Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is dedicated to fostering a campus environment that is engaging, empowering, and educational for all, which is why adherence to campus policies is essential to our students’ success.
Students, like all members of society, are accountable for their behavior under local, state, and federal laws. In addition, they are responsible for upholding the Student Conduct Code. This applies to all individuals enrolled in courses—whether full-time or part-time—as well as those who were students at the time of a conduct violation.
Authority for the administration of student conduct processes [1] at RPI is vested in the Dean of Students Office, by delegation from the President.. The integrity and independence of the Student Conduct System is upheld with the highest priority. All students are individually responsible for their behavior under the College’s conduct policies. To support a fair, just, and safe campus environment, students are expected to be aware of and comply with all College regulations. RPI assumes the responsibility to regulate the private conduct of its students when such conduct could constitute a hazard to or an infringement on the rights of others, a violation of the law, or a disruption of the legitimate academic and administrative processes of the Institute.
Student organizations, whether sanctioned, recognized, or formerly affiliated with the Institute, are subject to the same regulations as individual students. Such groups accept responsibility to protect members of the RPI community and their guests from any violation of their rights in group activities and in activities of individual members. Such organizations are generally required to designate officers, but such action in no way diminishes the group's responsibility. If officers, while performing their official duties, fail to reasonably protect the rights of community members or uphold policy, they may be subject to individual disciplinary action.
RPI reserves the right to suspend the Institute student conduct process during breaks, recesses, and the months between the spring and fall semesters, when boards are not in session. Additionally, depending on the circumstances, alleged policy violations that occur toward the end of each semester may not be heard until the following semester is in session.
[1] Investigations and disciplinary actions related to alleged violations of RPI’s Sexual Misconduct Policy are handled by RPI’s Title IX Office and involve a different set of processes and procedures, which are detailed in that policy. The RPI Student Conduct System detailed here do not apply to matters within the scope of that policy.
