Conduct Code

The following policies set expectations for student conduct and behavior in order to support a positive living and learning environment.

Violations and alleged violations will be investigated according to the College’s Student Conduct Process. Violators may also be subject to arrest, depending on federal, state, and local laws.

Sarah Lawrence College observes all federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the sale, purchase, and/or use of alcohol and other drugs. See Appendix 4. The College expects that these laws will be adhered to at all events associated with the College. The College cannot and will not protect any member of the Sarah Lawrence community who has broken federal, state, and/or local law.

Residents must adhere to all New York State laws and Sarah Lawrence College regulations concerning alcohol use. These regulations stipulate that individuals under the age of 21 are not permitted to possess or consume any alcoholic beverages.

Students (both residential and nonresidential) and guests who are 21 years of age or older are permitted to possess and consume alcoholic beverages within Sarah Lawrence residence halls, provided they adhere to the following guidelines:

• Students who are of legal drinking age and bring alcohol into a residence hall or have alcohol in their possession within a residence hall are accountable for ensuring its lawful use. This responsibility includes taking appropriate measures to prevent underage students and guests from possessing alcohol.
• Activities that encourage or involve the rapid, hazardous, or coerced consumption of alcohol (such as drinking games) are strictly prohibited.
• Selling or distributing alcohol in the residence halls is not allowed. This ban includes, but is not limited to: cash bars; events where tickets are sold or fees are charged (such as entertainment fees or membership dues); fees for access to an open bar; and parties where alcohol is served and contributions or donations to cover party expenses are requested.

Marijuana, in any form, is not allowed on campus. Any student found possessing, using, or being in the presence of marijuana will face disciplinary sanctions. Additionally, items like water pipes, bongs, hookahs, and other drug-related paraphernalia are also banned. Under the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, a federal law, marijuana remains classified as an illegal substance, and schools must prohibit it on campus. Therefore, Sarah Lawrence, in accordance with federal law, does not allow the possession, use, or distribution of marijuana in any form or for any purpose on campus.

The possession or use of narcotics, other controlled substances, or the misuse of prescribed medications and other legal substances, is strictly prohibited. Students are required to comply with federal and New York State laws concerning the use, possession, sale, and distribution of controlled substances.

Some of these behaviors may also be violations of local, state, and federal laws and may be subject to off-campus legal action. See Appendix 4.

• Consumption and/or possession of alcohol by an individual under the age of 21
• Possession of an open container of alcohol in public, regardless of age

• Participating in or sponsoring activities that encourage excessive consumption (e.g., drinking games or contests)
• Possession of mass-consumption containers (e.g., kegs, beer balls, beer bongs). Providing alcohol to an individual under the age of 21
• Providing alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated.

• Consumption of alcohol that causes a disruption to the community or necessitates assistance from others but does not require medical intervention (e.g., ER evaluation).

• Consumption of alcohol that necessitates medical intervention (e.g., ER evaluation).

Some of these behaviors may also be violations of local, state, and federal laws and may be subject to off-campus legal action. See Appendix 4.

• Possession or use of illegal drugs
• Possession or use of legal drugs not lawfully prescribed for the individual
• Intentional misuse of legally prescribed drugs
• Possession or use of drug paraphernalia

• Use of drugs that leads to medical intervention

• Intent to distribute or distribution (including purchase, sale, illegal transfer, or gifting) of legal or illegal drugs, including prescription medication

We expect that all community members will take active steps to protect the safety and well-being of other community members. To ensure that students receive prompt and appropriate medical attention for alcohol or other drug intoxication and to reduce impediments to seeking such assistance, the College has instituted this Good Samaritan Policy.

The Good Samaritan Policy applies when:

• Student requests medical assistance for themselves by contacting Campus Safety or other College officials.
• Student(s) request medical assistance for another student.
• A student remains cooperative with each step of the process, as outlined below.

The Good Samaritan Policy does not apply when:

• A student violates other College policies beyond the Alcohol and Other Drugs policy.
• Action by police or other law-enforcement personnel takes place.
• A student possesses drugs with the intent to sell.

If the Good Samaritan Policy has been applied for a prior incident, it is at the discretion of the dean of student life or a designee whether a subsequent incident also falls under the Good Samaritan Policy.

In lieu of formal disciplinary action, the student requiring medical attention will meet with a Student Life staff member to discuss the incident. The student requiring medical attention will be referred to Health & Wellness for a consultation and should complete any resulting treatment recommendations in a timely manner. Students who requested medical assistance for a peer may also receive outreach from Student Life offering support and resources.

An event that targets and/or denigrates a member or members of the Sarah Lawrence community on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, or citizenship may constitute a bias incident. Such incidents need not rise to a criminal level in order to violate Sarah Lawrence policies or other applicable antidiscrimination laws.

If you believe that you are the victim of, or witness to, a bias incident, you may report it using the Bias Incident Report form found on MySLC. Please visit the DEI website on MySLC for FAQs about bias-incident reporting. You may also contact the Student Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Office at studentdeib@sarahlawrence.edu for information and/or support.

Any crime committed by a defendant against a victim is considered a hate or bias crime when that victim (either a person or an institution) is intentionally selected, in whole or substantial part, because of that victim’s perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation or expression.

Federal and state laws specifically regulate crimes that are motivated by hate or bias, and the College is required to report them to the local police. Any bias-related crime against a member of our community is viewed as an attack on the entire community and will not be tolerated. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are encouraged to immediately report all bias-related crimes by contacting Campus Safety at 914.395.2222. You may also contact the Student Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Office at studentdeib@sarahlawrence.edu for information and/or support.

To help ensure an environment free of such hateful acts, the College has enacted policies and procedures that specifically deal with bias-related crimes.

Possible penalties for bias-related crimes committed by faculty or staff include warnings, formal reprimands, suspension without pay, or termination of employment.

Note: If the bias crime involves an alleged sexual assault, the Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy will be followed and will supersede the College’s bias-related crime policy and procedures. See Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy (p. 100).

Under the New York State Hate Crimes Act of 2000 (Section 485.05 of the New York State Penal Code), in addition to the criminal charges and the penalties a perpetrator must face for the “crime” element of a hate crime, the law allows for additional charges for the “hate” element as well. This significantly increases the crime with which the perpetrator is charged, as well as the penalties and time of imprisonment if convicted.

Students must comply with the requests of College officials, including, but not limited to, requests for responses, meetings, identification, or information. Violations of this policy also include lying to a College official, failing to provide relevant information, and/or running away when approached by a College official.

Students are expected not to cause damage to, or otherwise vandalize, College property or property owned or controlled by a community member. Violations include, but are not limited to, damaging, removing, tampering with, adhering something to, vandalizing (including etching, painting, drawing upon, or otherwise marking something without permission), or otherwise altering property owned, operated, or controlled by the College or one of its members. This includes, but is not limited to, fire safety and electronic security devices such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, emergency phones, windows, elevators, flagpoles, signs, doors, gardens, lawns, and landscapes.

Students are expected to be honest with, and produce truthful information to, the College and/or College officials. Students will be considered in violation of this policy if they:

• Lie or furnish false information to the College or to College officials, including resident advisers.
• Are aware of false information being furnished by others with the intent to deceive (and do not correct that false information in a timely manner).
• Withhold information pertinent to student misconduct.
• Alter, misuse, enter any false information, or forge signatures on any official documents or College resources, including, but not limited to, registration forms, audit forms, academic transcripts, drop/add forms, or electronic communication.
• Alter or have in their possession an altered identification card of any form.
• Counterfeit, forge, and/or fabricate official documents, paperwork, and/or electronic communications.
• Intentionally issue a bad check/payment or other financial instrument in order to remove a hold, register for classes, or receive an official transcript or diploma.
• Provide false information or fail to provide current information for the purpose of defrauding Sarah Lawrence College or other parties.

Students should refrain from behavior that disrupts, impairs, interferes with, or obstructs the orderly conduct, processes, and functions of the College, including, but not limited to: classes, performances, meetings, and events; self-destructive conduct that may impact the larger community; and interference with the rights of others to enter, use, or leave any College facility, service, or activity.

Students are expected to not possess false identification or falsely identify themselves. Possessing false identification is a Class D Felony (170.10 of the New York State Penal Code — Forgery in the Second Degree or 170.25 of the New York State Penal Code — Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree).

At Sarah Lawrence College, freedom of expression is a core value that fosters an environment of open dialogue and intellectual growth. This freedom must be exercised responsibly, however, ensuring that it does not harm others or infringe upon their rights. Specifically, free expression must not:

• Cause injury or violate the rights of any member of the College community.
• Damage institutional facilities.
• Disrupt classes or other College activities or business.

This policy encompasses all forms of communication, including, but not limited to, oral, written, and electronic media (such as social media). Violations of this policy will be addressed through the Student Conduct Process.

Graffiti of any kind is forbidden on College property. Violations include, but are not limited to, altering, writing on, adhering to, painting, or chalking on walls, furniture, sidewalks, emergency phones, elevators, light poles, existing signage, and landscapes. Graffiti may lead to additional charges for repairing damage to College property.

The College defines hazing as any action taken or situation created that, regardless of location or consent of the participants, recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or involves forced use of alcohol and/or other drugs for the purpose of initiation into or affiliation with any organizations at the College. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, physical and psychological shocks, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, coerced or forced illegal acts, personal servitude, and sexual harassment.

According to the New York State Penal Code, “a person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when, in the course of another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, he intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person and thereby causes such injury.”

The College prohibits all forms of hazing, and any instances of hazing should be reported immediately to Campus Safety at 914.395.2222.

Physical assault is defined as striking, shoving, kicking, or otherwise subjecting another person to physical contact that causes that person harm, is harassing, or alarms that person. Physical assault also includes hitting a person with anything thrown or propelled.

If it is determined that a student found responsible for violating this policy had no other option but to use physical violence in self-defense, this will be taken into consideration in the sanctioning process.

Individuals who believe that they have been physically assaulted should seek immediate assistance by contacting Campus Safety at 914.395.2222. If medical assistance is required, contact Health & Wellness at 914.395.2350 during business hours or Campus Safety at 914.395.2222 at any time.

Threats or other forms of intimidation and/or retaliation against a student or employee, or their family or friends, for bringing a Complaint of any alleged violation of College policy, assisting another person with bringing a Complaint, or participating in the investigation and/or student conduct process are prohibited.

All incidents that are believed to constitute retaliation committed by or against a student should be reported immediately using the Residential Life Incident Reporting form found on MySLC (https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SarahLawrence&layout_id=100).

Sarah Lawrence community members are expected to respect College property, the private property of others, and the property of the larger community in which we live. Violations of this policy include, but are not limited to, the theft, attempted theft, unauthorized use, or possession of property or services owned or controlled by the College or a community member of the College.

The use, possession, and storage of any weapons of any kind (e.g., firearms, ammunition, air guns, knives, bows and arrows, replicas of such), including those defined in Sections 265.01(3) and 265.06 of the New York State Penal Code, are strictly prohibited on campus. Exceptions, for educational purposes only, must be arranged in advance via written approval by the assistant vice president of Campus Safety.