College Governance
It is the responsibility of the Emory & Henry Board of Trustees to establish standards of conduct and regulations for the use of facilities which further the educational purpose of the College, guarantee the health and safety of the community, protect its property, and preserve its good name among its several constituencies. The Trustees do so in the conviction that individual student actions determine or affect the general reputation of all students and public attitudes toward them and the College. The credibility of an Emory & Henry diploma rests not only on the academic reputation of the College, but also on the quality of the total life of the College community. The authority and responsibility for measures to implement acceptable standards for student conduct and procedures of insuring compliance with the accompanying regulations rest directly with the President and other officers of the College specifically designated by the President to fulfill these responsibilities.
This statement of College expectations for students is not an all-inclusive document, and the ultimate authority for the statements herein is to be found in the traditions of the College and in various official actions and policy statements of the Board of Trustees, the administration, and the faculty, acting either collectively or through their various committees.
Emory & Henry College defines a student as an individual who has made a deposit to attend or is currently enrolled in at least one course. Individuals who have graduated or withdrawn from the College are no longer considered students. Violations of policies and procedures, while a student, will be resolved through the listed policies and procedures.
Conduct Expectations
General Guidelines. Emory & Henry believes that both freedom to pursue one’s goals and responsibility for one’s actions are necessary to the life of an intellectual and Christian community. As a college of liberal arts committed to the Christian faith, Emory & Henry seeks to liberate men and women socially, mentally, and spiritually. Emory & Henry College believes that its purpose is promoted or hindered by the quality of the life of the educational community. The promotion of an appropriate quality of life is the reason for the development of these expectations.
Specific rules exist for the purpose of protecting the academic and personal well-being as well as the rights and property of members of the College community. Students who violate their privileges or neglect their responsibilities as members of the College community are subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal. Appropriate procedures are provided for hearings and review, and every student has the right to appeal. During the investigative stage and sanctioning, the Dean of Students or her/his designee, may restrict a student’s access to facilities, services, or individuals.
The College recognizes the right of students to dissent and disagree with the faculty, the administration, and the trustees. Free exchange of ideas is encouraged and channels of communication are provided. Dissent and disagreement should be exercised in an orderly and respectful fashion which does not infringe on the rights of others, jeopardize public order or safety, or disrupt the normal order of the College.
Jurisdiction of the College sanctions will include 1) all areas on campus and 2) off campus when a police or campus security report or complaint or information concerning the incident is obtained by or furnished to the College. Photos displaying illegal activity (as defined by local, state, and federal law and/or the College policy) can result in campus conduct action.
The College rejects as acceptable conduct the interference with the legitimate rights of others, the use of threat or violence, the destruction of property, and the disruption of the normal order of the College. Lying, stealing, cheating, and plagiarism violate the general principles of the College, as well as the Emory & Henry Honor Code.
Application of Conduct Expectations
Citizenship. College students are citizens of the state, local, and national governments, and are, therefore, expected to conduct themselves as law-abiding members of the community at all times. If a student’s violation of local, state, or federal laws or ordinances also adversely affects the College’s pursuit of its educational objectives, the College may enforce its own regulations, regardless of any proceedings instituted by other authorities.
Social Networking Websites. Social networking websites (Twitter™, Facebook™, e.g.) are easily accessible to all students. When choosing to post information on these sites, students should be aware of three major concerns: 1) the threat of criminal activity; 2) how potential employers may view material posted; and 3) the possible violation of the College Code of Conduct. Information posted on these sites can be used to gain access to your personal information and, in some cases, it can be used for identity theft. Please use caution when posting this information online. Do not share private information such as names, addresses, birth dates, and phone numbers with strangers.
In addition, employers are aware of social networking sites and can use them to research candidates prior to hiring them. Students should consider the messages they are sending when posting information to these sites. As a policy, the College does not monitor social networking websites. However, the College does investigate incidents that are reported and investigations can include reviewing social networking activity. As a reminder, this information can be used to substantiate the violation of the Code of Conduct.
Referral. Any student, faculty member, administrative officer, or employee of the College may charge a student with violation of the Code of Conduct. These charges are made to the Dean of Students. The Dean may require the charge to be signed. If the dean determines that further action is warranted, formal student conduct proceedings may be invoked under provisions of the Code of Conduct and college policy.
Minor offenses. Any infraction of College regulations as specified in this Code of Conduct may be referred to the appropriate administrator, committee, or board for a hearing. However the administrator dealing with a particular infraction may deem it to be a minor offense and may opt to utilize advising, counseling, and/or admonition to confront the student(s). Such an approach is in keeping with the College’s educational mission and serves to inform and place students on notice. Information on the offense and subsequent administrative action will be recorded and maintained as an official record for the College and the student.
Personal Property – Search and Seizure
Emory & Henry College is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property due to the interruption of water, heat, or power services. However, the College will use its best efforts to restore utilities as quickly as possible. The College reserves the right to do the following:
- To enter any room (by authorized personnel) for maintenance, safety inspections, emergencies, and if violation of College policy and/or laws is suspected;
- To change or cancel room assignments in the interest of health, discipline or other reasons;
- To levy and collect fines and charges;
- To allow rooms to be used by other persons during vacation periods;
- To assign any reasonable number of students to a room without adjustment in room rent.
The College has the right to inspect or search student rooms and their contents for suspected damages, non-compliance with college standards and regulations, and/or to protect the health and welfare of the student and college community. In accordance with Virginia law, representatives of the State Fire Marshal's Office will periodically inspect residence halls and individual rooms. Searches may be conducted by college officials, campus safety, and head resident advisors. Advance notice of a room entry will be given when possible or prudent to the situation; however, such notice is not required. Students residing in the room need not be present for an entry or search to take place. In the event of excessive damage to residence hall property in certain student rooms, the College may inspect rooms on a regular basis. Offenses will be dealt with through the college conduct process and, in all cases, the students’ right to continue living on campus can be seriously jeopardized.
Hazing Policy
Emory & Henry College defines hazing as any mental or physical requirement, request or obligation placed or imposed on a pledge or any other person which could cause discomfort, pain, fright, disgrace, injury, or which is personally degrading or which violates any federal, state or local statutes or College regulations.
Charges of violation of the policy may be brought to the attention of the Student Government Department of Student Conduct and Honor Affairs or the Associate Dean of Students. In all such cases, all parties will be notified and involved. The Dean of Students or Student Government Department of Student Conduct and Honor Affairs may elect to refer such cases to the Student Conduct Board (previously referred to as the Judicial Board).
According to Virginia State Law 18.2-56, It shall be unlawful to haze, so as to cause bodily injury, any student at any school, college, or university. Any person found guilty thereof shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, unless the injury would be such as to constitute a felony, and in that event the punishment shall be inflicted as is otherwise provided by law for the punishment of such felony. Any person receiving bodily injury by hazing shall have a right to sue, civilly, the person or persons guilty thereof, whether adults or infants. The president, or other presiding official of any school, college or university, receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall, upon satisfactory proof of the guilt of any student found guilty of hazing another student so as to cause bodily injury, expel such student so found guilty, and shall make report thereof to the attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which such school, college or university is, who shall present the same to the grand jury of such city or county convened next after such report is made to them.
Note: Voluntary or willful participation in hazing activities by the victim is not a defense against a College hazing policy violation.