Policies and Guidelines

This section, Guidelines and Policies, includes many university policies developed by the Faculty Senate, and administrative faculty to promote fair treatment of students and support the standards established for student conduct by the Nevada System of Higher Education through the Board of Regents, to be carried out by all faculty and staff on campus. The administrative faculty in the Office of Student Conduct may address violations of one or more of these policies through the procedures established in the Student Code of Conduct for the successful resolution of a compliant of student misconduct. Many of these policy statements and guidelines feature the contact information for the specific office, agency or administrator charged with the sponsorship of services related to the policy in question. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Conduct, (775) 784-4388.

Alcoholic Beverages

In order to provide a safe and healthy environment for students, to comply with federal, state and local law, and to support the academic mission of the university, the following policy for the sale, service, distribution and use of alcoholic beverages has been adopted. This policy applies, but is not limited to, the following: receptions, banquets, dinners, picnics, or any cultural or social activity. Advance request and approval from the associate vice president for Student Life Services to serve alcohol at an activity is required for all student organizations, campus departments and individuals as follows.

1. A request may be made for alcoholic beverages at any activity sponsored by a student organization on university property or on property occupied by a student organization where all participants in attendance are 21 years of age or older.
2. A request may also be made for alcoholic beverages at activities sponsored by campus departments or guests using university facilities. Approval of alcohol requests will take into consideration the nature of the activity, number of underage participants, value of alcohol to the purpose of the activity, and security measures in place.
3. Alcoholic beverages must not be served in association with academic classes (e.g. in-class celebrations after final exams).

For activities where alcohol is being requested, the following procedure must be followed:

1. All requests must be submitted to the associate vice president for Student Life Services at least 10 working days in advance of the activity.
2. The sponsoring organization must hire a Licensed Liquor Vendor (LLV), as approved by the City of Reno, to serve the alcohol.
3. A representative of the sponsoring organization or department must sign the request accepting responsibility for the activity as it pertains to the distribution and control of alcohol.

Upon approval of the activity, sponsoring organizations and individuals must comply with the following:

1. There must be adequate food and non-alcoholic beverages available at the activity.
2. Individuals who appear to be intoxicated at an activity will not be served alcohol.
3. The designated organizational representative will be expected to intervene with the intoxicated person to ensure the safety of the individual (e.g. provide a “safe ride” home; call a cab, etc. at the cost of the sponsoring organization).
4. Drinking alcoholic beverages cannot be the primary focus or purpose of the activity.
5. Promotional materials may not make reference to the availability of alcoholic beverages at the activity, may not be directed to an underage audience, and may not display any alcoholic beverage signs, emblems or insignia.
6. No activity shall include any form of “drinking contest”, “all you can drink” promotion, or encourage any form of rapid consumption of alcoholic beverage.
7. Alcoholic beverages will not be provided as part of a performance contract, nor will alcohol be used on-stage.

Violations of the Policy for Sale, Service, Distribution or Use of Alcoholic Beverages may result in penalties as follows:

1. Student organizational officers will be subject to sanctions outlined in the University of Nevada, Reno Student Code of Conduct.
2. Sanctions for student organizations may include, but are not limited to, warning, probation, denial of use of university facilities, and withdrawal of organization recognition.
3. University departmental representatives will be subject to sanctions as outlined in Chapter 6 of the Board of Regents Handbook.
4. Guests of the university will be subject to denial of future use of university facilities.

Tobacco Free University

For information about the Tobacco Free University policy, please go to the University Administrative Manual website.

Possession and Use of Marijuana

For information about the Possession and Use of Marijuana policy, please go to the University Administrative Manual website.

Hazing

Hazing has no place within a community of scholars. The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) affirms its opposition to any form of hazing, as does the University of Nevada, Reno, community.

NSHE institutions advocate civility in society and an adherence to the fundamental principles of honesty, integrity, respect, fairness, development of the individual character, and sensitivity to the dignity of all persons. These principles should be fostered and nurtured in a broad spectrum of activities that yield social, intellectual and physical benefits. Therefore hazing of any nature is unacceptable at any public institution of higher education in the State of Nevada.

1. No member or alumnus of the NSHE community acting as an individual or as part of a group shall conduct or condone hazing activities.
   1. Hazing is defined as any method of initiation into or prerequisite to becoming a member of the community college or university community, or any group associated therewith, engaged in by an individual that intentionally or recklessly endangers another individual. Any activity upon which the initiation into or affiliation with an organization or group is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be forced activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding. Hazing may occur on or off the premises of the organization and/or educational institution. Hazing is most often seen as an initiation rite into a student organization or group, but may occur in other situations.
      1. Hazing activities may include, but are not limited to:
         1. Any physical activity, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of food, liquid, drugs or other substance or any other brutal treatment or other forced physical activity that is likely to adversely affect the physical health of the person.
         2. Any mentally embarrassing, harassing, or ridiculing behaviors that create psychological shocks, to include but not limited to: Engaging in public stunts and buffonery, morale degradation, or humiliating games and activities.
         3. Any situation which subjects the individual to extreme stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, required participation in public stunts, or forced conduct which produces pain, physical discomfort, or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of an individual.
         4. Any expectations or commands that force individuals to engage in an illegal act and/or willful destruction or removal of public or private property.
   2. Each institution within NSHE shall develop clear procedures for dealing with hazing, requirements for reporting hazing, clear reporting lines for infractions, investigation procedures, and potential discipline. Each institution shall apply a reasonable person standard, and the discipline shall be proportionate to the infraction. All disciplinary actions or sanctions shall be congruent with Chapter 6 of the code and appropriate bylaws. Both individuals and organizations committing an offense under this anti-hazing policy may be found in violation and be subject to appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
   3. An allegation of hazing, reporting of a suspicion that hazing may have occurred, or a request for an investigation of hazing may be initiated by anyone. Campus policies shall designate the appropriate place and method of reporting. Each campus is encouraged to develop an educational program about the serious danger and risk involved in any hazing activity and the subsequent harm that can occur to both the individual subjected to hazing and those engaged in hazing.
   4. Each campus shall develop procedures and policies to report cases of hazing that fall under Nevada Revised Statutes.

To report an allegation of hazing, please contact the Office of Student Conduct, Clark Administration Building, Lake Level, 784-4388. All investigations of hazing and procedures for adjudication shall follow Section II of the University’s Student Code of Conduct.

Policy Against Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

For information about the Policy Against Discrimination and Sexual Harassment, please go to the University Administrative Manual website.

Use of Manzanita Lake

Any use of Manzanita Lake is prohibited, including, but not limited to swimming, diving, or any activity using rafts, boats or other floatation devices.

Any student found in violation of this policy will be sanctioned under the Student Code of Conduct.

Use of Skateboards and Other Wheeled Equipment, Excluding Bicycles, on University Property

For information about the Use of Skateboards and Other Wheeled Equipment, Excluding Bicycles, on University Property policy, please go to the University Administrative Manual website.

Standards of Conduct for the Use of University Computers

For information about the Standards of Conduct for the Use of University Computers, please go to the Office of Information Technology website.

University of Nevada, Reno Social Media Policy

For information about the Social Media Policy, please go to the University Administrative Manual website.

Registered Sex Offenders

For information about the Registered Sex Offenders policy, please go to the University Administrative Manual website.