The Student Integrity Code applies to individual students (both) undergraduate and graduate, student groups, and student organizations.
The Student Integrity Code may be applied to behavior that is in-person, written, or conducted online, via e-mail or through other electronic means. Additionally, students are responsible for the conduct of their non-student guests and should be with their guests at all times when on campus or at university-sponsored events.
The university designates that an “individual student” includes all persons registered for a course or courses at the university, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies and/or taking classes in an auditing or non-matriculant capacity. A person pursuing studies at Puget Sound is considered a student until such time that all necessary coursework has been completed, final grades have posted, and, for degree-seeking students, the degree has been conferred. Additionally, the following are considered students related to allegations of the Student Integrity Code violations:
- persons who have accepted offers of admission (i.e., submitted deposits), but have not yet registered for classes;
- persons residing on campus prior to attending classes or while completing a withdrawal or departure process;
- persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term (i.e., on a leave of absence, studying abroad, on suspension, etc.), but who have a continuing relationship with the college; and
- persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Integrity Code.
A person enrolled in classes that has faculty/staff status with Puget Sound shall retain their faculty/staff status and be referred to the appropriate venue for alleged violations (i.e., Human Resources).
Alleged violations of the Student Integrity Code that happen after admission, but prior to enrollment in classes, and/or prior to a withdrawal, leave of absence, or graduation are not exempt from the conduct process and may be adjudicated. The Student Integrity Code applies to a student’s conduct even if the student withdraws from the university while a conduct matter is pending. If found responsible and sanctioned, a hold may be placed impacting the student’s ability to enroll, re-enroll, obtain official transcripts, and/or graduate. All assigned sanctions must be satisfied prior to the hold being released.
The university may pursue the conduct process for incidents that happen on or off campus. The following criteria will be used to determine if an off-campus incident will initiate the conduct process:
- When the incident was recognized by others (onlookers, complainants, or witnesses) as being carried out by a student, student group, or student organization;
- When the incident adversely impacted the mental, emotional, or physical health, safety, and/or security of university community members;
- When the incident adversely impacted the university mission and/or values; and/or
- Whether the incident was a violation of federal or state laws or regulations, or local ordinances.