Conduct Details
What if Conduct May Also be a Violation of Law?
University Community Standards proceedings may be instituted for conduct that potentially violates both criminal law and the University’s Community Standards without regard to pending criminal arrest or prosecution. Proceedings in accordance with the Community Standards process may be carried out prior to, concurrently, or following criminal proceedings. Determinations made or sanctions imposed in accordance with the Community Standards process shall not be subject to change solely because criminal charges arising out of the same facts were dismissed, reduced, or resolved in favor of the criminal law defendant. The University may refer violations of the law to local law enforcement agencies.
What Should Be Done if Present During a Violation?
When a student knowingly is in the presence of a violation of Community Standards, the University expects the student to do one or more of the following: notify University staff, act as a bystander and intervene in the situation (i.e. ask the individual(s) to stop), or leave the situation immediately. All students should recognize that their presence during a violation may subject them to disciplinary action.
What Should Be Done If You or Others Need Help?
Help Seeker Statement
The welfare of each person in the Saint Joseph’s University community is paramount, and SJU encourages students to act as bystanders and offer help and assistance to others in need. Because the University understands that fear of disciplinary action may deter requests for emergency assistance, this statement was created to alleviate such concerns and reduce hesitation by SJU students to seek help. Students are expected to immediately report conduct or activity which poses a danger to the community or its members. For example, all students are expected to seek appropriate assistance for themselves or others in situations where help is needed to ensure proper care of a person who is significantly intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Students should not hesitate to seek help because of fear of disciplinary action.
In most circumstances, the help seeker and the student in need will not be charged with a policy violation through the University’s Community Standards process. In good faith reports regarding sexual harassment, hazing, or retaliation of the aforementioned, witness(es) and complainant(s)/victim(s) will not be charged with policy violations through the University’s Community Standards process for personal use of alcohol or drugs which are disclosed in the report.
Although students may be required to meet with a University official regarding the incident, Saint Joseph’s University will support and encourage this behavior by treating it as a health and safety matter, not as a disciplinary incident. In rare circumstances, such as cases of repeated, flagrant, or serious violations of the Community Standards (e.g., bodily harm, sexual misconduct, physical or verbal abuse or harassment, distribution of drugs, hazing, theft) or violations that caused the harm to another person requiring emergency response, conduct may be considered more than a health and safety matter.