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Salem State University (SSU) is a community that prides itself on academic excellence and service to the local and global community. Membership in the SSU community is a privilege for those who are invited to join. Becoming a student at SSU brings a responsibility to adhere to the values of the University community. Students and student organizations, teams and groups who breach the trust and values of the community shall be held accountable for their actions. The Student Conduct Code defines the rights and responsibilities of students and provides a process for responding to allegations of student misconduct in a way that accords with the values of the University.
SSU students are recognized as being both citizens in the larger community and members of an academic community. In their roles as global citizens, students are free to exercise their fundamental constitutional rights. Rights and responsibilities under local, state and national law are neither abridged nor extended by status as a student at Salem State. However, as members of the academic community, students are expected to uphold community standards and to fulfill those behavioral responsibilities which accompany their membership and which are necessitated by Salem State’s pursuit of its stated goals. SSU’s approach to student discipline is an educative and preventative one. It is expected that the conduct of all students will be consistent with the educational purposes of the institution and in no way will interfere with the functions of the University as it seeks to fulfill that purpose. Consequently, individual and group behavior which inhibits members of the community, i.e., students, faculty and administrators, from carrying out their respective educational tasks and duties is unacceptable. Policy violations committed by students will be subject to disciplinary sanctions which promote their own personal development, protect the University community, and maintain order and stability on campus.
Any behavior which may have been influenced by a student’s mental state (irrespective of the ultimate evaluation) or use of drugs or alcoholic beverages shall not in any way limit the responsibility of the student for the consequences of that student’s actions. The University may institute proceedings against students whose conduct is prohibited by state, federal, or local laws, and which occurs on-campus, off-campus, or online and materially affects the campus community. Such action by the University is independent of, and may proceed in parallel with civil and/or criminal action. Additionally, the University may institute proceedings against students whose conduct is a violation of University policies and regulations, such as, but not limited to, the Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan, Firearms and Other Weapons Policy (as set forth by University Police), Residence Life License Agreement and the Guide to Living on Campus (as set forth by Residence Life), Motor Vehicle Regulations (as set forth by University Police), and Acceptable Use Policy (as set forth by Information Technology Services). Such policies and regulations can be accessed online by going to https://records.salemstate.edu/.
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