General Misconduct

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Section 8.1: Abuse or Physical Harm

  1. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm to others or causing apprehension of harm.

Section 8.2: Alcohol

  1. Students may not possess, consume, sell, distribute or be in the presence of alcoholic beverages on campus grounds, when not sanctioned by the University.

Alcohol Education

  1. All undergraduate students, regardless of transfer status, must complete online alcohol education before the established deadline. Students will be automatically enrolled for the online module and will receive an email at their LMU email address with instructions on completing the course.

Section 8.2.2: Medical Emergency and Responsible Action Policy (ME-RAP)

In order to promote the health, safety, and well-being of students, this policy provides that the University, through the Office of the Dean of Students or the Office of Community Standards, may provide amnesty from charges and sanctions for first-time alcohol violations under the Code for those students who act responsibly to provide active assistance for the intoxication of the student or others.

  1. In order to be considered for amnesty, a student must demonstrate proactive, responsible action and active assistance by making timely contact with University staff and/or the local 911 to request/obtain medical attention for the intoxicated student. If either University staff or 911 have already been made aware of the emergency at the time the student makes contact, amnesty may not be an available option for the student.
  2. In order to be considered for amnesty, the student who requests medical attention must remain with the intoxicated student until help arrives. The student must follow the directions of the personnel providing assistance to the intoxicated student.
  3. This policy only applies to medical emergencies resulting from the use of alcohol. It does not apply to any other prohibited behaviors resulting from the use of alcohol such as disorderly conduct; hazing; property damage; possession, consumption, distribution of drugs; etc.
  4. A student who assisted the intoxicated student in the purchase, supply, or consumption of alcohol is not eligible for amnesty under this policy.
  5. In situations where an intoxicated student seeks medical care for him/herself, the University may issue educational requirements, such as additional alcohol education and/or substance abuse assessment and counseling. Failure to complete the educational requirements will result in forfeiture of amnesty and action will be taken under the Code.
  6. Amnesty for an intoxicated student who seeks medical care for him/herself is intended to encourage the student to make better choices in the future. The record of the alcohol incident resulting in amnesty will be used as evidence of a prior violation in the dispensation of any subsequent alcohol violation by the student.

Section 8.3: Arson & Fire Safety

The following behaviors/actions are not permitted and may result in students being charged with violating the Code of Conduct:

  1. Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire that may result in damage to the premises.
  2. Misuse of fire safety equipment, including transmittal of a false alarm or tampering with smoke/heat detection devices or with extinguishing equipment.
  3. Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm.
  4. Falsely reporting fires, bomb threats or other emergencies (either to LMU personnel or local 911/police force dispatch personnel), falsely setting off fire alarms, and the non-emergency use of emergency equipment.

Section 8.4: Bullying or Harassment

  1. Forms of physical or mental harassment, abuse, threat, and/or intimidation. Any action which intentionally and unreasonably subjects another person to public ridicule. Including but not limited to creating and/or sharing:
    1. Information regarding another individual without consent.
    2. Digital or photographic image(s) that a reasonable person would find objectionable or obscene.
    3. Media containing harassing, crude, intimidating, degrading or targeted content towards another individual.

Section 8.5: Controlled Substances, Drug Paraphernalia, and other Substances

  1. The use, possession, consumption, cultivation, manufacture, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs or significantly mind-altering substances, pharmaceuticals, drug paraphernalia, or otherwise, (including salvia divinorum, medical marijuana, and synthetic forms of banned substances, including but not limited to, K2, Spice, Black Magic, etc.).
  2. Inappropriate/illegal use or distribution of any pharmaceutical product, including using a controlled prescription medication belonging to another person.
  3. Misuse of a prescription or non-prescription drug whether or not the student has been prescribed the drug.
  4. Being in the presence of others while the above-mentioned drug activity is occurring.
  5. Possession, use or manufacture of drug paraphernalia.

Section 8.6: Damage to Property

The following is considered to constitute damage to property and may result in the student(s) being charged with violating the Code of Conduct:

  1. Intentional or reckless damage to University property or someone’s personal property.

Section 8.7: Disorderly Conduct

The following actions/behaviors are considered to be disorderly conduct and may result in the student(s) being charged with violating the Code of Conduct:

  1. Behavior that would be considered unbecoming or would tarnish the reputation of LMU and/or its constituents.
  2. Behavior that is reckless, lewd, indecent, obscene, and/or disruptive to the educational learning environment.
  3. Being compliant, associated with, or present during an act by another that constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
  4. Being present but taking no action to confront, prevent, or report a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Section 8.8: Falsification

  1. Providing false identification or information with intent to deceive. This includes, but is not limited to, lying, withholding information, forgery, falsification or misrepresentation of documents or instruments of identification, and the obstruction of the University’s student processing system.
  2. Falsification of University documents of any kind.

Section 8.9: Hazing & Pre-Initiation Activities

Hazing is defined as:

  1. Any reckless or intentional act occurring on- or off-campus that produces mental, emotional, or physical pain, discomfort, embarrassment, humiliation, or ridicule directed toward other students or groups (regardless of their willingness to participate), that is required or expected for affiliation or initiation. This includes any activity, whether it is presented as optional or required, that places individuals in a position of servitude as a condition of affiliation or initiation.
  2. Hazing is strictly prohibited by the University. Any individual or organization found in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution. Retaliation against any person who is involved or cooperates with an investigation of hazing is strictly prohibited. If you are aware of an incident of Hazing, you must report such incident to the Office of Community Standards.

Section 8.10: Identification

The following actions/behaviors are considered to violate the University’s identification policy, and may result in the student(s) being charged with violating the Student Code of Conduct:

  1. Failure to obtain and wear an LMU ID Card. ID Cards should be worn while on any of LMU’s campuses and should be visible on the person.
  2. Failure to visibly display their LMU ID
  3. Failure to surrender their LMU ID if requested by a staff member of the institution (including Resident Assistants and Security).

Section 8.11: Noncompliance

  1. Demonstrating insubordination by failing to comply with the directive of University officials, faculty, and/or staff (including Resident Assistants).

Section 8.12: Public Law

The following actions/behaviors are considered to violate the University’s public law policy, and may result in the student(s) being charged with violating the Student Code of Conduct:

  1. Being charged with a violation of any local, state, or federal law after admission to and/or while enrolled in a program of study at Lincoln Memorial University

Section 8.13: Sexual Misconduct or Harassment

The following actions/behaviors are violations of the Railsplitter Community Standards Guide’s policy regarding sexual misconduct/harassment and may result in the student(s) being charged with violating the Student Code of Conduct:

  1. An actual or attempted act of sexual misconduct, rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, or other forms of non-consensual sexual activity.

Sexual misconduct or harassment that falls under the jurisdiction of the LMU Sexual Harassment/Title IX Policy and the University Grievance Process will be addressed by the Office of Institutional Compliance. This policy can be found at www.lmunet.edu/titleix.

Under the Railsplitter Community Standards Guide, Sexual Harassment is any unwelcome conduct of sexual nature including sexual attention, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed at any individual that is so severe, pervasive, or persistent that it limits the individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program.

Allegations of sexual misconduct or harassment made against students and do not fall under the LMU Sexual Harassment/Title IX Policy and Grievance Process will be addressed by the Office of Community Standard’s Railsplitter Community Standards Guide. The Title IX Coordinator/Institutional Compliance Officer reviews all reports of sexual misconduct or harassment to determine the appropriate jurisdiction.

Section 8.14: Solicitation

  1. Unpermitted solicitation of funds or services. See Approval Request for Fundraising in the Student Organizations Handbook.

Section 8.15: Theft

  1. Theft of University property or of someone's personal property is strictly prohibited.

Section 8.16: Tobacco Usage

  1. Smoking (and all other tobacco usage) is prohibited on and in all University buildings/grounds, LMU-affiliated off-campus locations and clinics, and any buildings owned, leased or rented by LMU in all other areas. Tobacco usage includes but is not limited to:
    1. the personal use of any tobacco product, whether intended to be lit or not, which shall include smoking tobacco or other substances that are lit and smoked as well as the use of: cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookahs, electronic cigarettes, or any other nicotine delivery through vapor devices; chewing tobacco; smokeless pouches; any form of loose-leaf, smokeless tobacco; and the use of unlit cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco.

Section 8.17: Unauthorized Entry

The following actions/behaviors are considered unauthorized entry and may result in the student(s) being charged with violating the Student Code of Conduct:

  1. Entering another student's room, faculty or staff offices, or any other campus facility without permission. This includes unauthorized entry into any facility outside of regular working hours.
  2. Use of another’s keys to enter a space without permission.
  3. Duplication or improper use of keys to any University premises.

Section 8.18: Weapons, Firearms, or Dangerous Materials

  1. Possession, sale, storage, or use of guns, ammunition, explosives, weapons, or potentially dangerous and unauthorized recreational equipment (including but not limited to archery equipment, Tasers, air-soft guns, or paintball guns) are prohibited.
  2. Possession, sale, or use of firecrackers, fireworks and other flammable materials or chemicals which are disruptive, explosive, or corrosive are prohibited.
  3. Possession, sale, or use of bladed items over three inches long are prohibited.
  4. Hunting on campus and surrounding parklands or farmlands owned by the University are prohibited.

Section 8.19.1: Unauthorized Use of a Restroom or Changing Facility (Florida-Specific)

  1. Willfully entering a restroom or changing facility designated for use by the opposite sex is prohibited. Sex, for the purposes of this section of the Railsplitter Community Standards Guide, is defined as the "classification of a person as either female or male based on the organization of the body of such person for a specific reproductive role, as indicated by the person's sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, and external genitalia present at birth," as outlined under Fla. Stat. § 553.865.

    Any person has the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida regarding but not limited to alleged violations of this policy, allegedly non-compliant institutional policies related to restroom and changing facility use, and/or other matters related to restroom and changing facilities at the following link: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/how-to-contact-us/file-a-complaint.

Section 8.19.2: Non-Compliance - Unauthorized Use of a Restroom or Changing Facility (Florida-Specific)

  1. Refusing to vacate a restroom or changing facility when asked to do so by any LMU administrative personnel, faculty member, security personnel, or law enforcement is also prohibited.

    Any person has the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida regarding but not limited to alleged violations of this policy, allegedly non-compliant institutional policies related to restroom and changing facility use, and/or other matters related to restroom and changing facilities at the following link: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/how-to-contact-us/file-a-complaint.