Related University Policies for Students

Dismissal:  When a student has been dismissed for behavioral reasons, upon notification by the Vice President for Student Affairs, the College Registrar will automatically place the notation "dismissed after a finding of responsibility for a Code of Conduct violation" on the academic transcript.  This notation will remain on the academic transcript permanently.

Suspension:  When a student has been suspended for behavioral reasons, upon notification by the Vice President for Student Affairs, the College Registrar will automatically place the notation "suspended after a finding of responsibility for a Code of Conduct violation" on the academic transcript.  For suspensions related to crimes of violence, hazing or other serious violations, the notation will permanently remain on the transcript.  For others, the notation will remain on the academic transcript at least for the period of suspension plus one year.  At that time, the student may petition to have the notation removed.  The Vice President for Student Affairs may have the notation restored if the individual becomes involved in any disciplinary incident on campus or in any criminal action in connection with the College.

Notification:  This information will be communicated to the student at the time of the initial suspension/dismissal notification.

Discipline Action Pending:  For alleged policy violations, the Director of Student Conduct can direct that a Banner Hold be implemented for students who withdraw or leave SUNY Cortland prior to disposition of the alleged violation.  A notation of “withdrew, with conduct charged pending” will appear on the academic transcript.  At the request of the student, arrangements can be made to dispose of the violations during his or her separation.  If not, appropriate action will be taken upon the student’s return to SUNY Cortland.  The notation will remain on the transcript until appropriate disposition of the violation has been made.  
Vacated Decision:  If a finding of responsibility is vacated, for any reason, any such transcript notation shall be removed.

In order to effectively communicate with all members of the College community, the College requires students to register a current local address and local phone number and check their assigned Cortland email on a frequent and consistent basis. This information is required in order for students to complete any registration functions. Any changes in local directory information must be submitted within two weeks. Local directory changes may be submitted directly to the registrar or online through myRedDragon. (ref. College Handbook, 380.09)

SUNY Cortland Student Handbook: Statement of Academic Integrity

SUNY Cortland publishes a Campus Security and Fire Safety Report in compliance with Code 20, United States Code Section 1092 (f) the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Statistics Act and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  The Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online or from Admissions, University Police, Human Resources, and the Vice President for Student Affairs Office 607-753-4721. For information about the Jeanne Clery Act, which mandates the distribution of campus crime information, visit the Clery Center website.  Web information on campus crime statistics and prevention, patrol information, the emergency blue light phone system and the silent witness program is available on the University Police Department webpage.  For student conduct procedures, student behavior expectation, violation definitions, victim’s rights, violator’s rights, hearing procedures, and potential sanctions, refer to other sections of this publication or visit the Student Conduct Office webpage. Campus crime statistics are available at the U.S. Department of Education’s website on Campus Safety and Security. 

Victims of bias crime or bias-related harassment can avail themselves of counseling and support services from SUNY Cortland’s Diversity  Equity and Inclusion Office (Miller 404, 607-753-2263), Counseling Center (Van Hoesen, Room B-44) 607-753-4728, the Multicultural Life and Diversity Office (Corey Union, Room 407-A) 607-753-2336, residence hall staff for students who live on campus, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office (Corey Union, Room 407-A) 607- 753-4721, Student Conduct Office (Corey Union, Room 405) 607-753-4725, University Police (Whitaker Hall, Room 110) 607-753-2111, and the YWCA’s Aid to Victims of Violence (14 Clayton Ave in Cortland) 607- 756-6363.

1)  Bias-Related Crimes

 It is a SUNY Cortland University Police mandate to protect all members of the Cortland community by preventing and prosecuting bias or hate crimes that occur within the campus’ jurisdiction.  Hate crimes (also called bias crimes or bias-related crimes) are criminal activity motivated by the perpetrator’s bias or attitude against an individual victim or group based on perceived or actual personal characteristics such as their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation (ref. New York State Penal Law Article 485.05). 

Penalties for bias-related crimes are very serious and range from fines to imprisonment for lengthy periods depending on the nature of the underlying criminal offense, the use of violence, or previous convictions of the offender.  Perpetrators who are students will also be subject to campus disciplinary procedures where sanctions including dismissal are possible.

If you are a victim of or witness to a hate/bias crime on campus, report it to University Police by calling 911 for an emergency, using a Blue Light telephone, calling 607- 753-2111, or stopping by the University Police Department, Whitaker Hall, Room 110.  University Police will investigate and follow the appropriate adjudication procedures.

 For general information on SUNY Cortland’s security/safety procedures, visit the University Police Department's webpage and its crime statistics page.  A paper copy of the Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available from University Police, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, Admissions, and Human Resources or call University Police at 607-753-2112.  Information about bias-related and bias crimes, including up-to-date statistics on these crimes is also available from University Police.

2)  Bias-Related Harassment

Harassment is considered bias related if the oral, written, graphic or physical conduct is based on race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected characteristics and is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to interfere or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the educational institution’s programs or activities. Such bias-related acts may subject the offender(s) to more serious levels of sanctioning.

3) Reporting Bias-Related Incidents

 If you have been a victim of a bias-related incident, you can report the information using the online Bias Related Incident Reporting Form. Perpetrators of biased-related incidents may face student conduct or human resource action. The faculty or staff person who receives this report will offer support, assistance, and guidance to the victim and will assure that proper campus authorities are notified. A list of campus resources is included at the end of the form.

SUNY Cortland Handbook: Sexual Harassment Response and Prevention

The definition of sexual harassment provided by the U.S. Department of Education is available on the Title IX Website (See section 860.05)

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.  It states:

 “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R., Part 106).

Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence. Sexual discrimination, harassment, assault, misconduct or violence can take many forms, including any sexual contact that lacks mutual consent, or domestic or dating violence. Sexual harassment may take the form of stalking or the distribution, the display or discussing of any written, graphic, visual or auditory material that is sexual in nature and has the purpose or effect of threatening, intimidation or interfering with a person or person’s ability to study or work. Title IX protects students, employees, applicants for admission and employment, and other persons from all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression or not conforming to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity. All students (as well as other persons) at SUNY Cortland are protected by Title IX – regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, part- or full-time status, disability, race, or national origin – in all aspects of SUNY Cortland's educational programs and activities.

While it is often associated with athletics programs, the Title IX law is much broader and applies to all programs at SUNY Cortland.  Oversight of campus-wide compliance with Title IX is the primary responsibility of the SUNY Cortland Title IX Office.  Individuals who experience sexual violence including sexual assault or rape, domestic or dating violence, stalking, or sexual harassment, have several reporting options, and the campus is committed to providing resources and referrals to helpful services. Contact information follows:

Title IX Office

Maggie Wetter, Title IX Coordinator

Maggie.wetter@cortland.edu

Miller Building, Room 309

PO Box 2000

Cortland, NY  13045

607-753-2263 

For additional Title IX information, see Section 495.03 of the online College Handbook or go to the Title IX webpage.  The Title IX website contains information on the following:

SUNY System Policies on Sexual Violence Prevention and Response, linked from the SUNY Cortland Title IX website, provide more information on the following:

• Definition of Affirmative Consent
• Policy for Alcohol Drug Amnesty in Sexual Violence
• Campus Climate Assessment Policy
• Students’ Bill of Rights
• Sexual Violence Response Policy
• Options for Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Violence
• Student Onboarding and Ongoing Education Guide

SUNY Cortland Student Handbook: General Philosophy Regarding Alcohol Use

It is a violation of College policy for students to affiliate with organizations that have been permanently banned by the College.  The definition of affiliation includes joining, rushing, pledging, or being involved in any activity that would normally be associated with being a member of an organization.  Residing in facilities which are owned or controlled by these organizations is also considered affiliation. (Approved by the College Council, May 3, 2000). Fraternal organizations are one type of organization to which this policy applies.  At this point in time the College has two banned fraternities: Beta Phi Epsilon (Beta) and Delta Kappa Beta (Kappa).

Fraternity and sorority colonies/chapters of a national or local organization will be held responsible for positive contributions to the primary educational mission of the College and, therefore, are under an obligation to encourage the most complete personal development of their members, intellectually and socially.

Effective May 1, 1988, only nationally affiliated sororities/fraternities may colonize at State University of New York College at Cortland.  Recognition information, procedures and guidance can be obtained through the Campus Activities & Corey Union Office.  The vice president for student affairs reserves the right to revoke University recognition if the fraternity or sorority fails to comply with any of the recognition guidelines. (Approved by the College Council May 14, 1988)

No non-transfer student shall rush for a Greek social organization until that student has earned at least 12 credit hours at Cortland and earned a grade point average of 2.0 or better with this verification to occur by Student Affairs after Greek organizations have submitted lists of proposed members to the Campus Activities and Corey Union office.  Any Greek organization failing to comply with the above stipulation shall be suspended for a minimum of one year, and any Greek organization failing to submit full required information on this matter shall also be suspended for one year. (Approved by College Council, May 1991).  These statements also apply to cultural and service Greek organizations.  The Campus Activities and Corey Union Office does honor higher organizational GPA requirements.

Transfer students who wish to join recognized Greek organizations during their first semester here are required to have a minimum of 24 post high school credit hours and have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 for those credit hours.  Verification of this information is required.  Students must provide the Campus Activities and Corey Union Office with a copy of all post-high school transcripts received.  While unofficial versions of these transcripts are acceptable, all must contain the following information:  student’s name, college/university name, total number of course credits earned and cumulative GPA.  Verification must take place prior to the student beginning the new member/pledging process.  The Campus Activities and Corey Union Office will maintain records of this process.

1) General Philosophy Regarding Hazing 

The College believes that the participation in any organization includes acting responsibly toward members and future members of that organization. Responsible behaviors are those that show respect for the dignity and self‑esteem of all persons. Practices that are physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually damaging to others are not acceptable and will not be tolerated

2) Student Organizations and Teams

Organizations covered under the New York State Law on hazing, State University of New York Policies and SUNY College at Cortland Policies include any intercollegiate athletic team, club sport team, fraternity, sorority, association, order, society, club, or service, social or similar group whose members are primarily students at the State University of New York College at Cortland.

3) Definition of Hazing

Hazing means any intentional, knowing or reckless act occurring on‑campus or off‑campus, by one person acting alone or with others, directed against a member of the College community that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that person. Hazing is related specifically to pledging, being initiated into, developing an affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization or team whose members are or include students at the State University of New York College at Cortland. Hazing can occur regardless of the person's willingness to participate. Please also refer to the definition of Hazing found in the SUNY Cortland Student Code of Conduct.

The term "hazing" includes but is not limited to:

a) Any type of physical contact or brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body or similar activity.

b) Any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small place, calisthenics or other activities that subject the student to unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

c) Any activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug or other substance which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or which adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

d) Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation (such as verbal harassment), or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered with SUNY Cortland, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or SUNY Cortland rather than submit to acts described within this hazing section.

e) Any activity that induces, causes or requires the student to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the penal code and/or the Student Code of Conduct.

4) Offenses

A person commits an offense if the person:

a) engages in hazing;

b) Solicits, encourages, directs, aids or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing;

c) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permits hazing to occur.

SUNY Cortland Handbook: State University Board of Trustees - Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order

SUNY Cortland Handbook: Complaint Procedure for the Review of Allegations of Unlawful Discrimination

Technology use policies can be found by logging in to myRedDragon,
click on the “Tech Help” tab, then “Policies” located in the Information Resources channel.

SUNY Cortland Email Policy