The University may discipline a student for the following acts of reported personal misconduct which occur on University property or at a University-sponsored function. Additionally, the University may discipline a student for the following acts of reported personal misconduct that are not committed on University property or acts that arise from University activities that are being conducted off the University campus or if the misconduct a) undermines the security of the University community, b) adversely affects the Ferris State University community and/or the pursuit of its objectives, or c) compromises the integrity of the educational process.  Such acts include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Acting as an Accessory

   Acting as an accessory to any unlawful act or the violation of any University policy. Threatening or attempting to engage in any unlawful act or violation of any University policy or being present when a violation of policy occurs.

2. Advertising/Solicitation
   1. Any posting of advertising materials must be done by authorized University staff only. For any posting of advertising materials within Ferris’ Housing facilities approval must be given by the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, with the final approval authority resting with the Housing Services Office. See the Office of Student Leadership and Activities for posting policy procedures.  The stuffing of mailboxes is not permitted.
   2. Solicitation is not permitted in University buildings and/or grounds, excluding any approved University sponsored charity fundraiser programs. University Housing reserves the right to individually approve or deny activities. University housing may not be used for business purposes.
      
      
3. Actions That Endanger

   Actions that endanger the student, the University community, or the academic process.

4. Computer and Information System Misuse

   Unauthorized and/or inappropriate use of computers is prohibited. Such use includes, but is not limited to: damaging or altering records or programs, furnishing false information or invading the privacy of another user by using files, programs, or data without permission, engaging in disruptive and annoying behavior, or engaging in any unauthorized use of or access to computer hardware, software, accounts, or passwords.  Additionally, any and all actions in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act are prohibited.

5. Damage To or Destruction Of Property

   Damage to, destruction, or misuse of property belonging to the University or others.

6. Dishonest Conduct

   Including, but not limited to, false accusation of misconduct; intentionally misrepresenting the truth; forgery, alteration, or misuse of any University document, record, or identification; abuse of the disciplinary system; and giving to a University official information known to be false.

7. Disorderly Conduct

   Behavior that interferes with teaching, research, administration, or other University or University-authorized activity or that disrupts the University environment either during an event or incident or as a result of an event or incident.

8. Failure to Comply

   1. Failure to comply with the directions of authorized University officials in the performance of their duties
   2. Failure to identify oneself when requested to do so
   3. Failure to comply with reasonable requests of other students
   4. Failure to comply with the terms of the disciplinary sanction
9. Game Processing (Hunting)

   Students are not permitted to process (butcher/clean/hang) game (deer, rabbits, fish, etc.) or hides anywhere in or near the residence halls, University apartments/suites, or elsewhere on campus.

10. Guests

    Students are responsible for the actions of their guests and are responsible for ensuring their guests adhere to all University policies.

11. Harassment

    Behavior that creates a hostile or intimidating environment in which verbal or physical conduct, because of its severity or persistence, is likely to significantly interfere with an individual’s work or education, feelings of personal safety, or adversely affect a person’s living conditions.

12. Hazing

    Hazing is defined as any conduct which subjects another person (whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically) to anything that may endanger, abuse, degrade, or intimidate the person due to an affiliation with a group or organization, regardless of the person’s consent.

13. Initiating or Circulating a Report

    Initiating or circulating a report or warning concerning an impending bombing, fire, or other emergency or catastrophe, knowing that the report is false; making a false report or threat concerning a fire or that a bomb or other explosive has been or may be  placed in any University building or elsewhere on University property; or transmitting such a report to an official agency, students, or others.

14. Intoxication

    Intoxication is defined as being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, regardless of age, where such behavior causes a disturbance or other concern to the University.

15. Lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct
    
    
16. Parking

    Parking on driveways, roadways, sidewalks, lawns and within yellow zones, posted or not, is prohibited. All motor vehicles shall park only in the lot(s) assigned by the parking permit the vehicle was issued by the Department of Public Safety. Any violation of the University Parking Policy and Procedures may result in a ticket issued by the Department of Public Safety and/or disciplinary action.

17. Personal Identification and Key Security
    • Ferris students are required to carry their student ID at all times.  All students (and their guests) are required to provide identification upon request of a University official, including student staff members. 
    • Additionally a student may not duplicate and/or disseminate his/her student ID or University housing key.  It is expected that students will take proper precautions to ensure the safety of their student ID, University housing key, and residence hall room, suite or apartment.
    • A student may not use or possess another student’s ID or key.
      
      
18. Physical Harm/Abuse of any Person, Including the Following:
    • Physical behavior that endangers the health or safety of another person
    • The use of physical force or violence to restrict the freedom of action or movement of another person
    • Physical behavior that involves an expressed or implied threat to interfere with an individual’s personal safety, academic efforts, employment, or participation in University sponsored extracurricular activities and causes the person to have a reasonable apprehension that such harm is about to occur
    • Physical behavior that has the purpose or reasonably foreseeable effect of interfering with an individual’s personal safety, academic efforts, employment, or participation in University sponsored extracurricular activities and causes the person to have a reasonable apprehension that such harm is about to occur.
      
      
19. Possession of Firearms or Other Weapons

    Answers to questions or issues related to firearms or other weapons may be located in the University’s Campus Violence and Weapons Prohibition policy, which you will find at http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/administration/buspolletter/bpl0319.pdf.

20. Release of Access Codes

    Release of access codes for University computer and duplicating systems and other University equipment to unauthorized persons; use of an access code for a purpose other than that for which the code was originally authorized and/or intended.

21. Rioting

    Rioting is defined as acting with violence and/or aiding, encouraging, and/or participating in a riot.

22. Sexual Misconduct

    Sexual misconduct, as defined by the University Sexual Assault policy in Section IV of this handbook, including unwelcome or unwanted touching.

23. Unauthorized Entry

    Unauthorized entry, use, or occupancy of University facilities including, but not limited to, residence hall space, suite, or apartment; refusal to vacate a University facility when directed to do so by an authorized official of the University.

24. Unauthorized Fireworks

    Unauthorized possession, use, manufacture, distribution, or sale of fireworks, incendiary devices, flammable or combustible materials, or other dangerous explosives on University Property is prohibited.

25. Unauthorized Possession or Use of Alcoholic Beverages

    The use or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by Ferris State University in the following areas:

    • On or off University property, or in the course of a University activity or student organization activity, when the possession or use is contrary to law and/or University policy.
    • On or off University property, when possession or use creates a danger to self or others, including, but not limited to, the sale, gift, or transfer of alcohol to minors.
    • In or on any property of the University frequented by the public, except in areas specifically designated by the President of the University.
      
      
26. Unauthorized Possession or Use of Illegal Drugs or Controlled Substances (real or implied)

    The term “controlled substance” is defined by Michigan law, and includes, but is not limited to, substances such as marijuana, cocaine, narcotics, certain stimulants and depressants, and hallucinogens. The following actions are prohibited by Ferris State University:

    • Use or possession of any drug, controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia on or off University property or in the course of a University activity or student organization activity, contrary to law or without a valid and legal prescription for such drugs or controlled substances.
    • Use of University facilities to manufacture, process, or distribute any drugs or controlled substance contrary to law.
    • Sale, attempted sale, gift, or transfer of drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia, whether or not such sale, gift, or transfer occurs on or off University property or in the course of a University activity or student organization activity.
    • Production, manufacture or use of any substance that is used as a drug on or off University property.
    • Abuse or misuse of any prescription drug, the unauthorized possession of prescription medication or the sale or attempted sale of a prescription drug.
    • Students may not be present in a room where illegal drugs or controlled substances are present or being used.
    • The use, possession, or cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes is not allowed in any University housing or on any University property.
      
      
27. Unauthorized Taking or Possession

    Unauthorized taking or possession of University property or services; unauthorized taking or possession of the property or services of others.

28. Verbal Abuse of Another Person

    Speech which materially and substantially disrupts the operation of the University or infringes on the rights of other, including the following:

    1. An expressed or implied threat to:
       1. Interfere with an individual’s personal safety, academic efforts, employment or participation in University sponsored activities; or
       2. Injure that person or damage his or her property and, under the circumstances, causes the person to have reasonable apprehension that such harm is about to occur; or,
       3. Cause harm to the community
    2. Inflammatory speech, spoken or written inflammatory communication which is inherently likely to provoke a violent reaction by the listener or listeners toward the speaker.
29. Violation of other published University regulations, policies, or rules.
    
    
30. Any violation of any local, state, or federal law is against University Policy.