Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, fabrication, or falsification of data) is a breach of the ethics of scholarship and a violation of one of the central norms of an academic community. Because reports of academic dishonesty are most likely to arise from work done in a course or for a divisional project, a member of the college faculty usually brings forward the report. When such a report is brought forward, the procedure is as follows:

1. The faculty member will inform the student and the School dean that a violation of academic honesty may have occurred. The School dean will inform the dean of advising of the violation.  The faculty member will provide all documentation to the dean of advising, who will meet with both the student and faculty member, and recommend a course of action. If the dean of advising determines that it is more likely than not that academic dishonesty has occurred and determines that it is a first offense, the dean of advising will:

• Write a letter of warning to the student, to remain in the student’s academic file;
• In consultation with the faculty member and the School dean, determine academic consequences that may include but are not limited to submitting a revised or new assignment; no evaluation given for the course regardless of add/drop/withdrawal deadlines or, in the case of Division III [7] work, a decision to set aside the project in question and require the student to do an alternative project on a different topic with a different committee (unless the committee concerned agrees to continue working with the student).

Academic integrity lies at the core of our work and unacknowledged borrowing from the work of others in any medium is a fundamental repudiation of the deepest values of the academic community. Therefore, in cases of egregious violation, the dean of advising may also refer the case for review through the community standards process [8], as outlined below.

Referral of the Case to the Community Standards Process
Second or multiple offenses concerning plagiarism or other violations of the ethics of scholarship [9] (as well as egregious first offenses) will be referred by the dean of advising to the community standards process [8].  Among the accountability measures available if found responsible for a violation of the Ethics of Scholarship are probation, suspension, and expulsion from the College.

Appeals
The student has the right to appeal the finding of academic dishonesty and/or sanctions to the vice president of academic affairs and dean of faculty. Findings may be appealed only on procedural grounds.

Process for Appeal
Appeals of procedure and appeals of sanction(s) by the student must be submitted in writing to the vice president for academic affairs within five (5) business days after written notification of the finding and/or sanction is sent to the student. Appeals must state the specific rationale for a procedural appeal and/or the grounds for an appeal of the sanction.

In all cases of an appeal, the vice president of academic affairs shall review the appeal and the pertinent facts relative to the appeal, determine if further investigation is warranted, and render a decision.  The vice president of academic affairs will endeavor to render a decision within 21 days after an appeal has been submitted but may take additional time to consider the appeal when such time is deemed necessary. The vice president’s decision is final. 

Record of Cases of Academic Dishonesty
All cases of academic dishonesty should be reported in writing to the dean of advising.  A confidential record of all cases of plagiarism will be maintained by the Center for Academic Support and Advising [10] (CASA) to aid in determining appropriate action. 

Academic Dishonesty at another institution
Should a charge of academic dishonesty be brought against a Hampshire College student at another institution (i.e. Five Colleges, study abroad institution, internships or other external academic institutions) the policies and procedures of the host institution will apply.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism (from the Latin for kidnapper) is the presentation of another’s work as one’s own. The term, "plagiarism" covers everything from inadvertently passing off as one’s own the work of another because of ignorance, time constraints, or careless note-taking, to deliberately hiring a ghost writer to produce an examination or course paper. This range of possibilities is spelled out in more detail in the following list of examples.

Cheating
Cheating is the unfair or dishonest acquisition or use of information in order to gain an advantage. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized use of information from another person’s paper, quiz, or exam; buying/borrowing, or selling/loaning quizzes, exams, or papers; unauthorized use of opened textbooks, notes, or other devices during a quiz or exam. It is the responsibility of each student to consult with faculty about the study aids and materials that are permissible.

False Citation
Material should not be attributed to a source from which that material was not obtained. That is, one must not pass off primary sources as if they had been consulted when in fact, the material in the oral presentation or written work is based upon a secondary source. All primary and secondary source material must be properly identified and cited.

Poor Documentation
As scholarly writers, we are expected to acknowledge our indebtedness for ideas, phrases, sentences, data, computer code, charts, diagrams, figures, images, and longer verbatim quotations by citing our sources. Sources can include, but are not limited to, course readings, lectures, websites, interviews, and other students’ work. The necessity to cite sources extends to both published and unpublished work. Writers prepare for the necessity of proper source citation by taking careful notes on exact wording and spelling, page numbers, and source identification, including any material found on the internet. It is particularly important to present verbatim quotations exactly as they are in the original sources, including any errors. Paraphrases require documentation, and they must be a true restatement of the original rather than simply a rearrangement of the words in the sources. There are a number of methods of documentation. The form of the reference list or bibliography or footnote style may vary by discipline. There are a number of style manuals that describe the documentation rules for various academic disciplines. Some are in the reference collection at the library; many are online. Please the Hampshire College library for assistance on citing sources [11] via the associated link.

Unacknowledged Use of Work Produced by Others
Presenting papers or sections of papers (including any material found on websites) bought, borrowed, or stolen from others as one’s own is the most blatant form of plagiarism. Plagiarism can also extend to buying, borrowing, or stealing data, images, or computer code and presenting it as one’s own. There is no acceptable excuse for this behavior, including ignorance.

Unacknowledged Multiple Authors or Collaboration
The notion that intellectual work is and should be a lonely and fiercely independent enterprise is sometimes overemphasized. At Hampshire College, students are encouraged to collaborate on work for courses, work for Division II [12], and even Division III [7] “independent projects.” For example, students are encouraged to have better spellers look at their work if that is necessary, and faculty members show drafts of their work or discuss their ideas with colleagues. In almost any book or article, writers in footnotes and references lists recognize their indebtedness to colleagues who have criticized their work. Students, too, should acknowledge the assistance of their collaborators. In joint examinations or class projects, the contributions of each member of the group should be made clear and every member of the group should have an understanding of the whole project. All collaborators should be clearly acknowledged and cited on each individual’s work. Students should consult with their faculty about the expectations and limitations about collaboration specific to each course.

Unacknowledged Multiple Submission
Students are expected to generate original work in response to each assignment, unless the faculty member setting the assignment has expressly stated otherwise. Using the same paper or assignment, or portions thereof, for several purposes without prior approval (for example, submission of a paper to several classes or publication in several scholarly journals) is generally considered to be unacceptable.

False Data
Data fabricated or altered in a laboratory experiment or field project is an instance of academic fraud. Though it is not plagiarism per se, falsification of data is a clear violation of the ethics of scholarship [9].

A repudiation of plagiarism in all its forms is shared by all academic disciplines. However, there is some variation between disciplines regarding the methods and norms for acknowledging and citing sources within that discipline. These are best discussed with the faculty in the context of specific courses of projects. Ignorance of expectations around proper citations of sources and collaborations is not an excuse.

Students may apply to reserve study carrels [19]on the 2nd or 3rd floors.  Carrels are assigned to students for a semester at a time, and students may use them as their personal study space during the Library’s open hours. 

Division I is designed for exploration and for learning new ways of working across a wide range of critical, scientific, and creative approaches through Hampshire’s transdisciplinary curriculum. Students learn and practice academic, interpersonal, and collaborative skills to engage in meaningful work with others, including community engaged learning (CEL-1)as well as demonstrate engagement with Race and Power. Students are supported to develop skills for engaging in project-based learning, deepening their ability to pose and pursue authentic questions through collaborative or mentored projects. Students are mentored by advisors who guide them through the selection of courses. They are also mentored through advising networks of students, staff, and faculty. 

Because project-based work is an important component of Hampshire’s pedagogy, students take an active role in their learning. They deepen their ability to ask and answer authentic questions, sparking a love of learning and preparing them for a well-conceived individualized concentration of studies in Division II. Division I is the first two semesters of enrollment, during which time students' advisors will periodically review academic progress to identify developing areas of strength as well as indicators of the need for further study.

Note for first-year entrants with advanced standing: carefully read the advanced standing [20] description and contact CASA with questions.

Note for transfer entrants: the rules for completing Division I are significantly different than those for first year entrants. Students should refer to the Transfer Policy [21] for information and contact CASA with questions.

Division II is the core of the student’s academic experience at Hampshire. It is a generative time when students articulate their questions and interests and acquire the knowledge and skills that not only help them gain purchase on their questions, but also prepare them to carry out an extensive independent project in Division III. The challenge for Division II students is to continually think across their courses and other experiences to integrate their learning. Doing so requires ongoing reflection, seminars that enable integrative work, and regular communication with their advising networks. As such, students’ Division II concentrations evolve as they develop and deepen their interests, while finding new points of intersection.

Division II consists of a self-designed concentration pursued through courses and other appropriate learning experiences, such as special projects (including internships, community-based projects with an organization, and practica), field study, and study abroad. Students are expected to consider how race and power relates to their work (see Race and Power Requirement [24]) and to integrate the knowledge gained from community involvement into their academic program (see Community Engaged Learning or CEL-2 Requirement [24]).

Each student develops a Division II contract outlining their concentration and program which is periodically reviewed and revised as the student’s program of study evolves. The contract supports students in thinking about the questions that drive them, the goals they have for their learning in Division II, and their plan to accomplish their goals. Students’ goals might include acquiring content knowledge and skills (e.g. research, writing, quantitative, production, project management, creative expression, cultural perspectives, collaboration skills), learning a language, or other educational goals. The contract asks students to outline the kinds of courses and out-of-classroom experiences that will help them reach their goals.

A strong Division II concentration is a highly individualized program of study that gives the student a solid foundation in knowledge and techniques, the broader concepts behind them and the contexts from which they emerge, and critical, analytical, and creative skills. Division II is typically four full semesters of academic work, culminating in the production of a Division II portfolio and a final meeting with the committee.

As part of their Division II, students take a Division II seminar which supports their transition from Division II to Division III. The sixth-semester Div II seminar supports students’ compiling of the Div II Portfolio and completion of a robust Div III proposal by the end of the semester.

In their final two semesters, students undertake a major independent project with the guidance of a committee. Typically, Division III projects explore a specific aspect of the student’s Division II work in depth. Division III students devote the majority of their time to the independent project.

We expect scholars and artists to move beyond the boundaries of their particular fields of expertise and to participate in the collective activities that help to define and invigorate intellectual and artistic life. In a similar way, students are expected to engage in two Advanced Educational Activities concurrent with their Division III independent project that have the dual goal of broadening the scope of their intellectual endeavor and making their more mature skills and viewpoints available to the College at large.

Division III Requirements

The Advanced Independent Project

Each student designs, implements, and completes a two-semester advanced independent project that encompasses a sophisticated and complex set of questions, concepts, skills, and abilities. The completed project should clearly demonstrate the student’s ability to perform advanced work. The culmination of the Division III advanced independent project—whether a thesis, portfolio, film, exhibit, computer program, performance, or committee-approved combination of these—must be in a form that can be evaluated by the student’s faculty committee. Judgment of the quality and scope of the advanced independent project is the responsibility of a student’s committee.

Division III Advanced Educational Activities

In addition to their Division III projects, students must complete two Advanced Educational Activities approved by their Division III committees, referred to in the following as the primary AEA and the second AEA. Students should consider the following points carefully.

• The primary AEA must be an advanced-level academic course or supervised teaching assistantship (TA) for a full academic course.
• An advanced-level Hampshire course is defined as a course offered by one of the five interdisciplinary schools numbered 250 or higher. The schools are Cognitive Science (CS), Critical Social Inquiry (CSI), Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies (HACU), Interdisciplinary Arts (IA) and Natural Science (NS).
• An advanced-level Five College course is defined as a course numbered 300 or higher taken at one of the other four institutions in the consortium.
• An advanced-level course taken at an institution outside the Five College consortium is one that is defined at the host institution as an advanced or upper-level course. 

• The second AEA may be a full academic course; a supervised teaching assistantship; an independent study; facilitation of an EPEC course registered as an independent study, or a special project such as an internship.

• All AEAs must be at least three semester credits or the equivalent.

• Hampshire courses must be successfully completed and evaluated. Any courses taken for a traditional grade used for either AEA must be graded C or better or its equivalent from an international institution. They may not be audited, taken pass/fail, satisfactory/unsatisfactory, or any other binary grading scheme. 

Note: 

Students studying away from campus on field study or an exchange program in Division III should carefully plan with their committees how they are going to satisfy their AEAs in keeping with the above definition. They may not use the entirety of their field study as an AEA but may use a component, such as a special project or a course. Students should check the planning guides for study away from campus and discuss them with their faculty. Two courses may not be combined to satisfy one AEA.The work for all AEAs must be completed by the end of the Hampshire advising and progress review period in the student’s final semester. Formal awarding of the degree will be delayed if documentation of completion of one or both AEAs is not received prior to the degree award date. Students may not negotiate an incomplete in the final semester for any AEA. Failure to complete an AEA will result in the student having to complete an advanced-level course at another institution, pre-approved by the Division III chairperson in a revised contract. The student’s graduation date will be delayed until after receipt of a transcript documenting successful completion of the substituted course.

Field Study:

Students studying away from campus on field study or an exchange program in Division III should carefully plan with their committees how they are going to satisfy their AEAs in keeping with the above definitions. They may not use the entire field study as an AEA but may use a component, such a special project or a course. The component used for the Advanced Educational Activity will be registered separately and evaluated or certified as complete by the Division III chair.

If the student is using a special project, they must submit a special project form to Central Records and submit documentation of completion to their Division III chair. Although not required, a site supervisor evaluation may be submitted to Central Records for inclusion in the student’s Hampshire transcript. If the student is using a course, they must submit an official copy of their transcript to both Central Records and their chair.

Teaching Assistantship (TA) Definition:

A student is considered a TA if they are assisting in the planning of and engaging in teaching activities in a course approved by the Division III committee. This course must be a full academic course, or a course equivalent in level of activity and time commitment to a full academic course. Please note that TA responsibilities differ significantly from the duties of a work-study or office/course assistant position, which are more limited in scope. Examples of the responsibilities of a teaching assistant might include: leading discussions, holding office hours for student appointments, and providing feedback on papers or other assignments.

Special Project Definition:

“Special Projects” [30] are robust supervised or mentored learning experiences that students have at or away from Hampshire with organizations (such as schools, labs companies, or nonprofit organizations) or with community groups. They can be internships, practica, or other independent projects that are evaluated by a qualified supervisor at the organization or community group and approved by the student’s advisor. They must engage a student in learning for 180 hours or more. Students must fill out a special project form (obtained from the Central Records office). Declaration of a special project must occur by the add/drop deadline in the student’s final semester.

 Transfer students are required to fulfill all requirements of Hampshire’s Division I, II, and III. Transfer course work completed prior to enrollment at Hampshire may be used to satisfy some of Hampshire’s graduation requirements. To be considered for transfer status, students must have been enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university on a full- or part-time basis and have completed at least 15 transferable semester credits or 23 quarter credits in a variety of academic (liberal arts and sciences) disciplines post-high school graduation prior to enrollment at Hampshire. Courses must be comparable in academic demands and disciplines to those offered at Hampshire, be graded C or better and not be recorded as high school credit except for courses completed during high school dual-enrollment programs when the student’s transfer institution has awarded them credit. Students who have completed fewer than 15 semester credits or 23 quarter credits of college work will be considered first-year entrants and should refer to the description of the first-year program [31] which includes a policy on advanced standing for more information. Hampshire College will also transfer Advanced Placement Program (AP) exams scores of 4 or 5 and International Baccalaureate (IB) higher level exams scores of 5 or higher for up to four Division I elective requirements. Comparable international exams will be considered for transfer credit on a case by case basis.

Division I: In order for transfer students to pass (complete) Division I, eight academic courses which may include eligible exams as described above must be identified for Division I. They may all be from the student’s transcripts or may be a combination of transfer courses and Hampshire courses. Student’s transcripts are evaluated prior to their arrival to determine if they have the required number of courses to pass Division I from their transcript. Central Records will record a Division I “pass” for students who do. Students who have remaining Division I requirements will satisfy them in their first semester of enrollment at Hampshire and pass Division I by the semester’s end. Prior to arrival Central Records will establish an estimate of the number of semesters students can expect to spend at Hampshire to graduate based on the number of transfer courses that have been accepted. Unlike first year entrants. transfer students do not complete Division I portfolios or submit Division I retrospective essays. They do not take a Division I seminar and are not required to complete the CEL-1 [32] requirement.

Division II: Like all Hampshire College students, transfer students negotiate a plan of study for Division II [12] with their advisor. Transfer courses not used for the completion of Division I are eligible for inclusion in Division II with approval of Division II committees. Please see the section concerning requirements and procedures for filing Division II [12]. When determining whether a student's Division II is ready to be passed, the faculty committee takes into consideration: whether the student has met the goals set out in the contract; the number and type of courses and other learning activities in the portfolio and whether they form a comprehensive body of work; the student’s proficiency with writing and other modes of expression and presentation; and the student’s readiness, in terms of requisite knowledge and skills, to embark on the proposed Division III [7] project. Transfer students are required to complete the CEL-2 [24] (Community Engagement and Learning) requirement, the Race and Power requirement as well as a supported project during Division II.

Division III: Transfer students follow the Division III policy guidelines. Transfer work does not apply to Division III.

Mass Transfer Agreement: Courses transfer under this agreement in a block for students who have earned an associates degree in Massachusetts. The expectation is that students will complete their education at Hampshire in two years (two semesters in Division II and two semesters in Division III) though students may take additional time to complete.

NOTE: Students receiving financial aid should consult with the Financial Aid Office [33] regarding the number of semesters of financial aid eligibility.

At Hampshire, "Special Projects" are robust supervised or mentored learning experiences that students can pursue at or away from Hampshire with organizations (such as schools, labs, companies, or nonprofit organizations) or with community groups. Special Projects can be essential to a student’s education and should result in substantial learning. Special Projects may be paid or unpaid. They can be internships, practicums, or other independent projects approved by the student’s advisor that are evaluated by a site supervisor at the organization or community group hosting the activity. Special Projects can take place at any time of the calendar year and can be initiated at any time after a student enrolls at Hampshire up until the add/drop deadline in the final semester of Division III. They must engage a student in learning for 180 hours or more.

As Special Projects can be started and completed off the semester schedule, they do not count toward full-time student status for a given semester in Division I and II. This means that students must register for a minimum of three academic courses equivalent to at least 12 credits, which may include independent study and teaching assistantships in the spring and fall semesters in addition to any Special Projects in progress. In Division III, students must follow the Division III Policy Guidelines to use a Special Project for an Advanced Educational Activity. For outside institutions (graduate programs, scholarship organizations, transfer institutions, etc.), the College recommends four credits for a successfully completed Special Project. Please note that the special projects policy went into effect in summer of 2018.

Divisional Notes

If a Special Project is to be included in Division I, II, or III, it must be completed and evaluated by the appropriate divisional passing deadline.

• A Special Project completed by the Division I passing deadline may count as one of the seven courses required for Division I [34].
• Students should speak to their committees to determine how Special Projects may be used in their Division II.
• A Special Project may be used to fulfill one of the two Advanced Educational Activities [7] with permission of students' Division III committees.

Procedure

Registration

The student secures the site and completes a registration form [35] detailing the scope and length of the project, to be reviewed by both the student's advisor and the site supervisor.

• The site supervisor may be anyone approved by the student's advisor.

The student can submit the registration form with faculty approval to Central Records anytime (before or after completing the Special Project), but only completed, evaluated special projects go on the permanent transcript. Central Records registers the Special Project with the student's advisor as the faculty member of record. When used as an Advanced Educational Activity In Division III, the registration forms are due the last day of the add/drop period in the student's final semester of enrollment. Students should list the Special Project on their contracts by the Division III revision deadline at the latest.

Only one registration is allowed for an individual Special Project, even if the number of hours of engagement exceeds 180. A student is free to do more than one Special Project at the same site, but they must register for them separately and the Projects should have different focuses.

 Evaluations

Upon conclusion of the project, the student writes a reflective self-evaluation and obtains a written evaluation from the site supervisor stating that the Special Project has been completed and that the hour requirement has been satisfied along with narrative comments on the student’s work. The student submits the documentation to their advisors. The students may also, but are not obliged to, bring a copy of the site supervisor evaluation to Central Records for inclusion in their transcripts.

Special Projects can be started and completed off the semester schedule. When an advisor signs a student's form, the expectation is that the student will follow the procedure outlined above. If this process is not followed, the Special Project will not be included in the student's transcript.

If the student does not complete a Special Project, or separates from the College without completing, a registered Special Project, it will be removed from their transcripts without a "W" notation.

For Faculty

In addition to signing off on the registration form, the student's advisor completes an evaluation on TheHub based on the evaluation from the site supervisor. The student is responsible for obtaining the site supervisor’s evaluation and submitting it to their advisor along with their own self evaluation. The advisor’s evaluation may be brief or detailed, but at least certifies for the student's official transcript that the experience was completed and that the hour requirement of a minimum of 180 hours engaged in learning was satisfied. The evaluation ideally contains evaluative comments shared by the site supervisor.

Once the Special Project has been completed, advisors are asked to write their evaluation on TheHub as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days or by the semesters end. In Division III, the deadlines for Advanced Educational Activities apply.

Dates and deadlines are located on the Academic Calendar [38].

There are two periods a semester in which students may register for Hampshire and Five College courses: preregistration and add/drop. At preregistration, students register for courses for the upcoming semester. Before or during this period, students must meet with their advisors to discuss plans and obtain advisor authorization, which is required to participate in preregistration.[1] Students may register and drop courses on TheHub [39] during preregistration and again during the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester. There are two deadlines during the add/drop period: the last day to add a class on TheHub; and the last day to drop a class on TheHub and to submit paper registration forms to Central Records. No record of courses dropped during either preregistration or add/drop will appear on student transcripts. Note that courses will not be removed from the transcript after the drop deadline at the beginning of the semester has passed.

Students who have not registered for courses they are attending by the end of the add/drop period should contact Central Records to petition for late registration.

Students may withdraw from Hampshire and Five College courses between the drop deadline and the published course withdrawal deadline in November for a fall course and April for a spring course. A "W" for course withdrawal is recorded on student transcripts. Note that only successfully completed co-curricular courses appear on student transcripts. Students may not withdraw from courses after the course withdrawal deadline. Failure to withdraw from a course by the deadline could result in a “no evaluation” notation for a Hampshire course or an “F” for a Five College course.  Students with documented medical reasons or other verified, unforeseen grounds of personal or family hardship may contact the Center for Academic Support and Advising [29] to request an exception to this policy. Any request for an exception to registration policy must occur by the drop deadline in the semester after the course in question.

In some cases, faculty may grant students an extension for completing work. See the policy for incomplete courses [40] for more information.

Students who withdraw from the institution or take a medical leave during a semester should refer to the information on academic work in the leave policy [41].

The need to observe religious holidays will be honored by arrangement with individual faculty members. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts statute ensures that any student who is unable, because of religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement that may have been missed because of such absence on any particular day, provided, however, that such makeup shall not create an unreasonable burden upon the College. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to the student.

For more information about course registration, please visit the Central Records webpage [26].

[1] Some holds will prevent students from participating in preregistration. Students should check the "Approvals and Holds" page on TheHub [39] for information on holds.

What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly known as FERPA, is a federal law governing the privacy of education records. It grants specific rights to current and former students and sets restrictions on how schools may handle education records. It is College policy to keep student academic records confidential, with the exception of public information, which may be released at the discretion of Hampshire College officials.

FERPA requires that schools obtain written permission from students before releasing education records. Exceptions to this include emergency situations in which the health and safety of the student is involved, to provide information to schools to which a Hampshire student is transferring, in certain student conduct cases, and in other circumstances described in FERPA. In addition, in well-defined circumstances, some information may be released without written permission from the student. College officials with a legitimate educational interest may also have access to a student's education records without prior consent.

What is an education record?
The definition of an education record under FERPA is broad. It refers to any record that is directly related to a student and that is kept by the College or someone acting on behalf of the College from which an individual student, or students, can be personally (individually) identified. Records can include: files, documents, and materials maintained by the College in any medium.

FERPA gives each student the following rights:

• The right to inspect and review education records the school is keeping on the student within 45 days of making a request.
• The right to consent to any disclosure of those records, unless disclosure is permitted under FERPA.
• The right to seek amendment to those records.
• The right to file a complaint with the FERPA Family Policy Compliance Office in Washington, D.C.

Note: When a student reaches the age of 18 or begins attending a postsecondary institution regardless of age, FERPA rights transfer to the student.

Public Information
The items below are considered public information and may be released to third parties at the discretion of Hampshire College officials. Students may request that public information be withheld. Since there are important consequences of such a request, students must consult with the director of central records.

• Name
• Campus box number and phone
• Campus email address
• ID photo
• Pronouns
• Dates of attendance
• Field of concentration
• Name of advisor
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Dates, titles, and committees of Divisional projects
• Most recent educational institution attended

Privacy of Records
Students complete an annual 'privacy of records' form on TheHub [23] regarding parent or guardian access, which they may change at any time. Ordinarily, students themselves share evaluations and Five College grades with others. In some cases, however, parents, guardians or individuals acting as parents in the absence of a parent or guardian, may request information from advisors, faculty, or staff. Students indicate whether the College may release to these individuals general information on academic progress and financial matters and/or copies of academic contracts, and whether, upon request, the College may send them copies of evaluations.  Other third parties may obtain non-directory information if the student has granted specific permission to do so.

Privacy rights apply only to currently enrolled students and former students; Hampshire applicants are not covered. These rights pertain to any education records in whatever form maintained by the College.

Telephone inquiries for information on alumni are answered by the Alumni and Family Relations Office [46], which releases this information only to other alumni, Hampshire and Five College faculty, and other inquirers expressly authorized by the alum. Hampshire students interested in contacting alums are encouraged to email alumni@hampshire.edu [47] with their requests.

 The following are not considered “education records” and access will not be provided:

• Personal files kept by a College staff member if the record is not revealed to others and is kept in the sole possession of the staff member
• Records maintained separately from education records solely for law enforcement purposes
• Medical records maintained by the College’s student health clinic
• Parents’ financial records

Access to student education records may be provided without prior written consent where such disclosure involves:

• Hampshire College officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the record.  A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using College employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a student conduct or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing their tasks.
• Officials of another school in which the student seeks or intends to enroll
• Federal, state, and local agencies and authorities as provided under law
• Parents of an eligible student if the student is claimed as a dependent for income tax purposes
• Organizations conducting studies for or on behalf of an educational institution, where such studies will not permit personal identification of students or their parents by those other than the representatives of such organizations
• Appropriate parties in a health or safety emergency
• Compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, where reasonable effort has been made to notify the student in advance of compliance
• Disclosure of final results of certain Formal Conduct Process proceedings (described in FERPA regulations) when there is a determination that a student committed a violation of its rules or policies with respect to the crime
• Disclosure to a parent of a student’s violation of a federal, state or local law or any rule or policy of the College governing the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances
• Other circumstances permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended

The following College personnel have access to student files: staff of central records, dean of faculty, center for academic support and advising, admissions, and student life; offices of the College with responsibility for academic programs; the student’s advisor; current and potential divisional committee members; College employees gathering data for legitimate college purposes; or any College official with a legitimate educational interest in an education record. To qualify as legitimate and educational, an interest must be related in a clearly discernible way to the conduct of the normal business of the institution or to the educational welfare of the individual student or of other students. Exceptions to this policy may be made in individual cases with the permission of the director of central records, provided that the exceptions are consistent with applicable law.

Request for Amendment to Educational Records
Generally, students resolve minor inaccuracies in their narrative evaluations without a formal process. Requests for amendment to records are not used in cases where the student is disputing a faculty member’s judgment of academic work. Refer to the section on Evaluation of Educational Activities [48] for information on requesting changes to narrative evaluations.

If an eligible student believes information contained in their education record is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy, the student may request a review of the record and its amendment.  Requests to amend record may not be considered beyond 60 days after the student’s final semester of attendance. 

Requests for amendment will be reviewed within a reasonable time and if appropriate college officials so decide, the record will be amended. If the College decides not to amend a record, the student will be notified and informed of the right to a hearing.

Many members of the Hampshire community use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. As long as the use of this different name is not for the purposes of misrepresentation, Hampshire acknowledges that a preferred first name and pronoun may be used wherever possible in the course of a student’s education. The preferred first name is used except where the legal name is required, such as payroll records and student transcripts.

Students should give serious consideration to the request to use a preferred first name and/or pronoun, as this choice will be permanently reflected in the narrative portions of the academic transcript [49]. Although students are generally free to determine the preferred first name they wish to be known by, inappropriate use of the preferred first name policy (including but not limited to avoiding a legal obligation or misrepresentation) may be cause for denying the request. The College reserves the right to remove a preferred first name if it is used inappropriately.

Preferred first name requests are entered via the directory. Students have a choice of displaying their preferred first name instead of their legal first name, or in addition to their legal first name. Authorized changes to preferred first names will be almost immediate in some locations; others may take additional time based on system configurations. 

In addition to the preferred first name, students may select a pronoun from the list provided in their directory preferences [50] to be displayed on TheHub and Moodle.  Pronouns are viewable to members of the Hampshire community who have a login to the directory. If no pronoun has been selected "not set" will be displayed.  When writing evaluations, faculty use the pronoun entered on the directory. 

Changes to a current student's legal name can only be made in the central records  [36]office [36] and require a court order and social security card as supporting documentation. Students with legal name changes may request that their narrative evaluations be amended to reflect their gender identity. Such amendments can take up to 45 business days to process.

Disclaimer: This policy does not form a contract of any kind and may be modified, changed, altered, or rescinded at the discretion of Hampshire College.

The first page of the transcript includes the following:

• Divisional titles and dates of completion
• Hampshire and Five College course numbers and titles
• Five College grades
• Completed co-curricular activities
• Terms of enrollment (including semesters of field study and exchange programs)
• Last date of attendance for uncompleted terms
• Students degree status
• Transcript key

Note: Hampshire courses that are not successfully completed, incomplete, or audited are notated accordingly.

Evaluations and other documents included in the transcript completed by the transcript issue date:

• Division II evaluation, which Includes certification of the Community Engaged Learning (CEL-2) requirement  and the Multiple Cultural Perspectives requirement.
• Division III evaluation, which Includes evaluations and/or grades for the two Advanced Educational Activities.
• Evaluations for successfully completed Hampshire courses.
• Field study and exchange program evaluations and international transcripts.
• Special Project, Learning Activity, and Five College evaluations when submitted to central records by the student.

Note: If a student studied at another U.S. institution before or during enrollment at Hampshire, the transcript should be ordered directly from the institution attended. This includes transcripts for study abroad programs that are issued by a U.S. school of record institution.

Requesting a Transcript
Students request transcripts using a form on the Hampshire website. Go to "Transcript Requests and Information [51]" It can take up to 10 business days for The Central Records Office to produce a transcript so please plan accordingly.

Cost
Students are billed a one-time transcript fee, which entitles them to request transcripts both while enrolled and in the future at no additional charge. Students are responsible for expedited shipping costs.

Maintenance of Student Files
Students should inspect their academic records before leaving the College. Academic records are scanned for permanent archiving after students leave the College.  Requests for changes to academic records may not be considered beyond sixty (60) days after the student’s final semester of attendance. 

Transcripts/Outstanding Obligations

• Students who have outstanding financial obligations to the College may not receive official transcripts, nor will transcripts be issued to a third party. 
• Transcripts will not be issued for any student who has defaulted on any federal student loan until the College has been notified by an agency that the student is no longer in default. 
• If a student has not fulfilled any student conduct sanctions imposed through the Formal Conduct Process [52], the degree will be withheld and official transcripts will not be released.

Students who have not fulfilled obligations as described above may be issued one unofficial transcript that will be stamped with “issued to student” and “outstanding obligation.” Transcripts will not be issued to a third party.

Mid-semester Course Evaluations
Faculty indicate concerns or comments regarding student progress courses by published deadline [57]s. (Mandatory for first and second semester students; optional for others)

Course Summary Evaluations
Faculty indicate whether students will be receiving an evaluation, no evaluation, or an incomplete by the published deadline [57]. Also see course registration policy. [58]

Course Evaluations
Course evaluations are due by January 15th for a fall term and June 15th for a spring term.

Short Term Courses January or May/Summer
All student work must be completed within one week (7 days) after the end date of the course as listed on TheHub. Faculty must provide course completion summaries on TheHub ten days after the course end date. Full course evaluations are due from faculty two weeks after student work is turned in (three weeks after the course end date).

Incomplete courses
Faculty are not obligated to negotiate an incomplete. In those cases where a student has requested and the faculty member agrees that an incomplete is appropriate, that information must be recorded no later than the course completion summary [57] deadline for that semester.

To record an incomplete, the faculty member enters the negotiated date along with any other pertinent notes on TheHub [59] in the course summary by the course summary deadline. Students are notified of the incomplete via email and asked to agree to the terms.  The negotiated date will not exceed January 15^th for a fall course, and June 30^th for a spring course.

When the faculty member has determined that the conditions of the incomplete have been met, they must record that the course has been successfully completed on TheHub by January 15^th for a fall course and June 30^th for a spring course. If successful completion is not recorded by this time, the incomplete will automatically convert to a “no evaluation” notation. Faculty have one month from the negotiated date to evaluate the work.

Students experiencing exceptional circumstances that could make it difficult to adhere to any part of this policy should be referred immediately to CASA [10] for assistance with accommodating circumstances.

Division I and II
Evaluations for Division I and II work passed during a fall term are due January 30. Evaluations for Division I and II work passed during a spring term are due June 30. Check the academic calendar [60] for the evaluation deadline for Division I work that is passed at the beginning of a term. 

Division III
Division III evaluations, including all Advanced Educational Activities, are due by the published deadline [57]. No student can formally be awarded the degree unless all Division III evaluations have been received.

Students interested in participating in exchange must apply through the Global Education Office.The Hampshire Exchange application deadlines (fall and spring term) are listed each year on the GEO website [61] and advertised extensively around campus. Students who enroll at a program or institution where Hampshire has an exchange agreement must do so through Hampshire College. Students may not enroll directly with Hampshire exchange partners.

A meeting with the advisor (Division II or Division III chair) who will be supervising the work during the exchange should occur at an early stage. If this is a Division III exchange, this planning meeting must be followed by a meeting with the Division III advisor in CASA. Division III students should refer to the Division III section [7].

Eligibility Requirements for Hampshire Exchange (both domestic and international):

To be eligible to participate in a semester on Exchange you must

• Have filed for Division II or be in your first semester of Division III. Division I students and Division III students in their last semester are not eligible.
• Be in good academic and disciplinary standing to qualify.
• For Exchange Programs, students must apply for the program through the Global Education Office.
• Receive approval from your academic committee.
• Be in good financial standing at Hampshire. Students who may have outstanding financial obligations may not be eligible.
• Receive necessary approvals from all relevant offices by the Field Study, Leave & Exchange Deadline the semester prior to being away (November for spring/April for fall).

Policy on Good Academic and Disciplinary Standing for Field Study

Students wanting to participate in a semester on Field Study must be in good academic, financial and disciplinary standing at Hampshire College.  The Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA), the Global Education Office (GEO) and the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism (JEA) collaborate to review all academic and conduct records of students who are applying to be on Exchange.  Students who are on academic contract are not eligible to participate in either Exchange until the terms of the contract have been fulfilled. In addition, students must be clear of any outstanding or ongoing Formal Student Conduct processes  and probationary terms cannot coincide with the intended semester away (all must be completed the semester before leaving campus). Students who may be on probation (disciplinary status sanction [64]) or contract at the time of application but whose probationary terms end prior to the planned semester off-campus are not automatically disqualified from participating. Hampshire reserves the right to review each case on the nature, severity, and number of incidents prior to approving the semester away.  Students may be required to submit additional information to CASA or GEO as well as participate in an interview prior to their approval for a semester on Exchange. Once a student’s application is approved, approval may be revoked at any time for failure to maintain good academic and disciplinary status through the time of departure.  It is in the student’s best interest to notify the appropriate CASA or GEO advisor/program manager if they have a violation of the norms for community living and policies prior to application.  If a student’s application for Exchange has been denied or their eligibility status to participate has been revoked, students have an opportunity to seek a review by filing a written request to the Dean of Faculty within 3 days once they have been notified.

Academic Expectations:

A semester of exchange is considered a full semester of enrollment for the purpose of academic standing. Students are expected to fulfill the academic requirements as outlined by their exchange program and their Division II or III committee. To remain in good academic standing at Hampshire while on exchange, students must successfully complete a minimum of 12 U.S. credits or the equivalent. If the host institution requires more to be fully enrolled, then the student needs to fulfill the host institution requirement. Successful completion of a course means receiving an evaluation or a grade of C or better or the equivalent. The final transcript must show evidence of this and will be evaluated for satisfactory academic progress and good academic standing [22].  [65]

Failure to successfully complete a semester of exchange may impact a student’s academic progress, divisional status, or financial aid eligibility. Fees and refunds associated with exchange withdrawal will be assessed per the program specific student agreement. The Global Education Office and CASA must be notified in writing of any withdrawal from an exchange program. [65]

Enrollment Status:

Students on exchange will be considered full-time students for the purpose of educational loan obligations. If, for other valid reasons, certification of student status is necessary, the Central Records Office [36] will prepare a letter bearing the College seal.

A student on exchange may not have use of any Hampshire College or Five College facilities. A student on exchange may have access to library resources.

Fees:

Students who participate in a Hampshire Exchange program are charged Hampshire College tuition for that semester. Room, board, and other fees vary by program; refer to the Global Education Office website [61]. Fees associated with exchange withdrawal will be assessed per the program withdrawal and refund policy [66]
[67]

Insurance:

Students on Hampshire Exchange are required to have health insurance coverage. Students who will be studying outside of the United States will need to confirm that their provider will cover them internationally. Some exchange programs may have additional, country-specific insurance requirements.

All students, including those on exchange, are automatically enrolled in the Hampshire College health insurance plan. Students have the option to waive Hampshire's insurance if they are covered under another acceptable insurance plan. If covered through Hampshire College health insurance, students will automatically be covered internationally. Plan and coverage information for Hampshire's health insurance can be found through the student health insurance [68] webpage.

Financial Aid:

Financial aid students who enroll in exchange are able to continue to receive Hampshire financial assistance. State and federal funding is also applicable. Students should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine the exact terms and conditions of their aid package. Refer to the Financial Aid website [33].

Transcripts or Evaluations:

After students are enrolled in a Hampshire Exchange program, Central Records will add the comment
‘Documentation of Completion Pending’ to their transcript. Exchange counts as a full semester of enrollment at Hampshire.

All exchanges must be documented to be included in your Division II or III portfolio. Students on exchange are required to carry a full course load that is equivalent to (or above) 12 US credits. If the host institution requires more to be fully enrolled, then the student needs to fulfill the host institution requirement. To document your exchange, you must have official transcripts or evaluations from the institution you are attending.

Transcripts or evaluations should be sent directly to the Global Education Office no later than 30 days after the start of the semester of your return from exchange. When Central Records receives your transcripts and or evaluations from the Global Education Office, they will replace the above comment with the appropriate titles of your courses and other learning activities that you have successfully completed.

International Students:

International students (with an F-1 student visa) are required to consult with the international student advisor [69] regarding visa implications of exchange BEFORE applying for exchange.

Returning from Exchange:

In order to preregister for courses or participate in the on campus housing lottery process, the student must notify CASA of their intention to return by the November and April enrollment deadline.  Students should refer to online forms  [70]and information [70] on the Hampshire College website and TheHub. Other information regarding returning to Hampshire is also included at this website. If CASA is not notified of a student’s plans for the term following the exchange by the notification deadline, the student will be withdrawn from the College.

Field Study at Hampshire is an approved semester of academic work or study that requires a student to be away from the College for a semester. Field study status assumes that the student is engaged in academic work away from the College, not just living off campus. Field Study should only be taken when a student has adequate academic preparation. Field Study may be international or domestic and may be course-based or self-designed.

Field Study must be pre-approved by Division II or Division III committees. Ideally, students should have their field study plans approved by the field study, leave, and withdrawl deadline in the semester prior to the field study. If plans are not definite or if a signature is missing, the form should still be submitted by the deadline and an appointment made with a CASA [10] dean the following week. Occasionally a student will find that their plans cannot be finalized until later in the term or during the summer.

A student on field study is supervised by an appropriate person at the field-study site. The student is entitled to limited supervision by the Division II or Division III committee. Students must submit the required documentation [71] to show evidence of continued full-time enrollment in the field study semester and successful completion of the semester.

Students are expected to fulfill the academic requirements as outlined by their field study program and their Division II or III committee. Failure to successfully complete a semester of field study may impact a student’s academic progress, divisional status, or financial aid eligibility.

A student on field study may not have use of any Hampshire College or Five College facilities. A student on field study may have access to library resources.

The center for academic support and  [10]advising [10] staff are available to answer questions about field study.

Field Study Options

Students may choose between a Course-Based Field Study or a Self Designed Field Study.

Hampshire College offers a number of faculty-led short-term field courses for academic credit that provide students the opportunity for off-campus study and research either elsewhere in the U.S. or abroad. These courses are offered and administered through the global education office (GEO) during January or summer and are generally 2-4 weeks in length. All Hampshire short-term field courses have an application, course fee, and registration process administered through the global education office.  For more information see the global education office webpage [63].

Eligibility Requirements for Short-term Field Courses:

To be eligible to participate in a GEO short-term field course, you must:

• Be an actively enrolled student in good academic [22] and disciplinary standing [64]
• Qualify for specific course prerequisites
• Be in good financial standing at Hampshire. Students who have outstanding financial obligations may not be eligible.
• Apply to the global education office using the online application system by the published application deadlines.  

Note:  Students on medical leave are not eligible to participate in short-term field courses. Students on personal leave must request permission to apply from the global education office.

Policy on Good Academic and Disciplinary Standing for Short-term Field Courses:

Students wanting to participate in a short-term field course must be in both good academic and disciplinary standing at Hampshire College.  The center for academic support and advising (CASA), the global education office (GEO) and the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism (JEA) collaborate to review all academic and conduct records of students who are applying for a short-term field course. Students must be clear of any outstanding or ongoing formal student conduct processes and probationary terms cannot coincide with the intended period away (all must be completed the semester before leaving campus). Students who may be on  probation (disciplinary status sanction [64]) or contract at the time of application but whose probationary terms end prior to the planned period off-campus are not automatically disqualified from participating. Students may be required to submit additional information to CASA or GEO as well as participate in an interview prior to their approval for a short-term field course. Once a student’s application is approved, approval may be revoked at any time for failure to maintain good academic and disciplinary standing at any time up to the time of departure.  It is in the student’s best interest to notify the appropriate advisor if they have violated the norms for community living and policies prior to application.  If a student’s application for a short-term field course has been denied or their eligibility status to participate has been revoked, students have an opportunity to seek a review by filing a written request to the Dean of Faculty within 3 days once they have been notified. Hampshire reserves the right to review each case on the nature, severity, and number of incidents prior to approval of participation in a short-term field course. 

Fees and Financial Aid:

The cost of each short-term field course varies. Please refer to the course-specific webpage listed at Short-term Field Courses [63] for more information about the course fee and additional costs. Airfare is generally NOT included in the course fee. Fully enrolled students who receive need-based financial aid from Hampshire College are eligible to apply for financial assistance through the global education office (GEO). For further details and payment information visit the Short-term Field Study Course Fees and Financial Aid [76] webpage.

Insurance:

Students participating on short-term field courses are required to have health insurance coverage. Students who will be studying outside of the United States will need to confirm that their provider will cover them internationally.

All Hampshire students are automatically enrolled in the Hampshire College health insurance plan. Students have the option to waive Hampshire's insurance if they are covered under another acceptable insurance plan. If covered through Hampshire College health insurance, students will automatically be covered internationally. Plan and coverage information for Hampshire's health insurance can be found through the student health insurance [68] webpage

Personal Leave of Absence

There are various reasons students might consider a personal leave: to take time away from Hampshire for personal circumstances; the desire to travel or work; or simply the need for a break. Personal leaves are not intended for students planning to obtain academic credit while away.

A personal leave may be granted to any student for one term. By the field study, leave and exchange deadline, students must meet with a dean in the Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA) to notify the College of their intention to take personal leave for the upcoming semester.

In extenuating circumstances, students already enrolled in a term may take a personal leave for the semester, but must meet with a CASA dean to request the leave by the end of the drop deadline at the beginning of the term. Requests for a personal leave after the drop deadline will be denied and are considered to be requests for withdrawal from the institution.

Automatic readmission after one semester will be assumed, provided students declare their intention to return by the field study, leave and exchange deadline of the term away from campus. A personal leave is not a semester of active enrollment. Students anticipated graduation will be adjusted to a later date by one semester to account for the term away. Should students pursue academic work while on personal leave, there is no guarantee that it will be accepted. Students who fail to notify the College of their intention to return will be withdrawn and must apply for readmission.

Leave with Conditions of Return

Students who are not making satisfactory academic progress as determined by CASA may be required to take a leave to make up for academic deficiencies by completing course and divisional work elsewhere. If students do not meet the conditions of return terms, students will be withdrawn. Read more about this academic progress under the Guidelines for Academic Progress [22] section.

Procedure for Filing for Leave of Absence

The first step in the process is for students to meet with a CASA dean to discuss their plans before the leave deadline. CASA will provide a form that requires signatures from the student's advisor, housing operations office, financial aid office, the bursar, the international student advisor in the multicultural and international student services offices (for students with an F-1 student visa), and a CASA dean. To return from leave of absence the following semester, students should refer to online forms and information on the Hampshire College website. If CASA is not notified of the student's plans for the term following the personal leave by the notification deadline, the student will be withdrawn.

Students on leave do not have an advisor and may not work with faculty. They may not complete divisional work or negotiate the Division II or the Division III contract. Students on leave of absence may not have use of any Hampshire College or Five College facilities. Specifically, this involves the library; the Robert Crown Center; the Hampshire College or University of Massachusetts Amherst Health and Counseling Services; the Outdoors Program/Recreational Athletics college-sponsored trips; enrolling in, teaching, or auditing Hampshire or Five College interchange courses; having a job on campus, or having a validated Hampshire ID card.

Deadlines and Fees

The leave of absence fee is $400 for each term.

A change of status from fully enrolled to leave of absence after the start of classes will, if approved, lead to the partial or full forfeiture of tuition, room, and board fees. Refer to the Student Accounts website [77] for the refund schedule. Factors determining the amount of the refund include the date of leave, the type of leave, and the financial aid status of the student. Upon leave, financial aid students may have a part of their aid returned to the programs that assisted them as mandated by the federal return-of-funds formula. Returns are applied in the following order: federal student and parent loans, federal grants, college and outside grants, and scholarships. Students will be responsible for a balance due created by the return-of-funds process. 

Insurance

Students who have waived insurance coverage for the preceding term are not eligible to apply for insurance while on leave. Students enrolled in the insurance plan are eligible for coverage for a maximum of two semesters. Health insurance does not automatically continue while on leave. To request continuation of health insurance while on medical leave, contact student accounts at 413.559.6982.

Students may purchase the supplemental health insurance offered by Hampshire College that entitles leave students to medical care as outlined in the college insurance company brochure and on the Student Financial Services website [78]. Supplemental insurance does not cover a student for care at the Hampshire College  [79]Health and Counseling Services [79] or University of  [80]Massachusetts Amherst University Health Services [80].

Vacating Student Rooms

See the Residential Life & Housing Policies [81] section.

International Students

International students (with an F-1 student visa) are required to consult with the International Student Services Office (ISS@hampshire.edu [82]) before submitting their leave of absence form to CASA; or if filing for medical leave, before submitting the medical leave declaration and any supporting medical documentation to the Office of Student Success and Engagement. Mandatory advisement will address the visa implications and procedures for international students taking a leave of absence or medical leave, and requests for authorization for a SEVIS Reduced Course Load (RCL) due to a medical condition, if applicable.  Without receiving timely advisement from their international student advisor, the student risks jeopardizing their student visa status and lawful presence in the U.S.  The advisor/director is located in international student services [83] in the World Lounge on the first floor of the merrill student life center.

[1] Students who begin medical leave within the last two weeks of classes may appeal to the dean of academic support and advising to discuss the possibility of completing work. This request must be in writing, addressed directly to the dean. Students should not negotiate the completion of work with the faculty member teaching the course. Approval to complete work will be considered on a course-by-course basis. If an exception is granted for one or more courses, a firm date for submitting the work will be established. If students do not complete the work, a “no evaluation” notation will be recorded on their transcripts. If students complete the approved courses, the semester will count as a semester of enrollment.

A medical leave is a leave of absence from the College that may be granted to students who are unable to continue their enrollment because of physical or psychological conditions. Non-degree students are not eligible for medical leave. A request for medical leave is considered a request to withdraw from Hampshire College. Students seeking a medical leave must contact Health and Counseling Services (413.559.5458) to discuss the circumstances and the process for taking a medical leave from the College. The final day to take a medical leave is the last day of classes for the current semester; students cannot take a retroactive medical leave after classes have concluded. All medical leaves are processed by the Senior Director for Health and Counseling Services or an appointed designee. A "W" for withdrawal will appear on transcripts for courses in progress if a student goes on medical leave after the add/drop deadline. Students seeking a medical leave must fill out a medical leave declaration.

As with any other leave, the College reserves the right to deny a student’s request for medical leave.

A student on voluntary or involuntary medical leave normally will not be permitted to participate in College activities or to utilize the College’s services, facilities, or programs (including extracurricular activities) and will also be restricted from entering the campus during the leave period; exceptions to these restrictions must be approved in advance by Health and Counseling Services in consultation with the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism.

Students on medical leave must complete a readmissions application. Refer to the readmission policy [86] for details.

Students who have waived insurance coverage for the preceding term are not eligible to apply for insurance while on medical leave. Students enrolled in the insurance plan are eligible for coverage for a maximum of two (2) semesters. Insurance must be requested. Refer to the student  [78]financial services website [78] for more information.

A change of status from fully enrolled to leave of absence after the opening of the term (enrollment check-in date) will, if approved, lead to the partial or full forfeiture of tuition, room, and board fees. Refer to the fee brochure and refund schedule [88]. Factors determining the amount of the refund include the date of leave, the type of leave, and the financial aid status of the student. Upon leave, financial aid students may have a part of their aid returned to the programs that assisted them as mandated by the federal return-of-funds formula. Returns are applied in the following order: federal student and parent loans, federal grants, college and outside grants and scholarships. Students will be responsible for a balance due created by the return-of-funds process.

For information about medical leave in relation to academic work, see the leave policy [41] in the Academic Policies section.

Duration of Medical Leave
Students on medical leave normally will be assumed to be on leave for the remainder of the semester in which the leave began and for one additional semester. Students beginning a medical leave within the last two weeks of classes are considered to be on medical leave for the remainder of the semester as well as two full consecutive semesters. Students may be permitted to return in accordance with the readmission policy [86].

Students on medical leave will have their leave automatically extended for a second consecutive semester. Students who do not apply for readmission after their second semester of medical leave are withdrawn from the College.

Students who want to return to the College after any medical leave (voluntary or involuntary) must follow the readmission policy [86].

Involuntary Medical Leave
All students (including those with physical or psychological conditions) are required to meet the academic, behavioral, and other standards of the College; requests for reasonable accommodations to meet these requirements are considered on a case-by-case basis. Threatening or other inappropriate behavior by a student will usually be addressed either through the College’s student conduct process or by a qualified health professional. Where such behavior is deemed attributable to a physical or psychological condition, the College may, in its discretion, initiate the following:

The College may encourage the student to voluntarily seek professional assistance and/or apply for a voluntary medical leave in order to address the condition. If the student is unwilling to take a voluntary medical leave, the College may place the student on involuntary medical leave. When, prior to being placed on an involuntary medical leave, a student requests to take a voluntary medical leave, they normally will be permitted to do so.

Examples of behavior that may lead to involuntary medical leave include, but are not limited to: 

• Engaging in or threatening behavior that is deemed dangerous to the student or to others (e.g., physical threat to self or others, suicide attempt or threat, demonstrated inability to care for oneself)
• Engaging in or threatening behavior that is deemed to be disruptive of the ability of the student or other members of the College community (including other students, faculty, and staff) to participate in the College’s academic, residential, or social environment
• Engaging in or threatening behavior that is likely to cause significant damage to property

The following procedures will apply to involuntary medical leaves:

• Prior to placing a student on involuntary medical leave, the Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism, Senior Director for Student Success and Engagment, and the Senior Director for Health & Counseling Services will make an assessment of the student’s ability to participate in the College’s academic, residential, or social environment. When the student is available on campus, the assessment may include a meeting with a clinician from Health and Counseling Services or the Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism or designee, at which time they will: (a) discuss the areas of concern with the student; (b) give the student an opportunity to respond to those concerns; and (c) explain the College’s involuntary medical leave policy to the student. Further assessment may include consultation with persons knowledgeable about the College’s obligations regarding students with disabilities and with appropriate health or other professionals. The total assessment will take into consideration the following: (a) the nature, duration, and severity of the risk of harm; (b) the likelihood that the harm will occur; and (c) whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures would sufficiently mitigate the risk.
• If the process is initiated by the dean of students office, the student may be required to be evaluated by an appropriate health professional selected by the College. Such evaluation normally must be completed within five (5) business days after the dean’s request. The student will be requested to sign a written authorization permitting the health professional to exchange health information with appropriate representatives of the College. A student’s refusal to sign such authorization will impede the dean’s ability to make an assessment and may negatively affect the leave decision.
• If the assessment results in a decision to place the student on involuntary medical leave, the assessor will inform the student of that decision in writing. The student may request reconsideration of the decision by submitting a written request (including the grounds for reconsideration and requested resolution) to the dean of students within ten (10) business days of receiving notice of the decision. The student will also need to sign a form giving the dean permission to speak with any medical professionals involved in the case. The student also may utilize the Section 504 complaint procedure referred to in the accessibility resources and services [89] section of this handbook.
• The College may immediately suspend a student from the campus and/or from student housing if it determines that such immediate action is warranted due to: (a) imminent risk of substantial harm to the health/safety of the student or others; (b) the student’s refusal to participate in any part of the above-described process; or (c) a senior administrator’s determination that such action is necessary under the circumstances then known to them. Following an immediate interim suspension, the College will engage in the procedures described above as soon as reasonably practicable.

Students placed on involuntary medical leave will be subject to the policies and procedures for readmission [86]. 

Students with Financial Aid

It is important to note, if the student withdraws from all classes in a semester and has federal financial aid, the Return of Title IV Funds [84] policy applies. The same applies if a student has state funding or outside scholarships, the financial aid office is obligated to follow any state or outside aid return policy. Students receiving federal and/or state financial aid must contact the financial aid office to determine how their federal financial aid could be affected due to their withdrawal. Additionally, any refunds for tuition and fees will be reviewed and calculated by the Financial Aid Office and Student Accounts following the Tuition and Fees Refund Schedule [85] policy.

Students are required to meet with a CASA dean to discuss their plans as the first step in the process of withdrawing from the College. CASA will provide a form that requires signatures from the student's advisor and other offices on campus. Students who wish to withdraw from an exchange program should refer to the exchange section [66]. Withdrawing from an exchange program after the program start and/or opening of the term is considered withdrawing from Hampshire College.

Deadlines and Fees
The enrollment notification deadline is listed each year in the academic  [60]calendar [60] and tuition information on the Student Financial Services website [78].

A change of status from fully enrolled to withdrawal after the first day of classes will lead to the partial or full forfeiture of tuition, room, and board fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees Refund Schedule [90] for refund information. Factors determining the amount of the refund include the date of leave, the type of leave, and the financial aid status of the student. Upon withdrawal, financial aid students may have a part of their aid returned to the programs that assisted them as mandated by the federal return-of-funds formula. Returns are applied in the following order: federal student and parent loans, federal grants, college and outside grants and scholarships. Students will be responsible for a balance due created by the return-of-funds process. 

Fees associated with exchange withdrawal will be assessed per the program withdrawal and refund policy (see GEO website [66]).

Vacating Student Rooms
See the residence life policies [81] section [81].

International Students
International students (with an F-1 student visa) are required to consult with the international student advisor BEFORE filing for withdrawal with CASA [10], regarding visa implications of withdrawing. Without receiving timely advisement from the international student advisor, the student risks jeopardizing their student visa status and lawful presence in the U.S. The advisor is located in the World Lounge on the 1st flor of the Merrill Student Life Center (Email: ISS@hampshire.edu [82]). 

Students with Financial Aid

It is important to note, if the student withdraws from all classes in a semester and has federal financial aid, the “Return of Title IV Funds [84]” policy applies. The same applies if a student has state funding or outside scholarships, the financial aid office is obligated to follow any state or outside aid return policy. Students receiving federal and/or state financial aid must contact the financial aid office to determine how their federal financial aid could be affected due to their withdrawal. Additionally, any refunds for tuition and fees will be reviewed and calculated by the Financial Aid Office and Student Accounts following the “Tuition and Fees Refund Schedule [85]” policy.

In addition to the standard readmission application, compare your leave/withdrawal circumstances to these categories and be sure to include these supplemental materials:

Readmission after Academic Withdrawal
Applicants must provide documentation of completion of all academic work stipulated in the academic withdrawal letter.

Readmission after Administrative Withdrawal
Students who have been administratively withdrawn from the College because they have not informed the College of their enrollment plans must submit information concerning any academic activities while away as part of the application.

Readmission after Incomplete Medical Records Withdrawal
A student who has been administratively withdrawn due to missing medical records must submit required documentation to Health and  [79]Counseling Services [79]. Health and Counseling Services will notify CASA [10] once all medical information has been received. Reinstatement will be automatic if the student is in good academic and disciplinary standing and the materials have been received by the Friday before the start of the upcoming semester.

Readmission after Disciplinary Suspension
In addition to any criteria and recommendations made at the time of suspension from the College, evidence of responsible behavior in academic and nonacademic areas will be among the criteria used to determine readiness to reenter the Hampshire community.

Readmission after Financial Withdrawal
Students financially withdrawn at the end of a semester may be reinstated without going through the Readmissions process if the student is in good academic and disciplinary standing  and the account is paid in full the Friday before classes begin for the upcoming semester. Students are required to go through the Readmissions process if the account is not paid by that deadline. If the student misses the above deadline, then the account must be paid in full by the Readmissions application deadline corresponding with the semester the student wishes to return.

Readmission after Medical Leave
In addition to a completed readmission application, the student must submit a letter to CASA [10] from a qualified health professional that contains the following information:

1. A specific diagnosis and prognosis of the health condition that led to the medical leave
2. Description of the treatment that was received by the student during leave
3. An assessment of the student’s present and sustained ability to meet the academic, behavioral, and other requirements of the College
4. An assessment of the student’s present and sustained ability to live independently in student housing
5. An assessment of whether the student’s return to the College presents a potential threat to the health or safety of the student or to others in the College community
6. Recommendations for continued treatment or accommodations (if any) upon return to the College. If requested to do so, the student also must provide the College with written permission to contact their health professional. In specific cases, additional requirements are possible. This information will be held as confidential by College health officers and the readmissions committee to the extent practical.

For International Students
International students (with an F-1 student visa) are required to contact the international student advisor immediately after applying for readmission, regardless of withdrawal type, to discuss visa status, enrollment limitations, and to obtain an updated Form I-20 necessary for returning to Hampshire. The advisor is located in the International Student Services office in the Merrill Student Life Center.

Request for Accommodations/Documentation of a Disability

In order to be recognized by the College as a person with a disability and become entitled to reasonable accommodations, a student must first disclose a disability [98] with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS), request specific accommodations connected to their disability-related access needs, and provide appropriate supporting documentation in accordance with our documentation guidelines [99]. That signifies that the student is formally registering with the College as a person with a disability and is seeking accommodations. Students may not receive accommodations from the College without such disclosure and/or without providing appropriate supporting information and documentation.

Students who have never registered with OARS may begin the accommodation request process for the first time by completing an OARS Registration online self-report [100] and uploading supporting documentation from their healthcare provider. Students who are already registered with OARS or who have already used the OARS Registration form will request all future accommodations through an Additional Accommodation request on their personal OARS Portal account [101], and new accommodation requests may require additional supporting documentation of disability if not already on file. Students may be asked to meet with the OARS office if a self-report is not sufficient for the College to engage in an adequate determination according to the need for an interactive process. Students who are facing barriers to filling out a self-report may reach out to the OARS office at oars@hampshire.edu [102] to schedule an intake meeting.

A request for accommodations may be made at the point of disclosure of disability or at some future date. Accommodations are not retroactive, so students are strongly encouraged to reach out to OARS as soon as they are aware of an accessibility need requiring an accommodation request. Some students who go through the process of documenting a disability are not seeking specific accommodations, but are rather seeking confirmation of a disability that they can present to faculty to assist in best meeting their learning strengths and weaknesses; faculty are not obligated to provide any accommodations which are not formally approved through OARS. 

Housing Accommodation Requests

OARS works closely with the Housing Accommodation Committee to review and approve requests for accommodations in the residential setting. The Housing Accommodation Committee includes members of the Housing Operations Office, Dining Services, and Health and Counseling Services who consult to ensure students' disability-related needs are met in the residence halls with reasonable accommodations and appropriate placement. Please navigate to the Housing Accommodation Request Process [103] for more information about requesting housing-based accommodations 

Review of Requests

All requests for accommodations will be assessed by the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services [104] through an interactive process with the student. It is OARS’ general practice to discuss accommodations directly with the student requesting them prior to approval and to consider the student's history of accommodation, self-report of necessary accommodations, and documentation from a relevant treating professional. OARS may request further information from the student and/or treating professional and may make its own recommendations for alternative, reasonable accommodations which are more appropriate to address individual circumstances in the context of Hampshire courses and curricula. Students will be notified in a timely manner by OARS when requests are approved, modified, or denied. Students can request additional accommodations at any time or appeal denial of accommodations through the grievance process [105].

Disability Related Accommodations and Academic Contracts

(Please find more about academic contracts and accommodations here: Guidelines for Academic Progress [72].)

Request for Accommodations at the Five Colleges

Hampshire students frequently take courses at the other four colleges in the Five College consortium. If a student documents a disability at their home college, they do not need to engage the same process at the other colleges. Requests for accommodations in courses at other colleges must be made with OARS staff per Five College campus, per semester, with the Five College Accommodation Request form [106], a standardized form used by all consortium member schools. OARS staff will certify that the student is recognized as a person with a disability and approved for accommodations at Hampshire College. The student is then responsible for bringing verification of accommodation from their home institution to the accessibility services office at the host institution.

The final decision regarding the appropriateness or feasibility of such a request for accommodation rests with the accessibility services administrator at the other campus. Though the hosting institution’s accessibility services staff will consult with OARS when appropriate to support students as proactively as possible, any formal grievances regarding barriers or discrimination encountered at another institution in the Five Colleges should follow the host institution’s grievance process.

More about accommodations at other campuses, including the required Five College Accommodation Request form [106] and contact information for all Accessibility/Disability Services offices across the consortium can be found on the Five Colleges Accessibility and Accommodations [107] page.

Hampshire College prohibits discrimination [108] on the basis of disability. The College has adopted a grievance procedure to provide prompt and equitable resolution of complaints which allege any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law.  These laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in any programs, activities, and employment opportunities available at Hampshire College.  These laws also prohibit retaliation against an individual who files a complaint regarding disability discrimination, files a grievance under this procedure, or cooperates in the investigation of such complaint or grievance.

If a student is in need of accommodation related to any of Hampshire’s physical environments or programs, they are strongly encouraged to disclose their disability [109] to OARS in order to have access to advocacy and on-campus resources which assist with proactive removal and prevention of barriers through accommodations or other means. This includes, but is not limited to dining and residence [103], academic programs [98], co-curricular programs and events, and on campus employment. If students do encounter any additional, unforeseen barriers to College programs, services, or resources, they are encouraged to report these barriers as soon as reasonably possible to the department where the barrier was encountered and to the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS). If a student encounters a barrier or discrimination in the course of working for the college as a student employee, the student can still seek resolution through the student grievance process.

Informal Solutions are Encouraged
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) encourages alternative means of dispute resolution [110] when appropriate and to the extent authorized by law. These methods include settlement negotiations, conciliation, facilitation, mediation and arbitration. The use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is completely voluntary and is intended to supplement, and not to supplant, the remedies provided by the ADA as an aspect of the interactive accommodation process [109]. No alternative dispute resolution procedure precludes the affected person from seeking relief under the enforcement provisions of the ADA. Alternative dispute resolution measures are not required to be used prior to the filing of an administrative complaint with the federal government or through existing campus discrimination grievance procedures.

The College encourages students to seek the aid and intervention of the director of OARS in order to resolve complaints informally – typically conciliation or facilitation of a remedy. If informal procedures do not satisfactorily address the student's concerns, they may still file a written grievance.

Filing a Written Grievance
Students have the right to file a grievance if they believe they have been denied equal access to the college's programs, resources or services (academic or otherwise) because of, or on the basis of, a disability. In order to establish the basis for such a grievance students must first register with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services [109] (OARS) and provide written documentation of their disability. The written grievance should include the student's identifying information (name and student ID), a description of how the College has denied equal access to the student, any steps that the student has already taken to identify and resolve the problem, and the desired remedy.  Students are encouraged to include relevant documents to support their account.

The formal grievance should be given to the director of OARS. The director will investigate the complaint and meet with the parties cited to resolve the student’s concerns. Absent any unusual circumstances, the director will make recommendations for resolution to the student and other parties involved within thirty days after the filing of the grievance.

Appealing a Grievance Resolution
If the proposed resolution is unacceptable to the student or to the other principals in the grievance, either party may then appeal to the Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity and Antiracism. The Senior Vice President may attempt to reach an informal resolution and/or investigate the grievance as described above or shall review all of the documents pertaining to the case, hear the parties and convene such meetings as required to resolve the complaint. If consensus on a resolution cannot be reached, the Senior Vice President will render a decision as soon as possible after an appeal has been submitted. It typically takes about 10 days, but may take up to 21 days, to consider the appeal when such additional time is deemed necessary. In rare instances where extenuating circumstances exist, appeals may take longer than 21 days for a decision to be rendered.  The decision of the Senior Vice President is final.

If a grievance pertains to the actions of the director of OARS or the Senior Vice President specifically, or they are unable to otherwise serve in the above outlined capacities due to any other conflict of interest, an appropriate senior-level administrator will be appointed to serve in their place during the relevant parts of the grievance process.

Privacy and Confidentiality
Personal information regarding such grievances is considered confidential. The College reserves the right to consult with legal counsel, relevant faculty or staff, and/or experts in the field of disability services in order to obtain information or advice regarding the subject of the grievance. All individuals consulted agree to be bound by the rules governing disclosure of confidential personal information.

State and Federal Options
The College recognizes the right of students to file grievances with the U.S. Office of Civil Rights or other regulators if they believe that their rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 have been violated.

Office for Civil Rights, Boston Office
U.S. Department of Education
8^th Floor
5 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109-3921
Telephone: (617) 289-0111
Fax: (617) 289-0150
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov [111]

United States Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Disability Rights Section, NYA
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 307-0663 (voice and TDD)
Fax: (202) 307-1198

ADA Coordinator
Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
http://www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/your-rights/civil-rights/disability-rights/ada-rights-and-grievance.html [112]

Hampshire College will reasonably accommodate requests for assistance animals, including service animals and emotional support animals to reside with their owner/handler in college provided housing. To learn what constitutes a service animal, emotional support animal or a pet and how to apply for this accommodation please see our animal definitions and policies.

Service Animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Tasks performed can include, among other things, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to a sound, reminding a person to take medication, or pressing an elevator button.

Emotional Support Animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals either. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. It does not matter if a person has a note from a doctor that states that the person has a disability and needs to have the animal for emotional support. A doctor’s letter does not turn an animal into a service animal.

To learn more about what constitutes a pet, emotional support animal, or service animal, and how to gain an exemption to our Pet Policy, please see our animal definitions and policies [113] on the Norms for Community Living and Policies section.

Students in need of accommodation related to a service or emotional support animal and would like to register with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) should review:

• Request and Review of Eligibility Policies [109]
• Student Responsibilities for Service and Emotional Support Animals [114]
• Disability Disclosure and Accommodation Request Process [98]
• Housing-based Accommodations [103]

Building and Roof Access
Students may not access buildings after closing hours (hours vary per building). Should a student have permission to access a building after closing hours, campus safety & wellbeing should be contacted to grant access. Students are not permitted on roofs except as necessary for emergency evacuation.

Sewers and Underground Electrical Conduits
Students may not access sewers and underground electrical conduits on the Hampshire College campus. Due to OSHA policies and safety concerns, students are not permitted to enter these spaces and only trained and qualified College staff and contracted third party vendors are authorized to enter sewers and underground electrical conduits.

Summer Access to Campus Facilities and Grounds
Students may visit campus offices during summer business hours following the office’s procedures for appointments or drop-ins. Students wishing to access academic spaces at any time during the summer need permission of the faculty overseeing their work. Students wanting access to other campus facilities at any time, or campus grounds outside of business hours need authorization from the appropriate office or department in advance. Offices granting access should notify campus safety and wellbeing [120]that permission has been granted for the student, including the approved date(s) and time(s) for which access has been approved. Hampshire does not provide guaranteed housing for students over the summer as residences are closed.

Hampshire College students may not have access to the following services during the summer: media services, TV studio and editing facilities, Dining Services, Health & Counseling Services, student activities, and more.

Access to Five College Physical and Recreational Facilities
Physical and recreational facilities at each of the Five Colleges are available year-round to Five College students only if they are registered in a physical education class at that college. These classes will be arranged through administrators of each program and limited to class time only. Arrangements for fee-funded courses and use of special facilities such as ice rinks, swimming pools, stables, and tennis courts will be made through the proper authorities at each school, and the rules and regulations for use will be determined by the host school.

Camping
Camping on Hampshire College property is not allowed without the express written permission of the assistant director of campus safety and wellbeing [120]. Those allowed to camp on College property must have proper working knowledge of, and training from, the Hampshire College Environmental Health and Safety Director. Individuals are responsible for providing all necessary fire and personal safety equipment that may be required by the College.

Chalking Policy
Chalking is permitted on any outside ground surface that is exposed to the elements (i.e. horizontal walking surfaces that rain and snow fall on). Chalking is prohibited inside campus buildings and outside on non-ground surfaces including, but not limited to, walls and windows of campus buildings, signs, trees, poles, and other structures. The College reserves the right to remove chalking that is not related to college sponsored activities or events or that are deemed to cause harm to the community or community members.

Postering Policy
Posters are permitted only on bulletin boards not designated for other purposes. Students are encouraged to use the bulletin boards under the walkway along the west wall of Franklin Patterson Hall and the north wall of the Harold F. Johnson Library Center, underneath the bridge, and in the RW Kern Center vestibule. Posters placed anywhere but upon designated bulletin boards may be removed regardless of content. Students are expected to remove posters after an advertised event has taken place. Posters that do not pertain to an event that occurs on a specific date will be removed on the last working day of each month. The College reserves the right to remove any posters that are not related to college sponsored activities or events or that are deemed to cause harm to the community or community members.

Project Review
Student projects that may impact the physical campus, pose a health, safety or environmental hazard, or otherwise increase the College’s institutional risk require review and approval by applicable campus offices. Please visit the student project approval [121] HampEngage page to view the updated online project review process. Examples of projects requiring approval: installations of art or other structures on campus (other than gallery approved exhibits), creating new garden space, and performances in other than regular theater spaces. 

Removal
Installations, art works, posters, writings, and other projects that have not been approved through the student project approval [121] process may be removed by the College at any time.

In Massachusetts the drinking and marijuana use age is 21. Though marijuana has been legalized, marijuana is not permitted at any educational institution that receives federal funding, including Hampshire College. Hampshire is committed to providing support and assistance to students struggling with issues related to alcohol or other drug use. Students who come forward to actively seek help when they are concerned about their own use or that of their friends and/or acquaintances may qualify to earn Alcohol & Other Drug Amnesty [122] or educational and restorative accountability measures if found responsible for a violation. Students will still be expected to work with the College to develop a plan to address these issues, and to take responsibility for any negative impact their behaviors have had on others or the environment (e.g., property damage, noise complaints, medical transports). Students are not absolved of responsibility for violations of community standards committed under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Both on- and off-campus support and informational resources are available for students seeking help for substance use issues, and a listing of these resources can be found at www.hampshire.edu/slresources [123].

Within the Alcohol and the Other Drug Policy, you will find guiding information about violations of policies as well as the range of outcomes for single and recurrent violations.

Bullying is the repeated use by one or more people of a written, verbal or electronic (cyber bullying) expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a another person that: (i) causes physical or emotional harm to another person or damage to the person's property; (ii) places the person in reasonable fear of harm to self or of damage to personal property; (iii) creates a hostile environment at the College for the person; (iv) infringes on the rights of the person at the College; or (v) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of the College.

Any accusations of violation of the College's bullying policy will be addressed through the community standards process in situations where the identity of the student engaging in this behavior can be clearly identified. In incidents where the identity cannot be determined, the College will attempt to intervene and discussed the matters with the student who has been alleged to engage in this behavior to determine if they are responsible.

Any bullying and/or cyber-bullying related to sex and/or gender will be reviewed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Title IX grievance policy [132].

All students have the right to an educational environment that is supportive of the learning process. Behavior that causes substantial disruption of College operations including obstruction of teaching, research, administration, events, activities, or other authorized non-College activities which occur on campus is prohibited. Reported disruptive incidents are subject to referral for review under the community standards process. Behaviors and actions that may be a violation of the community standards and academic policies, but are not limited to:

• exhibiting little or no control in adhering to College policies
• inability to carry out the normal routine of campus life
• threatening to harm[1]
• rioting and/or disrupting the living and/or learning environment on campus
• placing consistent unrealistic expectations on the time and energy of other students, faculty, and/or
 staff

[1]Hampshire College recognizes that certain life threatening behavior (e.g. suicide threats, gestures or attempts; eating disorders; substance abuse; threats, gestures or attempts to harm others) are signs of personal distress. The College is committed to helping students reduce whatever stress factors are precipitating life-threatening behavior by providing support and/or referral through use of appropriate resources. However, since it is critically important to maintain civility and respect for all members of the College community, it is recognized that referral to the community standards procecss must occur when such behavior and action is considered by the College to be disruptive and unacceptable in the academic and/or social/ living environments. Students will always be afforded the opportunity to engage with resources and work with the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability to establish clear expectations for future behavior.

Hampshire College does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy or related conditions, or any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any of its educational programs and activities, in employment and application for employment, and in admission and application of admission.

Hampshire College's Notice of Non-Discrimination is available here [133].

Hampshire College has designated a Title IX coordinator for purposes of Title IX compliance:
Amy Fabiano
Interim Title IX Coordinator
afSA@hampshire.edu [134] or Title IX@hampshire.edu [135]

Complaints and inquiries about Title IX or the College’s Title IX Policy & Grievance Procedures can be directed to the College's Title IX coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

Complaints and inquiries regarding all other forms of discrimination and harassment involving students can be directed to:
Sheila Lloyd, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism
srlPR@hampshire.edu [136]

Complaints and inquiries regarding all other forms of discrimination and harassment involving employees or third party vendors can be directed to:
Donna-Rae Kenneally
Senior Director of Human Resources
dkHR@hampshire.edu

Complaints and inquiries of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation regarding federal laws may be directed to:

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
5 Post Office Square, 8th floor
Boston, MA 02109-3921
617.289.0111

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
New Sudbury Street, Room 475
Boston, MA 02203
800.669.4000

Complaints and inquiries of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under Massachusetts laws may be directed to:

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
436 Dwight Street
Room 220
Springfield, MA 01103
413.739.2145

Harassment, Other Forms of Discrimination, and Retaliation

Discrimination
Discrimination is the adverse treatment of any individual based on one or more protected characteristics or status of that person. Such treatment can occur via direct evidence of discriminatory animus or circumstantial information such as that an individual is being treated differently from peers who are not in the person's protected class. Protected characteristics and statuses are race, color, age, sex, gender, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, pregnancy/pregnancy related conditions, or any other protected category.

In employment, discrimination or harassment may begin with adverse actions that may include using different standards of evaluation for employment, promotion or job performance on the basis of protected categories; denying an employee’s request for reasonable accommodations; denying employment opportunity or terminating on the basis of protected categories; retaliation against an employee participating in an investigation of discrimination and harassment.

For students discrimination and harassment may begin with differential treatment in their education program or activity on the basis of their protected category. This may include using different standards to evaluate academic performance on the basis of the protected category; denying academic, social, recreational, health services and housing on the basis of the protected category; retaliation against a student participating in an investigation of discrimination and harassment.

Harassment

Harassment is unwelcome conduct directed toward a person based on one or more protected characteristics or statuses of that person, when either of the following conditions are met:

(1) Submission to or rejection of such conduct is either an explicit or implicit term or
condition of an individual’s employment, academic standing, evaluation of academic
work or advancement in an academic program is used as the basis for College
decisions affecting the individual (often referred to as “quid pro quo” or “this for that”
harassment.

(2) The conduct is severe or pervasive that it interferes with an individual’s employment, academic performance, participation in College programs or activities and creates a working, learning, program or activity environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive.

Examples of such conduct:

• Offensive or degrading remarks, verbal abuse, or other hostile behavior such as insulting, teasing, mocking, degrading or ridiculing another person or group;
• Racial slurs, derogatory remarks about a person’s accent, or display of racially offensive symbols;
• Unwelcome or inappropriate physical contact, comments, questions, advances, jokes, epithets or demands;
• Physical assault or stalking;
• Displays or electronic transmission of derogatory, demeaning or hostile materials; and
• Unwillingness to train, evaluate, assist, or work with an employee.

Retaliation

Retaliation is any adverse action taken against an individual for making a good faith report of discrimination or harassment or participating in any investigation or proceeding under this policy. Retaliation includes threatening, intimidating, harassing or any other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging in activity protected under this policy. Retaliation does not apply to good faith actions lawfully pursued in response to a report of discrimination or harassment.

Please refer to the grievance procedures in this policy for guidance on how to report allegations of discrimination or harassment. Please note, however, that alleged harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on sex, gender, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity is handled under Hampshire's Title IX Policy & Grievance Procedures (and not this policy) and should be referred to Hampshire's Title IX Coordinator.

The College has as responsibility and obligation to ensure students are held accountable for their actions and behavior, as well as provided the necessary support and guidance that promote their involvement in the community and overall student success. Therefore, to facilitate this accountability and support students are required to respond, adhere, and complete all requests or instructions by a College employee who is carrying out the assigned duties of their position. This includes but is not limited to:

• Responding to email or written notice in the amount of time specified.
• Discontinuing a particular behavior, action, or inaction.
• Completing an accountability measure or sanction within the time specified in the notification received.
• Complying with terms of an intentional avoidance notice or no contact directive.
• Attending meetings where your attendance is requested or required, which includes meetings related to community standards reviews, bias response intake meetings, Title IX intake meetings, academic advising appointments, restorative process intake meetings, campus safety and wellbeing meetings and investigations, accommodation appointments and requests, and other administrative meetings and interventions related to a student status as a member of the Hampshire community.
• Providing false or no identification when asked by College officials, including your name and student ID.
• Not following published instructions and policies in print or online.

Failing to response or participate in processes, may result in a student being referred for community standards review or being subject to interim administrative measures being put in place, such as holds or college service restrictions.

Fire Alarms
When a building fire alarm activates on campus, residents must leave the building immediately and remain at the designated gathering point until their presence is recorded. Both campus safety and wellbeing [127] assistants and the Amherst Fire Department [152] respond. Students who are found responsible for failure to leave a campus building when a fire alarm is activated is a violation of policy. No one may enter the building until the fire department determines that it is safe to return. Campus safety and wellbeing [127] may open and enter locked rooms to ensure that no one is inside and to check for the source or cause of the fire alarm.

Campus safety and wellbeing and residence life staff conduct fire drills at least one time per semester in each residence area. All occupants of a residence hall must leave the building immediately any time the alarm sounds. These drills are not announced and staff may enter each apartment, hallway, and room to ensure compliance with proper evacuation procedures. If staff discover fire safety or other violations, students will be contacted by a staff memeber regarding the violation(s) and any prohibited items will be confiscated.

If a fire alarm activates and an individual knows the cause, this individual is required to call campus safety and wellbeing [127] from a safe location and explain what happened. If the fire alarm is activated inadvertently (cooking smoke, shower steam, etc.), the individual responsible must be available to talk to campus safety and wellbeing [127] and the fire department [152].

Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment
Fire extinguishers and fire detection and alarm systems are in place to protect the community. Tampering with fire safety devices is a serious violation and is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

• disabling smoke detectors
• covering smoke detectors with any materials whatsoever
• activating an alarm when no hazard is present
• hanging items from sprinkler pipes
• discharging, tampering with or moving fire extinguishers

Tampering with fire safety equipment will result in a student being referred for a community standards review, which will result in a accountability adn community restoration plan, which could range from an educational warning to administrative notice or even removal from campus housing.

When responsible individuals cannot be identified, all residents of that particular area may be found responsible.

Open Fires
Open fires (inside or outside) are prohibited anywhere on campus or College property, including fire pits, woods, and fields unless prior written approval is granted by the director of campus safety and wellbeing [127] and the town fire department [152]. Please contact residence life and student engagement staff for safety information and expectations for registering to use the enfield fire pit at 413.559.5453.

Use of grills (charcoal and gas) is not permitted inside, on balconies, or exterior stairwells. Charcoal and gas barbecues are permitted on the grounds, but must take place at least 25 feet (7.62 meters) from buildings. Propane gas containers must be stored outside, at least 3 feet (0.915 meters) away from building openings such as doors, windows, dryer vents and air intakes. Barbecue grills must not be left unattended and must be totally extinguished before leaving. The College may confiscate any barbecue grill that is used inappropriately and any container of propane gas or other flammable liquid without notice.

Other open burning, including sage and other cleansing rituals, are not permitted in residence halls without the explicit written permission of the Senior Director for Student Success & Engagement or Senior Director for Community Care and Wellbeing.

Additional Fire Safety Regulations
The College may confiscate any fire safety hazard, including but not limited to prohibited items listed below, from any place, including student rooms and lockers, at any time, with or without notice. The College has no obligation to identify the owner of confiscated property,  notify the owner of any confiscation,  or reimburse the owner of confiscated property for any loss or damage to said property.

• Halls, entrances, and egresses, including egress routes through common spaces, must be kept clear of all items at all times. This includes entryways to buildings, center rooms in greenwich area, and all stairwells. Bicycles, skateboards, or other items, may not be stored in hallways or entryways.
• No more than 40 percent of wall space may be covered by combustibles, such as tapestries or posters. Nothing can be hung from ceilings. No combustible holiday decorations such as trees or wreaths are allowed. 
• Student door postings are limited to the existing bulletin board or a 2’ x 2’ area (60.96 cm x 60.96 cm).
• Light fixtures may not be covered by any materials (such as bedspreads, scarves, paper shades) nor may they be painted or darkened.
• Combustibles, such as furniture, recycling, clothing, curtains, and garbage, must be kept at least 12 inches (30.48 cm) away from heaters.
• No combustibles are permitted in hallways, stairwells, or egresses.
• All gas-powered vehicles must be parked in student parking lots.
• Other activities or items that pose an increased risk of fire or impede fire response will be prohibited upon discovery.

Prohibited Items
(Visit the prohibited items [153] section for a full list of items prohibited in addition to fire safety prohibited items.)

• Candles and incense are not permitted anywhere inside residential buildings.
• Space heaters are not permitted in student rooms, with the exception of those provided by the College in response to a problem with the heating system.
• Use of non-College alarm systems or other than College-issued locks, including locks on storage closets.
• The storage and use of flammable liquids (e.g. gasoline, paint thinner, spray paint, air brushes) and flammable gases (e.g. propane, acetylene), fireworks or other materials that pose an increased fire hazard.
• Halogen lamps are a significant fire safety hazard if there are combustibles too close to the bulb. The use of these lamps is prohibited. Lamps with plastic shades must use compact fluorescent or 40 watt or less bulbs.
• Extension cords are not permitted unless UL-approved with surge protection. Electrical cords should be kept at least 12 inches (30.48 cm) away from heaters.

Toaster ovens may be used only in kitchens or lounges. Small microwaves and hot pots with auto shut off are permitted in student rooms. Appliances must be kept clean at all times and unplugged when not in use.

Pursuant with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 269, Sections 17, 18, and 19 (below), the College prohibits hazing. Hazing is defined as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under sanction of a college. Hazing shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of food, liquor, drugs, or other substance, or any other forced physical activity, that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual. Hazing shall also include any activity that could subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the individual. Any of these activities upon which the initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, a college organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be a forced activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.

Some ways to tell if an activity is hazing:

• A selected group is singled out for ritual
• It results in behavior or pictures that you would not share with your parents, coaches, or professors
• The activity is humiliating, demeaning, intimidating, and exhausting, and/or results in physical or emotional discomfort, involves harassment or ridicule, or which endangers the health or safety of any person whether on or off campus.

Remember: what may seem like harmless "fun" to you may be deeply humiliating to another person.

Any activity organized by a student group or members of a student group that involves a member in practices that are injurious or potentially injurious to an individual’s physical, emotional, or psychological wellbeing (as determined at the sole discretion of the College) shall be cause for community standards review. It shall not matter whether such practices were mandatory or voluntarily entered into by any of the student group members in question, including new and initiated members.

Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 269, Sections 17, 18, and 19
Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.

The term “hazing” as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.

Section 18. Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.

Section 19. Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution of post secondary education shall issue to every student group, student team or student organization which is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen; provided, however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations.

Each such group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution an attested acknowledgement stating that such group, team or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the board of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams or organizations and to notify each full time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution’s policies to its students. The board of higher education and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.

All campus space must be used only for its intended purpose unless appropriate permissions are obtained. Any use of a space that creates a hazard is prohibited. Students are required to comply with all health and safety policies, procedures, corrective actions or instructions by college personnel. This includes but is not limited to:

• Dangerous pranks such as, hanging out of or climbing from/on/in windows, balconies, roofs.
• Not following current public health or College health guidelines or policies.
• Possession of hazardous materials or not disposing of biohazard material appropriately 

All community members shall maintain their areas (including residences and common spaces) in a clean and orderly condition in consideration of others’ use of the space and in accordance with health and fire codes. Rooms, lounges, and offices must be cared for in a manner that maintains their condition for future use.

Specific information on fire safety policies [154] and upkeep of residence hall rooms [155] can be found by clicking the associated links.

Pet Policy
Pets and other animals, with the exception of service animals and emotional support animals [156] approved in accordance with the College’s policy for disability disclosure and accommodation [157], are prohibited in all residence buildings. Residents are also prohibited from keeping or providing for animals on College property. Visiting animals are not permitted in any campus facility and must be under the control of the owner (i.e. on a leash or harness) at all times. Hosts are responsible for cleaning up after any visiting animals. Visiting is defined as temporary, short term (less than one (1) day), and occasional (no more than three (3) times per semester) and not overnight. This differs from the policy for human guests [158].

Violation of the pet policy or any relevant animal policies will result in immediate removal of the animal from campus. Students will bear any associated cost to the College or any of its employees or agents, whether because of damage to property owned by the College [159] or others, or because of any claim brought against the College by any person because of injury, illness, or other reason as a result of the student having brought an animal onto campus, regardless of whether the animal is in violation of policy. 

DEFINITIONS
Pet: A pet is an animal kept for ordinary use and companionship. A pet is not considered a service or emotional support animal and is not allowed in campus residences, buildings, and other facilities. 

Hampshire College is committed to creating a welcoming environment through the use of commonly accepted guidelines and procedures that allow animals to be on-campus for specific purposes. These purposes include reasonable accommodations for employees, students, and visitors with disabilities in compliance with applicable Massachusetts state and federal laws. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended [160] and related laws, rules and regulations, including the Fair Housing Act [161], Hampshire College will reasonably accommodate requests for service animals and emotional support animals to reside with their owner/handler in College provided housing. 

Disability:  Defined as a physical or mental condition or impairment that is medically recognizable and diagnosable, and substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities.  These limitations may include performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and learning.  An individual is substantially limited in major life activities if they are unable to perform the activity, or is significantly restricted as to the manner in which they can perform that activity when compared to the average person.  Acceptable documentation of a disability will be from either a licensed medical or mental health provider and must verify the disability and describe the need for a service or emotional support animal.

Service Animal Access
Service Animal: Any dog* that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition, however the College will consider other animal species on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Federal regulations. The tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability.

*Dogs are specified due to the unreasonable nature of providing any larger animals (such as miniature ponies) access, care, and use on a college campus. Therefore we focus on dogs in the context of service animals at Hampshire College and commensurate language is used throughout our materials. Any need for consideration of exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.

Students requiring use of a service animal as a means of access may utilize their service animal as needed throughout campus. It is important that, if a student resides on campus that they connect with the office of accessibility resources and services (OARS) [104] to ensure they are placed in a residence which does not conflict with their disability. In order to maintain equal access for other residents, it is also important the the presence of an animal does not conflict with the disabilities of others. [162] If this is the case, either or both parties should engage in the grievance process for disability-related access [89].

Service Dogs in Training: These animals are considered to have the same public accommodation rights as service animals. However, service dogs in training are expected to behave to the same level of expectation as a trained service animal and must abide by the expectations for animals on campus [163] at all times.

It is highly recommended that students partner with a reputable training organization to facilitate animal training and ensure that an animal is ready to meet behavioral expectations.

Emotional Support Animals (ESA): Animals that provide assistance and/or emotional support to its owner by its very presence but are not trained to perform specific tasks in response to the disability. These animals (not limited to dogs) do not meet the ADA definition of a Service Animal, but may qualify under the Fair Housing Act [161] and Hampshire College’s Policy on emotional support animals.

Because emotional support animals are not required to perform a specific task for a student and do not need to be with the student at all times, they are only permitted in the student’s residence. As such they are considered a housing-based accommodation and requests for emotional support animals are handled as any other request for housing-based accommodation [103].

Students with a disability may apply to have an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation in housing facilities that otherwise impose restrictions or prohibitions on animals.  Students requesting an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation must register with the office of accessibility resources and services [164] (OARS) and pursue the disability disclosure and accommodation request process [98]. 

Students may submit a request for accommodation at any time. However, if approved for an emotional support animal, students will not be permitted to bring the animal to campus until the beginning of the following academic semester. 

In order to qualify for such an accommodation, the emotional support animal must be necessary to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling or to participate in the housing service or program and there must be a relationship between the individual’s disability and the assistance the animal provides, documented by a medical professional competent to address the need for the accommodation and the requirement of the specific accommodation requested.

Students going through the request process should note that all emotional support animals must be spayed or neutered. In addition, all animals must be housebroken or live within a contained habitat, and may not weigh more than 88 pounds. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Students whose requests are approved will generally be permitted to have one emotional support animal, due to the health and safety considerations and space limitations of a residential college setting.

It is highly recommended that emotional support animal handlers pursue relevant training, such as "good citizen training" for dogs, to ensure their animal meets behavioral expectations.

RESOURCES

• U.S. Department of Justice, Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act [165]
• Town of Amherst bylaws for dog licensing [166] 
• Guidance on Service Animals in Public Places [167]

Physically endangering behavior is acting in a manner that exerts control over another person through the use of physical force and/or puts the greater community in physical danger.

Actions that endanger any person’s physical well-being are unacceptable. These actions include but are not limited to:

• physical violence include hitting, punching, slapping, kicking, pushing, restraining, choking, and brandishing
• use of fireworks or weapons (see Weapons, Firearms, & Explosives policy [170]) on campus
• the malicious setting of fires
• the sale of illegal drugs (see Drug policy [171])
• reckless driving or speeding on campus
• the throwing of objects out of windows, off roofs, or in any other dangerous manner

All campus spaces must be used only for their intended purpose unless appropriate permissions are obtained. Any use of a space that creates a hazard for the user or other occupants of the building is prohibited. No student is allowed on the roof of any building on campus, except in those instances when it is a secondary egress route in the event of a fire. No student is allowed to scale the exterior of any building on campus. 

Campus safety and wellbeing [127] should be contacted regarding any physically endangering behavior.

Physically endangering behavior may result in immediate suspension and other accountability measures up to and including removal from the College.

Political and Campaign Activities Policy
Hampshire College has a longstanding tradition of free and open inquiry, and values and protects the freedom of students, faculty, and staff to express political views, to exercise their right to vote, and to participate in the electoral process. At the same time, to retain our status as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, the College must not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.  The prohibition applies to all campaigns including campaigns at the federal, state and local level.  Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.

Faculty, students, and staff taking political positions for themselves or groups with which they are associated should clearly indicate, by words and actions, that their positions are not those of the College and are not being taken in an official capacity on the College’s behalf.  Because this may restrict certain uses of institutional resources as well as prohibit certain types of statements made on behalf of the College, here is a set of guidelines for Hampshire College community members.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive description of every possible scenario in which the political campaign intervention issue may arise, so if you have any questions about these or other situations, please contact the President’s Office.  In addition, students and student groups planning political or campaign activities should discuss their plans with Student Engagement [129].

Members of the Hampshire College community may not:

• Hold fundraisers for political candidates on College property.
• Provide a candidate for public office an opportunity to speak on campus or use College-owned facilities unless authorized by the President or designee.  In most cases, all legally qualified candidates for that office must be offered equal access and opportunity to speak.
• Allow a candidate or political party to conduct a rally or other political event on campus unless authorized by the President or designee. Candidates running for office and/or members of a campaign staff wishing to use college facilities for appearances must comply with established college policies and rental fees, and must go through the event services office for further information and reservations.  No political fundraising is allowed at such an event.
• Cause the College to make, or to appear to make, an endorsement of, comment on, contribution to, or expenditure for a political candidate or party.
• Use message boards and forums affiliated with the College’s website to support particular candidates, if the statements can be reasonably attributed to the College, or provide links on Hampshire College websites to the web pages of a political candidate or party.
• Conduct voter registration or education activities in a partisan manner that favors or opposes certain candidates.
• Use the Hampshire College letterhead, logo, or seal on materials intended for partisan political purposes.
• Use College-owned telephones for phone banking on behalf of a candidate or for other similarly significant partisan political uses.  (However, campus residential telephone services, such as in student residence hall rooms, may be used for these purposes.)
• Use College resources or services, such as interdepartmental mail, e-mail, mailing lists, and equipment such as photocopy machines, computers, and fax machines, or supplies for partisan political purposes.
• Request that a College employee, as part of their job, perform tasks in any way related to partisan political purposes.
• Lobby or attempt to influence federal, state, or local legislative action or a legislative or administrative official or staff member on behalf of the College unless authorized by the President or designee.  
• Use federal funds, including contract or grant money, received by the College for lobbying activities. 

Notification of Jury Duty Law
According to the Office of the Jury Commissioner of the Commonwealth  [172]of Massachusetts [172], “Every U.S. Citizen 18 years of age or older who is a Massachusetts resident or an inhabitant for more than 50% of the time is eligible to serve as a juror. If you are a resident of another state but a student at a Massachusetts college, you are an inhabitant for more than 50% of the year and, therefore, eligible to serve as a juror in Massachusetts.” There are no student exemptions from jury duty.

Students should read carefully all materials they receive with their summons to service, which contain helpful information about confirming, postponing, rescheduling, or relocating service, and address many of the most frequently asked questions. Jury duty is an important legal obligation, and those who fail to respond are subject to criminal prosecution. Students who miss class in order to fulfill their jury service requirement should notify each of their instructors of the summons and make arrangements to complete any missed work.

If you have any questions about jury duty, including confirming, postponing, rescheduling, or limiting your service, contact the Office  [172]of the Jury Commissioner [172] (1.800.THE.JURY/1.800.843.5879).

Voter Registration
As a part of the Higher Education Amendment, Hampshire College must provide you with the opportunity to register to vote. You may request a  [173]mail-in voter registration form [173] online. The Massachusetts form can be used only to register to vote in Massachusetts.

Out-of-state students who want to vote in their home state must use either a mail-in form supplied by an election official in the home state or the federal mail-in affidavit of voter registration. Affidavits may be obtained by writing or calling the Massachusetts Elections Division [174], Room 1705, McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108; 617.727.2828 or 800.462.8683.

A number of items are prohibited in the Hampshire College buildings. These prohibitions are in place to support the health and safety needs of all community members. Some of the prohibited items are specific to students living in the residences. This listing is not all-inclusive of specific items, but gives a comprehensive description of types of items not permitted and does include some specifics to guide student understanding of prohibited items.

An additional list of fire safety prohibited items can be found at the end of the fire safety policy [175].

Quiet Hours
Campus-wide quiet hours begin at 11:00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and at 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday and are in effect until 7:30 a.m. each day. Noise that infringes on a person’s working environment at any time cannot be tolerated.

Courtesy Hours
Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. All students are expected to show consideration for other residents. Residents are expected to honor reasonable requests by any resident or staff member when asked that stereos, musical instruments, televisions, etc. be satisfactorily turned down or turned off. Residence Life may designate particular residence hall floors “quiet floors” where quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day.

Noise
Members of the Hampshire community have the right to a quiet environment. Unlike areas surrounding other buildings, noise made outside of residence halls can interfere with the ability to sleep, study, or socialize. The same expectations regarding courtesy that apply inside residence halls also apply to the area surrounding them. The use of amplified instruments, DJ equipment, and drums in the residences, indoor or outdoors, and the placing of stereo speakers in windows facing outward are prohibited.

Since our founding, Hampshire College has been envisioned as a residential learning community. This has meant that not only does Hampshire strive to provide safe, secure, and comfortable living areas for students, but we also strive to provide a dynamic, intellectual environment outside the classroom. The residence life system encourages students to assume community responsibility and to respect the diverse backgrounds and lifestyles of our community members by providing opportunities for residents to learn about differences and to intentionally create a community that embraces those differences.

For more information about the student and professional staff who work and live in the residence halls, visit the residence life website. [176] 

The following policies and associated subsections outline residence life and housing policies. If you have additional questions about these policies, please contact your residence life coordinator or another member of the residence life staff [177].

Residential License

Every student must complete a housing form which includes the College’s residential license. 

Room Selection

Residence life staff will communicate each year’s continuing room selection process to eligible students. All mods must be filled at the time of selection. Any vacancies in mods (or residence hall double rooms, if applicable) must be filled by the assigned residents or residence life staff will administratively fill the vacancies.     

Health & Safety
Residence life staff and/or health and safety staff may enter common spaces and rooms as needed, and at least once during each term, to conduct fire, health, and safety inspections. Residence life staff also enter each room, as part of the December shut-down process, to check the heat and make certain windows and doors are secure. Students are required to comply with the required corrective action of all fire, health and safety inspections carried out by college personnel.

All campus spaces must be used only for their intended purpose unless appropriate permissions are obtained. Any use of a space that creates a hazard for the user or other occupants of the building is prohibited. No resident is allowed on the roof of any building on campus, except in those instances when it is a secondary egress route in the event of a fire. Additionally, no resident is allowed to scale the exterior of any building on campus.

Liability
Hampshire College assumes no responsibility or liability, directly or indirectly, for damage, loss, or destruction of any personal property by fire, water, theft, etc. Students are strongly encouraged to carry personal insurance to cover their belongings (see student insurance [178]). It is the responsibility of each student to safeguard their personal belongings and keep bedroom and apartment doors locked. Most property crimes on campus are crimes of opportunity. The simple step of keeping doors locked provides enormous protection.   [120]Campus safety and wellbeing [127] has electric engravers available for loan. It is a good practice to engrave valuable items with some identifying marks. Marking of personal property will help in identifying the rightful owner of recovered property.

Room Changes
Although students are expected to live in the same room for an entire academic year, there are sometimes extenuating circumstances that may warrant a move. Students who experience difficulties in their residence should consult their resident assistant or residence life coordinator to discuss how they can improve and tolerate their current environment. Students who feel their current living situation is untenable can meet with their residence life coordinator to discuss these circumstances. All requests for room changes are reviewed, and ultimately approved or denied, by the residence life professional staff.

An administrative move may be determined as necessary by a member of the residence life staff or designated adminstrator. In such cases, these staff reserve the right to move students to any vacancy on campus.

Retaliation means any adverse action taken against an individual for making a good faith report of a violation of policy or participating in any investigation or proceeding as a part of the student conduct process. Retaliation includes threatening, intimidating, harassing or any other conduct that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging in activity protected by the Hampshire College Student Handbook and Resource Guide. Retaliation may be present even where there is a finding of “no responsibility” on a reported violation of policy. Retaliation does not include good faith actions lawfully pursued in a legal process outside of the community standards process [8].

Based on federal changes to Title IX, the communtiy standards policy and charge of Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking for any incidents that happen on or after August 1, 2024 will fall under the Title IX policy and grievance procedure.

Please Review Important Title IX policy and grievance procedure [192] information updated August 1, 2024.

A Hampshire College ID (One Card) is necessary for use of the Library facilities at Hampshire and the other colleges in the Five College Consortium. It is also used for external door access such as Dakin, Merrill, Greenwich, and Prescott. Dining in the Dining Commons [214], Kern Cafe and Bridge Cafe. Books, groceries and supplies at the Hampstore. Access to athletic facilities, Robert Crown Center and Multisports. Campus Safety [120] & Wellbeing Assistants/Advocates or other college employees may ask you to produce identification to verify that you are indeed a student at Hampshire College. Students must comply with such a request. Failing to produce your ID is a a violation of the Mandated Response and Action policy [215]. 

If you need to replace your student ID (OneCard), the replacement ID fee is $25.00. 

Email onecard@hampshire.edu [187] for a replacement or for questions.

Hampshire College supports and encourages student entrepreneurship that meets legal and ethical expectations of the College's established community standards and policies [8]. Fundamental expectations of this policy are:

1. Student entrepreneurial initiatives must not jeopardize the College's tax-exempt status.
   (a) Hampshire College receives tax exemptions as an educational institution, which can be jeopardized when individuals in the campus community operate a business enterprise on College premises. Campus-based activity, which can result in the distribution of profits to individuals, is inconsistent with the College's tax-exempt status.
2. Entrepreneurs shall not use their student status to compete unfairly with local merchants or campus services.
3. Students are not to harass others, including their fellow students, in their commercial endeavors.
   (a) Advertising within the residence halls and mods is not permitted unless approved by the area coordinator for the area.

The entrepreneurship program through the School for Interdisciplinary Arts was established to provide a structure for student-run businesses invested in through the Seed Fund. Those who wish to start or participate in a commercial venture through the entrepreneurship program either through the Seed Fund or an entrepreneurship course should consult with the program coordinator. Students establishing a campus-based venture not associated with the entrepreneurship program must consult with Five College risk management [216] before implementation of a business. All campus-based businesses must comply with the following provisions:

(a) Students who act as commercial agents, sell merchandise, or distribute goods or advertising on campus are prohibited from using College facilities or services, including residence hall rooms, campus telephone numbers, computing and/or network services or College postal facilities, for the purpose of commercial activities.
(b) Use of the Hampshire College name or insignia must be cleared in advance of such use in all instances by the College's Director of Communication and Marketing and/or Vice President for Institutional Support and Chief Advancement Officer.
(c) Use of the Hampshire College name, insignia and trademarks on products and merchandise requires prior approval and vendor licensing by the College. Information regarding Hampshire College product licensing and Hampshire's code of conduct for licensees is available through the Office of Marketing and Communication.
(d) Students providing on-campus services may be required to enter into a contract with the College before commencing services.

Theft of College or personal property of others, defined as taking, carrying, leading or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another is considered unacceptable behavior. This includes the moving or removal of furniture and other College property from their appropriate location in public places including student lounge spaces and outdoor areas. 

For additional information about how these policies apply in the residence halls, see the residence life policies [217] section of this handbook.

Threatening and intimidating behaviors are words, actions, or implied threats that cause reasonable fear of injury to the health and safety of any person or property. 

These actions include but are not limited to:

• threats of physical assaults
• possession of fireworks or weapons (see weapons, firearms, & explosives policy [170]) on campus
• the intention to sell or sale of illegal drugs (see drug policy [171])
• threats to do violence
• psychological intimidation
• harassment of any person

Campus safety and wellbeing [127] should be contacted regarding any threatening and/or intimidating behavior.

Threatening and intimidating behavior may result in immediate suspension and other accountability measures up to and including removal from the College. All students alleged to have threatned or intimidated another community member will be subject to community standards review or administrative action.

Maintaining and preserving the private property of individuals as well as the resources of the College (including its grounds, academic buildings, residences, furnishings, dining facilities, associated structures and infrastructure) are the responsibility of all members of the College community. College resources are provided to benefit the entire community, and must be maintained so that no one is denied their right to the proper resources. This right is possessed not only by those who are students now, but also by those who will be students in the future.

Damage, destruction, or defacement of College or personal property of others (due either to malice or to extreme carelessness) is unacceptable behavior. Some of this behavior may also be consider vandalism, defined as willfully or maliciously destroying, disfiguring, and/or defacing any public or private property, without the consent of the owner or College.

Students will be assessed the cost of any vandalism or damage, and that cost will be charged to the student’s College account. Students may also be subject to community standards review as a policy violation.

Students, student organizations, and athletic teams in all types of hearings have the right to:

• Be provided with an opportunity to review any documents submitted to the community standards administrator, community standards review board (CSRB), Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability, or Office of Residnece Life that will be used to determine responsibility, findings, and outcomes.
• Appear before a community standards administrator or CSRB and have an opportunity to discuss the alleged policy violations being addressed and reviewed through the formal resolution process.
• Receive timely notification of when the formal resolution hearing will occur, which will be received at least seven (5) business days.
• Meet with a community standards administrator before the formal resolution hearing to ask questions to help prepare for the hearing and seek guidance and/or to be connected to campus student support services and resources.
• Have a support person [221]with them for all pre/post hearing meetings and during the hearing.
• Receive timely notification of the outcome of their hearing, which will be received at least two (2) to three (3) business days after the hearing, unless notified by a community standards administrator or CSRB that additional time is needed to conduct a review. If so, be provided an updated timeline of when you will receive the outcome and findings.
• Appeal on appropriate grounds as explained in the Appeals Policy [220]

Reporting Individual Rights
Students, faculty, and staff who report an alleged community standards policy violation have the right to request to be active participants in matters and incidents in which their rights may have been violated through conversation with the community standards administrator reviewing the matter and through the Community Standards Review Board (CSRB) [219] should the individual reporting the community standards violation choose that option. Rights for the reporting individuals specific to CSRB hearings are listed in that section. Administrative hearings do not involve active participation by the reporting party during the meeting, however, a community standards administrator may choose to contact a reporting individual for further information in determining their findings.

Additional Rights and Responsibilities
Depending on the alleged violation and the process for which the incident and/or matter is being addressed and resolved, the reporting individual and the student(s), student organization, or athletic team may have additional rights. Please review each of the processes - administrative hearing [218], CSRB hearing [219], Title IX grievance policy [132] (NOTE: Title IX cases will be managed by the Title IX Office versus the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability unless referred by the Title IX Office fo resollution) for a full understanding of rights and responsibilities.

The formal resolution process comprises two methodologies for reviewing and addressing alleged violations of community standards and College policies. Student(s), student organizations, or athletic teams participate in a one-on-one administrative hearing with a community standards administrator or a hearing convened by the Community Standards Review Board (CSRB). Reported Title IX violations will be addressed and review based on the Title IX grievance policy [132].

The formal resolution process seeks to review, address, and resolve incidents and matters of alleged violations of community standards and consist of the following methods:

Administrative Hearing: Matters and the alleged policy violations are reviewed, discussed, and conducted in a hearing with a designated community standards administrator within the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability and Residence Life. The designated community standards administrator will oversee the hearing and make a final decision based on information presented from all reports and individuals involved. See Administrative Hearing [218] for more information.

Community Standards Review Board (CSRB): Matters and alleged policy violations are reviewed, discussed, and conducted before a three-member Community Standards Review Board (CSRB) consisting of one of each of the following representatives: student, faculty, and staff members. See Community Standards Review Board and Hearing [219] for more information. 

In circumstances where a report is submitted, and there is reasonable cause to modify the process, including but not limited to before commencement when a student is a candidate for graduation, the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability will use their discretion to determine the appropriate process for resolution while maintaining the rights [222] afforded to all students, student organizations, or athletic teams in the community standards process.

Suppose a student leaves the College for any reason while the formal or informal resolution process is underway. In that case, the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability have the authority to determine whether or not the process should continue or be held should the student return or be readmitted to the College. 

DETERMINING OUTCOMES & DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

Outcomes are what are determined as a result of the formal or information resolution process. If a responsible outcome is determined, students will be assigned an accountability and community restoration plan. These plans are comprised of accountability measures that focus on addressing behavior and actions utilizing an accountability framework that is centered around providing care and support for individuals and the campus community, engaging in educational opportunities and dialogues, and participating in transformative experiences and interactions.

The standard used at Hampshire College and other colleges and universities across the country to determine whether or not a student is responsible for a community standards violation is ‘preponderance of evidence’. Preponderance of evidence means that based on the information available to the staff member addressing the violation or the community standards review board (CSRB) that the reported actions more likely occurred than not. Determining responsibility is also called determining a finding, and a designed staff member or CSRB will either come to a finding of “responsible” or “not responsible" based on the information presented at the time the matter is address either through the informal or formal resolution processes. 

The college's method of addressing student accountability and use of preponderance of evidence is different from criminal proceedings where the standard is 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. The community standards process is not a criminal proceeding, and the terms “guilty” or “innocent” are not used. Students are not considered "responsible" until an informal or formal resolution meeting has occurred[1], however interim administrative actions [116] may be put in place at the discretion of the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability until alleged policy violations or community concerns can be address through the community standards process.

ACCOUNTABILITY & COMMUNITY RESTORATION PLANS

Accountability measures are assigned as part of a students accountability and community restoration plan when they are found responsible for a community standards policy violation. Some accountability measures are assigned that provide notice to a student and others may require students to complete specific assignments and engage in educational opportunities and interactions. Accountability measure definitions can be found in the accountability measures [151] section.

Some community standards violations have accountability measure guidelines defined within the policy. For policies that do not have specified guidelines, designated staff members or the CSRB will consider the outcomes in similar cases as well as any previous community standards violations that students may have been involved in within the past. In determining whether or not a student’s behavior and actions meets the expectations defined in the Student Handbook and Resource Guide, a “reasonable person” standard may be applied. The term “reasonable person” takes on a different meaning, often depending upon the situation at hand. The reasonable person standard compares an individual’s behavior in a situation with the behavior of a hypothetical reasonable person in the same set of events. This is not the standard used for determining responsibility in a situation, however the reasonable person standard may be considered in determining an accountability and community restoration plan when a student is found responsible for a community standards policy violation.

COMPLETING ACCOUNTABILITY & COMMUNITY RESTORATION PLANS

Students who do not complete their assigned accountability measure(s) by the deadlines provided may have a community standards hold placed on their student account and will be referred through the informal or formal resolution process for a community standards violation of the Mandated Response and Action Policy [215]. If a student is determined to be responsible for failing to comply with the Mandated Response and Action Policy [215], they will be assigned additional accountability measures with the goal of addressing their behavior, action, or inaction.

If a student leaves the College for any reason before completing their accountability and community restoration plan, the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism (JEA) and office of community standards and student accountability have the authority to determine next steps; which typically consists of students being required to complete their accountability and community restoration plan upon return to the College.

If a graduating student has not fulfilled their accountability and community restoration plan, a notation will be made on a student's record in JEA and depending on the severity of the situation the student’s degree may be withheld and official transcripts may not be released. In this type of situation, the student will be issued an unofficial transcript, which will be stamped “issued to student” and “outstanding obligation.” Transcripts will not be issued to third parties. 

The student, student organization, or athletic team or reporting individual may appeal the determination by submitting a written appeal within five (5) working days of the date of the outcome letter. The outcome letter is sent to a student's email and will notify the participants to whom they may submit a written appeal. Students, student organizations, or athletic teams have the right to appeal both findings (decision of responsible/not responsible) and accountability and community restoration plans, however findings may only be appealed on the basis of procedural error. Reporting individual have the right to appeal based on procedural error. As reporting individuals are not permitted under FERPA to receive the outcome of a hearing or community standards violation, except in relation to violence and incidents related to Title IX violations (sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking [227]), reporting individuals will only be able to appeal findings (on the basis of procedural error) and accountability and community restoration plans in those instances. The College will share findings and accountability and community restoration plans with the reporting individuals in accordance with FERPA requirements. For appeals of academic integrity violations heard by the CSRB, students and reporting individuals should follow the processes outlined in the ethics of scholarship [228] section.

1. Appeals of procedure and/or appeals of accountability and community restoration plans by the students and/or the reporting individual must be submitted in writing within five (5) working days after written notification of the outcome and must meet the criteria below to be accepted.[1] A late appeal will not be accepted.

• Appeals based on procedural grounds must outline a material procedural error that substantially impacted the outcome. 
• Appeals of sanctions must outline why the accountability and community restoration plans is substantially disproportionate to the violation.  An appeal of the assigned accountability measures should also detail any alternate accountability measures the student, student organization, or athletic team would suggest as more appropriate and that align with the violation.

2. Appeals of removal from housing, suspension, or expulsion
   (a) Students removed from housing, suspended, or expelled must vacate housing within the time frame specified in the outcome letter (typically within 48 hours, however this may vary at the discretion of the College).
   (b) If a student intends to appeal a removal from housing, suspension or expulsion, a written intent to appeal must be submitted within 48 hours of the decision. The intent to appeal must include a summary of the grounds for the appeal.
   (c) If an intent to appeal is submitted in the specified timeframe, the student may be permitted to remain in housing, at the discretion of the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability, for the duration of the appeals period until an appeal decision is made. A late intent to appeal does not exclude an student from the appeals process, but does mean they will not be permitted to remain in housing during the appeal period. If an appeal is denied, the original accountability and community restoration plan and its assigned accountability measures will be effective immediately unless otherwise specified by the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability.
   (d) If a student submits an intent to appeal and a full appeal is not submitted by the appeal deadline, additional accountability measures may be applied and may include suspension, expulsion, transcript holds, and permanent trespass from the College.
   (e) Additional details regarding how to submit an appeal, intent to appeal, and submission deadlines for the appeal process will be included in the outcome letter.
3. Appeals may be heard by an assigned administrator within the College. This individual will have appropriate training and experience to serve as an impartial decision-maker. Whether heard by an administrator or panel, appeals are only reviewed in writing and the students(s) do not appear in person. The student may be asked to meet in person to review the outcome of the appeal. 
4. After an appeal is submitted, the student, student organization, or athletic team and the reporting individual will be informed who will review their appeal and who is their assigned appeal administrator.
5. If a student or reporting individual does not plan to appeal, they still have the right to submit a letter to have their perspective included in the event that the other individuals appeals. Deadlines for submitting a letter will be included in the outcome letter and will likely follow the same timeline as the deadline for appeal.
6. In all cases of an appeal, the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability shall review the appeal and pertinent facts relative to the appeal, determine if further investigation is warranted, and render a decision. The administrator or panel will make a determination based on the written record.  Appeals are not intended to be a de novo review, i.e., they are not intended to be a review from the beginning. The appeal administrator's responsibility in reviewing an appeal includes: 
   (a) affirming the findings;
   (b) altering the findings only where there is clear error based on the stated appeal grounds; or 
   (c) altering the accountability and community restoration plan only where there is clear evidence that the accountability measures were substantially disproportionate to the violation.
7. If a situation requires further investigation an additional appeal option may apply after a new decision is rendered.
8. The original accountability and community restoration plan will be in effect throughout the duration of the appeals process unless otherwise specified in the outcome letter. The accountability measure will be altered only if and when the student is informed by the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism (JEA) that such a decision has been made.
9. In the rare event that the Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism serves directly as the communtiy standards meeting administrator, the appeal will go directly to the President of the College or other designee of the President.

The assigned appeals administrator will make a final decision within ten (10) working days of receiving the appeal. This timeframe may be extended for good cause as necessary to ensure the integrity and completeness of the review.  Any extension of the timeframe, and the reason for the extension, will be shared with the individuals involved in writing. The appeal administrators findings and decision is final.

Community Standards Review Board (CSRB) hearings, administrative hearings, informal resolution meetings, nor the incident review, investigation and determination by a hearing board for a sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking policy complaint are a substitute for civil or criminal courts; students pursuing complaints through any of the afore mentioned pathways do not waive their right to pursue external remedies. External proceedings, including both civil and/or criminal actions may not delay internal processes.

The Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism, the Senior Director for Student Success and Engagement, or designee may assign restrictions and/or separate a student from the community pending the scheduling of an informal or formal community standards resolution meeting or hearing on alleged violation(s) of the Standards for Student Accountability and Norms for Community Living [115]. These restrictions may occur when a student poses a serious threat to an individual or the community, creates a disturbance to the normal operations of the College or educational environment, or to preserve the integrity of an investigation. 

Interim actions can include separation from the institution or restrictions on participation in the community for no more than ten (10) business days pending the scheduling of an informal or formal community standards resolution meeting or hearing on alleged violation(s) of the Standards for Student Accountability and Norms for Community Living [115]. Students are not considered responsible for violation of policy until such time that a finding of responsibility be determined and the student is notified in writing (via email and/or hard copy).

FERPA requires that schools obtain written permission from students before releasing education records. Exceptions to this include a health or safety emergency, to provide information to schools to which a Hampshire student is transferring, in certain student conduct cases, and in other circumstances described in FERPA [229]. In addition, in well-defined circumstances, some information may be released without written permission from the student. College officials with a legitimate educational interest may also have access to a student's education records without prior consent.

Records pertaining to the informal and formal community standards resolution process and meetings or hearings will be maintained in private files (as part of a student’s education records) by the College for a period of seven (7) years and then destroyed or no longer reported with the exception of suspensions and expulsions, which remain a permanent part of a student's educational record.

If a student chooses to provide written consent for disclosure of information, they may do so by submitting a written request to the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability by emailing deanofstudents@hampshire.edu [230].

For further information regarding FERPA [229] and Hampshire College FERPA and Privacy of Records [231].

The Five College consortium provides an enhanced learning environment with access to an almost unlimited variety of academic, social, and cultural resources. We are all well aware of the importance of maintaining good relationships among the Five Colleges. For that reason, the Five College deans of students have adopted the following resolution for maintaining standards of conduct at each of their institutions:

If a breach of discipline or good conduct is committed by a student from one of the colleges while visiting another of the Five College campuses, that violation will be treated as though it occurred on the student’s home campus. The student will then be subjected to their own institution’s applicable and appropriate conduct or community standards procedures.

DETERMINING OUTCOMES & DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

Outcomes are what are determined as a result of the formal or information resolution process. If a responsible outcome is determined, students will be assigned an accountability and community restoration plan. These plans are comprised of accountability measures that focus on addressing behavior and actions utilizing an accountability framework that is centered around providing care and support for individuals and the campus community, engaging in educational opportunities and dialogues, and participating in transformative experiences and interactions.

The standard used at Hampshire College and other colleges and universities across the country to determine whether or not a student is responsible for a community standards violation is ‘preponderance of evidence’. Preponderance of evidence means that based on the information available to the staff member addressing the violation or the community standards review board (CSRB) that the reported actions more likely occurred than not. Determining responsibility is also called determining a finding, and a designed staff member or CSRB will either come to a finding of “responsible” or “not responsible" based on the information presented at the time the matter is address either through the informal or formal resolution processes. 

The college's method of addressing student accountability and use of preponderance of evidence is different from criminal proceedings where the standard is 'beyond a reasonable doubt'. The community standards process is not a criminal proceeding, and the terms “guilty” or “innocent” are not used. Students are not considered "responsible" until an informal or formal resolution meeting has occurred[1], however interim administrative actions [116] may be put in place at the discretion of the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability until alleged policy violations or community concerns can be address through the community standards process.

ACCOUNTABILITY & COMMUNITY RESTORATION PLANS

Accountability measures are assigned as part of a students accountability and community restoration plan when they are found responsible for a community standards policy violation. Some accountability measures are assigned that provide notice to a student and others may require students to complete specific assignments and engage in educational opportunities and interactions. Accountability measure definitions can be found in the accountability measures [151] section.

Some community standards violations have accountability measure guidelines defined within the policy. For policies that do not have specified guidelines, designated staff members or the CSRB will consider the outcomes in similar cases as well as any previous community standards violations that students may have been involved in within the past. In determining whether or not a student’s behavior and actions meets the expectations defined in the Student Handbook and Resource Guide, a “reasonable person” standard may be applied. The term “reasonable person” takes on a different meaning, often depending upon the situation at hand. The reasonable person standard compares an individual’s behavior in a situation with the behavior of a hypothetical reasonable person in the same set of events. This is not the standard used for determining responsibility in a situation, however the reasonable person standard may be considered in determining an accountability and community restoration plan when a student is found responsible for a community standards policy violation.

COMPLETING ACCOUNTABILITY & COMMUNITY RESTORATION PLANS

Students who do not complete their assigned accountability measure(s) by the deadlines provided may have a community standards hold placed on their student account and will be referred through the informal or formal resolution process for a community standards violation of the Mandated Response and Action Policy [215]. If a student is determined to be responsible for failing to comply with the Mandated Response and Action Policy [215], they will be assigned additional accountability measures with the goal of addressing their behavior, action, or inaction.

If a student leaves the College for any reason before completing their accountability and community restoration plan, the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism (JEA) and office of community standards and student accountability have the authority to determine next steps; which typically consists of students being required to complete their accountability and community restoration plan upon return to the College.

If a graduating student has not fulfilled their accountability and community restoration plan, a notation will be made on a student's record in JEA and depending on the severity of the situation the student’s degree may be withheld and official transcripts may not be released. In this type of situation, the student will be issued an unofficial transcript, which will be stamped “issued to student” and “outstanding obligation.” Transcripts will not be issued to third parties. 

The student, student organization, or athletic team or reporting individual may appeal the determination by submitting a written appeal within five (5) working days of the date of the outcome letter. The outcome letter is sent to a student's email and will notify the participants to whom they may submit a written appeal. Students, student organizations, or athletic teams have the right to appeal both findings (decision of responsible/not responsible) and accountability and community restoration plans, however findings may only be appealed on the basis of procedural error. Reporting individual have the right to appeal based on procedural error. As reporting individuals are not permitted under FERPA to receive the outcome of a hearing or community standards violation, except in relation to violence and incidents related to Title IX violations (sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking [227]), reporting individuals will only be able to appeal findings (on the basis of procedural error) and accountability and community restoration plans in those instances. The College will share findings and accountability and community restoration plans with the reporting individuals in accordance with FERPA requirements. For appeals of academic integrity violations heard by the CSRB, students and reporting individuals should follow the processes outlined in the ethics of scholarship [228] section.

1. Appeals of procedure and/or appeals of accountability and community restoration plans by the students and/or the reporting individual must be submitted in writing within five (5) working days after written notification of the outcome and must meet the criteria below to be accepted.[1] A late appeal will not be accepted.

• Appeals based on procedural grounds must outline a material procedural error that substantially impacted the outcome. 
• Appeals of sanctions must outline why the accountability and community restoration plans is substantially disproportionate to the violation.  An appeal of the assigned accountability measures should also detail any alternate accountability measures the student, student organization, or athletic team would suggest as more appropriate and that align with the violation.

2. Appeals of removal from housing, suspension, or expulsion
   (a) Students removed from housing, suspended, or expelled must vacate housing within the time frame specified in the outcome letter (typically within 48 hours, however this may vary at the discretion of the College).
   (b) If a student intends to appeal a removal from housing, suspension or expulsion, a written intent to appeal must be submitted within 48 hours of the decision. The intent to appeal must include a summary of the grounds for the appeal.
   (c) If an intent to appeal is submitted in the specified timeframe, the student may be permitted to remain in housing, at the discretion of the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability, for the duration of the appeals period until an appeal decision is made. A late intent to appeal does not exclude an student from the appeals process, but does mean they will not be permitted to remain in housing during the appeal period. If an appeal is denied, the original accountability and community restoration plan and its assigned accountability measures will be effective immediately unless otherwise specified by the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability.
   (d) If a student submits an intent to appeal and a full appeal is not submitted by the appeal deadline, additional accountability measures may be applied and may include suspension, expulsion, transcript holds, and permanent trespass from the College.
   (e) Additional details regarding how to submit an appeal, intent to appeal, and submission deadlines for the appeal process will be included in the outcome letter.
3. Appeals may be heard by an assigned administrator within the College. This individual will have appropriate training and experience to serve as an impartial decision-maker. Whether heard by an administrator or panel, appeals are only reviewed in writing and the students(s) do not appear in person. The student may be asked to meet in person to review the outcome of the appeal. 
4. After an appeal is submitted, the student, student organization, or athletic team and the reporting individual will be informed who will review their appeal and who is their assigned appeal administrator.
5. If a student or reporting individual does not plan to appeal, they still have the right to submit a letter to have their perspective included in the event that the other individuals appeals. Deadlines for submitting a letter will be included in the outcome letter and will likely follow the same timeline as the deadline for appeal.
6. In all cases of an appeal, the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability shall review the appeal and pertinent facts relative to the appeal, determine if further investigation is warranted, and render a decision. The administrator or panel will make a determination based on the written record.  Appeals are not intended to be a de novo review, i.e., they are not intended to be a review from the beginning. The appeal administrator's responsibility in reviewing an appeal includes: 
   (a) affirming the findings;
   (b) altering the findings only where there is clear error based on the stated appeal grounds; or 
   (c) altering the accountability and community restoration plan only where there is clear evidence that the accountability measures were substantially disproportionate to the violation.
7. If a situation requires further investigation an additional appeal option may apply after a new decision is rendered.
8. The original accountability and community restoration plan will be in effect throughout the duration of the appeals process unless otherwise specified in the outcome letter. The accountability measure will be altered only if and when the student is informed by the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism (JEA) that such a decision has been made.
9. In the rare event that the Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism serves directly as the communtiy standards meeting administrator, the appeal will go directly to the President of the College or other designee of the President.

The assigned appeals administrator will make a final decision within ten (10) working days of receiving the appeal. This timeframe may be extended for good cause as necessary to ensure the integrity and completeness of the review.  Any extension of the timeframe, and the reason for the extension, will be shared with the individuals involved in writing. The appeal administrators findings and decision is final.

FERPA requires that schools obtain written permission from students before releasing education records. Exceptions to this include a health or safety emergency, to provide information to schools to which a Hampshire student is transferring, in certain student conduct cases, and in other circumstances described in FERPA [229]. In addition, in well-defined circumstances, some information may be released without written permission from the student. College officials with a legitimate educational interest may also have access to a student's education records without prior consent.

Records pertaining to the informal and formal community standards resolution process and meetings or hearings will be maintained in private files (as part of a student’s education records) by the College for a period of seven (7) years and then destroyed or no longer reported with the exception of suspensions and expulsions, which remain a permanent part of a student's educational record.

If a student chooses to provide written consent for disclosure of information, they may do so by submitting a written request to the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability by emailing studentsuccess@hampshire.edu [3].

For further information regarding FERPA [229] and Hampshire College FERPA and Privacy of Records [231].

The reporting individual and the student(s), student organization, or athletic team who are alleged to have violated a community standards policy may be accompanied at both informal resolution meetings and formal resolution hearings by one support person who is a current faculty, staff, or student member of the Hampshire College community.

Multiple support persons may attend any pre- and post-meetings and hearings at the discretion of the community standards administrator facilitating the meeting. Students can identify their support person as a current student, faculty, or staff member at Hampshire College or may request a support person be identified and appointed for them by submitting a written request to the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability. In the appointment process, a staff member in either office will connect with the student to identify and secure a support person. Additional support persons can be available outside of the meeting and hearing room for consultation during a hearing.

Supporters are expected to respect the rights to privacy of the student they support and any others involved. If a supporter is a responsible reporter, they must still report as required.

During an Administrative Hearing and Informal Resolution Meeting

During an administrative hearing and informal resolution meeting, the supporter's role is to support the student, student organization, or athletic team and play a passive role in the discussion. The supporter may not speak on behalf of a student, student organization, or athletic team nor be disruptive to the hearing or meeting. The primary discussion in a hearing and informal resolution meeting is with the student; however, there may be space for the supporter to ask questions at the discretion of the community standards administrator.

During a Community Review Board Hearing

The supporter's role is to support the student(s), student organization, or athletic team and may not question the other party or any witnesses brought forth in the hearing. The supporter may not speak on behalf of a student, student organization, or athletic team nor be disruptive to the hearing. Supporters are not permitted to talk at a hearing, except to the student, student organization, or athletic team they are supporting, and to state their name and role for an audio record. The student, student organization, or athletic team can request a break if additional time to talk privately with their supporter is needed. A supporter may be required to leave the proceedings if that supporter fails to follow the board's procedures.

For more information on how to prepare to be a support person visit Student Success and Engagement.

Hampshire College is committed to providing appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities so that all students have meaningful access to all College programs and services, including the student conduct process. This includes accommodations provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation.

All students with disabilities who are involved in the community standards process, including reporting individuals, students alleged to have violated policies, supporters, and witnesses may seek accommodations for any stage of the community standards process, including community standards review board (CSRB) hearings, administrative hearings, informal resolution meetings, incident reviews or investigations, and any pre- or post-hearing meetings.

Any student requesting an accommodation [109] must do so far enough in advance to allow the request to be reviewed and an appropriate accommodation identified and implemented. Although there is no firm deadline beyond which an accommodation cannot be requested, the student will be held accountable for making any request in a timely fashion, and the College may not be able to provide an accommodation which is not requested with reasonable advance notice before the accommodation is needed to allow time for review and implementation. Accordingly, each student seeking an accommodation is strongly encouraged to do so as early as possible in the student conduct process.

A request for accommodation [98] must be made to the office of accessibility resources and services (OARS). OARS may consult with the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism (JEA) or designated administrator to determine, based on appropriate legal standards and College policy, what accommodation, if any, is appropriate. The student will be required to provide appropriate documentation from qualified health care professionals to support the request. OARS will make their determination in light of the student’s particular disabilities and the nature of the conduct process, as informed by any consultations, relevant documentation, and relevant previous accommodations provided to the student.  Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively; students must arrange for accommodations. The student will be given an explanation of the determination.

The Senior Vice President for Justice, Equity, and Antiracism Senior Director for Student Success and Engagement, or designee may assign restrictions and/or separate a student from the community pending the scheduling of an informal or formal community standards resolution meeting or hearing on alleged violation(s) of the Standards for Student Accountability and Norms for Community Living [115]. These restrictions may occur when a student poses a serious threat to an individual or the community, creates a disturbance to the normal operations of the College or educational environment, or to preserve the integrity of an investigation. 

Interim actions can include separation from the institution or restrictions on participation in the community for no more than ten (10) business days pending the scheduling of an informal or formal community standards resolution meeting or hearing on alleged violation(s) of the Standards for Student Accountability and Norms for Community Living [115]. Students are not considered responsible for violation of policy until such time that a finding of responsibility be determined and the student is notified in writing (via email and/or hard copy).

Community Standards Review Board (CSRB) hearings, administrative hearings, informal resolution meetings, nor the incident review, investigation and determination by a hearing board for a sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking policy complaint are a substitute for civil or criminal courts; students pursuing complaints through any of the afore mentioned pathways do not waive their right to pursue external remedies. External proceedings, including both civil and/or criminal actions may not delay internal processes.

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.

New Student Group Recognition Process

Students at Hampshire College have the opportunity to start new student groups contingent on the Student Engagement staff evaluating the following: type of activity, similarity to existing groups, their detailed mission statement, proposed community engagement, risk and safety concerns, as well as the viability of the group determined by potential conflict with Community Standards.  

Students who are wanting to create a new student group on campus are able to do so at any time by following the outlined process below:

• Student groups must complete the New Student Group Registration form located in the Organizations tab of HampEngage 
• Student groups must have 3 signers 
• New groups with 3 graduating Div 3 students will not be approved
• The student group must have at least two other active members in their HampEngage roster 
• The 3 signers must meet with Student Engagement Staff at least three times before they are a fully registered organization 
• Intake & signer training 
• Event planning 
• Evaluation and future planning 
• The student group must host at least one outreach event to promote their organization; tabling, meeting, social, etc.
  

After completion of all steps listed above and approval from the Student Engagement staff, the new student group will have full HampEngage privileges, a meeting food account, a general expenses account and the ability to request funds from the SAF.

In addition to the New Student Group Recognition process, these groups must follow the same student group and signer expectations outlined below.

Regardless of where New Student Groups are in their recognition process, they must complete the Spring Re-registration to be active for the next academic year.

Returning Student Group Recognition Process

The student group recognition process is held in the spring semester for the next academic year's recognition.  All groups, new and established, are required to complete and submit a registration form each year.

Student Engagement [129] staff evaluate all applications to determine if additional information is necessary, and if approved, the group is recognized for the next academic year.  Consideration will be given to the type of activity, similarity to existing groups, their detailed mission statement, proposed community engagement, risk and safety concerns, as well as the viability of the group determined by potential conflict with Community Standards.

Groups may be asked to have a faculty or staff advisor, and/or submit a self-risk activity assessment. Once recognized, all participating members of the group must complete a student activities risk waiver.

If a registration form is not submitted, or supplemental information is not provided, the registration will not be approved. 

Unrecognized student groups are not eligible to receive direct funding from the student activities fund (SAF), nor have an active HampEngage page.

Student Group Expectations:

• All student groups must have three trained signers in order to maintain recognition.
• Student groups must host one event or program open to the Hampshire community per semester in order to maintain recognition. A program can be active, such as an event, or it can be passive educational outreach, for example an informational campaign or a publication.

• Student groups must register their meetings on HampEngage [238] via the event registration form.  Failure to do so will make your group ineligible to receive funding.  All group meetings must occur in public spaces.

• All participating members of the student group must complete an online student activities risk waiver.
• Student groups will notify Student Engagement in writing of any intent to change to the name of the student group, mission statement, or group signers.

• All members of student groups are expected to conduct themselves, both on and off campus, as responsible members of the Hampshire Community.

• All student groups shall be responsible for adhering to the above expectations as well as policies outlined in the Student Handbook [239].

Signer Expectations:

• All student group signers are required to attend signer training and at least two additional leadership training sessions organized by student engagement staff each semester.  In the event that a signer cannot attend a training the student must notify student engagement staff in writing and send a representative of the student group in their place or attend a makeup session; failure to do so will impact the recognition status of your group and its ability to receive funding.
• Signers are responsible for submitting all of the following on HampEngage [238]:
• SAF funding request forms
• Purchase request forms for food, services, and supplies
• This includes second signing purchase requests
• Event forms for group meetings and events
• Trip registration forms
• Contract request forms for outside performers/speakers/vendors

• Signers are responsible for picking up purchase orders from student engagement staff and returning receipts in a timely manner, within 48 hours of purchase.
• Purchasing Card Usage: 
• Registered student groups have the opportunity to check out a Student Engagement Purchasing Card to make purchases with approved funding and purchases. In order to utilize the card, student groups must do the following: 
• Secure funding from the SAF following the Signer Guidelines and By-Laws 
• Submit a purchase request on HampEngage marking they need to use the card and have it second signed one week prior to needing the card. 
• Schedule a time 3 days in advance to complete paperwork and purchasing with Student Engagement Staff. 
• One student signer for the group must sign the Hampshire College Student Group Cardholder Delegation form and take on responsibility for the card and purchases while in their possession 
• Once the form is signed and expectations are discussed, students are able to do their shopping. 
• The Purchasing Card and receipt(s) must be returned immediately upon finishing shopping. 
• If any of the expectations or guidelines are not followed, student groups are subject to the following tiered warning system: 
• Warning 1:
• Revocation of the privilege to use the Purchasing Card for one semester.

• Warning 2:
• Student group is financially frozen and placed on probation.
  
  
• Warning 3:
• Student Code of Conduct case opened and/or criminal charges being filed with the appropriate authorities.

• Deposits:
• Signers must inform student engagement staff of any cash deposits or fund transfers from inter-departmental accounts.

• Duplications:
• Signers must have all duplication charges approved by the student engagement staff prior to making any copies.

• All signers of student groups are expected to conduct themselves, both on and off campus, as responsible members of the Hampshire Community.
  

Maintaining Your Student Group Recognition.
These recognition requirements will be reviewed both mid-year and as part of the annual recognition process to determine eligibility for continued group recognition. Groups may be moved to a frozen status if they do not fulfill these specific requirements.

For additional information on becoming a recognized group visit leadership.hampshire.edu [234].

There are a variety of employment opportunities and experiences for students at Hampshire College.  Eligible students can view the master job list [256] [292] and other job listings. 

Students can work up to 7 hours per week in general work study positions (combined hours in all positions held) and are paid directly on a biweekly schedule according to the time submitted on the HUB. The wage rate for most positions is $15 per hour for the 2024-25 academic year.  Students must apply for and secure their own positions, employment is not a guarantee.  Students may need to utilize some of their work-study earnings to satisfy their tuition bills, and have the option to pay directly or to sign up for payroll deduction. The student accounts office [257] [293] allows students to deduct up to $500 per semester from work-study earnings.

Students are required to complete paperwork before they begin their employment. All first-time employees at the College must complete an I-9 Form (requires identification and citizenship or visa status) to certify their eligibility for employment. W-4, M-4, and work authorization forms are also required and are available in the student employment office [257] [293].

Students must submit their hours worked, by the payroll processing due date, electronically on TheHUB [258] [294]; click on the "Enter My Timecard" link.  Students will not receive pay for hours not reported.  The hours worked must also be approved by the student’s supervisor.

Students with federal work study funding may not earn more than the work-study offer listed on their financial aid offer letter.  Students will be notified periodically of their award balance.  If a student earns the maximum offer, the student will need to stop working even if the semester or year is not over. If the student earns more than the maximum offer, the financial aid office may need to reduce the student's institutional grant funding to keep their total aid within their financial aid budget.

For additional rights and responsibilities as a work-study employee please refer to your Work Authorization form(s) or contact the student employment coordinator or the financial aid office.

1. All Hampshire student-athletes must follow all OPRA guidelines (please see OPRA policy section [262].)
2. Student-athletes must successfully go through compliance (athletic, academic, and medical) in order to participate in practice or games each semester.
3. Student-athletes may be subject to removal from a team for violations of athletic policies, inappropriate behavior, or violations of other sections of the Norms for Community Living and Policies [8]. 
4. Student-athletes must follow athletic department team guidelines. Failure to follow may result in removal from the team.
5.  OPRA does not condone hazing and expects that student-athletes and other participants in OPRA activities adhere to the Hazing Policy [263].

The College does not provide liability insurance for injuries or damages caused to others during athletic events. See the Student Insurance section [178] for more information.

All bicycles on campus must be registered. Registration is free of charge and can be completed on TheHub [270] [305] anytime. The decal will be sent to you via campus mail. The registration decal will expire upon the student’s graduation date no longer than five (5) years from original registration.

All bicycles on campus must be stored in approved outdoor bike sheds and secured to a bicycle rack. Bicycles may not be secured to fire hydrants, trees, parking signs, ramps, railings, or left in the path of egress in any building on campus. Bicycles that are inappropriately secured may be immediately removed and/or confiscated.

Bicycles must be removed from campus during the summer break. Bicycles left over the summer will be considered abandoned and will be confiscated and discarded.

The College must continuously remove unregistered bicycles from campus to make room for registered bicycles. Any bicycle in violation of the College’s bicycle policy or unregistered will be confiscated and, if not claimed within thirty (30) days, will be discarded.

Stolen bikes, like any theft on campus, should be reported to Campus Safety and Wellbeing 413-559-5425 csw@hampshire.edu [266] immediately. The college is not responcible for any bicycle brought or left on campus, whether secure or not.

Use of College Vehicles

College vehicles are not available for personal use; this includes personal transportation to and from classes at other institutions. Pool vans can be reserved for College business and College-approved student programs. Please be sure to carefully read all information on the checking out Pool Vehicles webpage [271] [306]. Student groups must contact the student engagement [234] [274] office. For offices and academic departments, a department budget manager or designated assistant makes the reservation. A vehicle request can be made three days or more in advance.

Members of the College community who want to be eligible to operate a College vehicle must attend a defensive driver class [272] [307], and have a clean driving record. Credential forms must be filled out via Five College risk management [273] [308] for insurance purposes by everyone who will drive a College-owned or personal vehicle on College business.

All drivers of pool vans or personal vehicles driven on College business, are expected to follow the rules in the pool vehicle handbook [274] [309] and abide by all campus regulations and all local, state, and federal laws.

Travel Accident Insurance

The College provides limited travel accident insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation to students traveling on College or academic business, worldwide. Worldwide travel assistance services are also available. For details or see the Five Colleges Inc. website [275] [310].

Auto Use

The College purchases auto liability insurance, which protects both the College and the driver from third-party liability and third-party property damage arising from the use of College-owned, hired/rented, and non-owned vehicles. The Five College risk management website [275] [310] has more detailed information on this coverage. 

• For College-owned vehicles, the student driver must be credentialed and have permission from a faculty member, a dean, a coach, or a department head to drive a College vehicle. For details on becoming a credentialed driver, visit Five College risk management policies [273] [308].

• To rent or drive a rented vehicle for College business, the student must be credentialed and have written authorization from an authorized person (see owned vehicles, below) and be a scheduled driver with the rental company. Most car rental agencies prohibit persons under the age of 25 from driving rented vehicles. The College policy is to waive coverage for liability and collision coverage on domestic rentals; however, students should follow departmental guidelines with respect to waiving the rental company insurance. If the College insurance is used, a certificate of insurance should be obtained as proof of insurance.

• If a student drives their own vehicle on College business, such use must be specifically authorized in writing by the department head or chair before the use occurs. The College policy is excess of the student’s own policy with respect to liability coverage. No coverage is provided for any physical damage to the student’s vehicle, nor will any deductible amount be paid by the College, whether or not the vehicle is used for College business, and regardless of any liability of the driver or other parties. 

• The College auto insurance policy may not cover unauthorized drivers. Unauthorized drivers may be personally liable for claims brought against them. The College may also have a right to claim against unauthorized drivers.

Weather Conditions

Trips may be canceled due to adverse weather conditions. The  Campus Safety & Wellbeing [120] [112] Assistant Director has the authority to cancel pool vehicle reservations due to the adverse weather conditions and will utilize all available weather information to determine the advisability of allowing vehicles to leave the campus. As a matter of policy, the College expects drivers to interrupt their trips when weather conditions deteriorate, find a safe place to wait, and to resume the trip once the weather improves.

OPRA Van Use

Outdoor Programs and Recreation and Athletics vans are only for the use of College staff for transporting people to OPRA programs, courses, and events.

• OPRA does not lend or rent vans.

• Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs are prohibited in OPRA vans.

• The transportation of alcohol or illegal drugs in OPRA vans is prohibited.

Prohibited Items

A number of items are prohibited in the Hampshire College buildings. These prohibitions are in place to support the health and safety needs of all community members. Some of the prohibited items are specific to students living in the residences. This listing is not all-inclusive of specific items, but gives a comprehensive description of types of items not permitted and does include some specifics to guide student understanding of prohibited items.

An additional list of fire safety prohibited items can be found at the end of the fire safety policy [175] [167].

Weapons, Firearms, and Explosives

Students are prohibited from introducing, possessing, using, buying, selling, carrying, or displaying any weapon or replica. Weapons are defined as any device or substance that is designed, used, or likely to be used to cause bodily harm, or property damage.

Firearms are prohibited and defined as any gun, rifle, pistol, handgun or device designed to fire bullets, BBs, pellets, or shots (including paintballs), or other projectiles, regardless of the propellant used.

Other weapons include but are not limited to, mace, pepper spray, taser, stun guns, knives with fixed blades, switchblades, spring-loaded knives, pocket knives with blades longer than 4 inches, kitchen utensils not used for their intended purpose, martial arts weapons, bow and arrows of any type, swords, brass knuckles, sling shots, explosives, or incendiary devices such as firecrackers are strictly prohibited on campus.  

All “prop” weapons used in plays, the theater, etc., must be registered and stored at campus safety. The policy also covers any other items deemed by campus safety & wellbeing [120] [112] to be dangerous, including hazardous chemical or biological material of any sort. Also included are displays/collections of the above-named items, ornamental weapons and ornamental ammunition.  

Any prohibited items are subject to confiscation and permanent forfeiture without any expectation of return or reimbursement.  Violators will be subject to criminal prosecution and sanctions up to and including removal from the College.

Trespass Policy

Campus Safety & Wellbeing Assistants/Advocates are authorized to give oral and written notices of trespass warnings to individuals based on their authority granted by the Trustees of the College and Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 266, Section 120 to control the safety of students, faculty/staff, and visitors upon the property owned by or under the control of Hampshire College.  Violation of this order will result in criminal prosecution up to and including arrest.

Campus Safety & Wellbeing Assistants/Advocates or other College employees may ask community members or visitors for identification. Failure to comply with such a request may result in removal from the Hampshire College campus and/or trespass for non-students. Students are required to carry their Hampshire College ID cards with them at all times.