To:  All Students

From: Kathleen Hallissey, Director of Student Conduct

Date:  January 22, 2024

Welcome Roadrunners!

As the spring semester begins, I am writing to all students to emphasize the importance of the Student Handbook.  The Student Handbook contains the Code of Conduct, which is the conduct expected of all students.  It also contains the policies and procedures for many offices on campus.  In addition to policies and procedures, the handbook has information regarding the rights and responsibilities of all students.

Some of the important policies in the Handbook include:

Sexual Misconduct Policy Governing Students

Alcohol, Cannabis, Other Drug, and Good Samaritan Policy

Fire Safety

Anti-Bullying

Reporting a Bias Incident

Sexual Misconduct Policy Governing Students

This comprehensive policy includes definitions; information regarding confidentiality; reporting options; jurisdiction and reporting timeframes; alcohol and drug amnesty; interim and protective measures; investigation and resolution procedures; sanctions; recordkeeping; non-retaliation information; and a resource directory.   For the full policy click on the link above.

Alcohol, Cannabis, Other Drug, and Good Samaritan Policy

Although New Jersey state law permits the recreational use by persons over 21 years of age and the medical use of cannabis as prescribed by a medical professional, the College prohibits being in the presence of cannabis or the use, possession, and or distribution of cannabis for any use.

The purpose for the Alcohol, Cannabis, Other Drug, and Good Samaritan Policy is to define and communicate, to all members of the College, acceptable and unacceptable behavior with regards to alcohol, cannabis and other drugs and the sanctions for policy violations.  The Alcohol, Other Drug, and Good Samaritan Policy provides specific scenarios and examples for students of what they may do and may not do with regards to alcohol on campus.  Students who are under the age of 21 may not be in possession of or in the presence of alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs at any time.  Persons who are present, within college housing, where alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs are being consumed by those over or under the age of 21 will be presumed to have been consuming, in possession of, or in the presence of alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs if Public Safety Officers, On-Call Administrators or Resident Assistants are called to the scene.  Hosting large gatherings or parties, where alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs are present, is considered a violation of the Alcohol, Cannabis, Other Drug and Good Samaritan policy and will lead to disciplinary action, including suspension of residence privileges.  The Alcohol, Cannabis, Other Drug Policy and Good Samaritan Policy outlines recommended sanctions for violations of the Alcohol, Cannabis, Other Drug, and Good Samaritan Policy.  For the full policy click on the link above.

Fire Safety

Fire safety is a high priority at Ramapo College. Fire Safety Policies and Procedures promote lifestyle practices that focus on health and safety. Policies and procedures associated with fire safety are intended to inform, educate, and train students, faculty, staff and guests.  Specific information regarding Fire Safety policies can be found by clicking on the link above.

Anti-Bullying

The Code of Conduct covers a wide range of behaviors that are considered unacceptable including harassment, intimidation, and bullying as outlined in the New Jersey Anti-Bullying law.  For the full Code of Conduct click on the link above.

Reporting a Bias Incident

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance (EDIC) oversees the College’s Bias Incident Response Policy Prohibiting Discrimination (“the Policy”) which serves to address bias incidents that are directed to students, faculty, staff and visitors at Ramapo College of New Jersey based on their membership in a protected category.  A Bias Incident is any action directed toward an individual or group based on the individual or group’s actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, civil union and/or domestic partnership status. Some examples include the following: racial jokes, homophobic slurs, defacing property with xenophobic images, sending emails with sexist content.  The bias incident policy applies to actions that occur at the College, including e-mail communications sent or received, and any action that occurs at a location that can be reasonably regarded as an extension of the College (i.e., any field location, on-line course, any off-site college-related social function, or event).  For the full policy click on the link above.

Behavioral Intervention Team

The Student Handbook also provides information about services that are in place to assist students.  The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) coordinates the support services of the College in order to assist students who have reportedly displayed troublesome or concerning behaviors on campus.  For a full description of BIT, please click here

Each student is encouraged to review the Student Code of Conduct and the College Policies and Procedures as outlined in the 2023-2024 Student Handbook. Students are held accountable for the information contained in the Student Handbook.

The Office of Student Conduct is committed to helping students take responsibility for their actions by providing them the opportunity to realize the impact their actions have on the community.  Communication with students, regarding documented behavior that allegedly violates the code of conduct, will be sent to the student’s college email address.  Students are responsible for checking their college email account on a daily basis.  Failure to read college email is not a justifiable excuse for neglecting to attend a disciplinary hearing or missing a deadline related to a disciplinary sanction.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Conduct at 201-684-7869 or via email at studentconduct@ramapo.edu with questions or concerns about the Student Handbook.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Hallissey
Director of Student Conduct