FMU Housing

Housing Policies & Guidelines

University and Housing Policy Violations

Standards of Conduct

Francis Marion University prohibits the conduct listed below. Persons committing such acts are subject to disciplinary action from the university.

University Violations

Academic cheating or plagiarism - Cheating is defined by its general usage. It includes, but is not limited to, wrongfully giving, taking or presenting any information or material by a student with the intent of aiding him/herself or any other person on any academic work which is considered in any way in the determination of the final grade. Plagiarism involves the use of the ideas or writings of another without acknowledgment of that use. For a more detailed description of these two forms of academic dishonesty, and how allegations of academic dishonesty are handled, refer to the Academic Integrity section in the FMU Student Handbook.
The illegal manufacture, possession, use, or distribution of drugs or the use of drugs for which the holder has no legal prescription, or other drug-related conduct which is a violation of South Carolina law. Such conduct is a university violation regardless of where it occurs on or off-campus;
The illegal manufacture, distribution, possession, or consumption, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages on university property or during university activities. For purposes of this policy, a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater is conclusive evidence that a student is under the influence of alcohol, but a student's conduct, physical appearance, and other factors are also evidence (please refer to the University Alcohol Policy and Housing Violations for more details on alcohol issues);
Sexual assault or inappropriate sexual conduct;
Physical abuse or assault of any person, or other conduct which threatens the health or safety of any person, including self;
Failure to comply with the directions of a university official acting in performance of his/her duty. This includes, but is not limited to, failure to report to a university office or official; after notice to do so, failure to appear for a judicial hearing or comply with a disciplinary penalty; failure to pay promptly, after notice, all university bills, fines, accounts and other financial obligations; failure to produce positive student identification upon request;
Theft, wrongful appropriation, unauthorized possession, or damage to property of the university (including library materials) or of any organization affiliated with the university or of another member of the university community (i.e. faculty, staff, student, or campus visitor);
Furnishing false or incomplete information to a university official to include, but not be limited to, providing false, misleading or incomplete information during an investigation or hearing involving an alleged violation of university policy or local, state or federal law;
Forgery, alteration, destruction, damage, or misuse of university documents, records or identification (e.g. FMU ID cards, library materials, etc.). FMU ID cards are the property of the university and are not transferable. Use by a person other than the authorized user is a violation of this policy, as is permitting or abetting such use;
Any act of arson, falsely reporting a fire or other emergency (such as the presence of an explosive or incendiary device), knowingly setting off a fire alarm or emergency call box when the student knows that no fire or emergency exists; tampering with or removing from their proper location fire extinguishers, hoses or any other fire emergency equipment except when done with an actual need for such equipment;
Possession, while on university-owned or -controlled property, or at university-sponsored or -supervised activities, of any weapons such as, but not limited to, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, handguns, and air guns, including explosives and incendiary devices, such as firecrackers or fireworks. Possession of pocket knives having no blade longer than two inches and possession of weapons or tools required by a student's job or studies at the location in question is not a violation;
Unauthorized use or entry into university facilities and/or unauthorized possession or use of keys to university facilities;
Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other university activities, including public service functions, or any authorized activities on university premises;
Disorderly conduct or lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct on university-owned or -controlled property or at university-sponsored or -supervised functions;
Violation of properly constituted rules and regulations governing the use of motor vehicles on university-owned or -controlled property;
Violation, attempted violation, or the incitement of others to violate written university policies or regulations as herein stipulated or as promulgated and announced by university personnel;
Violation, or attempted violation, of local, state or federal law, whether on or off campus, when it appears that the student has acted in a way which adversely affects, or seriously interferes with the university's normal educational function, or which injures or endangers the welfare of any member of the university community;
Unauthorized use or misuse of the university's computing facilities, to include, but not be limited to, violation of the university policy on acceptable computer use in the FMU Student Handbook;
Hazing, which is defined as: any intentional or reckless act, on or off university property, by one student, acting alone or with others, which is directed against any other student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger his or her mental or physical health or safety, and includes treatment of a violent, abusive, shameful, insulting, or humiliating nature;
Harassment, stalking and/or unauthorized surveillance, which includes, but is not limited to, (a) unwanted and repeated contact (after notice to desist) with another individual or group through personal contact, contact by electronic or other media; (b) other behaviors which are perceived as threatening or intended to intimidate or induce fear; or (c) making unauthorized video or photographic images of a person in a location in which that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, including, but not limited to, shower/locker rooms, residence hall rooms, and men's or women's restrooms, is prohibited. Also prohibited is the storing, sharing, and/or other distribution of such unauthorized images by any means. In some circumstances, such behaviors may also constitute violation of local, state, or federal laws;
Other conduct which a reasonable person having sufficient intelligence to acquire postsecondary education would understand is injurious to the university or the university community. This standard shall not be interpreted to infringe upon a student's constitutional rights.

Student Housing Violations

The Francis Marion University Offices of Housing and Residence Life prohibit the conduct listed below in and around the university residential facilities. Persons committing such acts are subject to disciplinary sanctions listed in the FMU Student Handbook.

Residents assigned to a specific area (apartment, suite, residence hall floor) will be held responsible for damages or violations that occur in communal areas (living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, lounges, computer rooms) unless a specified individual or individuals can be identified as responsible.
Violation of the Guest Visitation policy (see Housing and Residence Life section).
Inappropriate trash disposal (see Trash Disposal in Housing and Residence Life section).
Possession and/or use of prohibited appliances (see Appliances in Housing and Residence Life section).
Possession and/or use of prohibited items such as waterbeds, lofts, dart boards, public street signs, alcohol containers (in residence halls), space heaters, window air conditioners, exterior antennae or satellite dishes.
Use of bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds, skateboards, roller skates, or in-line skates in the residential buildings. Bicycles, motorcycles, and mopeds are not allowed to be stored in the residential facilities.
Damage to university or personal property or misbehavior/neglect which results in the need for unusual cleaning activities by the university.
Rearrangement or acquisition for personal use of university common area furnishings.
Delinquency in the payment of any financial obligation to include, but not limited to, utilities, telephone, fines, key charges, and other obligations.
Alcoholic beverages (wine and beer only) may be possessed, by those allowed by law to do so, in the university apartments. The possession of alcohol or empty alcohol containers by other persons in other areas is prohibited (see Alcohol and Other Drug Policy). Possession of distilled spirits (hard liquor) is prohibited on campus.
Possession of pets in or around student housing facilities to include common areas such as the octagon and triangle (see Pets in Housing and Residence Life sections of the FMU Student Handbook).
Creating or contributing to excessive noise in and around the residential facilities to include common areas such as the octagon and triangle (see Noise in Housing and Residence Life section).
Circumvention of or tampering with any security system in the residential facilities including, but not limited to, lighting, security cameras, common area telephones, exit doors (propping open), allowing unauthorized persons to enter the building, etc.
Subletting or allowing a person to reside in a residential facility other than those officially assigned to that space by the Office of Housing and Residence Life.
Circumvention, disregard, or failure to comply with policies and procedures of the Office of Housing and Residence Life including, but not limited to, Room Assignment, Room Change, Mail Delivery, Maintenance Services, Safety Inspections, Check In/Check Out Procedures, etc.
Failure to follow established fire safety procedures and policies (see Fire Emergency Section under Campus Police).
Possession or use of candles, incense, fireworks, or other incendiary devices in the residential facilities.
Entering or exiting windows, throwing items from windows or balconies, throwing items onto roofs or ledges, or accessing roofs or ledges in any way.
Conspiring with or enticing others to engage in policy violations.
Creating conditions or being involved in behavior that endangers or potentially endangers the safety and well being of self or others.