A. General Code Violations:
- Arson: Any attempt to intentionally or recklessly start a fire or cause an explosion and/or contribute to an unauthorized fire
- Bias-Related Incident: A bias-related incident is defined as behavior that constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the targeted person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, or disability. Bias-related incidents include, but are not limited to, name calling and using degrading language or slurs directed toward a person because of their membership (or perceived membership) in a protected class. See discrimination-and-harassment-policy
- Dangerous Instrument and Weapons: The use, possession or storage of any dangerous instrument and/or weapon. See the Dangerous Instruments/Weapons Policy within Siena Life for a full description of the policy.
- Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct: Behaviors that are disruptive to the orderly operations of the University, disregard the rights of others, or are disrespectful of the community such as, but not limited to:
- a. engaging in fighting or violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior
- b. making unreasonable noise
- c. using abusive or obscene language, making an obscene or lewd gestures, or using abusive, obscene or lewd chanting in a public place
- d. disrupting any authorized assembly or meeting of persons without permission
- e. obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic
- f. creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition (e.g. public urination, breaking glass, etc.)
- g. engaging in conduct that has the intent to harass, demean, annoy or alarm another person (including, but not limited to, initiating communication via phone, mail, electronic mail or other form of written communication, or through social media.
- Disorderly or Disruptive Classroom Behavior Policy:
- Falsely Reporting an Emergency:
Falsely reporting a bomb, fire or other emergency in any building, structure or facility on University premises or at any University-related function by activating a fire alarm or by any other means. - Hazing:
Participating in hazing or any other situation that endangers an individual’s mental and/or physical health and/or involves the forced consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. A full description of the hazing policy is located later in this section. - Over Occupancy:
Exceeding the maximum number of persons (including residents) permitted in townhouse, suite, or room at any one time. The maximum number of persons permitted per room type are as follows:
6-person house or suite – 18
4-person house, suite or room – 12
3-person room – 9
2-person room – 6 - Possession of Dangerous Substances:
Possession of flammable liquids/gasses or other dangerous substances such as gasoline, kerosene, propane, butane, and charcoal lighter fluid within buildings. Motors that use such flammable liquids within any building are prohibited. Students and visitors are prohibited from having gas grills on campus property. - Quiet Hours:
Quiet hours are Sunday-Thursday, 10:00 p.m.-7:30 a.m. (University Suites, 9pm-9am) Any student who is disturbed during this time period has every right to request a quieter environment and is encouraged to speak with fellow residents and/or call the resident assistant on duty.
Weekend quiet hours, beginning at 1:00 a.m. and continuing through 7:30 a.m., will be observed on Friday and Saturday (University Suites, 12am-9am). Beginning the last day of classes each semester, 24/7 quiet hours are observed and strictly enforced. The University reserves the right to adjust quiet hours at certain times of year.
Our residential facilities are located on the perimeter of the campus and near residential areas. It is important that students show respect for both Siena’s neighbors and fellow students. Bands and DJs are prohibited from playing in any residential facility and inside any townhouses or on the grounds of the Townhouse areas, as well as all campus grounds, unless approved by the Director of Community Living. The University reserves the right to prohibit karaoke machines and large speakers and bass systems. Noise in the parking areas and between buildings should be minimal, especially at night. - Reckless Endangerment of Persons:
Behavior or conduct that places any person or persons at risk for harm or injury or potential harm or injury. This includes, but is not limited to, failing to follow established public or community health protocols, directives, etc. - Smoking & Tobacco Usage:
It is Siena University’s policy to provide a tobacco-free environment in all University facilities and outdoor areas in conformance with applicable statutes including the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act (Public Health Law Article 13-E). Prohibited tobacco use is defined the act of using tobacco product in any university facility or outdoor area, including, chewing tobacco, and the act of smoking or carrying a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, nicotine water, herbal cigarettes, shisha, smoking paraphernalia, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, CBD oil, or any other smoking material or similar device. It is also the policy of Siena University to prohibit the sale of tobacco products on campus. - Stalking:
Examples of stalking behavior include, but are not limited to: unwelcome communication that can be face-to-face, phone, text, email, voice messages, written messages, gifts, etc.; pursuing and/or following another person or group; surveillance; trespassing; gaining unauthorized access to personal, medical, financial or any other identifying piece of information without explicit permission; accessing email, phone or other forms of personal communication in order to follow or monitor another's activity. Cyber-stalking is an extension of the physical form of stalking and is unacceptable at any level. Using electronic media such as the Internet, social networking sites, cell phones, or similar devices or mediums to pursue, track, harass, monitor, or make unwanted contact with another person is a violation of the stalking policy. - Unauthorized Recording:
Any unauthorized installation and/or use of any device for listening to, observing, photographing, recording (video/voice), amplifying, transmitting or broadcasting sounds of any person while on the University premises, when such person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, without the knowing and willing consent of all persons involved, is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, taking photographic images of a person dressing or undressing; photographing or videotaping a person’s intimate body parts; video or audio recording during class, meetings or administrative hearings; or creating social media communication or profiles using the name or likeness of another. - Unauthorized Use of Emergency or Safety Equipment:
Unauthorized use, tampering with or alteration of fire- fighting equipment, safety devices or other emergency or safety equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, hanging on sprinkler pipes, discharging fire extinguishers, exiting and/or opening emergency exit doors without prior authorization (for handicap access or in emergency situations), propping or damaging emergency doors, exit signs and card-access equipment, covering or removing smoke detectors, or the activation of building fire alarms and/or smoke detectors due to smoking and or use of prohibited materials (i.e. smoking devices, candles, burning incense/oils). - Vandalism:
Tampering with, altering or defacing any part of a building, inside or outside, including the furnishings, fixtures, or utilities in the rooms, townhouses, corridors, lounges, commons areas, and lavatories. - Violence:
Actions or attempted actions which inflict bodily harm upon any person and/or result in unwanted physical contact.
B. Drug and Alcohol Policy:
C. Theft and Abuse of Property
- Misuse of University ID:
Loaning or giving for use, altering in any way and/or duplication of the official University identification card, or the possession and/or use of another individual’s card. - Misuse of University Keys/Vehicles/Property:
Loaning or giving to another person, or knowingly using, making or causing to be made any key or keys for any building, laboratory, facility or room, or any other locked area of the University without the authorization from the appropriate University administrator. Also, the use of University property, including but not limited to, vehicles, University name, logo and/or stationery, without authorization from the appropriate University administrator. - Misuse of Documents:
Forging, transferring, altering or otherwise misusing any student record, identification card, other University identification or driver’s license, possession of another person’s identification or any other document or record. - Reckless Endangerment of Property:
Recklessly engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of damage to the property of another person or the University. - Theft and/or Possession of Stolen Property:
Theft, attempted theft, forcible theft or the unauthorized possession of University property or the property of others. - Property Damage:
Unintentional, reckless, or grossly negligent damage to the property of another person or the University. Further, any act that causes the University to pay for cleanup or repair of University premises (e.g., chalking, turning over benches, toilet papering trees, graffiti, spray painting walkways, etc.)
D. Failure to Comply and Interference:
- Failure to Display Identification:
Failure to show proper student identification or their identification or proof of age upon request to any faculty, staff or student in the performance of their official duties. Lost, stolen, damaged or improperly functioning identification cards are to be reported immediately to the Saint Card Office or to Public Safety. - Furnishing False Information:
Providing false information to a University office or to any University official. This includes, but is not limited to, any statements or information provided to Public Safety, admissions, the Vice President for Student Life, the Dean of Students and/or Community Living staff. - Noncompliance with Requests or Directives:
Failure to comply with reasonable requests, directives, or orders by authorized University personnel (e.g., Community Living staff, Public Safety officers). This may include, but is not limited to, reasonable requests for students to make and attend appointments in administrative or faculty offices and cooperation at disciplinary investigations and hearings. - Trespass:
Entering or remaining without permission in dwellings, rooms, buildings, storage areas or any University premises. - Violation of Sanction:
Failure to observe the terms and conditions of any imposed sanction. - Persistent Violator:
The University believes that all students should understand and follow the student code of conduct. The student that consistently makes choices that are in conflict with the code exhausts University resources and demonstrates a lack of respect for orderly operations of the University may be charged as a persistent violator. - Violations of University Policy:
Violations of University policies not cited directly in this Code, including, but not limited to: guest, visitation, solicitation, smoking, traffic rules and regulations, computing-use policy and health records. Copies of these policies are available online or elsewhere in Siena Life.
E. Other Prohibited Behavior
- Gambling:
Students are not permitted to participate in activities that involve the wagering of money or other property. Gambling of any kind is prohibited on campus. All those present where gambling is in progress are considered participants and subject to University disciplinary action. - Violation of Law:
Any conduct that would violate federal, state or local law as determined by the University. - Impersonation:
Impersonating, forging, altering or otherwise misusing the identity of any student, faculty, staff or administrator. This includes, but is not limited to, social networking sites and electronic communications. Impersonation may also be a violation of federal, state, or local law. - Interference with Mission:
Conduct that would interfere with the mission and/or Franciscan and Catholic values of the University. These values include, but are not limited to, treating others, self and property with dignity and respect. - Adverse Conduct:
Conduct which would adversely affect the health, welfare and/or safety of the University community, local residents or property, or the name and/or reputation of the University. - Retaliation:
Retaliation against an individual for reporting, assisting someone in making a report or participating in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a violation of the University’s policies. - Inappropriate Electronic Communication:
While the University does not officially monitor electronic communications, inappropriate conduct via electronic communications may be brought to the attention of University as a violation of the Code. This inappropriate conduct may be encountered on electronic communication platforms, including but not limited to, text messages, websites, blogs, vlogs, and social networking sites.
F. Visitation and Guest Policy
G. Dangerous Instruments/Weapons Policy: