Skip to Main Content

Undergraduate Academic Conduct Policy

Saint Michael’s College is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through the free expression and exploration of ideas. Instructors seek to develop and maintain a learning environment which is both open to differing opinions and respectful of all members of the campus community. While the principle of academic freedom protects this freedom of inquiry as essential to our academic mission, it does not protect conduct that is disruptive to the classroom environment in which learning occurs. Students, in adherence to the Saint Michael’s College Code of Conduct, are required to follow course policies, expectations, and instructions regarding behavior and interactions with peers and instructors. The Code of Conduct applies to all courses and course-related work offered by the College, including in person, on-line, and hybrid courses, video meetings and discussion boards, and any course-related interactions or communications involving peers, staff, and faculty. Unacceptable student behavior may include, but is not limited to, the following types of disruptive conduct in or out of the classroom:

  • Rude or disrespectful behavior directed at peers, staff, or faculty, including unwanted interruptions and failure to adhere to instructors’ directions in a classroom activity.

  • Inappropriate and/or physically or verbally abusive language or behavior and other forms of intimidation in any setting.

Students must also respect a right to privacy and cannot record, capture, photograph, or share any class-related material, such as video, faculty or student presentations, class content, faculty or student postings, correspondences, etc., with any third party (which includes other students) without express permission of all parties.

A student may be temporarily removed or withdrawn from a course for not complying with these standards of behavior. The normal procedure for responding to unacceptable behavior is the following:

  • The instructor is advised to keep careful written records regarding any incident of disruptive conduct.

  • Following an initial incident, the instructor may choose to give an informal verbal warning to the student or may decide to inform their department chair and the Undergraduate Dean’s Office immediately. This decision is the prerogative of the instructor, depending on the severity of the incident.

  • Depending on the severity of the incident and the input of the instructor, the Dean of Undergraduate Education may require a meeting along with a formal written warning to the student. This will be followed by a one-week probationary period, which will be noted in the student’s file. If there is no further disruptive behavior the probationary period will be terminated.

  • If the disruptive conduct recurs at any point during the probationary period, the student may be withdrawn immediately from the course. The Dean of Undergraduate Education makes the final decision to withdraw the student in consultation with the instructor.

  • Egregious violations of the Code of Conduct will be addressed by the Provost and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.

Saint Michael’s is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The College is a member of the College Board, Vermont Higher Education Council, Association of Vermont Independent Colleges, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Vermont Campus Compact, and Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.

Saint Michael’s College is committed to equal opportunity. It does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment, on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical characteristics.

The provisions of this catalog are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the student and the College. The College reserves the right to change its policies without prior notice.

Powered by Coursedog