Prohibited Behaviors

Deliberately abusing, misusing, or misleading the procedural aspects of the conduct process. Examples of this behavior include:

1. Destroying or concealing information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation;
2. Initiation of a student conduct code proceeding in bad faith;
3. Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the student conduct system; or
4. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of any conduct board outside of the conduct process.

Violation of any provision of the Undergraduate Alcohol and Other Drug Policy. The Alcohol and Other Drug Policy describes the University’s position on student responsibility regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs. Students should pay special attention to the University’s Medical Amnesty policy for additional information about seeking help for students in need of medical attention.

Any continuing behavior directed at or about a student, faculty, staff, or other University Employee which is degrading, humiliating, malicious, or defamatory. Prohibited behaviors may be in person, in print, via electronic means, or through social networking. Examples include but are not limited to: ongoing pranks or ridicule directed against an individual, graffiti, posting insults against a student in a public setting or on any website.

Helping or actively encouraging another person to engage in violations of University policy.

Violation of the Wake Forest Computing Policies, found at https://is.wfu.edu/infosec/policies-and-standards/.

1. Failure of a student responding to allegations to appear for a conduct meeting.
2. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a formal or informal proceeding.
3. Failure to comply with the outcome(s) imposed under the Code of Conduct.

Violation of the federal law restricting use of copyrighted video, audio, or computer material. Any organization or student using such material should be certain that its use conforms to law.

Attempted or actual damage to or destruction of University premises or the property of another person or organization.

The Statement on Expression affirms the University’s position on expression. This policy describes conduct which does not meet these expectations.

Disorderly conduct is behavior that unreasonably interferes with the ability of others to sleep, study, or participate in the activities of the University.  

The Statement on Expression affirms the University’s position on expression. This policy describes conduct which does not meet these expectations.

Disruptive conduct is speech or other forms of expression which: prevents or substantially impedes the normal operations of the University or a University function or activity, such as lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, and public events; blocks the legitimate activities of any person on the campus or in any University building or facility; or violates other policies in the Code of Conduct

Disregard for, or refusalFailure to comply with the directives of University officials, any or law enforcement officer or officers, or other first responder or responders during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to, the failure to provide proper ID and disrespectful, uncooperative, abusive, or threatening behavior.

Violation of applicable local, state, federal or campus fire laws, codes and policies including, but not limited to:

1. Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire which damages University or personal property or which causes injury;
2. Failure to evacuate University Premises during a fire alarm;
3. Use of University fire safety equipment for an improper purpose; or
4. Tampering with or improperly engaging a fire alarm or fire detection/control equipment while on University Premises.

The Statement on Expression affirms the University’s position on expression. This policy describes conduct which does not meet these expectations.

Harassment is any unwelcome and persistent or pervasive conduct directed toward an individual or against a group that is based on that person’s or group’s actual or perceived race, color, age, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, veteran status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or religion. The conduct may be verbal, nonverbal, written, electronic, or physical behavior and/or communication. Behavior by an individual based on an individual’s or group’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability is addressed under the University’s Sex and Gender Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Title IX Sexual Harassment and Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Grievance Procedures Policy or Student Disability Grievance Procedures. Behavior by an Organization based on an individual’s or group’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability is addressed through the procedures in this Code of Conduct.

To constitute harassment, the unwelcome behavior or communication must have the purpose or effect of being sufficiently serious as to:

1. create an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning educational, living, or work environment, or
2. deny or limit a person’s work performance or a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program.

In addition, to constitute harassment, the conduct must include something beyond the mere expression of views, words, symbols, or thoughts that some person may find offensive. The conduct will be viewed from both a subjective (the complainant’s) and an objective (reasonable person’s) viewpoint and will take into consideration all surrounding circumstances. Such conduct does not need to be directed at or to a specific individual in order to constitute harassment but may consist of generalized unwelcome and inappropriate behaviors or communications based on one or more of the aforementioned protected categories.

Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm to or endangering the health or safety of any person.

Creation of health and/or safety hazards, including, but not limited to, dangerous pranks, hanging out of or climbing from/on/in windows/balconies/roofs, and reckless driving.

Any action taken or situation created for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a means of maintaining continued membership or favor in a group or organization that:

1. endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a person; student;
2. unreasonably impedes upon a student’s academic, professional, or personal commitments;
3. demeans, disgraces, or degrades any student;
4. Retaliates against any person who acts to prevent, stop, or report hazing activity; or
5. violates other policies in the Code of Conduct.

A student’s express or implied consent to the action(s) taken and/or situation(s) created are not considered a defense to a charge of hazing. Individuals or organizations that retaliate against anyone who acts to prevent, stop, or report hazing activity may also be charged with a violation of the Code of Conduct.

Behavior which compromises the integrity of the University community, including:

Stealing.

• The unauthorized taking, misappropriation, or possession of any property belonging to, owned by, or maintained by the University, an organization, or another individual, or The possession, retention, or disposal of stolen property.

Deception.

• Making a false statement to a University or other official, or

• Knowingly furnishing or possessing false, falsified or forged materials, documents, accounts, records, identification or financial instruments.

Violation of the provisions in the Undergraduate Alcohol and Other Drug Policy describes the University’s position on student responsibility regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Conduct or activity by students living in, hosting functions at, or attending functions at off-campus locations which unreasonably interferes with the rights of individuals. Students who are residents of off-campus rooms/apartments/houses must control the nature and size of activities carried out in or on their premises consistent with the standards of the University.  

Violating other published University policies or rules, including all Residence Life and Housing policies published in the Guide to Community Living.

Students and Organizations must comply with all University policies and expectations implemented in response to public health emergencies, as declared by Wake Forest University. These policies and expectations pertain to student conduct on-campus and off-campus and may address guest policies, curfews, travel restrictions, personal protective equipment, isolation and quarantine requirements, and more. If a public health emergency is declared the policies and expectations can be found at wakeready.wfu.edu or from the main Wake Forest University home page (wfu.edu), and students are encouraged to visit the websites frequently.

Public Health Emergency. In response to the current public health emergency, there is an addendum to the Undergraduate Student Conduct Code. The addendum is intended to increase education, safety, and accountability among students and student organizations. This addendum is effective July 1, 2020 and will remain in effect until further notice. Any revisions to this addendum will be communicated through email notice to Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff. 

Communication and/Written or verbal conduct which causes a reasonable expectation of physical, emotional, or psychological harm to the health or safety of any person or damage to any property. The reasonableness of the expectation will be viewed from both a subjective (the complainant’s) and an objective (the reasonable person’s) viewpoint and will take into consideration all surrounding circumstances

Unapproved entry into or onto University Premises, unapproved possession, duplication, or use of keys and/or cards to gain entry into or onto any University Premises or failing to report a lost Deacon OneCard or key.

Unapproved hosting, organizing, or attendance of a social function which failsSocial functions that fail to comply with the University’s requirement to gain prior approvalrequirements for such activities. registration.

Any violation of a University policy that is committed by an acknowledged non-student guest is the responsibility of the Wake Forest student host(s).

Violating any federal, state, or local law or ordinances, as determined by the adjudication of the appropriate jurisdictional authority.

Possession, use, storage, or distribution of explosives (including fireworks and ammunition), guns (including air, BB, paintball, facsimile weapons and pellet guns), or other weapons or dangerous objects such as arrows, axes, machetes, nunchucks, throwing stars, or knives, on University premises (whether on one’s person, in a parked vehicle, in a building, or in outside spaces), except for authorized use in the Department of Military Science or authorized use by campus recreation.