Introduction

This addendum to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Non-Academic Code of Conduct is in response to the current public health emergency and is intended to increase education, safety, and accountability among students. This addendum is effective July 1, 2020 and will remain in effect until further notice. Any revisions to this addendum will be communicated through email notice to Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff.

About

As members of the Wake Forest community, students are called upon to demonstrate respect and honor towards fellow peers, faculty, staff, and every other member of this community. As such, in a time of potential risk to the health and safety of our fellow Deacons, we must each be vigilant in our commitment to protecting, encouraging, and supporting each other. All members of the community are asked to respect the health and safety of others as they would respect their own, not of our own protection, freedom, expression, or understanding over that of our brothers and sisters (students, faculty, staff, and administrators). Because we do not know the vulnerabilities, responsibilities, fears, or comforts of the other members of our community, each of us must act out of an abundance of caution and to help keep others safe, comfortable, healthy, and flourishing. Together, we will create a community where each of us knows we are valued and even cherished.

As a community, we will hold ourselves and each other accountable for compliance with University requirements and expectations that are intended to help keep the Wake Forest community safe during this pandemic. Our community of honor and integrity will be reflected through our work to challenge and support each other, particularly if we witness fellow community members failing to follow public health recommendations.

Policy

Public Health Policies Non-Compliance

Students must comply with all University policies and expectations that are implemented in response to the pandemic and that pertain to student conduct on-campus and off-campus. These policies and expectations may address, personal protective equipment, isolation requirements and more. These policies and expectations can be found at ourwayforward.wfu.edu, and students are encouraged to visit this website frequently. The University’s policies and expectations may be revised at any time. Should this occur, students will be sent an email notifying them of any substantial changes, and students will be expected to comply with such changes. Violations of these policies will be reported and handled through the student conduct process in the Graduate School Honor Council.

This addendum to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Non-Academic Code of Conduct governs the behavior of graduate students. The jurisdiction of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Non-Academic Code of Conduct, including this addendum, extends into virtual classrooms, meetings, and on and off campus activities.

Any situation where a student’s conduct may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of themselves or others may result in immediate interim action, including transfer to online-only learning environments, removal from campus, including public areas,, suspension or expulsion, or other sanctions.

Quarantine/Isolation Policy

Students who are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 or any condition requiring quarantine or isolation and who have been instructed by a health care provider or public health official to isolate must comply with those instructions. Students must remain in isolation until they receive clearance to do so by their medical provider or public health official. Students who have been advised by a health care provider or public health official to quarantine themselves as a result of a potential exposure to COVID-19 must comply with this recommendation. The duration of and release from isolation and quarantine will be based on the current CDC guidelines.

Those in violation of isolation or quarantine requirements will be subject to sanctions through the Graduate School Honor Council process, including possible transfer to remote learning only, removal from campus, including public areas, and/or suspension or expulsion.

Maximum Group / Gathering

Students must comply with limitations established by the University on the number of individuals permitted to gather in indoor and outdoor spaces. These prohibitions on Mass Gatherings apply to social events and activities held on and off campus. Students are allowed to gather for social purposes so long as they do not exceed the University’s gathering limits. Those limits may be the same as or more restrictive than limitations on mass gatherings set forth in local or state government orders, and the limitations will be posted on the Our Way Forward website. When gathering for social purposes, students must continue to abide by social distancing requirements and wear face coverings.

Reports of off-campus parties exceeding large gathering limitations may result in student conduct charges for student groups and individuals. Students on the lease where the party is held will be charged through the student conduct process, whether or not they are present for the party. Sanctions may vary from educational activities, activities suspensions, to suspension or expulsion from Wake Forest.

Failure to Comply

Students must comply with all University policies and expectations implemented in response to the pandemic and that pertain to student conduct on and off campus. Examples include but are not limited to face covering requirements and expectations for daily symptom screenings. Failure to comply with these policies and expectations and to reasonable requests of Wake Forest employees and University Police may result in sanctions through the Graduate School Honor Council process.

Student Conduct Process

All students alleged to have violated public health policies and expectations have the rights outlined in the Non-Academic Code of Conduct. The conduct system at Wake Forest University is based on educational aspirations, community care and safety expectations, and our commitment to protecting, encouraging, and supporting each other. The conduct process and sanctions are based in this framework.

Because of the urgency of and safety concerns with public health, the process for resolving cases that pertain to conduct covered in this addendum will be addressed as follows:

Repeated, deliberate, and/or severe violations of policies related to public health, as determined through the Non-Academic Code of Conduct process, may result in sanctions up to and including temporary or permanent removal from campus, including public areas, suspension, or expulsion.

The Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or designee may impose immediate sanctions or restrictions, without prior notice, if, in the determination of the Dean or designee, there is a need to protect the safety and well-being of the campus residential population.

Sanction explanations can be found in the Graduate School Non-Academic Code of Conduct. Questions about this addendum to the Non-Academic Code of Conduct should be addressed to graduate@wfu.edu.

Acknowledgements to:
Lees-McRae College
Association for Student Conduct Administration
Georgetown University
University of Colorado University – Boulder