THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND CODE OF CONDUCT
IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE
JUDICIAL PLEDGE
As a Mary Baldwin College student I will respect myself and my community by upholding the
Judicial Board Code of Conduct through my words, deeds, and actions.
CONTRACTUAL STATEMENT
All students who enroll at Mary Baldwin College agree to abide by the rules, regulations, and
standards enforced and published by the college. Failure to abide by the Judicial Board Code of
Conduct can result in the termination of one’s academic career at Mary Baldwin College.
It is the responsibility of the Judicial Board to interpret and enforce the judicial code established
by the student body and administration.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Mary Baldwin College is a community of scholars dedicated to respect and compassion for all of its residents as expressed in our Pledge of Inclusive Community. Students at Mary Baldwin College agree to comply with the Judicial Board Code of Conduct, in the intention in which it is written and in following the rules. The college prides itself on the principles of academic integrity, self-respect, and individual responsibility.
Students who enroll at the college assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with these principles and are responsible for their guests at all times. Misconduct will be handled by the Judicial Board and the administration of the college at the Chairwoman’s discretion.
The following are the expectations of students at Mary Baldwin College. Students will:
Use appropriate language and behavior at all times.
Verbal, non-verbal, or written abuse directed at, or toward, another person, including the use of foul language is not acceptable in our community. Intimidation, and harassment are not tolerated and can include attacking verbally or in a written form a community member’s religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, gender, social class, disability, or national origin.
Follow federal and state laws.
All Mary Baldwin College students and visitors are expected to follow federal and state laws. Underage drinking and the purchase or serving of alcohol to those under 21 is against the law. Possession and/or use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated. Weapons, even decorative ones, with a blade exceeding three inches are not allowed in the Mary Baldwin College Community. Any item deemed to be a threat by the Judicial Board Chairwoman is also in violation of this code.
Respect the physical space of others.
Any form of physical or verbal assault is considered a violation of this code.
Take care of your own property as well as that of the college and its residents.
There should be no destruction and/or vandalizing of any property indoors or outside. This includes, but is not limited to, any type of carving or permanent writing on doors, walls, or other college property.
Comply with decisions made by faculty, staff, administration, or student leaders when they are acting in their leadership roles.
Complete disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Honor Council or Judicial Board or Administration. Return messages and keep appointments as requested involving Code of Conduct issues.
Act in an appropriate manner when participating in educational and social activities.
Students are reminded that they represent Mary Baldwin College in how they speak, dress, and act. Students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner in the Staunton community and when visiting other colleges. Mary Baldwin students are expected to comply with the regulations applying to social activities, personnel, and property when visiting other colleges and universities.
SOCIAL REGULATIONS
I. VISITATION
Students must meet guests at the door, properly sign all guests in and out, and are responsible for guest’s behavior at all times.
A. SAFETY
Propping doors or copying of assigned keys jeopardizes the safety of all residents and is not allowed.
Roommates, and other residents of the living quarters, should be made aware of any guests staying in the residence. Always follow the proper sign in and out of visitors; guidelines are located in section G.
All Mary Baldwin College students are responsible for her guest’s actions at all times.
It is a violation of privacy and safety to enter any room without being invited or authorized by the resident(s) living there unless that room is the subject of an authorized search.
B. LENGTH OF STAY
All non-residential guests — men and women — may stay no longer than 72 hours or three consecutive nights. When the visitation period has elapsed, the guest may not resume overnight visitation any sooner than 72 hours (or three nights) from the time of their departure.
Overnight visitation Sunday through Thursday is defined as staying any time between midnight through 10:00 am
Overnight visitation Friday through Saturday is defined as staying any time between 2:00 am through 10:00 am
C. RESIDENCE HALL MALE/FEMALE VISITATION HOURS
Visitation is a privilege under the discretion of the Judicial Board mandated by behavior, GPA, and class status.
1. Main Community Lounges
a. Spencer and Woodson first floor main lounges have the following hours for visitation:
Sunday–Thursday 10am–midnight
Friday–Saturday 10am–2am
b. All other residence hall lounges have visitation during the same hours as those of the floor or residence hall.
2. Other Residence Hall Locations
a. Spencer and Woodson regular visitation hours are as follows:
Monday–Thursday 5–11:30pm
Friday 1pm– 1:45am
Saturday 10am–1:45am
Sunday 10am–11:30pm
b. Hilltop has no weekday visitation and unrestricted weekend visitation.
c. All other non-freshman residence halls are allowed visitation for 72 hours or three consecutive nights.
d. Spencer and Woodson weekend visitation is indicated in item D below.
e. Upper-class students living in Spencer and Woodson must follow regular visitation hours and have unrestricted weekend visitation.
3. Family must follow regular visitation hours. All family visitors must leave when regular visitation hours end. This includes weekend visitation in first-year residence halls and must be signed in and out properly at all times. Any changes in this code must be approved by the Judicial Board Chairwoman and the appropriate Resident Assistant.
D. WEEKEND REQUESTS
Spencer and Woodson will select their visitation weekends through a hall vote mediated by the Resident Assistants. If two-thirds of the hall requests a particular weekend, the Resident Assistant will inform the hall’s Judicial Board Representative by noon on the Wednesday before the selected weekend.
E. EXAMINATION PERIOD
All visitation will end at midnight on the Friday before exams and will resume at 5:00 pm on the last day of the exam period. Quiet hours start at 8pm on the Friday before exams.
F. FRESHMEN HALLS: GUEST VISITATION
Spencer and Woodson will have one selected weekend per month for visitation and regular weekday hours during the fall semester. Visitation will be determined by the following scale for spring semester based on the hall’s average GPA:
0.0–2.0 At the discretion of the Judicial Board
2.0–2.5 Two weekends per month
2.5–2.7 Three weekends per month
2.7–4.0 Unrestricted weekends
Freshmen must follow visitation hours assigned to their respective halls regardless of their location on campus. No “hall hopping” allowed.
G. SIGN IN PROCEDURES FOR MALE/NON-RESIDENTIAL FEMALE GUESTS
1. Each residence hall, floor, apartment, or house has a sign in book for guests. If an individual, male or female, does not attend Mary Baldwin College and is visiting, he or she is a guest and needs to be signed in. Each male or female guest must be signed in according to the information required on the guest sign-in sheet. All sign-in sheets require the following information:
a. Student’s name and room number
b. Student’s ID #
c. Guest’s full legal name
d. Guest’s address (if a Mary Baldwin student’s guest is from another residential college, university, or military base the full name of that residential college, university, or military base should be entered as the guest’s address)
e. Time-in and time-out that the guest entered and left the hall, floor, apartment, or house
2. Each student is allowed no more than three guests at one time. Additional visitation, such as family members, must be approved by the Judicial Board Chairwoman.
3. Each visitor to a residence hall must be signed in and out and escorted at all times by a Mary Baldwin student while on campus.
4. Any student who is aware of an unescorted visitor has the responsibility to inform the appropriate Resident Assistant immediately. If the problem persists or the Resident Assistant is unsuccessful, security should be contacted (dial 0).
5. Students and guests must abide by college regulations and state laws.
6. All guests, including relatives, must leave campus by the closing hour stipulated for that residence hall.
H. PROCEDURES AND REASONS FOR LOSS OF VISITATION AS A COMMUNITY
1. All visitation is a privilege and its continuation in a residence hall will be subject to the discretion of the Judicial Board. Removal of visitation privileges will be considered after serious community violations of policies. These can include, but are not limited to, failure to sign in and out guests properly, failure to escort guests, disruptive behavior of residence and guests, propping doors open, length of stay violations.
2. A hall will never lose visitation for the actions of an individual but rather for a pattern of offenses.
3. A community will lose visitation only after at least one written or verbal warning from the hall judicial representative or the chairwoman.
4. When a community loses visitation, the community will be informed by the Judicial Board Representative at a mandatory hall meeting
5. Restoring visitation is at the discretion of the Judicial Board Chairwoman.
II. ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY
A. USE OF ALCOHOL
Mary Baldwin students and their guests are expected to comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding the possession and consumption of alcohol. A summary of those laws are listed below as a reminder to students.
Mary Baldwin College in no way condones the breaking of laws relating to alcohol but is concerned about helping students achieve a realistic understanding of the consequences of the use of alcohol for themselves and for those around them. The goals of this policy are 1) to help students make informed, responsible decisions about the use of alcohol, 2) to define the misuse or abuse of alcohol for the community and an individual, and 3) to ensure assistance to those experiencing problems.
1. Commonwealth of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Laws
a. No person under the age of 21 years may purchase alcoholic beverages or possess any
alcoholic beverage.
b. It is illegal to purchase alcoholic beverages for anyone under 21 years of age.
c. No drinking an open container of alcohol in public.
d. No possession, use, sale or manufacture of false identification cards.
e. No driving with open containers of alcohol in the vehicle.
2. Mary Baldwin College Standard for the Use of Alcohol on Campus
Any use of alcohol that is coupled with behaviors that interfere with the learning process, living conditions, or social life of other students is considered a violation of community standards and will be reviewed by the Judicial Board. Such behaviors might include, but are not limited to, the following:
excessive noise
parties in public areas
vandalism, unregulated, or disruptive behavior of guests
activities whose primary focus is alcohol (e.g., “beer pong”)
endangering self or others
In addition, students who show a pattern of alcohol use that results in personal injuries, excessive class absences, or multiple appearances before the Judicial Board will also be under review of the Judicial Board.
3. Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages on Campus
a. Alcoholic beverages may be served at social gatherings on campus with the permission of the Student Life Office. College IDs and one other form of identification are required for proof of age. An individual must be 21 years of age to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages at any function.
b. When students of legal age serve alcohol, they should follow the following rules for responsible consumption:
• Provide non-alcoholic beverages as well.
• Serve food.
• Do not serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons.
• Take car keys away from guests who drink and who do not have a designated
driver.
c. Consuming alcoholic beverages in public places such as resident hallways, elevators and stairwells, lounges and campus grounds is not permitted.
d. Keg parties and any paraphernalia that aids in the rapid consumption of alcohol (e.g., “beer bongs”) are not permitted.
B. Use of Illegal Drugs
The Law and General College Policy
Federal, state, and local laws and the policy of Mary Baldwin College prohibit the following with regard to illicit drugs:
Use
Possession
Sharing
Offering for sale
Manufacture
Drug paraphernalia (bongs, bowls, clips, etc.)
Under the law and college policy, “drugs” are understood to include marijuana as well as the following: barbiturates, amphetamines, illicit use of tranquilizers, LSD compounds, mescaline, psilocybin, DMT, cocaine, and other narcotics and drugs. Only prescription drugs taken appropriately under a physician’s care are allowed. Any individual guilty of violating civil statues or institutional policy on Mary Baldwin College property or as part of any off campus activity sponsored by the college is subject to college disciplinary action up to and including: disciplinary probation, suspension, and immediate dismissal, as well as referral to civil authorities for prosecution, and/or referral for medical and psychological treatment. Students are prohibited from possessing any item that may be considered drug paraphernalia (i.e. bongs, bowls, etc.) even if the items are not being used to partake in illegal drug activity.
College Security and civil law enforcement officers with proper documentation have the right to search any campus building or campus room without prior notice.
In substantiated cases of violation of college drug policy, the Judicial Board, in cooperation with the dean of student’s office, may choose to send notice to the student’s parents or guardians.
Any MBC student with knowledge of a student (or students) who are in violation of the college’s drug policy should immediately report the incident directly to the Chairwoman of the Judicial Board, a Representative of the Judicial Board, or a member of the Office of Student Life (including resident advisors).
III. SMOKING POLICY
A. VIRGINIA CLEAN AIR ACT (15.1-291.1.-15.1-291.8.)
Smoking shall be prohibited in elevators regardless of capacity, except in any open material hoist elevator not intended for use by the public.
Designated smoking areas shall be separate to the extent reasonably practicable from those rooms or areas entered by the public in the normal use of the particular institution.
In designated smoking areas, ventilation systems and existing physical barriers shall be used when reasonably practicable to minimize the permeation of smoke into no-smoking areas; e.g., when smoking in student rooms, students must close their doors.
It is unlawful for any person to smoke in common areas in an educational facility, including, but not limited to, classrooms, hallways, stairwells, and public meeting rooms.
Smoking is permitted only in designated residence halls. Students may smoke in their residence hall rooms with the door closed.
B. SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN ANY BUILDING ON THE MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE CAMPUS
C. Smoking is permitted in outdoor areas designated with a cigarette butt receptacle.
IV. FIRE SAFETY
Destruction or misuse of fire alarms or equipment (extinguishers or pull stations) can cause loss of lives; therefore, it will be dealt with severely by the Judicial Board.
A. TRIGGERED ALARM
1. In the event that an alarm is triggered, the following may apply:
a. If an MBC student is responsible, a sanction will be given at the discretion of the Judicial Board with a $150 fine.
b. If a guest is responsible, the MBC student signing that guest in may, at the discretion of the board, lose her privilege of visitation, be given a sanction, and be assessed a $150 fine.
c. In the event that an individual cannot be held accountable, the entire floor, hall, apartment, or house may be given a fine.
B. MISUSED EQUIPMENT
If equipment is discharged or tampered with, the person involved (or hall if no person is identified as responsible) will be held accountable at the discretion of the Judicial Board.
C. LEAVING THE BUILDING
In the event of a fire alarm, all persons are to vacate the building immediately. If a student or guest fails to leave, the student will be held accountable by the Judicial Board and could be assessed a $75 fine per person and minor or major penalty.
V. ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
A. QUIET HOURS
To provide an atmosphere conducive to study and sleep, quiet hours are observed in all residential areas. The quiet hour rules shall be outlined at the beginning of the academic year in each hall, dorm, apartment, or house with quiet hours lasting at least 12 hours, starting no later than 10pm, and lasting Sunday–Thursday.
All other hours of the day are considered courtesy hours.
If violations of quiet or courtesy hours become excessive, the students violating this code should be reported to the Judicial Board.
At all times, Mary Baldwin College students are expected to be thoughtful and courteous in their use of facilities and equipment so as not to disturb or inconvenience others.
B. PETS
Pets are not allowed in residence halls with the exception of fish and other aquatic life contained within an aquarium and remaining underwater for three minutes straight.
Because some individuals are allergic to animals and students live in close proximity, other animals are not allowed as pets in residence halls.
C. WEAPONS
Weapons and explosives, even if intended for decoration, are not allowed in residence halls, apartments, or houses. The unauthorized use or possession of dangerous chemicals, explosive materials, dangerous devices, or other lethal weapons is strictly prohibited. Any item deemed threatening to a student can be reported to the Judicial Board. The identification of a weapon is at the discretion of the Judicial Board Chairwoman.
to report a Judicial board violation: go online
