Division of Campus Life
Student Conduct and Community Standards

Code of Student Conduct

Brown University has developed the Code of Student Conduct as a set of standards of student behavior and conduct that help maintain a campus environment where ideas are freely exchanged, University property and processes are respected, and conflicts are peacefully resolved.

Prohibited conduct is outlined below; the full Code of Student Conduct is available on the University Policies website. 

For information about the processes for investigating and resolving alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct, consult the Student Conduct Procedures and the Student Conduct Procedures for Student Groups on the Conduct Process webpage

Prohibited Conduct

Violation of the Student Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. The following charges may apply under this Code:

3.4.1.1 Illegal or Unauthorized Possession or Use of Alcohol

3.4.1.2 Manufacture of Alcohol

3.4.1.3 Illegal Provision of Alcohol

3.4.1.4 Possession of Mass Alcohol Consumption Paraphernalia on Campus

The use of any drug, including alcohol, related to any prohibited conduct will be considered an aggravating circumstance independently of whether the drug was used legally or illegally by the offending party. This factor in a case may result in a more severe status outcome and/or the imposition of terms requiring evaluation or treatment.

Offering or causing to be offered any bribe or favor to any member of the University community in an attempt to influence a decision or action. This includes attempting to unduly influence a University proceeding, including a disciplinary proceeding outcome or appeal process.

Knowingly or recklessly aiding, abetting, assisting, or attempting to aid or assist another individual to commit a violation of any University policy.

Discrimination as defined in the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy. Refer to section 3.3.3 of the Code of Student Conduct for information about jurisdiction.

Actions that are unreasonably disruptive to the University community and/or its neighborhoods. Examples include, but are not limited to, off-campus disturbances or nuisances in residential and commercial areas surrounding Campus, any disturbances that interfere with the quiet use and enjoyment of Campus or nearby properties, and behaviors that require the deployment of significant Campus resources.

3.4.6.1 Disruption of Fire Safety

Examples include, but are not limited to, tampering with or improper activation of a fire alarm, covering or otherwise compromising the proper functioning of a smoke detector or fire sprinkler, deliberately or recklessly igniting or attempting to ignite an unauthorized fire on Campus, and failure to evacuate during a fire alarm or fire drill.

3.4.6.2 Disruption of General Safety

Behavior that creates fear of or actual hazardous conditions that threaten the safety and well-being of members of the Campus community. Higher-level examples of this conduct include, but are not limited to, false reporting of an emergency or terroristic threat in any form and using or threatening to use a bomb or a chemical or biological agent. Lower-level examples include, but are not limited to, the propping of doors of Campus buildings, creating slip-and-fall hazards, tampering with the lights or electricity of Campus buildings, and food fights. The University has the discretion, based upon surrounding circumstances, to determine whether disruptive behavior is properly classified as a higher-level offense or a lower-level offense.

Behavior that prevents, disrupts or materially interferes with the educational functions of the University. Examples include, but are not limited to, halting a lecture, debate, or any public forum, obstructing the passage of others, or creating an imminent threat of such disruption or obstruction.

Violation of the Student Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. The following charges may apply under this policy:

3.4.8.1 Illegal or Unauthorized Possession or Use of Drugs

3.4.8.2 Manufacture of Drugs

3.4.8.3 Illegal Provision of Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia

3.4.8.4 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on Campus

The use of any drug, including alcohol, related to any prohibited conduct will be considered an aggravating circumstance independently of whether the drug was used legally or illegally by the offending party. This factor in a case may result in a more severe status outcome and/or the imposition of terms requiring evaluation or treatment.

Failure to comply with the proper directive(s) of a University official. Examples include, but are not limited to, refusing to identify oneself or refusing to present University identification to a University staff member, failing to submit immunization records to University Health Services, and failing to attend mandatory meetings or trainings.

Harassment as defined in the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy. Refer to section 3.3.3 of the Code of Student Conduct for information about jurisdiction.

3.4.11.1 Physical Harm

Actions that result in or can be reasonably expected to result in physical harm to a person or persons. Examples include, but are not limited to, throwing, hurling, or firing of projectiles without regard for the safety of others and physical assault. Assault is defined as any unwelcome physical contact that is intentional or reckless including, but not limited to, striking, slapping, hitting, biting, punching, shoving, or kicking another person.

3.4.11.2 Emotional/Psychological Harm

Behavior that is intended to or can reasonably be expected to result in significant emotional or psychological harm. Examples include, but are not limited to, subjecting another person or group to abusive, threatening, bullying, intimidating, harassing, or humiliating actions.

Hazing as defined in the Hazing Policy. Examples include, but are not limited to, compulsory alcohol or drug consumption, physical brutality, psychological cruelty, public humiliation, morally degrading activities, forced confinement, creation of excessive fatigue, required removal or destruction of public or private property, or any other activity that endangers the physical, mental, or academic well-being and/or safety of an individual.

Intrusion into the personal life of another, in ways that are reasonably likely to cause injury or distress, in places where one would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Amnesty may be granted to individuals who use recording devices to document abuse against themselves or others, provided those recordings are not distributed. A determination of someone’s reasonable expectation of privacy will be at the discretion of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Examples include, but are not limited to, making, viewing, listening to, or distributing secret recordings or installing the equipment for such recordings, secretly monitoring others in their living quarters or bathrooms either in person (e.g., window peeping) or digitally (e.g., drones, pen cameras), intrusion on a person’s property or communications, and the appropriation or use of someone’s likeness, identifying personal data, or documents.

Lying or materially misrepresenting information to an official University body or officer, including a member of the Department of Public Safety. Examples include, but are not limited to, providing false identification of oneself or others, lying in the course of a student conduct investigation or hearing, filing a knowingly false report, or submitting altered, manipulated, or otherwise falsified information to any University official. This also includes the possession of a fake ID, even if it is not used, and the creation or distribution of fake IDs.

Noncompliance with the terms or outcome of any student conduct proceeding. Examples include, but are not limited to, failing to complete assigned educational or restorative terms assigned as outcomes to a disciplinary proceeding.

Knowingly affiliating with groups, teams, or organizations that have had their University recognition suspended or permanently revoked by the University for disciplinary reasons. Affiliation includes joining, rushing, pledging, promoting, or being involved in any activity that would normally be associated with being a member of such an organization. This applies to organizations that were created by members of a derecognized organization in an attempt to continue its presence in the University community and/or its neighborhoods.

This prohibited conduct does not apply to unrecognized Student groups who have never had University recognition or who are currently not recognized by the University because of non-disciplinary disbandment. However, known members of unrecognized Student groups may be held accountable for any prohibited conduct by these groups.

Please see the Student Activities Office website for a list of derecognized Student groups.

Actions that result in or can be reasonably expected to result in damage to property. This includes, but is not limited to, property owned by the University, property owned by individuals affiliated with the University, and property owned by individuals or entities not affiliated with the University.

Retaliation is defined as any adverse action or threat taken or made against an individual, including through third parties, for making a report of a policy violation or participating in any investigation or proceeding related to any policy. Examples include, but are not limited to, threatening, intimidating, harassing, or any other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from seeking services, receiving protective measures and accommodations, and/or reporting policy violations. Retaliation also includes maliciously and purposefully interfering with, threatening, or damaging the academic, professional, or living environment of another individual before, during, or after the investigation and resolution of a report of a policy violation in response to and/or on account of the report of the policy violation.

Sex discrimination as defined in the Title IX Policy. Sex discrimination under the Title IX Policy includes sex-based harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Refer to section 3.3.2 for information about jurisdiction.

Engaging in a course of conduct toward another person under circumstances that would cause a person to fear bodily injury or experience substantial emotional distress. Course of conduct means two or more instances including, but not limited to, unwelcome 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. Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish. Stalking includes cyber-stalking, a particular form of stalking in which electronic media such as the internet, social networks, blogs, cell phones, texts, or other similar devices or forms of contact are used. Stalking as a form of sex-based harassment will generally be addressed under the Title IX Policy. Refer to section 3.3.2 for information about jurisdiction.

Theft or attempted theft of property and/or possession of stolen property. Examples include, but are not limited to, attempted or actual unauthorized use of a credit card, debit card, Student identification card, cell phone, personal identification number, University account, or personal check.

Examples include, but are not limited to, the unauthorized entry into or occupation of any University room, building, or area of the Campus, including such entry or occupation at any unauthorized time; any unauthorized or improper use of any University property, equipment, or facilities; refusal to leave a space at the request of a University official; assisting another individual to enter a restricted area without authorization; and the unauthorized possession, use, or duplication of University keys, cards, codes, or other methods of access.

A Student’s residence hall room is considered a restricted area where permission to enter must be obtained on every occasion, even if the resident’s door is not closed.

Violation of any federal, state, or local law, as determined by a court of law.

Violation of operational rules governing various offices, departments, and facilities of the University (e.g., Residential Life, Student Activities Office, Dining Services, Office of Information Technology, the Libraries). This applies to any policy, rule, or standard operating procedure published in hard copy or available electronically on the University website. Examples include, but are not limited to, illegally downloading copyrighted material on the University’s network, possessing prohibited items in residence hall rooms, and failing to register a group event with the Student Activities Office.

Possession, use, or distribution of firearms, ammunition, explosives, or other weapons on Campus or while participating in University-sponsored activities or travel. This extends even to individuals licensed to carry such weapons. This includes any object or implement designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage, including those that have been made inoperable and those used for display or decorative purposes; all fireworks; chemicals used or intended to cause harm to others; and knives, except those that are designed and used for food preparation and multi-tools with knife blades shorter than 3 inches. A firearm is defined as any projectile-firing device including, but not limited to, conventional firearms (devices using gunpowder); all types of air rifles; any slingshot device; or any device firing BBs, pellets, darts, bolts, arrows or other hard or sharp objects.

Facsimile firearms are also prohibited. This refers to any device or object made of plastic, wood, metal or any other material that is a replica, facsimile or toy version of, or is otherwise recognizable as, a pistol, revolver, shotgun, sawed off shotgun, rifle, machine gun, rocket launcher or any other firearm. Examples of facsimile firearms include, but are not limited to, toy guns (including Nerf guns), movie props, hobby models (either in kit form or fully assembled), starter pistols, air guns, inoperative firearms or any other device which might reasonably be perceived to be a real firearm.

No use of prop weapons or staged combat of any kind is allowed for theater productions, in rehearsal or performance, without the advance, express, written permission of the supervising office or department.

The use or brandishing of any real or perceived weapon, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms, threatens, causes fear to, or otherwise endangers others is prohibited.