Appendices to the Code of Accountability

Appendix A 

Academic Integrity

Academic Dishonesty/Misconduct

Appendix B

A Plain Language Explanation of Distinctions
Between the New York State Penal Law and RSC’s Disciplinary Processes*

Appendix C

COVID-19 and Other Communicable Disease Policy

RSC recognizes that instances of communicable infectious disease may require students to follow additional institutional policies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the entire RSC community. The  VPSL or designee reserves the right to activate some or all of these provisions with respect to other communicable diseases, for all or part of a semester or academic year, based on regional, national, and global circumstances.  

As part of the Student Code of Accountability that all students are responsible to uphold, the following is the section related to communicable disease policy. All sections of this policy apply to the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy applies to all students, including those who reside on campus and commuter students, and covers student accountability both on and off campus.  

Communicable Diseases 

Communicable diseases are defined as an infectious disease transmissible from person to person by direct contact with an affected individual or the individual's bodily fluids, or by indirect means (as by a vector). The Wellness Center is a resource for protecting and treating students from infectious disease and will work with area resources (CDC, local health departments, etc.) to triage and deliver care in the manner appropriate to a specific illness/disease. 

COVID-19 is a highly infectious and easily transmissible disease. Please refer to the Center for  Disease Control (“CDC”) and NYS Department of Health (“DOH”) websites for additional information.  

Updated Information Regarding RSC’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic  

All information related to RSC’s operations and policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic can  be found at: sage.edu/covid19. All students are expected to review and familiarize themselves with that information and any amendments and/or updates thereto.  

Expectations for Students

1. Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”)

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE,” is equipment worn to minimize exposure to communicable diseases that may cause serious illnesses. Personal protective equipment may include items such as face coverings, gloves, eye protection, and gowns.

A. Face Coverings

Vaccinated students do not need to wear a face covering on campus, whether indoors or outdoors. Students may choose to wear a face covering in certain circumstances depending on their comfort level.

All non-vaccinated students with an approved medical or religious exemption are required to wear cloth face coverings at all times both outside on RSC property and inside RSC facilities, such as in classrooms, residence hall facilities, libraries, and dining facilities. Exceptions will apply only when a student is eating, drinking, or alone in their room at the campus residence. Individuals should wash their hands frequently, refrain from touching their face covering, and follow Centers for Disease Control policies for proper use, removal, and washing of face coverings.

Students are further required to wear cloth face coverings off campus, at all times and under all circumstances required by law, Executive Order of the Governor, or other government directive. This includes, but is not limited to, all times when social distancing, as defined below, cannot be or is not maintained.

B. Other PPE

Students may be required to use other PPE for specific activities.

2. Respiratory Etiquette

All students are required to practice respiratory etiquette, including: covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or using the inside of the elbow, disposing of used tissues in the trash, and washing hands immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used.

3. Social Distancing and Maximum Occupancy

All students may be required to maintain a social distance of at least three feet between people in all indoor and outdoor areas on campus. Students are required to adhere to maximum occupancy signage posted in common areas like lounges, elevators, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Social distancing must also be maintained off campus, including but not limited to any off-campus gathering of two or more students, under all circumstances required by law, Executive  Order of the Governor, or other government directive. 

4. Cleaning and Disinfection

All students are encouraged to use RSC-provided cleaning products to disinfect high touch surfaces after use, including, but not limited to: sinks, toilets, showers, lab equipment, computer equipment, classroom tables and desks, fitness center equipment, and dining tables and chairs.

5. Symptom Monitoring and Reporting

All students are responsible for monitoring themselves for symptoms that correspond to the prevalent disease of concern and reporting symptoms to RSC via the system developed by the Wellness Center. Students must comply with all required daily health screening and temperature checks and reporting of the results to the Wellness Center.

For COVID-19, symptoms to be monitored may include:

● Cough

● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

● Fever or chills

● Congestion or runny nose

● Muscle or body aches

● New loss of taste or smell

● Sore throat

● Fatigue

● Headache

● Nausea or vomiting

● Diarrhea

6. Other Reporting Requirements

Students must immediately report to the Wellness Center:

a) any positive COVID-19 test result or other communicable disease test result;

b) any close contact within the past 14 days with a person who is known to have COVID-19; and

c) any travel within the past 14 days to a state or country for which a state or federal travel advisory has been issued.

7. Quarantine for Resident Students

A. Exposure: Students who reside in a campus residence who have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus or other communicable disease and are within the incubation period but have not tested positive and are asymptomatic, will have the option to leave campus or be required to quarantine in their residence hall rooms for the duration of the incubation period. During this period, students in quarantine will be required to remain in their residence hall rooms at all times, except for using the restroom, and report symptoms to the Wellness Center daily. Students will remain in quarantine until given clearance to return to normal activity by the Wellness Center. This requirement may not apply to fully vaccinated students.

B. Positive Test Result or Symptomatic: Students who reside in a campus residence and test positive or are symptomatic for the COVID-19 virus or other communicable disease, will have the option to leave campus or be required to quarantine in a designated isolation space. During this period, students in isolation will be required to remain in their temporary space at all times, and report symptoms to the Wellness Center daily. Students will remain in isolation until given clearance to return to normal activity by the Wellness Center. This may require full abatement of symptoms, negative test result, and any other return to school guidance established by federal, state or local authorities. The application of this may vary depending on the students vaccination status.

C. Travel: Students who have returned from travel to a state or country for which a federal or state travel advisory has been issued will have the option to leave campus or be required to quarantine in their residence hall room for the duration of the incubation period. During this period, students in quarantine will be required to remain in their residence hall rooms at all times, except for using the restroom, and report symptoms to the Wellness Center daily. Students will remain in quarantine until given clearance to return to normal activity by the Wellness Center. The application of this may vary depending on the vaccination status of the student.

D. Response to Policy Violation: Resident students who are found to have violated this policy may be required to quarantine pending the outcome of any required COVID-19 test result, as set forth in the Process for Responding to Violations of COVID-19 and other Communicable Disease Policy section of this policy, below.

8. Campus Exclusion for Non-Resident Students

Any non-resident student who:

● tests positive for the COVID-19 virus or other communicable disease; or

● is symptomatic; or

● has had close contact within the last 14 days with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19; or

● has returned from travel to a state or country for which a state or federal travel advisory has been issued.

will be excluded from campus until cleared by the Wellness Center to return. During the period of exclusion, such student may not be present anywhere on campus, and may not attend any class, campus event or function, except remotely.

Non-resident students who are found to have violated this policy may be excluded from campus pending the outcome of any required COVID-19 test result, as set forth in the Process for Responding to Violations of COVID-19 and other Communicable Disease Policy section of this policy, below.

9. Tampering with Health and Safety Equipment

Plexiglass dividers, sneeze guards, hand-sanitizer and hand-washing stations, disinfectant supplies, personal protective equipment (face coverings/gloves/face shields, etc.) shall not be tampered with or tested by unauthorized persons, nor should anything cover, be attached to, or hung from any piece of health and safety equipment. Students tampering with health and safety equipment are financially responsible for any charges assessed as a result of the tampering.

10. Off-Campus Gatherings

Students may not attend off-campus gatherings which are prohibited by federal, state or local government directives. At present, there are no such orders in place. That, however, is subject to change based on regional or state-wide conditions. Students may further need to comply, depending on current orders, with social distancing requirements and wear a face mask at off-campus gatherings of any size that are in compliance with the maximum attendance limit.

11. COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

A. All RSC community members (faculty, staff, and students), who do not apply and qualify for a medical or religious exemption, will be required to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus prior to the start of the fall term.

B. Students who are not fully vaccinated, who do not apply and qualify for a medical or religious exemption, and/or do not present vaccination documentation will not be permitted on campus, including: attending/teaching class, visiting/working in an office, using recreational or academic facilities, or entering residence hall facilities.

C. Students who are not fully vaccinated, who do not apply and qualify for an exemption, and/or do not present vaccination documentation will be disenrolled after 30 days as the College considers the vaccination requirement a health and safety mandate for all members of the community.

12. Testing

All non-fully vaccinated students, including but not limited to students with an approved medical or religious exemption, and students who are “in progress,” must provide proof of an acceptable negative test result for COVID-19 upon arrival on campus at the start of each semester. Such students must also participate in periodic surveillance testing, as directed.

Process for Responding to Violations of COVID-19 and other Communicable Disease Policy The  Office of Student Accountability will normally take a progressive discipline approach to violations of sections 1-10 of this policy, but reserves the right, following any required hearing, to impose any sanction permitted by the Code of Accountability, including suspension or expulsion from some or all campus activities, for any violation of this policy that is found to be intentional or flagrant, or that results in any campus spread of COVID-19.  

1. First Violation: The Office of Student Accountability may take any of the following  disciplinary actions when a student violates any provision of the COVID-19 and Other Communicable Disease Policy: 

a) A written reprimand

b) An educational course at student cost on COVID-19

c) A letter of apology to the complaining party.

Any sanction, other than those listed here, must be issued following a student accountability mediation and/or hearing. A Student Accountability Administrator imposing discipline on a  student for a first violation of the COVID-19 and Other Communicable Disease Policy should  take the following steps:  

a) Determine whether it is more likely than not that the student is responsible for the violation. 

b) Student Accountability Administrators are encouraged to consult with the respondent in an effort to informally address the alleged violation. 

c) Notify the respondent of the charge of violation. The student must be notified in writing with a copy also submitted to the Chief Accountability Officer. The written notification should include a brief description of the alleged misconduct that forms the basis of the charge, the sanction to be imposed, and a description of the appeal options available to the student. 

2. Second Violation: A second violation of the COVID-19 and Other Communicable Disease Policy will result in a Student Accountability Mediation between the student and a Student  Accountability Administrator. If found responsible for the second violation, students may be  sanctioned with any of the following disciplinary actions: 

a) A written reprimand

b) An educational course at student cost on COVID-19

c) A letter of apology to the complaining party

d) Disciplinary probation

e) Loss of privileges

f) Parental/guardian notification.

3. Third Violation: A third violation of the COVID-19 and Other Communicable Disease Policy will result in a Student Accountability Hearing. If found responsible for the third violation,  students may be sanctioned with any of the following disciplinary actions: 

a) A written reprimand

b) An educational course at student cost on COVID-19

c) A letter of apology to the complaining party

d) Disciplinary probation

e) Loss of privileges

f) Parental/guardian notification

g) Residence hall suspension

h) College suspension.

4. Fourth Violation: A fourth violation of the COVID-19 and Other Communicable Disease  Policy will result in a Student Accountability Hearing. If found responsible for the fourth  violation, students may be sanctioned with any of the following disciplinary actions: 

a) A written reprimand

b) An educational course at student cost on COVID-19

c) A letter of apology to the complaining party

d) Disciplinary probation

e) Loss of privileges

f) Parental/guardian notification

g) Residence hall suspension

h) Residence hall expulsion

i) College expulsion.

Appeals

If a student wishes to appeal a violation decision made by a Student Accountability Administrator,  based on a finding that the student was responsible for violating sections 1-10 of the COVID-19 and  Other Communicable Disease Policy, the student should follow the process outlined in Section XIV  of the Student Code of Accountability.

Mandatory Testing and Quarantine / Campus Exclusion Directive

In addition to the above-stated consequences, following any violation of sections 1-10 of this policy, or to ensure the safety of the campus community, RSC may require a student to:

● obtain a COVID-19 test and provide the result to RSC; and

● comply with the applicable quarantine or campus exclusion requirements set forth in this policy, pending receipt of such test result.

Any such directive may be issued by the VPSL and shall not be subject to any appeal process. Failure to comply with a required COVID-19 test shall be deemed an intentional violation of this policy.

Automatic Exclusion

Violations of sections 11-12 of this policy are not subject to the disciplinary process set forth above, and may result in automatic non-admission to, or exclusion from campus. Presentment of either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result at the start of each semester is a mandatory prerequisite for qualification to be present on campus.

Revised August 2023

Appendix D

Alternative Resolutions

RSC subscribes to the ideal that resolutions for conflict should be as unique as the types of incidents and students involved. To this end, a spectrum of alternative resolutions has been adopted to promote resolution at the lowest level possible. These alternative resolutions include the following:

1. No Conflict Management

Administration intentionally refrains from initiating involvement in a campus conflict to make space for student learning achieved by direct and independent engagement in an emerging issue.

2. Dialogue

Students engage in a conversation to gain understanding or to manage a conflict independent of administrator intervention or third-party facilitation.

3. Conflict Coaching

Students seek out counsel and guidance from administration to engage a conflict more effectively and independently.

4. Facilitated Dialogue

Students access administration for facilitation services to engage in a conversation to gain understanding or to manage a conflict. In a facilitated dialogue, parities maintain ownership of decisions concerning the conversation or any resolution of a conflict.

5. Mediation

Students access administration to serve as a third party to coordinate a structured session aimed at resolving a conflict and/or constructing a go-forward or future story for the parties involved.

6. Restorative Practices

Through a diversion program or as an addition to the adjudication process, administration provides space and facilitation services for students taking ownership for harmful behavior and those parties affected by the behavior to jointly construct an agreement to restore community.

a. Restorative Circles

The goal of restorative circles is to restore the sense of peace and community, to defuse tensions and conflicts, and to explore mutual responsibility and impact. Restorative circles can also be used to negotiate rules of engagement between individuals or groups.

b. Check-In Circles

Check-in circles may be useful for students in recovery programs or who are healing from trauma. It is a communication tool that allows group members to check in with one another on how they are doing with the recovery process. It differs from group therapy in that no one provides therapy or has greater power than any of the others in the circle. Members provide mutual support as well as share observations and concerns about each other.

Check-in circles can also be used in smaller communities, like residence hall floors or living units, to ensure that any lingering concerns, hurts, resentments, and other emotions after an incident are attended so that there is peace.

7. Shuttle Diplomacy

Administration actively negotiates an agreement between two parties who do not wish to directly engage with one another. This method may be an alternative to a formal adjudication process or part of the process associated with the conduct code.

Schrage, J. M., & Giacomini, N. G. (Eds.). (2020). Reframing Campus Conflict: student conduct practice through the lens (2nd ed.). STYLUS Publishing.