Caruso School of Law Standards of Conduct

The following examples of misconduct are not exhaustive but are intended to give students an idea of the types of behaviors that may result in disciplinary action:

1. Violation or attempted violation of published University policies, rules, or regulations. This includes, for example:
   
   • Alcohol and Other Drugs
   • Animals
   • Computer and Network Usage
   • Discrimination and Harassment (for complaints against faculty/staff, see the Caruso School of Law Non-Academic Student Grievance Procedure)
   • Hazing
   • Housing and Residence Life (e.g., Visitation)
   • The Law Student's Relationship to the Profession
   • Personal Electric Transportation
   • Pregnancy (not subject to disciplinary action, but included here for those who may inquire if it is)
   • Reporting Obligations
   • Sexual Misconduct
   • Smoking
   • Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone)
   • Vehicles
2. Violation of Federal, State, or local law on or off campus.
3. Dishonesty in any form, including but not limited to, knowingly furnishing false information, forgery, plagiarism, alteration, or misuse of documents, records, or identification cards.
4. Academic dishonesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty.
5. Manufacture, sale, distribution, promotion, possession or attempt to obtain false identification.
6. Failure to comply with written or verbal directives of University officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so. This includes avoiding or resisting documentation by a University official, including student resident advisors.
7. Failure to possess at all times a valid student identification card and/or failure to surrender ID card to a University official upon request.
8. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other University activities, including its public service functions on- or off-campus, or other authorized non-University activities when the activity occurs on University premises. This includes disruptive behavior that unreasonably interferes with, hinders, obstructs or prevents other students to freely participate in University instruction, programs, or services.
9. Soliciting, advertising, or inviting a reporter to campus without prior approval from the appropriate University office.
10. Actions or communications, whether they are online or in-person, that constitute disrespect, harassment, retaliation, the use or threat of physical violence, intimidation, stalking or hate violence directed toward a member of the Pepperdine faculty, staff, student body, toward a visitor to the campus or toward a member of the community.
11. Any unauthorized use of electronic or other devices to make an audio, video, digital, or still image of any person without his/her prior knowledge, or without his/her effective consent.
12. Activities that may cause damage or constitute a safety or health hazard or interfere with the educational process. Such activities include, but are not limited to, entering or exiting buildings through the windows; throwing, projecting, or dropping items that may cause injury or damage; and pranks that create safety and health hazards for others and/or cause damage to University or personal property.
13. Exhibition, possession, distribution or viewing of material or representations deemed to be obscene or contrary to the moral standards and/or mission of the University, including but not limited to pornography.
14. Lewd behavior, nudity, or indecent exposure of any kind.
15. Gambling is not allowed on campus or at University-sponsored activities.
16. Participation in a student organization that has lost University recognition.
17. Possession and/or use of all types of weapons, including but not limited to, firearms, air and spear guns, knives, martial arts weapons, bows and arrows, swords, paint/pellet guns, toys that replicate or could be mistaken for real guns, explosives of any type, ammunition, and dangerous chemicals. All individuals in possession of self-defense items, including pepper spray, must comply with applicable California State law regarding training and permit to use.
18. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys or entry device to any University premises or unauthorized entry into or use of University premises.
19. Attempted or actual theft of and/or damage to University property, property of a member of the University community, or other personal or public property on or off campus. This regulation covers the unauthorized appropriation or "borrowing" of property for personal use or the possession of stolen property.
20. Vandalism, disrespect, destruction, defacement, or unauthorized decoration (e.g., chalking) of University property.
21. Failure to uphold the University's Code of Ethics when engaging with the business community and other external stakeholders as part of field projects or other engagements that require participation from external organizations and their representatives; including, but not limited to: failure to treat all others with dignity and respect; failure to observe and respect the confidentiality rights of all members of the business community (organizations and individuals); failure to avoid conflicts of interest; demonstrating a lack of professional conduct or maturity; failure to maintain honesty and transparency regarding project scope, expectations, or deliverables; or failure to comply with legal and professional obligations.
22. Misuse of the disciplinary procedures, including but not limited to:

a. Failure to respond to the notification letter(s) or any other correspondences issued by a disciplinary body or University official.

b. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a disciplinary body.

c. Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a disciplinary proceeding.

d. Institution of a disciplinary proceeding knowingly without cause.

e. Attempting to discourage an individual's proper participation in, or use of, the disciplinary system.

f. Attempting to influence the impartiality of a member of a disciplinary body prior to, and/or during the course of, the disciplinary proceeding.

g. Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a disciplinary body prior to, during, and/or after a disciplinary proceeding.

h. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by a disciplinary body.

Last Updated: June 21, 2024

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