Any student who commits, attempts to commit, or incites and/or aids others in committing any of the following acts, among others conduct prohibited elsewhere, but not necessarily listed here, shall be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, dismissal from the College, several of these acts are listed as a crime under the Jeanne Clery Act and will be reported a such:
The following is a list of behaviors, which could result in a Major Violation:
- Violent or Threatening Behavior: Violence, or the threat of violence, against any member of the College community or other conduct that intentionally or recklessly threatens, endangers, or causes reasonable apprehension for the health, life, or safety of oneself or another person (s). (See for further information regarding the College’s anti-violence policy.)
- Harassment: See professional conduct and no harassment policy and online harassment and/or retaliation.
- Hazing: See for further information regarding the College’s hazing policy.
- Gambling: Gambling of any form is not allowed on campus.
- Weapons: Use or possession of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument as defined by Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMO) 556.061 or firearms, other weapons, explosives, firecrackers, or chemicals within or upon the grounds, buildings, or any other facilities of the College. Weapons may include but are not limited to, B-B guns, slingshots, martial arts devices, brass knuckles, Bowie knives, daggers or similar knives, switchblades, and tasers. A harmless instrument designed to look like a firearm, weapon, or explosive, which is used by a person to cause fear in or to assault another person, is expressly included within the meaning of firearms, weapons, or explosives. The exception to this policy includes pepper spray or mace carried for personal protection.
- Disruptive Behavior: Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or any other College activity. Disruptive behavior also includes turning in a false fire or bomb alarm by any means including a telephone call or by a warning device, tampering with smoke alarms, extinguishing equipment, or willfully starting a fire or causing an explosion in College buildings or on campus. Making intentional, false 911 reports by telephone or emergency pole.
- Mistreatment of Animals: Failure to properly care for a service animal or emotional support animal. Mistreatment of animals on campus includes but is not limited to service animals or emotional support animals that are handled by students, faculty, or staff.
- Unauthorized Entry or Access: Unauthorized entry and/or use of College facilities or equipment. Unauthorized use, possession, or duplication of College keys or Comet Cards.
- Theft or Vandalism: Theft, possession of stolen goods, damage, or vandalism to property owned or controlled by the College, local/state municipalities, business establishments, or any person. At their discretion, students alleging theft or vandalism of their property may also report their accusations to the Nevada Police Department. In some cases, the College may also elect to notify the Nevada Police Department.
- Falsification or Forgery: Falsification, forgery, alteration, or use of College documents, records, or instruments of identification with intent to defraud the College. These acts are defined under Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMO) Identity Theft 570.223 and Forgery 570.090.
- Illegal Downloading or Unauthorized Distribution: Engaging in the unauthorized downloading, sharing, or distribution of copyrighted materials, including but not limited to music, movies, software, or academic content, in violation of copyright laws or College policies. Such actions may result in disciplinary action and may also be subject to civil and criminal penalties under applicable laws.
- Drugs: Use, possession, sale, manufacture, or distribution of any drug (or drug paraphernalia) in either refined or crude form, including synthetic substances, unless under the direction of a licensed physician or as expressly permitted by law.(Please seefor further information regarding the College’s alcohol policy.)
- Disorderly/Obscene Conduct or Expression: Disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, creating undue noise, or lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression.
- Failure to Comply: Failure to comply with orders or directives of College officials, faculty, security officers, hall staff, or any other law enforcement/fire department personnel acting in the performance of their duties.
- Prohibited Organization: Participation within any group or program that is prohibited on campus.
- Misuse of Resources: Misuse of computing resources through failure to comply with laws, license agreements, and contracts governing network, software, and hardware use. Abuse of the Cottey computer use policy.
- Detrimental Conduct: Conduct that is detrimental to the image or reputation of the College.
- Solicitation: Solicitation is not permitted on the Cottey campus except for approved student organization fund-raising activities. Solicitation includes the selling of products on campus outside of student organization fundraising initiatives, failure to gain proper approvals for a student organization fundraising initiative, and the solicitation of P.E.O.s.
- Abuse of the Conduct Process: Abuse or interference with, or failure to comply with, Cottey College processes including conduct and academic integrity hearings including, but not limited to, the following
- Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information
- Failure to provide, destroy, or conceal information during an investigation of an alleged policy violation
- Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in or use of the campus conduct system
- Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a campus conduct body before, during, and/or following a campus conduct proceeding
- Failure to comply with the sanction(s) or directives imposed by the campus conduct system during or at the conclusion of a conduct investigation
- Failure to comply with an informal resolution agreement
- Influencing, or attempting to influence, another person to commit an abuse of the campus conduct system.
- Violations of the Law: Violations of federal, state, county, and municipal laws and/or respective law enforcement jurisdictions.
- Residence Hall Policies: Violation of major College residence hall regulations (as described in Section 2), including, but not limited to, male and female visitation
(unless posted otherwise) or the accumulation of three residence life violations. - Honor Code Violation: The above-mentioned items are not the only violations to be considered. The Cottey College community maintains that any violation of the spirit of the Honor Code is a violation and thus subject to the Major Violation Grievance Procedure. This does not include academic elements of the Honor Code, which are addressed by the academic integrity process.
- Other Policies and Procedures: Violation of other published Cottey College policies or rules, including all residence hall policies and student organization policies. (See Student Responsibilities).