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.

Review The Code of Community Standards

In addition to the policies outlined in the Code of Community Standards, students are responsible for upholding all campus policies and procedures. Some of the most commonly used policies outside of the Code of Community Standards are outlined below. 

Note, all policies (including those outside of the Code of Community Standards) can be found at https://emerson.edu/policies.

Massachusetts and California Laws for Alcohol, Firearms, and Fireworks

Massachusetts

A. Alcoholic Beverages An individual must be 21 years of age or older to purchase, possess, be served, or consume alcohol in Massachusetts. It is illegal to misrepresent one’s age with the intent of procuring alcohol, to provide alcohol to an individual under the age of 21, to sell alcohol without a license, or to possess an open container of or consume alcohol in public places.

B. Firearms Any person carrying a firearm loaded or unloaded in any building or on the ground of any college or university without the written authorization of the board or officer in charge of said college or university shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than two years or both.

C. Fireworks Their possession, sale, and use are prohibited under Massachusetts law.

California 

A. Alcoholic Beverages An individual must be 21 years of age or older to purchase, possess, be served, or consume alcohol in California. It is illegal to misrepresent one’s age with the intent of procuring alcohol, to provide alcohol to an individual under the age of 21, to sell alcohol without a license, or to possess an open container of or consume alcohol in public places.

B. Firearms California Penal Code section 626.9 (the Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995) provides that any person who brings or possesses a loaded firearm upon the grounds of a campus of, or buildings owned or operated for student housing, teaching, research, or administration by, a public or private university or college, that are contiguous or are clearly marked university property, unless it is with the written permission of the university or college president, designee, or equivalent college authority, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years.

C. Fireworks It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, use, discharge, possess without a valid permit, store, transport, give, or deliver any type of fireworks including fireworks kits in the state of California. It is also unlawful for any person to advertise that they are in any business or venture involving fireworks or pyrotechnic devices without proper licensing.

Name, Logo Or Motto Use Policy

Use of the Emerson College (EC) name, logo, or motto/tag line is prohibited without advanced approval by the dean of students or a designee. College–recognized student organizations and individual students should direct their inquiries to the associate dean of students in the Office of Student Life. Permission to utilize the EC name, logo, or motto/tagline by recognized student organizations is typically granted as long as the EC name, logo, or motto/ tagline isn’t altered and is being used for College–related business or activities. Use of the EC name, logo, or motto/ tagline is typically not granted for individual student use.

Off-Campus Conduct Policy

Students have a responsibility as members of both the Emerson College community and the neighborhood community to demonstrate respect and concern for their neighbors. Therefore, Emerson College imposes an obligation upon all its students, both resident and non­resident, to demonstrate responsible citizenship in their local neighborhood.

Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to: excessive noise; illegal possession, use, sale, or distribution of alcoholic beverages; use, possession, or distribution of any controlled substance or illegal drug; drinking alcoholic beverages on the street; manufacture, distribution, or use of false identification cards; objects being thrown or dropped out of windows; and disorderly, disruptive, or destructive behavior.

The College reserves the right to refer students to the Office of Community Standards if they are reported to engaging in these prohibited behaviors or any other behavior that is disruptive of its community/city relations; interferes with or obstructs the lawful missions, processes, and functions of the College; or that is found by the College to be abhorrent or offensive to generally accepted standards of conduct. If found responsible, the student is subject to sanctions up to and including loss of College privileges, suspension, or dismissal from the College.

Off-Campus Events Policy

Students have a responsibility as members of both the Emerson College community and the neighborhood community to demonstrate respect and concern for their neighbors. Therefore, Emerson College imposes an obligation upon all its students, both resident and non­resident, to demonstrate responsible citizenship in their local neighborhood.

Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to: excessive noise; illegal possession, use, sale, or distribution of alcoholic beverages; use, possession, or distribution of any controlled substance or illegal drug; drinking alcoholic beverages on the street; manufacture, distribution, or use of false identification cards; objects being thrown or dropped out of windows; and disorderly, disruptive, or destructive behavior.

The College reserves the right to refer students to the Office of Community Standards if they are reported to engaging in these prohibited behaviors or any other behavior that is disruptive of its community/city relations; interferes with or obstructs the lawful missions, processes, and functions of the College; or that is found by the College to be abhorrent or offensive to generally accepted standards of conduct. If found responsible, the student is subject to sanctions up to and including loss of College privileges, suspension, or dismissal from the College.

On-Campus Events Policy

Policies and procedures for holding events on the Emerson College campus for both recognized student organizations and individual student projects are outlined in the Resource Collection for Student Organizations and Advisors.

Peer to Peer File Sharing

In 2008, the US Congress passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which among other things, requires that colleges assist in the effort to effectively combat copyright infringement. This legal requirement applies to unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials by users of the College’s computing network. A copyright holder or its representative may notify the College of unlawful activity, and the College is required to take action in response. Reports of copyright infringement are referred to the Office of Community Standards and alleged infringers may face disciplinary action.

In addition, copyright holders and their representatives may take legal action against infringers. Courts may award the victim actual damages or statutory damages per work infringed. 

Pets Policy

Out of consideration for all members of the College community and for reasons of health and cleanliness, pets are not allowed in College buildings (e.g., office, residential, recreational, and academic buildings). Animals are not allowed on campus, except in the case of service animals and Student Accessibility Services–approved emotional support animals in the residence halls.

Photo ID Cards

Emerson College photo ID cards are issued at regular intervals; all new students should have their IDs issued during Orientation. Students are expected to carry their Emerson College ID cards at all times and to produce the ID card when requested. If you lose your ID, you must report this loss to Emerson College Police and obtain a replacement ID. A $25 fee for replacement must be paid prior to obtaining a new ID card. The ID office will issue a replacement card upon presentation of sufficient verification of identity.

Student Behavior That Raises Safety, Health and Well-Being Concerns

When Emerson College learns that a student has recently exhibited behavior that raises concerns in the community (e.g., suicidal comments or gestures, attempts to engage in risky activities, demonstrated signs of eating disorders or substance abuse), the dean of students or a designee will promptly evaluate the situation on an individualized basis. The College will reach out to the student and any medical professionals, as appropriate, and will review relevant information and possible options with the assistance of Counseling and Psychological Services and/or the Emerson Wellness Center. At the discretion of the dean of students or a designee, a parent, guardian, or family member of the student may be notified of the concerns.

If the student’s behavior, in the judgment of the College, does not warrant removal, the College may require the student to attend a psychological, medical, or substance abuse assessment at Counseling and Psychological Services and/or the Emerson Wellness Center to determine best steps and recommendations for assistance and treatment. Following the assessment, the College may require that the student actively engage in an off-campus psychotherapy program, eating disorder program, substance abuse treatment program, or other appropriate program while enrolled at the College. Students who refuse to cooperate and engage in an assessment are subject to suspension from the College’s residence halls and/or the College.

If the student’s behavior is, in the judgment of the College and/or the student’s medical professionals, at or near an acute or dangerous level, the student may be required to withdraw immediately from the College’s residence halls and/or the College in order to pursue treatment. In that event, the student will be permitted to appeal the College’s decision to the vice president for diversity and inclusion within ten (10) days of removal.

Written Communication Policy

Faculty members and administrators cannot be held responsible for oral communication from students. The student should write the message, date it, and keep a copy. Mail for faculty members and administrators may be left at the Mailroom located at 100 Boylston Street. Students are warned, however, never to send research papers, term papers, or other important course-related materials through the intra-campus mail system. All such documents should be hand-delivered to the professor, and students are advised to make a duplicate copy for their records.