Code of Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct is a University rule that provides the framework for the student conduct process at the University of Akron and defines student misconduct and the process by which the University will use to address student misconduct reported to the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards.   

Students at the University of Akron are responsible to know and abide by the Code of Student Conduct and all University rules, regulations and policies. A printable copy of the Code of Student Conduct can be found at the following link:

Code of Student Conduct (PDF)

Questions about the Code of Student Conduct

Am I going to be kicked out of school if I violate the Code of Student Conduct?

We are interested in your success and well-being, but we must also balance that with the security and well-being of our campus community as a whole. In an attempt to uphold our educational philosophy, we tend to reserve sanctions like suspension (temporary removal from campus) and dismissal (permanent removal from campus) for serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

What does Student Conduct consider to be serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct?

While not exclusive to the following, suspension and dismissals are a common outcome for the following violations:

  • Theft
  • Weapons
  • Drug Distribution
  • Sexual Misconduct
  • Crimes of Violence (1219 violations)
  • Chronic Behavior (repeat violations)

Are drug violations by resident students considered a serious violation?

As both a student and a member of the campus community, you should recognize that drug violations are not only serious because they are illegal, but also because the nature of use, possession, or distribution by students who live in the residence hall setting can create a negative influence on other residents’ behavior, negatively impact their level of comfort and living conditions, and both directly and indirectly increases the risk of safety and security concerns for other residents and members of the campus community.

The possession, use, manufacture, cultivation, distribution or facilitating the distribution of drugs or drug paraphernalia by students and/or their guests is not permitted in any residence hall as agreed upon by signing your housing contract. Students found responsible for violating Section D-10 of the Code of Student Conduct for possession, use, manufacture, cultivation, distribution or facilitating the distribution of any illegal substance or paraphernalia will be considered in violation of their housing contract conditions and the contract may consequently be cancelled.

Students found responsible may be required to vacate their campus residence within the timeline determined by the Director of the Department of Residence Life and Housing.

Residents found responsible for this violation are also subject to additional sanctions as deemed appropriate by the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Definitions of Misconduct

The University of Akron defines "student misconduct" as behavior that violates university policies, rules and regulations. Any student or student organization alleged to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary process outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Students and student organizations have shared responsibility for infractions committed in their presence in such a way to incite, aid or abet a violation and/or may be responsible for their guests’ actions that are violations of the code of student conduct.

  1. Academic Misconduct: Engaging in any intentional or unintentional activity, individually or in concert with others, which would constitute a breach of academic integrity, or otherwise subverts the educational process. This includes the submission of any student work or assignment wherein an evaluation, grade, or academic credit is expected, whether in a face-to-face setting or by any electronic means. Acts of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following:

    1. Cheating: the use, attempt to use, or possession of any aid, information, resources, or other means in the completion of any academic assignment, where use of such material is not specifically permitted or authorized by the instructor, or providing such material to another student. This includes, but is not limited to: possessing, referring to, or otherwise using unauthorized books, notes, crib/cheat sheets, etc. in any format; possessing, using, or referring to any unauthorized electronic devices or other materials during completion of any academic assignment; looking at or using information from another student during the completion of any academic assignment; receiving assistance from another individual in completing any academic assignment without express authorization from the instructor; utilizing or soliciting another individual to complete any portion of an academic assignment in place of oneself or submitting the work of another individual as one’s own; submitting the same, or substantially the same, materials for academic credit in more than one course without the express permission of the instructor making the academic assignment; completing or participating in the completion of any portion of an academic assignment for another student to submit as their own work; providing assistance, information, or other materials to another student in any manner not authorized by the instructor.

    2. Plagiarism: presenting as one’s own work the ideas, representations, or words of another individual/source without proper attribution. Examples include, but are not limited to, submitting material that in whole or in part is not entirely one’s own work, without accurate and appropriate citation and/or attribution (including the use of quotation marks); using the words, ideas, or structure/sequence of another individual or source without proper and appropriate citation and attribution (including the use of quotation marks).

    3. Fabrication: falsification, invention, or manipulation of any information, citation, data, or method. Examples include, but are not limited to, changing materials submitted on a graded academic assignment and requesting re-grading of that assignment; presenting false or invented information in any academic assignment; presenting false claims regarding how information or data was collected, generated or obtained; inventing or inaccurately presenting citations or sources.

    4. Unauthorized Collaboration: unauthorized collaboration with another in any phase of, or in the completion of, an individual academic assignment, without the express permission of the instructor to complete any assignment in that manner.

    5. Misrepresentation: falsely representing oneself or one’s efforts or abilities in an academic assignment. Examples include, but are not limited to, utilizing another individual or individuals to complete any portion of an academic assignment in place of one’s self; having another individual appear in or participate in any fashion in any class.

    6. Gaining an Unfair Advantage: completing an academic assignment through use of information or means not available to other students or engaging in any activity that interferes with another student’s ability to complete their academic work. Examples include, but are not limited to: retaining, possessing, using, or distributing previous or current academic assignment materials when the instructor has indicated that those materials are not to be retained or shared or are to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the academic assignment or course (including originals, copies, reproductions, or pictures and electronic or hard-copy formats); making copies, pictures or reproductions in any form of any academic assignment when the instructor has not allowed such reproduction; obstructing or interfering with another student’s work, or ability to get access to information to be used in the completion of any academic assignment; taking another student’s work without his or her knowledge or permission; removing academic assignment materials from an instructor’s office, classroom, computer, or any other University space (physical or virtual/electronic); violating the procedures described to maintain the integrity of an academic assignment.

    7. Engaging in behavior specifically prohibited by an instructor in the course syllabus or during any academic assignments.

    8. Attempts to engage in any of the described acts shall be treated the same as a completed act.

This rule shall not be interpreted as permitting a faculty member to limit a student's right to responsibly engage in free inquiry and expression, when relevant to the subject under study or discussion, or to be treated fairly in the academic setting and to have the student’s performance evaluated solely on an academic basis.

Violation of any prohibition of academic misconduct may result in the imposition of sanctions beyond any imposed, or suggested, by the faculty member involved, and may result in the University revoking any degree awarded. Any act of academic misconduct must be reported to the department of student conduct and community standards by any faculty, or other individuals who become aware of such acts and will be adjudicated as outlined in paragraph (H) of this rule.

  1. Furnishing False Information: Knowingly furnishing false or misleading information to university officials or faculty members either verbally, in writing or in any other form of communication or on university records; including, but not limited to, forgery, alteration, or misuse of any university, government, or other document, record, or instrument of identification.

  2. Offenses Against Others: Engaging in or threatening physical abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which intentionally or recklessly threatens or endangers the health, welfare or safety of any individual.

  3. Protected Class-Based Harassment: Protected class-based harassment in violation of rule 3359-11-13 of the Administrative Code, includes, unwelcome conduct directed towards a person based on their actual or perceived membership in a protected class where (1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment or participation in the University’s educational program, activities or services, or (2) the conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a work, educational or campus residential environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. For purposes of this policy, protected classes are those specified in the University’s affirmative action policy and include race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a foster parent, military status, genetic information, or status as a veteran. Alleged violations of protected class-based harassment will be addressed through the process as provided in rule 3359-11-13 of the Administrative Code.

  4. Disorderly Conduct: Disorderly, disruptive, lewd or indecent conduct.

  5. Unauthorized Recording: Unauthorized use of an electronic or other device(s) to make an audio or video recording or photograph of any individual without the individual’s prior knowledge or consent, except as is otherwise permitted by law and except in a public setting where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy and such use is consistent with the law. The faculty have the right to control the academic environment and to permit or deny permission for electronic video or audio recording in the academic environment.

  6. Release of Recordings: Unauthorized distribution or dissemination of an audio or video recording or photograph of any individual without the individual’s prior knowledge or consent, even if the audio or video recording or photograph originally had been produced with the individual's consent, except as is otherwise permitted by law and except in a public setting where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy and such use is consistent with the law.

  7. Gender-Based Misconduct: Gender-based misconduct as defined in the gender-based misconduct and title IX policy and protocol includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, discrimination, battery, indecent exposure, sexual exploitation and retaliation. Alleged violations of gender-based misconduct will be addressed through the process outlined in the gender-based misconduct and title IX policy and protocol.

  8. Theft/Damage: Theft or attempted theft, or willfully, recklessly, or negligently destroying, damaging, injuring, or using another's property without the consent of the owner.

  9. Drugs: Unlawful use, possession, manufacture, cultivation, distribution or facilitating the distribution of marijuana or any narcotic, hallucinogenic, drug of abuse, or other controlled substances as defined in applicable federal, state or local law. Possession of drug paraphernalia is also prohibited.

  10. Alcohol: Use, possession, manufacture or distribution of alcoholic beverages, or public intoxication in a manner prohibited by law or university policy including, but not limited to, any violation of rule 3359-47-01 of the Administrative Code. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstance, be used by, possessed by, or distributed to any individual under twenty-one years of age.

  11. Gambling: Unlawful gambling or participating in unlawful games of chance as defined in applicable federal, state or local law.

  12. Weapons/Prohibited Items: Unlawful or unauthorized possession of firearms, fireworks, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals, or using any item, even if lawfully possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens or causes fear to others.

  13. Felony/Misdemeanor: Commission of any felony or misdemeanor under applicable federal, state or local law.

  14. Unauthorized Access: Unauthorized possession, distribution, duplication, retention or use of keys, keycards or other means of access to any university premises or unauthorized entry or exit, presence in, or use of university facilities.

  15. Disruptive/Obstructive Behavior: Behavior that the student knew or reasonably should have known would cause a disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other university activities, including its public service functions on or off university premises, or of other authorized non-university activities occurring on university premises.

  16. Riotous Behavior: Participation in a disturbance with the purpose to commit or incite any action that presents a clear and present danger to others, causes physical harm to others, or damages property. Prohibited behavior in the context of a riot includes, but is not limited to, those behaviors prohibited by federal, state or local law and:

    1. Engaging in conduct designed to incite another to engage in riotous or violent behavior;

    2. Causing or threatening damage to or destruction of university premises or property of others, whether done intentionally or with reckless disregard;

    3. Failing to comply with a directive to disperse by university officials, faculty members, law enforcement or emergency personnel; or

    4. Intimidating, impeding, hindering or obstructing university officials, faculty members, or law enforcement or emergency personnel in the performance of their duties.

This rule shall not be interpreted as prohibiting legally protected behavior and speech under the law.

  1. Animals: Possession of or permitting animals inside buildings owned or leased by the university of Akron. This excludes disability-related service animals and animals permitted within the residence halls by the residence life and housing contract. Animals must not be disruptive to the learning or living environment of the university. Owners must control their animals at all times and abide by all applicable university policies and federal, state, and local laws (e.g., use of leashes and removal of waste) while on university premises.

  2. Computer/Network Use: Students are responsible to know and abide by the regulations as outlined in rule 3359-11-10 of the Administrative Code. University computing resources include hardware, software, and data owned, licensed, or developed by the university, students, or employees. Abuse of computer facilities and resources includes, but is not limited to:

    1. Unauthorized transfer or entry into a file, to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose;

    2. Unauthorized access to, use of, or control of university computing resources including circumvention of computing system safeguards;

    3. Use of another individual's identification and/or password;

    4. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member or university official;

    5. Use of computing facilities and resources to send unlawful communications, including threats of violence, obscenity, child pornography, and harassing communications;

    6. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with normal operation of the university computing system or educational process;
    7. Destruction, theft or misuse of property;

    8. Unauthorized copying of computer software, or other violations of software copyrights, license agreements or trade secrets; or

    9. Using university resources to violate federal, state, or local law.

  3. Hazing: Hazing means doing, participating in, allowing, causing, coercing or forcing an individual to do, any of the acts listed below, regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate, for the purpose of admitting, affiliating, or initiating, an individual into or with a student organization or any other recognizable groups, teams, or associations of students, or for the purpose of continuing, enhancing, or reinstating an individual’s affiliation, membership, or status in a student organization or any other recognizable groups, teams, or associations of students:

    1. Consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug of abuse, or other substance;

    2. Endure any act of a physical nature including, but not limited to, whipping, beating, branding, paddling, kicking, pushing, shoving, physical exercise, physical exertion, or exposure to the elements;

    3. Endure any act which may adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual including, but not limited to, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, or conduct that could result in embarrassment, harassment, ridicule, or degradation;

    4. Any activity which has the potential to be frightening, degrading, or unduly deceptive, including deception designed to convince the individual of impending pain, injury, or non-admission, non-affiliation, non-initiation, or non-membership, including, but not limited to, promoting servitude, requiring individuals to run personal errands, intentionally creating labor or clean-up work, berating or verbally harassing individuals, referring to individuals by demeaning or embarrassing nicknames, assigning individuals degrading, crude, or humiliating stunts, skits, or acts, throwing items at or on individuals, forcing individuals to carry items, forcing individuals to yell when entering or departing a physical structure or in the presence of designated individuals, forcing individuals to use designated entrances or exits, forcing an individual to be confined to a small space, transportation and/or abandonment of an individual, or requiring individuals to wear embarrassing, humiliating, or scant attire or to be nude;

    5. Any activity that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any individual;

    6. Endure or participate in any act of a sexual nature;

    7. Any activity which endangers or has the potential to endanger the academic performance of the individual, such as not allowing adequate time for or interfering with academic commitments;

    8. Any destruction or removal of public or private property; or

    9. Any violation of federal, state, or local law; university policy, rule or regulation; or the Ohio Department of Higher Education anti-hazing policy.

Hazing does not include reasonable and customary athletic, law enforcement or military training, contests, competitions, or events that are explicitly relevant to the mission of the student organization or any other recognizable groups, teams, or associations of students.

Expressed or implied consent of the victim to hazing is not a defense and does not prevent the behavior from being considered a violation of this rule.

It is a violation of this rule for any individual, knowing that hazing has been or is being committed, to fail to report such information to law enforcement authorities or to the department of student conduct and community standards.

  1. Failure to Comply: Willful failure to comply with directions of university officials, faculty members, law enforcement officers or emergency personnel acting in performance of their duties and/or willful failure to identify oneself to these individuals when requested to do so.

  2. Fire Safety: Tampering with, or misuse of, fire alarms and/or firefighting equipment, including but not limited to: fire extinguishers, fire hoses, heat and smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, or other safety devices.

  3. Abuse of the Conduct System: Abuse of the student conduct system, including but not limited to:

    1. Failing to comply with notice (with confirmation of delivery) from the department of student conduct and community standards or university official to appear for a meeting or hearing as part of the student conduct process;

    2. Knowingly falsifying, distorting, or misrepresenting information during the student conduct process or initiating a conduct proceeding in bad faith or without reasonable cause to do so;

    3. Engaging in behavior that an individual knew or reasonably should have known would cause disruption or interference with the orderly proceeding of the student conduct process;

    4. Attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in, or use of, the student conduct process;

    5. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of the hearing board or hearing officer prior to, and/or during the course of, the hearing proceeding;

    6. Failing to comply with the sanctions imposed under the code of student conduct; or

    7. Influencing or attempting to influence another individual to commit an abuse of the student conduct system.

  4. Violation of University Policy/Rule/Regulation: Willfully, recklessly, or knowingly engaging in conduct that violates any university policy, rule, or regulation. It is not a defense that the student was unaware of the policy, rule, or regulation.

Printable documents

Code of Student Conduct (full version)

Fees & Fines Schedule

Fact Finding Meeting Brochure

Appeals Board Request Form

Request for Student Record

FERPA Release Form - general

FERPA Release Form - for parents