Community Code of Student Conduct

Community Code of Student Conduct Preamble

The Babson College Community Code of Student Conduct, and all that it comprises, aims to promote a positive living and learning community for students at Babson. Integrity, civility, and respect for the community, in and out of the classroom, are recognized by Babson College as core values. The College expects that all students and student organizations will do their utmost to embrace these core values and subsequent expectations. In doing so, students and student organizations will contribute to the development of Babson as a positive living and learning community.

In your coursework, activities, and life in the residence halls, we challenge you to learn, understand, and reflect on how your decisions impact not only yourself, but also the Babson community and the broader communities in which you live, work, and serve. We expect you to be ethically responsible leaders, both in business and in life. The Babson College Community Code of Student Conduct reflects the kind of campus culture that fosters critical learning and development—an essential element to your success, as Babson students, organizations, and future alumni.

Integrity

Babson students and student organizations are expected to act with integrity. Integrity, derived from the Latin word integer, means the state of being whole and undivided. Babson students and student organizations are expected to bring their whole selves to each situation and recognize that decisions made in one situation are representative of your whole self. Your actions, behaviors, and decision making should demonstrate reflection and support for the five guiding principles set forth in the Five Pillars of Integrity: honesty, respect, trust, fairness, and ownership.

HONESTY is truthfulness in all that we do and say, including clear attribution for others’ thoughts and ideas.

RESPECT is showing sincere consideration and appreciation for individuals and the differences among them.

TRUST is the ability to believe in the integrity and reliability of others.

FAIRNESS is actively ensuring that everyone has access to the same opportunities and community resources.

OWNERSHIP is taking pride in and responsibility for one’s actions and authorship and having the courage to compel others to do the same.

As a Babson student or student organization, you are committing to being an active and engaged participant in our community, in partnership with your fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. As such, it is our expectation that you familiarize yourself with the following guides for ethical decision making and civil discourse.

Ethical Decision Making

Our Babson community is connected and strengthened by each member’s individual commitment to integrity and ethical decision making in all we do. The following steps are designed to guide you through making decisions with integrity.

Identify – Recognize that you are in a situation that warrants your active participation and then determine your intentions for action.
Evaluate – Consider multiple courses of action and then weigh the potential impacts of these options prioritizing the College’s values of Integrity and Inclusive Excellence.
Act – Implement your decision with full awareness and responsibility of your decision.
Reflect – Assess the impact that your decision had on yourself, and others, and then examine the alignment of these impacts with your intentions.
Inform – Retain your objective reflections and then utilize this information for future situations.

Civil Discourse

At Babson, entrepreneurs from all walks of life gather to learn from one another through the free exchange of ideas. The following elements are designed to provide you with guidance to respectfully engage in difficult conversations with other community members.

Listen – Actively pay attention to the individual with whom you are speaking; this includes being aware of your non-verbal communication and limiting distractions.
Affirm – Acknowledge the perspective of the individual with whom you are conversing; you do not need to agree with the individual in order to acknowledge their humanity.
Respond – Articulate where you agree and disagree within the conversation; use I statements when sharing your perspective, feelings, and reasoning.
Grow – Allow yourself to gain appreciation for the alternative perspective.

For guidance or questions regarding effectively utilizing these guides, email communitystandards@babson.edu.

Introduction to Student Accountability Processes

Student Accountability Authority

Responsibility for the overall administration of undergraduate and graduate student conduct matters at Babson College has been delegated by the College’s President to the Vice President of Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life. The Vice President of Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life has designated authority for direct management of the process to the Director of Community Standards. The Vice President of Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life reserves the right to designate this responsibility to others when necessary.

Jurisdiction

Babson College assumes that all students and student organizations will abide by College policies and by state, local and federal law. In addition, the College strives to be a good neighbor to the surrounding community. Therefore, it is expected that students and student organizations will observe the same standards and expectations whether they are on or off-campus, or in the virtual environment. The College may review any information regarding the conduct of a student or student organization while off-campus to determine if they/it has acted in compliance with local, state, and federal law and/or College policies. Conduct that adversely impacts the educational mission, reputation, or operations of the College will also be reviewed. The College reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether an off-campus incident involving one or more students or student organization(s), shall be subject to a review by the College’s student accountability process. The College also reserves the right to sanction any student found guilty, who pleads no contest, is subject to a continuation without a finding or is found guilty in a court of law for a violation of law. In these instances, disciplinary action will be administered by the Vice President of Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life or their designee.

The role of the Community Standards staff is to interpret the alleged misconduct in order to determine whether the conduct in question is a possible violation of College’s regulations or policy, local, state, or federal law; determine if there is sufficient information to pursue a charge; and identify the specific charge(s) that will be brought against the student. If appropriate, the Director of Community Standards may also refer allegations of criminal violations to the Department of Public Safety, the Wellesley or Needham Police Departments, or other law enforcement authorities for investigation.

The College’s Community Code of Student Conduct applies to a student’s conduct from the time of application for admission through the conferring of a degree. This includes conduct that occurs before classes begin or after classes end, during periods between terms of actual enrollment, during a leave of absence or other period of withdrawal. Additionally, all students and student organizations are responsible for the contents of their rooms, cars, or on their person. In the event of a violation committed while still enrolled but unresolved or reported after the responding student or student organization has taken a leave of absence, is withdrawn from the College or has graduated, the College may proceed with the Student Accountability Process. In the case of conduct that could lead to removal or separation from Babson College, the College reserves the right to rescind an admitted student’s acceptance or graduated student’s degree and/or withhold a degree until a matter is resolved. When the College is investigating a serious violation of policy, as determined by the Director of Community Standards or their designee, the College will place a hold on the student’s transcript and request a temporary transcript notation until the matter has been resolved. Should the student request a transcript while the hold is placed on their account official transcript will not be released and the unofficial transcript will reflect the temporary transcript notation regarding the unresolved matter. Upon resolution of the matter, the College will apply the relevant transcript notation, when applicable and according to the definition of the sanction assigned to the responding student or student organization.

Glossary of Terms

The following glossary is intended to clarify the meaning of key terms used throughout this document. Questions regarding further details of these terms should be directed to the Office of Community Standards.

Appeals Party: The individual or the Appeals Board that is used to decide either to approve or deny a Responding Student/Student Organizations’ appeal.

Classification: Graduate or undergraduate student, faculty, staff, etc.

Chairperson of the Board: The chairperson of the board serves as a nonvoting member and is responsible for running the hearing and facilitating the Board’s deliberations.

De novo: A de novo review is the process in which a student or student organization’s case is reviewed by the College Hearing Board without any prior indication as to the original outcome from the student or student organization’s Student Accountability Officer. This allows for the Board to come to an objective and independent decision.

Educational Conference: A meeting between the responding party(ies) and a staff person (Student Accountability Officer) for the purpose of resolving alleged policy violations.

Hearing Board: A body of students, faculty, and/or staff that hear both academic and nonacademic cases.

Sanctions: Outcome(s) that result from a student being found responsible or having accepted responsibility for the violation of a particular policy(s) or regulation(s).

Impacted Party: An individual who experienced the impacts of the responding student(s) or student organization’s behavior.

Invited Party: An individual, student organization, or student group invited to engage in Restorative Resolutions for Interpersonal Harm with a reporting party.

No Contact Order: A College-issued order between a student and a community member(s) restricting verbal and physical contact. This tool is typically offered when a student is seeking assistance from the College in managing an interpersonal issue that is not appropriate or unlikely to be resolved through other resolution methods. As appropriate, Stay Away Provisions may be included in the No Contact Order which restrict a student(s) from accessing a particular College location, activity or organization. No Contact Orders can be issued by Public Safety, Community Standards, Title IX Coordinator, and/or the Dean of Student’s Office and can remain in effect through alumni engagement. No Contact/Stay Away Orders issued before the completion of a student accountability process are not an indication of responsibility.

Not in Good Standing: A student or student organization who has an active Change of Status Sanction in place. Students or student organizations that are not in good standing may have limits on what they can and cannot do and may not be eligible for certain privileges. A student’s or student organization’s standing with the Office of Community Standards may be reportable information to other entities.

Notice of Alleged Violations: Correspondence in letter form sent from the Office of Community Standards to an official Babson College email account to provide notice that information was received indicating an alleged violation of a College policy or regulation. The letter's purpose is to inform the student of the general nature of the issue(s) and outline next steps in the process.

Outcome Letter: Correspondence in letter form sent to the responding student or student organization(s) Babson email account from the Office of Community Standards outlining: the formal policies or regulations reviewed, the finding of the Board or Student Accountability Officer(s) regarding responsibility of the student for violation of those policies or regulations, and the sanctions (if any) that will be applied as a result of the finding of responsibility.

Note: All outcome/sanction letters will be placed in the student’s educational record. However, only cases of College suspension or expulsion will result in a permanent transcript notation.

Preponderance of Evidence: The notion that it is more likely than not that a policy violation occurred.

Reporting Party (or Reporter): The person who initiated the complaint or resolution request.

Responding Student(s)/Student Organization: A student, students, and/or Campus Organization(s) whose behavior is alleged to have violated College policy and/or regulations.

Student Accountability Officer: A trained staff person from the Office of Community Standards, the Office of Residence Life, or the Dean of Students Office who can facilitate the Educational Conference process.

Student Organizations: Recognized student groups including, but not limited to, registered student organizations, varsity athletic teams, club sports, fraternities and sororities, and Special Interest Housing communities.

Note: At the discretion of the Director of Community Standards, or their designee, Student Organizations may be held accountable either through the Office of Community Standards and/or by the office that advises/supports the group. The officers or the leaders of the student organization or a designee from the student membership are expected to represent the organization during the Student Accountability Process. The College’s policies do not preclude holding specific members of an organization accountable for their individual acts committed in the context or in association with the organization’s alleged violation of College policy.

Support Person: A member of a student or student organization’s community that provides emotional and resource assistance for students and/or student organizations engaged in the student accountability process. The support person does not play an active role in the process but, rather, works to help the student navigate the Community Standards Process.

Witness: An individual who either in-person or in-writing, can provide the Board or Student Accountability Officer with a firsthand account of the events under review. Students or student organizations are not permitted to provide any character references or testimonials on their behalf for the benefit of the Board or Student Accountability Officer(s).

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Fundamental fairness is paramount when resolving reports regarding alleged violations of Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct. To provide an orderly procedure for the handling of disciplinary and/or restorative matters that will ensure fairness for all students or student organizations involved, the following safeguards will be afforded to all who participate in the Student Accountability Process.

All students and student organizations are responsible for reviewing the College’s behavioral expectations in Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct.
Written notification of the date, time, and place of any hearing will be delivered to the student’s Babson email. It is the student’s responsibility to check their Babson email daily following receipt of charges until the process is resolved.
Prior to any type of formal Educational Conference or Hearing, the responding student(s) or student organization will receive a written notice of the charges and the source of such charges. This letter will be delivered to the student’s Babson email account and securely accessed with the student’s login credentials.
The responding student(s) or student organization has the right to be heard by an impartial hearing body.
It is the responsibility of the responding student(s) or student organization to promptly resolve any scheduling conflicts with respect to a scheduled hearing. The responding student(s) or student organization has the right to request written postponement of a hearing.
The responding student(s) or student organization has the right to request that the perspective of witnesses be considered by the hearing body.
The responding student(s) or student organization has the right to request the opportunity to answer questions posed by the complainant outside of the physical presence of the complainant.
It is the responsibility of all those participating in the Student Accountability Process to respect the confidentiality of personal information about members of the College community and to preserve the right of privacy.
All students and student organizations have the right to report allegations of retaliation resulting from participation in the Student Accountability Process.
The responding student(s) or student organization has the right to appeal a Community Standards decision to an appeal party based on limited grounds, as outlined in these documents.

Student Accountability Policies

Standard of Evidence

In educational conferences, board hearings, and the gender-based misconduct process, the hearing body or Student Accountability Officer uses a preponderance of the evidence standards in determining if the responding student(s) is responsible for the alleged violation(s). A preponderance of evidence means it is more likely than not that a policy violation occurred.

How to Report

Violation of the guidelines and requirements contained in Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct and/or other College policies constitutes grounds for a valid complaint by any member of the Babson Community. Reports of alleged violations may be submitted by any department or by any member of the community utilizing the online reporting form. The Director of Community Standards, or their designee, reviews the alleged misconduct in order to determine whether the conduct in question may constitute a violation of College policies, rules, or regulations, and identifies those specific charges that may be brought against the student or student organization. When appropriate, certain matters may be referred to Public Safety and/or other applicable law enforcement agencies for further disposition.

Record Retention Policy

Student conduct files are maintained separately from any other academic or official file at the College by the Office of Community Standards. The student’s entire conduct file will be retained indefinitely if the case resulted in an expulsion, suspension, a rescission of acceptance, or a revocation of degree. Other conduct files will be retained for seven (7) years after the date of an incident unless the College is mandated to maintain the record in compliance with federal, state, or local law or College policy. Every student may review, upon written request, all non-confidential contents of their conduct file to the extent permitted by law. Audio/video recordings of hearings are used for the appeal process only and are not considered a part of the student conduct file. Educational Conferences may not be recorded by any party.

Prohibited Conduct

The following list of behaviors is intended to represent the types of acts that constitute a violation of Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct. All community members are responsible for knowing and observing the College’s policies and procedures.

Any attempt, successful or not, to violate College policy(ies) may be referred to the Student Accountability Process. Students and student organizations may be held responsible for these actions regardless of the result of the attempt. Students and student organizations are responsible for the consequences of their actions even when the conduct may have been influenced by their physical or emotional state (irrespective of any medical or clinical diagnosis) and/or by the use of alcohol and/or other drugs. Additionally, students and student organizations are responsible for the actions of their guests.

Below is a list of possible policy violations; the violations apply to students and student organizations. The examples listed below each potential policy violation is not exhaustive:

Academic Integrity Policy Violations

See Appendix A for More Information

Cheating
Fabrication
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism
Academically Dishonest Activities
Unauthorized Collaboration

Abuse of College Resources

Demonstrating lack of regard for College Regulations and/or policies.

Examples include but are not limited to:

Accumulation of an excessive number of parking tickets
Accumulation of an excessive number of residence hall lock outs

*Please note that the Departments of Residence Life and Public Safety reserve the right to determine what constitutes an “excessive number” of parking tickets and/or lockouts.

Abuse of or Interference with the Student Accountability Process

Examples include but are not limited to:

Disrupting or interfering with the orderly conduct of a student accountability proceeding;
Falsifying and/or knowingly misrepresenting information to a student accountability officer or hearing body;
Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the Student Accountability Process;
Attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the Student Accountability Process;
Attempting to interfere, retaliate, or intimidate any person responsible for addressing incidents and/or administering the Student Accountability Process;
Submitting a false complaint to the College;
Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct.

Aiding in the Violation of Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct

Any act or action that supports and/or facilitates a violation of the College’s Community Code of Student Conduct.

Alcohol Policy Violations

See Appendix B for More Information

Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by an Underage Individual;
Overconsumption of Alcohol;
Providing Alcohol to Underage Individuals;
Drinking Paraphernalia/Drinking Games;
Open Container;
Unauthorized Locations for Alcohol Consumption;
Central Source (any centralized source where alcohol is kept and easily accessible to the masses, i.e., a keg);
Alcohol Delivery.

Bullying

Repeated or severe aggressive behavior likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control, or diminish another person, physically or mentally. This definition does NOT include speech or conduct otherwise specifically protected by applicable law and/or College policy.

Bias

Any act constituting a violation of College policy that is directed at any person and/or group and is motivated by: race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetics, mental or physical ability status, and veteran or any other protected status. Cases determined to be bias-related violations of Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct may be assessed for enhanced sanctions. Complaints of bias behavior can be reported to the Office of Community Standards or submitted through the Bias-Related Experience reporting link.

Damage

Damage, destruction, or defacement of/to personal, College, or public/private property.

Disruptive Behavior

Inappropriate, disorderly, and/or disruptive conduct.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Behavior in the classroom or instructional program that interferes with the instructor or presenter’s ability to conduct the class or program, or the ability of others to benefit from the instruction;
Behavior that causes inconvenience, disturbance, or alarm;
Behavior in the residence halls that hinders the ability of residents to living in a safe, reasonably calm environment;
Intentional disruption of the administration operations of the College;
Misconduct deemed unbecoming of a Babson student.

Disruptive Gatherings

Gatherings on or off-campus that become disruptive to the Community at-large.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Excessive noise;
Excessive attendance beyond what is safe and/or reasonable (overcrowding);
Central sources of alcohol; permitting underage drinking;
Uncooperative residents and/or guests.

Disorderly Conduct Involving a Motor Vehicle

Operating a motor vehicle on or off-campus in a reckless or endangering manner.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs.

Drug Policy Violations

See Appendix B for More Information

Drug Use and/or Possession;
Drug Paraphernalia;
Distribution, Sale, or Manufacturing of Drugs;
Misuse of Prescribed or over-the-counter medication(s).

Endangering Behavior

Conduct, reckless actions, or threats that jeopardize or endanger the general health or safety of any member of the community, including oneself, the community at-large, and/or the operations of the College.

Failure to Comply

Failure or refusal to comply with the reasonable request or directive of a College official (Public Safety officer, residence life staff member, faculty member, or staff member).

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Failing to produce identification;
Failing to consent to a room search;
Fleeing the scene of an incident;
Failing to adhere to College health and safety guidance.

False Identification

Use and/or possession of false or altered identification.

False Information and Misrepresentation

Providing false information and/or making misrepresentations to any College official including Public Safety, residence hall staff, faculty members, administrators, and/or any member of the College community acting on behalf of the College.
Providing false information to any individual or agency including, but not limited to, recruiters and employers, regarding one’s status or relationship with the College.

Fare Evasion

The act or attempted act of using a transportation service, whether a public transit authority or a private company, without paying for the service in full.

Fire Life and Safety Violation

See Appendix D for More Information

Possession of Unauthorized Item(s) (hookahs, candles, unauthorized appliances, etc.);
Hanging items for ceilings, pipes, or lights;
Failure to evacuate a building during a fire alarm;
Tampering with fire extinguishers, fire exists, pull boxes, hoses, smoke alarms, heat sensors, or emergency phone/lighting equipment;
Obstruction of a fire exit, hallway, or fire/Public Safety personnel in the performance of their duties;
Smoking in an unauthorized area;
Causing a fire.

Gambling

Gambling as prohibited by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (may include: raffling, lotteries, etc.). See: Massachusetts Gambling Laws

Gender-Based Misconduct

See Appendix G for More Information

Please follow this link to Babson College’s Gender-Based Misconduct policy.

Harassment

Severe, persistent, and/or pervasive conduct, including any form of communication or expression, any physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at one or more individuals that has the purpose or effect of: causing physical or unreasonable emotional harm to such individual(s) or damage to their property; placing the individual(s) in reasonable fear of harm to their safety or property; or infringing on the rights of other community members to fully participate in the programs, activities, and mission of the College.

In evaluating the purpose or effect of potentially harassing conduct under this section, the College will consider the perception and/or reaction of a hypothetical reasonable person under like circumstances. The College will also consider the full context of the conduct, giving due consideration to the protection of the College climate, individual rights, freedom of expression and academic freedom. Not every act that might be considered offensive to an individual or a group constitutes harassment and/or a violation of College policy. Additionally, the College may consider intentional adverse action taken against a responding student or student organization after it was determined that the responding student or student organization did not violate College policy as a violation of the Harassment policy.

Hazing

See Appendix E for More Information

Any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers, or has the potential of endangering, the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization. This policy applies to student groups, teams, and organizations of any kind whether or not they are registered or recognized by the College (collectively, “Student Group(s)”). Examples of Student Groups include but are not limited to athletic teams, fraternities and sororities, and any other student group or organization. This policy also applies to all members of the College community, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other affiliates.

Hazing is prohibited both on- and off-campus, regardless of whether someone consents to participate in hazing activities. The College defines three categories of hazing, but prohibited behaviors can span categories depending upon context, severity, and other factors. A non-exhaustive list of examples of prohibited potential hazing behaviors by category can be found in Appendix E. The three categories as defined by the College are as follows:

Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that create or build upon a power imbalance between members of a group, team, or organization. Subtle hazing is often taken for granted or viewed as harmless by those doing or being impacted by subtle hazing. Subtle hazing often disrupts one’s integrity and mutual respect, oftentimes resulting in humiliation or embarrassment.
Overt Hazing: Behaviors that may cause physical, emotional, or psychological discomfort or undue stress to oneself or others.
Potentially Violent Hazing: Behavior that may cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to oneself or others.

Residence Hall Violations

See Appendix F for More Information

Unauthorized Furnishings;
Guests;
Noise;
Pets;
Possession of prohibited item(s);
Roofs, Windows, and Fire Escapes.

Retaliation

Any adverse action taken against a person on the basis of their participation in a protected activity.

Examples of protected activity include but are not limited to:

participating in or otherwise assisting with a College investigatory procedure or law enforcement investigation;
filing a complaint alleging a College policy violation or a violation of law; or
filing a complaint about the College’s policy for resolving alleged violations of policy.

Examples of adverse action include, but are not limited to:

threats, intimidation, continued harassment or other misconduct;
discouraging an individual from participation in an investigation or adjudication process;
adverse educational or employment consequences.

The College maintains the right to take action against a student for other legitimate reasons in accordance with College policies and procedures, even if that student has filed a complaint with the College or otherwise participated in a protected activity.

Retaliation by any member of the College community or any person acting on their behalf is strictly prohibited. Retaliation is a serious violation that can result in sanctions independent of the merits of the underlying complaint or allegation. The College will respond immediately to retaliation and impose disciplinary measures as appropriate including, but not limited to, interim or longer-term suspension from the College.

Physical Abuse/Violence

Physical abuse of others including, but not limited to, fighting and/or inflicting injury. Self-defense may only be used to the limited degree necessary for self-protection.

Public Exposure

Publicly exposing one’s intimate body parts. Examples include but are not limited to public urination and public sex acts.

Smoking

Smoking in any College building including but not limited to, tobacco products of any kind (cigarettes, e-cigarettes), vaporizers, or hookahs. and/or failing to maintain a minimum 25 feet distance from a building entrance while smoking or vaping.

Theft

Actual or attempted theft of personal property, deliveries, College property, public/private property or identity and/or the possession of stolen property.

Unauthorized Presence

Unauthorized presence in College-owned buildings and/or private property. Instances where force is used to gain access may be assessed for enhanced sanctions.

Tampering with locks to College buildings and/or private property;
Unauthorized possession and/or use of College keys and/or Babson OneCard;
Alteration and/or duplication of College keys and/or Babson OneCard;
Accessing residence hall rooms without explicit permission from the resident(s) assigned to the space;
Accessing restricted areas of residence halls or other campus buildings.

Misuse of Space

See Appendix H for More Information

Utilizing college-owned buildings or private property in a manner outside of its intended use.

Non-compliance with Office of Student Engagement Travel Policies

Failing to adhere, knowingly or unknowingly, to the travel policies as outlined in the Club/Organization Manual, including, but not limited to violating chaperone expectations, college van usage, as well as unapproved travel.

Non-compliance with the Law

Failing to adhere to all federal, state, and local laws.

Weapons

Possession of illegal or dangerous weapons on campus. This includes, but is not limited to, guns of any type (including airsoft and BB guns), knives (other than those used solely for cooking), chemical weapons, slingshots, martial arts weapons, and bows/arrows.

Violations of the Computer Code of Conduct

See Appendix C for More Information.

It is the responsibility of each community member to use the services provided by the College’s campus network and computing systems appropriately and in compliance with all College, town, county, state, and federal laws, and regulations.

Violation of Published College Policy

Violation of any College policy, rule, or regulation published in hard copy, communicated in writing, or available electronically on the Hub or College Website.

Processes for Resolution

Babson College reserves the right to review any matter that it feels may represent a violation of its policies. Students and student organizations should be aware that there is no prescribed path a given matter may take to resolution. If a matter is to be reviewed, it will be the sole discretion of the Director of Community Standards, or their designee, to determine the appropriate process. Once the process has been determined, the student will be bound by the procedures from the Educational Conference through the appeals process, if applicable to the case.

The Director of Community Standards, or their designee, reserves the right to determine if the incident can be resolved through adaptive means of resolution by mutual consent of the responding party(ies) and the reporting or impacted party(ies). The Student Accountability Officer will suggest the best adaptive resolution based on the matter and the individuals involved.

Students and/or student organizations involved in any of the College’s Student Accountability Processes are advised that these proceedings are not a legal process and are not intended to rise to the level of civil or criminal proceedings. Please review the processes and procedures outlined below.

When an incident cannot be assigned to one of the processes due to extraordinary circumstances, the decision regarding the appropriate process will be made by the Director of Community Standards, or their designee. The Director of Community Standards, or their designee, has the sole discretion in determining the process to be followed and/or any appropriate modifications to each process.

All parties involved in any part of resolution procedures, are expected to keep in confidence the names of all parties involved, charges alleged, sanctions imposed, appeal status, etc. All hearings and Educational Conferences will be closed to the public and the press.

Alleged violation(s) of Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct arising in the context of alleged gender-based misconduct subject either to the Gender-Based Misconduct Policy or the Title IX Policy may be addressed under Babson College’s Community Code of Student Conduct or such other policy in the sole discretion of the Director of Community Standards in consultation with the Title IX Coordinator.

Interim Restrictions

Under the limited circumstances described below, the Dean of Students or their designee may impose a temporary College suspension, residence hall suspension or other restriction(s) related to College property, programs, or activities. Interim restrictions become effective immediately and may be imposed at any point prior to the final resolution via the Student Accountability Process or other processes.

Whenever necessary, interim restrictions will be imposed to a) ensure the safety and well-being of members of the College community and/or surrounding communities, b) to maintain the normal operations of the College, and/or c) to preserve College property. The nature of the interim restriction(s) will be based on a careful review of all available information and the particular facts and circumstances of each situation.

The interim restriction(s) will be confirmed by written notification to the student and shall remain in effect until the conclusion of a process, without undue delay, in accordance with the Student Accountability Process and policies. Violations of interim restrictions may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.

The student may, within five (5) business days of the imposition of the interim restriction(s), petition the Vice President of Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life or their designee for a modification or removal of the restriction(s). The petition must be in writing and must include supporting documentation or evidence that the particular restriction was unwarranted, excessive, or imposed improperly. A decision on such a petition will be made without undue delay by the Vice President of Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life or their designee.

No refunds for lost tuition, housing, or meals will be made due to an interim restriction period, unless the outcoming of the decision yields a finding of not responsible. An interruption in a student’s course of study may result in required courses no longer being available or only available on a limited basis. At its discretion, the College may allow course substitution, independent study opportunities, and/or a course taken off-campus for credit (at the student’s expense). Requests for alternative course of study related to the imposition of interim action can be submitted in writing to the Dean of Students. Any student who experiences an involuntary interruption in their course of study should immediately contact their Student Success Advisor for academic guidance.

No Contact/Stay Away Orders

Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary for a College administrator to restrict a student’s access to a college-owned building and/or individual(s). While these orders are determined on a case-by-case basis, they may be associated with alleged behavior that may need to be addressed through a conduct or other administrative process, or they may be granted as a supportive measure to enhance the comfort of community members. Individuals will be notified in writing via their Babson College email address, these orders become effective immediately and may be imposed at any point prior to the final resolution via the Student Accountability Process or other administrative process. Such orders may be implemented by Public Safety, Dean of Students, Community Standards, or Title IX. No Contact/Stay Away Orders issued before the completion of a student accountability process are not an indication of responsibility.

Educational Conferences

The Educational Conference is a meeting between a responding student(s), or a student organization representative(s), and a Student Accountability Officer for the purpose of resolving alleged policy violation(s). The Director of Community Standards, or their designee, has discretion to assign a specific Student Accountability Officer to a given matter.

Initiation of Process and Use of the Educational Conference

The responding student(s) or student organization will receive a letter sent to their Babson College email informing them of the incident and alleged violation in question. The letter will include the date, time, and location of the appointment with the Student Accountability Officer to discuss this issue. Failure to attend the meeting(s) by the date in the letter may result in a decision being determined without the benefit of input from the student or student organization. It is the student, or student organization’s responsibility to promptly reschedule the meeting if they are unable to attend due to academic-related conflicts and to check their Babson email daily following receipt of the notification until the process is resolved.

Educational Conference Procedures

At the Educational Conference, the responding student(s) or student organization will be asked to provide their perspective on the incident. The Student Accountability Officer will review the incident report with the student(s) or student organization. The Student Accountability Officer will also ask the responding party to verbally respond to the charges. The responding student(s) or student organization has the right to request that the Student Accountability Officer interview any relevant witnesses. However, witness interviews will be conducted in a manner at the sole discretion of the Student Accountability Officer. Additional and relevant information, witness names, etc. can be submitted via the guidance of the Student Accountability Officer assigned to the individual case.

Please note: incident reports and/or any other relevant written documentation will be shared with the student(s) or student organization in the Educational Conference and will not be provided to the responding student(s) or student organization in hard-copy or electronically.

Determining an Outcome

A decision will be made by the Student Accountability Officer(s) to determine if the student or student organization is to be found responsible in whole or in part for the alleged policy violation(s) and behavior. If the student(s) or student organization accepts responsibility or is found responsible, the Student Accountability Officer will impose appropriate sanctions.

Outcome Notification

Notification of the Educational Conference decision will be provided to the responding student(s) or student organization within five (5) business days after the conclusion of the Student Accountability Officer’s investigation. A decision letter will be sent to the responding student(s) or student organization representative’s Babson email indicating the decision of the Student Accountability Officer. Outcome notifications for responding student organizations will be shared with the Campus Advisor, and, where applicable, the Inter/National Organization.

All responding students or student organizations have the right to file an appeal of the outcome resulting from an Educational Conference based on limited grounds outlined in this document. It is important to note that once imposed, sanctions are enacted immediately. While an appeal is pending, any sanction(s) may be suspended or modified at the discretion of the Director of Community Standards, or their designee, as applicable. If the appeal is denied, the original sanction(s) will be immediately reinstated except applicable deadlines may be modified to accommodate the delayed period. If the responding student(s) or student organization has been subject to interim actions, those restrictions may stay in place through the conclusion of this Appeals Process unless otherwise informed in writing by the Director of Community Standards, or their designee. Please see the Appeals Section for details.

The Hearing Board

A Hearing Board may be convened for matters where the Office of Community Standards staff determines that the student(s) and/or student organization may be eligible for a potential separation from the College, which includes removal from housing, suspension, and/or expulsion. A Hearing Board is the default option for resolution of a matter where the alleged student(s) and/or student organization may be eligible for a separation from the College. However, if the responding student(s) and/or student organization wish to have the matter addressed through an educational conference process in lieu of a hearing board, the responding student(s) and/or student organization may request to do so by contacting the Office of Community Standards.

Initiation of Process and Use of a Hearing Board

The responding student(s) and/or student organization will receive a letter sent to their Babson College email informing them of the incident and alleged violation in question. The letter will include (1) the alleged code violation(s) and (2) that the Office of Community Standards has identified that the alleged violation(s), the incident context, and the student(s) and/or student organization conduct history mean the alleged student and/or student organization may be eligible for a potential separation from the College. The letter will provide details about the Hearing Board process, as well as the option to elect to go through an educational conference in lieu of a Hearing Board. A member of the Community Standards staff will communicate with the student(s) and/or student organization as to next steps.

Composition

The Hearing Board is composed of members from three Babson constituencies: students, faculty, or staff. The following is a typical composition of the board:

A chairperson, two student hearing board members, and one faculty or staff member.
- When possible, the board will be composed of student members who reflect the classification of the responding party.

The Director of Community Standards, or their designee, has the authority to determine the best course of action when circumstances of a case and/or the timing of a case prevent the ability to convene a Hearing Board, or when the composition of the Hearing Board needs to be altered.

Role of the Community Standards Staff

The Director of Community Standards, or their designee, appoints a staff member to serve as the advisor to the Hearing Board. The Advisor serves as a resource during the hearing. In this capacity, they advise the Board as to proper procedures, institutional policy, and sanction precedent. Upon request from the Board, the Advisor may recommend appropriate sanctions. However, the Hearing Board is not bound to act on the recommendation.

At the discretion of the Advisor to the Hearing Board, observers may be invited to attend College hearings. This invitation will occur prior to the date of the hearing.

Hearing Board Processes and Procedures

If the responding student or student organization chooses to proceed through the Hearing Board, the following will occur:

The responding student or student organization will receive a notice informing them of the date, time, and location of the Hearing, as well as a list of Hearing Board members who will be serving during the hearing. The hearing will be scheduled no earlier than five (5) business days from the date the notice was sent.
It is the responsibility of the responding student or student organization to promptly resolve any scheduling conflicts with respect to a scheduled hearing. The responding student or student organization has the right to request written postponement of a hearing; however, postponement is rarely granted unless there is a significant circumstance that is subject to the approval of Community Standards Staff.
It is the responsibility of the responding student or student organization to promptly inform the Office of Community Standards of any conflict of interest with Hearing Board members serving on their hearing no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
Prior to the hearing, Board members will be asked if they have a conflict of interest in relation to this hearing. If a Hearing Board member indicates they are unable to remain impartial, they will be replaced with an alternate Hearing Board member, or if the Advisor to the board believes they are unable to do so, the Board member shall be excused. The responding party will be notified accordingly.
All members of the Hearing Board will be instructed to give no weight to any outside information that they have heard regarding the case. Board members will be asked only to consider information from the hearing itself and the hearing packet.
A responding or reporting party(ies) who wishes to submit relevant documentation in support of verbal statements must send all statements to the Office of Community Standards at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
All responding or reporting parties have the right to receive copies of and review the Hearing Board case packet . This information will be provided two (2) business days prior to the hearing. Community Standards Staff will ensure the distribution of materials to the Board as well as all responding and reporting parties.
In cases where the responding party(ies) and/or reporting party decline participation in the hearing process, the hearing will continue as scheduled and board members will be instructed not to consider the lack of participation in and of itself as a factor in their deliberations.

In cases involving more than one responding student or student organization, the Director of Community Standards, or their designee, will determine whether the responding students or student organizations will receive separate and distinct hearings. In making this determination, the Community Standards Staff will consider whether the conduct in question arises from a common set of facts, whether separate and distinct hearings would be confusing to the Board, or whether separate hearings would not permit the Board to consider the information in its proper context.

In cases where separate hearings are held, the Board has the discretion to hear all cases before determining an outcome in any one case. Therefore, the time frame for written notification will be extended until all cases have been heard.

All outcomes will be based on the case packet materials and verbal statements presented to the Board.

Previous disciplinary action taken against a responsible responding student or student organization may be considered by the Board solely in the determination of a sanction once a determination of responsibility has been made. The responding student or student organization may voluntarily discuss details of their prior disciplinary history with the Board. Aside from this instance, the Board is not permitted knowledge of any such history until a finding of responsibility has been reached.

The Board’s chairperson will prepare a brief written summary and rationale to accompany the outcome determination. This will be made available for review, upon request, to the responding student or student organization after the outcome has been determined and delivered to the responding student or student organization.

Although the College cannot compel the reporting party, the responding student or student organization, witnesses, or support person(s) to keep the case confidential, they are requested to refrain from sharing details of the proceedings to protect the integrity of the process and the privacy of those involved.

Support Persons and Witnesses

Both the responding student or student organization and the reporting party have the right to one (1) support person. The support person may be a member of a student or student organization’s community who is not involved in the matter. Any parties planning to have a support person at the hearing must notify the Office of Community Standards at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing. *Note: hearings will not be rescheduled based on a support person’s availability.

The support person’s role is limited to providing support to a student or student organization leading up to and during the hearing process. During the hearing, the support person may not address the Board directly or speak directly to witnesses, but may privately confer at reasonable times, with their student or student organization.
The Community Standards Staff may exclude a support person from a hearing or terminate a student or student organization’s right to have a support person, for good cause.
The support person may not act as a witness for the student or student organization, and a current member of the Board may not serve as a support person.
The chairperson and/or the Advisor to the Board reserves the right to dismiss a student or student organization’s support person should they interfere with the hearing in any way.

The responding student or student organization and the reporting parties will be permitted to call and question witnesses on their behalf. Witnesses are often limited to those who have firsthand knowledge of the events being reviewed and may be limited at the Community Standards Staff’s discretion. Witnesses will be invited to participate at their discretion and the College will not compel any witness to participate. All parties must present a written list of all witnesses to the Community Standards Staff for approval three (3) business days prior to the hearing. *Note: hearings will not be rescheduled based on a witness’s availability.

The responding student or student organization and reporting parties are solely responsible for communicating with their witness(s) about the date, time, and location of the hearing. The list of witnesses will be included in the packet provided to the Hearing Board as well as the responding and reporting parties.
Witnesses are called into a hearing when needed. They will not sit in on the entire hearing.
Students or student organizations are not permitted to provide any character references or testimonials on their behalf for the benefit of the Board.

The Hearing

If either the responding student or student organization, or reporting party fails to appear or chooses not to participate in the hearing, it will be the decision of the Advisor to the Board whether to reschedule the hearing or proceed without the benefit of input from that party. Hearings that take place absent a party or with limited or no input from one of the parties are not considered grounds for an appeal.

At the start of a hearing, the responding student or student organization will be asked to respond to the policy violations of which they have been charged. They have the right to respond as follows: not responsible, or responsible. If the responding student or student organization is not present, they automatically enter a response of “not responsible”.

The responding student or student organization and the reporting party will each be permitted to speak or present relevant written information on their behalf. Verbal statements may be limited by the board chairperson or the Board Advisor, should they become repetitious or if they are irrelevant, at their discretion.

The hearing will be recorded by the College. Separate recording by any hearing participant is not permitted. The recording and all correspondence are confidential. The recording may be used if the responding student or student organization files for an appeal (as outlined in the appeal section of this document). The responding student or student organization may listen to/watch the recording in preparation for the appeal process. The recording must be listened to/watched in the Office of Community Standards and in the presence of a designated staff member. Copies of the recording are not permitted.

Order of the Hearing

The general order of a Hearing:

Introduction of the case by Board chairperson and reading of the charge(s);
Statement of responsibility;
- The responding Student or Student Organization is asked to respond responsible or not responsible to the charges as read.
Opening statements;
- Reporting Party(ies)
- Responding Student or Student Organization
Questioning of the Responding Student or Student Organization and Reporting Party(ies) by the Board;
Presentation of witness(es) by the Reporting Party(ies);
- Questioning by Reporting Party(ies)
- Questioning by Responding Student or Student Organization
- Questioning by Board
Presentation of witness(es) by the Responding Student or Student Organization;
- Questioning by Responding Student or Student Organization
- Questioning by Reporting Party(ies)
- Questioning by Board
Final Questioning of the Responding Student or Student Organization and Reporting Party(ies) by the Board;
Summation of the case by the Reporting Party(ies);
Summation of the case by the Responding Student or Student Organization;
All parties other than the Board and its Advisor are dismissed. The Responding Student or Student Organization will be notified of next steps;
The Board determines responsibility for each potential code violation.
The Board may be provided additional information if applicable by the Advisor depending on the responsibility determination. The Board then determines sanctioning.
The Responding Student or Student Organization is notified of the responsibility finding(s) and sanctions, if any, by the Advisor of the Board.

The procedural order may be changed during a hearing, should the chairperson deem it beneficial or to expedite the hearing process. The Responding and Reporting parties will address the Board according to the process outlined above.

During a hearing, all questions will be directed to the chairperson.

Disruptions of any kind will not be tolerated by the Board. In such circumstances, the Board chairperson may order the removal of the person causing such disruption. Under extreme circumstances, and in consultation with the Advisor, the board may order the exclusion of that person’s statements. Questions regarding procedures during the hearing should be directed to the chairperson. The Advisor will provide clarification when appropriate. In the absence of a Reporting Party, the Advisor will present information to the Board. The presentation of information will include the report to the College and any information gathered via a Community Standards and/or Public Safety investigation.

Outcome of the Hearing

When a hearing is concluded, the Board adjourns with the Board Advisor present to discuss the information that has been presented, and to make a determination. After the discussion is complete, a vote is taken to determine responsibility of the responding student or student organization relative to each specific charge. A simple majority vote is sufficient for a finding. In its deliberations, the Board considers guidelines provided by the College in Babson's Community Code of Student Conduct, the nature of the violation, and the impact of the violation on the individual(s), the Babson community, the municipalities, including Wellesley and Needham, and the College’s reputation as a member of the community at-large. The Board views each case as distinct, which allows it to consider the unique aspects of every situation.

In deciding an appropriate sanction, the Board may consider any relevant past disciplinary record of the responding student or student organization, including sanctions issued by other Student Accountability Officer(s) and any failure by the student or student organization to fulfill sanction obligations (which may be referred to the Board for future action). The Board assumes the responsibility to consider any past information carefully and in perspective. A list of possible sanctions is available in the Sanction section of this document (the list is not all inclusive). If a student or student organization chooses to appeal, sanctions may or may not be suspended or modified until the exhaustion of the Appeals Process at the discretion of the Director of Community Standards or their designee. Interim actions may stay in place through the conclusion of the Appeals Process.

Notification of an Outcome

When the Board has reached a decision, the Advisor of the Board will attempt to notify the student or student organization via phone. Additionally, the student or student organization will receive official notification in writing within five (5) business days of their hearing. A notification letter will be sent to the student’s Babson email account. Failure to fulfill requirements of a sanction may result in further disciplinary action or a hold being placed on the student’s account.

All responding students or student organizations have the right to file an appeal of the outcome of a Hearing based on limited grounds outlined in this document. If the appeal is denied, the original sanction(s) will be immediately reinstated except applicable deadlines may be modified to accommodate the delayed period. If the responding student or student organization has been subject to Interim actions, those restrictions may stay in place through the conclusion of this Appeals Process unless otherwise informed in writing by the Director of Community Standards, or their designee. Please see the Appeals Section for details.

Restorative Justice and Alternative Resolution Practices

Not all reports of student behavior rise to the level of a potential policy violation and/or require a formal accountability process. As such, the Office of Community Standards offers a variety of services to help students and student organizations navigate conflicts and other difficult situations. Conflict is a normal, healthy, and expected part of life and ideally is viewed as an opportunity to strengthen relationships, improve efficiency, and rectify underlying concerns that often otherwise go unaddressed. Resolving conflict is a vital part of the educational journey of the Babson student and entrepreneur.

Restorative Justice Practices refer to an array of voluntary processes available to address student behavioral concerns outside of formal processes and with particular emphasis on repairing harm and restoring trust. Within the Student Accountability Process, Restorative Justice Practices may be used in lieu of or in addition to any of the processes outlined above and is at the discretion of the Director of Community Standards in consultation with the involved parties. All parties involved in the incident must also voluntarily and freely consent to the use of Restorative Justice Practices and are free at any time prior to an agreed resolution to return to the formal process if the matter at hand involves a potential policy violation. A failure to abide by the agreed-upon resolution may result in the prolonged condition of the dispute which, if left unattended, may result in referral to the Student Accountability Process.

If, upon review of a report, the Director of Community Standards, or their designee, deems that a Restorative Justice Practice is appropriate, the Director will then provide the students or student organization(s) involved with the option of such methods and answer questions. Students and student organizations are encouraged to proactively seek out the Office of Community Standards and do not need to be referred to the Student Accountability Process to participate in these resolution methods. If a member of the community would like to proactively access conflict navigation services or pursue adaptive resolutions, they may do so via the following form: Restorative Practices Request.

Possible Pathways for Restorative Justice

All cases are unique and present distinct needs and circumstances for reparation. As such, the facilitator may work with the principal parties to map a pathway that addresses their needs. Following intake meetings with all principal parties, the facilitator will determine the most appropriate pathway to repair harms and restore trust. Regardless of the pathway, the involved parties have the option to have support persons with them throughout the process. Depending on how the pathway designed, individuals serving as support persons may be asked to take an active role in the Restorative Resolution.

The following is a list of examples of Pathways of Restorative Resolution, but is not encompassing of all possible mechanisms:

Restorative Conversations

Restorative Conversations are a restorative resolution option in which students who are willing to accept responsibility for their potentially harmful behavior engage in reflection and thinking to identify impact on self and community, as well as potential resources and strategies for future change. Restorative Conversations are an option for a student’s first violation of College policy when deemed appropriate by the Office of Community Standards. Matters resolved under a Restorative Conversation will not result in a reportable disciplinary record but may still result in restorative and/or educational outcomes being assigned.

Resolving a situation through a Restorative Conversation requires the cooperation and prompt attention of the student. In order to take advantage of this option to have the matter addressed as a Restorative Conversation instead of as a Student Accountability Process, the student must communicate with the staff person addressing the matter promptly. Should a student(s) fail to communicate with staff or fail to complete the outcomes from their Restorative Conversation, the matter will be referred to the applicable Student Accountability Process which will result in a reportable disciplinary record. Additionally, should a student(s) wish to opt out of the Restorative Conversation process and elect to have the case resolved through the applicable Student Accountability Process instead, students may elect to do so by communicating as such to the staff member addressing the matter.

Conflict Coaching

Conflict coaching is a one-on-one, private, and individualized conversation to talk through a conflict, explore concerns, frustrations, and goals; in addition to learning ways to manage and resolve conflicts in a way that meets the interests and needs of all parties involved. A conflict coach is someone who is empathetic, trained in conflict resolution, and can provide guidance on best practices for managing conflict effectively. The conflict coach supports the student in exploring and clarifying what their needs, desires, and viable options are with regard to the conflict. Conflict coaching is less about instructing or mandating how to manage the conflict, and more about empowering and supporting an individual with the confidence and skills to manage conflict on their own. Part of the goal of conflict coaching involves the individual exploring and learning about their individual’s conflict style, habits, and ways to manage conflict more effectively in their lives beyond any one particular incident.

Note that assigned conflict coaches are committed to student privacy, however, are not confidential resources.

Shuttle Mediation

Shuttle mediation is a process during which a mediator facilitates a negotiation to resolve a dispute between two or more parties without the parties meeting together at the same time in the same room. This option may be especially helpful for parties in a dispute who have reached a high level of frustration or anxiety due to the conflict and may be more effective in resolving the matter through indirect conversation with the other party(s). Each party of the conflict will have an opportunity to share their perspective, concerns, and desired outcomes. During this process, each party will share and write down their needs in a written agreement, which the facilitator will circulate - or "shuttle" - between the two parties until an agreement is found that is accepted by all parties.

Facilitated Conversation

The goal of a facilitated conversation is to support a group of people in communicating openly and effectively. Sometimes, when tensions are high or there is a lot at stake, it can become difficult to understand and empathize with different perspectives and communicate effectively, calmly, and compassionately. An external and impartial facilitator can be helpful in moving a group discussion or process forward when there is disagreement, tension, or a sense of being stuck. Dialogue facilitators are available to support student groups, organizations or teams who are struggling to manage a particular discussion or project on their own, including but not limited to student club meetings, sport teams meetings, and group projects.

Mediation

Mediation is appropriate in situations that involve two or more individuals who are involved in a dispute, when all parties are willing to participate, and all parties are willing to seek a mutually agreed upon resolution. Mediation is a process in which disputants can share their perspectives, thoughts, and feelings surrounding a conflict in a structured manner by a trained and neutral mediator. The mediator facilitates a conversation between the disputants with the goal of reaching an agreement that satisfies the concerns presented and meets the standards of acceptable behavior in a community environment. The goal of a mediation is not to determine what is just or who is right or wrong, but rather to act as a catalyst in inspiring conflicting parties to define their issues, assert their interests and needs, enhance communication, and work together to find a solution. The role of the Mediator is not to create or impose a solution or offer College intervention to bring about an outcome, but rather to empower the parties to collaboratively come up with their own solutions. Examples of where mediation can be helpful include roommate conflicts, group project conflicts, cultural conflicts, and/or conflicts between friends, partners, and between students or student organizations.

Restorative Resolution for Interpersonal Harm

Babson College remains committed to providing processes in which students or student organizations can repair harm and restore trust, whether in lieu of or in addition to a College accountability process involving a Babson student or student organization. The Restorative Resolution is a voluntary, remedies-based, structured interaction between or among impacted parties that balances support and accountability without formal, punitive disciplinary action against a responding student or student organization.

The philosophical approach of a Restorative Resolution focuses less on what policies have been violated and instead identifies who and what has been harmed and what actions are necessary to repair the harm and to restore trust in the variety of relationships between participants and the community. During a Restorative Resolution, participants work with facilitators through a shared, transparent, and fair decision-making process.

Appropriate Use of Restorative Resolutions

A reporting party may find it useful to engage in a process with an invited party who acknowledges that the reporting party and/or other participants have reported experiencing harm as a result of the responding student or student organization’s behavior.

If parties are interested in exploring a Restorative Resolution, the Restorative Resolution facilitator will complete an intake meeting with each primary party to review the following parameters and assess for appropriateness:

Participation in a Restorative Resolution is entirely voluntary. Both a reporting party and invited party, as well as any other participating individuals, must consent in writing to participation in a restorative resolution; The College will not pressure or compel a reporting party to engage in Restorative Resolution, to directly confront the invited party, or to participate in any particular form of restorative resolution;
The relationship between the primary parties does not present significant power differentials (i.e., employment status, abusive relationships);
There is no imminent risk or threat to the community.

All participating individuals must consent in writing to participation in Restorative Resolution. A written consent will also indicate that either party can choose to discontinue the Restorative Resolution at any time, prior to a signed outcome agreement, and pursue an investigative resolution. The College reserves the right to suspend or terminate a Restorative Resolution at any time, prior to parties formally agreeing to the terms in the signed outcome agreement and refer the case to an investigation/hearing.

Possible Measures of Outcome Agreements

Not all pathways will require a signed agreement, however, if an agreement between parties is made via a Restorative Resolution, the following list represents some possible measures that are available for parties to consider. It should be noted that this list is not all encompassing as each agreement is drafted by the participants of the pathway:

Amendment of a No Contact Order and/or Stay Away Provision;
Restriction of one or more parties from participation in specific clubs, organizations, or events;
Educational or developmental activities;
One or more parties’ referral to the College’s Wellness and Prevention Services and/or Counseling & Psychological Services.

Please note, signed agreements cannot include any measure that would constitute a violation of College policy or local, state, or federal law.

Record Retention

Any agreements that are reached via a Restorative Resolution will be documented, signed in-person or via email by the reporting party and invited party, with oversight from the facilitator, and as relevant in coordination with the Title IX Coordinator. Signed resolution outcome agreements that parties enter voluntarily will not be considered a disciplinary record of the College, but like No Contact Orders and other preventative safety measures, the College may take disciplinary action against any student who the College concludes has violated terms of an agreement they have entered.

The College will maintain records of a Restorative Resolution Pathway pursuant to Community Standards protocol. Specifically, the records retained will include the notice of allegation, agreement of participation, and reparation agreement if applicable.

Internal facilitator notes of information shared during a Restorative Resolution Pathway, including references to minor policy violations pursuant with the College’s amnesty policy, will not be retained nor referred to an investigation should parties dissolve a Restorative Resolution.

Amnesty Policy / “I Call Because I Care”

The philosophy of the Office of Community Standards is to reward thoughtful decision making. If a situation arises in which an individual’s health, safety, or well-being is in jeopardy, we encourage students to seek help through appropriate channels by contacting Public Safety at 781-239-5555 and to stay with the individual until help arrives.

The Amnesty resolution method will be utilized when students and student organizations choose to seek help through appropriate channels and when students choose to bring related serious violations by others to the attention of the College. This process applies to the individual(s) offering assistance, and/or notifying college officials, as well as the individuals in need of assistance. Under the Amnesty Resolution, students will meet with a Student Accountability Officer, and may be referred to Wellness and Prevention Services when and where applicable.

Matters resolved under medical amnesty will not result in a reportable disciplinary record. However, actions related to other Community Code of Student Conduct violations (For example: Property Damage, Harassment, Theft, etc.) may be referred to the Student Accountability Process.

Sanctions

The following is a list of possible sanctions available in the Student Accountability Process involving a responding student or student organization. This list is not exhaustive, and other sanctions may be imposed depending on the case.

Alcohol and Other Drug Sanctions

Wellness and Prevention Services Interventions

The sanctions listed below are designed to offer an opportunity for responding students or student organizations found responsible for Alcohol and Other Drug violations to reflect on their substance use, discuss any adverse impacts of their use, and provide important information promoting safe and healthy choices. These sanctions will be conducted by a confidential member of the Wellness and Prevention Services Staff.

Responding students or student organizations found responsible for Alcohol and Other Drug Violations will be sent a letter to their Babson email containing a Wellness and Prevention Services Intake form. Once this is completed, they may be assigned any of the following by a member of Wellness and Prevention Services:

BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening & Intervention for College Students)

BASICS is an educational intervention for college students around their alcohol use. The program is aimed at reducing the adverse effects of alcohol consumption, promoting reduced drinking and healthier choices, and provides important information and coping skills for risk reduction. BASICS is conducted over the course of two interviews with a member of the Wellness & Prevention Team.

Individual Consultation

Students are required to attend one individual meeting with a member of the Wellness & Prevention Team. The meeting will last approximately 45-60 minutes and is designed to offer an opportunity for students to reflect on their current substance use.

Substance Use Assessment

The student is required to complete a Substance Use Assessment and then attend one or more meetings facilitated by Wellness & Prevention Services staff. The assessment is designed to provide an opportunity for the student to explore their substance use in a broader context by examining other social, emotional or psychological factors that may be contributing to the student’s choices regarding their substance use.

Change of Status Sanctions

Administrative Warning

A period of time, typically no less than one semester, which is intended to foster reflection, responsibility, and improved decision making. During this period, the student is put on notice that any further violations of the Community Code of Student Conduct may result in harsher sanctions. This formal written notice indicates that the student is not in good standing with the College and their actions will be monitored during the specified period. When the Office of Community Standards completes student conduct checks, administrative warnings will be communicated as the lowest level of change of status change.

Disciplinary Probation

A period of time, typically no less than one academic year, which is intended to foster reflection, responsibility, and improved decision making. During this period, the student is put on notice that any further violations of the Community Code of Student Conduct may result in harsher sanctions. This formal written notice indicates that the student is not in good standing with the College and their actions will be monitored during the specified period. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Deferred Loss of College Housing

Although the responding student or student organization is not being removed from College housing at this time, future violations of college policy may result in the implementation of the sanction below. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Deferred Suspension

Although the responding student or student organization is not being suspended from the College at this time, future violations of college policy may result in the implementation of the sanction below. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Deferred Expulsion

Although the responding student or student organization is not being expelled from the College at this time, future violations of college policy may result in the implementation of the sanction below. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Separations

Loss of College Housing

The loss of the privilege to reside on-campus permanently or for a designated period of time. This sanction includes cancellation of room and board. Associated costs will be assessed in accordance with the cancellation policy as outlined on the Hub. This sanction may also include forfeiture of the right to participate in the housing lottery. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Suspension

Removal from Babson College for a specified period of time. During a suspension, a student may not register for or attend classes, participate in, or attend co-curricular activities or College events, live in the residence halls or access any College property or facility. This sanction includes a permanent transcript notation. Additional restrictions regarding transferable College credit may be imposed. Please refer to the Undergraduate Student Handbook and Graduate Student Handbook for policies regarding applicable refunds of semester charges. During a suspension, the student is expected to adhere to all College policies and will be held accountable for any violations during the period of suspension. The College may specify additional conditions for readmission after a suspension. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Expulsion

Permanent removal from the College with no right to seek reinstatement. Expulsion also includes a permanent notation of the student’s transcript.

Other Sanctions

Meeting with Campus Administrator

The Student Accountability Officer may deem it necessary that a student or student organization complete a predetermined number of meetings with another campus administrator.

Parent/Guardian Notification

The Student Accountability Officer or Hearing Board may determine that the student’s parent/guardian be notified of the violation and/or the assigned sanctions in accordance with applicable law. This may be assigned in incidents involving alcohol or other drugs, or incidents where a student faces separation from the College (i.e., suspension, expulsion, or removal from housing)

Reassignment to Another Room or Living Area

When the behavior in question is deemed to be significantly detrimental to the residential community in which the student is residing, or to their roommates, the student may be required to relocate to another living area on campus designated by the College. This sanction is made in consultation with the Office of Residence Life. No guarantee of exact or similar housing accommodations can be made for every situation, nor shall it be a requirement.

Re-Entry Meeting

Students or student organizations returning to campus or housing after a temporary removal are required to complete a re-entry meeting with a staff member from the Office of Community Standards or other administrator determined by the Student Accountability Officer. The student or student organization may also be assigned an ongoing support person.

Ongoing Support

If the Student Accountability Officer deems appropriate, the student or student organization will be assigned to meet with an individual to facilitate the student or student organization’s reacclimating to campus life. The frequency of these meetings, and whom the support person is, will be determined by the Student Accountability Officer.

Restitution

Students or student organizations found responsible for causing damage to property are monetarily responsible for the cost of repair and/or replacement, and labor.

Other Educational Activity

Students or student organizations may be assigned additional educational activities catered to their developmental needs. These activities may be created and assigned at the discretion of the Student Accountability Officer or Hearing Board and will be reviewed for completion by the Office of Community Standards.

CyberBullying Workshop

Students or student organizations may be assigned a workshop designed to prompt reflection on the power of the internet and responsible social media usage. The completion of the sanction is marked by the successful submission of a reflection activity determined by the Student Accountability Officer.

Roommate Agreement

Students may be assigned a roommate agreement designed to create a set of agreed upon expectations for a shared living space between students. Roommates will be assigned a time with a member of the Residence Life or Community Standards team to create the roommate agreement. The completion of the sanction is marked by the successful submission of a completed roommate agreement as determined by the Student Accountability Officer and/or Area Coordinator.

Loss of Privilege(s)

A specified period of time where a student or student organization has been restricted from accessing certain campus resources or participating in specific campus activities and/or leadership roles. Details of the restriction(s) will be provided in the outcome.

Appeals Process

Appeals are confined to a review of the case file based on one or more of the pertinent grounds for appeal described below. Appeals are not intended to re-hear the allegations or to constitute a new review of the case. Absent clear and material error, appeals determinations are intended to be deferential to the original decision-maker. Findings should be revised by the Appeals Party only when remanding for reconsideration or granting a new hearing would be insufficient, impractical, or unnecessary. Sanctions should be revised by the Appeals Party only if there is a compelling justification to do so. Similarly, the level of an Academic Integrity case should be revised by the Appeals Party only if there is a compelling justification to do so.

Appeal Grounds

An appeal of an Educational Conference or Hearing Board decision may be made solely on the following grounds:

Error in the charge, misapplication of the policy and/or error in the investigation or sanctioning process that has materially affected the outcome (e.g., substantiated bias, material deviation from established procedures, etc.),
New information that could not have been discovered prior to the hearing through the exercise of reasonable diligence and that would have materially affected the outcome. A summary of this new evidence and its potential impact must be included in the written appeal; or
The sanctions imposed fall outside the range of sanction guidelines and are grossly disproportionate to the violation(s) committed.

An Educational Conference or Hearing Board that takes place in the absence of a party or with limited and/or no input from one of the parties is not considered grounds for an appeal.

Appeal Requests

An appeal request must be submitted within five (5) business days after the decision letter is delivered to the student's Babson email account. Any appeal submitted after five (5) business days may be rejected by the Director of Community Standards, or their designee.

Please note: If new information that may materially affect the outcome of the case comes to light after five (5) business days has passed, a student or student organization should contact the Office of Community Standards to inquire about the potential to submit an appeal after this deadline.

The appeal must be made in writing to the Office of Community Standards utilizing the Appeal Form and must clearly and succinctly outline and explain how the specific appeal grounds described within the Community Code of Student Conduct have been met. The responding student or student organization submitting the appeal has the burden of demonstrating how the above grounds have been met.

Sanction(s) Enactment Pending an Appeal

It is important to note that once imposed, sanctions are enacted immediately. While an appeal is pending, the student and/or student organization may request that any sanction(s) be suspended or modified. The decision to suspend or modify sanction enactment is at the discretion of the Director of Community Standards, or their designee.

If the appeal is denied, the original sanction(s) if suspended or modified will be immediately reinstated. Applicable deadlines may be modified to accommodate the appeal period. If the responding student and/or student organization has been subject to Interim actions, those restrictions may stay in place through the conclusion of this Appeals Process unless otherwise informed in writing by the Director of Community Standards, or their designee.

Appeal Review Processes

Appeals may be heard by either an alternative Student Accountability Officer or an Appeals Board. The Director of Community Standards, or their designee, has the authority to determine the best course of action for an appeal to be resolved. While appeals will be heard in a timely manner, appeals may take a variable amount of time to resolve depending upon the process for resolution and the capacity and schedules of the individuals involved in reviewing the appeal. For updates on an appeal review, students should contact the Office of Community Standards.

Appeal of a Non-Separation Decision

Appeals of an educational conference decision that does not result in a separation may be heard by either an alternative Student Accountability Officer or an Appeals Board. In both cases, the original decision maker will have the opportunity to provide a written response to the appeal, but they will not participate in the appeals process beyond that response.

Alternative Student Accountability Officer Review Process

The Office of Community Standards will assign the appeal to an alternative Student Accountability Officer who will conduct the appeal review individually in accordance with the appeal review process.

Appeals Board Review Process

The Director of Community Standards, or their designee, shall act as the advisor for the Appeals Board and assemble the Appeals Board members. The Appeals Board is composed of members from three Babson constituencies: students, faculty, or staff. The following is a typical composition of the board:

A chairperson, two student hearing board members, and one faculty or staff member.
- When possible, the board will be composed of student members who reflect the classification of the responding party.

The appeals board will conduct the appeal review in accordance with the appeal review process.

Appeal of a Separation Level Decision

Appeals of a separation level decision will be heard individually by an upper-level administrator. The Vice President & Dean of Campus Life or designee shall act as the appeal party for non-academic appeals. The Associate Dean of the Undergraduate School, the Associate Dean of the Graduate School, or their designee(s) shall act as the appeal party for academic appeals. The appeal will be reviewed in accordance with the appeal review process.

Appeal Review Process Outline

The Appeals Party will review the following:

the written appeal(s);
written statement(s) from the responding student or student organization;
written statement(s) from the Student Accountability Officer or the Advisor to the Board (when applicable);
relevant case files.

Once assessed, the Appeals Party will take one of the following actions:

Reject the appeal as improper based on the grounds articulated above;
Uphold the original decision and/or sanction(s);
Grant the appeal and:
- Remand the case to be readdressed by a new Student Accountability Officer or hearing body;
- Modify the sanction(s) by reducing the sanction. A rationale will be provided by the appeal officer when a sanction is modified.

Appeal Decisions

Once an appeal outcome has been decided by the appropriate Appeals Party, the responding student or student organization will be notified of the decision within five (5) business days to their Babson email address. Appeal decisions are final and not subject to further consideration.

If an appeal involves a separation from the college and the sanctions were suspended pending an appeal, the student should be prepared to vacate the College property within 48 hours of the decision notification.

Appendix A: Academic Integrity

Undergraduate and Graduate students are expected to abide by the expectations of Academic Integrity set forth by the Babson College Community Code of Student Conduct.

Students will not be permitted to withdraw from a course while they have a pending academic integrity complaint. Attempting to withdraw from a course while being involved a pending academic integrity complaint may result in a student being charged with abuse of or interference with the Student Accountability Process.

Violations

The following behaviors may constitute a violation of the College’s Academic Integrity Policies Violations of academic integrity can occur either intentionally or unintentionally; it is the responsibility of all Babson students to read and understand these policies in their entirety. Ignorance of academic policies is not an accepted rationale for a violation.

Cheating

Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, computing materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Unauthorized use of notes, text, or other aids during an examination;
Copying from another student’s examination, research paper, case write-up, lab report, homework, computer disk, flash drive, etc.;
Talking during an examination;
Handing in the same paper/assignment/components of a paper for more than one course without the written or explicit permission of the instructors;
Accessing an assignment’s content before it is administered or provided by the professor;
Unauthorized use of a phone, laptop, calculator, and/or other hand-held electronic and non-electronic device(s) to conceal or store notes and/or transmit exam material;
Receiving assistance/help on an academic exercise from another person/resource without the permission of the instructor;
Unauthorized use of Artificial Intelligence in any academic exercise.

Fabrication

Falsification, misrepresentation, or invention of any information, data, or citation in an academic exercise. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Making up the data for a research project;
Altering the results of a lab experiment or survey;
Listing a citation for a source not used;
Stating an opinion as a scientifically proven fact.

Facilitating Academic Dishonesty

Helping or attempting to help another student(s) to violate any provision of this policy. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Inaccurately listing a co-author of a paper, case write-up, or project someone who did not contribute;
Sharing a take-home examination, homework assignment, case write-up, lab report, etc., with another without the expressed permission of the instructor;
Taking an examination or writing a paper for another student.

Plagiarism

Representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise by failing to provide proper documentation of source by way of footnote, endnote, or intertextual note. Students are also responsible for appropriately citing work they’ve previously created and submitted for any past academic exercise. Examples of sources that demand documentation include but are not limited to the following:

Word-for-word quotations from a source, including your own work from a previous academic exercise or another student’s work;
Paraphrasing the ideas of others, including another student’s work;
Facts not apt to be found in many places;
Information obtained from any external sources;
Radio and television programs, interviews, and telephone conversations.

Participation in Academically Dishonest Activities:

Seeking to create an unfair academic advantage for any student—including oneself or others—over other community members. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Stealing an examination or seeking access prior to its administration;
Purchasing or otherwise obtaining a pre-written paper through mail-order or internet service or through generative or other artificial intelligence;
Selling, loaning, or otherwise distributing materials for the purpose of cheating, plagiarizing, or carrying out other academically dishonest acts;
Alteration, theft, forgery, and/or destruction of the academic work of other students
Destruction of library materials, laboratory materials, or academic records, including transcripts, course registration, course syllabi, and examination/course grades;
Intentionally missing an exam or assignment deadline to gain an unfair advantage;
Misrepresenting or falsifying your class attendance or participation in required activities or the participation of another student;
Intentional misrepresentation of academic information on a resume or job application. Including: grade point average (GPA), coursework, rank, grades earned, and honors received; Sharing group work with outside parties (including, but not limited to, recruiters and employers) without the written consent of all contributing individuals;
Distributing a professor’s course content or other proprietary information online or otherwise with external sources without prior authorization.

Unauthorized Collaboration

Instances when students who all claim sole authorship submit or attempt to submit separate deliverables that are substantially alike.

Academic Integrity Resolutions

Oversight of the resolution of academic integrity concerns is shared between the Director of Community Standards, the Associate Director of Community Standards, Vice President & Dean of Campus Life, and academic leadership of the College. Reports of academic integrity violations from community members should be reported to the applicable faculty member relative to the course and/or the Office of Community Standards directly.

Faculty are instructed to refer their observations, as well as any relevant information and documentation via the Academic Integrity Concern Report Form. In cases of alleged academic integrity violations, until the matter is resolved, the student will receive a grade of Incomplete (“I”) for the work and/or course in question. If a student is found responsible for academic misconduct, academic sanctions will be assigned. If it is determined that a student is not responsible for committing a violation, they will be given a grade on the work in question without receiving an academic penalty.

Academic Integrity Resolution Process

Following the receipt of an Academic Integrity Report form, the Director of Community Standards, the Associate Director of Community Standards, or their designee, will begin a review of all submitted materials. During the course of the review, additional information may be gathered. At the conclusion of the review, if sufficient information exists to support a charge of a policy violation, the incident will then be reviewed per the resolution procedures outlined within the Community Code of Student Conduct. In cases where there is insufficient information to charge a student with a policy violation, the faculty member reporting the alleged violation will be notified.

Academic Integrity Sanctions

Possible sanctions for academic integrity violations include, but are not limited to:

Administrative Warning

Disciplinary Probation

Internal Academic Integrity Seminar

A seminar intended to facilitate a student’s reflection upon the value of integrity both inside and outside of higher education. This seminar is created, managed, and facilitated by the Associate Director of Community Standards or their designee.

External Academic Integrity Seminar

An online seminar targeting the role of honesty, ethics, and trust in the everyday decision-making process. The seminar uses many types of readings and reflections to accomplish this goal and is facilitated by an external organization. The student is responsible for any costs associated with this seminar.

Academic Integrity Violation Transcript Notation

Students found responsible for a serious or repeated academic integrity violation may have a permanent transcript notation designated to the class in which the academic integrity violation occurred.

Course Grade Reduction

The student will receive a grade or percentage reduction on the overall course grade for an academic integrity violation.

Grade Reduction on Course Component

The student will receive a grade or percentage reduction on the course component(s) in question . This may require the student to re-submit the course component(s) in question or complete an alternate academic activity for partial credit.

Failure on the Course Component

The student will receive a “0” (zero) grade on the paper, project, examination, or relevant course component(s).

Failure in a Course

The student will fail the course, without reimbursement, for an academic integrity violation. The student’s official transcript will reflect the letter grade of “F.”

Other Educational Activity

The student may be assigned additional educational activities catered to their developmental needs. These activities may be created and assigned at the discretion of the reviewing Student Accountability Officer or Hearing Board and will be evaluated for completion by the Office of Community Standards.

Deferred Suspension

Deferred Expulsion

Although the responding student is not being expelled from the College at this time, future violations of college policy may result in the implementation of the sanction below. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Loss of Privilege(s)

A specified period of time where a student has been restricted from accessing certain campus resources or participating in specific campus activities and/or leadership roles. Specific details of the restriction(s) will be provided in the outcome.

Separations

Suspension

Removal from Babson College for a specified period of time. During a suspension, a student may not register for or attend classes at Babson College, will not be permitted to transfer credits from another institution taken during the separation. They also may not participate in or attend co-curricular activities or College events, live in the residence halls or access any College property or facility. This sanction includes a permanent transcript notation. Additional restrictions regarding transferable College credit may be imposed. Please refer to the Undergraduate Student Handbook and Graduate Student Handbook for policies regarding applicable refunds of semester charges. During a suspension, the student is expected to adhere to all College policies and will be held accountable for any violations during the period of suspension. The College may specify additional conditions for readmission after a suspension. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Expulsion

Permanent removal from the College with no right to seek reinstatement. Expulsion also includes a permanent notation of the student’s transcript.

Leveling System

Based on the circumstances surrounding an alleged violation of academic integrity, the allegation will be designated as a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 classification. This determination will be made by the Director of Community Standards or their designee. Levels are based upon the seriousness of a violation with successively higher levels indicating that allegations are considered more egregious. These levels outline the potential sanctions that a student may be assigned if ultimately found responsible for a violation. This determination does not impact the review process for a case and is only to be referenced when determining appropriate sanctions. If a case is to be addressed in a Hearing Board process, a staff member of Community Standards will notify the board or administrator of the alleged violation level in the provided case materials.

Factors that may be considered when determining the level of an alleged violation include but are not limited to the following:

Impact of a course component in question on the final grade of course;
Level of premeditation involved in the violation;
Potential harm to classmates or Babson community members as a result of the alleged behavior;
Academic experience of the responding student;
Graduate or Undergraduate status of the responding student;
The responding student’s relevant history of academic integrity violations.

Any allegations of academic violations involving students who were previously found responsible for a violation of these policies will result in a case being addressed as Level 2 or Level 3—regardless of the circumstances of the new allegation.

Some examples of behaviors that may constitute violations of different levels include but are not limited to the following:

Level 1:

First-time plagiarism or cheating on a minor course assignment;
A spontaneous decision to access prohibited material during a minor quiz or assignment.

Level 2:

First-time plagiarism or cheating on a major course assignment;
Repeated plagiarism on minor course assignment(s);
A premeditated decision to access prohibited material;
A coordinated plan to provide or receive prohibited assistance;
Fabricating sources or data that does not exist;
An alleged repeated violation.

Level 3:

Rendering payment for completion of one’s academic exercises;
Repeated plagiarism on a major course assignment;
Stealing exam materials from a professor;
Sabotaging another student’s project;
Selling completed academic exercises to other students.

Outside extenuating circumstances , the sanctions specified below are minimum sanctions affiliated with a policy violation of each violation level.

Students who are found responsible for a violation of academic integrity are typically assigned sanctions from each of the three categories included in this matrix. They may receive additional sanctions as deemed appropriate given the specific circumstances of a particular violation. When determining an appropriate Academic Sanction for a violation, input provided by the course instructor will be considered.

Violation Level	Academic Sanction	Educational Sanction	Change of Status Sanctions
Level 1	Reduced Grade on the Course Component(s) through Failure in the Course	Academic Integrity Seminar	Administrative Warning through Disciplinary Probations
Level 2	Zero Credit on the Course Components(s) in question through Failure in the Course w/ Transcript Notation	Academic Integrity Seminar and/or Additional Educational Sanction	Administrative Warning through Suspension
Level 3	Failure in the Course through Failure in the Course w/ Transcript Notation	Academic Integrity Seminar and/or Additional Educational Sanction	Disciplinary Probation through Expulsion

Appendix B: Student Organizational Conduct

At Babson College, student organizations play a vital role in shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and engaged campus community. These groups foster leadership, collaboration, and personal growth while advancing the College’s mission of entrepreneurial thought and action. As such, student organizations are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, respect, and responsibility in all their activities.

This section outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and accountability measures for student organizations and their members. It ensures that all student-led groups operate in alignment with Babson’s values, contribute positively to the campus environment, and respect the rights and dignity of all individuals. By adhering to these standards, student organizations help cultivate a community where innovation, belonging, and ethical leadership thrive.

Please note that in some cases both the student organization and individual members of the organization may be charged with policy violations based on the circumstances of the incident. The Director of Community Standards or their designee has the authority to determine if it is appropriate to charge both an organization and individual(s).

Student Organization Accountability Process

When a student organization is alleged to have violated the Community Code of Student Conduct, the matter will be addressed through a process that closely mirrors the procedures used for individual students, with adjustments made to reflect the collective nature of student organizations.

Upon receipt of a report involving a student organization, the Office of Community Standards will initiate a preliminary review to assess the nature and scope of the alleged conduct. This review will include assessing whether the alleged violations are individual or organization based. As part of this process, the organization’s Student Life Staff Advisor or designated advisor or coach to the organization will be notified, along with appropriate staff members in the Office of Student Engagement. This ensures that all relevant parties are informed and can provide support and guidance throughout the process.

The organization may then be invited to participate in an Educational Conference or Hearing Board. This meeting or hearing serves as an opportunity to review the details of the report, explain the conduct process, and allow the organization to respond to the concerns raised. The student accountability process for student organizations is designed to be a constructive and educational dialogue, rather than a punitive proceeding. However, as is reflected in our general student accountability process, appropriate sanctions may still be assigned.

To ensure appropriate representation and accountability, the organization must designate two members of its leadership team to attend the Educational Conference or Hearing. One of these individuals must be the President or their designee. The second representative should be a senior member of the Executive Board, ideally someone whose role is most relevant to the nature of the incident—such as a Risk Manager, Treasurer, or Events Chair. Other members of the organization may be invited to participate in the process as witnesses when relevant as determined by the Office of Community Standards. This approach ensures that those most familiar with the organization’s operations and responsibilities are present to engage in the process.

The student organization accountability process will proceed in accordance with the institution’s commitment to fairness, education, and accountability. Outcomes may include educational sanctions, reflective exercises, or other measures designed to promote organizational growth and reinforce community standards. This process is intended to support student organizations in maintaining a responsible and positive presence on campus, while upholding the values and expectations of the broader College community.

Should the Organization wish to appeal the decision made by the Board or their Student Accountability Officer, refer to the appeals section of the Community Code of Student Conduct.

Organization Specific Violations

Possible violations specific to student organizations in addition to the above list of possible policy violations. The examples listed below each potential policy violation are not exhaustive.

Financial Misconduct

The use of or accounting of student organization funds in violation of college financial and accounting procedures. Violations include, but are not limited to:

Breaching contractual obligations;
Using student organization funds and/or members gathering funds for an activity which violates the Community Code of Student Conduct;
Using student organization funds for purposes not authorized by the student organization and/or not in accordance with College policy;
Failing to provide accounting of all contributions and reporting said contributions to the proper College department (i.e., Membership Dues, Fundraising, etc.);
Failing to abide by established College policy regarding fundraising initiatives;
Maintaining an off-campus bank account without explicitly permission from the Office of Student Engagement for student organization use;
Failing to abide by Student Government PCard expectations during usage.

Non-compliance with Office of Student Engagement Travel Policies

Failing to adhere, knowingly or unknowingly, to the travel policies as outlined in the Club/Org Manual, including, but not limited to violating chaperone expectations, college van usage, as well as unapproved travel.

Non-compliance with the Law

Failing to adhere to all federal, state, and local laws.

Guest Responsibility

College-Recognized Organizations are responsible for the actions of their guests (i.e., fans, performers, non-Babson attendees, and alumni).

Violation of the College-Recognized Organization Constitution and/or governing documents

The disregard for, knowingly or unknowingly, the written documentation which governs the student organization, including the Student Government Association. These documents can be local, regional, or national.

Violation of Special Interest Housing Agreement

Special Interest Housing organizations are responsible for the terms of their housing agreement as outlined by the Office of Residence Life, including but not limited to roster management, space maintenance, common space modification, and storage.

Organization Specific Sanctions

Possible sanctions specific to student organizations in addition to the above list of possible sanctions violations. The examples listed below each are potential sanctions and are not exhaustive:

Inability to Access College Funds

Rendering a student organization account inactive so as to prevent access to funds or services being granted or disbursed. This includes both generated revenue and Student Government Association funding. This sanction is typically imposed when there are concerns regarding the appropriate use of funds by the student organization.

Loss of Special Interest Housing

The loss of the privilege to reside on-campus permanently or for a designated period of time. This sanction may include cancellation of room and board. Associated costs will be assessed in accordance with the cancellation policy as outlined on the Hub. This sanction may also include forfeiture of the right to participate in the housing selection process.

Organizational Loss of Privileges

Restricting a College-Recognized Organization’s ability to access College controlled benefits and resources (i.e., temporary loss of access to College and/or SGA funds, College space, Special Interest Housing Eligibility)

Organization Development Plan

The student organization will work closely with their advisor(s) and/or coach to complete a reflection and development assessment to prepare the organization to achieve their goals and engage in positive community development.

Organizational Administrative Warning

A period of time, approximately no more than one semester, which is intended to foster reflection, responsibility, and improved decision making. During this period, the organization is not prohibited from functioning fully, but they are put on notice that any further violations of the Community Code of Student Conduct may result in harsher sanctions. This formal written notice indicates that the organization is not in good standing with the College and its actions will be monitored during the specified period.

Organizational Disciplinary Probation

A period of time, approximately no less than one academic year, where the organization’s actions are subject to close examination. Probation is a notice to a student organization that their actions are of such serious nature that they may jeopardize their status as a student organization. The College shall refrain from suspending the student organization at this time, as long as the student organization meets all requirements during the probationary period. During this period, the student organization is not prohibited from functioning fully, but they are placed on notice that any further violations of the Community Code of Student Conduct may result in more severe sanctions. This sanction may or may not be accompanied by an assigned Loss of Privilege(s).

Deferred Organization Suspension

A Deferred Suspension stipulates the period of suspension when the student organization loses specific privileges associated with being a College-Recognized Organization and may be restricted in their operations. Deferred Suspension requires that the student organization complete assigned sanctions and meet certain requirements before they can fully return to good standing with the College. The purpose of the Deferred Suspension is to provide the student organization the opportunity to partner with the College to correct behavior that led to the suspension, and to realign the student organization’s objectives with the college. The Deferred Suspension shall continue until the term of the suspension is complete and all conditions, as outlined in the sanction notification, are met.

Organizational Separations

Term Suspension

A term suspension stipulates the period of suspension when the student organization loses all privileges associated with being a College-Recognized Organization and may not operate in any fashion. The student organization does not need to re-apply for recognition. When the term is complete and all conditions, as outlined in the sanction notification, are met, the student organization’s recognition will be reinstated, and they may return to the College community.

Organizational Suspension

Removal from Babson College for a specified period of time. During the period of suspension, the organization, and its members and/or supporters are prohibited from conducting any activity on-campus or at off-campus College associated events that in any way promote the goals, purposes, identity, programs, or activities of the organization. The College may specify additional conditions for readmission after a suspension.

Removal

Temporary separation of a student organization from the College for a designated period. These student organizations are permitted to re-apply for College recognition at the time designated in their sanction notification. The reapplication process may differ based on the type of College-Recognized Organization as outlined by the Office of Student Engagement.

Permanent Removal

Permanent separation of a student organization from the College. Student organizations that are permanently removed are not eligible to apply for recognition. Any change to this status must be approved by the Vice President of Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life or their designee.

**A Suspension or Removal of a College-Recognized Organization does not prohibit alumni groups derived from the student organization from functioning. However, alumni groups may not promote the organization to enrolled students or recruit enrolled students for membership during the term of the Suspension or Removal.

Appendix C: Alcohol and Other Drugs

Alcohol Policies

Babson College is committed to educating students on responsible decision making, including decisions relating to consumption of alcohol. In accordance with the College’s liquor license and Massachusetts state law, alcohol and open containers are restricted throughout all Babson College facilities and residence halls on Babson’s Campus, with the exception of inside Roger’s Pub during bar service hours or at an event authorized by the town of Wellesley to provide alcohol in conjunction with approved catering services. No outside alcohol is permitted inside Roger’s Pub at any time. All students may be asked to present two forms of identification in order to obtain a 21+ wristband from Babson College Dining Services at Roger’s Pub. Students under the age of 21 will be permitted inside Roger’s Pub before 9pm. After that time, Roger’s is 21+ only and underaged individuals will be escorted out by Public Safety Officers.

Alcohol-related Policy Definitions

Possession or Consumption of Alcohol by an Underaged Individual

The Possession, consumption and/or transport of alcohol by individuals under the age of 21, the Massachusetts legal drinking age. If a student over the age of 21 lives with underage students in a Babson College residence hall, alcohol cannot be stored within the belongings of the underaged individual.

Overconsumption of Alcohol

Intoxication requiring medical and/or staff attention, regardless of age and not protected under the College’s Amnesty/ “I Call Because I Care” Policy. See pg. 37 for more information about Babson’s "I Call Because I Care” Policy.

Providing Alcohol to Underaged Individuals

Providing alcohol to individuals under the Massachusetts legal age of 21. Including, allowing underage students to consume alcohol in an on or off-campus residence.

Drinking Paraphernalia/Drinking Games

Items that are being used, or could be used, in connection with any drinking game and/or the promotion of rapid, mass, or otherwise dangerous consumption of alcohol. This includes but is not limited to items such as funnels and tabletops used in conjunction with drinking games. The College reserves the right to immediately and permanently confiscate all drinking paraphernalia. Including, shot glasses and empty alcohol bottles. This policy applies to individuals of the legal drinking age, as well as underaged individuals.

Public Intoxication

Being openly under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs as demonstrated through one’s actions or behaviors in any public space on- or –off-campus regardless of age.

Open Container

Possession or consumption of alcohol in outdoor areas of the College and/or in-residence hall hallways. Exceptions may apply for college-approved events.

Unauthorized Locations/Events for Alcohol Consumption

Possession or consumption of alcohol in unauthorized locations or events including, but not limited to, at athletic events, in Trim Dining Hall, or in the Reynolds Campus Center.

Central Source

Possession, use and/or distribution of any central source of alcohol. A central source may include but is not limited to items such as a keg, pony keg, beer ball, and/or punch bowl. The College reserves the right, in its sole discretion, and given the specific circumstances of a given incident, to determine the volume of alcohol which constitutes a central source.

Alcohol Delivery

The commercial delivery of alcohol to Babson College, to individual students and/or student organizations. This includes but is not limited to College residence halls and/other College buildings.

Massachusetts state law subjects an individual to fines ranging from $300 to $2,000, loss of driver’s license, and/or imprisonment for the following acts:

sale or delivery of alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age;
possession, purchase, delivery, or transportation of alcohol by anyone under 21 years of age;
misrepresentation or falsification of identification in order to purchase alcohol.

The law further states that anyone who wishes to purchase alcohol must show, upon request, a valid Massachusetts driver’s license, Massachusetts Liquor Identification card, passport, or Military Identification card indicating that they are 21 years of age or older.

Individuals who operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol are subject to criminal prosecution in addition to disciplinary action by the College.

Drug Policies

The possession and use of cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Although Massachusetts state law permits the use of cannabis, Babson College must comply with state and federal laws regarding the use of nonprescription drugs. Consistent with federal law, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, the use and/or possession of cannabis continues to be prohibited by Babson College.

Students who obtain a medical registration card from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for medical cannabis should contact the Associate Vice President for Student Success for information regarding College policies and resources.

Drug-Related Policy Definitions

Drug Use and/or Possession

Possession or consumption of illegal drugs, prescription medications belonging to another individual, and/or the misuse of prescription or other medications; or misuse of inhalants. The use and/or possession of cannabis, even for medical use, is also prohibited.

Drug Paraphernalia

Use, possession, manufacture, distribution, and/or sale of drug paraphernalia or other items used in preparing or consuming drugs.

Distribution, Sale, or Manufacture of Drugs

Distribution, sale, and/or manufacture of drugs (illegal and prescription) including the cultivation of drugs, any other form of distribution or intention of distribution, even to one person and/or knowingly allowing another to use personal prescription medication.

Drug Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, as amended, requires that Babson College annually distribute information regarding the unlawful use, possession, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on College property or as a part of any of its on-campus or off-campus activities. Babson College’s standards of conduct regarding drugs and alcohol abuse are described above, along with the 55 health risks associated with substance abuse. In compliance with the Act, the College has set forth sanctions under federal and state law for the illegal possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol, as well as the range of sanctions for violations of the College’s policies regarding substance abuse. Persons who violate the College’s policy regarding alcohol and drugs as described above are subject to appropriate disciplinary action including counseling, probation, suspension, expulsion, and referral to law enforcement authorities for investigation and/or prosecution. The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 requires that a description of health risks associated with drug use and alcohol abuse be distributed to Babson students. Potential health risks resulting from alcohol and drug abuse include, but are not limited to, the following:

Aggressive behavior
Heart attack
Physical dependence
Brain damage
Hepatitis
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Impotence
Pregnancy complications
Ulcers
Cancer of the esophagus
Irritability
Relationship problems
Cirrhosis of the liver
Malnutrition
Respiratory arrest
Delirium tremens
Meningitis
Sleep problems
Fluctuating moods and emotions
Pancreatitis

Resources are available to assist Babson students in understanding and dealing with drug and alcohol misuse. You can receive information about on campus resources, or how to get connected to off campus resources, please visit the Student Resources page.

Outside any extenuating circumstances, the sanctions specified below are minimum sanctions imposed by policy violation of each type. Students or student organizations may receive sanctions from one or more of the categories below, corresponding to the assigned violation. They may receive additional sanctions as deemed appropriate given the specific circumstances of a particular violation/incident. Repeat and/or egregious violations may incur harsher sanctions. See complete definitions of violations on pg. 44.

Educational Sanctions

Change of Status

Additional Sanctions

Possession/Consumption of Alcohol;

Drug Use/Possession

Wellness and Prevention Intake