Dear Students,
Welcome back to campus after what I hope was a restful break!
At Boston College, the Office of the Dean of Students cultivates a culture of care, responsibility, and growth, ensuring every student feels welcome and can thrive. Aligned with Boston College's Jesuit values and commitment to student formation, we encourage each of you to engage in self-reflection and to grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually during your time here.
During the start of this spring semester, we ask that you please take a moment to review the Student Code of Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct provides information on community standards and articulates the process of addressing violations of these expectations and policies, including how to report any misconduct experienced by you or another community member.
The Student Code of Conduct has many policies and procedures, and your familiarity with them is crucial. However, there are a few central policies that I would like to direct your attention to:
Theft/Possession of Stolen Property: Theft is the unauthorized taking, appropriation, use, or possession of property belonging to another person (which includes the unauthorizes taking of packages and food deliveries). Found property should be presumed lost and delivered to an appropriate University authority immediately. Failure to return found property to an appropriate authority may constitute theft.
Misrepresentation of Identity: It is a felony to falsely make or alter a driver's license or other form of identification and a criminal offense to use or carry a false identification card in Massachusetts. Students are prohibited from possessing fake identification or presenting themselves as another person.
Bias Motivated Conduct: Students are prohibited from behavior and/or language that demonstrates bias against persons or groups because of those persons' or groups' actual or perceived race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, ethnicity, or status as a member of any other protected class. This includes verbal, written, or physical behaviors that constitute a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and is in whole or in part motivated by bias, or is coupled with evidence of bias motivation. A finding of bias motivated conduct may result in a more severe sanction than would be given for the conduct violation without evidence of bias motivation (refer to the Student Code of Conduct for the full policy language). Students can report bias-related incidents via the online form or by contacting the DOS Office.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct: All forms of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, including, without limitation, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, are prohibited by Boston College. The University maintains a Title IX Harassment Policy which addresses conduct constituting sexual harassment under Title IX as well as the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy, which addresses non-Title IX sexual harassment and misconduct. Each policy includes explanations and definitions for the conduct covered under the policy, as well as the adjudication process for conduct covered under the policy.
Help Seeking Policy: The health and safety of Boston College students is of paramount concern. Thus, all students are expected and encouraged to seek immediate assistance for themselves or others in situations where help is needed due to intoxication or drug ingestion. Students who seek help or call for help on behalf of another student may not be subject to action through the conduct system.
Thank you for taking the time to review these important items as we begin the new semester. I welcome your collaboration and feedback as the semester progresses, and wish you all the best for a great semester at Boston College.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hunt, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Student Conduct
Office of the Dean of Students
Division of Student Affairs
Office of the Dean of Students
Maloney Hall, Suite 448
21 Campanella Way
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-552-3470 / Email: deanofstudents@bc.edu
www.bc.edu/dos / IG: bc_deanofstudents