Community Standards Violations
The following are groups of violations that constitute misconduct for which members of the student body may be held accountable. This list references policies that may be outlined in greater detail in this online handbook or other campus resources. The university is not limited by this list nor by other published policies when it initiates community standards actions since it is not possible to anticipate all of the behavior of a college population. Additionally, University departments and units may maintain specific policies or guidelines enforceable by their respective procedures separate from community standards action (e.g. University Libraries, Parking Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX, etc.).
The university reserves the right to review off-campus incidents to determine if a violation of community standards has occurred and whether resolution through the appropriate process is warranted.
Students at Carnegie Mellon are members of an academic community dedicated to the achievement of excellence. Therefore, students are expected to meet the highest standards of integrity in their conduct. Failure to meet the expectations of high standards of integrity may be reviewed through the university community standards process.
Examples of violations of community standards in relation to integrity include, but are not limited to:
- Altering, falsifying, or misuse of university documents
- Destruction of another person's work, specifically through the use of computer facilities
- Falsification of data
- Intentional misrepresentation of self or another individual through electronic communication or any other means
- Invasion of or accessing personal files or a computer account other than one's own
- Misrepresentation of research data
- Misuse of computer facilities
- Other acts that compromise the integrity of the academic process
- Providing false information to a university official
- Reverse engineering software or hardware without permission of the intellectual property owner
- Violation of copyright laws including computing or Web-related documentation
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Computing Policy
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Policy on Academic Integrity including cheating, plagiarism, or unauthorized assistance
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Policy on the Protection of Children in Carnegie Mellon University Programs, Activities, and Facilities
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Carnegie Mellon University holds as its highest priority the welfare of its community members. Any behavior that places individuals or the community at risk for harm may be reviewed through the university community standards process. The outcomes that may result from this type of behavior may be severe.
Examples of violations of community standards in relation to the welfare of others include, but are not limited to:
- Assault
- Endangering the welfare of others
- Failure to enact the Active Medical Assistance Protocol (AMAP)
- Harassment
- Hazing
- Hosting and/or participating in a disorderly event
- Possession, production, and/or distribution of child pornography
- Tampering with or altering of life support systems
- Threats of physical violence
- Unreasonable noise
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Statement of Assurance, including violations of discriminatory harassment, disparate treatment discrimination, and retaliation
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Sexual Misconduct Policy (Interim) including violations of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, retaliation, and violation of protective measures
- Violation of a No Contact Agreement or No Contact Order
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The care and upkeep of our campus buildings, grounds, and facilities are critical to providing students, faculty, and staff with an environment that is conducive to learning. Any behavior that jeopardizes the maintenance of the campus or an individual's property may be reviewed through the university community standards process.
Examples of violations of community standards in relation to property include, but are not limited to:
- Damage to or destruction of property
- Improper placement of posters/banners
- Improper possession of property
- Irresponsible use of university property or services
- Operation of vehicles in restricted areas
- Propping open doors that are kept locked for security purposes
- Repairing and storing vehicles, motorized or otherwise, in unauthorized university spaces
- Theft, including but not limited to larceny, embezzlement, fraud, or by way of robbery
- Trespassing on a roof, parapet, and/or other non-public areas
- Unauthorized possession or use of keys or access cards
- Unauthorized tapping into or altering university utility lines
- Vandalism
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Housing Services policies
- Willful destruction of, disabling, or damaging computer facilities, equipment, or software
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Carnegie Mellon has established basic guidelines that have been approved by students, staff, and faculty. These policies ensure the safe and functional operation of the university. Students are expected to abide by these policies at all times. Failure to abide by these guidelines may be reviewed through the university community standards process.
Examples of violations of community standards in relation to health, safety, and security include, but are not limited to:
- Disorderly or disruptive behavior
- Failure to comply with a reasonable request of a university official
- Failure to comply with a request to produce identification
- Failure to comply with university public health requirements or instructions
- Failure to evacuate for fire drills and alarms
- Harboring of an unauthorized animal(s)
- Improper storage of chemicals, gases, or hazardous materials
- Installation of a private locking system
- Possession or use of false identification
- Tampering with or misuse of fire safety equipment
- Unauthorized and/or unlawful recording
- Unauthorized entry into secured spaces
- Unauthorized use of appliances
- Use of pyrotechnics, fireworks, or hazardous devices
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Alcohol and Drug Policy
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Personal Wheeled Vehicle Transportation Policy
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Housing Services Policies
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Policy on Deadly Weapons
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Policy on Freedom of Expression
- Violation of the Carnegie Mellon University Smoke-Less Campus Policy