Hampshire College emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility and accountability in the lives of its students. Additionally, the rights and duties of recognized student groups also carry with them an obligation on the part of their members, collectively, to uphold the policies and community standards set forth in the Standards for Student Acccountability and Norms for Communinty Living. This statement of group accountability acknowledges that unacceptable behaviors by individuals functioning as members or signers of a student group may have consequences for those individuals as well as for the group.
Also, the privilege of being a signer of a student group carries with it particular responsibility for the reasonable anticipation and prevention of foreseeable violations of College policies, resulting from either deliberate or negligent behavior of the group's members or guests.
In general, a recognized student group may be held accountable for the behavior of its members and guests on its premises, at events sponsored or co-sponsored by the group, or when a group including significant numbers of members or guests violate community standards. Student groups that violate community standards may be subject to accountability measures. It is the responsibility of group signers or those in charge of an event to identify foreseeable problems that may arise and to take timely corrective action.
Student Engagement will address student groups reported as violating community standards, and when appropriate accountability measures will be imposed. At the discretion of student engagement, typically for significantly egregious violations, student groups may be referred to the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability for resolution through the community standards process.