Policies

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to comply with Coker’s academic integrity policies in all academic experiences, including, non-credit bearing academic experiences such as, but not limited to, internships and undergraduate research. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of data, and unethical research practices. Intent is not required for a finding of responsibility but may increase sanctions, including but not limited to, restitution of funding.

If a grade is assigned to the experience, the incident will be referred to the Academic Dean or the Office of the Provost.

Hazing-Personal Offense

Hostile Acts towards Others

Information Technology

Smoking

Complicity

Damage to Property

1. Vandalism, malicious or unwarranted damage or destruction of property belonging to the University, a member of the university community, or a guest of the University is prohibited. This is to include equipment rented, leased or placed on the campus at the request of the institution. Actions which may lead to future damage or problems are also considered violations of the policy. 
2. Chalking is permitted on exterior walkways but is not permitted on bricked areas, walls, slate surfaces, or covered surfaces. Chalking is only allowed to advertise specific events, can only occur one week prior to the event, and must be removed the day after the event.  Students chalking in unapproved areas are subject to a fine or other conduct action.

Dishonesty

Honesty and integrity are critical components of the Coker University community (see Coker University Student Covenant).  Dishonesty is considered a serious offense of the Student Code of Conduct, and sanctions will reflect such.  A student or group may be subject to disciplinary action for acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:

1. Intentionally communicating untruths or misrepresentations;
2. Any intentional misrepresentation of fact (by action or concealment), including but not limited to furnishing false information, to any university official or law enforcement officer acting within the scope of their employment;
3. Any intentional misrepresentation of fact (by action or concealment) to obtain or attempt to induce another to surrender a right, benefit or property; 
4. Providing false or misleading information in order to be excused from classes and assignments; and/or
5. Interfering with the proper procedures of the student conduct system either by false testimony or otherwise obstructing the system’s function.

Disorderly Assembly

1. No students shall assemble on campus for the purpose of creating a riot or destructive or disorderly diversion. This section should not be construed so as to deny any students the right of peaceable assembly. 
2. No student or group of students shall obstruct the free movement of other students about the campus, interfere with the use of University facilities, prevent the normal operation of the University or the educational process.

Disorderly Conduct

Drug Free Campus Policy

General Regulations

1. Possession, consumption (without a legal prescription), sale and/or distribution of controlled and illegal substances (consistent with federal, state or local laws) is strictly prohibited. The possession or use of prescription drugs without a valid medical prescription and use of substances for purposes or in manners not as directed is prohibited.
2. Possession, consumption, sale and/or distribution of any substances used to cause impairment including but not limited to intoxication or hallucination (e.g. Spice and Kratom) is prohibited.
3. Possession of any substance, whether legal under state or federal law or not, that contains any measurable amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), such as hemp and CBD oil is prohibited. This includes gummies, drinks, and other items that contain Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10 that can be purchased legally.
4. Possession, consumption, sale and/or distribution of synthetic substances, such as bath salts, K2 and Spice is prohibited. Normal bathing salts are permitted.
5. Students may not use or possess drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to weights, scales, rolling papers, e-cigs, blunts, vapes, juuls, hookahs and other smoking devices used to consume illegal substances.
6. Students may not be in the presence of the possession, sale or use of prohibited, controlled or illegal substances, to include prescription medications. 
7. Students may not share prohibited, controlled or illegal substances, to include prescription medications.
8. Students may not sell prohibited, controlled or illegal substances, to include prescription medications.
9. Misbehaving or causing disruption as a result of drug use on or in university property, or at functions sponsored by the University or by a recognized university organization is prohibited.
10. Student-athletes may be randomly tested per athletic department and NCAA policies.
11. Students who violate Coker’s Drug-Free Campus policy may be sanctioned to random drug screenings. Testing positive for illegal substances will be considered consumption.  Failure to complete a drug test within the given time frame will be treated as a positive result.  Diluted samples will result in additional testing at the student’s expense.
12. Students convicted of any offense involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance may also be deemed ineligible to receive financial aid.

Disciplinary Sanctions

The University will impose conduct sanctions on students who violate the Drug-Free campus policy. The following minimum sanctions will apply for violations of the Drug-Free Campus policy. Repeated violations of the Drug-Free campus policy may result in suspension or expulsion. It should be noted that drug violations which are also in conjunction with other Student Code of Conduct violations may result in more stringent sanctions.

• Simple possession and/or use of a controlled substance: examples include but are not limited to marijuana, products containing THC (Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10), synthetic marijuana (K2 and “Spice”), edibles, salvia and pyrovalerone derivatives (found in substance marketed as “bath salts”); prescription drugs without a valid/current medical prescription; use of prescribed medication not as directed (over-use, snorting prescribed medication, etc.); huffing, snorting, smoking, eating, or otherwise possessing or using legal substances not as intended.
• 1st offense: $200 fine, random drug testing for a two-semester period, parental notification, online education program, reflective/research essay
• 2nd offense: disciplinary probation for no less than one semester; $300 fine; second drug diversion program enrollment; warning that a 3rd offense may result in a suspension for a minimum of one academic semester; random drug testing for a two-semester period; parental notification
• 3rd offense: suspension for no less than one academic semester; verification of substance abuse assessment and completion of all recommended treatment at student’s expense prior to application for re-enrollment, parental notification; one semester disciplinary probation upon re-enrollment
• Possession and/or use of other drugs: examples include but are not limited to cocaine, heroin, LSD, and PCP.
• 1st offense: suspension for a minimum of two academic semesters, $300 fine, parental notification, verification of substance abuse assessment and comple­tion of all recommended treatment at student’s expense prior to application for re-enrollment, drug testing as determined on a case-by-case basis, possible loss of campus housing privileges upon re-enrollment, drug diversion program post re-enrollment, one year disciplin­ary probation upon re-enrollment.
• 2nd offense: expulsion, parental notification.
• Possession of drug paraphernalia: including but not limited to pipes, roach clips, bongs, blunts, hookahs, blow tubes, papers, scales or any material or apparatus containing drug residue (which can include e-cigs, vapes, juuls, etc.).
• 1st offense: $100 fine, online education program, parental notification.
• 2nd offense: $150 fine, drug diversion program, random drug testing as determined on a case-by-case basis, parental notification.
• Present during the possession, use or sale of drugs: being in the presence of the possession, sale or use of prohibited, controlled or illegal substances, to include prescription medications.
• 1st offense: $100 fine, online education program, parental notification.
• 2nd offense: $150 fine, drug diversion program, random drug testing as determined on a case-by-case basis, parental notification.
• Accessory to drug use or possession: sharing prohibited, controlled or illegal substances, to include prescription medications.
• 1st offense: $300 fine, drug diversion program, random drug testing as determined on a case-by-case basis, possible one-year disciplinary probation, parental notification.
• 2nd offense: suspension for a minimum of one academic semester, $400 fine, drug diversion program, parental notification, possible loss of campus housing privileges.
• Distribution, sale, or exchange (including but not limited to, without financial gain) of controlled, illegal or prohibited substances, to include prescription medications.
• 1st offense: possible expulsion (depending on type/amount of prohibited substance); if not expulsion, suspension for a minimum of two academic semesters, $400 fine, verification of substance abuse assessment and completion of all recommended treatment at student’s expense prior to application for re-enrollment, parental notification, drug diversion program post re-enrollment, possible loss of campus housing privileges upon re-enrollment, random drug testing as determined on a case-by-case basis, one year disciplinary probation upon re-enrollment.
• 2nd offense: expulsion, parental notification.

Endangerment

Failure to Comply

Students are expected to comply with the directives of university officials, including but not limited to, student staff. The University affirms the following ideals related to failure to comply:

1. Students shall not run from, hide from, provide false identity in any form to, refuse to provide Coker identification in their possession to, actively resist by word or action, intimidate, or otherwise fail to comply with a university official or law enforcement officer acting within the scope of their employment.
2. Students shall provide correct information to and shall cooperate with properly identified university officials, including but not limited to Housing and Residence Life student staff members, when such officials are performing their duties. Failing to present proper credentials to identified university officials upon their request while these persons are in the performance of their duties is prohibited.
3. Refusing entry by a university official into a residence when there is reason to suspect that a violation of the University’s policies or rules has occurred.
4. No student shall disregard the terms of a student conduct sanction by failing to submit a fine, complete work/service hours, or uphold any other requirements or deadlines related to student conduct sanctions. A hold may be placed on a student’s account until the sanctions are completed. Should a student fail to complete sanctions by assigned deadlines, they may be referred for further student conduct action.

False Reporting

Students may not knowingly, frivolously, or maliciously file false reports, including those against employees, visitors to campus, or fellow students as well as those not made against individuals such as reports of fire, explosions, or other emergencies.

Falsification of Records

Each student is expected to complete honestly all documents pertaining to their University records. 

1. No student shall alter, counterfeit, forge or cause to be altered, counterfeited or forged any official record, form, or document.
2. The possession and/or use of an identification that falsely represents the bearer to be 21 or older is prohibited.
3. Identity theft is prohibited.
4. Altering a Coker parking decal in any way is prohibited.

Minimum action items for the possession or use of false identification is $150 fine, parental notification and confiscation of false identification by Campus Safety.

Fire Safety

Coker University takes fire safety seriously and expects students to take personal responsibility for their own fire safety.

1. No student shall set or cause to be set any unauthorized fire in or on university property.  The minimum sanction for intentionally setting a fire will be a $750 fine, restitution for any damages, and suspension from the University.  A student may also be subject to expulsion from campus housing or the University.  In addition, there may be an investigation by local arson officials and if the offense is determined to be in violation of a federal, state or local law, the student could be subject to civil or criminal prosecution.
2. No student shall intentionally cause a false fire alarm. The minimum sanction for intentionally causing a false fire alarm shall be a $500 fine and suspension from the University. In addition, if the offense is determined to be in violation of a federal, state or local law, the student could be subject to civil or criminal prosecution.
3. Students may be held responsible for inadvertently causing a false fire alarm.
4. No student shall tamper with fire safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, hoses, smoke detection systems, sprinkler systems, etc.). A student who tampers in any way with any type of fire safety equipment will be subject to a minimum $200 fine. This includes tampering with or damaging smoke detectors within campus housing or hallways. Should a smoke detector within a housing assignment malfunction, the problem should be immediately reported to Campus Safety at 843-383-8140. No flags or other coverings may be placed under or over electric lights, heat-actuating fire detection devices, smoke detectors, or fire extinguishers in campus housing. Covering or hanging anything on or near sprinkler heads is prohibited. 
5. All persons must vacate campus housing when an alarm sounds. Regular unannounced fire drills are required by state fire regulations and all persons in campus housing must participate in the drills when they occur. When a smoke alarm sounds in an individual room, the resident should notify University Campus Safety immediately (even in the case of false or accidental alarms). Campus Safety will then reset the system and/or arrange for any repairs to be made. Failure to vacate a residence hall room or apartment in the event of a fire alarm or drill will result in a $100 fine. Subsequent offenses will result in a doubling of the previous fine.
6. Students may not block the fire exits of any campus building for any reason.
7. No student shall possess or use fireworks on university property. Fireworks are defined as any substance prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion or detonation.
8. Any alleged violation of University Fire Hazard regulations may also be adjudicated as a violation of the Student Code of Conduct policy on Fire Safety.
9. All on-campus residents should follow established guidelines for Fire Safety as noted in Residence Life policies and procedures.

Gambling

All students are expected to abide by the state gambling and lottery laws as found in the South Carolina Code of Laws as well as any federal laws that may be applicable. Gambling in violation of state or federal law is prohibited, which includes but is not limited to:

• Betting on, wagering on, or selling pools on any athletic event;  
• Possessing on one’s person or premises any card, book, or other device for registering bets;
• Knowingly permitting use of premises, telephone, or other electronic communications devices for illegal gambling;
• Knowingly receiving or delivering a letter, package, or parcel related to illegal gambling; and
• Offering or accepting a bribe to influence the outcome of an athletic event.

Students may participate in “casino nights” or similar events in which individuals play roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, or other card games, dice games, board games, or video games so long as play is for entertainment purposes and no prizes, financial rewards, or incentives are received by players. Casino nights or similar are not allowed on Sundays.

Students may host or participate in raffles on behalf of qualified tax exempt entities so long as any and all proceeds from the raffle are dedicated entirely to charitable purposes, the value of the prize or prize pool does not exceed $950, and consecutive raffles are not operated within seven days of each other. A raffle is considered a game of chance in which a participant is required to pay something of value for a ticket for a chance to win a prize, with the winner to be determined by a random drawing or similar process whereby all entries have an equal chance of winning. Raffles for which a participant is not required to pay something of value for a chance to win a prize (e.g. freely entering one’s name into a contest for the chance to buy discounted tickets to a concert) is not considered gambling.

Pools involving a trial or contest of skill; speed or power of endurance of man or beast; political nomination, appointment, or election; or lot, chance, casualty, unknown, or contingent event are only allowed so long as no money or other consideration is required or provided for participation.

Under no circumstances may “casino nights” or similar, raffles, or pools be used by a student to sale or lease goods, property, or services to others or solicit the sale or lease of the same.

Indecent Exposure

Off-Campus Conduct

Student conduct action may be taken on the basis of any conduct, on or off campus, which would violate the University’s Student Code of Conduct or local, state, federal, or international laws. Alleged violation of any international, federal, state, or local law may also be subject to appropriate criminal or civil action.

Conduct and/or activity by members of the student body living in, or hosting functions at, off-campus locations which have the effect of unreasonably interfering with the rights of others is prohibited. This standard of conduct recognizes and affirms a responsibility to respect the rights of others appropriate to the setting in which one lives. It also recognizes the duty and responsibility of Coker students to control the nature and size of activities carried out in the community consistent with the standards of the University. Additionally, the University reserves the right to establish policies and procedures regarding eligibility to live off campus. Non-compliance with university policies or procedures subjects a student to university student conduct action.

Retaliation

Sexual Misconduct

Solicitation

Theft

1. No student shall take, attempt to take or keep in their possession or place in their room, items of university property, items rented, leased or placed on the campus at the request of the institution or items belonging to students, faculty, staff, guests of the University, student groups or off-campus community members without proper authorization. 
2. No student shall sell anything that is not their own without the permission of the owner. Violation of this regulation will be regarded as prima facie evidence of theft. 
3. Removal of university-owned furniture from common areas or rooms will be considered theft and dealt with as such.

Unauthorized Activities

1. Golfing - golfing shall be prohibited on the campus and within all campus housing.
2. High-risk equipment - the storage and/or use of high-risk recreational equipment, including but not limited to, swimming pools, trampolines and slip and slides is prohibited.

Weapons

Policy Statement

Coker strictly prohibits possessing, using, storing, or manufacturing any weapon or any facsimile of a weapon on University controlled property or in connection with a University affiliated activity. Both concealed and visible weapons are forbidden without regard to the validity of permits.

Weapons will be confiscated upon discovery and appropriate student conduct action will be taken. Violators are subject to expulsion, suspension, or any combination of sanctions as determined through the student conduct process. Violators are also subject to criminal prosecution when violations of this policy also constitute violations of law.

Definition of a Weapon

The term “weapon” means any device, instrument, or substance that is designed to, or reasonably could be expected to, inflict a wound, incapacitate, or cause serious bodily injury or death, including but not limited to, firearms (loaded and unloaded, real, replica and toy); ammunition; electronic control devices (such as tasers and stun guns); devices designed to discharge an object (such as BB guns, air guns, pellet guns, potato guns, bows, and slingshots); explosives; dangerous chemicals (such as mace, tear gas, and oleoresin capsicum); martial arts weapons; bows and arrows; artificial knuckles; nightsticks, blackjacks, dirks, daggers, and swords; and knives, switchblades, and fixed/folding blades longer than three inches. The term “weapon” does not include chemical repellents available over-the-counter for self-defense; razors, fingernail files, and similar instruments used solely for personal hygiene; kitchen knives used solely in preparation of food; or commercially available cleaning solutions used solely for cleaning purposes.

Unauthorized Use of University Documents

1. Lending, selling or otherwise transferring a student identification card, parking decal or any University document is prohibited.
2. The use of a student identification card by anyone other than its original holder is prohibited.
3. No student shall obtain under false pretenses any additional student identification card and/or University document.

Unauthorized Recordings of Classroom Proceedings

Students are not permitted to record classroom lectures or discussions without either the express written approval of the faculty member teaching the course or an accommodation through the Student Accessibility Services (SAS).  Qualified students with disabilities that impact their ability to take or read notes may receive an accommodation through the SAS office that permits them to record lectures for their personal academic use. If the SAS office determines that recording lectures and classroom discussions is an appropriate accommodation for a student, the recording may be used only for personal academic purposes. 

Neither authorized student-initiated recording nor any faculty-initiated recording may be made available to anyone outside of the students enrolled in the class in any fashion, including but not limited to posting online, email, or through other media without the express written consent of the faculty member responsible for the course. Unauthorized dissemination of any recorded classroom proceedings, including but not limited to distribution for compensation, is strictly prohibited. 

Professors or students who believe that a student or classmate is recording classroom proceedings or using recordings made by the professor either without the professor’s consent or in violation of the specified terms of the agreed-upon academic accommodation plan will submit an incident report through the Provost's office for review and final determination of whether to bring student conduct charges.

Unauthorized Entry or Access

1. No student shall make unauthorized entry into any University building, office, room, or other facility.
2. No student shall access any campus building roofs.
3. No student shall make unauthorized use of any university facility or equipment. Upon appropriate notice by university officials, authorization for the use of university facilities or equipment may be withdrawn or otherwise restricted.
4. No student shall enter or attempt to enter any athletic contest, dance, social event or other such public event without the credentials for admission (i.e., ticket, identification card or invitation) or violate the reasonable qualifications for attendance as established by the sponsors.

Alcohol Policy

Philosophical Statement on Alcohol

Coker University’s Vision, Mission, and Values statement guides our pursuit of inspiring purposeful living through transformative experiences that nurture the growth of each individual on an intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical level. The University is committed to providing a campus environment free of the abuse of alcohol and the illegal use of alcohol and drugs. The University affirms the abuse and illegal use of alcohol are at odds with the mission of the institution. As such, the University provides alcohol education programs throughout a student’s matriculation at the university via online resources, workshops, written materials and special programs, events and speakers focused on assisting students in enhancing their personal decision-making skills and assessing their values and actions related to the use of alcohol.

The University recognizes that too many college students, both legally and underage, drink to excess. Such abuse can lead to serious health risks and behavioral problems, i.e. violence, sexual assault, accidents, vandalism, and other dangerous acts. Coker’s alcohol policy, therefore, grows out of the commitment to maintain a campus environment that supports the educational program and promotes the general welfare of the University community. The University affirms the following ideals related to alcohol use:

• The University supports the decision of students not to use alcohol.
• Alcohol education is an important and on-going process provided to students throughout their undergraduate experience.
• Students that drink alcohol and infringe on the rights of others or disrupt the University community will be subject to student conduct action.
• The University upholds and supports all federal and state laws related to the regulation and use of alcohol. Students who violate such laws may be held accountable by local and university authorities.
• The University emphasizes prevention education and low-risk decision-making as cornerstones of the overall educational experience of students at the university. As such, the University provides medical and counseling assistance for individuals who experience alcohol related concerns.
• The University supports behavior and social interactions that are legal, low-risk, healthy and reflective of the University’s values and character.

Alcohol Policy

The purpose of the alcohol policy is to outline Coker’s expectations of responsibility and accountability regarding the use of alcohol. Ultimately, decisions about the use of alcohol are the responsibility of the individual within the constraints of the law and university policy.

• Coker embraces the ideals of a healthy and balanced social environment in which students commit to the institution’s mission, model the institution’s values, and aspire to the institution’s vision.
• The University upholds and supports all federal and state laws in regard to the regulation and use of alcohol.
• The goal of the policy is to encourage students to either abstain from the use of alcohol or to make low-risk choices regarding the use of alcohol.
• The residence halls are unique living units on the campus intended for large groups of students to reside without undue peer pressure related to the use of alcohol. As such, alcohol is not allowed in the following residence halls: Memorial Hall, Belk Hall, RTC Hall.
• In Upperclassmen Residence Halls (Coker Hall, Grannis Hall, JLC Hall, George Hall and Sullivan Hall), living units in which all occupants are 21 years of age or older have the option to drink alcohol in the privacy of the apartments themselves, however alcohol is not allowed outside the apartments (i.e. not allowed on balconies, porches, stairwells, etc.), nor may be provided to anyone under the age of 21.

The regulations and practices governing the use of alcohol on the campus apply to all Coker students as well as their guests and visitors. As with all other student conduct policies, the responsibility for knowing and abiding by the policy rests with the student.

All local, state, and federal laws are in effect and violations may result in student conduct action and/or local law enforcement action.

General Regulations

• Possession and/or consumption of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21.
• Possession and/or consumption of alcohol in the residence halls regardless of age.
• Abusive, excessive and/or harmful consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Public consumption and/or possession of alcohol in common areas of buildings and outdoor venues unless previously approved by the University as a special event.
• Alcohol in academic facilities.
• Public intoxication.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Public display of alcohol and/or alcohol containers carried around campus.
• Empty alcohol containers in the residence halls, including but not limited to, those used for decorative purposes.
• Residents may be responsible for providing the environment for underage consumption/possession of alcohol by others in their assigned housing units whether or not the residents purchased and/or actually provided the alcohol.
• Distribution and/or provision of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. 
• Common containers of alcohol beverages or excessive amounts of alcohol on university-owned property including but not limited to: kegs, pony kegs, party balls, bulk containers or bulk amounts of individual containers or other devices used for drinking games.
• High-risk drinking, drinking games and drinking game paraphernalia (including but not limited to: beer pong tables, funnels, etc.) are strictly forbidden because they encourage the abuse of alcohol. Simulated drinking games (e.g., water pong) are prohibited regardless of whether or not alcohol is present.
• Sponsorship of activities involving the use of alcoholic beverages without prior written approval by the University. Specifically, parties are not allowed in any of the residential buildings or apartments.
• Common characteristics of a party can include, but are not limited to any or all of the following: presence of bulk volumes of alcohol, large volume of people, loud music or noise that disturbs neighbors or otherwise draws attention, and/or other behavior that draws attention to a student apartment/room.

Disciplinary Sanctions

The University will impose conduct sanctions on students who violate the alcohol policy regulations. The following minimum sanctions will apply for violations of the alcohol policy. Repeated violations of the alcohol policy may result in suspension or expulsion. It should be noted that alcohol violations which are also in conjunction with other Student Code of Conduct violations may result in more stringent sanctions.

Classroom Disruption