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Tufts University Code of Conduct--School
of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, and
Graduate school of Arts and Sciences
(Updated November 2011)
We are a
community made up of individuals from every state and
more than one hundred countries. The diverse backgrounds
and experiences that all of us collectively bring to
Tufts guarantee that living and studying in our
community will be seen through a broad variety of
lenses. All of us should cherish the chance to be
exposed to different values and beliefs, even though
balancing them will at times create tension among us.
There is no reason to think that we will always agree
with one another. We would not be an interesting campus
if we all held similar opinions about everything—or if
we were not willing to engage in difficult conversation
with others whose views we find hard to understand. I
urge you to be open to new ideas; to embrace the
unfamiliar. Take advantage of every opportunity to
broaden your understanding of others’ viewpoints, even
if you will never hold those viewpoints yourself, for
they will be part of your world beyond Tufts, and you
will thus be better prepared for that world.
At the same time, meaningful dialogue depends on
respect and civility. Those who engage in expression
without attention to these values can and should
anticipate that their choice of expression will not
promote dialogue—it will instead cause hurt and
divisiveness. Rules and policies cannot protect you from
all that is unpleasant since civility can’t be
required—it can only be encouraged. What all of us can
do is voice our own outrage when others’ behavior is
outrageous. All of us must remain committed to creating
a community that feels welcoming; one that promotes
growth, learning and enjoyment.
Tufts students are expected to be responsible
citizens of the Tufts community and of the larger
communities of which we are all members. Students are
expected to comply with all University policies,
Somerville and Medford city ordinances, and
Massachusetts and federal laws. The policies of the
University are designed to ensure a reasonable
environment in which community members can reasonably
pursue an education and a social life. Tufts’ Code of
Conduct addresses the requirements of ethical behavior
in and out of the classroom. It also addresses community
participation and how our behavior impacts others. Some
of the policies that collectively make up our code of
conduct require:
- Ethical behavior, including academic integrity
and honesty; an understanding and adherence to the
requirements of legitimate academic work and
responsible use of the University’s resources,
including information technology resources;
- Respecting others’ privacy;
- Respecting the safety of community members by
avoiding behavior that harms, endangers, or
intimidates others, including the behavior of
individuals you bring to the campus as guests;
- Avoiding harassing, hazing or bullying behavior,
including that using electronic resources and
including that based on race, gender, religion,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
age, ability, and ethnic or national origin;
- Being absolutely certain that sexual activity is
mutually agreed upon;
- Respecting the property of the University and of
community members, including policies on theft,
vandalism, and graffiti;
- Respecting and abiding by all city and state
ordinances and state and federal laws and
regulations, as well as those that are specific to
the University, including those that pertain to the
possession and use of alcohol and other drugs;
- Cooperating with University officials;
- Respecting and adhering to the requirements and
policies regarding life in the residence halls of
the University; and
- Respecting and adhering to the policies of any
community in which we participate in any
University-related work or recreation, both on and
off the campus.
- Compliance with the ban on the Naked Quad Run
(see below).
Ban on the Naked Quad Run*
In the spring semester of 2011, following a
problem-plagued student Naked Quad Run on the last day
of classes in December 2010, President Lawrence S. Bacow announced a ban on the Run.
In November, 2011 the student/faculty Committee on
Student Life amended the Code of Conduct for students in
the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering
and the Graduate School of Arts & Science, reflecting
the ban on the Run.
Effective immediately, any student who is apprehended
defying the ban on the Naked Quad Run, which will be
constituted by public nudity, public intoxication, or
both, will be subject to disciplinary suspension of one
semester. Any student who is demonstrated to have
attempted to organize an activity in defiance of the
ban, as defined above, or who claims to have run in
defiance of the ban, will also be subject to a one
semester suspension.
University officials will use their judgment to
determine whether an individual’s public semi-nudity
constitutes a violation of the ban.
It should be noted that, at any time of the year, public
nudity is a criminal activity which can lead to the
offender’s arrest in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Public intoxication is a violation of the Schools’ Code
of Conduct and can result in disciplinary action.
*Approved by a 7-0-0 vote of the AS&E Committee on
Student Life on November 8, 2011
Most of the expectations and requirements for
appropriate conduct in the community are intuitive and
are those you would anticipate. However, some of the
policies address issues that you may not usually think
about or include specifics that you will need to know.
For this reason, you are urged to become familiar with
the standards for behavior in the Tufts community. In
addition to the policies discussed in the on line
Student Handbook, you will be held responsible for
adhering to these standards. Some of the policies you
should be familiar with include:
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