Community Standards Overview
Office of Community Standards
The Office of Community Standards supports the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission through the education and administration of policies and expectations designed to promote a safe, respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment, in which all students can learn, grow, and become moral leaders in their communities. The Office of Community Standards encourages all students to reflect on what it means to be a Hawk, on and off campus, and understand the impact and harm their individual decisions and actions can have on others. As an entity within the Office of Community Standards, Off Campus Student Life is dedicated to providing a positive quality of life in the community for off campus students and community members, through support, outreach, and accountability.
Mission Statement
The Mission Statement of Saint Joseph’s University shapes the responsibilities and privileges afforded to members of the University community. These Community Standards are designed to foster a community conducive to achieving the mission of the University. Rooted in the Catholic Jesuit tradition, Saint Joseph’s University aims to create and to sustain an inclusive educational environment that facilitates students’ academic, personal, professional, and spiritual development. At the core of these values is the Ignatian tradition of “cura personalis,” which affirms the goodness, the worth, and the dignity of every human being. Students affirm this commitment through adherence to the standards of conduct established within our community.
To support the continuation of a positive, safe, and educational setting, the University has adopted an array of policies, rules, regulations, and expectations. Should any member of the University community violate an established policy, rule, regulation, or expectation, the University has in place processes intended to educate and hold accountable those in violation and deter further violations by that and/or other individuals.
To Whom Do the Community Standards Apply?
By voluntarily choosing to affiliate with Saint Joseph’s University, all student members of the University are expected to uphold the standards of this community. This includes students who have been notified of their admission to the University and/or who are matriculated, enrolled, or registered in any University academic program or activity, at the graduate or undergraduate level (including non-degree seeking academic certificates and other programs). Students on a leave of absence and persons who were students when they allegedly violated the Community Standards are also included. For purposes of Anti-hazing Policy only, the definition of “student members” includes applicants who have applied to attend the University but who are not yet enrolled or matriculated.
The Community Standards also apply to recognized or unrecognized student organizations, groups, or clubs, all athletic teams, including club sports, and all fraternity and sorority chapters (collectively referred to as “student organizations,” unless otherwise noted). Student organizations, their leadership (i.e. president, captain, coordinator), and their members may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations of the University’s Community Standards and/or the specific regulations governing student organizations. Depending on the circumstances, the University may request or require all members, or only certain designated representatives, of student organizations, participate in a Community Standards process when an alleged violation of Community Standards occurs. Students are responsible for the conduct of their guests at all times.
The Community Standards shall apply to conduct that occurs on campus, on non-campus property owned or controlled by the University including at University-sponsored events or programs (occurring either on or off campus, including all University-sponsored travels). The Community Standards shall also apply to any off campus conduct of students (even if unrelated to a University-sponsored event or program) that has an actual or potential adverse impact on the University or any member of the University community. Students participating in clinical or experiential education, may be subject to the rules and regulations of their assigned site(s), and also to the community standards. Additionally, these standards may be applied to behavior conducted online, via email, or other electronic media. Students should also be aware that online postings such as blogs, web postings, chats, and social networking sites are in the public sphere and are not private. These postings may fall under the jurisdiction of community standards if evidence of a policy violation is posted online. While the University does not regularly search for this information, it may take action if such information is brought to the attention of University officials.
The Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or designee shall decide whether certain conduct will commence the application of the Community Standards based on the fact and circumstances of each case.
What Conduct Would Violate the Community Standards?
Any conduct that violates standards set forth in the Student Handbook, the University Catalog, approved organizational constitutions and by-laws, room/board contracts agreements, those posted on University webpages, and other University bulletins may violate the Community Standards. Specifically, any student(s) or student organization(s) (“respondent”), alleged to have committed or alleged to have attempted to commit any of the following is subject to the Community Standards process.
The list below is not all-inclusive. Other types of conduct may violate the community standards and/or expectations for SJU students.
- Physically abusing or directly threatening another person, or engaging in any other conduct that directly threatens or endangers the health or safety of another person.
- Violating the Interim Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (On or after August 1, 2024).
- Unwelcome verbal, written, visual, or physical conduct directed toward an individual that is not based on that individual’s actual or perceived protected category status that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the individual’s work or academic performance, or otherwise creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, learning, and/or living environment.
- Violating the Anti-Hazing Policy.
- Violating the Drug Policy.
- Violating the Alcohol Policy.
- Using, possessing, selling, or distributing fireworks, firearms, or other dangerous items (e.g. tasers, knives, brass knuckles) (see Weapons Policy).
- Using fire to endanger, to harm another person or to destroy property; misusing or damaging fire safety equipment; initiating a false report; and/or failing to evacuate a building during an alarm.
- Violating the Bullying Policy.
- Destroying, damaging, or stealing private, public, or University property, or possessing stolen property.
- Failing to comply with the directions of University personnel (e.g., Residence Life, Public Safety & Security) who are acting in the performance of their duties. This includes failing to respond to a request for identification, or providing false identification.
- Entering/using or allowing others to enter/use University premises, facilities or property without authorization; misuse of access privileges to University premises; possessing, duplicating, or using keys or access cards without authority.
- Engaging in lewd, obscene, or indecent behavior, including making lewd, obscene, or indecent gestures.
- Violating the University’s information technology policies (see Office of Information Technology Policies and Procedures).
- Making, distributing, or publishing a media recording of any person without that person’s consent and/or prior knowledge (e.g., audio, picture, video).
- Willfully interfering with, attempting to interfere with or disrupting the conduct of classes or other University activities.
- Substantially interfering with the right to freedom of expression.
- Misrepresenting identity or age; forging or altering records including University identification card or parking permits.
- Possessing a false identification card or driver’s license.
- Knowingly and intentionally making a report or statement based on false pretenses, verbally or in writing.
- Violating the Interim Policy on Sports Wagering.
- Failing to comply with sanctions imposed for earlier Community Standards violations or interfering with the University’s Community Standards process (e.g., retaliation).
- Violating the Residential Living Policies and Procedures (e.g., quiet hours, guest policy).
- Violating the Student Vehicle Policy.
- Littering.
- Violating the Smoke-Free Campus Interim Policy.
- Being dishonest.
- Engaging in conduct that is disrespectful to oneself.
- Engaging in conduct that is disrespectful to others, their well-being, and/or their property.
- Engaging in conduct that is disrespectful to the standards of the University and/or the laws of the larger community.
- Violating any federal, state, or local law or any University policy, rule, regulation, or expectation.
Violations of the University’s Academic Honesty Policy are addressed according to the processes outlined in the general Academic Honesty policy, and the Interim Health Professions Academic Honesty policy rather than the Community Standards process.
Community Relations
The University expects students to behave as exemplary citizens when in the surrounding neighborhoods and to demonstrate respect and concern for all members of the local community, which includes being a good neighbor. Students are responsible for upholding all federal, state, and city laws and ordinances, especially those relating to public health, trash, noise, traffic, parking, zoning, and consumption of alcohol. Students may be held accountable for their off-campus conduct, when such conduct is disorderly or otherwise violates community standards.
Off-Campus Address Information
Students not residing in University housing are required to provide the University with their local off-campus address (off-campus student), or confirm that they are commuting from their permanent home address (commuter student). For some students, providing off-campus address information is also required by the Philadelphia Educational Housing District Law (see https://www.sju.edu/offices/student-life/community-standards/resources).
Students who do not fully comply with the Educational Housing District Law may be prohibited from participating in student organizations (i.e. registering an accurate off campus residential address with the University). Please refer to the Off-Campus Address & Emergency Contact Information Policy for more information.
Non-Retaliation Statement
The University prohibits any act(s) or attempted act(s) to seek retribution against anyone who has reported an alleged violation of the University’s Community Standards or against anyone who has participated in an investigation, hearing, or related proceeding. Prohibited retaliatory acts include, but are not limited to, intimidation, direct threats, coercion, and discrimination.