Section I: Definitions
A. The terms "Student Code of Conduct" and "Student Code" are used interchangeably.
B. "University" means William & Mary.
C. “Student” includes: all persons who have accepted admission to the university; persons taking courses at the university, either full-time or part-time; persons pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies; non-degree seeking students; and persons who are living in university residence halls, although not enrolled in this institution. Once admitted, a person remains a William & Mary student until they graduate, transfer to another degree-granting institution, or are permanently dismissed academically or as a result of student conduct action. Students who withdraw after reportedly violating the Code of Conduct, or who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the university, are considered “students”. This Code applies at all locations, including the university’s official study abroad locations.
D. “Faculty member” or “instructor” means any person hired by the university to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the university to be a member of its faculty.
E. “Academic unit” means the school in which an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student is engaged in study.
F. “University official” includes any person employed by the university performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
G. “Member of the university community” includes any person who is a student, faculty member, administrator, or any other person employed by the university. The Dean of Students or designee will determine a person’s status in any particular situation.
H. “University property” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the university (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).
I. "Organization" means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for university recognition.
J. “Case Administrator” means a university official authorized on a case-by-case basis by the Director of CVRP or designee to impose sanctions upon any student(s) found to have violated the Student Code.
K. “Student Conduct Panel” means any person or persons authorized by the Vice President for Student Affairs to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code and to impose sanctions when a violation has been determined.
L. “Appeals Committee/Officer” means any person or persons authorized by the Vice President for Student Affairs or the President to consider an appeal regarding whether a student has violated the Student Code or of the sanctions imposed by the appropriate Case Administrator or Committee.
M. "Will" and "shall" are used in the imperative sense.
N. "May" and "can" are used in the permissive sense.
O. An “attempt” is any act beyond mere preparation carried out with the intent to engage in conduct that violates university policies. Attempted violations may be sanctioned in the same manner as completed violations.
P. “A preponderance of the evidence” exists when a reasonable person, after a careful balancing of available information, would conclude a violation has occurred and the referred student/organization is responsible for the violation.
Q. The Vice President for Student Affairs is that person designated by the President to be responsible for the administration of the Student Code. The Vice President for Student Affairs in turn delegates some functions to the Dean of Students and Director of CVRP.
R. “Policy” means any written regulations of the university as found in, but not limited to, the Student Handbook, Residence Life Housing Agreement, the university web page and computer use policy, and Graduate, Undergraduate, or Professional School Catalogs.
S. “Reporting Party” means any person who submits a report alleging that a student violated this Student Code. When a student believes that they are a victim of another student’s misconduct, the student who believes that they are a victim will have the same rights under this Student Code as are provided to the Reporting Party, even if another member of the university community submitted the report. In certain cases, the university can serve as the reporting party, can appoint a proxy reporting party and/or can initiate reports without a formal report from the alleged victim of misconduct.
T. "Respondent" means any student or student organization alleged to have violated this Student Code.
U. "Working days" means any day that the university is open for business exclusive of weekends or official holidays.
