Student Responsibilities

This section of the Code of Student Conduct lists student responsibilities

4. Student Responsibilities

4.1 Administration and Authority Concerning Student Conduct

The Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing and communicating policies regarding student conduct at Central Michigan University. The President, as its executive officer, is the final authority in all conduct cases. The Vice President for University Engagement and Student Affairs is the designated officer responsible to the President for conducting a discretionary review of a decision of the Appeals Board to suspend a student for more than one week or to dismiss a student. The Vice President for University Engagement and Student Affairs is the designated officer responsible to the President for the administration of student conduct policies and procedures. Reports of alleged student misconduct should be submitted to the Vice President for University Engagement and Student Affairs, or to the persons designated by the Vice President for University Engagement and Student Affairs, to receive such reports.

4.1.2 Scope and Applicability
This code applies to student conduct in matters when the interests of the University are affected. CMU has the sole discretion to determine when the interests of the University are affected.

4.1.3 Community Care and Well-Being
The University recognizes that student behavior may sometimes be influenced by stress, mental health concerns, or other challenges. Students are encouraged to seek support when needed.

The University may connect students with appropriate resources such as counseling, CMU CARES, health services, or academic support.

When behavior raises concerns about safety or well-being, the University will offer supportive and educational responses alongside accountability, where appropriate.

4.2 Student Conduct Expectations

As members of the CMU community, students should uphold University values, including:

• Treating all individuals with dignity, respect, and compassion
• Understanding and following the expectations outlined in this Code and University policies 
• Recognizing and respecting the breadth of human experiences, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives
• Acting with honesty and integrity and take responsibility for the impact of their words and actions on others and the broader University community.
• Contributing to a learning environment that supports the respectful exchange of ideas, thoughtful dialogue, and the open exploration of differing viewpoints consistent with the University’s educational mission and its commitment to a vibrant marketplace of ideas

Section 4.2 of the Code lists the policies a student is responsible for following.

4.2.1 Follow Laws and University Policies
A student is expected to:

• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws
• Comply with all applicable University policies, procedures, and regulations
• Adhere to expectations for both on-campus and off-campus conduct

4.2.2 Duty to Disclose External Investigations

A student who is the subject of an investigation by another educational institution, other entity, or associated organization, or who is formally notified that they are the subject of a criminal investigation, must notify the Office of Student Conduct within 5 days of receiving such notice, as permitted by law. This requirement applies regardless of whether the investigation results in a finding of responsibility. This section does not apply to students who are involved solely as a witness, reporting party, or victim/complainant.

For investigations conducted by law enforcement, the notification requirement under this section is required upon the filing of formal criminal charges, not upon a student’s awareness that they are under investigation. Students are not required to disclose information protected by their constitutional right against self-incrimination, and a student may satisfy this requirement by notifying the Office of Student Conduct that charges have been filed without providing further detail about the underlying facts.

Failure to comply with this notification requirement is itself a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, separate from any finding in the external investigation, and may result in disciplinary action. A student’s failure to notify will not be treated as evidence of responsibility for the underlying conduct at issue in the external investigation.

4.2.3 Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a cornerstone of the University’s commitment to the principles of free inquiry; thus, all students must comply with the Policy on Academic Integrity and alleged violations of this policy will be addressed in accordance with the process outlined in the Policy and applicable academic procedures.

4.2.4 False Information
A student shall not provide false, misleading, incomplete, or dishonest information to the University or others in connection with University operations.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Falsified documents
• Fake identification
• Misrepresentation of identity
• Impersonation online or in person
• Knowingly making false statements
• Providing false or misleading information during a University investigation or conduct process
• Intentionally omitting material information in matters involving the University
• Fraud, deception, or dishonest conduct involving the University or members of the University community
• Forging, altering, or misusing the University name, the name of any university employee, documents, records of identification, or attempting to do the same

4.2.5 Disruption of Learning
The University recognizes the importance of maintaining learning environments that support academic freedom, student engagement, classroom management, and the educational mission of the institution across in-person, online, and digital settings.

A student shall not, nor attempt to, interfere with, obstruct, or disrupt teaching, learning, studying, research, academic activities, or other educational functions of the University. A student is responsible for ensuring their guest(s) abide by this policy; failure to do so may result in the student being found responsible for a violation of the policy.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Repeated or substantial disruption of classes, academic activities, or instructional settings
• Interference with another student’s ability to learn, participate, or complete academic work
• Unauthorized recording, distribution, or misuse of classroom or instructional materials when prohibited by University policy or instructor direction
• Disruption of online, virtual, or technology-supported learning environments, including but not limited to behaviors such as talking at inappropriate times, drawing unwarranted attention to oneself, engaging in loud or distracting behaviors, or refusing to leave a classroom when ordered to do so
• Unauthorized access to or interference with virtual classes, meetings, or academic platforms
• Misuse of electronic communication tools, chat features, audio, video, screen-sharing, or related technology in a manner that disrupts instruction or academic activities
• Conduct that substantially interferes with the ability of faculty, staff, or students to teach, learn, study, or participate in academic programs or activities
• Acts to destroy or prevent or limit access to information or records used by other students in connection with their comprehensive educational experience. A student is responsible for ensuring their guest(s) abide by this policy; failure to do so may result in the student being found responsible for a violation of the policy.

  A student is responsible for ensuring their guest(s) abide by this policy; failure to do so may result in the student being found responsible for a violation of the policy.

4.2.6 Disruption to the Living Environment
The University recognizes the importance of maintaining residential communities that support rest, study, safety, personal well-being, and respectful community living to achieve its educational mission.

A student shall not engage in behavior that unreasonably disrupts the residential, living, or community environment of others.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Excessive noise or repeated disturbances
• Interfering with another person’s ability to sleep, study, or reside peacefully
• Hosting disruptive gatherings or activities
• Repeated violations of housing or community expectations
• Creating or contributing to unsafe, unsanitary, hazardous, or biohazardous living conditions
• Harassment, intimidation, or disruptive conduct occurring within residential communities
• Tampering with or misuse of residential facilities, safety equipment, or community spaces
• Conduct that substantially disrupts the residential experience of others
• Violations of Residence Life policies, housing agreements, or community standards

  A student is responsible for ensuring their guest(s) abide by this policy; failure to do so may result in the student being found responsible for a violation of the policy.

4.2.7 Disruption of University Authorized and Scheduled Events
A student, group of students, or registered student organization shall not obstruct or disrupt, or attempt to obstruct or disrupt, teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other university activities.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, acts to destroy, prevent, interfere with, or limit: access to information or records used by other students in connection with their university responsibilities; impeding classes or other educational activities; the carrying forward of the university's business or operations; or the arrangements for properly authorized and scheduled events.

A person attempts to disrupt when, with the intent to disrupt, that person takes any action that constitutes a material step toward disruption.

4.2.8 Access to and Misuse of Facilities
A student shall not attempt to or enter, access, use, damage, misuse, or interfere with facilities, property, equipment, or services belonging to the University, or clearly under the control of another individual, without authorization, or in a manner inconsistent with University policy or the intended use of the space or resource.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Unauthorized entry into buildings, rooms, offices, or restricted areas
• Disrupting, or attempting to disrupt, the scheduled use of university facilities
• Remaining in facilities after authorized access has ended
• Misuse of classrooms, residence halls, meeting spaces, or recreational facilities
• Tampering with locks, keys, card access systems, or security equipment
• Misuse or damage of University furniture, equipment, or property
• Blocking or interfering with access to University facilities
• Unauthorized use of University vehicles, equipment, or services
• Misuse of safety equipment or emergency systems
• Unauthorized possession, duplication, or sharing of keys or access credentials
• Unauthorized entry into student vehicles, rooms, or apartments

4.2.9 Unauthorized Access to Systems and Technology Misuse
A student shall not attempt to, nor access, misuse, interfere with, damage, disrupt, abuse, or attempt to gain unauthorized access to University computers, technology, technology systems, servers, networks, accounts, data, or digital resources.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Unauthorized access to computer systems, accounts, or electronic records or files
• Sharing or misuse of login credentials or authentication information
• Hacking, phishing, malware distribution, or cybersecurity violations
• Unauthorized downloading, uploading, copying, or distribution of copyrighted or protected materials
• Misuse of University email, networks, learning systems, digital environments, or communication platforms
• Interference with University technology operations or online services
• Electronic harassment, intimidation, or misuse of digital communications (including social media)
• Unauthorized recording, monitoring, or surveillance through technology
• Use of technology in a manner that disrupts teaching, learning, research, or University operations

  A student is expected to comply with all applicable University technology and acceptable use policies, including, but not limited to, the Copyright Infringement, Responsible Use of Computing, and Data Stewardship policies.

4.2.10 Property Damage
A student shall not attempt to nor damage, vandalize, or destroy property that is not the student’s own.

4.2.11 Threats, Endangerment, Assault, and Battery
A student shall not threaten, endanger, intimidate, assault, batter, or physically harm others, nor engage in conduct that creates a substantial risk to the health or safety of any person, or impairs the freedom of any person in any format.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Physical assault or battery
• Attempted physical harm
• Threatening or intimidating behavior
• Threatening verbal, written, or electronic communications
• Intimidation, coercion, or menacing conduct
• Conduct creating substantial safety risks
• Reckless behavior that endangers others
• Reckless exposure of others to hazardous, infectious, or biohazardous materials
• Acts of violence or attempted violence
• Encouraging or inciting violence against another person

4.2.12 Theft
A student shall not appropriate for their own use, sale, transfer, or other disposition any property, funds, data, or resources that are not the student’s own without consent from the person legally responsible for them This includes embezzlement, misappropriation and/or theft of university and/or student organization resources and theft of personal information.

 4.2.13 Disorderly Conduct
A student shall not engage in behavior that unreasonably disrupts others or disturbs the peace, or the educational environment. This includes acts of indecent exposure or lewd conduct.

4.2.14 Controlled Substances
CMU complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and applicable state and federal laws. A student shall not possess, use, produce, distribute, manufacture, or misuse controlled substances, nor aid others in doing so, except as permitted by law and University policy. The use or abuse of prescription drugs or over-the-counter substances such as inhalants or herbals, in any way other than the intended or appropriate use, may be interpreted as a violation under this policy.

Possessing, using, producing, distributing, manufacturing, or misusing marijuana, or aiding others in doing so, is strictly prohibited by federal law and University policy on university properties or at any university-related event, regardless of state law.

Violation of the Residence Life Alcohol & Controlled Substances Policy is a violation of this section.

A student agrees that if the student is in possession of marijuana, or any related derivative marijuana product (product), the student will comply with the directive of a CMU employee, including in university housing, to discard such product in accordance with the CMU employee's directive.

Controlled substances are defined in the Controlled Substances Act of 1971, as amended.

4.2.15 Alcohol Violations
CMU complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and applicable local, state, and federal laws. A student shall not possess, consume, furnish, or aid in the possession, consumption, furnishing, manufacture, distribution, and use of alcohol, except as permitted by applicable federal, state, and local laws and University policy. Violation of the Residence Life Alcohol & Controlled Substances Policy is a violation of this section.

4.2.16 Weapons and Explosives
In accordance with the CMU Weapons Policy, a student shall not possess, use, store, manufacture, distribute, or threaten the use of weapons, explosives, or dangerous materials prohibited by law or University policy except as expressly authorized by the University and under the supervision of a University official.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

• Firearms
• Explosives/Fireworks
• Dangerous chemicals
• Tasers/Stun Guns
• Any knives with a blade longer than 3 inches, except food preparation knives when only used for food preparation
• Razors and other cutting instruments, the blade of which is exposed
• Items that forcibly eject projectiles
• Any other item that may be injurious to others

Any replica of any of the foregoing weapons is also prohibited. Weapons may not be stored in University residences. Pepper spray is allowed if used as intended.

The State of Michigan has enacted a concealed carry law that prohibits carrying a concealed pistol into a dormitory (residence hall) or classroom of a university, and violation of this law is a violation of this Code.

4.2.17 Complying with University Agents
A student shall comply with lawful directions of University officials acting within the performance of their regular or delegated duties, including but not limited to identifying themselves to these agents upon request.

4.2.18 Failure to Complete Outcomes and Sanctions
A student shall complete assigned outcomes and/or sanctions imposed by the proper University authority as a result of the Conduct process established in this document. Failure to complete outcomes and/or sanctions by the required deadline may result in additional conduct action, sanctions, registration holds, or other administrative action.

4.2.19 Bullying and Harassment
A student shall not engage in bullying, harassment, intimidation, or hostile conduct in any format or via any medium.

4.2.20 Civil Disorder
A student shall not intentionally or recklessly incite nor participate in a riot, civil disorder, violent group activity, or conduct that threatens public safety, or causes, or creates a serious risk of causing, public terror or alarm.

4.2.21 Aiding Civil Disorder
A student shall not, intending to cause or aid or abet the institution or maintenance of a riot or civil disorder, act or engage in conduct which urges other persons to commit acts of unlawful force or violence or the unlawful burning or destroying of property or the unlawful interference with a police officer, peace officer, firefighter or member of the Michigan National Guard or any unit of the armed services officially assigned to civil disorder duty in the lawful performance of their duty.

4.2.22 Participation in Riot
A student shall not assemble or act in concert with four or more persons for the purpose of engaging in conduct which creates a serious risk of a riot or civil disorder or be present at an assembly that either has or develops such a purpose and remains there after an order has been given to disperse.

4.2.23 Violation of Injunction
A student shall comply with all lawful injunctions, court orders, and University no-contact orders.

4.2.24 Discrimination
Violation(s) of the CMU Nondiscrimination Policy and/or the Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action protocol shall be treated as a violation under these regulations.

4.2.25 Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct
A student shall not violate the University’s Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy and the policies contained within. Violations of the Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy shall be treated as a violation under these regulations.

4.2.26 Student Organization Violations
Student organizations are subject to this Code and are responsible for conduct occurring in connection with organizational activities. Violations by a student organization of these regulations, and other rules pertaining to Registered Student Organizations as outlined in the Registered Student Organization Manual shall be treated as a violation under these regulations. A student may also be individually accountable for violations of this Code when acting as a member of the student organization.

4.2.27 Residence Life Policy Violation
Violations of Residence Life Policies are prohibited and may be treated as a violation under these regulations.

4.2.28 Collusion
A student shall not enter into an agreement, or otherwise work with others, whether express or implied, to violate, or attempt to violate, this Code or University policy. A student is responsible for the actions of their guests while present on CMU property or at university-sponsored events.

4.2.29 Complicity
A student shall not encourage, facilitate, assist in, or otherwise participate in a violation of this Code or any university policy. A student who commits, is found to be complicit in, or aids, encourages, assists, or facilitates another person’s violation of any university regulation may be treated under this Code as if the student had directly committed such violation. A student shall take actions to prevent/stop others from violating University policy except in circumstances in which they perceive a risk to their health, life, or safety.

4.2.30 Violation of Law
Violation of federal, state, or local law that affects the University community may constitute a violation under this Code.

4.2.31 Retaliation
A student, group of students, or registered student organization shall not take adverse action against individuals participating in a university process or opposing an unlawful act, discriminatory practice, or policy. This includes, but is not limited to, adverse action against anyone who files a complaint or grievance; requests an administrative hearing; participates in an investigation; appears as a witness in an administrative hearing; or opposes an unlawful act, discriminatory practice, or policy, or is believed to have done any of these actions.

4.2.32 University Regulation and Policy Violations
Violation of other University regulations, policies or procedures is prohibited and shall be treated as a violation under this Code.

4.2.33 Unauthorized Fires
No student shall intentionally, accidentally, recklessly, or through negligence start, attempt to start, or allow to start an unauthorized fire. A student may be responsible for any damage caused by a fire to which they contributed, regardless of scale or cause.

4.2.34 Arson
A person who uses, arranges, places, devises, or distributes an inflammable, combustible, or explosive material, liquid, or substance or any device in or near a building, structure, other real property, or personal property with the intent to commit arson or who aids, counsels, induces, persuades, or procures another to do so is in violation of arson.

4.2.35 Hazing
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or person(s) regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that (I) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of the membership in, a student organization; and (II) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including but not limited to (a) whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity; (b) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity; (c) causing coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances; (d) causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts; (e) any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct; (f) any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law; (g) and any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.

This policy also includes situations created to produce embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. This would include but is not limited to:

• Road trips
• Wearing of apparel which is conspicuous or not normally in good taste
• Actions or activities that cause mental or emotional distress, but may not involve physical harm
• Morally degrading or humiliating games and activities
• Assigning pranks
• Forced tasks that do not involve those other than new members 
• Line ups
• Calling members demeaning names
• Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing

  Student organizations and individual students may both be held accountable for hazing.

  The University may investigate and respond to hazing independently from criminal or civil proceedings