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The Center for Student Ethics & Standards

Statement on Student Off-Campus Behavior

UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

STATEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS

SECTION I: BEING AN UPSTANDING CITIZEN AND MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT IN GOOD STANDING

In our educational pursuits, we at the University of Vermont view our off-campus students as critical and important members of the University community and we understand that they should be treated as such. We share in the responsibility for creating learning environments that challenge students to learn and develop as whole persons. We also understand that the primary responsibility for learning and development rests with the student. Given this understanding, UVM's role with students who reside off campus is the same as it is on campus. We strive to offer support for individual growth and learning through a variety of education and student support programs. At the same time, we hold students accountable for their actions as members of the UVM, Burlington, and Vermont communities.

It is the expectation of the University of Vermont that each student thinks critically, acts responsibly, and treats others with respect. All students are expected to uphold good conduct off campus as well as on campus. While UVM has a primary duty to supervise behavior on its campus, there are some circumstances when the off-campus behavior of students negatively impacts the community. When this happens it creates a conflict with the mission and goals of the University and may warrant the University's intervention.

The University of Vermont takes great pride in its students and the contributions that they make to the University community both on and off campus. Many students choose UVM in part because of the quality of its community and natural environment. As a steward of the relationship between the city and the University, this institution expects that its students, whether living on or off campus, act in a way that reflects the best of UVM's Common Ground values and through their actions demonstrate a high order of personal ethics and civic responsibility. It is a privilege and an honor to be a member of the UVM community in good standing.

SECTION II: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Students living or visiting off campus are representatives of the University to the community and are expected to be good citizens. In addition to the expectations outlined in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, off-campus students must abide by local and state laws and ordinances.

Prevention
Burlington's neighborhoods have a diverse mix of residents including elderly people, students, singles, young professionals, and families each with their own interests and needs. Getting to know who lives around you will help you to understand the needs of your neighbors and to keep them in mind when you plan activities in your home. Working together with your neighbors creates harmony in the neighborhood.

To prepare students for off-campus living, the University provides information regarding the rights and responsibilities of being a Burlington resident. This information can be found in the UVM Off-Campus Living Survival Guide, in resources that the Office of Student & Community Relations distributes door-to-door in neighborhoods, and in Off-Campus Living workshops for students transitioning to off-campus living. Knowing and adhering to city and state ordinances and laws will contribute to your success off campus. Getting to know and respect the needs of your neighbors will contribute to the health and safety of your neighborhood.

Intervention
Off-campus-student conduct may subject a student to disciplinary or other appropriate administrative action when it is reasonably perceived to pose an imminent threat of harm to the safety of the student or others or reflects on a student's fitness to continue in the academic program in which the student is enrolled. In addition, the University may respond to other off-campus student conduct through non-disciplinary or administrative interventions. Repeated conduct of this kind may cumulatively form the basis for engaging the student conduct process.

Any off-campus student behavior that infringes upon the educational mission of the institution or violates the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities is subject to disciplinary action following standard University procedures as outlined: http://www.uvm.edu/policies/student/studentcode.pdf.

Examples of conduct off the campus that may subject a student to disciplinary action include, but are not limited to, behavior that:

  • Indicates that the student may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of oneself or others.
  • Significantly infringes upon the rights, property or achievements of self or others or significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder.
  • Is detrimental to the educational interests of the University.
  • Constitutes a criminal offense as defined by the State of Vermont.
  • Is a violation of the following State and local law provisions, designated by the City as infractions adversely affecting the quality-of-life for City residents. Specific violations include:
    • Noise
    • Assaults
    • Public urination
    • Liquor violations

Protocols and Sanctions
The Center for Student Ethics & Standards (CSES) responds to all reports of violations of Burlington laws and ordinances regarding noise and alcohol and to violations of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Specifically, students may receive the following interventions:

Tier I - addresses noise, public urination, and liquor law violations.
This letter puts the student on notice that the university is aware of the off-campus violation and a self correction is required.

Tier II – addresses repeat offenders of Tier I, disorderly conduct, and disturbances.
This letter instructs students to attend a Tier II Neighbor Relations Session with the Office of Student & Community Relations and CSES staff to discuss how to remedy behavior, avoid future violations and make restoration for the harm done.

Tier III – addresses violations, which pose a threat to the campus welfare, or reflects a student's fitness to remain enrolled in an academic program, or chronic repeat offenders of Tier I & II. This letter informs the student of alleged policy violations resulting in a student conduct hearing. If a student is found responsible for the said violation, sanctions may include but are not limited to, suspension or dismissal.

Upon receipt of a complaint alleging off-campus student misconduct from UVM Police Services, the Director of CSES or a designee will review the allegations and, if necessary, consult with a member of the Dean of Students staff to determine the appropriate course of action by the University.

The University judicial system assigns sanctions based upon the nature of each incident and the desired educational outcome. The sanctions for misconduct which takes place off-campus may range from a Disciplinary Warning up to and including Dismissal from the University,   depending upon the severity of an incident or based upon the totality of a student’s judicial record.

Restoration
When UVM students are involved in an off-campus incident (e.g. loud party, violence, drug or alcohol related issue) that violates the community's standards and that conflicts with the educational mission of the institution, students are expected to take reasonable steps to resolve conflicts and restore community relationships negatively impacted by behavior such as late-night noise, littering, and vandalism. A student may participate in Neighborhood Planning Assemblies, street associations, and become involved with the Community Coalition where students can go to learn how to work with the community to improve the health and well-being of the neighborhoods.

UVM and community resources available to assist students include the UVM Office of Student and Community Relations, the UVM Center for Student Ethics and Standards, the Burlington Community Support Program, and the Burlington Center for Community and Neighborhoods (please see the resources section below for contact information).

SECTION III: RESOURCES FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS

UVM Office Resources:

  • Office of Student and Community Relations: Assists students with finding the resources they need to be successful off campus; provides help to students in resolving conflicts with landlords, neighbors, roommates, etc.; and offers workshops to students to prepare them for off-campus living. Contact Gail Shampnois at 802-656-1103 or Gail.Shampnois@uvm.edu.
  • Center for Student Ethics & Standards: Seeks to foster student accountability and skill development in the areas of conflict resolution, dialogue, identity development and restorative practices. In doing so, we hope to help students develop self-awareness, and ultimately become more responsible, respectful and engaged community members. Contact CSES at 802-656-4360 or cses@uvm.edu.

UVM Student Government Association Resources:

  • Student Government Association Senate: Plays a major role in the decision-making process at the University and promotes the welfare of the cultural, academic, and social aspects of the University community. Contact the SGA at 802-656-2053.
  • Community Coalition: Provides a forum for students and community members to come together with UVM and City administrators to identify and address concerns. Contact the Office of Student and Community Relations at 802-656-1103.
  • Student Legal Services: Aids students on campus with legal problems. Contact SLS at 802-656-4379 or legal@uvm.edu. Or visit the web site at http://www.uvm.edu/clubs.

Burlington Resources:

  • Burlington Community Support Program: Helps people create their own solutions to conflicts (using conciliation, mediation, or other alternative dispute resolution strategies) in ways that let them repair relationships and build community. Contact Brooke Hadwen at 802-658-2704, x-338 or bhadwen@bpdvt.org.
  • Community and Economic Development Office: Home to a broad spectrum of programs that improve our city through community participation and citizen action. Contact Jenny Davis at 802-865-7172 or jdavis@ci.burlington.vt.us.

Tenant Resources:

Useful Publications:

This Statement of Expectations for Off Campus Students was developed by the Community Coalition, which is made up of community neighbors and property owners, city administrators and officials, and UVM students and administrators. The Community Coalition adopted the statement February 23, 2006.

 

Updated February 2011

Last modified July 13 2011 09:31 AM

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