8.2.0 The Student Code of Conduct (per 2025-2026 Student Handbook)
The Student Code of Conduct and the student conduct process apply to the conduct of individual students and college-affiliated student organizations. Because the Student Code of Conduct is based on shared values, it sets a range of expectations for the Warren Wilson College student no matter where or when conduct may take place.
Therefore, the Student Code of Conduct will apply to behaviors that take place on campus, off-campus at college-sponsored events, and may also apply generally off-campus, when the administration determines that the off-campus conduct affects a substantial college interest. A substantial College interest is defined to include:
-Any action that constitutes a criminal offense as defined by North Carolina law. This includes violations of any local, state, or federal law committed in the county where the college is located.
-Any situation where it appears that the student may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of oneself or others.
-Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property, or achievements of self or others or significantly breaches the peace and/or causes the social disorder.
-Any situation that is detrimental to the educational interests of the college.
The Student Code of Conduct may be applied to conduct that takes place during the time a person is enrolled as a student, including during intra-semester breaks and between semesters. Further, the Student Code of Conduct applies to guests of community members, whose hosts may be held accountable for the misconduct of their guests. Visitors and guests of Warren Wilson College are also protected by the Student Code of Conduct and may initiate grievances for violations of the Student Code of Conduct committed by members of the Warren Wilson College community against them.
There is no time limit on reporting violations of the Student Code of Conduct, as long as the responding student is still enrolled at Warren Wilson College. However, the longer an individual waits to report an alleged violation, the harder it becomes for Warren Wilson College to obtain information and witness statements, and to make a determination regarding alleged violations. Individuals who are aware of misconduct are encouraged to report it as quickly as possible to the Student Life Office and/or Public Safety.
Campus statistical reporting, based on the Clery Act, on Criminal Offenses, Hate Crimes, Arrests, Disciplinary Actions, and Fire Statistics can be found on the WWC Public Safety website.
8.2.1 Violations of Law
Violations of federal, state, and local laws are incorporated as violations under the Student Code of Conduct. When an offense occurs over which the College has jurisdiction, the College conduct process will usually go forward notwithstanding any criminal complaints that may arise from the same incident. Should a student withdraw from the College when criminal complaints are made, it is the typical practice of the College to pursue investigation and resolution of campus conduct matters, should the student return at a later date.
When a student is accused, arrested, or indicted for a violent or drug-related off-campus crime, the College may elect to take action regarding that student for violation of the code of conduct, which incorporates violation of local, state, and federal laws as code infractions.
When the College has an immediate reasonable cause to separate a student from the community, the institution may suspend a student for a reasonable time pending the scheduling of a campus hearing for an alleged violation of the code of conduct. The College reserves the right to exercise its authority of interim suspension upon notification that a student is facing criminal investigation and/or complaints. The College will permit a student who receives an interim suspension to request a meeting with the Interim Dean of Student Life to show cause for why an interim suspension is not merited. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, the College may still proceed with the scheduling of a campus hearing.
When criminal complaints are pending, the College may be delayed or prevented from conducting its investigation and moving forward with a campus hearing.
In such cases, the College will delay its hearing until such time as it can conduct an internal investigation, or obtain from law enforcement sufficient information upon which to proceed.
8.2.2 Special Provisions
-Attempted violations: In most circumstances, Warren Wilson College will treat attempts to commit any of the violations listed in the Student Code of Conduct as if those attempts had been completed.
-College as a Complainant: As necessary, and when the appropriate evidence is available, Warren Wilson College reserves the right to initiate a complaint, to serve as complainant, and to initiate conduct proceedings without a formal complaint by the victim of misconduct.
-False Reports: Warren Wilson College will not tolerate intentional false reporting of incidents. It is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct to make an intentionally false report of any policy violation, and it may also violate state criminal statutes and civil defamation laws.
-Immunity for Victims: The Warren Wilson College community encourages the reporting of conduct code violations and crimes. Sometimes, victims are hesitant to report to college officials because they fear that they themselves may be accused of policy violations, such as underage drinking at the time of the incident. It is in the best interests of this community that as many victims as possible choose to report to college officials. To encourage reporting, Warren Wilson College pursues a policy of offering victims of crimes amnesty from policy violations related to the incident.
-Good Samaritan: The welfare of students in our community is of paramount importance. At times, students on and off-campus may need assistance. Warren Wilson College encourages students to offer help and assistance to others in need. Sometimes, students are hesitant to offer assistance to others, for fear that they may get themselves in trouble (for example, a student who has been drinking underage might hesitate to help take a sexual misconduct victim to Public Safety). Warren Wilson College pursues a policy of limited immunity for students who offer help to others in need. While policy violations cannot be overlooked, the college will provide educational options, rather than mere punitive actions, to those who offer their assistance to others in need.
-Notification of Outcomes: The outcome of a campus hearing is part of the educational record of the accused student, and is protected from release under federal law, FERPA. However, Warren Wilson College observes the legal exceptions as follows:
-Complainants in non-consensual sexual contact/intercourse incidents have an absolute right to be informed of the outcome and sanctions of the hearing, in writing, without condition or limitation.
-Complainants in sexual exploitation/sexual harassment of general harassment complaints have a right to be informed of information regarding sanctions that personally identifies and is directly pertinent to them, such as the imposition of a restriction on physical contact between the complainant and the accused student.
-Students who bring any sort of sexual misconduct complaint against faculty or staff may be informed of the outcome and sanction because FERPA does not apply.
-Misconduct Online: Students are cautioned that behavior conducted online, such as email harassment, can subject them to college conduct action. Students must also be aware that blogs, web pages, Facebook entries, and similar online postings are in the public sphere, and are not private. These postings can subject a student to allegations of conduct violations if evidence of policy violations is posted online. The college does not regularly go searching for this information but will take action if and when such information is brought to the attention of college officials.
8.2.3 Policies Regarding Student Conduct
8.2.3.1 Official Communication
The College uses several methods for communicating official information to students and other members of the community. This information may include policy or regulation changes, emergency procedures, academic information, announcements of important events or meetings, notification of conduct actions, or other correspondence from the College. For all students, campus mailboxes, Warren Wilson email accounts, text messages and voice alerts, and the MyWWC portal will be used to communicate important information.
Students are responsible for all information communicated through these media and therefore are encouraged to check them daily.
8.2.3.2 Smoking
-Smoking is prohibited inside all campus buildings by order of Buncombe County law.
-Smoking is also prohibited within 25 feet of any campus building.
-On central campus, smoking is allowed in designated smoking shelters only.
-Promotional advertising, sale, or free sampling of tobacco is prohibited on campus.
-The sponsorship of any campus event by tobacco-promoting organizations is prohibited.
-Smokers are expected to use ashtrays or otherwise properly dispose of their cigarette butts.
On all parts of the Central Campus (including the pedestrian bridge) that are outside of designated smoking areas (DSA’s*). The Central Campus is defined as all property and structures between Warren Wilson College Road and the service road that leads to the Farm.
-Inside all campus buildings.
-Within 25 feet of all campus buildings not on the central campus.
-Within 25 feet of all athletic facilities, including the Alpine Tower, soccer fields, bleachers, and tennis courts.
-In all College vehicles.
There are three Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs). The number and location of these DSA’s may be changed by the President if needed. The covered structures are at the following locations:
-Lower Carson parking lot to the right of the HVAC unit
-Near the gravel parking area on the north end of Bryson Gym
-Behind the art buildings near the Village Residences.
8.2.3.3 Alcohol Possession and Use
-Consumption and possession of alcohol by students under the age of 21 is not permitted.
-Consumption and possession of open containers of alcohol are not permitted in public areas except in cases where an authorized event allows it.
-Any behavior connected with the use of alcohol that compromises the safety of self or others through violence, harassment, or the use of a vehicle under the influence will be seen as the most serious violations of the alcohol policy.
-The sale of alcohol to others without a license is prohibited.
-A student over the age of 21 that has a roommate/suitemate who is under 21, must ensure that any alcohol in the room is clearly in their direct possession
-Students who are over the age of 21 may not store alcohol in a common space that is shared with students under 21 years of age.
-Anyone under the age of 21 may not brew or attempt to brew or possess brewing equipment with the intent of brewing alcoholic beverages.
-Aiding and abetting an underage person in the sale, purchase, and/or possession of alcohol is prohibited
Public areas where alcohol is not permitted include athletic events, all outdoor spaces such as fields and the pond, residence hall patios, lounges, hallways, porches, and courtyards. Common source containers of alcohol (kegs, beer balls, etc.) empty or full are permitted on campus only when approved by a College official through the event registration process and they are never permitted in residence halls, even if empty.
8.2.3.3-1 Campus Regulations and Practices Related to Alcohol: Alcohol is not permitted at official work crew functions. College funds may never be used to purchase alcohol for student events.
8.2.3.4 Controlled Substances (Drugs)
-In accordance with North Carolina State laws, the College prohibits the possession, use, manufacture, sale, or delivery of controlled substances on campus.
-Possession of drug paraphernalia is also prohibited on campus. This includes any item typically used to facilitate the use of a controlled substance.
Controlled substances include all of those listed on Schedules I through V of the Federal Controlled Substances Act. Examples of controlled substances include, but are not limited to marijuana, hallucinogens, opiates, barbiturates, and amphetamines. This also includes prescription medication being used in a manner not consistent with the prescription or by someone other than the person for whom the prescription was written.
The sale or delivery of a controlled substance is considered a serious drug policy violation. Sale is defined as the exchange of a controlled substance for money, services, or other items of value. Delivery is defined as obtaining a controlled substance in one location, either on or off-campus, and delivering it to a person(s) in another location.
8.2.3.4-1 Drug Convictions and Federal Student Aid: A person who has been convicted (as an adult) for possession of illegal drugs is ineligible for federal aid for one year for a first offense, two years for a second offense, and indefinitely for a third offense. A person who has been convicted for the sale of illegal drugs is ineligible for federal aid for two years for a first offense and indefinitely for a second offense.
To regain eligibility you must complete a drug rehabilitation program that meets the standards set by Congress and the Department of Education. For more information, call 1-800-FED-AID.
8.2.3.5 Damage to or Destruction of Property
-Damaging, defacing, abusing, or destroying the property of another, including the College, is strictly prohibited. This includes graffiti.
8.2.3.6 Taking of Property/Theft
-It is considered against college policy to take or use college equipment or possessions without the permission of the responsible party.
-It is a violation of our community standards to use without permission or willfully take the property of another. This includes not only physical takings, but also embezzlement, and fraud.
Warren Wilson College is not responsible for theft or damage to students’ possessions. It is strongly recommended that students keep their room/suite/vehicle/etc. locked for security reasons. In addition, we recommend that students obtain coverage under a homeowner or renter’s insurance policy for their personal protection.
8.2.3.7 Unauthorized Use of Space or Equipment
-Unauthorized entry or presence in a college space that is not open for use is prohibited unless specific permission has been given by the responsible party.
-Students are not permitted on the roof of any college building except for work purposes under the supervision of a work crew supervisor.
-The use of college equipment, including vehicles, is allowed only with specific permission from the responsible college official. This includes computer files and electronic accounts.
-Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of college keys is strictly against college policy.
-Forgery, alteration, or misuse of college documents, records or ID cards is a violation of policy.
8.2.3.8 Disruptive Behavior
-It is against college policy for students to engage in behavior that prevents the normal functioning of the College or significantly interferes with the rights of others to engage in the academic, residential, work, or service programs of the College.
8.2.3.9 False or Fraudulent Documents
-The creation, distribution, and/or use of false or fraudulent documents including IDs and parking permits is prohibited.
8.2.3.10 Fire Safety
-Having a fire without prior permission may be considered a violation of the fire safety policy.
All open fires on College property must be approved in advance by Public Safety in order to assure compliance with campus and local fire regulations, including periodic burn restrictions issued by the fire service. This includes fire rings at the pond, in Sage Circle, the Village, and campfires on college fields. Fires that are present without permission from public safety will usually be extinguished upon discovery. When using grills on-campus students should make sure that a burn ban is not in effect by checking the postings regarding fire conditions in Gladfelter, the Public Safety Office, or the Student Life Office.
8.2.3.10-1 Requirements:
-Permission must be requested a minimum of 24 hours before the fire.
-Weather is one of the main determinants in deciding if a fire can be allowed and therefore permission for a fire can be revoked based on changing weather conditions.
-Proper extinguishment equipment must be available as determined by Public
-Safety and based on the size and location of the fire.
8.2.3.10-2 Restrictions:
-All open flame is prohibited within fifty feet of any structure.
-Fires must not be left unattended.
8.2.3.11 Fire for Dramatic Effect and Special Open Flame:
The open flame used for dramatic effect includes candles, incense, oil lamps, Tiki torches, and any similar devices. The chapel and associated buildings on campus are the only buildings that may use candles and incense without permission. Open flames are never permitted within a residence hall.
8.2.3.12 Fire Related Permits:
For safety reasons and according to North Carolina state law certain open flame activities require a permit from the Campus Fire Marshal. These permits are obtained by contacting Public Safety.
8.2.3.12-1 Requirements: For any special open flames, a completed permit request must be filed a minimum of four (4) business days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) before the date of the event. In order to obtain this permit the person filing the permit request must meet the following requirements:
-Accurately complete a permit request form.
-Provide a person(s) to serve as designed fire watches.
-All devices must be approved by appropriate or relevant organizations (i.e. NFPA, UL, etc.).
-Provide appropriate safety equipment as necessary for the event.
-Satisfy any additional requirements requested by Public Safety.
8.2.3.13 Special Events and Open Flame - Performance Fire:
Any open flame that is not being used for heat, cooking, or light is considered performance fire. (Bonfires and campfires are not performance fires.) Performance fire includes but is not limited to fire spinning, fire dancing, and fire for dramatic effect (including pyrotechnics).
8.2.3.13-1 Requirements: For any performance fire, a completed permit request must be filed a minimum of four (4) business days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) before the date of the event. In order to obtain this permit the person filing the permit request must meet the following requirements:
-Have all required permits from the Buncombe County Fire Marshal.
-Provide a photocopy of the permit with the permit request form.
-Notify an officer at Swannanoa Fire Department of the date of the event.
-Have the fuel that is to be used inspected by Public Safety at least one day prior to the event (For information on fuel storage see regulations regarding flammable liquids on campus).
-Accurately complete a permit request form.
-Provide a person(s) to serve as designed fire watches
-Provide appropriate safety equipment as necessary for the event.
-Satisfy any additional requirements requested by Public Safety.
8.2.3.13-2 Restrictions:
-No permits will be issued for the interior of a campus building or for any space within 50ft of a campus building.
-No permits will be issued to a person who has violated the college fire safety regulations in the past calendar year. Nor can a person that has violated college fire safety regulations in the past calendar year be listed as a performer.
-No performer or designated fire watch may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, violations of this will result in immediate permit revocation.
-No permits will be issued for an event during a burn ban. If a permit is granted and a burn ban is issued the permit will be revoked.
The following will result in permit revocation and constitute a violation of college fire safety policy:
-Providing false information to Public Safety or any other college official while attempting to secure a permit will result in conduct action.
-Engaging in unauthorized activity that is not expressly covered by the permit issued will result in the cancellation of all future permits.
-Failure to cooperate with personnel from Warren Wilson Public Safety, the OCFM, Swannanoa Fire Department or Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office will also result in permit revocation.
8.2.3.14 Other Fire Safety Policies:
Fire Alarm Protocol: Sound Alarm. Evacuate. Call 911. Call Public Safety.
-It is prohibited to give a false alarm of fire, or to break the glass key protector, or to pull the slide, arm, or lever of any station or signal box of any fire alarm system, except in case of fire.
-It is also unlawful to willfully misuse or damage a portable fire extinguisher, or in any way willfully interfere with, damage, deface, injure or interfere with the function of any part or portion of any fire alarm, fire-detection, smoke-detection, or fire-extinguishing system.
-It is prohibited to disable a door closer
-Removal of the battery from the smoke detector in a residence hall room is prohibited
-Failure to immediately evacuate the building and remain outside the building during a fire alarm is prohibited.
-Intentionally or recklessly causing a fire that damages college or personal property, or causes injury will result in conduct action.
Although certain fireworks are now legal in North Carolina, all fireworks are prohibited on campus.
8.2.3.15 Harassment and Intimidation
The College finds it unacceptable to engage in any action or course of actions aimed at a specific person or persons in order to threaten, harass or intimidate. This covers all verbal and written communication regardless of medium (telephone, electronic communication, etc.). Harassment prompted by bias, where a person is targeted in whole or in part because of the person’s perceived race, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity is viewed as especially serious. Stalking behavior, defined as repetitive, menacing pursuit, following, and/or interference is considered a violation of this policy.
To learn more about harassment and intimidation as relates to sexual misconduct, interpersonal and gender violence, visit the Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy.
8.2.3.16 Hate Crimes and Bias Policy
8.2.3.16-1 Hate Crimes
A Hate Crime is a criminal offense that manifests evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the perpetrator’s bias against the identity (perceived or actual) of the victim including race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, and/or disability. Even if the offender was mistaken about the victim’s race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, military/veteran status, and/or disability, the offense may still be a hate crime as long as the offender was motivated by bias against that group.
It is important to report any incident that you believe may be criminal and may be motivated by hate or bias. You should make these reports by using the Bias Reporting System or by completing the Bias-Related Incident Reporting Form. You may also make a report directly to the Department of Public Safety at (828)-230-4592 or for resident students, notifying a member of the Residence Life Staff.
Hate/Bias Incident Report Form
8.2.3.16-2 Bias Policy
The Southern Poverty Law Center defines a bias incident as “conduct, speech or expression motivated, in whole or in part, by bias or prejudice. It differs from a hate crime in that no criminal activity is involved." Bias incidents include completed, attempted, or threatened abusive or hostile language and behaviors against persons, property, or an institution that involve a target(s) selected on the basis of the target's actual or perceived status (including race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, military/veteran status, and/or disability) that reasonably is understood to demean, degrade, threaten, or harass. Warren Wilson College will respond to unwelcome, discriminatory conduct that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive, and that so undermines and detracts from the target(s) educational experience so that the target(s) is effectively denied equal access to an institution’s resources and opportunities. By its very nature, bias will be deemed an aggravating circumstance to any violation of the Code of Student Conduct.
Having and voicing an opinion is protected by freedom of speech. Warren Wilson College is a place for growth and discussion with a primary focus on the positive exchange of ideas. While this value of openness protects individual thought, it does not protect harassment or expressions of bias or hate aimed at individuals that violate the community standards.
8.2.3.17 Lack of Cooperation with a College Official
-Failure to comply with a reasonable request of a Public Safety Officer or a member of the staff, including, but not limited to, Resident Assistants, Senior Resident Assistants, and Area Coordinators
-All students are required to present identification to a college official on campus when it is requested.
-Presenting false statements (including false identification) to a staff member requesting information or investigating a situation or to a staff member or board in a conduct hearing is against college policy.
8.2.3.18 Physical Abuse or Violence
-Physical abuse or violence of any kind, including assault, directed at another person will not be tolerated in our campus community.
To learn more about physical abuse or violence as relates to sexual misconduct, interpersonal and gender violence, visit the Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy.
8.2.3.19 School Closings
Typically the College remains open even in the event of extreme weather. On such occasions, some class meetings may be canceled or crew work altered if the professor or supervisor is unable to travel to campus. If your crew supervisor is not available, please report to the Work Program Office, bearing in mind that the crew may still need to function without a supervisor. Should the College need to close for whatever reason (e.g., prolonged loss of electricity) during severe weather; local broadcast media will air announcements to that effect. Even in those rare cases when classes are canceled, the College will need to continue other operations for the well-being of residential students. And the best assumption in each case is that the College will be open and your classes/crews will meet as scheduled. The relatively flat Bee Tree Road “back way” often provides a good alternative route to campus in snowy or icy conditions.
8.2.3.20 Weapons
-North Carolina state law prohibits weapons and fireworks on the grounds of any educational institution, including the entire Warren Wilson campus.
-Discharging fireworks inside a building is prohibited.
Prohibited items include guns, rifles, dynamite or other explosives, bombs, grenades, mines, bowie knives, dirks, daggers, slingshots, switchblade knives, blackjacks, metal knuckles, fishing or hunting knives, BB guns, stun guns, martial arts weapons, archery equipment, crossbows, or any other weapon not listed above. Pocket and penknives are allowed. Work tools such as large knives, saws, and hatches should remain at work and are not permitted in the residence halls, as they can be used as weapons. North Carolina law also stipulates that weapons cannot be kept in a locked car.