Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1720-02-05-.03 - JURISDICTION AND APPLICATION

(1) Jurisdiction. The Code applies to the conduct of a student that occurs on University-controlled property. With respect to conduct that does not occur on University-owned property, the University has the discretion to discipline a student for conduct in violation of the Code if the student's conduct adversely affects the interests of the University, including, without limitation, when the conduct:

(a) Occurs during or in connection with a University-affiliated activity, including, without limitation, an overseas study program, clinical or field placement, internship, or in-service experience;

(b) Consists of academic dishonesty or research misconduct;

(c) Is prohibited by local, state, or federal law;

(d) Involves another member of the University community; or

(e) Threatens, or indicates that the student may pose a threat to, the health or safety of the student or other person, or the security of any person's property, including, without limitation, alcohol-related misconduct, drug-related misconduct, arson, battery, fraud, theft, hazing, participation in group violence, Sexual Harassment, and sexual exploitation.

(2) Time Period of Application to Students. The Code applies to a student's conduct from the time the student applies for admission to the University through the entire time that the student is a candidate for and/or is awarded a degree from the University (even if a student's conduct which violates the Code is not discovered by the University until after the University awards a degree to the student). The Code applies to a student's conduct that occurs during the academic year, between semesters, and during periods between terms of actual enrollment at the University.

(3) Conduct Attributable to Student Organizations. Each student organization is responsible for conduct fairly attributable to the student organization. A determination that conduct is fairly attributable to a student organization does not preclude holding student members of the student organization accountable for acts committed in relation to the student organization's conduct. The chief student officer of the student organization (e.g., president or equivalent) or his or her designee will serve as the representative of the student organization during any proceedings against the student organization under the Code. In determining whether misconduct in violation of the Code is fairly attributable to a student organization, the University will consider the following factors:

(a) Whether one (1) or more officers of the student organization had prior knowledge that the misconduct was reasonably likely to occur and failed to take reasonable preventative or corrective action, failed to attempt to stop known misconduct while it was occurring, and/or helped to plan, promote, or carry out the misconduct.

(b) Whether the misconduct occurred in connection with an activity:

(i) financed by the student organization and/or one (1) or more members or alumni of the student organization who contributed personal funds in lieu of organizational funds;

(ii) related to initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in the student organization; and/or

(iii) advertised, promoted, or publicized in such a way that a reasonable person viewing or hearing the advertisement, promotion, or publication would believe that the activity was affiliated with the student organization.

(c) Whether the misconduct occurred on property owned, controlled, rented, leased, and/or used by the student organization and/or any of its members or alumni acting on the student organization's behalf.

(d) Whether a member of the student organization attempted to conceal the activity connected with the misconduct or concealed the misconduct of another member of the student organization.

(4) Relation to Criminal and Civil Legal Proceedings. The Code has been adopted in furtherance of the University's interests and serves to supplement, rather than substitute for, the enforcement of criminal and civil law. Accordingly, a Respondent may be charged with violating the Code for conduct that also constitutes a violation of criminal or civil law without regard to whether criminal or civil legal proceedings have been initiated against the Respondent. Disciplinary action for student conduct in violation of the Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following criminal or civil proceedings regarding the same conduct. A Respondent charged with violating the Code may not challenge University proceedings in the student conduct process on the grounds that a criminal or civil legal proceeding (or another University proceeding) regarding the same misconduct is pending or has been dismissed, or otherwise that criminal charges or civil claims regarding the same misconduct have been adjudicated, settled and/or reduced. When appropriate, the University may refer student conduct matters involving violations of the law to federal, state, or local authorities for prosecution.

(5) Misconduct Not Excused by Intoxication or Impairment. The intoxication or impairment of a student by alcohol, drugs, or other substances will not diminish or excuse any conduct in violation of the Code that the student commits while intoxicated or impaired, except as provided under Section .16 of this Chapter.

(6) Concurrent Honor Code and Non-Honor Code Violations of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Chapter to the contrary, allegations of violations of Section .04(1) of this Chapter will be resolved in accordance with the Honor Code procedures under Chapter 1720-02-01. In cases involving allegations of both Honor Code violations and non-Honor Code violations of the Code, the alleged Honor Code violations will be resolved in accordance with the Honor Code procedures under Chapter 1720-02-01 separately from resolution of the alleged non-Honor Code violations, which will be resolved pursuant to the Code procedures under this Chapter. In such cases, disciplinary sanctions may be issued against the Respondent for any Honor Code violations separate from and additional to disciplinary sanctions issued for any non-Honor Code violations of the Code.

(7) Violations of Professional Standards or Ethics. Graduate or professional programs within the University may take separate and independent action against students for alleged violations of professional and/or ethical standards using procedures other than those contained in the Code.

(8) Effect on Coursework. Coursework performed by a Respondent during the student conduct process will be considered conditional. Credit for such coursework may be affected, delayed, denied, and/or revoked based on a finding of a Code violation and/or disciplinary sanctions imposed against the Respondent under the Code. In addition, subject to the other provisions of the Code, a delay in the granting of a degree or diploma may be imposed, or a degree that is awarded prior to a decision under the Code may be revoked.

(9) Withdrawal During the Student Conduct Process. If a Respondent voluntarily withdraws from the University before the conclusion of the student conduct process, the Office of Student Conduct retains the right to investigate and resolve the allegations against the Respondent as a condition of the Respondent being allowed to re-enroll in the University. A Disciplinary Hold on the Respondent's record, as provided under Section .14(3) of this Chapter, may be implemented or remain in place after the Respondent withdraws in order to enforce this Section .03(9).

(10) Time Extensions and Rescheduling. Any time period specified under the Code may be extended for good cause at the discretion of the Office of Student Conduct. Any hearing or meeting described in the Code may be rescheduled for good cause at the discretion of the Office of Student Conduct.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1720-02-05-.03

Original rule filed September 15, 1976; effective October 15, 1976. Repealed by Public Chapter 575; effective July 1, 1986. New rule filed May 27, 1986; effective August 12, 1986. Amendment filed March 12, 1987; effective June 29, 1987. Amendment filed June 22, 2006; effective October 27, 2006. Repeal and new rule filed April 17, 2012; effective September 28, 2012. Repeal and new rule filed September 30, 2019; effective December 29, 2019. Emergency rules filed August 13, 2020; effective through February 9, 2021. Emergency rules expired effective February 10, 2021, and the rules reverted to their previous statuses. Amendments filed December 17, 2020; effective 3/17/2021.

Authority: T.C.A. § 49-9-209(e); Public Acts of Tennessee, 1839-1840, Chapter 98, Section 5; and Public Acts of Tennessee, 1807, Chapter 64.