Disciplinary Actions

The following are examples of behaviors on study abroad programs which will subject the participant to discipline and penalties. Discipline may include, and is not limited to: loss of privileges, community service projects, fines, and/or dismissal from the program, in the sole discretion of University of Rochester administration. The University of Rochester may, at any time, contact your parents (and your home school, if you are not a matriculated UR student) if program officers believe that your behavior is inconsistent with the terms of this agreement.

  1. The use, distribution, or possession of any quantity of illegal drugs, including marijuana. Prescription drugs with a valid prescription will be allowed and then only for use by the individual for whom it was prescribed.
  2. The use or possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and other weapons, including, but not limited to pistols, rifles, shotguns, handguns, BB guns, paint guns, swords, knives, spears, and dangerous chemicals.
  3. Physical violence, including sexual assault.
  4. The theft or damage of personal property of another individual or company, or University of Rochester equipment; jeopardizing the safety and the property of others by neglecting to secure common spaces (e.g. failure to observe directions for locking doors, windows, shutters; loss of keys).
  5. Public conduct (in host countries and in the program location) deemed offensive by ordinary standards of courtesy (e.g., indecent exposure, drunkenness or abuse of alcohol, personal injury, property damage), or any other behavior, which directly impinges on the rights of others.
  6. Unwillingness to participate fully in the academic program, such as refusal to attend classes or to turn in assignments.
  7. Failure to read and to comply with written directions and pre-arrival materials provided by the University of Rochester and your study abroad program concerning your safety, adjustment and academic success.
  8. Failure to respond in a timely fashion to any communication received from the University of Rochester, and from your program, prior to and during your time abroad. This includes failure to monitor and to keep in working order your UR email account. This also includes failure to provide your overseas mailing address to the College Center for Study Abroad at the beginning of your program.
  9. Harassment directed toward individuals or groups. Harassment may include, but is not limited to threat of physical violence, coercion, intimidation, or persistent verbal or written statements (beyond a reasonable expression of opinion), which are likely to cause another person humiliation, stress, or psychological harm.
  10. Returning to the program late, intentionally missing the train, bus, or other type of transportation, or traveling to a prohibited area during elective travel. Failure to inform the local site director, to the best of your ability, of your whereabouts during elective travel.
  11. Knowingly furnishing false or misleading information to a representative of the University of Rochester, and the falsification, alteration, duplication, or misuse of the official identification card, passport, and/or other documents issued to participants.
  12. Creating excessive noise resulting in the disruption of others' rights to a peaceful environment, privacy and rest in the living areas during quiet hours and failure to respect the rights of others during the remaining time periods.
  13. Assisting with or bringing unauthorized visitor(s) or substances in program housing or premises. Animals, including dogs, cats, reptiles etc. are prohibited in housing on study abroad programs.
  14. Unauthorized use of University of Rochester property and/or unauthorized entrance into offices, and common spaces during office hours.
  15. Creating a fire, safety or health hazard; tampering with fire safety equipment of any kind, including sprinklers, smoke detectors, and/or operating a fire alarm or emergency signal without the existence of a fire or a similar emergency situation.
  16. Failure to comply with the terms of any disciplinary sanctions.
  17. Operating motor vehicles of any type (automobiles, moped, motorcycles, etc.), or engaging in other dangerous travel behavior such as hitchhiking.
  18. Failure to abide by smoking, drug, and alcohol policies established by the program.
  19. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty or facilitating any such act inconsistent with the standards of academic integrity established by the University of Rochester.
  20. Unauthorized use of computers, or use that is inconsistent with the local computer use policies. This can include downloading any files to public machines in cases where students have been forbidden to do so, violating time limits set by the program, or using applications not permitted on program computers, which might include Instant Messenger or music download software.
  21. Failure to promptly meet financial responsibilities to the University of Rochester, including, but not limited to, knowingly passing a worthless check, money order, credit card, or other methods of payment to the University of Rochester or a member of the University of Rochester study abroad community acting in official capacity.
  22. Unauthorized distribution of flyers, advertisements, informational materials, etc. The University of Rochester does not permit any type of unauthorized sales and solicitations for individual or company for private gain.
  23. Failure to comply with the directives of University of Rochester staff or faculty acting in the performance of their duties.
  24. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other study abroad activities.
  25. Failure to follow the standards of conduct and behavior as established for all students while in the host country and on field trips, including failure to learn and to obey local laws as outlined by your program director.

Steps Involved in Progressive Discipline

If you engage in any of the prohibited behavior mentioned above, you will be subject to disciplinary action. The disciplinary process through which sanctions may be imposed will vary from location to location, however administrators in each location will generally consider the following:

  • Seriousness of the conduct
  • Student's academic and behavioral record
  • The student's ability to correct conduct
  • Surrounding circumstances
  • Should the individual have been aware of the rule or behavioral violations
  • Is there a reasonable excuse for the infraction?

If a student is deemed responsible for engaging in prohibited behavior, the program administrator will determine appropriate sanctions for the student. Typical sanctions include verbal warnings, written warnings, community service, revocation of privileges, and dismissal from the program. Some behaviors, including, but not limited to the use and/or possession of drugs, firearms, and physical assault, may result in immediate dismissal. Any case may involve the entire range of sanctions, however in general, University of Rochester administrators will use progressive discipline when addressing issues of student misconduct.