SIU Policy Information

The Workplace Violence Policy was approved in 2001 to address all types of violence on the SIU campus and generally states: The safety and security of University personnel, students, and visitors is of vital importance. Threats, threatening behavior, or acts of violence against faculty, staff, students, visitors, or other individuals on SIU property and at University-sponsored events will not be tolerated. A safe environment will be attained by appropriate employee screening, employee education and training, surveillance of the work area, and effective management of situations involving violence or threats of violence on University property.

This policy applies to all SIU facilities, property, faculty, staff, students, visitors, and others at the University. It is a violation of law to touch another person in an unwelcome manner with the intent to harm, or to threaten to do so. Individuals may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination from employment or dismissal from the University pursuant to the applicable University, Civil Service or collective bargaining procedures. SIU will not tolerate the following conduct or behavior: threats, direct or implied; physical conduct that results in harm to people or property; possession of weapons; intimidating conduct or harassment that disrupts the work or educational environment or results in fear for personal safety. Inappropriate and threatening behavior(s) include, but are not limited to the following: unwelcome name-calling, obscene language, and other verbally abusive behavior; throwing objects, regardless of the size or type of the object being thrown or whether a person is the target of a thrown object; physically touching another person in an intimidating, malicious, or sexually harassing manner; physically intimidating others, including such acts as obscene gestures, “getting in your face” and fist shaking.

For more information, view the Workplace Violence Policy. 

The Student Conduct Code describes a set of policies designed to reflect the unique culture of the SIU community. This code is intended to provide a framework upon which we can all rely as we work toward our common goals. It is also reflects our commitment to procedural fairness and shared accountability. All students are expected to comply fully with all local, state and federal laws at all times. All members of the SIU community are held to a higher standard of conduct than those who have not chosen to become a part of the university community. Therefore, in addition to complying with all local, state and federal laws, students are required to comply with the standards of conduct and university policies set forth in the Student Conduct Code, which applies to all students throughout their time as members of the SIU community.

SIU recognizes student success, as well as the security and integrity of the university community, are affected by all areas of a student’s life, therefore students are responsible for conforming their behavior to the standards and policies set forth in this document at all times, whether on or off campus. These standards and policies are designed to foster an environment supportive of personal, social and ethical development and serve to promote the protection of the rights, responsibilities, safety and welfare of the university community while ensuring that all community members are free to pursue their educational goals. The Student Conduct Code will be applied without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or military or veteran status. Any adjudication will be based solely on the conduct for which charges were brought against the student.

The Code applies to conduct occurring on any property owned, operated, leased or controlled by the university or at any activity sponsored or supported by the university. Recognizing off-campus behaviors often directly affect the educational environment or substantially interfere with the mission of the university, the university shall have the right to adjudicate any alleged violation of any provision of the Student Conduct Code, without regard for the geographic location of the alleged violation, at the discretion of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs. This may include violations which occur partly or entirely through electronic means.

The university reserves the right to initiate disciplinary proceedings for violations of the Student Conduct Code whenever the university has jurisdiction, regardless of whether criminal or civil proceedings have been commenced. Disciplinary actions by the university are independent of any criminal or civil proceedings and the university will not consider any decision, settlement, judgment, or other outcome of a criminal or civil proceeding in the adjudication of alleged violations of this Code. The disciplinary process will not be delayed pending the outcome of any legal proceedings.

The following rights and responsibilities are the foundational principles upon which the Student Conduct Code is based.

All students have the right to engage in a free exchange of ideas. University policies are intended to safeguard the rights of free inquiry, expression and assembly. All students have the right to freely express their views and examine all questions of interest. All students have the right to be free from discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or military or veteran status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. All students alleged to have violated any provision of the Student Conduct Code have the right to procedural due process. All students have the right to be free from unreasonable restrictions or intrusions upon privacy, personal property, or dignity, in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

All students are responsible for knowing and complying with the Code as well as all local, state and federal laws, and other university standards, policies and procedures. All students have the responsibility to recognize the ways in which their actions reflect upon and affect the university and every member of the university community. All students have the responsibility to respect and protect the rights of every other member of the university community. All students are personally responsible for their actions, choices and decisions.

There are several areas if the Student Conduct Code including, but not limited to offenses related to academic misconduct, offenses relating to sexual misconduct, offenses related to persons, offenses related to property, offense related to health, welfare, or safety, and alcohol and drugs.

For more information, view the Student Conduct Code. 

The Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence and Stalking Policy was approved in 2014, revised in 2016, and generally states: SIU is committed to fostering an environment in which all members of our campus community are safe, secure, and free from sexual misconduct of any form, including but not limited to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. The University expects that all interpersonal relationships and interactions — especially those of an intimate nature — be grounded upon mutual respect, open communication, and clear consent. SIU has adopted the following standards of conduct for all members of our community — students, faculty, administrators, staff, vendors, contractors, and third parties— with respect to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. These standards apply to all regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity of any of the individuals involved. By providing resources for prevention, education, support, investigation, and a fair disciplinary process, SIU seeks to eliminate sexual violence.

SIU does not tolerate, and therefore prohibits, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Such conduct violates the community values and principles of our institution and disrupts the living, learning, and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and other community members. Any attempt to commit an act identified in this policy, as well as assisting or willfully encouraging any such act, is also considered a violation of this policy. SIU prohibits any form of retaliation against any individual for reporting, providing information, exercising one’s rights or responsibilities under this policy, or otherwise being involved in the process of responding to, investigating, or addressing allegations of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking.

SIU strongly encourages all individuals to report incidents of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking to University officials. Individuals may report incidents to the Department of Public Safety, the Title IX Coordinator, and/or Student Rights and Responsibilities. All University employees are obligated to report sexual misconduct of which they become aware, unless they have a legally recognized confidentiality privilege such as physicians and counselors. The University will provide resources to support persons who have been victims of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and/or stalking and will apply appropriate disciplinary procedures to those who violate this policy. Investigations will be handled according to the Discrimination (Including Sexual Harassment) Complaint and Investigation Procedures, and, in the case of an accused student, the Student Conduct Code.

After an incident of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and/or stalking the victim should consider seeking medical attention and/or law enforcement assistance as soon as possible. Although the University strongly encourages all members of its community to report violations of this policy to law enforcement, it is the victim’s choice whether or not to make such a report. Regardless of whether a victim elects to make a complaint to law enforcement, the University will assist victims of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and/or stalking. When a student or employee reports to the institution that they have been a victim of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, whether the offense occurred on or off campus, the University will provide the student or employee a written explanation of their rights and options. The University will provide written notification to students and employees about existing counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, visa and immigration assistance, and other services available for victims, both within the University and in the community. The University will provide written notification to victims about options for, and available assistance in, changing academic, living, transportation, and working situations. The University will make such accommodations if the victim requests them and if they are reasonably available.

The University will conduct primary prevention and awareness programs for new students and new employees, and ongoing awareness campaigns related to prevention of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking for all students and employees. These programs shall include a statement that the University prohibits sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking; the definition of these offenses as well as the definition of consent; safe and positive options for bystander intervention; recognition of signs of abusive behavior; and how to avoid attacks.

For more information, view the Gender-Based Violence: Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence and Stalking Policy.