Student Code of Conduct

This legislation came into effect on January 1, 2021, after passage by the Student Senate and signature of the Student Body President.

Neither this nor any other university policy is violated by actions that amount to expression protected by the state or federal constitutions or by related principles of academic freedom.

Student Code of Conduct

The following described conduct is prohibited by this Code and subject to sanctions by the University:

1. Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
   1. Providing and/or supplying false information to any University official, faculty/staff member, or office.
   2. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any University document, record, or instrument of identification.
   3. Tampering with the election of any organization or student governing body.
2. Conduct that substantially disrupts or interferes with teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other University-sponsored activities.
3. Conduct directed towards another person(s) that is intended to and does substantially disrupt or interfere with another’s educational or employment opportunity, peaceful enjoyment of residence, or physical security.
4. Attempted or actual theft of property.
5. Intentional damage to property or vandalism.
6. Hazing, which is defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, 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. Consent by the person hazed shall be no defense to the hazing.
7. Telephone or Internet harassment, which shall include: (KSA 21-6206)
   1. Making calls containing or making or transmitting any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image or text which is lewd or obscene remarks.
   2. Making or transmitting calls, whether or not conversation ensues, or any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image or text with intent to substantially interfere with another person’s educational or employment opportunity, peaceful enjoyment of residence, or physical security. Transmission of comments, requests, suggestions, proposal, images, or texts may include any transmission utilizing electronic means, including but not limited to sending text, picture, video, or audio messages over social media websites, social media applications, instant messenger or chat services, message boards or any other electronic format.
8. Failure to comply with directions of University faculty, staff, or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.
9. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys, or other devices that provide access to any University property or services.
10. Unauthorized presence in or use of University premises, facilities, or property.
11. Use, possession or distribution of alcoholic beverages in an unlawful manner or otherwise in violation of a university policy.
12. Use, possession, distribution of a controlled substance in an unlawful manner or otherwise in violation of a university policy.
13. Possession or use of in violation of the University’s Weapons Policy.
14. Intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated, any false report, warning or threat of fire, explosion or other emergency.
15. Participation in a campus demonstration which unreasonably disrupts the normal operations of the University included but not limited to the following examples:
    1. infringing on the rights of;
    2. inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal;
    3. intentional obstruction which unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular;
    4. inciting another person to breach the peace.
16. Intentionally engaging in conduct that prevents another person from exercising freedom of expression protected by law.
17. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or obscene; breach of peace; or inciting another person to breach the peace.
18. Any violation of “KSU Information Technology Usage Policies.”
19. Abuse of the SGA Judicial Program, including but not limited to:
    1. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information.
    2. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a judicial proceeding.
    3. Knowingly initiating a complaint without cause.
    4. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the judicial system.
    5. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a judicial board prior to, or during the course of, the judicial proceeding.
    6. Verbal, written, phone, or physical harassment, and/or intimidation of a member of a judicial board.
    7. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the judicial program.
20. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under this Code.
21. Any illegal or unauthorized taking, selling, or distribution of class notes.
22. Violation of University policies, rules, or regulations.
23. Violation of federal, state or local law that causes a substantial disruption to university operations.

Generally, University jurisdiction to adjudicate complaints and to impose sanctions under this code shall be limited to misconduct that occurs on University property, at University-sponsored activities, or behavior which intentionally or recklessly interferes with the operation of the University or with University-sponsored activities, including, but not limited to, studying, teaching, research, University administration, fire, police, or emergency services.

All cases reported do not always fall under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Branch. When this situation occurs, the case is often referred to other policies at Kansas State University. Several of the policies cases can be referred to can be found in the other K-State policies tab.

Students with legitimate complaints have a right to petition a judicial board and have their case heard. To file a case with the Judicial Branch, contact the Attorney General, or fill out the form below. Once a case is started, the appropriate board will receive the information and contact the student regarding further action.

• Code of Conduct Reporting Form
• Appeal Request Form
• Elections Appeal Form

Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Violence, and Stalking, and Procedure for Reviewing Complaints

Reported allegations of misconduct alleged to constitute discrimination under the “Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Violence, and Stalking, and Procedure for Reviewing Complaints” (“PPM 3010”)—including, for example, discriminatory harassment and sexual violence, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence—are reviewed under PPM 3010. Therefore, any such allegations of misconduct shall be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and shall be reviewed and addressed under PPM 3010, and not under the Code unless the below applies.

In the event any allegations made or referred to the Office of Institutional Equity under PPM 3010 but are determined to not fall within the PPM 3010 policy, those misconduct allegations may nonetheless be subject to the Code if the allegations constitute a potential violation of the Code. If such allegations exist, the review process under PPM 3010 shall proceed first until it is concluded. Once that process is concluded, the separate misconduct allegations that constitute a potential violation of the Code may proceed for review under the Code, provided the complainant has filed or files a complaint under the Code within the applicable time limits. Any relevant factual findings from the PPM 3010 review process may be used in the subsequent review process under the Code. During the PPM 3010 review process, all time periods to file complaints or other deadlines under the Code shall pause unless they have already expired; and, any time remaining to file complaints or other deadlines under the Code shall continue to run immediately upon completion of the PPM 3010 review process.

Threat Management Policy

Reported allegations of misconduct alleged to violate the Threat Management Policy (“PPM 3015”) are reviewed under PPM 3015. Therefore, any such allegations of misconduct shall be referred through PPM 3015 and shall be reviewed and addressed under PPM 3015, and not under the Code unless the below applies.

In the event any allegations made or referred under PPM 3015 but are determined to not fall within the PPM 3015 policy, those misconduct allegations may nonetheless be subject to the Code if the allegations constitute a potential violation of the Code. If such allegations exist, the review process under PPM 3015 shall proceed first until it is concluded. Once that process is concluded, the separate misconduct allegations that constitute a potential violation of the Code may proceed for review under the Code, provided the complainant has filed or files a complaint under the Code within the applicable time limits. Any relevant factual findings from the PPM 3015 review process may be used in the subsequent review process under the Code. During the PPM 30105 review process, all time periods to file complaints or other deadlines under the Code shall pause unless they have already expired; and, any time remaining to file complaints or other deadlines under the Code shall continue to run immediately upon completion of the PPM 3015 review process.

Social Media and Kansas State University

The Social Media Policy (PPM 8520) describes the benefits and opportunities of social media and sets the expectation that students, as K-State community members, will use responsible and ethical behavior on social media. The policy encourages students to consider the ramifications and consequences of their messages and content before posting. The policy also includes resources available to students and provides information for when the university may take corrective action regarding certain social media conduct or content.

University Housing

Conduct that violates this Code may also constitute a breach of a university resident’s housing contract. Decisions made through a housing contract hearings and related proceedings may be made separately from decisions under this Code.

Honor and Integrity System

Reported allegations of misconduct alleged to violate the K-State Honor Pledge shall be reviewed and addressed under the Honor and Integrity System, and not under the Code.

University Employment Policies and Procedures

Reported allegations of misconduct regarding employee or student employee behavior, in the context of their employment, shall be reviewed and addressed through university employment policies and procedures, and not under the Code.

K-State Polytechnic

Reported allegations of misconduct by students enrolled in classes primarily at K-State Polytechnic’s campus shall be subject to the provisions of the K-State Polytechnic Student Code of Conduct.

K-State Olathe

Reported allegations of misconduct by students enrolled in classes primarily at K-State Olathe campus shall be subject to the provisions of this Code.