Guiding Principles of Conduct

The primary functions of an institution of higher learning are teaching, learning, scholarship and service. Each member of the University community is required to cooperate with the University in its endeavors to foster and maintain the freedom of expression and exchange of ideas necessary to achieve excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship and service. The University strives to protect the rights of its students and employees (including faculty members) to publicize opinions through written and oral communications; to organize and join political associations; to convene and conduct meetings; and to advocate, demonstrate and picket in an orderly fashion. Further, members of the University community are responsible for fostering and maintaining respect for the dignity and uniqueness of one another.

In order to preserve an atmosphere in which a free exchange of ideas may flourish, and to ensure the dignity and safety of all members of the University community as well as the unimpeded operation of the University (and as required by federal, state and local laws including, without limitation, N.Y. Educ. Law § 6430), the University has adopted the Guiding Principles of Conduct.

The Guiding Principles of Conduct applies to all members of the University community including, among others, employees, faculty members, students, applicants for academic admission and employment, visitors, guests, vendors, contractors, and other third parties while they are on University premises or at University-sponsored activities. References to "University premises" in these Guiding Principles of Conduct apply to premises either owned or leased by the University.

The Guiding Principles of Conduct are not exhaustive and include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Students and other persons participating in a class or activity related to a class (such as, for example, internships and field trips) must comply with a faculty member’s reasonable standards of behavior for the class and/or related activities.
2. Theft, willful destruction or damage to or misuse of any University property or property owned by any member of the University community is prohibited.
3. The sale, purchase, possession or use of incendiary devices, explosives or dangerous weapons (including any item or material which could be used to inflict injury or harm or to intimidate) on University premises or at University-sponsored events is prohibited.
4. The unlawful use, possession, sale, distribution or manufacture of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia on University premises or at University sponsored events is prohibited. (Further information may be found in the University’s Drug and Alcohol Policy.)
5. Obstruction of or interference with the normal operations and processes essential to the University is prohibited.
6. Interference with academic freedom (including speech in the classroom and by University-approved guest speakers) is prohibited.
7. Strict compliance with the University’s policies and procedures concerning demonstrations and rallies is required.
8. Strict compliance with the University’s policies and procedures concerning the appropriate use of information technology is required.
9. Deliberate actions that cause, or might reasonably be expected to cause, injury, either physical or mental, to any member of the University community are prohibited. Such actions may include, for example, violence or threats of violence.
10. Members of the University community are required to comply with the instructions of a University administrator, or other duly authorized agent of the University, to, for example, display or present identification. Members of the University community are also required to evacuate University premises and University sponsored events when directed to do so by authorized personnel or a mechanical device (such as a fire alarm).
11. Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the safety or mental or physical health of any member of the University community or involves the forced consumption of alcohol or drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organization is prohibited on University premises and at University-sponsored events. In addition, such conduct by students and employees (including faculty), whether on or off University premises or at University sponsored events, also is prohibited.
12. Engaging in violence or intimidation against another person and destroying property because of bias or prejudice while on University premises or at University sponsored events violates the University’s Hate/Bias-Related Policy and is prohibited. Such conduct by students and employees (including faculty), whether on or off campus or at a University-sponsored event, is also prohibited.
13. Members of the University community are required to timely satisfy their financial obligations to the University, including, but not limited to, amounts due to the Office of the Registrar, the University bookstore, the University library, University housing, the Student Development Office, and Security.
14. Consumption of alcohol by any member of the University community who is under the age of twenty-one is illegal and prohibited on University premises and at University-sponsored events. Supplying alcohol in any quantity to a member of the University community who is under the age of twenty-one is illegal and prohibited. (Further information may be found in the University’s Drug and Alcohol Policy.)
15. Even though its possession or consumption may otherwise be lawful, alcohol, except in limited circumstances, is not permitted on University premises or at University sponsored events. Members of the University community are not permitted to be intoxicated, or to become intoxicated, while on University premises or at a University-sponsored event.
16. Gambling is not permitted on University premises or at any event sponsored by a student group or organization.
17. Solicitation by students, student clubs and student organizations including, but not limited to, fund raising, on University premises or in connection with a University sponsored event is prohibited without the prior approval of the Director of Student Development and Campus Activities or the Dean for Students.
18. "The solicitation of goods or services by one staff member to another during regularly scheduled work time is prohibited. Selling commercial goods and distributing promotional information and handbills in regular work areas is also prohibited." (A copy of the Solicitation and Distribution policy may be found in the Pace University Employee Handbook.)
19. Other members of the University community, such as applicants for academic admission and employment, visitors, guests, vendors, contractors and other third parties, are prohibited from soliciting and distributing on University premises or in connection with University-sponsored events without prior approval from the Director of Security.
20. Prior approval from the appropriate University administrator must be obtained before any materials or documents may be posted or distributed on University premises or at University-sponsored events.
21. The falsification of University documents is prohibited.
22. While on University premises or at University-sponsored events, members of the University community must not dress or conduct themselves in a manner that would be considered lewd or indecent by the University.
23. Conduct on or off campus in a manner the University determines reflects adversely on the good name and reputation of the University is prohibited.
24. Conduct by students and employees (including faculty) on or off campus that violates local, state or federal laws may also constitute a basis for disciplinary action by the University.
25. Without appropriate prior authorization, video recording devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones equipped with a camera, may not be used on University premises or at University-sponsored events, other than in an emergency, in any area or circumstances where the recording of images reasonably would be considered to be inappropriate.
26. Strict compliance with all rules, policies and practices promulgated and/or adopted by the University is required.

Any member of the University community who violates the University’s rules, policies or practices, including, among others, the Guiding Principles of Conduct, may be subject to disciplinary action (including without limitation immediate ejection from University premises and/or University-sponsored events) and/or to legal actions. Similarly, any recognized club or organization that violates its constitution and/or by-laws, or authorizes conduct prohibited by the University’s rules, policies or practices may be subject to disciplinary action (including without limitation rescission of approval for that club or organization to operate on University premises or at University-sponsored events, whether on or off University premises). As may be necessary, the University may request the assistance of law enforcement agencies to maintain order and/or may seek injunctive relief.

Revised: June 2007