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Student Standards of Conduct

Expectations for Living in Community

All students both residential and commuters must respect and comply with lifestyle expectations and all university polices and procedures. Each student is responsible for reading and adhering to the procedures and regulations outlined in the handbook, the Undergraduate Catalog, and any additional policies related to living in the APU community.

Students are encouraged to hold one another accountable to community and university standards to foster personal growth and development.

1.0 Community Social Misconduct: Community social misconduct is defined generally as any act(s) that threaten the well-being of the community, its integrity and Christian values, or the well-being of any member of the community and guests.

1.1 Non-Compliance with a University Official, Law Enforcement, Campus Safety Officer, or Residence Life Staff Member: The university strictly prohibits any violations of noncompliance and will not tolerate the following behavior:

  • Failure to obey the summons of a university official
  • Failure to fully disclose all information to a university official during an investigation or the disciplinary process
  • Falsification, lying, hiding, distortion, or misrepresentation of information relevant to or requested in connection with and during an investigation or the disciplinary process
  • Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct during an investigation or the disciplinary process
  • Attempting to or disrupting an individual's required participation during an investigation or the disciplinary process
  • Influencing or attempting to influence another person to obstruct an investigation or to abuse the disciplinary process and sanctions
  • Harassment or intimidation of a community member involved in an investigation or in the disciplinary process
  • Any student found to be a habitual traffic offender or in violation of imposed parking sanctions will be found to have violated the Student Standards of Conduct
  • Failure to comply with any and all sanctions imposed as a result of the disciplinary process

1.2 Self-Leadership: All students must conduct themselves in a manner that promotes and supports the well-being of the community, its integrity, and Christian values. The university reserves the right to confront and hold students accountable for behavior that is detrimental to the student, infringes upon the rights and sensitivities of others, or has the appearance of impropriety (appears to not be in keeping with accepted university standards of what is right and proper). For example, students should refrain from actively participating in or being present during violations of community standards.

1.3 Mutual Respect: Students are expected to be respectful of the individual rights and freedoms of others within the APU community, including faculty, staff, and other students. If a shared sense of understanding does not exist between community members, students are still expected to exhibit an outward sensitivity to the inherent diversity within the APU community.

1.4 Student Integrity: Honesty and integrity are foundational within an academic institution, and are crucial for any community’s health. APU students are expected to conduct themselves in ways that reflect these values. As such, dishonesty in any form (including but not limited to: knowingly furnishing false information, omitting or withholding information, or intentional misrepresentation) will result in disciplinary action.

As a reminder, students should familiarize themselves with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy and Pledge, which reads as follows:

"As a student at this Christ-centered university, I will uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors, nor will I accept the actions of those who do. I will conduct myself responsibly and honorably in all my academic activities as an Azusa Pacific University student."

2.0 Breaking the Law: Students who break the law, either on or off campus, will be subject to investigation and the disciplinary process. When a student is charged by a federal, state, or local authority, the university will not request special consideration for that individual because of his/her student status. The university will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of the law.

View the number of crimes reported to campus authorities during the past four years.

2.1 Jaywalking: Jaywalking is against the law, and students who violate this law may be subject to the disciplinary process.

2.2 Theft: The taking of the property of another without his or her consent is prohibited.

3.0 Harassment: The university is committed to fostering a positive learning, working, and living environment. Therefore, unlawful harassment based on sexual harassment (see Section 10.2 below) and conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual based upon an individual’s race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis protected by federal or state laws will not be tolerated. Members of this community condemn unlawful harassment of any kind of or by any employee or student.

Unlawful harassment may take place in any form, including conduct that is oral, physical, written, graphic, or visual. Such conduct includes but is not limited to objectionable epithets, demeaning depictions or treatment, and threatened or actual abuse or harm based on discrimination toward others’ attributes as stated above.

Unlawful harassment may also take place in the form of a hostile environment. A hostile environment may be created by oral, physical, written, graphic, or visual conduct related to an individual’s race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other basis protected by federal or state laws that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive so as to interfere with or limit the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the university’s programs or activities.

The university is sensitive to First Amendment concerns that may arise in the course of addressing unlawful harassment complaints and takes special care to avoid actions that would impair the First Amendment rights of the university’s students and employees.

For more information, please see Azusa Pacific University’s Positional Statement on Diversity: www.apu.edu/about/diversity/.

Reporting Procedures and Potential Consequences
Students are encouraged to report all incidents of unlawful harassment. Reporting a concern does not mandate an “official” complaint, but does allow for the student(s) to seek the support that they need while bringing a set of circumstances to the university’s attention.

  1. Formal Support System: The formal support system provides students an opportunity to make decisions about filing or defending a formal complaint in the university’s accountability process, seek personal counseling, and find community resources to assist in dealing with the issue. The formal reporting process can be initiated by contacting a member of one of the following offices:
    • Senior Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students: (626) 812-3061
    • Associate Vice President for Student Life: (626) 812-3061
    • Associate Dean of Students: (626) 815-2067
    • Office of the Athletic Director: (626) 815-5087
    • Department of Campus Safety: (626) 815-3805
    • Office of Communiversity: (626) 812-3053
    • Office of Residence Life: (626) 815-3825
    • Office of Human Resources: (626) 815-4526

    Although APU encourages reporting of harassment, it is ultimately the student’s decision whether to file a formal university complaint. Confidential counseling services are made available through the University Counseling Center at (626) 815-2109. The Office of Campus Pastors and the Student Health Center are also available to provide advice on a confidential basis.

  2. Formal Complaint: When the accused is an APU student or student group, the complainant is encouraged to pursue a university complaint. The complainant need not be a student if they are harmed on APU property by a student. A university complaint can be used to establish violations of the Student Standards of Conduct, but not whether a criminal act has been committed. When an individual believes that a crime has been committed, it is recommended that charges be filed with the local criminal justice system. Although there is no time limit on the filing of campus complaints as long as the offender is still a member of the APU community, prompt reporting is likely to result in a more satisfactory investigation because memories are fresh and witnesses are more readily available.

    University complaints against other students or student groups should be filed through the Office of Student Life at (626) 812-3061. University complaints against an employee of APU should be filed through the Office of Human Resources at (626) 815-4526.

    Once a formal complaint is filed, it goes to an information gathering and hearing process to determine the appropriate response. For a complete outline of the disciplinary process, see Student Standards of Conduct overview sections.

With respect to the university’s disciplinary process, APU reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems necessary in order to protect students’ rights and personal safety. Such measures include, but are not limited to, modification of living arrangements, summary removal of an accused student from campus pending a hearing, and reporting to the local police. The university will consider the concerns and rights of both the complainant and the person accused of misconduct.

Sanctions
The university will seek through the process to achieve both education for those involved and reconciliation of the parties impacted. In these matters, the university response may include educational sanctions, residence hall sanctions, probation, suspension, or expulsion from the university for the responsible party. A party found not responsible for a policy violation will not be subject to sanction. As long as it does not interfere with the process, effort will be made to keep the identities of all parties involved confidential.

4.0 Fighting and Violence: Physical violence toward another person is strictly prohibited.

5.0 Threatening or Endangering Physical or Emotional Safety: The university will not tolerate expressed or implied threats against others. Any conduct that threatens or endangers the health, physical or emotional safety of a community member, including oneself, either on or off campus, is not acceptable. This may also include any conduct violation motivated by bias toward characteristics including, but not limited to, race, gender, religion, or class, will result in significantly more serious sanctions, and may result in immediate suspension or expulsion.

5.1 Biohazard and Bodily Fluid: Student use of any form of biohazard (e.g. bodily waste or fluid from a human or animal) apart from any academic requirements is dangerous to the health of community members and is strictly prohibited on or off campus. Violation of this policy will result in a minimum fine of $500 per person, as well as any additional cost for clean up and personnel.

6.0 Hazing: Any and all forms of hazing and initiation are illegal whether voluntary or involuntary. The university takes very seriously any alleged forms of hazing and strictly prohibits this behavior. Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

  • All forms of physical activity deemed dangerous or harmful
  • The application of foreign substances to the body
  • Scavenger hunts involving illegal activities, kidnapping, or ditching a member of the community
  • Depriving students of sleep
  • Not providing decent and edible foods
  • Depriving students’ means of maintaining personal hygiene
  • Forcing, coercing, pressuring, or requiring students to consume alcohol, or foreign or unusual amounts of substances
  • Nudity or forcing students to dress in a degrading manner
  • Psychological hazing: any act which is likely to compromise the dignity of a student; cause embarrassment or shame to a student; cause a student to be the object of ridicule or malicious amusement; or inflict psychological or emotional harm

7.0 Pranks: Students who participate in any activity on or off campus that threatens and intimidates and/or endangers the health, physical, or emotional well-being of a community member; results in damage, malicious or nonmalicious vandalism, or general disregard for university or private property; or involves a violation of university policy is strictly prohibited.

8.0 Inappropriate, Lewd, Indecent, or Obscene Behavior or Language: Inappropriate, lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior, language, music, or dress will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to the possession or display of pornographic and/or sexually suggestive material, and derogatory racial/ethnic material in any form on university-owned or leased premises, including on computers.

9.0 Cohabitation: Students are not allowed to live with or engage in overnight stays with members of the opposite sex in the same living arrangements (i.e. on or off campus.). This may not apply to students living in their parents’ home.

10.0 Sexual Misconduct: Sexual misconduct offenses include, but are not limited to: inappropriate sexual behavior, sexual harassment, nonconsensual sexual intercourse (or attempts to commit same), nonconsensual sexual contact (or attempts to commit same), and sexual exploitation.

10.1 Inappropriate Sexual Behavior: Students who engage in unmarried sexual behavior will be subject to disciplinary process. The following are examples of some (but certainly not all) forms of inappropriate sexual behavior:

  • Unmarried sexual relations or activities
  • Homosexual acts or behavior (proclamation of a romantic same sex relationship, hand holding, etc.)

10.2 Sexual Harassment: The university is committed to fostering a positive learning, working, and living environment. Members of this community condemn sexual harassment of any kind by any employee or student.

Sexual harassment is conduct that (i) is sexual in nature, (ii) is unwelcome, and (iii) denies or limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the university’s education program.

Sexual harassment can take different forms depending on the harasser and the nature of the harassment. The conduct can be carried out by university employees, other students, and non-employee third parties, such as a visiting speaker. Both male and female students can be victims of sexual harassment, and the harasser and the victim can be of the same gender.

The conduct can occur in any university program or activity and can take place in university facilities, on a university vehicle, or at other off-campus locations, such as a university-sponsored field trip or a training program at another location. The conduct can be verbal, nonverbal, or physical.

Some examples that may constitute unlawful sexual harassment include:

  • Making sexual propositions or pressuring students for sexual favors
  • Touching of a sexual nature
  • Writing graffiti of a sexual nature
  • Displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures, or written materials
  • Performing sexual gestures or touching oneself in front of others
  • Telling sexual or dirty jokes
  • Spreading sexual rumors or rating other students as to sexual activity or performance
  • Circulating or showing emails or Web sites of a sexual nature

Legitimate nonsexual touching or conduct generally will not be considered sexual harassment. However, it may rise to that level if it takes on sexual connotations.

Conduct is considered unwelcome if the student did not request or invite it and considered the conduct to be undesirable or offensive. The age of the student, the nature of the conduct, and other relevant factors affect whether a student was capable of welcoming the sexual conduct. A student’s submission to the conduct or failure to complain does not always mean that the conduct was welcome.

Two general types of sexual conduct can deny or limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the university’s program. As discussed below, faculty and other university employees can engage in either type of conduct, while students and third parties can engage in only one type.

  1. Quid pro Quo: One form of sexual harassment occurs when faculty or other university employee conditions an educational decision or benefit on the student’s submission to unwelcome sexual conduct. If this occurs, it does not matter whether the student resists and suffers the threatened harm or submits to and avoids the threatened harm.

  2. Hostile Environment: Sexual harassment also occurs when a faculty member, university employee, other student, or third party creates a hostile environment that is sufficiently serious to deny or limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the university’s program. Whether such a hostile environment has been created depends on the particular circumstances of the incident(s). Relevant considerations include, but are not limited to:

    • how much of an adverse effect the conduct had on the student’s education
    • the type, frequency, or duration of the conduct
    • the identity, age, and gender of the harasser(s) and the victim(s), and the relationship between them
    • the number of individuals who engaged in the harassing conduct and at whom the harassment was directed
    • the size of the school, location of the incidents, and context in which they occurred
    • whether other incidents occurred at the university involving different students

    The conduct does not necessarily have to be repetitive. If sufficiently severe, single or isolated incidents can create a hostile environment.

Anybody who sees sexual harassment occur should report it; the individual need not be the victim of the harassment. All complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated by the university and appropriate corrective action, including disciplinary measures, taken when warranted. All students are responsible for maintaining an appropriate environment for study and work. This includes taking appropriate corrective action to prevent and eliminate harassment. Sexual harassment includes conduct that is criminal in nature, such as rape, sexual assault, dating violence, and sexually motivated stalking. Even if the university reports possible criminal conduct to the police, the university will still conduct an investigation to determine what happened and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation.

A student has the legal right at any time to raise the issue of sexual harassment without fear of reprisal or retaliation. Any student who feels that s/he has been sexually harassed should immediately bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate university official listed below by providing written documentation of the facts of the incident(s) and the name(s) of the individual(s) involved.

Seeking Help, Reporting Procedures, and Consequences
Students are encouraged to report all incidents of rape and/or sexual assault. It is strongly advised that any student who is raped or sexually assaulted have a medical examination, even if they think that no physical injury has occurred or they do not wish to file formal charges of any kind. They may be in shock, have internal injuries, or have been exposed to an STD, etc. Treatment for injuries and STDs should be done quickly, and even more critically, physical evidence of a sexual assault or rape should be collected at the hospital within 72 hours of the assault. After that time, physical evidence can no longer be preserved.

  • If rape drugs are suspected, try to obtain a sample of the drink and/or be sure to report this suspicion with the request that a urine test be done as soon as possible.
  • Students are encouraged to write down all the details and recollections of the incident including descriptions of persons involved in the rape or sexual assault.

Reporting Procedures:

  1. Formal Criminal Complaint
    1. File police report through Azusa Police Department or other appropriate law enforcement agency.
    2. Call the Department of Campus Safety at (626) 815-3805. The department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Campus Safety is available to arrange a neutral meeting place for your initial contact with the police and, if you wish, a representative of APU will accompany you. APU has no control over the investigatory and legal process that may result when you report a crime to the police, but will cooperate fully with it. If a student makes the decision to report, APU’s policy is to assist law enforcement, and not to take any action that would interfere with the law enforcement agency’s criminal investigation. APU will only proceed administratively when it does not compromise a pending law enforcement investigation.
    3. A police report is taken. This is an informational process that requires the student to recount details of the incident. The taking of this report implies that there now exists the possibility that criminal charges may be filed. The District Attorney has the option to proceed with prosecution with or without permission of the victimized student.
  2. University Complaint
    1. University complaints against other students are filed through the Office of Student Life at (626) 812-3061.
    2. University complaints against an employee of APU are filed through the Office of Human Resources at (626) 815-4526.
    3. A Sexual Misconduct Administrative Response Team (S.M.A.R.T.) member will assist if necessary. S.M.A.R.T. is a group of trained professional staff members who provide the campus with services for victims of sexual assault. S.M.A.R.T. ensures that the college is in compliance both with federal and state reporting regulations and with federal and state guidelines for victims’ rights.
    4. Follow-up and support of students is provided through S.M.A.R.T.

Complaint Procedures:

  1. Informal Support System: The informal support system provides students an opportunity to make decisions about filing or defending a formal complaint in the university’s judicial system, seeking personal counseling, and finding community resources to assist in dealing with the issue. The informal reporting process can provide confidential one-on-one support. This process is initiated by contacting a member of the S.M.A.R.T. team. Following is a list of the S.M.A.R.T. team members:
    1. Associate Vice President for Student Life
    2. Associate Dean of Students
    3. Office of Campus Pastors
    4. Office of Communiversity
    5. Office of Human Resources
    6. Office of Residence Life
    7. Office of Student Success
    8. Department of Campus Safety
  2. Formal Complaint: When the accused is an APU student, the complainant is encouraged to pursue a university complaint. The complainant need not be a student if they are harmed on APU property by a student. A university complaint can be used to establish violations of the Student Standards of Conduct, but not whether a criminal act has been committed. When an individual believes that a crime has been committed, it is recommended that charges be filed with the local criminal justice system. Although there is no time limit on the filing of campus complaints as long as the offender is still a member of the APU community, prompt reporting is likely to result in a more satisfactory investigation because memories are fresh and witnesses are more readily available.

Once a formal complaint is filed, if the accused admits the violation, the complaint goes to a hearing to determine a sanction. For a complete outline of the hearing process, see Student Standards of Conduct section 4.0 in the Disciplinary Process.

Although APU encourages reporting of rape and sexual assault, it is ultimately the student’s decision whether to file a criminal and/or university complaint unless the student is a minor. If the student is a minor, the university is required to report the matter to a law enforcement agency. Confidential counseling services are made available through the University Counseling Center at (626) 815-2109. The Office of Campus Pastors and the Student Health Center are also available to provide advice on a confidential basis.

Other useful offices that will assist you:

Other resources:

Project Sister, (909) 626-HELP, www.projectsister.org

National Sexual Assault, (800) 656-HOPE, www.rainn.org

With respect to the university’s conduct process, APU reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems necessary in response to an allegation of sexual misconduct in order to protect students’ rights and personal safety. Such measures include, but are not limited to, modification of living arrangements, summary removal of an accused student from campus pending a hearing, and reporting to the local police. Not all forms of sexual misconduct will be deemed to be equally serious offenses, and the university reserves the right to impose differing sanctions, ranging from oral warning to expulsion, depending on the severity of the offense. The university will consider the concerns and rights of both the complainant and the person accused of sexual misconduct. In appropriate circumstances, a warning may be issued to the campus community, though any such notification would not jeopardize the confidentiality of the victim.

Sanctions
In the event of rape or sexual assault, sanctions may include discretionary sanctions, residence hall sanctions, probation, suspension, or expulsion from the university for the responsible party, and the complainant and responsible party involved will be notified. A party found not responsible for a policy violation will not be subject to sanction. Every effort will be made to keep the identities of all parties involved in the offense confidential, although if the offense occurred on campus, the university has an obligation to inform the university community that rape or sexual assault has taken place.

Sanction Statement

  • Any student found responsible of a complaint of nonconsensual sexual contact (where no intercourse has occurred) will receive a sanction ranging from warning to expulsion, depending on the severity of the incident, and taking into account any previous campus conduct code violations.*
  • Any student found responsible of a complaint of nonconsensual sexual intercourse will face a recommended sanction of suspension (with conditions to reentry into the campus community) or expulsion.*
  • Any student found responsible of a complaint of sexual exploitation or sexual harassment will receive a recommended sanction ranging from warning to expulsion, depending on the severity of the incident, and taking into account any previous campus conduct code violations.*
  • The judicial body reserves the right to broaden or lessen any range of recommended sanctions in the complaint of serious mitigating circumstances or egregiously offensive behavior. Neither the judicial body nor any appeals body or officer will deviate from the range of recommended sanctions unless compelling justification exists to do so.*

*This code language is adapted from the model policies and code authored by the National Center for Higher Education Risk Management (www.ncherm.org). Use of this model has been licensed to APU for its Student Code of Conduct. All other use is strictly reserved to NCHERM under its copyright. Adaptation, use, or copying of this code by any institution other than APU is not permitted without express written authorization by the copyright holder.

10.3 Sexual Misconduct While Under the Influence of Alcohol or Any Other Controlled Substance: Student will be subject to the disciplinary process if there is a reasonable belief that he/she knew or should have known that others involved were under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance at the time that the violation occurred.

10.4 Nonconsensual Sexual Contact: Nonconsensual sexual contact is: any intentional sexual touching, however slight, with any object, by a man or a woman upon a man or a woman, without effective consent.

10.5 Nonconsensual Sexual Intercourse: Nonconsensual sexual intercourse is: any sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal), however slight, with any object, by a man or woman upon a man or a woman, without effective consent.

Definition of an Effective Consent
Consent may be given by words or actions unmistakable in meaning. In order to be effective, consent cannot be procured by use of physical force, compelling threats, intimidating behavior, or coercion. Coercive behavior differs from seductive behavior based on the type of pressure someone uses to get consent from another. When someone makes clear to you that they do not want sex, that they want to stop, or that they do not want to go past a certain point of sexual interaction, continued pressure beyond that point can be coercive. In order to give effective consent, one must be of legal age.

If you have sexual activity with someone you know to be or should know to be mentally or physically incapacitated (alcohol or other drug use, unconsciousness, or blackout), you are in violation of this policy and may be in violation of the law. Any time sexual activity takes place between individuals, those individuals must be capable of controlling their physical actions and be capable of making rational, reasonable decisions about their sexual behavior.

This policy also covers someone whose incapacity results from mental disability, sleep, involuntary physical restraint, or from the taking of a so-called "date-rape" drug. Possession, use, and/or distribution of any of these substances, including Rohypnol, Ketomine, GHB, Burundanga, etc., is prohibited, and administering one of these drugs to another student for the purpose of inducing incapacity is a violation of this policy. Use of alcohol or other drugs will never function to excuse behavior that violates this policy.

Sexual activity includes:

  • Intentional contact with the breasts, buttock, groin, or genitals, or touching another with any of these body parts, or making another touch you or themselves with or on any of these body parts
  • Intercourse, however slight, meaning vaginal penetration by a penis, object, tongue or finger, anal penetration by a penis, object, tongue, or finger, and oral copulation (mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact)

10.5 Sexual Exploitation: Sexual exploitation occurs when a student takes or attempts to take nonconsensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for his/her own advantage or benefit, or to benefit or advantage anyone other than the one being exploited, and that behavior does not otherwise constitute one of other sexual misconduct offenses.

Examples of sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to:

  • prostituting another student.
  • nonconsensual video or audio-taping of sexual activity.
  • going beyond the boundaries of consent (such as letting your friends hide in the closet to watch you having consensual sex).
  • attempting to view directly, or through electronic means, another individual in a state of undress for prurient purposes, without his/her consent (such as using a camera to peek up the dresses of female students; or peeking through a hole in the wall of a shower facility to watch others bathe).
  • knowingly transmitting an STD to another student.

11.0 Hosting Disruptive Gatherings: No student living on or off campus can host any disruptive party, gathering, or event which disturbs or impacts the peace of another. This includes but is not limited to: disturbing the peace of others; excessive noise; violent, offensive, disorderly behavior, or quarrelsome conduct; traffic obstruction of public or private streets by crowds or vehicles; litter; etc. Any host or student who participates in such an activity will be subject to disciplinary process.

11.1 Hosting Gatherings Involving Alcohol or Drugs: Persons who host or in any way assist or promote a gathering (on or off campus) that includes alcohol given to underage persons, underage consumption of alcohol, illegal drug usage, or any drunkenness will be subject to probable suspension or expulsion from the university. Those living at the location where the party is held may be held responsible as hosts regardless of who provides the alcohol.

12.0 Use of Alcohol and or Narcotics: Students who possess, distribute, and/or use alcohol, narcotics, or other intoxicants may be subject to the disciplinary process. Students present on campus while under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol are subject to the disciplinary process even if their consumption was off campus. (List of descriptions of substances as well as Alcohol and Drugs Federal Mandate is listed in the Reference-section)

12.1 Student Providing Alcohol: The university will not tolerate students providing alcohol to those under the age of 21 regardless of the location (on campus, overseas, study abroad, missions, etc.). Such action will subject a student to severe disciplinary process.

12.2 Underage Possession and Consumption of Alcohol: The university will not tolerate the possession and consumption of alcohol by students under the age of 21 regardless of their location (i.e. on campus, overseas, study abroad, missions, etc.). Such action will subject a student to severe disciplinary process.

12.3 Driving Under the Influence: Operating a motor vehicle, on or off campus, after consuming alcohol or a controlled substance is a serious threat to oneself and the community and may result in immediate suspension or expulsion. Anyone who injures another person as a result of driving under the influence may be permanently expelled.

13.0 Use of Tobacco: In the interest of common health concerns, the campus provides a tobacco- free environment. Use or display of any form of tobacco (including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, snuff, smokeless tobacco, chew, hemp, hookah, paraphernalia, devices etc.) on university premises or at any university-sponsored function is strictly prohibited.

14.0 Gambling: All gambling (monetary and/or commodities) on university premises, including websites, or at university-sponsored events is strictly prohibited.

15.0 Unauthorized Use of University Property or Premises: Unauthorized entry and misuse of university premises or property, including but not limited to, entering a restricted area (i.e., rooftops), the unauthorized use of computers or telephones, or other university equipment is prohibited.

15.1 Safety Equipment: The illegal use, possession of, or tampering with safety equipment, such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire doors, a door locks, latches, etc., on university premises is illegal and may result in criminal prosecution, and mandatory minimum fine of $500.

15.2 Inappropriate Computer Usage: The university filters and monitors inappropriate computer and online usage, and upgrades its filtering and monitoring abilities as the university deems necessary. Software piracy is a theft. Azusa Pacific University does not condone or tolerate the unauthorized copying of licensed computer software by staff, faculty, or students. The unauthorized duplication, operation on machines other than for which it is licensed, or other "piracy" of software is a violation of federal law, and may expose the individual and the university to legal processes. The university must adhere to its contractual obligations and comply with all copyright laws, and expects each members of the APU community to do the same. Anyone who violates this policy may be subject to discipline as outlined in the staff, faculty, or student handbooks, and could face additional and possibly costly civil or criminal liability. Questions about whether particular activities are permissible or violate this policy should be directed to staff members of the Office of Student Life, or the Legal Affairs General Counsel.

More information is available on IMT’s policies page.

15.3 Vandalism/Damages: Any malicious or non-malicious act that causes damage, destroys, or defaces any university, public, or private property is strictly prohibited. Restitution determined by the university will be required.

16.0 Inappropriate Communication and Publication: Students will be held accountable for statements and publications that they make in printed or electronic form that are inconsistent with the Student Standards of Conduct (i.e., MySpace, Facebook, blogs, etc.).

17.0 Weapons: Possession of any type of firearms, including but not limited to BB/pellet guns, paint guns, air guns, air soft guns, taser guns, any facsimile of a gun or any counterfeit firearm, blow guns, blow gun ammunition, switch blades, bows and arrows, explosive devices, martial arts weapons, fireworks, water balloon launchers, and all other weapons listed in the California penal code section 12020, and/or other weapons considered illegal or dangerous by a university official is prohibited on campus premises.

18.0 Protests and Demonstrations: Students must adhere to the APU Student Assembly and Forum Policy (See here.)

19.0 Abuse of the Disciplinary Process: Any student who, by intention and/or action, impedes the disciplinary process will be subject to the disciplinary process.

References

Alcohol and Drugs Federal Mandate: The federal government mandated on October 1, 1990 that there will be no illegal drug use by students, staff, or faculty on college campuses anywhere in the United States. At its November 22, 1991 meeting, the Board of Trustees of Azusa Pacific University adopted the following policy statement to comply with the law. The policy, which is to be shared in writing with students, staff, and faculty, is as follows:

On November 18, 1988, Congress passed the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-690, Title V, Subtitle D; 41 U.S.C. 701 et. seq.). This statute requires contractors and grantees of federal agencies to certify that they will provide a drug-free workplace. Making this required certification is a precondition for receiving a contract or grant from a federal agency.

Pursuant to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, it is unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, or use controlled substances at university work sites and/or while performing university activities, events, or business. The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (P.L. 101-226) amends the 1988 law, stating that it is also unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use, or sell illicit drugs and alcohol in the workplace, at any university activities or events, or while performing university business.

Compliance for Students: The university makes every effort to provide and maintain a drug-free campus. Pursuant to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, it is unlawful to manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use, or sell illicit drugs and alcohol in all buildings, property, facilities, service areas, and satellite centers of the university. All students are required to comply with this policy as a condition of their continued enrollment. Any student violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension and possible expulsion.

Local, state, and federal laws establish severe penalties for violations of drug and alcohol statutes. These sanctions, upon conviction, may range from a fine to life imprisonment. In the case of possession and distribution of illegal drugs, these sanctions could include the seizure and summary forfeiture of property, including vehicles. It is especially important to know that federal laws have established penalties for illegally distributing drugs to include life imprisonment and fines in excess of $1,000,000. Some examples of local or state laws are as follows:

  • Unlawful possession of a narcotic drug is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison.
  • The purchase, possession, or consumption of any alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine) by any person under the age of 21 is prohibited.
  • It is not permissible to provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21.
  • Serving alcohol to an intoxicated person is prohibited.
  • Selling any alcoholic beverages, either directly or indirectly, except under the authority of a California Alcoholic Beverage Control License, is prohibited.
  • It is a felony to induce another person to take various drugs and “intoxicating agents” with the intent of enabling oneself or the drugged person to commit a felony. The person who induced the other may be regarded as a principal in any crime committed.
  • Any person found in a public place to be under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug and unable to care for his/her own safety, or who is interfering with the use of a public way, is guilty of disorderly conduct, which is a misdemeanor.

In addition, pursuant to federal law, a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid may be suspended if the student is convicted, under federal or state law, of any offense involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs.

Alcohol/drug abuse counseling, treatment, rehabilitation information, referral information, and social service directories for Los Angeles County are available in the Student Health Center, Office of Student Life, and the University Counseling Center.

Definitions: The use of illegal drugs and tobacco and abuse of alcohol may have serious health consequences, including damage to the heart, lungs, and other organs. Alcohol accidents are the number one cause of death for persons aged 15-24. The most significant health risk, besides death, is addiction. Chemical dependency is a disease that, if not arrested, is fatal. Illegal drug use or possession may involve, but is not limited to the following substances:

Alcohol
Even low doses of alcohol significantly impair the judgment and coordination needed to operate vehicles. Small amounts also lower inhibitions. Moderate to high doses cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, memory, and ability to learn and recall information. High doses cause respiratory depression and death. Long-term consumption, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can lead to dependence and permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

If combined with other depressants that affect the central nervous system, even low doses of alcohol will produce adverse effects. Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation.

Tobacco/Nicotine
Immediate effects include relaxation and increased confidence and metabolism. Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to contract heart disease. Thirty percent of cancer deaths are linked to smoking. Chronic obstructive lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, are 10 times more likely to occur among smokers than nonsmokers. Smoking during pregnancy also poses risks such as spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and low birth weights. Fetal and infant deaths are more likely to occur when the pregnant woman is a smoker. Tobacco/nicotine is both psychologically and physically addictive.

Cannabis: Marijuana, THC, Hashish, Hashish Oil
Physical effects of cannabis include increased heart rate and appetite, bloodshot eyes, and dry mouth and throat. Use of cannabis may impair or reduce ability to drive an automobile or perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination. Motivation and cognition may be altered making the acquisition of new information difficult. Marijuana, hashish, THC, etc., can also produce paranoia and psychosis. Long-term use may result in possible lung damage, reduced sperm count and mobility, and affect ovulation cycles. Cannabis can also be psychologically addictive.

Cocaine/Crack
Cocaine stimulates the central nervous system. Its immediate effects include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, and body temperature. Occasional use can cause nasal irritation; chronic use can ulcerate the mucous membrane of the nose. Crack or freebase rock is extremely addictive. Physical effects include dilated pupils, increased pulse rate, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite, tactile hallucinations, paranoia, and seizures. The use of cocaine can cause death by cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.

Stimulants: Amphetamines, Crank, Ice, Methamphetamines
Stimulants cause increased heart and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, and decreased appetite. Users may experience sweating, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, sleeplessness, and anxiety. Extremely high doses can cause rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of coordination, and physical collapse. An amphetamine injection creates a sudden increase in blood pressure that can result in stroke, very high fever, or heart failure. In addition to physical effects, feelings of restlessness, anxiety, and moodiness can result. Use of large amounts over a long period of time can cause amphetamine psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. The use of amphetamines can cause physical and psychological dependence.

Hallucinogens: PCP, LSD
Phencyclidine (PCP) interrupts the functions of the neocortex, possibly resulting in self-inflicted injuries. Users may experience a sense of distance and estrangement, loss of muscular coordination, and speech impairment. Large doses may produce convulsions and coma as well as heart and lung failure.

Lysergic Acid (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin cause illusions and hallucinations. Physical effects may include dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, tremors, and psychological reactions. Users may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Delayed effects or flashbacks can occur even after use has ceased. Use of hallucinogens can cause psychological dependence.

Students who possess, distribute, and/or use alcohol, narcotics, or other intoxicants may be subject to the disciplinary process. Students present on campus while under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol are subject to disciplinary process even if their consumption was off campus.

Anabolic Steroids
Steroid users subject themselves to more than 70 side effects, ranging in severity from acne to liver abnormalities to psychological reactions. The liver and cardiovascular and reproductive systems are most seriously affected by use. In males, use can cause withered testicles, sterility, and impotence. In females, masculine traits can develop along with breast reduction and sterility. Psychological effects in both sexes include very aggressive behavior known as "road rage" and depression. While some side effects appear quickly, others such as heart attacks and strokes may not show up for years.

Review: The university will conduct a biennial review of its alcohol and drug regulations to determine their effectiveness and implement changes as needed to ensure that the sanctions developed are consistently enforced.