Disciplinary Regulations

To promote a safe, vibrant, and high quality academic and residential environment for all community members, Yale Summer Session students are expected to conduct themselves maturely and responsibly, with integrity.

Responsible for the fair, consistent, and uniform enforcement of the Yale Summer Session and, where appropriate, other relevant University regulations on student conduct, the Yale Summer Session Executive Committee (Summer Executive Committee) reviews situations where a student's conduct may fail to meet Yale Summer Session's expectations.

The Summer Executive Committee receives reports of alleged infractions of the regulations and has jurisdiction over the offenses below by students enrolled in Yale Summer Session courses in person, online, or abroad. The Committee's jurisdiction also includes other conduct on the part of Yale Summer Session students that may, in the Committee's judgment, warrant disciplinary action because it may imperil the integrity and values of the academic or residential community or the safety of its members. In most cases, the Committee focuses on matters concerning (a) academic integrity and (b) conduct of students living in the Yale Summer Session Summer Colleges or occurring on campus or on a Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, but its jurisdiction is broader, as above and as consistent with the Yale Summer Session Student Handbook and the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations.

After its review of a matter, the Summer Executive Committee may assign penalties as provided for in these regulations, though in some cases authority is delegated to other officials, such as the Head of Summer Colleges, the University Librarian, the directors of Yale's computing resources and computer facilities, and the Executive Director of Yale Dining, who may summarily impose certain penalties for violations of residential, library, computing resource and computer facility, and dining services regulations. The Summer Executive Committee may, and often does, refer allegations against current Yale College students to the Yale College Executive Committee in lieu of its own review. Violations of sexual misconduct policies are addressed by the University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct. Further, Yale Summer Session students must recognize that Yale exists within a larger community that has its own laws and standards of behavior and that membership in Yale Summer Session confers no exemption from those laws and standards. Students, whether on campus or off campus, are under the jurisdiction of the city, state, and national governments.

For situations not explicitly covered in the Yale Summer Session regulations, Yale Summer Session and the Summer Executive Committee will turn to the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations as a guide.

Table of Contents

Offenses
Procedures
     Report of Possible Offenses
     Membership
     Review of Reports
     Confidentiality
Penalties
Amendments

Offenses

Below is a non-exhaustive list of the offenses that are subject to disciplinary action, as elaborated in the Yale Summer Session Student Handbook and, as relevant, the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations.

A. Violations of Academic Integrity

Cheating on examinations; plagiarism; unauthorized sharing of materials, answers, or sources; improper acknowledgment of sources in essays or other assignments or assessments; use of a single essay in more than one course, except in academically appropriate circumstances and with prior explicit permission of the instructors; other means by which a student may create, submit, or take credit for work that is not the student's own; or not following examination or assignment procedures, or other means by which a student may compromise the integrity of examinations or assignments; see here.

B. Falsification of Documents

Forging, altering, misrepresenting, or otherwise falsifying any transcript, academic record, identification card, or other document or communication.

C. Acts of Violence or Physical Force

Physical restriction, assault, or any other act of violence or use of physical force against any member of the community, or any act that threatens the use of violence or physical force. The implied or express consent of the person against whom such violence or force is used will not be considered a defense.

D. Sexual Misconduct and Harassment

Any sexual activity for which positive, unambiguous, and voluntary consent has not been given in advance; any sexual activity with someone who is incapable of giving valid consent because, for example, they are sleeping or otherwise incapacitated due to alcohol or drugs; or any act of sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, or stalking. Sexual misconduct includes non-physical actions, such as digital media stalking, cyberbullying, and non-consensual recording of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment consists of non-consensual sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. For a fuller description of sexual misconduct, sexual consent, and sexual harassment, see the Sexual Misconduct Response and Prevention website here. Sexual misconduct violations shall be addressed by the University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct and governed by its procedures.

E. Harassment, Intimidation, or Coercion

Acts of harassment, intimidation, or coercion, including discriminatory harassment on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or national or ethnic origin; see here.

F. Interference with University Functions

Participation in any effort to prevent or disrupt a class or other University function, to seize or occupy any University building or part thereof, or to violate the right of an audience to listen at a University function; see here for more information on free expression.

G. Riots

Participation in or attendance at riots or mass disturbances on the city streets or on any area of the campus.

H. Defiance of Authority

Defiance or belligerence toward or lying to a Yale Summer Session or other University official, including, but not limited to, faculty members, administrators, and police officers, who, in their professional capacity, asks for information or identification or issues an order. Students are expected to carry University identification cards at all times and must identify themselves to Yale Summer Session or other University officials upon request. It is understood that such officials will identify themselves before making such a request.

I. Misconduct During a Formal Conduct Process or Hearing

Deliberate and knowing misrepresentation, lying, defiance, or belligerence during a formal conduct process or hearing conducted by Yale Summer Session or other University authorities.

J. Misrepresentation

Knowingly and deliberately supplying false information to a faculty member or Yale Summer Session or University official to gain an accommodation, privilege, or other benefit. This includes, but is not limited to, knowingly and deliberately supplying false information in an application for financial aid or assistance from or processed by Yale Summer Session or the University.

K. Offenses Concerning Weapons and Explosives

Possession or use of explosives, incendiary materials, or weapons by any Yale Summer Session student, which is absolutely prohibited on campus, in areas surrounding the campus, or in off-campus housing. Weapons include, but are not limited to, guns, firearms, shotguns, rifles, air rifles, paintball and pellet guns, BB guns, tasers, and knives.

L. Offenses Concerning Alcohol

Unlawful possession, use, purchase, or distribution of alcohol on University property or as part of any University activity, or violation of the Yale Summer Session policies on alcohol; see here. Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the Yale Summer Session Summer Colleges are strictly prohibited; this regulation applies to all students, even those of legal drinking age in the State of Connecticut. Because the Yale Summer Session policies on alcohol are more stringent than during the academic year, especially for minors living in the Summer Colleges, students are advised to review them carefully here.

M. Offenses Concerning Drugs

Unlawful possession, use, purchase, or distribution of illicit drugs or controlled substances, including stimulants, depressants, narcotics, or hallucinogenic drugs; or misuse of prescription drugs, including sharing, procuring, buying, or using in a manner different from the prescribed use or by someone other than the person for whom they were prescribed.

N. Theft and Willful Property Damage

Obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over the property of others; or destruction of or damage to the property of others.

O. Trespassing

Presence in University buildings, in steam tunnels, or on University property at times or places when or where such presence is prohibited, as, for example, when a building, facility, or room is locked and permission to enter has not been given.

P. Offenses Compromising Campus Fire Safety

Deliberate and unnecessary activation of fire alarms; tampering with fire alarms or smoke detectors; deliberate and unnecessary discharge of fire extinguishers; deliberate or reckless starting of unauthorized fires; or other conduct creating a risk to persons or property from fire or smoke; see here.

Q. Offenses Compromising Campus Security

Improper use of, tampering with, or vandalism of security systems or devices; unauthorized possession or duplication of University identification or proximity cards or keys; unauthorized propping open of, or tampering with, doors or gates; or actions in disregard of security postings; see here.

R. Unauthorized Use of Services or Facilities

Unauthorized, unlawful, or fraudulent use of services or facilities; see here.

S. Library Offenses

Unauthorized removal, stashing or sequestering, defacing, mutilating, or theft of library materials, or willful and repeated failure to respond to recall notices; see here.

T. Offenses Compromising Course Materials

Recording lectures or class sessions without the express permission of the instructor; sharing course materials, including, but not limited to, notes, transcriptions, and outlines of class lectures, online or in any other public forum without the express permission of the instructor; or distributing any course materials for commercial purposes or personal gain; see here for the University Recording Policy.

U. Hazing

Any action that violates Connecticut's laws on hazing, see CT General Statute, Section 53-23a, as well as additional violations in these regulations; see here. In addition to Connecticut law, Yale College and Yale Summer Session define hazing as including initiation or affiliation activities that intentionally or recklessly endanger physical or mental health; that intimidate, denigrate, or humiliate persons pledging or seeking membership, or seeking to retain membership, in a registered or unregistered student organization or on an athletic team; or that intimidate, denigrate, or humiliate third parties who are witness to or subject to such activities. Blindfolding or physically restraining another individual, with or without that person's consent, falls within this definition of hazing. Hazing is an offense whether it occurs on or off campus. The Yale Summer Session Executive Committee and the Yale College Executive Committee will not consider the implied or express consent of the person being hazed as a defense; nor will it consider the use of alcohol or drugs as a mitigating factor. To the contrary, in the context of hazing, the use of alcohol or drugs by any participants may be considered an express attempt to impair judgment, likely contributing to reckless behavior.

V. Curfew Violations

Violations of the curfew policies for Yale Summer Session students who are under the age of 18 and living in the Summer Colleges; see here.

Procedures

Below are the procedures of the Yale Summer Session Executive Committee.

Reports of Possible Offenses

Matters to be brought before the Summer Executive Committee should be addressed to the Dean of International and Summer Programs for Yale College as Chair of the Committee; contact here. The report must be made in writing and should detail the conduct in question and provide all available and relevant evidence.

A member of the Yale Summer Session faculty finding evidence of academic dishonesty on an assignment, examination, or other assessment in a Yale Summer Session course should bring the matter to the Chair. The faculty member must provide the Chair with a written statement explaining, in detail, the reason for concern about the integrity of the assignment, examination, or other assessment. The faculty member will also be expected to provide copies of the student work that allegedly violates the regulations, copies of the relevant examination or assignment prompt, and any apparent source materials or other relevant evidence. The Chair will keep the faculty member apprised of major developments in the case and may ask the faculty member to respond to student statements or other issues that may arise. If a student becomes aware of an instance of possible academic dishonesty, they should report the matter to the instructor.

For non-academic offenses, any member of the faculty, the Office of International and Summer Programs for Yale College, including the Residential Directors of the Yale Summer Session Summer Colleges, or the University administration or staff may bring an alleged infraction to the attention of the Chair. If a student would like to raise a concern, they should report it to the Director of Yale Summer Session; contact here.

Membership

In general, the Summer Executive Committee consists of three members: the Dean of International and Summer Programs chairs the Committee, and the Director of Academic Affairs and the Head of Summer Colleges for Yale Summer Session serve as members. In certain cases involving Yale Summer Session courses online or abroad, the Chair may, at times, ask either the Director of Online Education and Information Systems for Yale Summer Session or the Director of Yale Study Abroad to join the Committee as a non-voting member for a specific matter. Yale Summer Session reserves the right to substitute other members of the Office of International and Summer Programs or the Yale College Dean’s Office where there may be a conflict of interest, as defined in the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations, or when needed to ensure the timely review of a matter.

Review of Reports

On initial review, the Summer Executive Committee may, and often does, refer allegations against current Yale College students to the Yale College Executive Committee in lieu of its own review. Reports that appear to involve sexual misconduct shall be referred to the Secretary of the University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct, and reports that should have been directed to an administrative official, such as infractions of housing, library, or dining services regulations, shall be referred to the proper authority. Other reports for which sufficient information is available and which, if substantiated, would constitute a violation of Yale Summer Session's regulations will move forward to a review by the Summer Executive Committee.

To initiate that process, the Chair of the Committee will notify the student concerned, in writing, that the Committee is formally reviewing an allegation against them and shall specify the alleged infraction. The notification shall include a copy of the report that provides the basis for the allegation of misconduct. The Chair will invite the student to respond in writing to the allegation. This statement is optional but, when submitted, allows the student to provide their perspective on events and any broader context or other information that will help the Committee to better understand the situation. The student must respond to the allegation of misconduct in writing within three business days of receiving the notification from the Chair. The written response should be a statement of reasonable length, which comments on the facts of the allegations of misconduct, the student's involvement in it, and any other matters that the student deems relevant. The statement should be submitted to the Chair. If a student does not submit a statement by the deadline specified by the Chair, they will be considered to have declined the opportunity.

In instances where there are no factual disputes, the Committee may resolve the matter solely on the basis of the initial report and the student's response. In many cases, however, the Committee will meet with the student before a decision is made in the matter. Such meetings may be scheduled in person or via a web video conference. Beforehand, the Chair will provide the student with copies of any additional materials, beyond the initial report and the student's response, that the Committee may consider. The purpose of the meeting between the student and the Committee is to vent fully all sides of the issue or issues raised in the report. During the meeting, the student may make a statement of reasonable length and may be asked to respond to questions from Committee members. The student may also choose to remain silent. The Committee is not to draw a negative inference from the student’s silence, but the student should understand that by doing so they forfeit an opportunity to present orally their side of the matter. In the rare case that a student fails to attend their scheduled meeting with the Committee, the Committee may move forward to decide the matter.

Students are expected to tell the truth in all their dealings with the Committee. The members of the Committee will give such credence and weight to the student’s statements as they believe appropriate. Every student is on notice that lying to the Committee may be taken into account in fixing the penalty and could serve as the basis for an additional violation.

Parents or guardians may not attend or participate in student meetings with the Committee, but may be notified by Yale Summer Session in accordance with its Parental Notification Policy. When a report involves alleged offenses against persons and/or property, the student may elect an attorney as an adviser. The legal adviser may counsel the student but may not participate directly in the meeting. On all occasions when a student has requested the presence of an attorney in their meeting with the Committee, the Chair will, as a matter of course, request the presence of the University General Counsel or a representative of that office.

After the Committee concludes its review and determines whether the student is responsible and, if so, what penalties shall be imposed, the Chair will notify the student and the reporting person, and the alleged victim of any crime of violence, if appropriate, in writing of its decision, typically within three business days. The Chair may disclose to other universities and schools information concerning disciplinary action taken against a student for conduct that posed a significant risk to the safety or well-being of that student, other students, or the University community.

Decisions of the Summer Executive Committee are final and take immediate effect. Decisions may be reopened by the Committee only when substantial new evidence that may exonerate the student becomes available. The Committee's disposition of a matter does not constitute the equivalent of action or redress at law.

Confidentiality

The Summer Executive Committee and all who are involved in a matter before it are expected to maintain the confidentiality of its proceedings and any information or documentation circulated in regard to those proceedings. All documents and other materials prepared by, prepared for, or received from the Committee in connection with the Committee's review process must be held in strict confidence. Students may not disclose such documents or materials to anyone other than to family members and attorneys. Students must inform these recipients that such materials and documents are strictly confidential and may not be further disclosed. The Committee may consult and share records with Yale personnel on a need-to-know basis.

Penalties

The penalties below are among those that may be imposed by the Yale Summer Session Executive Committee, which may also require students to complete relevant training and education programs.

1. Reprimand is a serious warning but a matter of internal record only.

2. Restriction limits or denies a student's use of certain University facilities or the right to participate in certain activities or exercise certain privileges.

3. Probation is a formal indication that the student is in official jeopardy. The commission of a serious offense while on probation will normally result in expulsion.

4. Rustication results in a student's separation from University residence and meal privileges and from all extracurricular events in University residential buildings; see here.

5. Expulsion results in a student's permanent separation from Yale Summer Session. A student expelled from Yale Summer Session does not receive grades or credit for their courses, and there is no refund of tuition, room and board, or other fees. If they are living in the Yale Summer Session Summer Colleges, the student must vacate their housing and return their keys to the Yale Housing Office within the time period specified by the Committee, typically no more than 24 hours from the decision. A student who is expelled from Yale Summer Session may not return to Yale Summer Session in the future. Expulsion shall be recorded on the transcript.

6. Fines may be imposed as appropriate, in addition to requiring payment for costs resulting from or associated with the offenses.

In addition to the imposition of the penalties above, Yale Summer Session, Yale College, or the University may refer students for prosecution.

Amendments

Yale Summer Session, Yale College, and the University reserve the right to amend or supplement these regulations at any time upon such notice to students as they deem appropriate.