Questions or comments? Contact the dean of students office at deanofstudents@hampshire.edu.
HAMPSHIRE HISTORY
In the early years of Hampshire College, each of the four housing areas determined their own policies and procedures. In 1972, community council (composed of 8 students, 4 faculty, and 2 staff) began work to establish a student Code of Rights that would apply to all students. On May 17, 1973 the community council approved the first guidelines for community living, the "Code of Rights;" over time this document was reviewed and revised and the community council approved the second set of guidelines for community living, the "Bill of Rights." Finally on March 11, 1976, the community council affirmed the "Norms for Community Living" that the College continues to use today as guiding principles for review of all reported violations of policy.
The Code of Conduct section was later added as the student conduct process evolved, and serves to strengthen the College’s expectation that these are the standards, along with the associated policies, to which all Hampshire College students and employees are responsible for and expected to uphold. In August of 2023, the Code of Conduct was changed to the Standards for Student Accountability to better reflect the College's commitment to holding students accountable through an approach that promotes care and support, education and dialogue, and transformative experiences and interactions. While the Standards of Student Accountability are specific to students, the Norms for Community Living apply to all Hampshire College community members.
STANDARDS FOR STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY
Hampshire College expects all students to demonstrate responsible citizenship. Hampshire College students, whether or not they are on campus or enrolled as a degree candidate, are expected and responsible for adhering to all college policies and community standards, including, but not limited to the Standards for Student Accountability, Norms for Community Living, and Ethics of Scholarship. The College considers an individual to be a student when an offer of admission has been extended and thereafter as long as the student has a continuing educational interest in the College. Guests of Hampshire students and students from other colleges who are enrolled in Hampshire College courses are required to comply with these policies while on the Hampshire College campus and while off campus when participating in Hampshire College programs, activities, and events.
All rules, regulations, and laws of the Town of Amherst, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States of America apply on the campus and are considered part of College policies. The Town of Amherst and Commonwealth of Massachusetts laws include, but are not limited to, regulations on indoor and outdoor smoking, open container laws (for alcoholic beverages), public nudity restrictions (including public urination), bans on drug use and paraphernalia, and limitations on weapons possession.
Town of Amherst General Bylaws: https://www.amherstma.gov/207/General-Bylaws-Government-Act [1]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Laws: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/ [2]
The College reserves the right to change and/or modify policies, processes, procedures, and community standards without advance notice. Students and employees will be notified of any modifications or changes by email notification and/or posting in the Daily Digest.
NORMS FOR COMMUNITY LIVING
Charge and Membership
Members of the Hampshire College community have a common concern for each individual person and their personal development. Each member of the community has certain rights that afford personal protection and insure the College’s commitment to learning and the advancement of knowledge through free inquiry will not be interfered with. No member of this community shall violate the rights of any other member, as represented by the norms described in this document.
All persons affiliated with Hampshire College are considered members of the Hampshire community and are expected to abide by the Norms for Community Living and Policies while they are on or off the Hampshire College campus.
Right of Assembly
All members of the Hampshire community have a right to assemble peaceably and petition for the redress of their grievances.
Right of Freedom of Communication of Ideas
All members of the Hampshire community have the right to freely express their ideas provided that the method of expression does not violate any other rights affirmed by this document, the Standards for Student Accountability, and policies in the Hampshire College Student Handbook and Resource Guide. Any member of the College has the right to publish and distribute without interference. However, while such members may not be subject to prior restraint, they shall be held accountable for any erroneous, malicious, or defamatory statements that violate any community standards and other rights affirmed by this document, the Standards for Student Accountability, and policies in the Hampshire College Student Handbook and Resource Guide.
Right of Integrity
Every member of the Hampshire community is entitled to the Right of Integrity. The Right of Integrity is composed of three parts:
Right of Personal Security
Every member of the Hampshire community has the right to reasonable security from threat or physical abuse or mental anguish by any other person or device or substance controlled by any other person.
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 [4]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 [4]. 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 [5] 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 [5] process may be removed by the College at any time.
Campus Safety & Wellbeing staff 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 staff or other College employees may ask community members or visitors for identification. Failure to cooperate and adhere to such a request may result in removal from the Hampshire College campus and/or a no trespass notice being issued for non-students. Students are required to carry their Hampshire College ID cards with them at all times and present it upon request to Campus Safety & Wellbeing staff, as well as on-call staff (e.g., residence life, student engagement, etc.).
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 [6] 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 [7].
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.
In determining appropriate accountability measures, the College is committed to providing consistency to students in violation of similar policies, while recognizing the circumstance and impact varies greatly for individual students. All outcomes and sanctions are guided by principles found in our Norms for Community Living and Standards for Student Accountability:
Students that violate policies, such as possession of alcohol underage, possession of drug paraphernalia, or possessing an open container in a public space will be expected to meet with a staff member in the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism, and if found responsible will likely be connected and referred to an on-campus office (i.e., Prevention & Education, Health & Counseling Services, etc.), community resource, or program and workshop as part of the educational and accountability process.
Students who have more severe policy violations, repeat violations, and/or those with a greater impact on the community will also be eligible for alcohol and other drug circles, additional individualized educational accountability measures, meeting with Prevention & Education, participation in our BASICS program, and may also receive a Deferred Status [8]accountability measure.
Students transported to the hospital for alcohol and other drug overuse/abuse may qualify for alcohol and other drug amnesty. In order to earn amnesty, the student must meet with a designated staff member, as requested by the staff member, for a brief Intervention meeting and successfully complete an accountability measures, which may include the BASICS program. Students who are of legal age to consume alcohol and are transported for overuse/abuse may also qualify for alcohol and other drug amnesty.
Continued violations of policy including those that cause significant concern for community members will require additional meetings with College staff, and if found responsible will result in an assigned accountability and community restoration plan that may consist of a variety of accountability measures.
Community Standards administrators as designed by the College, have the right to deviate from these accountability and community restoration plan guidelines if after meeting with a student a different path would be more beneficial to the student’s growth and success. Accountability measure definitions specific to alcohol and other drugs can be found here [9].
Hampshire College’s alcohol policy is guided by and abides by laws regarding such matters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the town of Amherst. The acquisition, possession, transportation, consumption, and distribution of alcoholic beverages is governed by statute and regulation. For the full text of the law, please see chapter 138 of the Massachusetts General Laws [10].
The following outlines the policy including application of the policy for students who are of a legal drinking age:
Events with Alcohol
A person, group, or organization may not sell alcoholic beverages, or charge admission to an event where alcoholic beverages are served, unless a license is obtained from the local licensing authority, the Amherst Board of Selectmen [12].
For more information on sponsoring an event with alcohol on campus please visit student engagement [13]or speak with a residence life coordinator to discuss registering an event with alcohol in a student residence [14].
Students who seek and/or receive medical assistance for themselves or someone else for alcohol and other drug use will neither be subject to community standards nor notation on their educational record for the sole violation of using or possessing a substance. Alcohol and other drug amnesty is not automatic; the criteria that must be met to receive amnesty are outlined below.
The College is committed to providing support and assistance to students who experience negative consequences related to substance use. In cases of alcohol and other drug overuse, the primary concern is for the health and safety of the individual(s) involved.
The goal of the alcohol and other drug amnesty policy, which encompasses both medical amnesty and bystander amnesty, is to decrease the risk that a student will hesitate to seek help in an alcohol and other drug-related emergency. Alcohol and other drug amnesty policies are common on college campuses and are intended to encourage safety and responsibility throughout the community. These policies promote education and/or treatment instead of punishment for individuals who receive emergency medical attention or seek medical attention for others in order to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
Individuals who need medical assistance for themselves or others are strongly encouraged to call campus safety & wellbeing (x5424 from an on campus phone or 413.559.5424 from a cell phone).
Please note that students granted alcohol and other drug amnesty will not be exempt from sanctions resulting from other policy violations committed while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Students will be expected to take responsibility for any negative impact their behaviors had on others or the environment (e.g., property damage).
How to Receive Medical Amnesty
Medical amnesty is not automatic and is earned only once a student has completed the following:
Not completing any of the steps listed above will be grounds for a community standards review either through informal or formal resolution methods.
Students may be granted medical amnesty only once during their enrollment as a Hampshire College student, because repeated community standards violations compromise not only one’s personal health and safety, but also that of the community. Students who require medical assistance due to alcohol or other drug overuse more than once may be subject to accountability measures, such as, but not limited to deferred accountability statuses, warning, administrative notice, and/or additional educational/wellness accountability measures.
How to Receive Bystander Amnesty
Bystanders who seek medical assistance on behalf of others will neither be subject to accountability measures nor notation on their educational record for the sole violation of using or possessing a substance themselves, including bystanders who are also assisting the person in need of medical attention, not solely the person placing the call for help. Bystander amnesty is not automatic and is earned only once a student has completed the following:
*This is not a community standards review or administrative/CSRB hearing; however, failure to attend and participate in the meeting will be grounds for community standards review.
There is no limit to the number of times a student can receive bystander amnesty, because Hampshire College strives to create a community in which students are willing and expected to seek help for others in need.
The unlawful manufacture, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance on the Hampshire College campus or as part of any College activity or business off the College premises is prohibited. This includes the unlawful or unauthorized use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. If a student is found responsible for violation of this policy, accountability measures up to and including expulsion and referral for prosecution may result as deemed appropriate by the office of community standards and student accountability following review through the community standards process. [15] Minor violations of policy are likely to result in a community standards review and an assigned accountability and community restoration plan.
Local, state, and federal laws make illegal use of drugs and alcohol a serious crime. Conviction can lead to imprisonment, fines, assigned community service, and loss of federal financial aid funds. A felony conviction for such an offense can prevent you from entering many fields of employment or professions. Massachusetts has criminal penalties for use of controlled substances, or drugs, with penalties varying with the type of drug. In general, narcotics, addictive drugs, and drugs with high potential for abuse have heavier penalties.
In addition, it is illegal under Massachusetts State law to be in a place where heroin is kept and to be in the company of a person known to possess heroin.
The College is subject to federal laws, including the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug Free Workplace Act, that require recipients of federal funds to prohibit the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana at educational institutions, regardless of state law. These regulations apply to all members of the campus community.
Drug paraphernalia is defined under Massachusetts State Law [16] as, items “one reasonably should know, that it will be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled substance.”
Persons convicted of drug possession under state or federal laws are ineligible for federal student grants and loans for up to one year after the first conviction, five years after the second; the penalty for distributing drugs is loss of benefits for five years after the first conviction, ten years after the second, and permanently after the third.
Statement on Medical and Adult Use of Marijuana
Hampshire College receives federal funding through Title IV in the form of student financial aid (grants, loans, and work-study programs) and through federal research grants. As a condition of accepting this money, Hampshire is required to certify that it complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) (20 U.S.C. 1011i; 34 C.F.R. part 86). The federal government regulates drugs through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which does not recognize the difference between medical and adult use of marijuana. Thus, to comply with the Federal Drug Free School and Communities Act and avoid losing federal funding, Hampshire College prohibits all marijuana use, including medical marijuana, and students may be sanctioned for its use.
Therefore, marijuana prescribed for medical purposes or obtained legally is prohibited at Hampshire College even though Massachusetts state law permits its use. Students who have a documented disability may apply for accommodations, including a waiver of the campus residency requirement, through the housing-based accommodation request process. As with any housing accommodation request, the College will engage in an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations for the disability. Accommodations may be given that support a student's on-campus residency requirement or waive the residency requirement. Please consult with the Accessibility Resources and Services [17] office for accommodation request processes.
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 [18].
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:
[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 [19].
Hampshire College has designated a Title IX coordinator for purposes of Title IX compliance:
Amy Fabiano
Interim Title IX Coordinator
afSA@hampshire.edu [20] or Title IX@hampshire.edu [21]
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 [22]
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:
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 intent of this policy is to establish a process through which students, staff, and faculty members who experience bias may
Three principles inform the College’s response to bias:
Care
In bias incidents, harm is caused to individuals, groups, and the campus community. When anyone reports such incidents or acts, the College seeks to mitigate impact, support harmed parties, and restore community to the best of its ability.
Education
Reporting bias calls for education. Such reporting sets in motion the College’s efforts to address the occurrence, to educate the campus community, and to prevent the recurrence of bias.
Change
Bias reporting activates change of the kind that can only be generated by institutional commitment, attention, and resources. Bias reports also make it possible to consider whether individual experiences or incidents are in fact systemic in nature and require transformative action.
In accordance with its educational mission, and as befits an experimenting institution, the College is responsible for ensuring that all members of its community have the ability to learn and work in an environment that is free from intimidation, hostility, or threat. Fulfilling its fundamental teaching and learning mission requires the College to recognize the necessity to protect free inquiry, while it also recognizes that hatred and bias prevent unhindered inquiry. Thus, at the same time that the College promotes and is committed to free inquiry, it is also essential that it provides clear means by which bias incidents can be reported.
Hampshire College strongly encourages any student, staff, or faculty who is subjected to or who witnesses bias incidents occurring on campus to report incidents. This includes incidents at college-sponsored events, or during activities off campus involving Hampshire students, staff, and faculty, or their guests. After such reporting is received, responders will collect information and generate strategies for communicating with, educating, mediating between the involved parties, and/or devising methods for repairing harm. As appropriate, these actions will be communicated to the larger campus community.
Any retaliation against individuals who report experiencing an alleged bias incident or against individuals who report witnessing such an incident is strictly prohibited and subject to College disciplinary action. Fact-finding on the part of responders, alone, regarding a reported bias incident does not constitute harassment.
Negative bias is a pre-formed negative opinion or attitude toward an individual or a group of individuals who possess common characteristics such as race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, mental or physical disability, or other categories protected by federal, state, or local statutes.
Any act that targets or demeans individuals or a group of individuals based on perceived race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, mental or physical disability, or other categories protected by federal, state, or local statutes. A bias act can create an unsafe or hostile environment or have a negative psychological, emotional, or physical effect on an individual, group, or community. To be considered a bias incident, the act is not required to be a crime under any federal, state, or local statutes, nor does it have to violate College policy. Bias incidents may occur regardless of whether the act is legal, illegal, intentional, or unintentional. The severity of a bias incident, and the College’s response to incidents, can vary based on factors including context and behavior, location, pre-meditation, and whether the incident presents a threat to safety.
Incidents that are determined to constitute discrimination, harassment, or retaliation will be addressed following the policies in the Student Handbook or Employee Manual, as appropriate. If an incident is determined to be a possible hate crime, the College will report to the police, and cooperate with them in investigating any hate crime as defined by Massachusetts state hate crime statute.
Hampshire College students, staff, and faculty have several means by which to report bias incidents:
Non-anonymous form [23]
Responders (Senior Director of Student Affairs, Campus Advocacy, Prevention, Education, and Safety; Director of OARS; Senior Director of Student Affairs, Student Success and Retention; Associate Vice President for Human Resources; Assistant Dean for Transformative Justice and Antiracism) to reports of bias incidents will review all reports, as a Bias Report Team (BRT), to learn as much as possible about the concerning situation and to develop an appropriate response. Administrative processes include listening to and talking with involved parties.
The BRT is coordinated by the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism (JEA) and records are maintained by JEA. A coordinator, responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of the BRT, resides in JEA.
If the reporting party is a Hampshire College student or student organization, the College assesses care needs, conducts outreach, and refers to campus partners, as appropriate. If the reporting party is a Hampshire College faculty or staff member, the BRT responder, serving as the lead for the reported incident, works with appropriate parties to assess care needs, conducts outreach, and refers to College partners such as Human Resources or the Dean of Faculty Office, as appropriate. If the reporting party is not a Hampshire College community member, the lead responder or designee conducts outreach, as appropriate.
Responders to bias incidents will communicate with the involved parties to develop a shared understanding of the incident, its impact, and how to re-establish a living, learning, and work environment that is conducive to executing the educational mission of the College.
Each semester, the BRT will assess and analyze the handling of reported cases, will look for trends, needs, etc., and will produce a summary report on the number, nature, and resolution of bias incidents. Annually, the senior vice president for justice, equity, and antiracism, dean of students, and dean of faculty will identify possible interventions directed toward prevention and will consider and determine whether individual incidents rise to the level of systemic challenges in need of transformation.
All responders are responsible for:
Bias responders or any response team they convene are not disciplinary bodies.
When evaluating a bias incident, responders can:
When evaluating a bias incident, the responders cannot:
> View a flowchart of Hampshire College's Bias Incident Response Protocol [24]
Effective December 19, 2023
Acknowledgments: American University, Beloit College, and Oregon State University
For student-on-student discrimination or harassment allegations, students should contact any of the following resources:
Reporting Resources
|
||
Resource |
Phone/Location |
Types of Support |
Title IX Coordinator & Deputy Coordinators [25] Amy Fabiano Amanda Surgen Carolyn Strycharz Patrick Rojas
|
508.926.3395 (Remote)
413.559.5754/RCC - 1st Floor
413.559.5746/Merrill Student Life Center - 2nd Floor
413.559.6689/Dakin Student Life Center - 2nd Floor |
The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for monitoring compliance with Title IX; ensuring appropriate education, training, and resollution of all reports under this policy; and ensuring appropriate actions to eliminated sexual misconduct violations, prevent their recurrence, and remedy their effects. The Title IX coordinator is available to meet with any student, employee, or third party to discuss this policy or the procedures.
The College has also designated Deputy Title IX Coordinators who may assist the Title IX Coordinator in the discharge of responsibilities. |
Justice, Equity and Antiracism Division [29] Sheila Lloyd William Syldor-Severino Teal Van Dyck
|
413.559.5379, Cole Science Center
413.559.6277, ADA and Section 504 Coordinator |
The Office for Justice, Equity and Antiracism is responsible for the general advancement of diversity in the life of the College. This includes racial, ethnic, gender, disability, and class diversity, as well as diversity based on sexual orientation. The primary mission is to safeguard campus wellbeing as it relates to diversity issues. Responsibilities include serving as an information clearinghouse for the whole community with regards to resources and opportunities related to diversity; sponsoring and organizing academic and cultural activities around these same topics; and supporting the work of the faculty on curricular and pedagogical innovations that advance the representation of traditionally marginalized or underrepresented groups in the academic program. The office also assists with the creation of opportunities for students to engage such issues in settings inside and outside the United States, including field studies, study abroad programs, and internships. |
Confidential Reporting and Counseling
|
||
Resource |
Phone/Location |
Types of Support |
Health and counseling services [33]
|
413.559.5458. Located near the Red Barn.
|
For medical attention MWF 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and TTh 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. when classes are in session. For mental health counseling appointments MWF 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and TTh 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m when classes are in session.
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Spiritual life |
413.559.5415. Enfield - Spiritual Life Center. |
For spiritually-based support. |
For allegations related to the College’s sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking policy you may contact the resources and support for students: https://www.hampshire.edu/student-life/sexual-respect-and-title-ix [35]
In any organization, occasionally there will be conflicts and misunderstandings that require clarification or resolution. Hampshire College believes that the best way to resolve problems is to address them fully and fairly. To that end, students are encouraged to immediately discuss any problem or perceived unfair treatment with a representative of the Division of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism. However, if such informal methods do not resolve the problem, the grievance procedure below is available. The College is committed to working with students to resolve disputes or grievances.
A. Applicability of this Policy
The issues which may be addressed through this grievance procedure are the interpretation and application of this policy provisions. More specifically, 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.
Grievances related to academic freedom and faculty reappointment and promotions are not subject to this grievance procedure. They are governed by the Faculty Handbook [36].
B. Procedures
Submitting a written grievance:
If after speaking with a representative from the JEA office, you believe your complaint or concern was not adequately addressed, you may begin the grievance procedure by submitting a written statement of grievance to the senior vice president for justice, equity, and antiracism. Such submissions should be undertaken in a reasonable timeframe, generally no later than thirty (30) days following the circumstance giving rise to your grievance. The senior vice president may participate in the investigation.
If the grievance includes allegations of alleged harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on sex, gender, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, it will be referred to the Title IX coordinator.
See https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/title-ix [37]
Any grievances submitted after thirty (30) days should contain an explanation for the delay in filing, and will be reviewed to determine whether they are timely.
The grievance statement should include your name and contact information, the nature of the grievance including a detailed account of the grievance, information about whom you discussed the issue with, why you do not believe that is an appropriate response, and a suggested resolution.
If upon review of this written grievance, the senior vice president believes there is a way to resolve the problem, they will reach out to you and attempt to resolve the matter.
The senior vice president will review the grievance statement and endeavor to provide a written response within a reasonable amount of time. If necessary, the senior vice president may assign another administrator or external party to conduct an investigation into the matter and may discuss the problem with you and all parties involved including witnesses. The senior vice president has the discretion to refer these matters to a student conduct process for instances where a grievance is filed against another student. The community standards process is detailed in the community standards [38] section in the Student Handbook and Resource Guide. (For employee respondents, the procedures outlined in the employee handbook will be applied).
If you wish to appeal the outcome of the grievance procedure, you may ask that the statement be sent to a vice president, or their designee, for review and response. For purposes of this provision, the vice presidents of the College are the vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, the vice president for finance and administration, and the vice president for institutional support.
The vice president or their designee will review the grievance and attempt to resolve the situation. The vice president or their designee may conduct a further investigation and schedule a meeting between you and any relevant individuals. The decision of the vice president or their designee is final and not subject to appeal.
C. Accountability Measures and Sanctions
If a student is found responsible for a violation of College policy through this grievance process the College will take such action as is appropriate under the circumstances. Information about student accountability measures can be found in the Student Handbook & Resource Guide in the accountability measures section [39]. This list is not an exhaustive list and any accountability measures or combination of accountability measures that may be imposed.
If an employee is found responsible for a violation of College policy through this grievance process, the College will take such action as is appropriate under the circumstances. Information about employee sanctions can be found in the employee handbook section. This list is not an exhaustive list and any sanction or combination of sanctions may be imposed.
D. Additional Information
This policy does not limit the College’s authority to discipline or take remedial action for conduct that is unacceptable, regardless of whether that conduct satisfies the definitions of discrimination and harassment above.
This is an internal process, and while a student may seek legal advice, their counsel may not actively participate in the process.
The College understands that these matters can be extremely sensitive and will protect privacy but reserves the right to share information with individuals who may have a need to know in order to ensure compliance with this policy.
Hampshire College will not tolerate retaliation against any individual who seeks assistance with a problem or avails themselves of this process.
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:
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 [11] assistants and the Amherst Fire Department [40] 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 [11] 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 [11] 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 [11] and the fire department [40].
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:
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 [11] and the town fire department [40]. 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.
Prohibited Items
(Visit the prohibited items [41] section for a full list of items prohibited in addition to fire safety prohibited items.)
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:
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:
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 [42] and upkeep of residence hall rooms [43] can be found by clicking the associated links.
Pet Policy
Pets and other animals, with the exception of service animals and emotional support animals [44] approved in accordance with the College’s policy for disability disclosure and accommodation [45], 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 [46].
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 [47] 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 [48] and related laws, rules and regulations, including the Fair Housing Act [49], 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) [50] 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. [51] If this is the case, either or both parties should engage in the grievance process for disability-related access [52].
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 [53] 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 [49] 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 [17].
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 [54] (OARS) and pursue the disability disclosure and accommodation request process [55].
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
This policy provides the guidelines and requirements with respect to use of emotional support animals (ESA) and service animals, and applies to any emotional support animal, service animal, or service animal in training whose user or handler is a Hampshire College student residing in College-owned housing and/or attending classes and other campus facilities. It also applies to any handler of a service animal or therapy animal (specifically trained for use by a mental health professional) participating in a College program or who is on the College’s campus (including students, employees and third parties) for any amount of time for any reason (please refer to expectations for visiting on the "Animals on Campus" section of the handbook [59]).
Emotional support animals and service animals that are approved and/or verified through the College’s housing accommodations process [17] will be permitted to reside with their owner in the student’s private room. These animals are also permitted in other areas of the student’s residence as long as the animal is under the direct physical control of the student at all times. “Residence” is defined as the specific apartment unit (“mod”) or residence hall to which the student is assigned.
Emotional support animals are not permitted in any other indoor, College-owned spaces or facilities. Any animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether at all times while outside of the student’s private room.
Service animals are permitted to accompany their handler in any environment the handler needs to access to perform the necessary tasks for which they are trained, relative to the handler’s disability.
Behavioral Expectations for Animals on Campus
Please refer to the section titled "Resolution of Conflict and Appeals for Service or Emotional Support Animals [51]" for more information about unacceptable animal behaviors and consequences.
Public Etiquette for Other Students/Staff/Faculty/Administrators on Campus
Service animals and emotional support animals are not pets. Accordingly, the College asks that students and their visitors adhere to the following good practices when interacting with service animals and emotional support animals.
Individuals should NOT:
Emergency Situations
Appropriate facilities and campus safety & wellbeing staff are notified of residences with animal inhabitants in case of need for entry for repair or emergency. In the event of an emergency, on campus personnel designated to respond are expected to recognize assistance animals and their role in communicating their partners' need for assistance.
The handler and/or animal may be confused or disoriented in a stressful situation due to smoke, sirens, wind noise or by shaking and moving ground. The response personnel should be aware that animals may be protective in their confusion and should not be considered harmful. The responders should make every effort to keep the animal with its partner.
The handler should make every effort to control the animal during an emergency situation and be prepared to muzzle or restrain the animal as needed. Students who are with emotional support animals or service animals regularly on campus are encouraged to develop an individual evacuation plan with the College. Students interested in creating such a plan should contact the residence life office and office of accessibility resources and services.
An animal's handler is solely responsible for ensuring the safety and proper care of their animal at all times.
Disclosure Requirements and Expectations
Proactive Disclosure: Students are required to provide relevant documentation and communicate the presence of an animal to the housing operations office and office of accessibility resources and services before the start of a given semester in accord with the deadlines indicated on the timelines for housing accommodations. [17]
In order to avoid conflict with others' disabilities, animal handlers must disclose the intended presence of an animal in classrooms and offices, in a timely and reasonable manner, to any potentially affected parties, including faculty, advisors, any other staff or Hampshire Community member whose space they may need to access with the animal. If such a conflict arises, both parties should pursue the process for conflict and appeals for service or emotional support animals. [51]
The housing operations office will notify mod or floor-mates of the expected presence of an animal in the living space in the up-coming semester and will work with any individuals who are affected to accommodate their needs separately from those of the animal handler.
Service Animals: We encourage, but do not require, students to make their own disabilities known to the College should they require a service animal accompany them in academic classes, activities, or services on campus.
However, if a student plans to have their service animal live with them in residence, we require that they provide adequate and reasonable notice to the College. Notice to the College is used to ensure the appropriate housing placement is made and that the animal meets the documentation requirements listed below. Students should provide notice to the College by contacting the office of accessibility resources and services [50] (OARS).
Emotional Support Animals (ESA): Any student requesting to have an emotional support animal as a formal accommodation, must pursue the disability disclosure and accommodation request process [55] and be approved for an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation.
All persons with service animals or emotional support animals are expected to adhere to the expectations for animals on campus [53] and ensure that their animals act and respond appropriately at all times while in public.
Documentation Requirements
The student must provide the following documentation to the office of accessibility resources and services prior to the approval of accommodation request and prior to the arrival of the animal on campus, and then annually or as requested by a College official:
Animal Identification
Designation: Service animals (including trainees) shall be reasonably identified to the community by harness or service animal vest or other gear when not in a private or student residence. If there is no identification, College staff may ask if the animal is a working service animal. It is strongly encouraged that all emotional support animals also be identified as such in a reasonable manner by use of vest or other clear signage and gear when outside of the handler's residence. Again, emotional support animals are not permitted to enter any buildings or facilities other than the student's residence.
Control Requirements
The animal may not pose a risk of health or safety to others and may not create unreasonable interference for others.
An emotional support or service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether at all times while outside of the student’s private room. If the student is unable to use a harness, leash, or other tether because of a disability, or because the use of such a restraint would interfere with the animal's safe, effective performance of work or tasks (service animals only), the animal must be under the handler's control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).
Animal Waste
Animal users/handlers are responsible for cleaning up their animal’s waste. Waste must be properly disposed of. Persons with disabilities who physically cannot clean up after their own animal will not be required to do so; however these individuals should take their animal to designated relief areas. Relief areas are not designated publicly and will be designated on an individual basis with the collaboration of the housing operations office (HOO) and the College grounds personnel. If an animal relieves itself in non-designated areas, these individuals should request assistance with cleaning up.
Care of Animal
Students are expected to maintain flea, tick, and odor control. Animals must be regularly groomed as appropriate. All animals are expected to be up to date with required vaccinations, licenses, and maintain a regular schedule of veterinary care.
Financial Responsibility
Students who have an animal on campus are financially responsible for property damage [47] caused by the animal including, but not limited to, cost of repairs, replacement or cleaning of facilities or furnishings and any bodily injury or personal injury caused to other persons by the animal.
Restricted Areas
The College may restrict the use of emotional support animals in certain residential locations.
The College may prohibit the use of service animals in certain locations due to health or safety hazards, where service animals may be endangered, or where their use may compromise the integrity of research or fundamentally alter the nature of a program or activity. The safety of locations will be individually considered by the director of the office of accessibility resources and services (OARS), the laboratory director or professor, and the College risk management team. If a location is determined to be unsafe, reasonable accommodations will be provided to ensure the individual equal access to the activity.
Exceptions to restricted areas may be granted on a case-by-case basis by contacting OARS. In making its decision, OARS will consult with the appropriate department and/or laboratory representative regarding the nature of the restricted area and any ongoing research.
Conflicting Disabilities
Students who have asthma, allergies, or other medical conditions affected by the presence of animals are asked to contact the office of accessibility resources and services [50] (OARS) to pursue the formal disclosure process [55] for equitable consideration of individual need for accommodation and resolution of any conflict that may arise. Faculty and staff should pursue the HR disclosure process [60]. The person impacted by the presence of the animal must provide verifiable medical documentation to support their claim. The needs of both persons will be considered in resolving the issue in the most equitable way possible, given the timeframe and other extenuating circumstances of the individual case.
Animal handlers are strongly encouraged to be proactive in disclosing their need for the presence of an animal in line with expectations outlined in the student responsibility policy for animal handlers [61].
Removal of an Emotional Support or Service Animal from College Facilities or Programs
An animal that is determined to be out of control may be excluded from a College program or facility. This may include, but is not limited to:
Reported behavior will be treated on an individual basis through the Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability with support or input as appropriate from the residence life office, student success and engagement, community care and wellbeing, office of accessibility resources and services or other offices. If the animal poses a threat to the safety of others, campus police will be part of a collaborative team to determine the outcome of the behavior. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, muzzling a barking dog, required training for the animal and student, or exclusion of the animal from College facilities entirely.
If the student or any other person brings an animal to areas of campus where the animal is not permitted* (see student responsibilities [61] policy), the College/any employee may require that the animal be removed from the facility or area and returned to the student’s room. Failure to comply with this request may result in permanent removal of the animal from the College.
*It is strongly encouraged that any student with a service animal designates that animal as such when in any public setting to avoid confusion or misunderstanding on the part of other community members. Even with such designation, service animals may be asked to be removed from a facility if they do not adhere to behavioral expectations outlined below.
In the event that an animal is excluded from College facilities or programs in accordance with applicable FHA regulations and the student wishes to bring a new animal to campus, the student must comply with all documentation requirements for the new animal.
If an animal handler exhibits irresponsible behavior and does not abide expectations for student responsibility [61], they may not be allowed to have another animal for a determined time and/or may be expected to demonstrate completion of handler training. If such an occasion arises, the student is encouraged to work with relevant support services on campus to seek alternative means of accessibility and/or accommodation support in the absence of an animal.
Grievance and Appeals
Prior to filing a grievance, a complaint may be brought to the director of Accessibility Resources and Services/Section 504 Coordinator for informal resolution.
Any student dissatisfied with a decision concerning the use of an animal on campus shall be entitled to bring a grievance under the grievance procedures [62] for students. Any claims of discrimination on the basis of a disability or failure to provide reasonable accommodations regarding the use of a service animal on campus may be brought pursuant to the College’s grievance policies [52].
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:
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 [11] 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 [13].
Members of the Hampshire College community may not:
Notification of Jury Duty Law
According to the Office of the Jury Commissioner of the Commonwealth [65]of Massachusetts [65], “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 [65]of the Jury Commissioner [65] (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 [66]mail-in voter registration form [66] 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 [67], 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 [68].
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 paint balls), 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 and wellbeing [11] 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 accountability measures up to and including removal from the College.
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. [69]
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 [70].
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 [71]). 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. [4]Campus safety and wellbeing [11] 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.
Students are expected to remove all personal belongings from their assigned room and associated common areas within 48 hours of notice of a change in room assignment due to relocation to another residential space or leaving the College. Residence life staff will communicate specific moving instructions and timelines in writing via Hampshire College email. All items remaining in student rooms and associated common areas at the end of their contract period or when the student leaves an assigned space will be considered abandoned and will be disposed of or donated to local charitable organizations by the College.
The College assumes no liability for the loss or damage of students’ personal property if property has been abandoned.
Room Damages
Damage to student rooms and/or damage to or removal of furnishings or equipment, beyond ordinary wear and tear, will be charged to the last known student occupant(s) of that room. This will include, without limitation, material and labor costs for replacing missing furniture, screens, window stops, heater covers, draperies, other safety devices, stoves or any other equipment that is part of the room or mod. Damages to the public areas of a residence hall or mod will be charged to all residents of the smallest applicable area of the hall or mod, the total being divided equally. Group charges may include costs for replacing missing furniture and other furnishings that cannot be attributed to specific individuals. Assessments for damages are made as students move and at the end of the academic year. Disablement or removal of safety devices may result in personal liability for harm that may arise from such acts.
Under no circumstances are students permitted to paint their rooms or common areas. Failure to abide by this rule will result in charges for paint and labor to restore the room or common area to its original condition.
Furnishings and Furniture
Room decorations are permitted, provided they do not exceed 40 percent of any wall and they must not be hung on ceilings, sprinkler pipes, over smoke detectors, or near any source of heat. Any method of affixing decorations that puts holes in or mars walls, woodwork, doors, or furnishings is prohibited.
No decorations are allowed in hallways or stairwells with the exception of existing student room bulletin boards.
Students bringing hotpots and/or microwave ovens should keep them unplugged when not in use.
All College furnishings and fixtures must remain in student rooms and common spaces at all times.
Items furnished by the College in public and common areas may not be moved from those spots. If such items are found in student rooms, it will be treated as theft of College property.
Students may supplement College-owned furniture in common spaces with their own additions. However, the College is not responsible for damage or theft of non-College furnishings. It is the student’s responsibility to remove all non-College furnishings upon departure and summer shutdown. Furniture that remains in rooms and common spaces at the end of the academic year may be disposed of by the College in accordance with the abandoned property policy [72].
All screens must be left in place, attached to the windows. Students are billed for detached, missing or damaged screens.
Bed Risers
You are able to adjust your bed height. Additionally, only under certain conditions, you may use a bed riser to create additional under bed storage. Bed risers are not recommended; however, in order for bed risers to be used, the following criteria must be followed:
· Bed risers must be made of high-density polyethylene that holds 1,200 pounds.
· The bed cannot be raised more than 6 inches.
· The bed must be sturdy and must not wobble.
· Bed risers made out of plastic, cinder block, or PVC pipe are prohibited.
While Hampshire College is primarily a residential college, some years we are unable to house all students on campus. During those times, all first- and second-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing, if they desire. A process of students voluntarily requesting off-campus will be implemented in an attempt to meet the College’s housing needs.
In years when a housing shortage is not predicted, students will be required to live on campus.
Students meeting the following criteria are exempt from living in college housing if they apply and are approved:
Students who are granted off-campus status will retain that status for the remainder of their time at the College. Students who wish to return to campus housing must contact Residence Life. The number of vacant rooms and the timing of the request will have an impact on how quickly students may be returned to campus housing. Every effort will be made to expedite the request. For emergency purposes, all off-campus students are required to provide the College with their current local address and telephone number each semester. This information is made available to Hampshire staff and faculty.
Disability-related Accommodation
Students seeking off campus housing status as an accommodation due to psychological, physical, or learning disabilities, who do not otherwise qualify for release through the general process, may request a release from the on-campus requirement as an accommodation through the housing-based accommodation request process [17].
Students who wish to return to campus housing and would be in need of an on campus housing based accommodation should also pursue the housing-based accommodation request process [17] once they have been in contact with the Residence Life staff to begin the return process.
All students must vacate their rooms by the end of Hampshire’s advising/progress review period at the end of fall semester. In the spring semester non-graduating students must vacate their rooms at the end of the advising/progress review period; graduating students must vacate their rooms by noon on the day after commencement.
All residence areas are closed during the winter break and occupancy is prohibited. Facilities and grounds and residence life staff will enter each room during this period to turn down heat, monitor fire safety [42] compliance, and secure all areas.
Failing to leave by the designated departure time may result in referral to the community standards process and a resulting accountability and community restoration plan including but not limited to a late fee, commensurate with the amount of time a student has been on campus when they should not have been.
Proper Upkeep—Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for the cleanliness of their own rooms and for their common spaces. In the residence halls, the common areas are the lounges and bathrooms, and in the apartments/mods they are kitchens (including the insides of stoves and refrigerators), living rooms, and bathrooms. Students may not store personal items in residence hall lounges and kitchens.
The cleanliness of all areas must meet the standards of fire and safety codes. Residence hall residents are responsible for bringing trash and recycling from rooms to the large bins in the lounges. Apartment/mod residents are responsible for bringing trash and recycling to the dumpsters. As recycling is the law in Amherst, all members of the community must comply. Recyclable materials must be clean before they are deposited in the recycling bins. Residents are responsible for bringing compost to public collection areas.
Students living in apartments/mods are responsible for providing their own cleaning materials and equipment. Residents in all areas may borrow vacuum cleaners from their area offices. residence life staff conduct full health and safety inspections of each student’s room and common areas at least one time during each semester. Violations are cited and students are required to correct them in a timely way. Failure to do so could result in either administrative action or a community standards review, which can include being assigned accountability measures up to and including housing relocation and removal from campus housing.
A social event on the Hampshire College campus is considered to be any gathering at which more than 15 people are in attendance. All social events in the residences, regardless of whether or not there are alcoholic beverages being served, must submit an authorized social event registration form [74] at least 24 hours prior to the event from the residence life coordinator of the residence. Prior to submitting the registration form [74], those hosting the event must meet with the residence life coordinator to understand their responsibilities and what procedures to follow as event hosts. Hosts may also be required to attend an educational workshop prior to hosting social events. The meeting and workshop ensures that students understand all policies and safety resources that are in place. Students hosting parties without registration or after being denied registration will be in violation of the policy.
Social event registration forms require the sponsorship of two residents of the hall or mod where the event is taking place. These individuals must be willing to take responsibility for the event by taking part in the discussion with the residence life coordinator prior to the signing of the event registration form and by ensuring that all Communtiy Standards [38] and laws are adhered to during the event. If alcoholic beverages are being served during the event, both signers of the registration form must be 21 years of age or older. Those serving alcohol are required to check identification. Events will not be authorized if excessive alcohol is being served or if there is a lack of adequate alternative nonalcoholic beverage and food offered. For more information about hosting events with alcohol, please see the alcohol policy [75].
Social Event registration forms [74] will be authorized only for a single hall or mod to host an event. Attendance at events within and around the living areas is limited due to fire safety [42] concerns. Larger events should take place outside the residences (contact student engagement [13] for assistance coordinating events outside the residences). Noise generated by the event must not be so loud as to disturb neighboring residents. Only one event registration form will be authorized in each residence area on a single night. Social events in the residences will not be authorized to take place during or around the time of large-scale campus events or during the time of College quiet hours [76]. Therefore, events in the residences will only be authorized for Friday and Saturday nights unless deemed appropriate by the residence life coordinator. They will not be authorized to take place during the College’s exam period or the exam periods of any of the other Five Colleges, during break periods (October break, Thanksgiving break, or spring break), during any time of the Halloween weekend, during Spring Jam, or during the weekend of graduation. A residence life coordinator may refuse to authorize events during other large-scale campus events. A residence life coordinator may also refuse to authorize events at their discretion.
For the safety of other students and the integrity of our facilities, residents may not engage in any sporting and recreation activities within the residence hall and mod rooms, lobbies, lounges, hallways or other common areas. Sporting and recreation related activities include but are not limited to the following: rollerblading, frisbee, hockey, golf, bowling, as well as the use of skateboards, scooters, bicycles, hover boards and other motorized vehicles of any kind.
Hampshire College does not provide on campus storage during the academic year or between academic years (over the summer). There is limited space provided for international students to store some items over the summer; the College assumes no liability for those items and students use the storage spaces at their own risk for theft, water or fire damage, or any other type of loss.
Bicycles may not be stored on campus during the summer vacation period. See the bicycle policy [77] for additional information.
Use of Student Rooms
Only registered Hampshire College students may live on campus. Housing is contingent upon a student’s maintaining an active student enrollment status. The only persons who may reside in a room are those assigned by the College. Residents may not invite or permit any other person to reside in their assigned room or in any other area of a residence hall.
Student rooms are to be utilized as bedrooms and/or study space. The use of bedrooms for other purposes is prohibited.
Subletting
Subletting of a student room to any other person not officially assigned to that room is prohibited.
Right of Entry
Students’ right to privacy in their bedrooms is respected by the College to the extent practical. In most instances, the College is able to give students advance notice of a need to enter student rooms. A submitted work order acts as permission for facilities and grounds personnel to enter a student’s room for the purpose of making the requested repair(s). By requesting maintenance service within a student's assigned room or anywhere in their apartment/mod, a student implicitly authorizes a facilities and grounds worker to enter their room, bedroom or apartment/mod to perform the service that you have requested.
Other appropriate College employees may enter student rooms under the following conditions:
Access to a student room cannot be given to another student without the explicit permission of the occupant of the room. Students will be granted access to another's room for a finite period of time in order to accomplish a specific task. Permission may be granted in writing via an email from the occupant's Hampshire College email account sent to housing@hampshire.edu [78]. Permission may also be given via phone to a member of the residence life and student engagement staff.
Key-Card Access Policy for the Residences
All exterior doors to buildings equipped with card readers will be locked at all times. All students living in a building equipped with card access will have 24-hour key-card access to the building in which they live. Tampering with the operations of doors, windows or card readers may result in referral to the formal conduct process [15] that could result in sanctions including but not limited to restitution of damages and removal from campus housing.
The College, at the discretion of the dean of students office, has the right to make changes, or to restrict an individual student’s access settings on their card. For more information, about your student ID card, visit the OneCard office website [79] or contact the OneCard office at onecard@hampshire.edu [80].
Keys and Lockouts
Any duplication of College keys is strictly prohibited. Replacements for lost keys must be obtained from the residence life [73] staff during working hours. If a key to a student room is lost, the lock on the door is automatically changed and two new keys are made. In the apartments/mods, if an entry key is lost, the lock is changed and replacement keys issued to all residents of that apartment/mod. When a lounge key is lost, a new key to the lounge is issued to the resident.
Students are charged $5.00 for each key replaced, $60.00 for each bedroom re-core, and $100.00 for each apartment/mod entry recore, (this includes key replacements for all apartment/mod residents. Replacements for lost key cards (in applicable residence areas) must be obtained from the OneCard office [79], located in the Dakin Student Life Center. Lost cards will be immediately deactivated and a new card issued to the student for a fee.
If a room key is not returned within 48 hours after occupancy is concluded, the lock must be changed. Students will be charged for replacement lock core and keys, as above.
Key cards (in applicable residence areas) will be automatically deactivated immediately after occupancy is concluded, and will be reactivated if and when new occupancy begins.
In the case in which keys and/or a key card are lost, access to a student’s room can be obtained by calling campus safety and wellbeing [11] (x5424 from an on campus phone or 413.559.5424).
It is strongly advised that a student vacating a residence hall or apartment/mod for any reason—including but not limited to withdrawal from the College, moving to a different residence hall or apartment/mod, or vacating their room at the end of a semester—have the room formally checked by a member of the residence life staff. Keys must be returned by the date a student officially changes their enrollment status or becomes less than fully enrolled (NOTE: some deadlines result in specific refunds) or within 48 hours of receiving keys to a new room. For specific information on vacating rooms at the end of the academic year, see the residence closing policy [81].
Students who go on medical leave [82] must vacate their on campus rooms within 48 hours after the date on which the leave is granted, as approved by student success and engagement. All residential keys must be returned to the office of residence life [73] upon a student’s departure. Failure to comply with this policy may result in additional charges commensurate with the amount of time a student has taken to vacate their room or to make arrangements with the housing operations office to have articles removed.
Students may invite guests on-campus, including in residence halls and mod permitted they will accompany and take responsibility for the guest and their actions at all times. Guests in mods may only be present if it is mutually agreed upon by modmates and is allowed for in the modmate agreement. The following restrictions are in place related to guests/visitors:
All visitors and overnight guests are expected to abide by Hampshire College’s Community Standards; this includes not bringing an animal into the residence hall or mod unless it is a registered service animal. Responsibility for the behavior and safety of guests lies with the host. Any damage caused by a visitor/guest, whether or not they have been registered, will be the responsibility of the host. Any visitor/guest whose behavior is disruptive will be required to leave campus.
Hampshire College reserves the right to alter and adapt guest and visitor policies and will notify individuals or the campus community in these instances. Additionally, Hampshire College can restrict individuals from hosting guests and/or restrict specific individuals from being guests on campus.
Questions related to the guest policy should be directed to Campus Safety and Wellbeing at CSW@hampshire.edu [83] or the Office of Residence Life at housing@hampshire.edu [78].
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 [38].
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 [86] information updated August 1, 2024.
Smoking and fire safety regulations and precautions are very important and must be adhered to at all times. The cooperation of each individual is necessary for the safety of all.
The College publishes its fire safety statistics [87] in accordance with the Clery Act.
The Smoking and Fire Safety Policies pages provide an overview of safety regulations as well as guidelines for violations of these policies.
Smoking is restricted to designated smoking areas (DSA). [88]
Hampshire College has become smoke free with the exception of Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) located outside our residences and the Red Barn. Smoking includes e-cigarettes, vaping, and any other smoke or vapor-producing products. This means that smoking will be permitted in Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) only. [89]
Pursuant to the federally mandated Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, use and posession of drugs, which presently includes marijuana is not permitted on college campuses and is not permitted to be used on-campus.
What does smoke free mean?
It means the restriction of any combustible product that is producing smoke, including but not limited to, cigarettes (including hand-rolled), cigars, cigarillos or mini-cigars, pipes including improvised pipes, bongs, hookahs, e-cigarettes, vaporizers and other similar devices or products.
Smoking means carrying a lighted or inhaling a lighted product or the burning of any material to be inhaled including, but not limited to, cigarettes (including hand-rolled), cigars, cigarillos or mini-cigars, pipes including improvised pipes, bongs, hookahs, and other similar devices or products.
Reach & Compliance
This campus policy applies indoors, outdoors, to all property that is owned, operated, leased, occupied, or controlled by the College, including College owned vehicles. See Campus Map [90].
All College employees, students, visitors, guests, vendors, and contractors are required to comply with this policy, which shall remain in effect at all times, including in personal vehicles. Failure to comply with this policy may be cause for disciplinary action in accordance with Employee Handbook [91] or the Student Handbook and Resource Guide's community standards [38]. Refusal to comply with the policy by visitors, guests, vendors, and contractors may be grounds for removal from campus.
Exceptions include, but are not limited to:
Students
Student alleged to violate the smoking policy, may be referred to the Office of Residence Life or Office of Community Standards and Student Accountability for a administraive meeting or community standards review. If found responsible, students would be assigned accountability measures as part of a accountability and community restoration plan.
For residential communities (floors, mods, etc.) where smoking is occurring and individuals are not identified, community discussion circles may be required as well as other outcomes at the discretion of the residence life coordinator.
Employees
The following actions will be taken for employees found responsible for violations of the smoking policy:
Contractors and/or vendors
All contractors and/or vendors are obligated to follow the campus smoking policy. All contractors and/or vendors should defer to policies and procedures from their employer for holding employees accountable for workplace policy violations.
Am I allowed to have cigarettes on campus or in my living space?
Yes, you are allowed to be a smoker and possess smoking products. You can only smoke in the designated smoking areas.
What about personal motor vehicles? Can I smoke in my car?
No, while you (and your car) are on campus property, smoking is limited to designated smoking areas.
Who enforces the smoking policy?
We all do. As a community, it is our responsibility to hold each other accountable. If you see someone smoking on our campus, ask them to move to a designated smoking area and thank them for complying.
What do I say to someone who is smoking?
Gently and kindly remind them of our policy and that Hampshire restricts smoking to designated smoking areas around campus. Use the acronym “SMOKE” to remember how.
S is for Smile and introduce yourself
M is for Make the assumption the person just doesn’t know the policy
O is for Offer resources for smoking cessation if they are interested
K is for Kindly remind them of the policy
E is for Enforce the policy by asking them to move to a designated smoking area
Inspired by Portland Community College’s educational campaign. [93]
The conversation might look something like this:
Person 1: Hey, I’m [name], how are you today?
Person 2: Hey, I’m [name]. I’m good, how about you?
Person 1: Pretty good, thanks. So I noticed you are smoking and wasn’t sure if you knew Hampshire restricts smoking to designated areas. Can I show you to one?
Person 2: Oh whoops, I didn’t know that.
Person 1: No worries, thanks for being willing to move!
It might feel awkward to talk to someone else about smoking, but if you come to the conversation from a place of compassion and understanding, most people will comply.
In the unlikely event someone gets angry or refuses to move to a designated smoking area, just walk away and ask someone else, like a faculty or staff person to help you.
I’m interested in quitting; how can I get support or resources?
For College employees:
Resources are available via Blue Cross Blue Shield [94] and Employee Assistance Program [95].
For students:
Resources available via Health and Counseling Services [96] and the Wellness Center [97].
For all community members:
Apps to help include, Quit Now, Craving to Quit, Quit Guide, This is Quitting.
Social Media: #quittingsmoking; http://whatshouldwecallquitting.tumblr.com/ [99]
Websites:
http://smokefree.gov/build-your-quit-plan
[100]http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/guide/index.html
[101]http://smokefree.gov/
[102]http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/guide-to-quitting-smoking-toc
[103]https://quitsmokingcommunity.org/
[104]https://www.quitnow.net/Program/
[105]http://quitworks.makesmokinghistory.org/
[106]http://makesmokinghistory.org/quit-now/ [107]
Quit Lines:
Text messaging: Text QUITNOW to 202-759-6436
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 [109], Kern Cafe and Bridge Cafe. Books, groceries and supplies at the Hampstore. Access to athletic facilities, Robert Crown Center and Multisports. Campus Safety [4] & 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 [110].
If you need to replace your student ID (OneCard), the replacement ID fee is $25.00.
Email onecard@hampshire.edu [80] 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 [38]. Fundamental expectations of this policy are:
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 [111] 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 [112] 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:
Campus safety and wellbeing [11] 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.
Links
[1] https://www.amherstma.gov/207/General-Bylaws-Government-Act
[2] https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/
[3] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/87
[4] http://www.hampshire.edu/studentlife/1831.htm
[5] https://engage.hampshire.edu/organization/spa
[6] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/121
[7] http://www.hampshire.edu/slresources
[8] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/236
[9] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/234
[10] http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter138
[11] https://www.hampshire.edu/student-life/campus-safety-and-wellbeing
[12] http://www.amherstma.gov/index.aspx?nid=174
[13] https://www.hampshire.edu/student-engagement
[14] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/103
[15] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/45
[16] https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXV/Chapter94C/Section32I
[17] https://www.hampshire.edu/oars/housing-based-accommodations
[18] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/288
[19] https://www.hampshire.edu/notice-non-discrimination
[20] mailto:afSA@hampshire.edu
[21] mailto:IX@hampshire.edu
[22] mailto:srlPR@hampshire.edu
[23] https://hampshire.guardianconduct.com/incident-reporting?incident_type=Bias%20Incident
[24] https://www.hampshire.edu/sites/default/files/2023-12/Bias%20Incident%20Response%20Protocol%20Flowchart.pdf
[25] https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/dean-students-office/student-life-resources-and-support/sexual-respect-and-title-ix
[26] mailto:aksOP@hampshire.edu
[27] mailto:cstrycharz@hampshire.edu
[28] mailto:plrSA@hampshire.edu
[29] https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/office-president/office-justice-equity-and-antiracism
[30] mailto:wasSA@hampshire.edu
[31] mailto:tvdDO@hampshire.edu
[32] mailto:mlpAC@hampshire.edu
[33] https://www.hampshire.edu/health-services/health-and-counseling-services
[34] https://www.hampshire.edu/spiritual-life/spiritual-life
[35] https://www.hampshire.edu/student-life/sexual-respect-and-title-ix
[36] https://intranet.hampshire.edu/system/files/faculty-handbook.pdf
[37] https://www.hampshire.edu/offices/title-ix
[38] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/3
[39] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/130
[40] http://amherstma.gov/index.aspx?nid=124
[41] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/64
[42] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/53
[43] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/98
[44] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/146
[45] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/123
[46] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/241
[47] https://www.hampshire.edu/housing/general-charges-for-student-damages
[48] http://www.ada.gov/pubs/ada.htm
[49] http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/FHLaws/yourrights
[50] https://www.hampshire.edu/oars/office-of-accessibility-resources-and-services
[51] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/196
[52] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/147
[53] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/182
[54] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/OARS.hampshire.edu
[55] https://www.hampshire.edu/oars/disability-disclosure-and-accommodation-request
[56] http://www.ada.gov/
[57] http://www.amherstma.gov/index.aspx?NID=398
[58] http://www.ada.gov/qasrvc.htm
[59] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/93
[60] https://www.hampshire.edu/sites/default/files/Americans%20with%20Disabilities%20Act%20Accom%20Request%20Form%20aeh-1.pdf
[61] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/195
[62] https://www.hampshire.edu/oars/grievance-procedures
[63] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/94
[64] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/67
[65] http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/jury-commissioner/
[66] http://www.state.ma.us/sec/ele/elestu/stuidx.htm
[67] http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/
[68] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/204
[69] http://www.hampshire.edu/studentlife/index_housing.htm
[70] https://www.hampshire.edu/housing/
[71] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/63
[72] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/239
[73] https://www.hampshire.edu/student-life/residence-life-and-housing
[74] https://forms.gle/vR5hSq4S6isaZrWL6
[75] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/66
[76] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/52
[77] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/90
[78] mailto:housing@hampshire.edu
[79] http://www.hampshire.edu/computing/onecard.htm
[80] mailto:onecard@hampshire.edu
[81] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/244
[82] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/118
[83] mailto:CSW@hampshire.edu
[84] https://hampshire.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8vQxkd0s6ufLQ5T
[85] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/59
[86] https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:17c256d1-aadf-3d72-a0be-7e19cf0dcb4d
[87] https://www.hampshire.edu/campus-police/crime-statistics-daily-log
[88] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/sites/default/files/handbookimages/smokefreemap.pdf
[89] https://www.hampshire.edu/sites/default/files/studentlife/files/smokefreemap1920a.pdf
[90] https://www.hampshire.edu/discover-hampshire/campus-map
[91] https://www.hampshire.edu/sites/default/files/shared_files/policy_manual.4.11.pdf
[92] mailto:rsfPP@hampshire.edu
[93] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko3ZwXVYZX8
[94] https://home.bluecrossma.com/collateral/sites/g/files/csphws1571/files/acquiadam-assets/55-1082_Smoking_Cessation_Brochure.pdf
[95] https://www.hampshire.edu/employee-assistance-program
[96] https://www.hampshire.edu/student-life/health-and-counseling-services
[97] https://www.hampshire.edu/wellness/smoking-cessation
[98] mailto:well@hampshire.edu
[99] http://whatshouldwecallquitting.tumblr.com/
[100] http://smokefree.gov/build-your-quit-plan
[101] http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/guide/index.html
[102] http://smokefree.gov/
[103] http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/guide-to-quitting-smoking-toc
[104] https://quitsmokingcommunity.org/
[105] https://www.quitnow.net/Program/
[106] http://quitworks.makesmokinghistory.org/
[107] http://makesmokinghistory.org/quit-now/
[108] http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/9z6o1fyMe65C6mL
[109] http://www.hampshire.edu/specialprograms/25278.htm
[110] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/186
[111] https://studentprojects.hampshire.edu/?&SPJ_m=H&SPJ_id=
[112] https://handbook.hampshire.edu/node/100