2. Introduction
• In a nutshell, University Policy is in place to
protect the rights and responsibilities of students
and the institution.
• Resident Advisors will find themselves in
situations where they will need to recognize
possible policy violations as they occur.
• Although you do not need to memorize the
policies, the more you familiarize yourself with
the policies, the easier it will be to identify and
document issues.
3. une.edu/studentlife/handbook
• This is where you can find an
eletronic copy of the
student handbook.
• Changes to the
handbook are posted
here throughout the
year.
4. Alcohol and Other Drugs
The University of New England has adopted
a public health philosophy regarding alcohol
and other drugs.
The University of New England does not permit, or condone the
illicit or unauthorized possession (including empty alcohol
containers), use, manufacturing, consumption, sale, or
distribution of illicit drugs and/or alcohol by students or
employees on University-owned or controlled property or as part
of any University sponsored activity.
5. Hazing
The University of New England supports Maine State Law
and does not condone or tolerate any acts of hazing. Any
such acts, on or off University property or at University
affiliates, are expressly prohibited. In accordance with the
Maine Prohibition of Hazing Law, UNE will impose severe
sanctions to those individuals found responsible for being
in violation of the Hazing Policy. Individuals should
understand that disciplinary action by the University does
not offer protection from civil or criminal action or penalties.
6. Non-Discrimination Statement
The University of New England is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful
environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal
and state law, and University policy, the University prohibits any member of the faculty,
staff, administration, Trustees, student body, vendors, volunteers or visitors to campus,
whether they be guests, patrons, independent contractors, or clients, from harassing
and/or discriminating against any other member of the University community because of
that person’s race, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity
and expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, creed, color genetic information,
physical or mental disability, HIV status, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the
Vietnam era. Incidents of harassment and discrimination will be met with appropriate
disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.
This policy is enforced by Federal Law under Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973. It is also enforced under Maine law through the Maine Human Rights Act at 5
M.R.S.A. section 4551 et. Seq.
7. Equal Opportunity
Every member of this University community is expected to uphold this
non-discrimination policy as a matter of mutual respect and
fundamental fairness in human relations. Every student of this
institution has a responsibility to conduct himself/herself in accordance
with this policy as a condition of enrollment. Further, every University
employee has an obligation to observe UNE policies in implementation
of federal and state law as a term of employment. Merit and
productivity, free from prohibited bias, will continue to guide decisions
relating to employment and enrollment. No person will be penalized for
good faith utilization of channels available for resolving concerns
dealing with prohibited bias.
8. Title IX: Sexual Misconduct &
Harassment
Pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
“sexual misconduct and sexual harassment” is defined as
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature,
when:
A. Submission to such conduct is made either implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of an
individual’s employment or status in a course, program or activity;
B. Submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or
educational decisions affecting such individual; or
C. Such conduct has the purpose or effect:
o of interfering with the individual’s work or educational performance;
o of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment; or
o of interfering with or limiting one’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational
program or activity.
9. Title IX: Examples
Examples of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to the
following:
1. Physical assault, and/or physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a
person is incapable of giving consent due to the use of drugs or alcohol, or due to an intellectual
or other disability. This includes rape, sexual assault, sexual battery and sexual coercion.
2. Direct or implied threats that submission to sexual advances will be a condition of employment,
work status, compensation, promotion, grades, or letters of recommendation.
3. Sexual advances, physical or implied, or direct propositions of a sexual nature. This activity may
include inappropriate/unnecessary touching or rubbing against another, sexually suggestive or
degrading jokes or comments, remarks of a sexual nature about one’s clothing and/or body,
preferential treatment in exchange for sexual activity, and the inappropriate display of sexually
explicit pictures, text, printed materials, or objects that do not serve an academic purpose.
4. A pattern of conduct, which can be subtle in nature, that has sexual overtones and is intended to
create or has the effect of creating discomfort and/or that humiliates another.
5. Remarks speculating about a person’s sexual activities or sexual history, or remarks about one’s
own sexual activities or sexual history that do not serve a medical or academic purpose.
Sexual misconduct or sexual harassment can occur regardless of the relationship, position or
respective sex of the parties. Same sex harassment violates this policy as does harassment by a
student of a faculty member or a subordinate employee of his/her supervisor
10. Tobacco & Smoke Free
Effective July 1, 2014, the University of New England will become a tobacco and
smoke-free campus. Smoking of tobacco or other substances and use of all tobacco
products, including electronic cigarettes will not be permitted anywhere or anytime on the
University campuses. This includes all parking lots, (including personal vehicles),
buildings, residence halls and their grounds, clinics, laboratories, classrooms, private
offices, balconies, roofs, plazas, vestibules, loading docks, sidewalks, and on any other
campus property, as well as within close proximity to or causing the obstruction of any
building entrance, covered walkway or ventilation system. Please note only FDA
approved nicotine replacement therapy products will be permitted.
Signs will be posted at each building’s entrances and displayed in prominent, visible
areas to inform all individuals entering or occupying UNE property that smoking and
tobacco products are prohibited. This policy applies to all University of New England sites
within and outside Maine.
The UNE Community will fully implement this policy related to smoking and tobacco use.
All vendors and contractors retained by UNE will ensure that this policy is implemented
when their employees are visiting or working on UNE property.
11. Weapons & Fireworks
No person shall possess weapons or any device(s) that, in the opinion of the Director of
Safety and Security present a danger to the community. Examples of weapons include
swords, axes, machetes, martial arts weapons of any kind, knives, slingshots, paint-ball
guns, any device that propels an object including but not limited to pellet guns, “soft
pellet guns”, bb guns and the like as well as bows, arrows, hunting knives and any
firearm. Pepper spray and or any other similar product are prohibited from all University
buildings without the express consent of the Director of Safety and Security. Small
"pocket knives" for personal use with blades no longer than 2 ½ inches in length are
generally acceptable. No person shall possess replica or toy firearms that resemble an
actual firearm or weapon.
Recognizing that any object could be a potential weapon the Director of Safety and
Security shall evaluate any questionable object and determine if the device shall be
prohibited under the terms of this policy. This policy shall in no way be used to prohibit
the possession of kitchen type knives used for food preparation so long as they remain in
the owners "kitchen" area. Any weapon as defined by the policy or determined to be so
by the Director of Safety and Security that is found on campus, including any Residence
Hall space, will be confiscated.