2. Student Rights and Responsibilities

F. Rules of Conduct

Failure to comply with duly established laws or University regulations may subject violator(s) to appropriate civil authorities. Violations of University regulations shall be recorded in the disciplinary file of the individual(s) and/or the organization.

Generally, authority necessary to enforce regulations is vested in the Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services or designee. Selected functions of this authority are shared with faculty, staff and students. Some functions of student conduct administration are assisted through review boards or councils.

Students and student organizations are also subject to University disciplinary sanctions for the violation of a University rule or a federal, state, county, or city law, which has an adverse impact on the University.

The following defined and described actions include, but are not limited to, conduct for which disciplinary action may be taken. These rules apply to all students for conduct that occurs against other students or non-students on University premises, while participating in University sponsored or related activities, during school sessions, during holidays, and during periods of continuous enrollment, or off-campus when that conduct is determined to adversely affect the interest(s) of any part of the University. A student is continuously enrolled, once admitted, unless the student fails to register in two consecutive terms and must re-apply for University admission.

1. Academic Dishonesty/Cheating
   • Cheating is a violation of student academic behavior standards. The common forms of cheating include:
     • Unauthorized assistance: communication to another through written, visual, electronic, or oral means. The presentation of material which has not been studied or learned, but rather was obtained solely through someone else’s efforts and used as part of an examination, course assignment or project. The unauthorized possession or use of examination or course related material may also constitute cheating.
     • Commercial Use of Academic Material: Selling notes, handouts, etc. without authorization or using them for any commercial purpose without the express written permission of the University and the Instructor is a violation of this rule.
     • Plagiarism: whereby another’s work is used or appropriated without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own.
     • Any student who knowingly helps another violate academic behavior standards is also in violation of the standards.

2. Possessing and/or Providing False and Misleading Information and/or Falsification of University Records
   • Withholding related information, or furnishing false or misleading information (oral or written) to University officials, university and non-university law enforcement officers, faculty or staff, including possession, use or attempted use of a fraudulent identification card or driver’s license.
   • Forgery, alteration or misuse of any University document, material, file, record or instrument of identification.
   • Deliberately and purposefully providing false or misleading verbal or written information about another person.

3. Disruptive Conduct
   • An act that impairs, interferes with, or obstructs the orderly conduct, processes, and functions of the University or any part thereof.
   • Any act which deliberately impedes or interferes with the normal flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
   • An act which tampers with the election(s) of any University student organization or group including violations of the SGA Election Statutes .
   • Misuse of any University safety equipment, fire fighting equipment, or fire alarms.
   • An act which deliberately interferes with the academic freedom or the freedom of speech of any member or guest of the University community.
   • A false report of an explosive or incendiary device, which constitutes a threat or bomb scare.
   • Conduct which is lewd or indecent.
   • Breach of peace: an act, which aids, abets, or procures another person to breach the peace on the University premises or at University sponsored/related functions.
   • Failure to comply with oral or written instruction from duly authorized University officials (i.e. faculty, staff, administration, residence hall staff) acting within the scope of their job duties or law enforcement officers acting in the performance of their duties, including failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so.
   • Failure to produce identification upon request by a University official (i.e. faculty, staff, administration, residence hall staff), acting within the scope of their job duties or law enforcement officers acting in the performance of their duties.  
4. Personal Abuse
   • Verbal or written abuse of any person including lewd, indecent, or obscene expressions of conduct.
   • Physical abuse or threat of physical abuse to any person.
   • Harassment: defined as behavior (including written or electronic communication such as AOL IM, ICQ, etc.) directed at a member of the University community which is intended to and would cause severe emotional distress, intimidation, or coercion to a reasonable person in the victim’s position, or would place a reasonable person in the victim’s position in fear of bodily injury or death. This definition, however, shall not be interpreted to abridge the right of any member of the University community to freedom of expression protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and any other applicable law.
   • Failure to respect the privacy of other individuals.
   • Retaliation against or harassment of complainant(s) or other person(s) alleging misconduct.
   • This personal abuse policy does not apply in those instances where it is found that a student is acting in self defense.

5. Sexual Misconduct
   • Sexual Assault: acquaintance rape (date, friend, someone the victim knows casually or through mutual friends) or any other form of rape. Rape is defined as nonconsensual sexual penetration, coercion, or penetration against the victim’s will. Any sexual conduct which occurs on or off the UCF campus shall be consensual. Consent, to be valid, must be:
     freely and actively given
     • in mutually understandable words or actions
     • consent to one form of sexual activity can never imply consent to other forms of sexual activity
     • consent is not the lack of resistance; there is no duty to fight off a sexual aggressor
     • consent can be withdrawn at anytime, as long as the withdrawal is clearly communicated by the person withdrawing consent through words or actions.
     • A person shall not knowingly take advantage of another person who is under 18 years of age, mentally defective, under the influence of prescribed medication, alcohol or other chemical drugs, or who is not conscious or awake, and thus is not able to give consent as defined above. Further, a person shall not physically or verbally coerce another person to engage in any form of sexual conduct, to the end that consent as defined above is not given.
     • Any attempted acts of sexual abuse are also violations of this policy.
   • Sexual Harassment: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or conduct of a sexual nature which prevents or impairs another person’s full enjoyment of the educational benefits, atmosphere, or opportunities provided as part of the University.
   • Public Indecency: exposure of one’s body in such a manner that another party reasonably could be offended or to display sexual behavior which another person reasonably finds offensive.
   • Voyeurism: sexual stimulation sought through trespass, spy, or eavesdropping activities.
   • Solicitation: attempting to commit by solicitation sexual acts with a minor by oral, written, or electronic means.
   • UCF will use discretion in accommodating the victim as well as protecting the rights of the accused violator(s). UCF will not attempt to shelter students from federal, state, and/or local laws pertaining to sexual abuse. For further information see “Provisions for Victims/Survivors.”

6. Larceny/Property Damage
   • Unauthorized use, possession, or services or theft of property. Such property may be personal or public.
   • Damage or defacing of University property or the property of another person whether or not it is on University premises.

7. Hazing
   • Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health and/or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating under registration with the University. Hazing may result in felony charges.
   • Brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements; forced consumption of any food, liquid, liquor, drug, or other substances; or other forced elements; or other forced activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual.
   • Any activity which could subject the individual to mental stress such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced contact which could result in embarrassment, or any other activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.
   • Any activity, as described above, upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with a University of Central Florida organization may be directly or indirectly conditioned, shall be presumed to be a “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such an activity notwithstanding.

8. Unauthorized use of Keys, and/or Entry
   • Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any University premises.
   • Unauthorized entry or attempted entry.

9. Misconduct at University Sponsored/Related Activities
   • Violation of UCF rules of conduct at UCF sponsored related activities shall also be a violation of the golden rule.
   • Violations of a regulation(s) of a host institution sponsored/related activity shall be a violation of the golden rule.

10. Unlawful Possession, Use, or Sale of any Controlled Substance Use, possession, sale, distribution or attempt to obtain any narcotic or other controlled substances, and possession and/or use of drug paraphernalia, except as expressly permitted by law.

11. Alcoholic Beverages Violation Use, possession, sale and/or distribution of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by the law and University rules, and behavior under the influence of alcoholic beverages.

12. Possession and/or Use of a Firearm and/or Dangerous Material
    • Possession, storage or use of firearms, explosives, ammunition, other weapons or dangerous articles or substances including but not limited to tasers, switchblade knives, and non-lethal weapons such as air soft guns. The use of any item as a weapon.
    • Possession or use of fireworks of any description, explosives, or chemicals which are disruptive, explosive, or corrosive on University premises or at University sponsored/related activities.

13. Instigation or Participation in Group Disturbances during Demonstrations, Parades, or Picketings
    • Participation in a demonstration(s), parade(s), or picketing which invades the rights of others, which interferes with the educational function of the University, or which jeopardizes public order and safety.
    • Leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any campus building or area.

14. Misuse of Computing and Telecommunications Resources The preservation of an open computing and communications environment requires adherence by users to applicable law and University’s rules regarding the responsible use of computing systems, software and telecommunication networks. Suspected criminal violations of applicable laws shall be reported to the University Police Department, appropriate law enforcement agencies or any other applicable authorities or agencies.

    The following guidelines are an interpretation of the University policy titled Use of Information Technology and Resources and clarifies the Campus Housing Internet Project (CHIP). The examples provided in the guidelines are not all inclusive and the guidelines are not limited to those examples that are listed. The rapidly changing environment of network computing will likely generate new applications that, though not listed in this document, are still applicable to the listed policies.

    • The information that is transmitted across University computing resources is subject to protection by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
      • Certain types of information, such as obscene material, are not entitled to First Amendment protection.
    • Users shall not use University computing resources to impersonate another individual.
      • All e-mail messages must correctly identify the sender.
      • Users shall not modify the original attribution of e-mail messages.
      • Users shall not use the University’s computing resources or telecommunication networks to send e-mail “spam”.
      • For the purposes of this document e-mail shall include postings to newsgroups and listservs, point-to-point messages such as those generated by Internet pagers including ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Pager, etc., or any electronic messages involving computers and/or computer networks.
    • University computing resources shall not be used to assist in the unauthorized duplication or distribution of copyrighted material such as audio, video, pictures or text.
      • Unauthorized distribution of audio files containing copyrighted content, such as mpeg audio (mp3), is prohibited.
      • Unauthorized distribution of video files containing copyrighted content, such as mpeg video and other formats, is prohibited.
    • Users shall not host network servers on computers connected to University computing resources. Those users who wish to setup a server must first register the computer as a server with the UCF Computer Store and the Network Operations Center (NOC).
      • A server is defined as a computer that supports access to electronic services or information for network users.
      • The following servers are not allowed unless registered with NOC. The list includes, but is not limited to: HTTP or Web servers, FTP servers, Telnet servers, DCC or Chat servers, NNTP or News servers, SMB or Windows File Share servers (Network Neighborhood), Apple share servers or NFS servers.
      • Those who wish to register a server must provide full administrative access to the NOC including root or Administrator passwords for the server.
      • Also prohibited is the use of recreational file-sharing software when used as a server. This rule also applies to similar applications such as Macster, Gnapster, Audio Galaxy File Agent, and other peer-to-peer file-sharing software.
    • Users shall not attempt to undermine the security or the integrity of the computing systems or telecommunication networks and shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access to these resources.
      • Users shall not intentionally damage, disable, or disrupt computing or telecommunications equipment or software.
      • Any attacks on University computing resources or networks, such as Denial of Service attacks, flood attacks, etc., will be punishable by academic/disciplinary action and/or criminal charges against the offender.
    • Use of the University’s Computing Resources and telecommunication networks for the purpose of personal financial gain is prohibited. The University’s computer resources and telecommunication networks shall not be used for commercial purposes.
    • University Computing Resources are not to be used in support of local, state, or federal political campaigns or campaign fundraising.

15. Gambling
    • Play in an unlawful game of chance for money or for anything of value on University premises or at any affair sponsored by a student or student organization.
    • Unlawfully sell, barter or dispose of a ticket, order, or any interest in a scheme of chance by whatever name on University premises or at any affair sponsored by a student or student organization.
    • Wager on a University team or organization in a competition, with a direct influence in the success of the competition.

16. University Designated Student Residence Violations
    Repeated or flagrant violations of regulations governing University student residences.

17. University Wordmark Violations
    Unauthorized use of the official University wordmark, Pegasus, monogram, seal, or other graphic identity symbol.

18. Violation of Local, State, and/or Federal Laws
    Violation of any local, state and/or federal law that may result in a felony or misdemeanor .