Standard of Conduct

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Updated: 10/18/26
Contact: Student Life Office

A. Purpose and Authority 

William Jewell College expects students to act responsibly as members of a residential learning community. This Standard of Conduct applies to student conduct on College property, at College-sponsored activities, and off campus when the conduct affects the safety of the College community or the College’s educational mission. 

The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (VPAA) administers this Standard and may designate others to act under it. This Standard is not a contract. The College may revise it at any time and may adapt its procedures to unusual circumstances, so long as the response is reasonable. 

B. Conduct Standards 

1. Dishonesty or knowingly providing false information to the college. 
2. Theft of, misuse of or damage to college or personal property by a member of the college community or campus visitors; possession of stolen property. 
3. Forgery, alteration or misuse of college documents, records or identification. 
4. Impeding or interfering with students’ right to a high-quality educational experience. 
5. Disorderly, lewd, indecent or obscene conduct on college-owned property, at college-sponsored functions or directed toward a member of the college community. 
6. Conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person, including one’s self. 
7. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury to any member of the college community, any person on college-owned or controlled property or any person at a college-sponsored or supervised function. 
8. Use, possession or distribution of narcotic or dangerous drugs (including, but not limited to: marijuana, steroids or cocaine), except as expressly permitted by law. 
9. Violation of College’s Alcohol Policy (found within the Student Handbook). 
10. Unauthorized entry to, use of, or exit from College facilities. 
11. Misuse or abuse of fire safety equipment including fire alarms, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. 
12. Violation of Campus Housing Policies. 
13. Failure to comply with directions of college officials acting in the performance of their duties, including violating a no-contact directive, interim measure, or campus restriction. 
14. Conduct that adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the college community. 
15. Sexual misconduct not resolved under the Sexual Harassment Policy. Conduct of a sexual nature, or conduct based on sex, that the Title IX Coordinator refers to this Standard. This includes conduct that (a) occurred outside the United States or outside the College’s education programs and activities, or (b) is unwelcome and sexual in nature but does not meet the Sexual Harassment Policy’s definition of Sexual Harassment. It includes sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking as defined in that Policy. 
16. Retaliation. Threats, intimidation, or adverse action against anyone for reporting a concern or participating in a conduct process. 

C. Reporting 

Anyone may report a concern to Student Life, Campus Safety, or a Resident Assistant. Anonymous reports are accepted but may limit the College’s ability to respond. Reports that may involve sexual harassment are referred first to the Title IX Coordinator under the Sexual Harassment Policy. 

D. Resolution Levels 

Level 1 Resolution 

The Resident Assistant and/or Resident Director meets with the student, explains the concern, and documents the conversation. If the student accepts responsibility, the RA or DA may assign a Level 1 outcome. The matter moves to Level 2 if the student does not accept responsibility, if the RA believes more than a Level 1 outcome is warranted, or if the student has already received a Level 1 resolution that academic year. The Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Residence Life, or Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs reviews all Level 1 resolutions. 

Level 2 Resolution 

1. Notice. The Conduct Officer sends written notice to the student’s College email. The notice states the alleged conduct, the standards involved, and the student’s right to bring an advisor. 

1. Information gathering. Campus Safety or the Conduct Officer collects relevant information. The student may identify witnesses and submit written statements or other evidence. 

1. Conduct meeting. The student reviews the information relied upon and responds. An advisor may attend but may not speak for the student. 

1. Decision. The Conduct Officer decides by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) and issues a written outcome, normally within ten business days of the meeting. If the student does not attend, the Conduct Officer decides on the available information. 

E. Sanctions 

Sanctions may be combined and include: written warning; educational requirement; restitution; loss of privileges; no-contact directive; housing reassignment or removal; disciplinary probation; restriction from specified College facilities, activities, or events, including athletic practices and competitions; suspension; expulsion; and campus ban (Part F). 

In setting sanctions, the Conduct Officer considers the seriousness of the conduct, harm to others, prior conduct history, and the student’s acceptance of responsibility. 

F. Campus Restrictions and Interim Measures 

1. Authority 

The VPAA, the Assistant Dean of Students, and the Director of Campus Safety, or their designees, may issue the restrictions in this Part. Each restriction is issued in writing and states its scope, duration, and how to request review. 

2. No-Trespass Notices 

The College may bar any person who is not a current student or employee, including visitors, former students, alumni, and vendor personnel, from all or part of College property at any time for any lawful reason. Campus Safety serves the notice in person or in writing and retains a copy. A person who returns after notice may be referred to the Liberty Police Department for trespass. No conduct or Title IX process is required. 

3. Interim Restrictions on Students 

A student may be partially or fully restricted from campus, housing, classes, athletic practices and competitions, or other College activities and events when there is reasonable cause to believe the student’s presence poses a risk to the health or safety of any person or would substantially disrupt College operations. This includes, but is not limited to, alleged violence, threats, weapons, stalking or harassing behavior, or other conduct indicating potential harm, whether or not criminal charges are pending. The decision is based on an individualized assessment of the specific facts. When the concern arises from a student’s health or mental health rather than misconduct, the assessment considers available medical or professional input and whether reasonable modifications would reduce the risk. 

• The student receives written notice and may request review by the VPAA within three business days. The review occurs within two business days of the request. 

• Level 2 proceedings begin within ten business days. 

• An interim restriction is not a finding of responsibility. 

Sexual harassment allegations. If the alleged conduct may constitute Sexual Harassment under the Sexual Harassment Policy, the restriction is issued as an emergency removal under Section IX of that Policy. The issuing official consults the Title IX Coordinator, documents an individualized safety and risk analysis, and offers the student an opportunity to challenge the removal within 24 hours. A permanent ban for that conduct may be imposed only after a determination under the Sexual Harassment Policy. 

4. Campus Ban as a Sanction 

A campus ban may be imposed as a Level 2 sanction under this Standard or as discipline following a determination under the Sexual Harassment Policy. 

5. Employees 

Employees may be placed on administrative leave or restricted from campus under Human Resources and Faculty Handbook procedures. 

6. Violations 

Violating a restriction is a separate violation of Standard 13 and, for non-affiliated persons, may be referred to law enforcement. 

G. Appeals 

A student may appeal in writing within five business days of the outcome. Grounds are limited to: 

1. a procedural error that affected the outcome; 

1. new information, not reasonably available earlier, that could change the outcome; or 

1. a sanction grossly disproportionate to the violation. 

Appeals are decided on the written record without a new hearing. The appeal decision is final. 

H. Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking 

When a Standard 15 matter involves sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, both the complainant and the respondent: 

• may be accompanied by an advisor of their choice at any meeting; 

• have an equal opportunity to present information and witnesses; 

• receive simultaneous written notice of the outcome, including the result, rationale, any sanctions, and appeal procedures; and 

• have the same appeal rights. 

The Conduct Officer must have completed annual training on these offenses. Matters are resolved promptly, and any delay is explained in writing to both parties. 

I. Academic Integrity 

Academic dishonesty is addressed under the College’s Academic Integrity Policy. Non-academic dishonesty, theft, and forgery are addressed under Standards 1–3 of this Standard.