A. Conduct Rules and Regulations

The following list describes actions that detract from the effectiveness of a university community and for which students may be subject to conduct action. All violations below may be addressed by the university when the behavior potentially jeopardizes the individual’s or community’s safety or educational opportunities.

Interfering with the Conduct Process: Interfering with conduct procedures or outcomes, including but not limited to: falsification; failure to obey the summons of a judicial body or university official; disruption of orderly conduct of a proceeding; attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the conduct system; attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a judicial body prior to, and/or during the course of, the conduct proceeding; influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the conduct system; distortion or misrepresentation of information before a conduct officer or Hearing Panel; knowingly initiating a complaint without good cause; harassment or intimidation of any member of a Hearing Panel, witness(es), or university personnel before, during, or after a proceeding; violating a No Contact Order; and failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by either a conduct officer or Hearing Panel.
Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
1. Attempting to defraud the University by using services without payment, including but not limited to staying in student housing, eating in the cafeteria, or attending University events.
2. Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty.
3. Furnishing false information to any University Official, faculty member or office. This includes the submission of documentation in which required information or documents have been omitted.
4. Knowingly making a false report of a bomb, fire, or other emergency.
5. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any University document, record, or instrument of identification. Forging or using without authorization university documents or records, financial aid documents, computers, email, telephones, identification, or university property.
6. Tampering with the election of any University recognized student organization.
7. Assuming the identity of another.
8. Knowingly making false representation(s) to the university in any form, written or verbal. Submission of false information or withholding information at the time of admission or readmission may make an individual ineligible for admission to, or continuation at Science & Arts.
9. Any other act of dishonesty which adversely affects the University or the pursuit of its objectives.
Engaging in theft, attempted theft, or unauthorized possession of property belonging to the university or other individuals or recognized groups on university property or facilities on or near campus.
Behaving in a disorderly, lewd, or indecent manner or breaching the peace on university property, at university-sponsored activities including virtual or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on University premises including virtual or at functions sponsored or participated in by the University. Includes, but is not limited to, any nonconsensual photography, video, or audio recording of another person when such recording causes or is likely to cause injury or distress.
Disrupting or obstructing normal university or university-sponsored or -hosted activities, including, but not limited to: studying, teaching, research, disciplinary proceedings, university administration or fire, police, or emergency services on university premises or at university sponsored activities off campus. This includes disrupting or obstructing other individuals’ right to expressive activity as defined by Oklahoma law.
Engaging in behavior that a reasonable person would view as substantial or repeated interference with the instructor’s ability to teach the class or the ability of other students to benefit from instruction. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, which includes, but is not limited to, the use of profanity, vocal outbursts, talking, sleeping, and the abuse of cell phones, laptops/tablets and personal audio equipment.
Attempting to or encouraging others to commit acts prohibited by this Code. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of prohibited conduct may constitute a violation of this policy.
Participating in parties or gatherings that disturb the peace of campus residences or off-campus neighborhoods.
Attempting to or completion of defacing, damaging, or destroying property belonging to the university or other individuals or recognized groups on university property or facilities on or near campus.
Failing to comply with the lawful directions of any university employee acting within the scope of their official duties or failing to identify oneself to such a person when requested to do so.
Engaging in misuse or unauthorized use of firefighting equipment, fire sprinkling systems, and other safety equipment or warning devices (including false alarms, abuse or dismantling smoke detectors and fire extinguishers), engaging in behavior that creates a fire hazard, or failure to evacuate when a fire alarm is activated.
Hazing is engaging in any action or activity that causes or is likely to cause physical or mental discomfort or distress, that may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person, regardless of location, intent, or consent of participants, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule. State law classifies hazing as a crime, Title 21 Oklahoma Statutes Section 1190. (See Hazing Policy).
Illegal or unauthorized possessing, using, or storing firearms, explosives (including firecrackers), electronic control devices, such as Taser or other stun guns, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on university property or in the course of any university activity, except as specifically authorized under applicable state law. This includes, but is not limited to, BB guns, paintball guns, knives, swords, crossbows, handguns, shotguns, and rifles. (See Weapons Policy).
Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on University premises or at University sponsored or supervised functions.
Participation in a campus demonstration which disrupts the normal operation of the University and infringes on the rights of other members of the University community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area and/or, intentional obstruction which unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement, either pedestrian or vehicular, on campus. (See Campus Expression Policy).
Attempted or actual physical abuse that results or could result in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. Physical abuse is fighting, punching or any physical altercation, not limited to those actions causing personal injury. It may also include physically restraining, holding, or transporting an individual against their will or other similar actions.
Security camera equipment misuse including but not limited to abuse, damage or dismantling security cameras or monitors.
Unauthorized entry to or use of University premises. This includes but is not limited to entering into, attempting to enter into, or using without proper authorization, any university building, roofs of buildings, balconies, steam tunnels, facility, vehicle, equipment, room, area, or university approved housing. This includes unauthorized possession, duplication or use of university keys, computers, lock combinations or other special access codes or passwords.
Use, possession manufacture, cultivation, being in the presence of or distribution of alcoholic beverages, narcotic, or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law and University regulations, or public intoxication. (See Drug & Alcohol Policy).
1. Consuming, possessing, manufacturing, distributing, selling, or serving alcoholic beverages on university premises (including residence halls) or at university-sponsored activities regardless of age, except as expressly permitted by university policy is prohibited. Knowingly being in the presence of alcohol where it is not permitted on campus is also prohibited. The following are also violations on or off campus:
  1. Public intoxication or under the influence of alcohol.
  2. Driving under the influence of alcohol or while impaired.
  3. Actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
  4. Providing alcohol to individuals under 21 years of age.
  5. Social Host: Providing a location for any individual under 21 years of age to possess or consume alcohol.
  6. Transporting an open container of alcohol.
  7. Incapacitation due to alcohol.
  8. Possession or use of a fake ID.
  9. Underage in possession of alcohol.
  10. Underage in a liquor (package) store.
  11. Lawful and responsible alcohol consumption is permitted only in designated areas of the Science & Arts campus, properties, and facilities as authorized by the Board of Regents.
2. Acting or intending to act to illegally use, possess, sell, share, distribute, cultivate, manufacture or be under the influence of any state or federally controlled drug or substance is prohibited. Possessing drug paraphernalia. Inhaling or ingesting any substances (e.g., nitrous oxide, glue, paint, etc.) that will alter a student’s mental state. Knowingly providing a location for individuals to possess or consume drugs, or knowingly being in the presence of drugs are also prohibited. While the use of medical marijuana has been legalized in the state of Oklahoma, federal law continues to prohibit marijuana. Therefore, the possession or use of prescribed medical marijuana is prohibited on campus property and at University-sponsored activities.
Failing to properly leash and control an animal and properly dispose of its organic waste. Having unauthorized animals in university building. Emotional support animals are not allowed in non-residential university buildings. Emotional support animals are only allowed in residential university buildings when approved by Accommodation Services and Housing.
Failing to comply with on-campus residence hall policies. Policies are available in the Housing and Residence Life Handbook at https://usao.edu/student-life/living-on-campus/housing/housing-forms.html.
Failing to comply with the university’s Information Technology policies. Policies are available online at https://usao.edu/about/usao-policies.html.
Illegal gambling for money or other things of value on campus or at university-sponsored activities.
Using tobacco or tobacco product in any form or using electronic cigarettes (vaping) on campus. (See Tobacco policy).
Engaging in verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, bullying or other conduct that threatens or endangers the mental or physical health/safety of any person or causes reasonable apprehension of such harm that is persistent, severe, or pervasive and is subjectively offensive to the complainant and objectively offensive to a reasonable person.
Discrimination including but is not limited to, disparate treatment directed toward an individual or group of individuals based on sex, race, color, sexual orientation, age, status as a veteran, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, or qualified individual with a disability that adversely affects their employment or education.
Retaliating or taking any adverse action (including, but not limited to, intimidation, threats, coercion, harassment, or discrimination) against a person who, acting in good faith, brings a complaint forward or against an individual who has participated in an investigation or conduct process because of their report or participation.
Dating violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with another person. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on consideration of the following factors: length of relationship, type of relationship, and frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. Dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. Dating violence does not include acts that meet the definition of domestic violence.
Domestic violence committed by a:
1. current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim;
2. person with whom the victim shares a child in common;
3. person who is cohabitating with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner;
4. person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim;
5. any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of Oklahoma.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions, or threat of actions that influence another person.
Engaging in physical violence of any nature against any person, on or off campus. This includes fighting; assaulting; battering; using a knife, gun, or other weapon; physically abusing, restraining, or transporting someone against their will; or acting in a manner that threatens or endangers the physical health or safety of any person or causes reasonable apprehension of such harm.
Making unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical contact or communication of a sexual nature when: Submission to such conduct or communication is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of educational benefits, employment, academic evaluations or other academic opportunities; Submission to or rejection of such conduct or communication by an individual is used as the basis for an employment decision or academic decision affecting such individual; or Such conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent, and both subjectively and objectively offensive, that it has the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment which negatively affects an individual’s academic or employment environment. Sexual harassment does not include verbal expressions or written materials that are relevant and appropriately related to course subject matter or curriculum, and this policy shall not abridge academic freedom or the university’s educational mission.
Engaging in non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. Sexual misconduct may vary in its severity and consists of a range of behavior or attempted behavior including, but not limited to, the following examples of prohibited conduct:
1. Unwelcome sexual touching: Touching an unwilling or non-consensual person’s intimate parts (such as genitalia, groin, breast, buttocks, mouth, or clothing covering same); touching an unwilling person with one’s own intimate parts; or forcing an unwilling person to touch another’s intimate parts.
2. Exposure: Engaging in indecent exposure, sexual acts in a public place, voyeurism, or non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit images.
3. Non-consensual sexual assault: Penetrating any bodily opening of an unwilling or non-consensual person with any object or body part.
4. Forced sexual assault: Penetrating any bodily opening of an unwilling or non- consensual person with any object or body part that is committed either by force, threat, intimidation, or through exploitation of another’s mental or physical condition (such as lack of consciousness, incapacitation due to ingestion of drugs or alcohol, age, or mental disability) of which the respondent was aware or should have been aware.
Effective consent is a voluntary, mutually understandable agreement that clearly indicates a willingness to engage in each instance of sexual activity. Consent to one act does not imply consent to another. Consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not imply consent to engage in sexual activity with another. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Any expression of an unwillingness to engage in any instance of sexual activity establishes a presumptive lack of consent. Consent is not effective if it results from the use of physical force, a threat of physical force, intimidation, coercion, incapacitation, or any other factor that would eliminate an individual’s ability to exercise their own free will to choose whether or not to engage in sexual activity.
Stalking which refers to one who engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.
1. Course of conduct means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property.
2. Reasonable person means a person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the victim.
3. Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.