Below are examples of breaches to the Student Code of Conduct; this list is not means to fully or exclusively define misconduct or breaches to the code. Those who violate the principles outlined in this document shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

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Section 1 - Definitions of Misconduct

1. Academic Misconduct: Offences relating in an academic misconduct include the following, but are not limited to:​​

a. Cheating:

While in an assessment or examination situation, students will rely on their own mastery of the subject. Students being assessed, or not being assessed, and who are in the room may not provide help to their peers. Similarly, those being assessed will not attempt to receive help in any way not explicitly approved by the instructor. This includes, but is not limited to the use of notes, study aids, cheat sheets, telephones, or another’s work. Additionally, cheating includes attempting to take, or read, someone else’s exam, attempting to give or obtain information about a test prior to or during the test, speaking to someone other than the proctor during the exam, speaking without explicit permission to the instructor or proctor during the exam, operating any form of electrical device (computer, tablet, electronic dictionary, or cell phone, etc.) or messenger service (WhatsApp, SMS, messenger, etc.) during the exam, or attempting to have someone else take the exam while masquerading as the student.

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b. Plagiarism:

When completing any form of written or oral assignments, students must identify the sources that they have borrowed from in their work. This includes, but is not limited to facts, opinions, or quotations. Plagiarism is the utilization of another person’s ideas or expressions without being acknowledged in the appropriate citation/referencing format approved by the school which the student is enrolled in. 

 

c. In-Class Disruption:

The University expects all students to behave appropriately in class. Students shall not disrupt classes, assessments, or exams through unnecessary conversation and/or misbehavior. This includes ignoring class rules set by the instructor of the course, and the rules and policies on the course outline/syllabus.

 

d. Dishonesty:

MUC expects all students to be honest at all times in all relations with the university administration, faculty, and staff. Any form of dishonesty associated with the student’s academic work is considered cheating or plagiarism. These kinds of dishonesty include, but are not limited to the following: 

1. Falsifying personal information about any personal circumstances to an instructor (for example, in requesting a makeup exam or an additional date for an assignment, or in explaining an absence).

2. Falsifying parts of, or forging a signature on, official documents (including both university documents and relevant outside documents, such as doctors’ notes).

3. Claiming credit for work in a team-project when little or no participation to the work of the team has been made.

4. Illegitimately copying computer software.

5. Illegitimately copying work of any form or type

6. Engaging in bribery of any kind.

7. Any form of behavior which the university committee deems to be inappropriate or not in keeping with academic and ethical standards of the university.

 

  2. Non-Academic Misconduct:

a. Disruption/Obstruction:

In an organized manner and in a public space students have the right to calmly, peacefully, and respectably express their opinions on matters of concern to the University, however they must notify, consult, and obtain the permission of the head of Student Development before doing so. The nature of the event and any publicity relating to the even it must be reviewed by the MUC administration to assure that neither Lebanese law, nor university policies and norms are being violated.

If the Student Affairs Office, Board of Departmental Heads, Head of Student Development, or the President do not approve of a student-sponsored event such as, protests, sit-ins, and demonstrations, it may become necessary to undertake disciplinary measures and even to instruct campus security to end the public gathering.

The disruption or obstruction of the normal educational process or any university function by student activity demonstrations, sit-ins, or strikes is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to disrupting classes, sporting events, library operations, administrative offices, seminars, conferences, extra-curricular activities, exhibitions, meetings, ceremonial events, or examinations, presentations, administrative or academic gatherings, field visits; delaying or preventing others from attending such events; falsely activating a disaster alarm; or making any form of threat, physical or emotional or mental to the University or to the stakeholders of the University.

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Under no conditions whatsoever shall any university stakeholders be intimidated or threatened in the implementation of their duties and responsibilities at MUC. Students and faculty who wish to hold or attend classes or to go to their offices or places of study shall not be disallowed from doing so; non-academic staff and administrators shall not be prohibited from going to their places of work.

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b. Distribution of Unauthorized Published Material:

The distribution and posting of communicative materials (banners, social media postings of text or media, fliers, leaflets, posters, audiovisuals, etc.), must be approved and stamped by the MUC administration upon approval of the Head of Student Development. All unauthorized material will be removed immediately.

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c. Theft:

Stealing on campus or at a university-authorized event off campus, including unauthorized use of university equipment or services (e.g., telephones, photocopiers, or computer facilities, etc.), or possession of stolen property, is prohibited.

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d. Destruction of Property/Endangering Public Safety:

All students are expected to respect the safety of others and protect university property at all times. Any act which may conflict with these principles are subject to disciplinary action. These may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. All forms of behavior which may result in any form of vandalism, or any form of other deliberate damage (such as spray painting, graffiti, writing on walls or desks or signs, etc.) to property on campus or at university-authorized events off campus.

2. All forms of littering, like waste disposal (empty bottles, cigarette butts, food containers, etc.) other than designated places on campus.

3. The inexcusable discharge, damage, or tampering with any fire extinguisher, fire alarm, security cameras, security camera screens, or any other safety devices on campus or at a university event off campus.

4. Taking any form of action, or attempting to take any form of action, that may possibly damage or harm private property at the university, or at a university event off-campus, without the consent of the owner or person legally responsible.

5. Allowing someone to attempt, or attempting yourself to possess private property without the official consent of the person legally responsible, or of the owner.

6. Any form of any unauthorized entry to campus. This includes, but is not limited to the unapproved duplication of keys or use of such, the unauthorized entering of offices, auditoriums, gyms, libraries or any other university rooms which are unlocked, or any other form of unauthorized use of campus facilities.

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e. Mental or Physical Harm:

Any acts that may possibly inflict any form of emotional, mental, or physical harm are strictly prohibited. These include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Any participation, in any form, of physical aggression including, but not limited to assault.

2. Any attempt in any form to utilize, or to attempt to engage, in intimidation, coercion, extortion, blackmail, or bribery; bullying; threatening violence, injury, or harm to anybody on the MUC campus, any member of the MUC faculty, staff, administration, or student body, or any individual at university-authorized events off campus. In any case of endangering or the intention to endanger the safety, health, or life of any person is strictly prohibited.

3. Any form of engagement in behavior that may possibly create a risk of, or results in injury to others, such as committing arson or causing a riot, is strictly prohibited.

4. Any form of engagement in behavior which may be construed as forceful, aggressive, violent, or which may inflict or attempting to inflict injury to others on campus or at a university-authorized event off campus.

5. Any activity that may possible jeopardize the health, well-being, and/or safety of an individual, an activity which possible disgraces an individual in conduct of an unbecoming or humiliating nature, or any activity that in any way detracts from an individual’s academic pursuits will be interpreted as harassment. All cases of discriminatory harassment are addressed through the formation of an MUC Formal Allegations and Discriminatory Harassment Committee.

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f. Possession of Weapons or Dangerous Materials:

It is strictly forbidden for students to distribute, possess, store, or use, on campus or at a University-authorized event off campus, any kind of weapon, device, explosive, dangerous chemicals, hazardous materials, or any other instrument designed to do bodily harm or to threaten bodily harm. It is completely off limits for students to use, distribute, possess, store, transfer, sell, or attempt to sell any form of illegal drugs, narcotics or hallucinogenic on campus or at any University-authorized event off campus.

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g. Discrimination and Harassment:

The discrimination between stakeholders based on race, color, religion, age, national or ethnic identity, gender or gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, alienage or citizenship status, political affiliation, or any legally protected characteristic is prohibited at MUC except as required by Lebanese law.

Anybody who is intimidating, insulting, or threatening others, whether verbally, in writing, or through electronic means, and whether or not these are discriminatory or non-discriminatory in nature will be considered to have committed an act of harassment.

Sexual harassment may be the following; requests for sexual favors, unwelcome sexual or flirtatious advances, unwelcome physical contact of a sexual or flirtatious nature, spoken comments or abuse (including email) of a sexual or flirtatious nature, and the public display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures is prohibited.

All cases of harassment are addressed through the formation of an MUC Formal Allegations and Discriminatory Harassment Committee.  

 

h. Smoking and Alcohol:

The consumption of alcohol on campus or at a University-authorized off-campus event is strictly prohibited. Smoking is not allowed on campus. 

 

i. Inappropriate Sexual Behavior:

Publicly enticing sexual behavior is prohibited as deemed by Lebanese law.

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j. Use of Computers:

Accessing MUC accounts, other than the student’s own portal and MUC email, is prohibited. Additionally, the transmission of computer viruses, accessing or protected accounts, formats of hacking, and any other computer function which may be deemed by the university to be unethical, are prohibited.

 

k. Inappropriate Conduct in the MUC library & MUC labs:

Any action that may potentially impede the safety and effective use by all stakeholders of the MUC libraries and labs for the purpose of study, research, reading, and other intellectual pursuits, is prohibited.

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Section 2 - Disciplinary Actions

Disciplinary action will be obligatory according to the nature (academic or non-academic) and severity level of the violation.

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1. Academic Misconduct:

In theory, enforcement of immediate disciplinary actions for academic violations is carried out by those immediately responsible, be that the instructor of the course, or the leader of the even where the violation occurred.

Likewise, all MUC stakeholders must uphold university policies. Consequently, the immediate case for dealing with instances of cheating, plagiarism, and other academic violations rests with the faculty or staff member placed in charge at the time of the violation. If a faculty or staff member has reason to believe that a student has violated academic standards, it is his or her responsibility to report the violation to the head of Student Development, the head of the department in which the student is enrolled, and the MUC administration. A committee will be formed, including the faculty member, to decide if the student has indeed violated academic standards and, if so, must be given a grade of zero on the exam or assignment where the violation occurred.

If the incident occurred and the instructor takes the initial disciplinary action, he or she should send an email to the head of the department, informing him/her of the incident and the initial action he/she has taken. A copy of the email will be placed in the student’s file, and another copy forwarded to the student’s adviser for follow-up.

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   2. Non-Academic Misconduct:

a. General:

​Violations of a non-academic nature are the responsibility of the head of Student Development, in consultation with the head of the department in which the student is enrolled and, as necessary, the MUC administration. Students should understand that the laws of the Republic of Lebanon apply on campus, and those who violate these laws may be subject to criminal prosecution. These violations are beyond the jurisdiction of the university.

 

b. Library-Related:

If a violation occurs in the library the immediate responsibility for dealing with violations of library rules rests with the library staff, as detailed in the University Policy on Appropriate Conduct in Libraries.

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   3. List of Primary Disciplinary Actions

The Registrar’s Office ensures that all disciplinary actions listed below are recorded in the student’s file. Suspension and expulsion will become part of the student’s official transcript or record. Records of the University Committee decisions, including charges and recommendations, will be maintained as part of the confidential records in the office of the respective head, for a period of up to four years after the student graduates or ceases to be a student.

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Range of Actions:

• Warning:

A statement that the student has carelessly violated a university regulation, including attendance regulations. The warning will be documented and recorded either orally or written.

Examples: Littering and smoking in prohibited areas.

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• Reprimand:

This will be in writing. It is a statement that the student has violated a university regulation. It is expected to imply most strongly, both the disapproval and the reprimand of the university community.

Examples: Unintentional plagiarism—failure to cite sources appropriately, and inappropriate physical contact.

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• Head’s Warning:

This will be in writing. Only two Head’s Warnings are allowed in a student’s academic career at MUC. It is justified that any violation of university regulations after the second Head’s Warning results in consideration of suspension. Head’s Warnings are normally accompanied by secondary disciplinary actions.

Examples: Plagiarism, academic dishonesty, in-class disruption, disruption-obstruction, mental or physical harm, harassment, and discrimination.

 

• Suspension*:

This will appear on the student’s transcript, will be in writing, and will form part of the student’s permanent record.

A student may not participate in any academic, athletic, extra-curricular activities, or other activities at the University if he or she remains suspended for a fixed period of time. At the end of the suspension period, the student may be readmitted to the University, only upon the recommendation of a University Committee.

Examples: Cheating, theft, and destruction of property.

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• Expulsion*:

This will be in writing and will form part of the student’s permanent record (and will appear on the student’s transcript).

Expulsion declines the student the right to participate in any academic or other activities of the University for an indefinite time. Only under the oddest circumstances, and upon the recommendation of the University Committee, will an expelled student be readmitted to the University.

Examples: Academic dishonesty, possession of dangerous weapons or materials, and endangering public safety.

 

*Cases whereby the head of the department or head of Student Development recommend suspension or expulsion should be referred to the University Committee.

N.B: Any person who maliciously lies to cover up an act sanctioned by the Code of Conduct will be considered to be an accessory after the fact and may be subject to disciplinary action.

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  4. Required Withdrawal from Campus Pending Hearing

When the student’s presence is a danger to the university community, the student will be forcefully to withdrawn from the campus, pending a meeting of the University Committee. This action shall normally require the approval of the President of the University.

 

  5. Secondary Disciplinary Actions

Moreover to the disciplinary actions listed above, the following secondary disciplinary actions may be enforced upon those who violate the Student Code of Conduct. Secondary disciplinary actions may be of an academic or non-academic nature.

 a. Secondary Disciplinary Actions—Academic

1. The student may be restricted from participating in the Work Study Program.

2. The student may be refused from receiving any form of financial aid, scholarship, or monetary award or aid.

3. The student may be prohibited from receiving any form of honor, merit, or other academic recognition award.

4. The student may be prohibited from holding an assistantship.

5. In a course, test or any other form of academic assessment the student may be given a failing grade or a grade of zero.

 b. Secondary Disciplinary Actions—Non-Academic

1. The student may be excluded from representing MUC in any official role, activity, or event.

2. The student may be unauthorized from serving as an officer of any MUC organization including club, team, or society.

3. The student may be strongly advised to attend treatment or counseling as determined by the director of the counseling center, in consultation with the dean of Student Affairs.

4. The student may be required to make financial refund.

5. The student’s case may be referred to an external agency for further action (this could include the filing of criminal charges).

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Section 3 - Complaint Procedure

If a violation of the Student Code of Conduct was witnessed, then a written complaint should be forwarded to a faculty member, a departmental head, or any university administrative official.

Academic violations shall be forwarded to the Departmental Head in which the violation occurred, as well as the Head of the Department where the student is enrolled. The Head of Student Development, in conjunction with the office of Student Affairs is responsible for non-academic violations, whereas the Departmental Head or University Committee will be held accountable for violations that require suspension or expulsion.

 

Section 4 - Formal Hearing by University Committee

The University Committee deals with violations in a manner that assures those charged with a violation understand the charge and the evidence against them, and are presented a reasonable right of defense. The University Committee shall inform the student of the charge in writing. In the presence of the student, evidence shall be presented and the student will have a reasonable right of defense including the right to cross examine witnesses. The Committee may take into consideration the student’s cumulative discipline record while determining the penalties. The University Committee’s decision shall be final.

 

Section 5 - Appeal Procedure

Any disciplinary charges against a student, will be subject to a full and fair hearing. If any of the following apply, a student may appeal to the MUC administration, or to the University Committee against disciplinary action taken by the head of the department to which the student belongs:

1. Procedural error

2. New evidence

3. Unsupported conclusion

4. Unreasonable authorization, the outcome of this appeal may result in higher, lower, identical, or no authorization at all being imposed. The University Committee’s decision shall be final.

 

Section 6 – Grievance Policy and Procedures

Undergraduate students may consider informal or formal process to explore revise what they believe to be unfair, improper, or discriminatory decisions, actions, or treatment breaching the established policies and procedures of the University. These grievance procedures neither override, nor take preference over established university procedures or due process for any and all matters related to academic misconduct, disciplinary appeals, grade appeals, financial aid, or other well-defined areas of faculty or staff responsibility.

Moreover, grievances should not be mistaken with petitions related to academic issues, including variation from academic requirements or policies.