Dear Students,

Whether on campus or online, welcome back, and to our first-year and transfer students, welcome to Boston College! I recognize that this year in particular has and will continue to bring certain challenges to us all, and I am grateful that we will move through these collectively as a BC community.  

As we begin this fall semester amidst a pandemic and many new challenges related to COVID-19, we also have a unique opportunity to come together as a community and to actualize the Jesuit Catholic ideals of Boston College. I am hopeful that all students will respond to the call to live as people “for and with others” and demonstrate the proper restraint and decision-making required to preserve the health and safety of the greater community. In order to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment, we need everyone to adhere to the University’s expectations and policies.

Please take a moment to review this year's 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. 

The Student Code of Conduct has many policies and procedures, and your familiarity with them is of paramount importance. However, there are several new or updated policies that I would like to direct your attention to:

• Coronavirus Expectations: Students are expected to comply with all University policies and directives, including the Eagles Care Pledge, regarding health and safety requirements related to COVID-19. Students living on campus are also expected to comply with all Residential Life policies and agreements, including the Conditions for Residency–COVID-19 Addendum. Students who do not comply with policies, directives, or agreements will generally be referred to the student conduct process. 

Given the heightened health and safety risks associated with gatherings that do not easily allow attendees to physically distance and abide by other University expectations, students may not host or participate in parties on or off campus, which include any gatherings in which physical distancing is not or cannot be maintained or which do not comply with Massachusetts limitations on gatherings in effect at the time (see www.mass.gov for current state guidelines).  Students hosting and/or attending such parties will be subject to sanctions through the Student Conduct process, including suspension and loss of on-campus housing.

In addition, certain violations may be treated more severely in light of COVID-19, such as Community Disturbances, Alcohol Policy (Enabling Underage Drinking), Social Gathering Policy, and Guest Policy. Students who violate the University policies and expectations related to COVID-19 may also be suspended or dismissed from on-campus housing. Additionally, off-campus students who violate policies may lose eligibility for subsequent on-campus housing. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct for the full policy language.

• 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 updated 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. All students are encouraged to review both policies and to contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Office of Student Conduct with questions.

• 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. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct for the full policy language.

• Drug Policy (In the Presence of Drugs): Consistent with previous iterations of the Student Code of Conduct, students are prohibited from the possession, use, consumption, manufacturing, providing, sale, or distribution of drugs. Currently, students are also prohibited from being in the presence of drugs. This includes the passive allowance of drug use to occur within their residence hall room or off-campus residence, or otherwise providing a setting that allows the possession, use, consumption, manufacturing, providing, sale, or distribution of drugs or drug paraphernalia. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct for the full policy language.

• Smoking: Students are now required to abide by the new University Tobacco and Smoke-Free Policy, which prohibits the use of tobacco and smoking on University property. According to the policy, smoking includes the burning, inhaling, or exhaling, by means of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, hookah, vaporizer, or other device, of any tobacco or other plant product, including marijuana. 

Several other important policies to draw your attention to include the Help-Seeking Policy for Alcohol and Drug Emergencies, the Copyright Compliance Policy, and additional Residential Life Policies.

Thank you for taking the time to review these important items as we begin the new academic year. I welcome your collaboration and feedback as the semester progresses, and wish you all the best for a successful year at Boston College.  

Sincerely, 
 

Corey Kelly, Ph.D.
Director of Student Conduct