Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct is designed to provide a supportive framework for a positive, ethical, and inclusive learning environment that fosters personal growth, understanding, and accountability. We believe that every student is capable of learning from their experiences and evolving as responsible members of our academic community. When appropriate, minor or unintentional breaches of the Student Code of Conduct will be addressed as opportunities for learning and improvement. Your commitment to follow this code will preserve the spirit of academic inquiry and discovery for everyone at Purdue Global.   

1. Respect Self and Others 
   Our commitment to fostering respect for self and others is integral to creating a harmonious and inclusive community where every individual can thrive. This requires that all members of the PG community use their best effort to promote the physical and mental well-being of themselves and others. The policy below underscores our shared responsibility to uphold these values and contribute to a positive campus culture. 
   1. Refrain from knowingly furnishing false information to the University. 
   2. Refrain from participating in University activities during times of impaired judgment (e.g., under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering substances). 
   3. Conduct yourself in a professional and respectful manner that contributes to the academic development of the University community and your peers. You will not cause any disruption of teaching, community, research, disciplinary proceedings, or other Purdue Global activities and/or operations.
   4. Comply with all directions of University officials acting in the official performance of their duties. 
   5. Refrain from engaging in any behavior that can be considered threatening, harassing, intimidating, or in any way dangerous or violent. For information about the Sexual Misconduct Policy, please refer to the Additional References section of the Catalog.
   6. Abide by federal, state, and local laws.
   7. Follow all rules and regulations of Purdue Global. 
2. Respect the Virtual Learning Environment and Intellectual Property Ownership
   Original ideas, research, and creative works are considered intellectual property and are to be respected and acknowledged. Unauthorized use of intellectual property is not aligned with our values and is prohibited. We are committed to upholding intellectual property ownership and maintaining a respectful online environment. 
   1. Respect the learning environment and intellectual property of the University, faculty, staff, and your fellow students. 
   2. Refrain from sharing or distributing course material to other current, potential, or future students without the express written permission of the instructor and/or an authorized University representative. 
   3. Refrain from copyright infringement. This includes unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, as well as engaging in illegal downloading or unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials using the University’s information technology system. Copyright infringement may be subject to civil and criminal liabilities, including financial penalties and/or imprisonment. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Specific copyright information and details can be found here.
   4. Refer to the Responsible Use of University Technology policy for further details with respect to University technology.
3. Respect the Physical Academic Environment
   Shared academic spaces play a vital role in the learning experience and to the well-being of our community members. We are committed to creating a conducive and harmonious atmosphere when participating in onsite activities, such as graduation, labs, clinical rotations, or course travel experiences. 
   1. Do not use, possess, sell, manufacture, or distribute alcohol, illegal drugs, and/or narcotic, prescription drugs, or controlled substances, except as expressly permitted by all applicable laws.
   2. Do not intentionally or recklessly inhale or ingest any substance (e.g., nitrous oxide, glue, paint) for the purpose or effect of altering your mental state.
   3. Do not possess, use, and/or distribute any explosives, guns, or other deadly or dangerous weapons reasonably calculated to cause bodily injury on University property or in connection with a University activity.
   4. Do not use tobacco/vaping/related products in University buildings, and eating or drinking in any location other than designated areas.
   5. Do not bring animals to Purdue Global property or University-authorized locations unless they are assisting the physically impaired or are being used during approved academic activities.
   6. Do not bring children into teaching areas at University-authorized locations.
   7. Comply with all emergency evacuation procedures and safety practices. 
   8. Do not tamper with fire protection equipment. Follow all health and safety rules and regulations.
   9. Turn all personal electronic devices off or enable silent mode during academic activity so as not to cause disruption.

Any acts that do not align with this Student Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action. It is important to note that cheating and plagiarism are examples of academic dishonesty that are breaches of and subject to the Academic Integrity policy.

Reporting a Breach of the Student Code of Conduct

Maintaining a respectful and thriving community is everyone's responsibility. Therefore, we encourage any individual from inside or outside the Purdue Global community to promptly report any observed breaches of the Student Code of Conduct. Reports should be submitted as soon as possible after the suspected breach to the Dean of the student’s program. No individual will be subject to retaliation for making a good-faith report of suspected breaches of the Student Code of Conduct.

Student Code of Conduct Inquiry and Disciplinary Action

When someone reports a suspected breach of the Student Code of Conduct, the Dean or their designee will launch an inquiry into the report. You will receive notice of the report and will  have the opportunity to make a statement in response. The Dean/designee may also request assistance from other University officials as part of the inquiry.

After obtaining all relevant information, including your statement, and completing the inquiry, the Dean or their designee will make the determination as to whether a breach of the Student Code of Conduct has occurred. You will be notified in writing of any findings. If it is determined that a breach did not occur, the allegation will be dismissed, and your record will not be affected. If a breach is confirmed, the Dean or their designee will determine the appropriate action necessary to resolve the issue. 

You will be notified in writing of any disciplinary sanctions or other actions that may result within five University business days after the conclusion of the inquiry.

Minor or unintentional breaches of the Student Code of Conduct may be addressed as opportunities for learning and improvement, when appropriate, while other breaches may result in one or more sanctions including, but not limited to:

• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Dismissal from the University

Instances of academic dishonesty, such as cheating and plagiarism, are breaches of and subject to the Academic Integrity policy. The University reserves the right to take immediate disciplinary action if your actions pose a threat to the safety, security, or well-being of members or guests of the University community, University property, or the ability of the University to maintain normal operations and carry on its programs, services, and activities free of disruption.

You may appeal the decision in accordance with the Appeals and Grievances policy.         

Responsible Use of University Technology

Purdue Global values freedom of expression and encourages diverse viewpoints endemic to an academic institution. As part of the academic community, you are expected to act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner when using the University's school facilities, equipment, websites, and systems (“Sites”). Sites include, but are not limited to, the online classroom, online seminars, virtual campus, discussion boards, and internal email system.

Purdue Global provides each student with a distinct username so that the University may confirm the identity of students as they log into University Sites. You may not share your University-provided username and password information with another person, allow another to impersonate you while logged into any University Site, or log into any University Site with another person's username and password.  

You may not bypass any security measures of Purdue Global or another University-related entity or intentionally use, distribute, or create viruses, worms, malicious software, or keylogging techniques.

To facilitate social networking and to establish a sense of community, some Purdue Global Sites allow you to post your own content or communicate with others. When using any Sites to post or transmit text, video, audio, or other material (“User Content”) for social networking purposes, you agree to accept sole responsibility for your User Content.

Purdue Global Sites are intended to be used for University business and educational purposes only. User Content is not considered an educational record under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). All User Content shall adhere to the Student Bill of Rights and/or Student Code of Conduct.

The University monitors its Sites to the best of its ability to ensure that any inappropriate User Content is not uploaded, submitted, added, or exchanged on its Sites.

All Purdue Global Sites and computer equipment, email accounts, facsimile equipment, Internet access, instant messaging, voicemail, and supplies, if provided, are done so exclusively to assist you in your educational activities. Therefore, you should note that all computer files, email, voicemail, and Internet bookmarks, or any of your User Content are not considered or treated as confidential or private. There should be no expectation of privacy related to the usage of these Sites, to the extent that the information is not considered an educational record under FERPA.

Even when content, such as a message or file, is erased or deleted, it may still be possible to recover the message or file. The University cannot ensure the privacy of content that is not considered an educational record. Additionally, messages sent through the University's email or instant messaging accounts and Purdue Global-owned facsimile equipment, the contents of the hard drives of any computer that is the property of the University, any User Content, and any voicemail messages saved on telephones that are the property of the University may be used in administrative, judicial, or other proceedings such as those resulting from student grievances, even where the information is considered an educational record.

If you see or hear inappropriate User Content on Purdue Global Sites or a misuse of University technology, you should promptly report a breach of the Student Code of Conduct.