XV. Student Code of Conduct Violations

Standards of Conduct Violations

Student conduct violations are divided into three distinct classifications: Conduct Against Community, Conduct Against Property, and Conduct Against Person. The following acts or omissions are prohibited. Examples of proscribed conduct below are not all inclusive. The College is within its rights to address any areas of misconduct that could constitute a threat to the safety of the campus community.

Alcohol and Drugs
Use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages, or public intoxication is prohibited, including on any owned, leased, or licensed campus property or at any college-related event. Students are not permitted to possess any alcohol paraphernalia, and/or rapid consumption items. Examples include  alcohol containers for the purpose of decoration/display, beer bonds, posters promoting underage drinking. Use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of any drug(s) and/or drug paraphernalia, or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law is prohibited on-campus, including any owned, leased or licensed campus property or at any college-related event. Students should review the alcohol and drug policy in Appendix I of the Student Handbook.

Endangering Health or Safety
Physical abuse, , threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct that threatens, provokes, or endangers the health or safety of any person, including violations of the College’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation are prohibited. Taunting or physically harassing or harming wildlife or other animals or creating an unsafe or hazardous environment involving wildlife or other animals on property owned or controlled by the College are prohibited.

Hazing
Hazing is prohibited. Hazing is an act which endangers the emotional, mental, financial, or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not considered a neutral act; they are violations of this rule. The express or implied consent of the victim, tradition, and intent of such acts are not valid defenses. Hazing incidents are a violation of the Code of Virginia and are a Class 1 misdemeanor. Hazing which causes bodily injury shall be reported to the Commonwealth’s Attorney of Dinwiddie or Prince George County, who shall take such action as they deem appropriate.

Weapons
The possession, carrying, storage, or maintenance of any weapon including, but not limited to firearms, tasers, air guns, slingshots, knives (longer than three inches) by any member of the campus community, except law enforcement officials and other individuals authorized under the Weapons Policy, is prohibited on college property. Any individual who is reported or discovered to possess a weapon on college property or maintains or stores a weapon on college property in violation of this prohibition will be asked to remove it immediately. The presence of a prohibited item will result in disciplinary action, which may include termination from employment for employees or expulsion from the College for students.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Illegal or unauthorized possession of weapons, explosives, fireworks, or dangerous chemicals or combustibles on college premises. The resident must be with their visitor when they arrive to be signed in.
2. Use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens, or causes fear in others.
3. Possession of counterfeit, replica, or blank-firing firearms or realistic-looking toy firearms, knives, or swords. Students who live in residence halls may possess kitchen knives; however, such knives must be stored out of sight when not in use.
4. Possession of pellet, paint, water, toy guns such as water/Nerf guns, stun guns, tasers, and BB guns.

Confiscation: The College reserves the right to confiscate weapons, fireworks, and any instruments, non-conforming toys, or other items that reasonably appear to be weapons or other prohibited items listed above, to hold those items for appropriate disposition, and to refer the possessor for disciplinary action.

Any such individual who is reported or discovered to possess a firearm or weapon on college property will be asked to remove it immediately from college property. Failure to comply may result in a Student Conduct Board referral, an employee disciplinary action, or arrest.

Self-Defense Items: Students may possess mace, pepper spray, and other such items that are intended for self-defense purposes only. Use in other ways would constitute a violation of the College’s rules, policies, or regulations. Stun guns and tasers are prohibited.

All students must comply with the College Weapons Policy and with the Richard Bland College Weapons regulation found at Virginia Administrative Code: 8 VAC 115-30-10 through 115-30-30.

Possession or carrying of any weapon by any person, except a police officer or an individual authorized pursuant to College policy, is prohibited on college property in academic buildings, administrative buildings, student residence and student life buildings, or dining or athletic facilities, or while attending an official college event, such as an athletic, academic, social, recreational, or educational event, or on vessels that are college property. Entry upon such college property in violation of this prohibition is expressly forbidden.

Open Flames on Campus

Open Flame: Any activity or device producing a flame, including, but not limited to candles, tiki torches, oil lanterns, butane burners, incense, campfires, bonfires, grills, and fire pits.

College Property: Property, vehicle or vessel owned, leased or controlled by Richard Bland College.

Open flames are prohibited on all college property, including within College buildings and facilities, except pursuant to a permit issued by the College.

Exceptions to the requirement for a permit are found below:

1. Activities taking place within the scope of academic coursework when under the supervision of the relevant faculty member;
2. Flames created for the transient purpose of lighting a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or similar smoking article or device, provided such activity is in an authorized location, is otherwise lawful, and the burning or smoking elements are safely and responsibly disposed; and
3. Small celebration candles used briefly and in an appropriate quantity in connection with a celebration, provided such activity is not left unattended, is in an authorized location, is otherwise lawful, and the smoking or burning elements are safely and responsibly disposed.

Directions to apply for an Open Flame Permit are found at https://www.rbc.edu/policy-manual-2019/campus-safety-and-police-policies/.

Abuse of the Student Conduct System
Abusing the Student Conduct system is prohibited, including, but not limited to:

1. Failing obey a notice from the Student Conduct Board or College official to appear for a meeting or hearing.
2. Falsifying, distorting, or misrepresenting information before a Student Conduct Board or to any misconduct investigator.
3. Disrupting or otherwise interfering with any conduct conference or hearing.
4. Discouraging or attempting to discourage a person’s participation in, or use of, the Student Conduct system.
5. Attempting to or influencing the impartiality of a member of the Student Conduct Board before, during, or after a proceeding.
6. Failing to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by the Student Conduct Board or College Official.
7. Failure to provide, destroying or hiding information during any investigation of an alleged policy violation, or otherwise impeding or obstructing an investigation of suspected Code violations.
8. Attempting to or influencing another individual to violate the Student Code of Conduct.
9. Distributing, announcing, or publicizing confidential disciplinary information without written permission.
10. Failure to comply with instructions provided during any conduct meeting or hearing.

Acts of Dishonesty
Acts of dishonesty are prohibited, which include but are not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, plagiarism, or other acts of academic dishonesty.
2. Providing false information to any College official, faculty member, or staff, including Campus Police.
3. Forging, altering, or any misuse of any college document, record, or instrument of identification.
4. Violating the RBC Honor Code.
5. Possession of any fake, altered, or other identification that belongs to another person.
6. Impersonating any College official.

Disorderly Conduct, Disruptive Conduct, or Breach of Peace
Any conduct that is disorderly, disruptive; a breach of peace; compromises health and safety, or encouraging or attaining another person to breach the peace on college property or at activities and events sponsored by, or participated in by, the College or members of the College community is prohibited. Disorderly conduct includes, but is not limited to offensive behavior (e.g., urinating in public, not being fully clothed in public); public intoxication; and any unauthorized use of any device to make an audio or video record of any person without the person’s knowledge, or without the person’s active consent, when the recording occurs where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy.  This includes, but is not limited to recording ortaking pictures of another person in a gym, locker room, or restroom.

Note: Students are required to be fully clothed when in public areas on campus.

Disruption or Obstruction of College Activities

The following constitutes misconduct:

1. Participating in an on- or off-campus demonstration, riot, or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the College and/or infringes on the rights of another member of the College community.
2. Intentional disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, other College activities, or activities authorized to take place on College property
3. Unlawfully blocking or impeding normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic on or adjacent College property
4. Leading or inciting others to disrupt a scheduled and/or normal activity on college property.
5. Any conduct which materially interferes with the normal operation of the College.
6. Failing to comply with directions of College officials or law enforcement officers performing their duties and/or failing to identify oneself to these individuals when requested to do so.

Violation of Institutional Policies
Violation of any College policy, rule, or regulation published in hard copy or available electronically on the College website constitutes misconduct. 

Violation of Law
No student shall violate any federal, state, or local laws, regulations, orders, or ordinances. Students have a continuing duty to promptly report to Student Affairs any arrests for violation of federal, state, local, or international law, excluding minor traffic violations that do not result in injury to others. This duty applies regardless of where the arrest occurred (inside or outside the Commonwealth of Virginia) and regardless of whether the College is in session at the time of the arrest. An arrest includes the issuance of a written citation or summons regardless of whether the student is taken into custody by law enforcement. Charges related to diving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are not “minor traffic violations” and must be reported.

Theft and Property Damage
The attempted or actual possession of another’s property without authorization and/or damaging property of the College, or property of a member of the College community, or other personal or public property, on or off campus.

Theft or Abuse of Technology
The theft and/or abuse of computer facilities and resources, including, but not limited to:

1. Unauthorized download, creation, sale, transfer access, reproduction or distribution of copyrighted material, including, but not limited to audio materials, video materials, or research materials; or of any course materials, whether copyrighted or not, distributed by the faculty member.
2. Unauthorized entry into any network, computer, or file to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose.
3. Using another person’s identification and/or password.
4. Unauthorized use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with the work of another college member, the normal operation of institution computing system, or abuse of other computers facilities and resources.
5. Students shall not use unauthorized devices while completing an assignment.
6. Sending obscene messages, photographs or videos using computing facilities and resources or similar personal resources.
7. Violating copyright laws using computing facilities and resources.
8. Any violation of the College’s Acceptable Use Policy (Appendix VI).

Unauthorized Entrance
The unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys or access cards to any college premises; or the unauthorized entering into, use, or presence in any college premises without authorization.

Conduct Code Section: 100 – Conduct Against Community

Students shall not endanger the health and safety of the campus community. This includes but is not limited to possession of weapons, acts of dishonesty, infractions of conduct policies, disruptions of the peace, distribution or possession of an illegal drug as defined by the Drug Control Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the distribution or possession of alcohol regardless of age.

Subsection 1 – Weapons

100.0 – Violating the Weapons Policy and/or the Richard Bland College Weapons On-Campus Regulation as written in the Virginia Administrative Code, 8 VAC 115-30-10.

100.1 – Illegal or unauthorized possession dangerous chemicals or combustibles on college premises.

100.2 – Use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens or causes fear to others.

100.3 – Knives longer than three inches are prohibited on campus. Students who live in residence halls may possess kitchen knives for the purpose of cooking; however, such knives must be stored out of sight when not in use.

100.4 – Students may possess mace, pepper spray, and other such items that are intended for self-defense purposes only. Use in other ways would constitute a violation of College rules, policies, or regulations.

100.5 – Use or storage of stun guns and tasers on college property or college-sponsored events.

Subsection 2 – Drugs

101.0 – Possessing or using an illegal drug or other controlled substance without a valid prescription as defined by the Drug Control Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or prescription drugs for which one does not have a legitimate prescription, or misuse of non-prescription drugs.

101.1 – Manufacture of an illegal drug or other controlled substance, as defined by the Drug Control Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

101.2- The possession and/or use of any drug paraphernalia, i.e. bowls, hookah pipes, bongs, “homemade” smoking devices, any other smoking device or smoking paraphernalia

101.3- Sale or distribution of an illegal drug or other controlled substance or possession of an illegal drug or other controlled substance with the intent to distribute as defined by the Drug Control Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia

Subsection 3 – Alcoholic Beverages

102.0 – Possession of an alcoholic beverage on property belonging to or controlled by Richard Bland College including college sponsored events or trips.

102.1 – Possession, and/or use of alcohol paraphernalia, and/or rapid consumption items. This includes displaying alcohol beverages for decoration/display, beer bongs, posters promoting underage drinking.

102.2– Public intoxication, drunkenness, or activities related to the consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages that infringe on the rights of others.

100.3- The possession or use of devices such as beer bongs, beer funnels, beer pong tables and other items used in drinking games, and methods including drinking games, used to facilitate the rapid consumption or impact of alcohol are prohibited, regardless of age.

Subsection 4 – Acts of Dishonesty

103.0 – – Knowingly furnishing, or causing to be furnished, false information to Richard Bland College, or a college Official.  

103.1 – Violations of the RBC Honor Code.

103.2– Making, possessing, or using any forged, altered, or falsified document, record, or identification.

103.3 – Possession of any fake, altered, or any other identification that belongs to another person.

103.4 – Impersonating any University Official.

Subsection 5 – Visitation, Unauthorized Entry & other Residential Policies

104.0– Violating prescribed visitation policies.

104.1– Guests who remain in another student’s room while illegal visitation is occurring shall be considered a participant and in violation.

104.2– Students will be responsible for informing their guests and nonstudents of College policies and will be held accountable if their guests violate College policies.

104.3– Students shall not enter or remain in a private room, office, or restricted area under the control of another student, faculty member, or College official except by permission or invitation. This includes unauthorized individuals entering a College building, room, or roommate dresser or personal storage that has been locked or by other means restricted.

104.4- Trespassing – Presence: Unauthorized presence (including climbing or scaling) on, in, or within any building or property

104.5 – Residential students and all guests are expected to respect quiet and courtesy hours.

104.6 – Pets and wildlife are not allowed in any residence hall or campus building other than small aquatic fish and service animals. For more information please see Policy 5110 of the RBC Policy Manual.

Subsection 6 – Disruption & Disorderly Conduct

105.1 – Any conduct which materially interferes with the normal operation of the University, its activities, and/or events.

105.2– Any conduct that is disruptive, reckless, offensive behavior or other forms of disorderly conduct. (e.g., urinating in public, not being fully clothed in public).

105.3 – Failure to comply with directions of college officials or other law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to accurately identify oneself to these persons when requested to do

105.4- Failure to comply with directions or guidelines established by college officials to ensure the health, wellness, and safety of students, faculty, staff and our campus.

105.5 – Hall sports (ball playing, bicycles, roller blades, scooters, hoverboards, and skateboards) are prohibited in any campus operated buildings.

105.6 – Participating in riots or disturbances with the purpose to commit or incite actions that present a clear and present danger to others or college property is prohibited.

Subsection 7 – Tobacco

106.0- Possession, Sale or Distribution: Sale and/or distribution of, a tobacco product, nicotine vapor product, and/or alternative nicotine product, as prohibited by Commonwealth of Virginia Law.

106.1- Possession, and/or use of a tobacco product, nicotine vapor product, and/or alternative nicotine product, as prohibited by Commonwealth of Virginia Law.

Subsection 8 – Classroom Disruption

107.0- Classroom disruption, defined as any behavior that substantially interferes with the conduct of a class. Examples may include, but are not limited to, the following: persistent late arrivals or leaving early in a manner that disrupts the regular flow of the class; talking while the instructor is talking; speaking in class without first obtaining recognition and permission to speak; use of electronic equipment such as cell phones, computers, etc. in a manner that disrupts the class; or becoming belligerent or verbally abusive when confronted as a result of their inappropriate behavior.

Subsection 9 – Abuse of Student Conduct System

108.0- Falsifying, distorting, or misrepresenting information presented to the Conduct Coordinator or panel;

108.1- Failure to provide, destroying or hiding information during any investigation of an alleged policy violation, or otherwise impeding or obstructing an investigation of suspected Code violations;

108.2- Disrupting or otherwise interfering with any conduct conference or hearing;

108.3- Failure to comply with instructions provided during any conduct meeting or hearing

108.4- Failing to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by the Student Conduct Board or College Official

108.5- Distributing, announcing, or publicizing confidential disciplinary information, without written permission

108.6- Failing to obey a notice from the Student Conduct Board or College Official to appear for a meeting or hearing

108.7- Discouraging or attempting to discourage a person’s participation in, or use of, the Student Conduct system

108.8- Attempting to or influencing the impartiality of a member of the Student Conduct Board before, during, or after a proceeding

108.9- Attempting to or influencing another individual to violate the Student Code of Conduct.

Subsection 10 – Unlawful Masking

Consistent with Va. Code § 18.2-422, any individual who is present on College property or attending a College event who is wearing a mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, must present an identification document when requested by an authorized College employee or otherwise establish their identity to the satisfaction of the authorized College employee.

Conduct Code Section: 200 – Conduct Against Property

Students shall not remove or damage the property belonging to another. This includes but is not limited to destruction of Richard Bland College (RBC) furniture, theft or damage to RBC computer equipment, illegal tampering with firefighting equipment, or violating fire code regulations.

Subsection 1 – Fire Code

200.0 – The Virginia Fire Code prohibits the use of extension cords, multi-plug adapters, and ungrounded three-prong adaptors in the residence halls.

200.1 – – Intentionally or negligently, tampering with or damaging fire, safety, or security equipment (including, but not limited to, activating fire alarms, tampering with smoke detectors, setting off fire extinguishers, and moving road signs or traffic equipment).

200.2 – Intentionally or negligently starting or causing a fire which results in bodily injury, and/or significant property damage or disruption to the college community.

200.3 – Inappropriate or dangerous activities involving fires, open flames, candles, matches, or other flammable materials are prohibited in all residence halls, or in any buildings owned or operated by Richard Bland College.

200.4 – Participation in creating or causing a false fire alarm.

200.5– Blocking or in any way preventing the use of fire exit doors, room doors, or building hallways.

200.6– Smoking of any substance (including vapor e-cigarettes is prohibited on Richard Bland College’s campus, including campus buildings, college-owned and leased facilities, properties, grounds and all vehicles owned rented or leased by RBC.

200.7– Hoverboards or items that are deemed a fire hazard or endanger the health & safety of the college community are prohibited on campus.

200.8– Open flames of any kind are not permitted inside campus buildings; this includes incense, candles, and oil burning lamps. Exceptions are made when flames are a part of academic or training related activities and supervised by a college staff or faculty member with appropriate approvals.

200.9– Any failure to evacuate or immediately respond to a fire alarm

Subsection 2 – Property Damage

201.0– Destroying or damaging, the property of the college or the personal property of another.

201.1– Students shall not remove, exchange, or alter arrangements of any college property without permission from the appropriate authority.

Subsection 3 – Computer Equipment

202.0 – 104.0-Unauthorized download, creation, sale, transfer, access, reproduction or distribution of: copyrighted material, including but not limited to audio materials, video materials, or research materials; or of any course materials, whether copyrighted or not, distributed by the faculty member (such as the faculty member’s notes or PowerPoint presentations, handouts, tests, outlines, and similar materials).

202.1 – Unauthorized use of another individual’s identification and password.

202.2– Unauthorized entry into any network, computer, or file to use, read, or change the contents, or for any other purpose.

202.3– Students shall not use unauthorized devices while completing an assignment.

202.4 – Unauthorized use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with the work of another college member, the normal operation of university computing system or abuse of other computer facilities and resources.

Subsection 5 – Unauthorized Use

203.0- Unauthorized use of University equipment.

203.1- Unauthorized use of bathrooms, exits, or windows.

203.2- Unauthorized use or duplication of keys.

203.3- Unauthorized entering into or presence in any college premise without authorization.

Conduct Code Section: 300 – Conduct Against Person

Students shall not engage in violations of conduct directed at an individual or individuals. This includes but is not limited to hazing, fighting, harassment, robbery, and violations of roommate agreements.

Subsection 1 – Endangering Health & Safety

300.0 – Participation in, or soliciting others to participate in, dangerous behaviors, pranks, stunts, or other actions that might result in physical injury to self or others.

300.1 –Throwing or launching any object or substance which has potential for damaging or defacing property or causing physical harm or disruption.

300.2 – Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.

300.3 – Any act, intentional or unintentional, which endangers the emotional, mental, financial, physical health or safety of a student, with or without their expressed permission, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.

300.4 – Attending an event or activity where hazing is occurring is not permitted.

300.5 – Sending or posting obscene, threatening, harassing, or abusive messages is prohibited.

300.6 – Using electronic or other devices to make an audio or video recording of the private activities of any person without their prior knowledge or without their effective consent is prohibited.

300.7 – Online behavior that poses a direct threat to the campus community or otherwise impairs achievement of the educational objectives of the College is prohibited and may result in disciplinary sanctions.

Subsection 2 – Harassment

301.0- Mistreatment of Persons: Harassment or pattern of harassment,, threats, intimidation, and/or coercion directed toward any person or group of people. Harassment includes conduct sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive as to threaten an individual or limit the ability of an individual to work, study, or participate in the activities of the University. Prohibited conduct also includes, but is not limited to stalking (repeated conduct directed toward another person, including following that person or engaging in acts that harass); making unwanted obscene, abusive or repetitive telephone calls; electronic mail; instant messages; or similar communications with intent to harass.

301.1- Mistreatment of Persons – Physical: Physical abuse directed toward any person or group of people.

301.2- Intimidation, defined as implied or articulated threats or acts that cause a reasonable person to fear harm. This includes actions that occur via social media, email, text messaging, or video chat.

301.3- Retaliation- Treating an individual adversely because that individual filed a complaint or concern, provided information relative to a complaint or concern, or otherwise was involved in such a complaint or concern in any way. For more information please see the Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation policy.

Subsection 3 – Physical Violence

302.0- Engaging in any form of physical violence directed toward another person or group of people, except when such response constitutes legitimate self-defense.

302.1- Responding to violence with violence, except when such response constitutes legitimate self-defense.

302.2 Placing a University Official or Emergency Personnel (e.g., Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT, etc.) in fear or at risk of physical harm or danger or engaging in physical contact or violence against a University Official or Emergency Personnel.

Subsection 4 – Theft and Gambling

303.0 – Participating in a game for any sum of money or other property of any value is prohibited. Making any bet for a fee, directly or indirectly give or accept anything of value to be wagered or to be transmitted or delivered for a wager is prohibited. This excludes organizational approved fundraising raffles.

303.1 – Possessing, taking or attempting to take the personal property of another without permission (including the knowing possession of stolen property).

Subsection 5 – Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct

304.0—Any act of Non-Title IX sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking as defined by the College’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation.

304.1 – Any act of misconduct, including intimidation, threats, violence, and harassment directed at a person or group of persons in a protected status or with a protected characteristic.