Philosophy and Authority

Ursinus College encourages the intellectual and personal growth of its students as scholars and citizens. The College has both the authority and responsibility to maintain a campus community where the educational programs can flourish for all students and where individual rights, personal and collective safety, and College operations are appropriately protected. It is a choice to attend the College and by making this choice, students assume the obligations (including standards for conduct) imposed by the College.

Ursinus College students and student organizations are expected to act in accordance with the policies, rules, regulations, laws, and requirements of Ursinus College, municipalities and counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States. The policies and procedures in this document are designed to provide an educational and developmental process, balancing the interests of individual students with the interests of the Ursinus College community. Students are responsible not only for the intent of their conduct, but also for the impact of their actions.

Relationship Between Student Conduct & The Violation Of The Law

The campus student conduct process is an educational and administrative process. It is not designed to mirror a court of law, but to further the educational mission of the College by maintaining a safe educational environment and furthering student learning and development. The College provides expectations for students that may be higher than those found in criminal law. Participants in the campus conduct process are afforded the procedural protections provided in this document; however, they do not have the same rights afforded to a citizen participating in a criminal court proceeding. Due process, as defined within these procedures, assures written notice and a resolution with an objective decision-maker. The campus student conduct process and possible outcomes are different from those in a criminal or civil court proceeding. For situations where a student’s conduct may be a violation of law as well as College policy, the student conduct process may occur simultaneously, prior to, or following any criminal, employment, or other legal action.