Community Standards Of Conduct Policy

The Community Standards of Conduct Policy applies to all students in the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences, the School of Education, and the Adult Learning Division of Lesley College. Policy and procedures for students in Lesley College, The Art Institute of Boston, and the Threshold program can be found elsewhere. The Lesley University Community Standards of Conduct incorporate the mission statement of the University and all University policies, rules, and regulations. To comply with community standards of conduct, students are expected to exercise behavior that is respectful to self, others, and property and to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University’s mission as an educational institution. Students are responsible for knowing and understanding all University policies, rules, and regulations and for upholding these community standards of conduct.

Student behavior that creates an intimidating, disruptive, or offensive environment for any member of the University community or in any activity related to Lesley University violates the Community Standards of Conduct Policy. Moreover, illegal activity in any University-sponsored event or on any University site is a violation of this policy. Violations of any University policy, rule, regulation, or behavior that is incompatible with the mission of the University also may be considered violations of the Community Standards of Conduct Policy.

It is the obligation of the members of the Lesley University community to report violations of this policy to the Dean of Students, the Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled, or to the Director of Security. Some violations of the policy may require immediate action, such as if the behavior is substantially disrupting a class or threatening the health or safety of any student or University representative. If such an incident occurs during an evening or on a weekend, faculty members, site coordinators, or other University representatives should immediately contact the Lesley University Security Department at 617.349.8888 and the appropriate administrator will be contacted.

If the alleged violation is based upon unlawful conduct or other unacceptable behavior that is unrelated to academic standards, then the Dean of Students or a designee shall conduct an investigation. Any student accused of violating this policy will be informed as quickly as practicable and will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations. The Dean of Students will attempt to complete the investigation within thirty (30) working days, excluding holidays and Lesley University vacation days.

The University may immediately remove a student from classes or any other University-sponsored event during the course of an investigation for safety and/or administrative concerns. In the event of suspected unlawful behavior or as deemed necessary in any other emergency situations, the University will notify and work with the Lesley University Security Department and the appropriate local law enforcement agency.

If, as a result of the investigation, it is determined that a violation of this policy has occurred, the Dean of Students, in consultation with the Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled, will determine and implement the appropriate disciplinary action, which may include, but not be limited to, interventions designed to assist the student, warning, probation, suspension, and dismissal.

A student may appeal the decision of the Dean of Students to the Provost if he or she can demonstrate the availability of new information which is potentially significant and which was not available during the investigation. Student appeals must be submitted in writing to the Provost within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the decision of the Dean of Students. The Provost will review all documentation, and, if deemed necessary, will interview the student and consult with appropriate faculty and administrators. The Provost may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the Dean of Students or may order other appropriate disciplinary sanctions. The Provost will render a decision within ten (10) working days, excluding holidays and Lesley University vacation days. The Provost’s decision is final.

The University reserves the right to discipline, suspend, or dismiss any student from academic classes or programs or any University-sponsored event or site for violations of this policy. The University also reserves the right, as allowed by law, to review the impact of certain criminal convictions upon the University, the student, and the academic/professional program in which the student is enrolled. Such discipline, suspension, or dismissal does not affect the student’s financial obligation to the University for tuition or other indebtedness.