Policies & Regulations

Code of Conduct

Franklin College is a community of individuals dedicated to the pursuit of an international education in an environment conducive to learning. The College fully recognizes the rights and responsibilities of its students, faculty and staff, as well as their obligations to maintain high standards of social and personal conduct. Enrollment at Franklin, therefore, constitutes an agreement between the student and the College to respect the rights of the College and all the members of the College community. Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations of the College places the student in violation of the Code of Conduct and subject to disciplinary action.

Because of its unique location in Switzerland, Franklin College must require students to conduct themselves in a manner which reflects credit upon themselves, their college, their countries, and which shows respect for and adherence to the cultural mores of Swiss society. Consequently, Franklin requires standards of behavior of a higher order than those of society at large. Upon registration at the College, students retain all of their rights guaranteed by law; however, student status confers no immunity from the laws of the Swiss community, nor do sanctions for the breaking of Swiss law exempt them from further disciplinary action by the College. The Code of Conduct is established to provide a system for dealing fairly and responsibly with students whose behavior fails to meet the standards of the College, or which infringes upon the rights of others. Students are subject to the Code of Conduct at all times during the academic term, between terms, during Academic Travel, on or off campus.

Violations of the Code of Conduct

The following are considered major violations of the Code of Conduct:

1. Conduct in subversion of academic standards, such as cheating on examinations, plagiarism in preparation of written work or assignments, theft of examinations or library materials, electronic theft, or the destruction of the academic work of others.
2. Forgery, alteration or misuse of campus documents and records, or knowingly furnishing false information to the College.
3. Obstruction or disruption of the educational process or of any campus function.
4. Physical abuse or the threat of physical abuse, on or off the campus, of any member of the College or the local community.
5. Sexual harassment.
6. Theft of, or damage to, the property of the College or of a member of the College, or of property in the local community.
7. Engaging in lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior on or off campus.
8. Behavior that endangers the safety of others, to include possession of deadly weapons, chemicals or explosives, or improper use of motor vehicles.
9. Unauthorized presence on the College premises.
10. Failure to identify oneself or to obey the requests of an appropriate College official.
11. Improper use of alcohol.
12. Sale, use or possession of illegal drugs on or off the campus.
13. Behavior in violation of rules, regulations and standards as established for the College, the residence facilities, and the Swiss community.

In cases where a violation of the Code of Conduct involves physical violence, firearms, drugs or violations of city, cantonal or federal laws, the College reserves the right to contact local authorities for action separate from or in addition to College disciplinary action. In all matters concerning the Code of Conduct, the College expects students to be forthright and honest. Any behavior to the contrary will in itself constitute a violation of the Code.

Download the Franklin College Student Handbook