, or the deliberate destruction or defacement of public or private property; 
    2. Damage or destruction of property; 
    3. Misuse or damage of firefighting, safety, or other emergency equipment. 
  5.  Attempted or actual theft of University property or the property of a member of the University community.  Prohibited behavior includes but is not limited to: 
    1. Theft and/or acting fraudulently to obtain goods, services, or funds from University departments, recognized student organizations, or members of the University community; 
    2. Wrongful sale or use of another’s property without express permission; 
    3. Knowingly possessing or using stolen property;
    4. Failure to comply with written policies or agreements regarding the timely return of materials or equipment checked out or on loan to a student by a program or department. 
  6. Hazing, defined as subjecting a student to an activity that endangers or is likely to endanger the physical health of a student, or coerces a student through the use of social or physical pressure to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to a likely risk of vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness regardless of a student’s willingness to participate in such activity. (In accordance with GA Senate Bill 85, also known as the “Max Gruver Act”). 
  7. Failure to comply.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Willful failure to identify or false identification of oneself, or one’s guest(s); 
    2. Failure to comply with appropriate and reasonable requests from University Police, University Security personnel, or any University staff member in performance of their duties; 
    3. Failure to appear, in response to a proper summons, when requested to do so by a University official; 
    4. Failure to comply with or complete sanctions from a student conduct adjudication and/or hearing. 
  8. Unauthorized entry to or use of University premises, or possession/duplication of University keys to any University premises.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Unauthorized possession or use of University key(s) or key card(s); 
    2. Providing a key or key card to another person without proper authorization; 
    3. Trespassing, or unauthorized entry into a room, office, building, or other University premises without expressed or written permission by an appropriate University official. 
  9. Violation of University policy, rule, or regulation published in hard copy or available electronically on the University website.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Violation of University policy, procedure or regulations, to include, but not limited to: 
      1. University catalog 
      2. Student Handbook 
      3. Parking Policies 
    2. Violation of school or department policy, procedure, or regulations to include but not limited to: 
      1. Aviation Student Drug Testing Agreement 
      2. Nursing Student Handbook 
      3. Respiratory Therapy Handbook 
      4. Recognized Student Organization (RSO) handbook 
      5. Any handbook related to a specific academic program. 
    3. Violation of Residence Life policy, procedure, or regulations to include but not limited to: 
      1. Residence Life Handbook 
      2. Housing Contract 
      3. Repeat Violations, with prior notification, related to: noise, trash, guest policy, smoke-free campus, propped doors, or alcohol paraphernalia. 
    4. Violation of any Board of Regents or University System of Georgia policy, procedure or regulations. 
  10. Violation of any federal, state, or local law.  Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to: 
    1. Not reporting a crime committed on campus;
    2. Violation of State or Federal Law 
      1. Per USG/BOR Policy Manual 4.6.2, “a student in any University System of Georgia (USG) institution who is charged with, or indicted for, a felony or crime involving moral turpitude may be suspended pending the disposition of the criminal charges against him or her.  Upon request the student shall be accorded a hearing as provided in this Policy Manual and any related institution policy, where he or she shall have the burden of establishing that his or her continued presence as a member of the student body will not be detrimental to the health, safety, welfare, or property of other students or members of the campus community or to the orderly operation of the institution.  Upon final conviction, the student shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. 
  11. Use, possession, manufacture, and/or distribution of substances or drugs controlled under federal or state law, including but not limited to marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, narcotics, or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.  Prohibited behavior includes but is not limited to: 
    1. Possession or misuse of controlled substances;
    2. Sale, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances;
    3. Possession of drug paraphernalia or any equipment that is used to produce, conceal, or consume illicit drugs including but not limited to: pipes (metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic), water pipes, roach clips, bongs, miniature spoons, syringes, cocaine freebase kits.  
  12. Use, possession, manufacture, and/or distribution of alcohol (except as expressly permitted by University regulations and/or officials), or public intoxication.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Underage possession of alcohol, as alcohol may not, in any circumstances be used by, possessed by, or distributed to any person under twenty-one years of age;
    2. Unauthorized possession of alcohol on-campus, even when the person is of legal age to use or possess alcohol. 
    3. Intoxication that disrupts other individuals or any University activities/functions or administrative responsibilities. 
    4. Aiding or abetting in the possession and/or consumption of alcohol by a person under twenty-one years of age. 
  13. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on University premises, or the use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens, or causes fear to others.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Threatening with a weapon;
    2. Illegal possession of a weapon, incendiary device, or explosive;
    3. Possession of articles or substances that are used as weapons or simulated weapons unless prior written authorization is received from the MGA Chief of Police, or his/her designee;
    4. Failure to comply with MGA Weapons on Campus policy. 
  14. Abuse of technology resources.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Failure to abide by MGA Office of Technology Resources policies 
  15. Students are required to engage in responsible social conduct that reflects credit upon the University community and to model good citizenship in any community.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Using one’s leadership position for personal gain, including but not limited to, financial advantage, manipulation of resources, or taking advantage at the expense of others;
    2. Failure to report knowledge of an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct;
    3. Misuse of one’s position within or outside of the University community. 
  16. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace.  Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to:
    1. Aiding, abetting or procurring another person to breach the peace on University premises or at functions sponsored by, or participated in by the University or members of the academic community.
    2. Indecent exposure, defined as intentionally revealing one's private body parts in a setting considered indecent.
    3. Any unauthorized use of electronic or other devices to make an audio or video record of any person while on University premises without his/her prior knowledge, or without his/her effective consent when such a recording is likely to cause injury or distress.
  17. Violation of USG Title IX Policy (USG 6.7.1). Prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to: 
    1. Dating Violence 
    2. Domestic Violence 
    3. Nonconsensual Sexual Contact 
    4. Sexual Exploitation 
    5. Sexual Harassment 
    6. Stalking 
    7. Nonconsensual Sexual Penetration