Catalog 2019–2020

Student Conduct Code

This is content from the Catalog 2019–2020 back issue. Please visit the current catalog for current information.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has a Student Conduct Code that specifies behavior that is subject to University disciplinary action and describes the disciplinary procedures and sanctions that may be imposed if a student is found responsible for violating the Code. Choosing to join the University community obligates each student to abide by the code of conduct. By enrolling in the University, students accept the responsibility to become fully acquainted with the University’s regulations and to comply with the University’s authority. The University expects students to maintain standards of personal integrity that are in harmony with the educational goals of the institution; to respect the rights, privileges, and property of others; and to observe national, state, and local laws and University regulations.

The full text of the Student Conduct Code is available at the Student Conduct Code website.

Any member of the University community (faculty, staff, or student) may bring forth an allegation that a student has violated the Student Conduct Code. Reports should be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students. Disciplinary authority is exercised through the Dean of Students or designee or the Student Conduct Committee, or, in cases dealing with academic dishonesty, by a faculty member (refer to the section on academic dishonesty in the “Academic Regulations” section of this catalog). The Dean of Students, Student Conduct Committee, or faculty member follows standard procedures for handling allegations of misconduct.

One or more of the following sanctions may be imposed when a student is found responsible for violating the Student Conduct Code:

  • warning;
  • probation;
  • a failing or reduced grade for a course or an assignment;
  • restitution;
  • temporary suspension in emergency situations;
  • suspension;
  • dismissal;
  • rescission of grades or degree.

The following types of behavior conflict with the community standards that the University values and expects of students. Engaging in, or attempting to engage in, any of these behaviors subjects a student to the disciplinary process and consequent sanctions.

Acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:

  • Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty. The term "cheating" includes but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; (3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the UH faculty, staff or student; and (4) engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.
 The term "plagiarism" includes but is not limited to the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
  • Furnishing false information to any UH official, faculty member, or office.
  • Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any UH document, record, or form of identification.

Drugs: Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of marijuana, heroin, narcotics, or other controlled substances except as expressly permitted by law.

Alcohol: Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages by any person under twenty-one (21) years of age. Public intoxication is expressly prohibited. Consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus is permitted only in the Hale ʻIkena residence hall by students 21 years of age or older. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden in all public and common areas of the residence halls and elsewhere on campus.

Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, other UH activities, including its public service functions on or off campus, or of other authorized non-UH activities when the conduct occurs on UH premises. This includes creating noise or other disturbances on campus or in student life areas sufficient to disrupt the normal functioning of campus activities including classroom instruction.

Any conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person including but not limited to physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and stalking.

Sexual harassment: Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other behavior of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and sufficiently severe or pervasive that it interferes with a person’s academic or professional performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational or employment environment. The behavior can be verbal, non-verbal or physical. Examples include sexual innuendo, spreading sexual rumors, sexual put-downs and jokes, remarks of a sexual nature about a person’s clothing or body, offensive written notes or emails, sexual propositions, insults or threats, leering, whistling, suggestive or insulting sounds and gestures, and touching someone’s body when unwelcome. The University of Hawaiʻi Executive Policy on Sexual Harassment and Related Conduct contains detailed information.

Discrimination of any person based on the UH protected classes outlined in the University Statement of Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action.

Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to property of the UH or property of a member of the UH community or other personal or public property, on or off campus.

Hazing, defined as an act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for the continued membership in a group or organization. The express or implied consent of the victim will not be a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act; both are violations of this rule.

Failure to comply with any directions of UH officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to provide identification to these persons when requested to do so.

Breach of security: Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys, keycards, or other security mechanisms to any UH premises or unauthorized entry to or use of UH premises.

Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals on UH premises or use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens or causes fear to others.

Participating in an on-campus or off-campus demonstration, riot or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the UH and/or infringes on the rights of other members of the UH community; leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area.

Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on UH premises or at UH sponsored or supervised functions.

Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; breach of peace; or aiding, abetting, or procuring another person to breach the peace on UH premises or at functions sponsored by, or participated in by, the UH or members of the academic community. Disorderly conduct includes but is not limited to any unauthorized use of electronic or other devices to make an audio or video record of any person while on UH premises without his/her prior knowledge or without his/her consent, when such a recording is likely to cause injury or distress. This includes but is not limited to surreptitiously taking pictures of another person in a gym, locker room, or restroom.

Theft or other abuse of computer and other electronic facilities and resources, including but not limited to:

  • Unauthorized entry into a file to use, read, or change the contents or for any other purpose.
  • Unauthorized transfer of a file.
  • Use of another individual’s identification and/or password.
  • Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member of UH official.
  • Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or abusive messages.
  • Online harassment of members of the UH community.
  • Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with normal operation of the UH computing system.
  • Use of computer facilities and resources in violation of copyright laws.
  • Any violation of any UH computer use policy.

Violations of residence hall regulations where the violation also involves some aspect of this Student Conduct Code may subject the student to disciplinary procedures under this Student Conduct Code.

Abuse of the Student Conduct Code system.

Violation of any UH policy, rule, regulation, contract or agreement.

Violation of any federal, state or local law.