School Of Cinematic Arts Student Code Of Conduct

For any university program to operate effectively, there must be an open and trusting relationship between it and its students. While a student's commitment to honesty and personal integrity is assumed and expected, this Code is intended to provide an added measure of assurance that in fulfilling the university's requirements, the student will abide by all the rules.

The School of Cinematic Arts believes that this Code is an integral part of the educational experience and helps students to develop an honorable, responsible lifestyle. Adherence to a Code will allow students to continue enjoying unparalleled academic and social freedom. No violation of this trust is too small to be ignored, for we understand that honor is not measured by degree. The more students live by the Code, the stronger the Code becomes.

Under the Code of Conduct, it is expected that all students will demonstrate honesty and integrity in their conduct. Acts of intentional lying, cheating, and stealing will not be tolerated. A person who has violated this Code must be sanctioned for compromising the community of trust and honor.

Each member of the Cinematic Arts community is responsible for upholding and enforcing the Code of Conduct. This system cannot function unless each person takes action when he or she believes that any student may have violated it.

This Code of Conduct agreement is made effective upon matriculation at the School of Cinematic Arts and continues throughout a student's enrollment even though that enrollment may not be continuous.

In most instances, if a faculty member, staff member or student in the School of Cinematic Arts believes that the Code has been violated, all information will be turned over to the Chair of the Division that the violation happened in. The Chair will review the violation and decide to either address the violation internally at SCA or send the violation to the university's Office of Judicial Affairs. If the Chair and administrators in the School of Cinematic Arts feel the violation is particularly egregious, the school reserves the right to set up its own hearing board, composed of faculty, staff and a student, to determine if the student(s) in question should be dismissed from the School of Cinematic Arts.

Policy violations include but are not limited to:

• Violations of those standards outlined in the USC Student Handbook, conduct that is in violation of the Code of Student Conduct includes:
• Unauthorized (expressly NOT authorized) collaboration on a project or assignment
• Any attempt to give or receive unauthorized aid on an exam
• Plagiarism (see USC Student Handbook and Office of Student Judicial Affairs)
• Any intentionally deceptive academic behavior which gains the student an unfair academic advantage
• Any behavior that disrupts the educational experience of another student.
• Representing as one's own work the work of another
• Behavioral infractions such as: stealing, vandalism, shoplifting, I.D. card violations, lying, fire safety violations, disrupting normal university operations, illegal use of drugs, alcohol or possession of weapons
• Unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems
• Violating USC copyright laws by selling or distributing USC-owned films to individuals, organizations, or disseminating protected materials (including USC-owned as well as movies and other media owned by studios or other entities) via the Internet or any other media
• Unauthorized access to any SCA facility, including stages, editing suites, computer rooms, classrooms, faculty and administrative offices
• Unauthorized dissemination of security codes
• Unauthorized use of any SCA equipment on or off the premises
• Unauthorized solicitation of funds, goods or services from members of the SCA Board of Councilors, SCA Alumni Development Council, SCA alumni, or USC alumni
• Unauthorized dissemination of confidential SCA information
• Violation of standards outlined in the SCA Production Handbook and Safety Rules
• Verbal, sexual or psychological harassment of any member of the university community
• Tampering with academic records including forging signatures of authorization or falsifying information on any official document of the university
• Providing false testimony on any official document of the university

If a student believes that he/she or any other student has violated any provision of this Code, he/she must report the violation to a member of the SCA staff, faculty, or administration. Failure to report any violation of this code may be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the University of Southern California.

I have read and understand the SCA Student Code of Conduct. By signing below I agree to abide by the code.