Health + Safety

College Policies, Regulations, and Procedures

Bard: More than a place to think

Everyone who lives, works, or studies at Bard is here by choice and, as part of that choice, is encouraged to behave civilly. Participation in the College’s intellectual and social activities contributes to the community’s vibrancy. In an open educational environment there will be a frequent and often intense exchange of ideas, even ones that are unpopular and can make others uncomfortable. Each of us should bear this in mind when considering our interactions with others in Annandale-on-Hudson and all places where the College is engaged. The community is strengthened when each member fosters civil interactions.

 Bard believes firmly in free speech. All members of the College are responsible for maintaining and promoting an open academic and living community. When conflicts arise they should be resolved among the affected parties. The community is designed to support informal resolution through its members including peers, faculty, administrators and staff.

Behavior that violates policies in the Student Handbook or in the Bard College Catalogue is not accepted, and formal conduct procedures may be initiated in response to such behavior. Additionally, any conduct that violates applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and ordinances is prohibited and would require action on the part of the College.

The College expects all of its students, whether or not they are on campus or are currently enrolled as degree candidates, to behave in a mature and responsible manner. If the College determines that a student has violated the College’s Facilities Use Agreement and/or College policies, regulations, and procedures, the College may discipline the student. Since the College expects students to show good judgment and use common sense at all times, not all kinds of misconduct or behavioral standards are specifically identified in this handbook. It is the goal of the College to help provide an environment that is supportive of and conducive to the maximum intellectual, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual growth of all its students. In this spirit, below are some expectations and responsibilities for the members of the College community members College policy was written with the understanding that students would take on the following responsibilities:

To treat all members of the College community in a civil and respectful manner.

To carry and present College identification to authorized College officials upon request, including but not limited to Safety and Security officers, Residence Life & Housing staff, Dean of Student Affairs staff, and Student Activities staff.



To refrain from the use of force against persons or groups, the abuse 
of another person, or disruption in the form of coercion or violence. 


To respect the property of individuals, groups, and the College itself. 



To respect quiet hours in campus facilities (between the hours of 10pm through 8am the following day) throughout the academic year, except where explicit administrative permission has been obtained. 

To ensure that guests on campus (including students visiting a residence hall they do not reside in) behave in a manner consistent with the policies and procedures of the College. 



To act as good citizens.

To observe all duly established College, local, state, and federal regulations.

Students should not engage in any of the following behavior whether as an individual or acting together or on behalf of a larger group:

Cause physical injury to each other nor threaten to do so

Remove campus property or property under the care of the college

Use campus property or property in the College’s campus’s care without authorization from an authorized officer of the college. There is no right to set up a tent on the College’s property. Students should not occupy tents without prior authorization. 

Enter any private officer of a staff or faculty member without implied or explicit permission

Enter or remain in any campus building or facility for a purpose other than its authorized uses or in such a manner as to obstruct its authorized use
 
Remain in any building without authorization from a designated officer of the College after it is closed without authorization

Refuse to leave a campus building or facility after being asked or required to do so by an authorized administrative officer of the College

Obstruct the free movement of people and vehicles anywhere on campus. 

Deliberately disrupt or prevent the freedom of any person to express their views, including invited speakers

Knowingly have in their possession, any rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, or other firearm or weapon without written authorization of the president to do so, regardless of whether or not a license to possess the firearm exists

Willfully incite any others to commit any of the acts prohibited in this section with the specific intent to procure them to do so

Take any action, create or participate in the creation of any situation, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of anyone for the initiation into or affiliation with any organization

Protest in ways that interfere with College operations, obstruct access to College facilities, disrupt the academic pursuits of the College, or otherwise violate the Student Handbook. Examples of such prohibited conduct may include, but are not limited to:

• Threats or gestures (explicit or implied) that would place a reasonable person or group of people in fear of unwelcome physical contact or harm;
• Intentional or reckless behavior that damages, or could potentially damage, College property or the property of individuals;
• Interference with any institutional activity, program, or event;
• Obstructing access (including entry or exit) to classrooms, offices, buildings, or any other College facilities;
• Unauthorized entry into or the occupation of any classrooms, offices, buildings, or any other College facilities, including such entry or occupation at an unauthorized time;
• Exceeding building limits on the number of people allowed in a particular space as well as any activities which present danger to persons; and

Such conduct may, in addition to violating this Handbook, violate another Bard College policy, such as the Gender-Based Misconduct Policy or the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment. 

The College will hear complaints pertaining to conduct of Bard College students occurring on College property (including UBS, or Bard in New York), and will also consider hearing cases involving Bard College students that occur off campus, including in Red Hook, Tivoli, and its environs. The College’s disciplinary process will not be used merely to duplicate the function of federal, state, or local laws, but where the institution’s distinct interests as an academic community are involved, the College may invoke its disciplinary authority in response to infractions of the laws of the off-campus community.

In cases of College policy violations, the College first determines the appropriate process to employ based on the individual set of circumstances surrounding the infraction. Cases may be referred to the student conduct system, Office of Title IX and Nondiscrimination, or addressed through informal hearings with the Dean of Student Affairs, Residence Life & Housing staff, Student Activities staff, Safety and Security staff, the Vice President for Administration, the Dean of Graduate Studies, or their designees. Violations may result in disciplinary action as noted in the section on Discipline or Dismissal. Academic policy violations are reviewed through the offices of the Dean of Studies and/or the Dean of the College.

Students wishing to appeal a decision made by a member of the staff should submit a written letter of appeal outlining the reasons for the appeal to the original administrator within two business days of the issuance of the sanction.