Section 2. Respect for the Health, Safety, and Rights of the Community
All members of the community share responsibility for protecting and maintaining community health and safety and the rights of other persons. Concentrated housing, varied activities, and the needs of community members for freedom to pursue their respective educational and co-curricular tasks and to complete job-related responsibilities free from hazards and unreasonable intrusions, require the cooperation of all in maintaining appropriate standards of respect. In furtherance of these goals, students must abide by the following:
2.1. Compliance with Instructions of Officials: Students are expected to comply with instructions of University officials, investigators, committees, or boards. Students are also expected to comply with instructions of those responding on campus in an official capacity. Examples of University officials may include but are not limited to Public Safety, DCL Staff, Dean of Students Office, CARE team, BEMCO, Fire Department, Waltham Police Department, and OEO.
2.2. Compliance with Adjudicative Decisions: Comply with the final decision of the Student Conduct Board, with the outcome from the SCP, an OEO Formal Complaint Process, the Title IX Grievance Process, Restorative Justice resolution or the University Appeals Board, and with any Administrative Action or University Action.
2.3. Obstruction of University Functions: Recognize and allow for the legitimate functions of the University. Obstructing or disrupting teaching, research, or any administrative, public service, disciplinary, or other authorized University functions is unacceptable.
2.4. Threats against Public Safety: Refrain from initiating a false fire alarm or issuing any type of threat, actions which are strictly prohibited. Use safety equipment and/or initiate safety procedures (including, but not limited to, fire equipment, fire alarms, fire drills, and exit lights) only when necessary (see Section 8. and see also Section 9.15).
2.5. Weapons: Do not possess or use, on University property, firearms (including blank pistols and replicas, bb guns, and pellet guns), explosives, knives (of any length), fireworks, nun-chucks, paintball guns, airsoft guns, or other articles or substances designed or intended to function as a weapon. All such items are prohibited at Brandeis.
2.6. Loudspeakers: Obtain clearance from the Department of Student Engagement for the use of loudspeakers or other sound amplification equipment at events. Obtain clearance from the Dean of Students Office for use of loudspeakers or sound amplification equipment for purposes other than events.
2.7. Host Responsibility for Guests: Assume responsibility for the actions of a guest, damage or injuries caused by a guest, and costs incurred for services related to hosting a guest on campus. The University reserves the right to impose requirements related to safety or security concerns arising from a visit by a guest, and to assess the host for the cost of meeting those requirements (see Sections 9.6. and 9.10.). All guests must be accompanied by their host at all times.
2.8. Compliance with Official University Policies in Other Publications: Comply with the regulations enumerated in other official University publications and documents (eg., library policies, computer use policies, Dining Services policies, Undergraduate Room & Board License Agreement requirements, traffic and parking policies, financial aid policies, Covid-19 policies).
2.9. Electronic Devices and Privacy: Refrain from engaging in undisclosed and unauthorized recording of other individuals within the University community.
2.9.a. Electronic Devices and Privacy: Students are expected to respect the reasonable expectations of privacy of other individuals within the University community. Accordingly, students are not permitted to make or attempt to make an audio or video recording without the consent of all participants subject to such recordings. In such circumstances the uses of undisclosed hidden recording devices is prohibited, as is the transmission and/or distribution of any such recordings. (See also, Sections 3, 10, and 16)
2.9.b. Electronic Devices and Privacy: Making, attempting to make, transmitting, or attempting to transmit audio or video of any person(s) in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity, without the consent of all participants subject to such recordings is prohibited and may also violate the University's Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Violence. (See also, Sections 3, 10, and 16)
*This policy is not intended to prohibit commonly-accepted journalistic practice as defined by the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, or the New York Times for Brandeis students. This policy is not intended to restrict the work of student journalists to cover open, public events on campus. A public event is defined as an event held either in a public and open space on campus or to which a general announcement has been made or a general invitation has been extended.
2.10. Respect for the Integrity and Personal Rights of Others: (Note: Due to the seriousness of any accusations regarding these policies, any students accused of being involved in incidents of this kind may be placed on campus restrictions or emergency suspension pending the outcome of an investigation or conduct process.) Refrain from any behavior toward others, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, and guests, that:
- 2.10.a. Intimidates.
- 2.10.b. Threatens.
- 2.10.c. Harasses. Harassment is unwelcome verbal or physical conduct directed at an individual or individuals that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person’s educational, living, or work environment.
- 2.10.d. Bullies. Bullying includes any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or a series of acts intended to cause physical or emotional harm to another community member or group of community members.
- 2.10.e. Physically harms or is considered unwanted physical contact (for example: hitting, pushing, or physical altercations, or engaging in violence of any kind).
- 2.10.f. Invades personal privacy.
- 2.10.g. Endangers the health, safety, or welfare of any other person on or off campus.
- 2.10.h. Discrimination, harassment or sexual violence as discussed in Section 3 and the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Violence.
- 2.10.i. Behavior that would offend or frighten a reasonable person.
2.11. Hazing: Hazing is prohibited. Brandeis defines hazing as an activity imposed on someone joining or participating in a group, whether on or off campus, that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers that person physically or emotionally, regardless of the person’s desire or willingness to participate. Examples of hazing common across student groups include: forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance; isolation; sleep deprivation; sex acts; and humiliating or painful “initiation” ordeals involving humiliation or discipline (Note: Students are also expected to comply with Massachusetts hazing law which is set forth in Appendix B)
2.12. Retaliation: Retaliation against anyone who makes a good faith report or complaint regarding a violation of policy, or who in good faith participates in an inquiry or investigation of policies is strictly prohibited. Retaliatory conduct is when another party, who knows of that activity, takes an adverse action against the person engaged in it, and the adverse action was caused or motivated by the protected activity. Retaliation against the peer group, family, or associates of a reporter (third parties) is also prohibited, regardless of whether or not those individuals have participated in an adjudicative process. Examples of retaliatory action may include, but are not limited to: coercion, threats, intimidation, or any other discriminating behavior against the individual who filed the complaint. Retaliation is an offense separate from the complaint of a violation of University policy and will be considered independently from the merits of the underlying matter. The Community Standards Report (CSR) is the official reporting mechanism for all allegations of retaliation. The University takes concerns of retaliation seriously and as a result findings of responsibility may result up to dismissal from the University.
2.13 Drones: The recreational use of drones on or above University property, including inside University buildings, is prohibited. The indoor use of drones in teaching and research is permitted with appropriate training, supervision, and notification of building administrators. However, outdoor teaching or research uses of drones require the permission of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Brandeis Police Department.
2.14. Community Disturbance: Each student is responsible for the expectations of the community they are a part of, and/or are present in. Students may not participate in or create conditions that violate federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, regulations, and/or orders. This includes compliance with required public health and safety measures. This policy applies to students both on and off campus.
2.15 Hoverboards: The storage and use of lithium-ion powered skateboards, often called hoverboards, is strictly prohibited on all university-owned property.
2.16. Animals on Campus: Refrain from bringing any dog or other animal onto the campus without a leash or other proper restraint. Students are prohibited from allowing any animal to enter any campus building including, but not limited to dining service buildings, campus centers, libraries, or residence halls (see Section 9.14.), unless that animal is a service or assistance animal. Student emotional support animals may be allowed on campus only after approval by SAS in collaboration with the Department of Community Living.