OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENTCougs Rise

Student Code of Conduct Summer Programs

Preamble

• The Cougs Rise honor, conduct and disciplinary system (Student Code) is part of the educational process of students focusing on behavior within a community. Standards for honor and conduct serve to reinforce the student obligation to be a responsible member of a community, responsible for each other, and responsible for themselves. Sanctions serve to protect the Cougs Rise, participants and university community.

Article I. Scope

• The Washington State University Student Code of Conduct governs conduct of students while participating in Cougs Rise Summer Residential Program activities, on and off campus. Acts in violation of federal, state or municipal laws are referred to appropriate authorities and come under the jurisdiction of Cougs Rise only when they are also in violation of the Student Code.

Article II. Honorable Conduct

• Cougs Rise students conduct themselves honorably. Honorable conduct is essentially a prohibition against lying, cheating or stealing.
• Honorable conduct applies to both academic and social activities. Examples of violations of the Student Code include: cheating on classroom or outside assignments or tests, plagiarism, entrance without proper authority into any private office or space, unauthorized use of or access to any computer or information system, and theft, misappropriation or damage of property.

Article III. Physical Abuse, Hazing, or Harassment

• Living together in a community requires respect for the rights of fellow members of that community. Harassment (including sexual or gender-based harassment), hazing, detention, threats, intimidation, coercion, abuse (physical, verbal or emotional), or similar actions, undertaken knowingly are a violation to the individual and community and in violation of the Student Code.

Article IV. Housing and Living Groups,

• Residential and co-curricular activities are integral to Cougs Rise Summer Program’s learning outcomes. The Student Code is established in accordance with participant’s status as minors: unauthorized visitors are not allowed; students must be in the residence, in their room, and abide by all-quiet at the times indicated on calendars or itineraries; students are never allowed in the room of a student of the opposite gender; students will be charged for damages to their rooms as well as any additional charges to rooms (i.e. lost key charges, etc.); rooms must remain locked at night and/or when unoccupied; rooms and property are subject to search if reasonable concern exists that a student is a danger to themselves or others or is in possession of drugs, alcohol, weapons or other dangerous items; public displays of affection and sexual relationships are not permitted; student dress must be appropriate and cannot be revealing or contain lewd or inappropriate language or images.

Article V. Physical Safety and Welfare

• As in any community, certain forms of responsible conduct must be adhered to in order to ensure the physical functioning and safety or security of that community. Participation in all activities, except where granted exemption, is required. Participation in Cougs Rise Summer Residential Program may include activities that are risky and dangerous and both the student and parents acknowledge and accept the risk in the Program Waiver.
• Students are advised not to bring large sums of money or expensive items such as jewelry. Neither Washington State University nor Cougs Rise are responsible for lost or stolen items.
• Cougs Rise prohibits students from possessing or using any of the following while participating in programming: matches/lighters, knives, weapons of any kind, fireworks, prescription drugs without a prescription, any other items which pose a threat to the student or community.
• Removing or tampering with fire equipment or fire-alarm systems, or failure to vacate buildings promptly when fire alarms sound are violations of this code.
• Minor participants are not permitted to drive their own vehicles or ride in any vehicle not operated by Cougs Rise while under the supervision of the program unless an written exemption to the policy is requested and approved (visiting family or running an errand to the store) by the Cougs Rise Project Director.
• Being unaccounted for (late to a scheduled event, absent, or unexcused) is a violation of the Student Code.
• If a student is ill and cannot participate in program activities, he/she must notify a staff member. If it is determined, through consultation with a parent/guardian, that medical attention is not necessary, the student will be required to stay in the residence for the duration of the day’s activities. If students require medical attention, a staff member will accompany them to a medical facility. Washington State University & Cougs Rise does not provide any medical insurance and costs of medical care are the responsibility of the participant and their parents/guardians. In instances of a life-threatening emergency, Cougs Rise staff will contact emergency services. If a student is first on the scene, he/she should first dial 911, and then inform a staff member. Students should take note of their location, stay with the victim until help arrives, and send another student to get help. Cougs Rise staff are trained and certified in first aid and CPR.

Article VI. Discrimination

• Any violation of the basic rights of a human being is contrary to the very nature of a university program. Cougs Rise has adopted the antidiscrimination policy of Washington State University:
  • Washington State University (WSU) is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in education, employment, membership and contracts without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, and/or status as a veteran. WSU is committed to creating and maintaining environments in which students, faculty, staff and visitors can work, study and recreate free from all forms of prohibited discrimination and discriminatory harassment. If you have experienced an act of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, please contact the Office for Equal Opportunity at 509-335-8288, via e-mail at chr@wsu.edu or file a complaint online at www.oeo.wsu.edu.

Article VII. Drugs and Alcohol

• The provision, sale, use, or possession of drugs and/or alcohol is a violation of this code and will, at a minimum, result in referral to appropriate counseling services and suspension from Cougs Rise. In appropriate situations, violations of Article VIII will result in expulsion and referral to law enforcement and the Office of Student Conduct.

Article VIII. Aiding, Solicitation and Attempt

• A person is in violation of this code if he or she intentionally aids another in the commission of any offense mentioned in this code, solicits another person to commit any offense mentioned in this code, or attempts to commit any offense mentioned in this code.

Article IX. Sanctions

• Violations of the Student Code shall be documented through incident reports and informed by staff, students, witnesses and the accused. Final judgment of the severity of sanctions shall rest exclusively with the Cougs Rise Project Director in consultation with the Office of Academic Engagement Director.

Sanctions that may be imposed are listed here in their order of severity:

• warning;
• probation/withheld suspension (failure to comply with terms of probation results in immediate suspension);
• suspension (removal from Cougs Rise Summer Program for a specific length of time);
• expulsion (indefinite removal from Cougs Rise Summer Program)
• Terms of probation will be determined by the Project Director and may include restitution, counseling, restrictions, or other sanctions deemed appropriate and reasonable. Extensive, organized, serious or repeated violations of the Student Code are considered when determining the appropriate sanction.
• Students accept and will abide by the Student Code. Suspension and expulsion result in immediate return home at the students’ expense. The student will be escorted to the appropriate transportation where a fare home will be purchased and later billed to the parent or guardian.