Welcome to the JMU Student Accountability Processes and Standards of Conduct Handbook (Student Handbook). The Student Handbook is maintained by the Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices, a department in the Division of Student Affairs. 

Please use the navigation tabs to access the various sections of the Student Handbook.

Student Handbook Updates

Email to Campus Community Sent on August 16, 2024:

The Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (OSARP) has published the 2024-2025 JMU Student Accountability Process and Standards of Conduct Handbook (Handbook). The Handbook is available exclusively at JMU Handbook.  The updates made for the 2024-2025 Handbook include, but are not limited to, the following:

Revisions to the Standards of Conduct & Policies section of the Handbook, including but not limited to, the following:

More significant changes to the following policies: Disruptive Conduct; Camping or Shelter Construction; Hazing; Soliciting, Petitioning, Selling, Surveying, and Publicizing, as seen below:

• Disruptive Conduct
  • This policy applies to students and recognized student organizations, as defined in this Handbook. 
  • No student or student organization shall disrupt or obstruct the normal living and work environments of other members of the university community or the functions or activities of the university (as well as activities conducted on the university's property with its permission). No student or recognized student organization shall cause, incite or participate in any disturbance or behavior that creates an excessive inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm that interrupts an individual, university operations, and/or the community, as determined by a reasonable person standard:  
    1. Includes on-campus, off-campus, and online or virtual environments. 
    2. Examples may include but are not limited to excessive noise (to include the unapproved use of sound amplification equipment); creating an unnecessary burden on university or first responder resources; or impeding a university official, law enforcement officer, or medical expert in the performance of their duties. 
    3. Additional examples include: blocking entrances, corridors or exits; interfering with ongoing educational activities cultural events, or recreational, extracurricular or athletic programs; unauthorized presence in a building after normal closing hours or after notice that the building is being closed; interfering with vehicular or pedestrian traffic; [creating unsanitary conditions;] and interfering with any other effort to protect the health and safety of members of the university community or larger public. 
    4. No student may obstruct, disrupt, or attempt by physical force to cancel or discontinue speech by any speaker, or the observation of speech by any person intending to see or hear a speaker. 
    5. Disruptive conduct does include any restrictions as defined in JMU Policy 1121. 
    6. Disruptive conduct does not include speech or other forms of conduct that are protected under federal and state law or JMU Policy 1121.   

• Camping or Shelter Construction
  • This policy applies to students and recognized student organizations, as defined in this Handbook.
  • Constructing, occupying, or sleeping in tents or camping on university-owned or operated properties is prohibited unless approved in advance by the University. Tents shall include any structure, enclosure, or shelter with or without sidewalls or drops that is constructed of canvas or pliable material supported in any manner except by the contents it protects. Camping shall include: (a) the use of any item to create a shelter; (b) the outdoor use of heating devices, generators, or the use of portable toilets; (c) sleeping outdoors with or without a tent between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
    • Students or recognized student organizations that do not comply with instructions, requirements and/or restrictions given at the time of advanced approval, as listed in JMU Policy 1121, may receive an alleged policy violation of Noncompliance. 

• Hazing
  • This policy applies to students, recognized student organizations, and student groups, as defined in this Handbook.
  • The university prohibits hazing, including recklessly or intentionally endangering the health or safety of a student or students, or inflicting bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or the purpose of initiation, admission into, or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a club, organization, or association, fraternity, sorority, or student body, regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured participates voluntarily in the relevant activity. Students, recognized student organizations, or student groups directing, engaging in, aiding, or participating in, actively or passively, the forcing, compelling, requiring, encouraging, or expecting, whether direct or implied, of individuals to participate in hazing activities shall be considered in violation of this policy.
  • It is impossible to anticipate every situation that could involve hazing. Behavior listed below does not and cannot encompass every circumstance that can be categorized as hazing, but this policy does in some circumstances prohibit activities beyond those outlined by the State Council on Higher Education in Virginia’s model hazing policy. Further, this policy is not intended to prohibit customary athletic events, contests, competitions, or trainings that are sponsored by the University, the organized and supervised practices associated with such events, or activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate curriculum or program as approved by the University.
  • Hazing activities shall include, but not be limited to, forcing, compelling, requiring, encouraging, or expecting, whether direct or implied, any individual to participate in any of the following actions or activities: paddling; kidnapping; all forms of physical activity which are used to harass, punish, or harm an individual; excursions or road trips; confinement; spraying, painting, or pelting with any substance; burying in any substance; nudity with the intent to cause embarrassment; servitude; exposure to uncomfortable elements; verbal abuse; wearing, in public, of apparel which is conspicuous and/or indecent; forcing consumption of alcohol or any other substance, legal or illegal; depriving students of sufficient sleep (six consecutive hours per day is normally considered to be a minimum); burning, branding, or tattooing any part of the body; psychological hazing, defined as conduct, statements, or actions in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a club, organization, association, fraternity, sorority, or student body that are intentional or reckless; extreme, outrageous and intolerable; and that directly cause severe emotional distress of another student regardless of whether the student or students participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.  Examples may include, but not be limited to: misleading prospective members into believing that they will be hurt during induction or initiation; carrying any items (shields, paddles, bricks, hammers, etc.) that serve no constructive purpose or that are designed to punish or embarrass the carrier; blindfolding and parading individuals in public areas, blindfolding and transporting in a motor vehicle, or privately conducting blindfolding activities that serve no constructive purpose; binding or restricting an individual in any way that would prohibit them from moving on their own; and requiring or suggesting that an individual obtain or possess items or complete tasks in an unlawful manner (i.e., for a scavenger hunt). Hazing also includes soliciting, directing, aiding, or otherwise participating actively or passively in the above acts.
  • An individual cannot consent to being hazed; a victim’s voluntary or willful participation in hazing activities will not be considered evidence that a violation of this policy did not occur.
  • Sections 18.2-56 and 23.1-821 of the Code of Virginia:
    • Declares hazing illegal, establishes conditions for civil and criminal liability, and outlines the duties of the university when a student has been found guilty of hazing in civil or criminal court.
    • Requires OSARP, upon receipt of an alleged Hazing policy violation(s) that may have caused bodily injury, to share information regarding the alleged behavior with JMU and/or local law enforcement for the purposes of reporting it to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, who shall take such action as they deem appropriate.
    • Requires JMU to include as part of its policy, code, rules, or set of standards governing hazing a provision for immunity from individual disciplinary action based on hazing or personal consumption of drugs or alcohol where such disclosure is made by a bystander not involved in such acts in conjunction with a good faith report of an act of hazing in advance of or during an incident of hazing that causes injury or is likely to cause injury to a person.

• Soliciting, Petitioning, Selling, Surveying, and Publicizing
  • This policy applies to students and recognized student organizations, as defined in this Handbook.
    1. Sales or solicitation involving food items require additional approval by the Director of the dining services department. Sales or solicitation of merchandise require additional approval by the Director of the university bookstore. 

       • No student or recognized student organization may sell or solicit on university owned or operated property for any purpose whatsoever without first obtaining the sponsorship of a recognized student organization and registering with the Associate Director of organizations. Sales and solicitation may only take place in the areas designated by the Office of Student Life. (For activities in residential buildings, refer to #3)
       • The sponsoring organization must obtain the written approval of the Associate Director of organizations, make all arrangements for space, acknowledge sponsorship in writing and delineate the financial arrangements between the sponsor and the non-university organization or individual.  
    2. All students or recognized student organizations planning to conduct programs on university owned or operated property or off campus requiring a contractual agreement with non-university agencies must obtain the written approval of the Director of Student Life or other pertinent university officials. 

       • For this purpose, a university official includes but is not limited to members of the faculty, administrative staff, classified staff, Office of Residence Life staff (including house managers), Office of Student Life staff, CMSS staff, UREC staff, event/program staff, or other professional or student staff of university departments/offices.  
    3. Soliciting, petitioning, selling, surveying, publicizing and distribution by students, recognized student organizations, non-students and non-university related organizations are prohibited in the residence halls. Programs or demonstrations of approved products and/or topics may be presented in residence halls only under the following conditions:

       • The hall director agrees to sponsor the program, which is then subject to the review and approval by the Director of Residence Life or designee.
       • Presentations by the sponsored persons or company shall be limited to demonstration or display of merchandise and appropriate promotion; it may not include solicitation or orders, signing of contracts, or exchange of money. The demonstration or promotion shall be such that it does not unreasonably disrupt other hall activities.
       • Solicitors may leave calling cards, catalogs or order blanks with students but may not transact business or seek promises for future transactions.
       • A member of the residence hall staff must be present to observe the program.
       • No resident of the hall or member of the hall staff may profit from presentation by virtue of their role in securing sponsorship for the solicitor. Free gifts, commissions or any other forms of remuneration are not allowed.
       • Door prizes, discounts or any other form of free gifts used to promote attendance or to encourage interest must be available to all on an equal basis.
       • No door-to-door solicitation or distribution is permitted.
       • All programs falling under the definition of this policy must be registered in advance with the Director of Residence Life or their designee.  
    4. No student or recognized student organization, or their guest(s), shall engage in behavior prohibited by JMU Policy 3104: Bulletin Board Use & Posting Public Notes.

• Addition of a Prohibited Masking policy:

  • Prohibited Masking
    • This policy applies to students and recognized student organizations, as defined in this Handbook.
    • Consistent with Virginia Code § 18.2-422, it shall be a violation for any person over 16 years of age to, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to persons (i) wearing traditional holiday costumes; (ii) engaged in professions, trades, employment or other activities and wearing protective masks which are deemed necessary for the physical safety of the wearer or other persons; (iii) engaged in any bona fide theatrical production or masquerade ball; or (iv) wearing a mask, hood or other device for bona fide medical reasons upon (a) the advice of a licensed physician or osteopath and carrying on his person an affidavit from the physician or osteopath specifying the medical necessity for wearing the device and the date on which the wearing of the device will no longer be necessary and providing a brief description of the device, or (b) the declaration of a disaster or state of emergency by the Governor of Virginia in response to a public health emergency where the emergency declaration expressly waives this section, defines the mask appropriate for the emergency, and provides for the duration of the waiver.
    • Any individual who is present on University Property or attending a University Event who is wearing a mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, must present an Identification Document when requested by an Authorized University Employee or otherwise establish their identity to the satisfaction of the Authorized University Employee. 

• Updates to policies required for clarity and further alignment with local, state, and federal law.
• Applicability, as appropriate, for recognized student organizations and student groups
• More information can be found at Standards and Policies

Revisions to the General Handbook Information section which include, but are not limited to:

• Adding student expectations regarding reporting to OSARP any arrests for violations of federal, state, local, or international law, excluding minor traffic violations that do not result in injury to others.
• Adding OSARP’s newly formed values which are: Collaboration, Accountability, Restoration, Education, and Support (CARES)
• Updating the Definitions section for relevancy, clarity, and applicability for recognized student organizations
• Updating the makeup and name of the Accountability Control Board, now known as the Student Handbook Review Board
• Updating the Jurisdiction section to include applicability for recognized student organizations
• Updating the Records section to include applicability for recognized student organizations and clarity for individual students
• More information can be found at General Handbook Information

The addition of the Organizational Accountability Process. As of the 2024-2025 academic year, OSARP will coordinate the investigation and accountability processes for recognized student organizations and student groups.

• For the purposes of the Student Handbook and the investigation and/or review of alleged violations of university policy, a “recognized student organization” is a student group that completed the annual or new student organization registration process through the Office of Student Life and received official notice of recognition. Examples of recognized student organizations include but are not limited to sports clubs, sororities and fraternities, clubs and organizations (associated with University Recreation (UREC), Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS), Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL), and Student Leadership and Involvement).

  • For the purposes of the Student Handbook and the investigation and/or review of alleged violations of university Hazing policy, in accordance with Adam’s Law, a “student group” is a group of students that has not received official notice of recognition through the Office of Student Life and JMU is aware of the student group's existence prior to, or after, an alleged hazing incident is reported. Examples of student groups include but are not limited to varsity sports teams, performance groups/ensembles, honor societies, Marching Royal Dukes, Dukettes, unrecognized, formerly recognized, or underground organizations, or secret societies.
  • Therefore, a recognized student organization will be responsible for following all policies found in the Standards of Conduct and Policies section of the Handbook (see Standards and Policies). Student groups will be responsible for following the Hazing policy as defined Standards of Conduct and Policies section of the Handbook.
• More information can be found at Organizational Accountability Process

Revisions made to the current Accountability Process, which include, but are not limited to:

• Renaming to the Individual Accountability Process (IAP)
• Making the Individual Interim Suspension Process (IISP) separate from the IAP
• Clarifying and streamlining the process for Individual Accountability Case Reviews (IACR), formerly Administrative Case Reviews
• Altering the grounds for appeals and the circumstances in which a student can appeal
• Revising the appeals process and the makeup of decision-makers in that process
• More information on the IAP can be found at Individual Accountability Process and more information on the IISP can be found at Individual Interim Suspension Process

Revisions to the Sexual Misconduct Accountability Process (SMAP) and Title IX Sexual Harassment Adjudication Process (TIXSHAP), which include, but are not limited to:

• Includes altering the makeup of decision-makers in first-level case reviews
• Revisions to the appeal process.
• More information on the SMAP can be found at Sexual Misconduct Process
• More information on the TIXSHAP can be found at Title IX Sexual Harassment Adjudication Process

Revisions to the Restorative Practices and Adaptable Resolution processes, which include, but are not limited to:

• Clarification and expansion of information provided for Restorative Practices procedures
• Clarification of procedures in Adaptable Resolution
• More information on the Restorative Practices process can be found at Restorative Practices and more information on the Adaptable Resolution process can be found at Adaptable Resolution

Updates to the Individual & Organizational Case Outcomes section, formerly Sanctioning & Case Outcomes, which include, but are not limited to:

• Removing references to the term “sanctions” and replacing them with the term “outcomes”
• Adding applicability for recognized student organizations and outcomes specific to recognized student organizations
• More information can be found at Individual & Organizational Case Outcomes

The above revisions and other procedural changes incorporated into the Handbook were sent to the Accountability Control Board for feedback and then vetted and approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs, as required by the section in the Handbook titled Changes and Amendments.

It is the responsibility of every student, including recognized student organizations, to know and follow the policies outlined in the JMU Student Handbook along with federal, state, and local laws. The Handbook outlines the Individual Accountability Process, Individual Interim Suspension Process, Organizational Accountability Process, Sexual Misconduct Accountability Process, and Title IX Sexual Harassment Adjudication Process – the processes used to resolve allegations of student misconduct, recognized student organization misconduct, and the rights afforded in the processes.

In addition to knowing and following the policies outlined in the Handbook, students are expected to actively monitor their @dukes.jmu.edu email account. This is JMU’s official means of communication with students as outlined in JMU Policy 1209: Electronic Messaging. As such, OSARP will send notification of alleged policy violation(s) and other important information directly to official JMU email addresses.

To review the Handbook, visit JMU Student Handbook and use the navigation tabs to the left of the page. If you have questions about any of the policies or procedures listed in the Handbook, please contact OSARP at 540-568-6218 or at osarp@jmu.edu.

We hope you have a safe and successful semester!

Sincerely, 

The Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices

If other approved updates occur throughout the academic year, you will be notified of those changes via email.  In order to stay informed, please be on the lookout for any of these updates.