The Emerson College community is vibrant, creative, and caring. Emerson College students are challenged to think critically and show good judgment within the educational community environment where principles of freedom of expression, education, diversity, and fairness are valued and affirmed. Emerson College’s Code of Community Standards is in place to ensure that the Emerson community is aware and respectful of these values and to promote a safe and comfortable community to learn, live, and work.
Code of Community Standards
The Code of Community Standards is facilitated by the Office of Community Standards. The Code of Community Standards serves to protect the rights of Emerson College community members as well as the rights of students reported to have violated the College’s Community Standards. Students are expected to uphold the College’s Community Standards (see Section 6, Violation of Community Standards) and responsibly address behavior that may question or violate these standards.
Sections
- Rights & Responsibilities for Students/Student Organizations
- Scope of Authority
- Definitions
- Statement of Freedom of Expression
- Potential Violations to the Code of Community Standards
- Potential Outcomes and/or Sanctions
- Reporting a Violation of Community Standards
- Help Seeking Policy & Procedure
- Student Conduct Records & Transcript Notations
- Conduct Board Procedures
- Student Organization Misconduct Process
Community Standards Process: Summary
- An incident report or general report (i.e. email) is sent to Community Standards (CS.)
- CS reviews all submitted material and reaches out to those involved, starting with the Reporting party (if known) to gather more information and confirm details.
- Individuals who are listed as the Responding Party(s) will receive an email requesting a meeting to discuss the incident. Please note, a meeting does not mean anyone is responsible for a CS violation(s), it is part of the information gathering process.
- The Responding Student will receive no less than 48 hours notice of the time and location of the meeting. If a student cannot meet at the agreed upon time, it is up to the student to reschedule. The College reserves the right to proceed with the process whether or not the responding student attends the meeting.
- If there is not a clear violation of CS policy, a student may not be found responsible, but may be sent an email reminder regarding College policy. (i.e. COVID-19 policies, Quiet Hour reminder, etc.)
- During the meeting, the Hearing Officer will review the incident as well as all reported Community Standards violations with the Responding Student. The Student and Hearing Officer will discuss what happened, the Responding Student will be able to share their perspective and understanding of the incident. During this conversation the Responding Student can acknowledge that they are responsible for CS violation(s) or share information as to why they are not responsible for CS violation(s).
- Based on preponderance of the evidence the Hearing Officer will determine if it is more likely than not the Responding Party violated CS policy(s).
- If a Responding Student accepts responsibility or is found responsible for violating CS policy(s) the Hearing Officer will review potential sanctions for the violation(s.)
- An outcome letter detailing the conversation between the Hearing Officer and Responding Student, as well as any sanctions, will be sent via email to the Responding Students. Note, letters are still sent even if a Responding Student is found not responsible for a violation. This email will detail the conversation and explain why a Student is not responsible for a violation(s).
- A Responding Student has 7 days from the date of their outcome letter to appeal, the appeal process can be found at Hearing Findings & Appeals.
