POLICIES AFFECTING STUDENTS

Policy on Off-Campus Disorderly and Disruptive Behavior

Policy Statement: Under the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, the University
may bring charges against a student or group of students whose “off-campus actions affect the university community or the university’s pursuit of its mission, policies or procedures”. (Student Code of Conduct,section C. Scope, #1)  Off-campus behavior which is disorderly and disruptive to others in the community or the neighborhoods surrounding
the University may fall under this category.

When addressing the off campus behavior of its students, the University is primarily interested in responding to students who demonstrate a pattern of  behavior over time that is disruptive to others in the community and involves disorderly conduct that is a violation of local, state or federal laws or the University Student Code of Conduct.

Repeated off-campus conduct that is disorderly and disrupts others in the community is prohibited and is subject to discipline through the University’s judicial process.  Students who lease off-campus residences shall be held accountable for the disorderly and disruptive actions of others occurring within the leased premises and shall be subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct.  It is not necessary for students to receive a criminal or civil citation in order for their behavior to be subject to discipline.

Reason for Policy: Towson University is interested in addressing the off-campus conduct of students who demonstrate a pattern of behavior over time that is disorderly
and disruptive to others in the surrounding neighborhoods of the University.

Definitions: Disorderly Conduct: Conduct which is a violation of local, state or federal laws or the University Student Code of Conduct. Examples of disorderly conduct include but are not limited to underage alcohol possession or consumption, public intoxication, noise violations, public urination, and harassment of others.

Disruptive to Others: Conduct which is likely to disrupt the activities of a reasonable person going about his/her daily life in the communities surrounding the University or one’s home.  

Procedures: The University has developed a process by which it plans to address the problem of repeated incidents of disorderly and disruptive conduct in its neighborhoods. It is as follows:

1. Advice to Complainants:
The University will advise students, faculty, staff, and its neighboring communities of the following steps it would  like possible complainants to follow if an incident of disorderly conduct disrupts the community or neighborhoods:

• Talk to the students first, describing the offending behavior and asking that it be stopped.

• If there is no positive response from the students, call the local police and ask that they come to address the behavior.

• If the offending behavior is taking place in an apartment complex, call the apartment management to ask that the behavior be addressed.

• Call the neighborhood representative at an appropriate time, possibly the following day, to report the incident.

• Leave a message describing the behavior on the Towson University Student Lifeline at (410) 704-5433 or Studentaffairs@towson.edu. These calls will be addressed the following workday and will be logged by the University.

2. Procedure If Civil or Criminal Citation Issued:
If a citation is issued by the local police, the University’s Office of Judicial Affairs will investigate and determine whether the students are responsible for violating local, state or federal laws or violating the Student Code of Conduct. If they are found responsible, they will be sanctioned. (See list of possible sanctions).

3. Procedure If No Citation Issued – House Visit:
If no citation is issued by the local police, the University will send representatives from the Towson University Police Department and the Campus Life Office to meet with the student residents at the off-campus residence. The local police may also be involved in visiting with the residents. The University representatives will discuss the incident with the students, discuss appropriate neighborhood behavior, describe the consequences of creating a pattern of disruptive behavior and if the circumstances warrant it, issue an informal warning including a description of potential fines and other related sanctions. The informal warnings will not be noted in individual students’ judicial records; however, a record that a discussion occurred will be kept.

4. Student Organizations, Athletic Teams, Etc.:
If the students involved are members of the same student organization including an athletic team, fraternity, or sorority, the University will bring in the group’s advisor or coach in assisting with finding a solution to the problem.

5. Subsequent Complaints:
If the University receives a second similar complaint involving the same students, or the same premises, the University’s Office of Judicial Affairs will investigate to determine whether there is reason to charge the students with violations of the Student Code of Conduct. If there is reason, the Office of Judicial Affairs may proceed with charges, determine responsibility and if appropriate, issue sanctions.
           
6. Possible Sanctions: 
The Student Code of Conduct lists a variety of penalties which may be imposed on students or student organizations for violations of the Code. The Office of Judicial Affairs may use any of the penalties listed in the Code to address violations. However, if students engaging in disorderly conduct develop a pattern of violations relating to disruptive behavior, the Office of Judicial Affairs may respond with sequentially more serious sanctions. Students may be put on University probation and fined $250 per student resident, increasing to $500 for subsequent incidents of a similar nature. For particularly egregious violations, the University may impose a more severe sanction.