There are occasions when behavior that violates the University Standards of Conduct also violates the civil law. In these cases, students should understand that they may be held accountable to both authorities. Disciplinary action for violation of the Standards of Conduct will normally proceed during the pendency of criminal proceedings and will not be subject to challenge on the ground that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced. Francis Marion University prohibits the conduct listed below. Persons committing such acts are subject to expulsion from the University or to any lesser penalty listed in the Student Handbook , including suspension, disciplinary probation or other sanctions.
Plagiarism involves the use of the ideas or writings of another without acknowledgment of that use.
For a more detailed description of these two forms of academic dishonesty, and how allegations of academic dishonesty are handled, refer to the FMU Student Handbook . The illegal manufacture, possession, use, or distribution of drugs or the use of drugs for which the holder has no legal prescription, or other drug-related conduct which is a violation of South Carolina law. University ID cards are the property of the University and are not transferable. Possession of pocketknives having no blade longer than two inches and possession of weapons or tools required by a student's job or studies at the location in question is not a violation. Other conduct which a reasonable person having sufficient intelligence to acquire post-secondary education would understand is injurious to the University or the University community.