University Conduct Policy

Southern New Hampshire University provides an environment that supports both intellectual and personal growth. This requires striking a balance between upholding individual freedom and demanding respect for the rights of others. As a student, you each have the right to a climate conducive to study, and other students must respect this right.

As a young adult, you also have new, or recent, freedoms and privileges. The university should not, therefore, be constantly watching your actions or judging your behavior. When your actions clash with the rights of others to a safe environment, however, the university must preserve the academic rights that define it as a community.

You are therefore held to a high standard of conduct - one that will maintain the educational quality of the campus. If you are responsible for violations of university regulations, you will be worked with in ways that promote your social and personal development. If you are confronted by a university official (for example, a resident assistant, resident director or public safety officer) for an alleged violation, expect a written report to be submitted.

Your parents will be notified if you are placed on residence or university probation or suspension. They may be notified of other situations when university officials consider it appropriate.

CONDITIONS OF ENROLLMENT

Even though a person is eligible to be admitted to the university community there are certain conditions all people must meet in order to be enrolled to the University and to function as a member of the community. Failure to meet and maintain these conditions may result in a hold against future registration and/or termination of a student’s current enrollment and/or presence on campus. If a student’s enrollment is terminated for failure to fulfill conditions of enrollment, she/he may not be on campus or use campus resources without the expressed permission of the Vice President for Student Affairs. In addition, the student will not be eligible for refund of any portion of the university expenses listed by Student Administrative Services (SAS).

Completion of Registration – Each semester students are required to complete their registration with the University before they are recognized as students of the school.
Class Attendance – The Attendance Policy for the University is listed in the most recent edition of the university catalog. Furthermore, each class may have a separate attendance policy established for it by the faculty member of record for the course. However, should a student fail to attend all of his or her classes for a period of a week or more, without approval from his/her faculty, or should a student be failing all of his/her courses and it can be confirmed that there is no way for the student to make up the work in his/her course/s, then the University reserves the prerogative to take steps to terminate such a student’s enrollment. This action would result in residence contract termination as well.
Accuracy of University Records – Students are expected to provide accurate and complete information on all university forms and documents, including applications for admission and financial aid, references, health and immunization reports, local and home addresses and other types of records.
Financial Obligations – Students shall be held responsible for all obligations which they have incurred with the University. Failure to comply with this policy, without prior permission being granted, could result in loss of on-campus housing space, on-campus parking, as well as a hold placed against the release of grades, and a hold of diploma or transcript of a student with such outstanding obligations.
Health and Immunization Records – State law requires all students to provide complete and accurate immunization records in order to be enrolled in any college or university. The Wellness Center is primarily responsible for monitoring the compliance of each student concerning this particular legal requirement. If a person should fail to comply wit this requirement, the university may either prevent the student from completing his/her registration or remove the student from the enrollment rosters of the school. For complying with this state law student enrolling in 9 or more credits are considered full time.
Insurance – The University requires that each full-time student possess a minimum level of health insurance during his/her time of enrollment. All domestic students will be charged for the insurance plan offered by the University until they can show proof of other medical insurance. The Wellness Center provides students with the information about this program. The University reserves the option to terminate the enrollment of any student who fails to provide proof of proper insurance coverage or who does not possess an appropriate insurance policy.
Conditions Established as Part of Disciplinary Sanctions -- All students are expected to fulfill conditions established as part of disciplinary sanctions. Students who fail to fulfill these conditions may be subjected to additional disciplinary action and/or termination of enrollment. Residence contracts may also be terminated.
Communications with the University – Students are expected to pick up their own mail at their on campus mailboxes, check their voice mail, and check their electronic mail accounts assigned by the University regularly. These are the primary communication systems used during the semester when classes are in session.

You are responsible for your own conduct as well as that of your on campus guests. If you are charged with a violation of federal, state or local laws, whether the violation occurred on or off-campus, or if your actions off-campus violate behavioral expectations outlined in the Student Handbook, you may be subject to disciplinary action within the University system. The administrators of each department are responsible for enforcing both university and departmental rules and regulations in their areas.

While it is impossible to list in detail all the activities that are permissible, the university expects that you will:

Treat others politely and with respect without regard to race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability;
Preserve the quiet and atmosphere necessary for academic work;
Refrain from alcohol and other drug abuse; and
Respect and follow university guidelines and procedures regarding its living and learning mission.

Specific actions and behaviors are prohibited because they harm others, violate their rights or disrupt the orderly academic life of the community. You must abide by these rules, and have the right to demand that others do likewise. Ignorance of these rules and regulations is neither a ground for excusing infractions nor a reason to lessen any sanction. You are required to participate in any disciplinary proceeding that involves you, including interviews with university officials and attendance at review meetings and hearings. You will be given sufficient advance notice of disciplinary meetings and hearings. If you are absent, decisions will be made without your input. If you fail to attend a meeting or hearing where a decision was made, you will not be granted an appeal. If you can provide documentation (e.g., doctor’s note, faculty excuse, death in the family) that extenuating circumstances prevented you from attending the disciplinary meeting, you should present it to the responsible administrator to ask for the meeting to be rescheduled.