At ̽̽, students are not only members of an academic community but are also members of the larger Burlington and Vermont communities, and society at large. As such, students retain the rights, protections, guarantees, and responsibilities that are held by all citizens.
Violations of Community Standards
Code of Student Conduct
The Code of Student Conduct (the "Code") applies to the behavior of individual students and Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) both on and off university premises. This includes University-related activities and facilities, as well as off-campus conduct if it poses a significant risk to campus safety, disrupts University programs, poses an imminent threat of harm, or affects a student's suitability for their academic program. The Code covers all conduct, whether in person or online. The Center for Student Conduct (CSC), the Dean of Students (DOS), or their designee, can address reports of violations through a conduct meeting or administrative actions.
Discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct
̽̽ strictly prohibits discrimination against, and harassment of, its students, employees, and affiliates on the basis of an individual’s membership in a legally protected category as defined in the university’s Equal Opportunity in Educational Programs and Activities and Equal Employment Opportunity Policies. Sexual misconduct is a form of sexual harassment, and includes sexual assault, relationship violence, gender-based stalking, and sexual exploitation.
Read the full Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
The misuse and abuse of alcohol; the use of cannabis, tobacco, and other Illicit drugs; and the illicit use of controlled substances constitute obstacles to the educational mission of the university and are violations of state and/or federal law and university policy.
- It is against university policy to possess or use tobacco or illicit drugs, including cannabis, on campus property.
- Students 21 or older may consume alcohol on university property or at university-sponsored events only in areas where the university expressly allows the sale or consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is prohibited from all residential buildings.
Read the full Student Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco and Other Drug Use Policy.
Hazing
Hazing is strictly prohibited at University of Vermont. Hazing means any act committed by a person (either an individual or group) to humiliate, isolate, or intimidate a student in connection with joining or pledging any group that is recognized by the university. Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating actively or passively in such acts, and occurs regardless of the consent or willingness of a person to participate in the activity.
Violations that occur off-campus
We are notified by the City of Burlington, police agencies, and neighboring colleges of all ̽̽ students who have received citations for a variety of charges. The Code of Student Conduct holds students accountable for off-campus behavior. Depending on the severity of the violation and your conduct history, our response will range from a letter of warning to a formal conduct meeting.
Student withdrawal prior to Conduct meeting
In cases where a student withdraws prior to the issuance of charges for a conduct violation, the Center for Student Conduct retains the discretion to determine whether or not to proceed with a conduct case. In exercising this discretion, consideration will be given to the seriousness of the offense, whether the respondent is likely to return to campus, and whether the offense, if established as having occurred, would likely result in suspension or dismissal from the University.
How the outcome is decided
You are presumed to be “not responsible” for the alleged violation(s) unless the facts of your case show a preponderance of evidence. Preponderance of evidence is defined as being more likely than not that the violation occurred, meaning there is greater than a 50% chance the violation occurred. A student is found responsible when the meeting facilitator concludes there is a preponderance of evidence.