Excerpts from the Rules of University Conduct

The following are sections of the Rules of University Conduct pertinent to alleged rules violations at an Oct. 4 speech by Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist. They are taken from Facts About Columbia Essential to Students, the Univeristy's student handbook. [View the full text of the rules.]

S443. VIOLATIONS AND SANCTIONS

a. Violations.
A person is in violation of these Rules when such person individually or with a group, incident to a demonstration, including a rally or picketing:

1. (simple violation) engages in conduct that places another in danger of bodily harm;

2. (serious violation) causes or clearly attempts to cause physical injury to
another person;

4. (serious) uses words in a situation of clear and present danger that actually
incite others to behavior that would violate Sections 413a (2) or (6);

7. (simple) interferes over a very short period of time with entrance to, exit
from, passage within, or use of, a University facility but does not substantially
disrupt any University function;

8. (serious) continues for more than a very short period of time to physically prevent, or clearly attempt to prevent, passage within, or unimpeded use of, a University facility, and thereby interferes with the normal conduct of a University function;

13. (simple) briefly interrupts a University function;

14. (serious) disrupts a University function or renders its continuation impossible;

21. (simple) aids and abets others or other groups in a simple violation of these Rules;

22. (serious) aids and abets others or other groups in a serious violation of these Rules.

c. Sanctions.
1. A respondent who is found guilty of a simple violation of these Rules shall be sanctioned by: Disciplinary Warning or Censure. Censure is the most severe penalty that may be imposed for a simple violation.
a. For repeated violations of a simple nature, or for a simple violation by a respondent already on Disciplinary Warning, the respondent shall be subject to Censure or Suspension; if already under Censure, the respondent shall be subject to Suspension. In especially extreme cases, Dismissal may be imposed.

2. A respondent who is found guilty of a serious violation of these Rules shall be sanctioned by Censure, Suspension, or Dismissal.

d. Informal Settlements; Charges Filed.
If the Rules Administrator determines that there is reasonable cause to believe an offense has been committed, such Administrator shall interview the prospective respondent(s). The Rules Administrator shall notify the respondent(s), during the interview, of the substance of the charges that may be filed. On the basis of the complaint investigation and the interview, the Rules Administrator shall:

1. attempt an informal settlement of the matter with the respondent(s), either alone or in conjunction with the Dean(s) of such respondent(s)' division(s); with the written consent of the respondent, the Rules Administrator may accept an admission of guilt of a simple or a serious violation and impose the sanction the Rules Administrator deems appropriate, without the necessity of formally filing charges; or

2. prepare charges for filing. The charges shall be in writing, stating with particularity the offense alleged, and shall charge one or more simple violations or one or more serious violations; the charges may not include both simple and serious violations against any one respondent based on the same conduct (similar conduct occurring at clearly different times is not considered "same conduct"); in case of serious violation, the charges shall state the witnesses likely to be called in support of the charges. The Rules Administrator may file charges against a prospective respondent who has attempted and failed to achieve informal settlement with the appropriate dean or with the Rules Administrator.