Statement of Expectations for Off-Campus Behavior

The College of New Jersey encourages excellence in citizenship by having students, faculty, and staff sustain and advance the communities comprising our campus, township, state, and nation. All individuals affiliated with The College shall serve these interrelated communities as responsible citizens, both on and off campus. Accordingly, all members of the TCNJ community are expected to develop and enhance each of these communities in a manner consistent with the applicable codes of ethical conduct established by The College, as well as local, state, and federal laws.

Although The College neither substitutes for nor interferes with regular legal processes, there may be circumstances when The College should take action through its own applicable judicial or disciplinary processes that potentially overlap with external criminal or civil proceedings. When an act committed off-campus (1) poses a substantial and continuing danger to the safety and/or property of The College or members of its community (for example, sexual assault, the illegal distribution of controlled substances); and/or (2) otherwise constitutes a serious criminal offense, The College may take official internal action to protect its orderly functioning as an academic community. In such cases, the college administrative officials will advise affected parties of sources of appropriate assistance.

Effective: July 1, 2002
Recommended by CSCC: December 5, 2001
Approved by Cabinet: April 22, 2002

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Advisory Regarding Off Campus Behavior 

All students who live off campus are considered members of not only The College of New Jersey but also the local community. As adults living off campus, students are expected to know their rights and responsibilities and understand the consequences of their actions. All members of the College community are representatives of TCNJ, whether residing on or off campus, and the College, in partnership with the Township of Ewing, will address inappropriate behavior in a serious manner. Therefore, those residing in off-campus housing should be aware of the following: 

• If you live off campus, you are expected to be a good neighbor, be responsible for the behavior of your guests, communicate with your neighbors and landlord to resolve issues, and know all local ordinances. 

 

• As an off-campus resident, you are governed by all federal, state and municipal laws. It is the responsibility of local law enforcement, such as Ewing Police, to enforce these laws.

 

• If a student living on or off campus is cited for violations off campus, that individual is subject to judicial action within the campus judicial system as governed by the Statement of Expectations for Off Campus Behavior.  (www.tcnj.edu/~studlife/handbook/policies/offcampusbehavior.html) 

 

• If you are an off campus student, you should establish a positive relationship with your landlord, who is also accountable to the township. Realize that your behavior may put your landlord at risk for township fines.  

 

• Community Standards staff in the Office of the Vice President for Student Life, as well as staff in the Ewing Township municipal offices, can assist you in working with your landlord.  For more information on related college policies or procedures, including the student code of conduct, please go to http://www.tcnj.edu/~studlife/handbook/index.html 

 

The College, in collaboration with the Ewing Police Department, and the Township and College Together (TACT) committee have launched a new "Community Watch" initiative this year. In an effort to structure a means to proactively address disruptions which occur when students and guests attend social events in the surrounding community, "walking patrol teams" will be sent out to monitor local neighborhoods on select nights and weekends. Members on the patrol teams will mostly include concerned residents of the township who will report their findings to Ewing Township Police and TCNJ administration. Those serving patrol will have no police authority but will instead be expected to call the police if they see something suspicious.

Finally, any faculty, staff or alumni who live locally or own rental properties are urged to support the college’s efforts to keep the neighborhood in which we reside safe, well-maintained, and civil. I welcome your assistance in this collective effort and ask that all members of the campus community do their part to assure that we are being good neighbors in the local community. The following offices are available to assist in this effort: 

• Vice President for Student Life (Community Standards Office) (609.771.2201) – judicial issues, understanding student rights.
• College and Community Relations (609.771.2368) – liaison with Ewing Township and local agencies.
• Campus Police (609.771.2167)
• Ewing Municipal Township (609.883.2900)

Advisory issued by the College President, August 30, 2006