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Code of Student Conduct 2025-2026

Section 1: Rules of Student Conduct: Prohibited Behavior

SUNY Brockport, as a state-operated institution, is governed by federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. Consistent with those laws, rules and regulations, each student is expressly advised that the following behavior is prohibited. Students or student organizations engaging in the following are subject to disciplinary sanctions:

  1. Conduct that may violate any local, state, or federal law or rule, and/or any regulation established by the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.
  2. Possession and/or use of weapons including but not limited to firearms, air guns, explosives, dangerous objects, and chemicals. For more complete definitions please see the Possession of Firearms and Weapons Policy. An object may be considered a weapon if used in a manner that harms, threatens or reasonably causes fear to others.
  3. Violation of any provision of the On Campus Housing License.
  4. Attempted or actual:
    1. Theft of property or services or unauthorized possession of stolen property.
    2. Damage to property or services
  5. Tampering with fire safety equipment, fire alarm equipment and/or setting off alarms in any building or on University premises or intentionally interfering with or failing to follow emergency procedures.
  6. Intentionally overloading, damaging, dismantling, or tampering with elevators or elevator equipment.
  7. Trespassing/Unauthorized use of facilities and services. No person shall enter into and/or utilize any University facility or service without proper authorization.
  8. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of any keys (including ID cards), to any University premises or unauthorized entry to or use of University premises.
  9. Unauthorized Presence. Students who have no specific legitimate reason for being in University buildings or on campus grounds may be subject to a charge of unauthorized presence. This includes, but is not limited to, being present in buildings and facilities that are officially closed or where the individual does not have a University official’s written permission.
  10. Advertising, soliciting, or selling any goods or services on campus without prior written permission from the vice president for student affairs or designee. Unaddressed handbills, announcements, election flyers, or advertisements are not to be placed under campus doors or on vehicles on campus property. Students should refer to the campus posting policy for more information.
  11. Tobacco-free, Smoke-free, & Vape-free Campus Policy: Smoking or use of any substance, including vaping, is prohibited on all University managed property, both indoors and outdoors. 
  12. Disorderly and/or disruptive conduct that interferes with the normal operations of the University or infringes on the rights of others, and may include leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities associated with the University. 
  13. Harassment, which may include any of the following:
    1. Unwelcome conduct based on one or more protected characteristics or statuses (real or perceived), including age, color, race, disability, marital status, national/ethnic origin, religion, veteran’s status, political activities or genetic information, and which is subjectively and objectively offensive, and which is so severe or pervasive that it interferes with an individual’s employment, academic performance or participation in working or learning programs or activities, and creates a working or academic environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive;1 Engaging in speech or expression protected by the First Amendment is not a violation of this policy.
    2. Threatening or intimidating behavior, which would cause a reasonable person to become fearful;
    3. Engaging in a course of conduct or repeatedly committing acts directed at another person, which would seriously annoy a reasonable person;
    4. Creating a condition which endangers or threatens the health, safety or welfare of another person; and
    5. Physically restraining or detaining another person or forcibly removing any person from any place where they are authorized to remain.
  14. Physical assault. Any act that intentionally or recklessly inflicts bodily harm upon any person, or subjecting another person to unwanted physical contact. 
  15. Hazing: Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that: 
    • Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
      • Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury. The following are non-exhaustive examples of conduct that causes or creates such a risk:
      • Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body, or similar activity;
      • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar activity;
      • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substances;
      • Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts;
      • Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct;
      • Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of applicable local, [insert applicable state name] State, Tribal, or Federal law; and
      • Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.
    • This definition is compliant with New York State law. Under New York State Penal Law, a person may be charged with hazing if, during another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, they intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct that creates a substantial risk of and/or causes physical injury to another person. A criminal charge of hazing may result in a violation or misdemeanor.
    • Please refer to SUNY Brockport’s Hazing Policy.
  16. Sexual/Gender Based Discrimination and Interpersonal Violence Misconduct (“sexual misconduct”) is a broad range of prohibited behaviors. Sexual misconduct cases that do not fall within the jurisdiction of SUNY Brockport’s Title IX Grievance Policy will be managed through the Code of Student Conduct, Section 9: Student Conduct Procedures, Category II: Sexual/Gender Based Discrimination and Interpersonal Violence Misconduct Policies & Procedures. For the purposes of this Code, these behaviors include:
    1. Dating violence;
    2. Domestic violence;
    3. Stalking;
    4. Sex and/or Gender based discrimination;
    5. Sexual harassment;
    6. Sexual Assault;
    7. Sexual Exploitation.
  17. Abuse of the Student Conduct System, including, but not limited to:
    1. Failure to comply with the instructions of a student conduct officer, student conduct body, or University official.
    2. Disruption or interference with the orderly process of a student conduct proceeding. 
    3. Providing false or misleading information to a student conduct officer or University official.
    4. Attempting to discourage an individual’s participation in, or use of, the student conduct system through intimidation or any other means.
    5. Retaliating against an individual who made a complaint/report, served as a witness, opposed the reported conduct, is a friend or acquaintance of the person who made a complaint/report, or who participated in the student conduct process.
    6. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a student conduct body prior to, and/or during the course of, the student conduct proceeding.
    7. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a student conduct body prior to, during, and/or after a student conduct proceeding.
    8. Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the student conduct system.
    9. Failure to abide by the terms of an Agreement Regarding Evidence disclosed during a Student Conduct or Title IX Investigation and/or Hearing.
    10. Violating any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.
  18. Failure to identify oneself or present a valid student identification card when requested to do so by any faculty, staff, or student staff or law enforcement officer in the performance of their official duties.
  19. Failure to comply with the reasonable and lawful requests or directives of University officials or law enforcement officers acting in the performance of their duties and/or interference with faculty, staff, or student staff acting in the performance of their official duties. Compliance includes, but is not limited to, appearing at offices when directed to do so, showing identification and leaving areas when directed to do so.
  20. Forgery or any other act of knowingly furnishing false information to the institution in the form of a false complaint or report or unauthorized alteration or use of institutional documents, including those stored on electronic or computer media, or instruments of identification (such as an ID card).
  21. Falsifying information or failing to report required information (such as previous university attendance, prior conduct sanctions or felony history) on any admissions application or related materials.
  22. Theft or other abuse of electronic technologies, including but not limited to:
    1. Unauthorized entry into a system (voice/data/video/mechanical/security), to use, read or change the contents, or for any other purpose;
    2. Unauthorized transfer of a file;
    3. Unauthorized use of another individual’s identification and password;
    4. Intentional use of computing facilities to interfere with the operation of any computing system;
    5. Use of electronic mail/instant messages to send chain letters, harassing messages;
    6. Use of University computing facilities for commercial activities;
    7. Unauthorized transfer/copying of copyright material (e.g., software, mp3 files) that is not protected by fair use; and
    8. Gaining unauthorized access to data or information in University files or stored on University systems.

  23. Prohibited substances. 2 The following behaviors related to substance use are prohibited:

    1. Unlawful possession or use of a prohibited substance;
    2. Purchasing a prohibited substance;
    3. Manufacturing a prohibited substance;
    4. Distributing a prohibited substance;
    5. Selling a prohibited substance;
    6. Using or being under the influence of any controlled substance (as defined in NYS Public Health Law 3306), or synthetic cannabinoids;
    7. Abuse of over-the-counter drugs;
    8. Abuse and or exchange or distribution of prescription drugs prescribed to self or another person; and
    9. Possession of drug paraphernalia, including, but not limited to, hookahs, pipes, and other smoking devices, weights, scales, and/or rolling papers.

      *Please note, the possession or use of Cannabis on campus is a violation of federal law, therefore it is considered a prohibited substance. For more information see the Cannabis & SUNY Brockport webpages.
  24. Alcohol violations. 3 The following behaviors related to alcohol use, whether on or off campus, are prohibited at the University. For more information, please refer to the University’s Alcohol Policy found at University-Wide Policies and Residential Life/Learning Communities
    1. Consumption under twenty-one (21) years of age;
    2. Possession under twenty-one (21) years of age;
    3. Distribution to someone under twenty-one (21) years of age;
    4. Purchase of alcoholic beverages by any persons less than twenty-one (21) years of age;
    5. Possession of alcohol paraphernalia;
    6. Public intoxication, regardless of age; and
    7. Driving While Intoxicated.
  25. Responsibility for Guest(s). Students will be held accountable for the behavior of all guests in accordance with all University policies. Therefore, all students are responsible for the actions of their guests for any violations of the Code of Student Conduct committed on University premises, or at University-sponsored or supervised functions. Students are expected to take reasonable action to prevent their guests from violating University policies and are expected to remain with their guests for the length of their visit. Students will be held responsible for damage to or loss of University property by the actions of their guest(s) and may be required to reimburse the University, or the student’s account may be charged accordingly. The University reserves the right to restrict any guest from campus who violates the Code of Student Conduct, in the interest of the general welfare of the University community.

Section 2: Student Conduct Definitions

  1. “SUNY Brockport” or “University” means the State University of New York Brockport.
  2. “Student” means an individual taking courses at SUNY Brockport either full time or part time, matriculated or non-matriculated, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies, including individuals on University premises for any purpose related to enrollment, such as orientation activities. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship as a student with the University are considered “students.” This includes persons who withdraw after an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct, and persons who are living in the University’s residence halls, although not enrolled in this institution.
  3. “SUNY Brockport official” or “University official” includes faculty and staff, and any person employed by SUNY Brockport, performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
  4. “SUNY Brockport premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of, or owned, used or controlled by, SUNY Brockport (including adjacent streets and sidewalks). The Code of Student Conduct applies at all locations of SUNY Brockport, including Brockport Downtown at REOC. “Student organization” means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for SUNY Brockport recognition/registration.
  5. “Policy” means the written regulations of SUNY or SUNY Brockport policies, as found in the Code of Student Conduct, the On Campus Housing License, Residence Hall/Student Townhomes Alcohol Policy; the Residence Hall Handbook; policy statements regarding sexual harassment and non-discrimination, as well as bias and bias-related incidents; any policy listed on the University’s website, the Student Policy Web page at University-Wide Policies, and the graduate/undergraduate catalogs. Copies of these policies may be obtained from their respective offices and at University Homepage.
  6. “Investigator” means that person(s) assigned by the director of student conduct, assistant director of student conduct, student conduct coordinator, Title IX coordinator, or president’s designee, to investigate allegations of a violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct.
  7. “Director of student conduct” is that person(s) designated by the University president to be responsible for the administration of the Code of Student Conduct.
  8. ”Student conduct officer” means SUNY Brockport official authorized by the director of student conduct, assistant director of student conduct, the student conduct coordinator, vice president for student affairs or designee, or other investigator, to conduct a hearing, conference, or investigative meeting with a student to discuss allegations of misconduct. The director of student conduct/assistant director of student conduct/student conduct coordinator/president’s designee may authorize the student conduct officer to impose sanctions in all cases.
  9. “Student charged,” “student organization charged,” “accused,” “responding party” or “respondent” means any student or student organization accused of violating the Code of Student Conduct.
  10. “Complainant” or “reporting individual” means any person or persons who have brought allegations against a student or student organization, or on whose behalf a bystander brings forth allegations, alleging a Category II Sexual/Gender Based Discrimination and Interpersonal Violence Misconduct violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct.
  11. “Conduct board” means any person or persons authorized by the director of student conduct/assistant director of student conduct/student conduct coordinator/vice president for student affairs or designee to determine whether a student has violated the Code of Student Conduct and to recommend sanctions that may be imposed when a rules violation has been committed.
  12. “Appeal officers” and “Appeal Panel” mean the vice president for student affairs and any person authorized by the vice president to serve on the Appeal Panel to decide upon the appeal outcome for a student or student organization conduct case.
  13. “Business days,” as used in this Code of Student Conduct, with reference to scheduling and notification, refers to days in which the administrative offices of the university are officially open for business.
  14. “Preponderance of the evidence” is the standard of proof required to determine if a student violated the Code of Student Conduct. The standard is met when the evidence brought forth in the conduct case proves to be more likely true than not true.

1Harassment on the basis of sex, including gender expression or gender identity, and sexual orientation, are also prohibited, but are included in #16 below.

2Parental Notification. As permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the student conduct officer or designee may notify the parents of students under the age of 21, who are found responsible for drug violations of the Code of Student Conduct. In addition, parents may also be notified for other violations of the Code of Student Conduct, as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

3Parental Notification. As permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the student conduct officer or designee may notify the parents of students under the age of 21, who are found responsible for alcohol violations of the Code of Student Conduct. In addition, parents may also be notified for other violations of the Code of Student Conduct, as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).