Article II – Definitions

  1. The term University means Buena Vista University.
  2. The term “student” includes all persons taking courses at the University, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or other types of degrees or certificates. Persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Code of Conduct, who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the University or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission are considered “students,” as are persons who are living in University residence halls, although not enrolled in this institution. Students who have finished all course work, but have yet to receive their diplomas are also considered “students.” This Student Code of Conduct applies to all BVU students regardless of location or course delivery mode (in person, online, or hybrid).
  3. The term “faculty member” means any person hired by the University to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the University to be a member of its faculty.
  4. The term “University official” includes any person employed by the University performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
  5. The term “member of the University community” includes any person who is a student, faculty member, University official or any other person employed by the university. A person’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the President of the University.
  6. The term “University premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the University (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).
  7. The term “organization” means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for University recognition/registration.
  8. The term “Student Conduct Board” means any person or persons authorized by the Vice President for Student Success (may be referred to as VPSS) to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct and to recommend sanctions that may be imposed when a rules violation has been committed.
  9. The term “shall” is used in the imperative sense.
  10. The term “may” is used in the permissive sense.
  11. The Vice President for Student Success is that person designated by the President of the University to be responsible for the administration of the Student Code of Conduct.
  12. The term “policy” means the written regulations of the University as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, Residence Life Handbook, the University web page and computer use policy, Graduate and Undergraduate Academic
  13. The term “cheating” includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments; (3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the University faculty or staff; (4) engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.
  14. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
  15. The term “Complainant” means any person who submits a charge alleging that a student violated this Student Code of Conduct. When a student believes that she/he has been a victim of another student’s misconduct, the student who believes she/he has been a victim will have the same rights under this Student Code of Conduct as are provided to the Complainant, even if another member of the University community submitted the charge itself.
  16. The term “Accused Student” or “Respondent” means any student accused of violating this Student Code of Conduct.
  17. The term “Accessory” means any student who aides, abets, incites or cooperates with another person in the commission of a violation of this Student Code of Conduct.