In support of its mission as a Catholic university, the University of San Diego has developed standards of conduct and has implemented processes designed to hold students accountable to these standards of conduct. These standards and processes are set forth in the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities (the "Code"). A purpose of the Code is to maintain a safe environment for the campus community, one that supports the academic mission and provides a productive living and learning environment. The Code is also designed to foster the personal development of students and emphasizes students' personal understanding of the impact of their behavior as well as their responsibilities to the community. Community responsibilities are uniquely grounded in the University's core values. The Code is intended to support and reinforce those values of the University. Values of particular relevance to the Code include the University's commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive and collaborative community accentuated by a spirit of freedom and charity and marked by protection of the rights and dignity of the individual. Additionally, the Code supports the University's efforts to provide a values-based education that informs the development of ethical judgment and behavior. The Code has been established in order to ensure community safety and well-being and to facilitate students' unencumbered pursuit of education both inside and outside of the classroom. The Code includes the rules of conduct, University policies, procedures and outcomes related to students. Each student is responsible for reading, understanding and complying with the Code.
The Code is inspired by the principles of Catholic social teaching and of restorative justice. These include: (a) concern for individuals and communities that have been harmed and an approach that meaningfully responds to their needs; (b) respect for the dignity of the individual, which includes a belief that harmed individuals should have a voice in the process and a belief that students who have caused harm should have the opportunity to express remorse, make amends and demonstrate personal responsibility; and (c) individual responsibility is primary, but there are often larger social conditions that promote or reinforce harmful conduct -- the conduct process should attend to both individual and community obligations to support the common good. A restorative approach recognizes that each situation is unique and the conduct response may vary in order to best promote individual and community reparations and well-being.
Membership in a community where rights and responsibilities are respected is a significant part of the university learning experience. Student conduct processes at the University of San Diego are intended to educate and foster a student's development and reinforce the mission and values of the institution. The processes are also designed to identify and respond to harms and needs of impacted individuals and the community. When a student is found to have violated the Code, efforts are made to repair harm and rebuild trust between the student and the community through active accountability. There are times when a student's behavior is so harmful, or is repeated without indication of learning, that it may lead to suspension or expulsion from the University to ensure the ongoing safety and welfare of the campus community.
The University of San Diego also has an obligation to uphold the laws of the larger community of which it is a part. While the activities covered by the laws of the larger community and those covered by the University of San Diego's rules may overlap, it is important to note that the community's laws and the University of San Diego's rules may overlap, it is important to note that the community's laws and the University of San Diego's rules operate independently and that they do not substitute for each other. The University of San Diego may pursue enforcement of its own rules whether or not legal proceedings are underway or in process, and may use information from third-party sources, such as law enforcement agencies, news agencies, social media, and the courts to determine whether University rules have been broken. Membership in the University community does not exempt anyone from local, state or federal laws. The University of San Diego has the right, and obligation, to hold students to a higher standard than the law and prohibit behavior that is illegal.
The rules, policies, and procedures outlined in the Code provide a framework for community life at the University of San Diego. Recognized student organizations may establish rules and procedures for the purpose of self-regulation. Those rules and procedures may not be in conflict with the provisions of the Code and are not in place of the Code.
The University of San Diego reserves the right to amend, modify and revise the Code at any time. Changes to the Code shall be effective upon the approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs.