Student Conduct in Education Abroad

The University of Minnesota (“U of M”) regards all students as responsible citizens who have the same obligations as other citizens to observe the laws of the United States and the local and national laws of the host country. The U of M does not regard itself or its members as above the law in any way. In addition, as members of an academic community, students assume rights and responsibilities inherent to the nature of that community and bear a responsibility to preserve a collegiate environment that encourages the maximum development of students. 

The Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code governs the conduct of U of M students. Students who participate in U of M education abroad programs are enrolled at the U of M and are subject to the provisions of the Student Conduct Code to the same extent they would be if studying on a U of M campus. Any student who engages in conduct that violates the Student Conduct Code will be subject to review and sanctions. This will be done in consultation with the campus office charged with addressing violations of the Student Conduct Code, and prior violations will be considered. For those students enrolled at the U of M only for education abroad, information regarding students who violate U of M policies will be provided to the students’ home schools.

The Student Conduct Code incorporates rules and policies that students are responsible for knowing and following. Students must review and be familiar with:

  1. the Student Conduct Code;
  2. this policy;
  3. policy information on the education abroad center’s website;
  4. any information in any program guide or other regulations that is communicated in writing to the U of M education abroad program participants.  

Students are expected to comply with all provisions of the Student Conduct Code and other U of M policies and regulations. Examples of student conduct abroad covered by the Student Conduct Code (Section IV: Prohibited Behaviors) that are of particular concern include: 

Scholastic Dishonesty (Subd. 1)

  • Cheating, plagiarizing, unauthorized collaboration, or use of unauthorized materials 

Disruption of the Academic Environment (Subd. 15)

  • Obstruction of classes or other program activities
  • Behavior that results in prolonged or repeated disruption to other students, staff, faculty, host families, etc.
  • Diversion of academic materials needed by other students (e.g., unauthorized removal of library materials)
  • Damaging or taking another student’s coursework, papers, or projects 

Falsification (Subd. 16)

  • Falsification or alteration of academic or personal records, including transcripts, grade reports, application for admission or financial aid, and any other documents required for participation in a U of M-supported program
  • Forgery or alteration of U of M or host university/partner’s documents, identification instruments, or legal or government documents, or use of U of M or other documents to defraud 

Refusal to Identify and Comply (Subd. 17)

  • Failure to comply with directions, established guidelines, directives, timetables, and instructions of U of M or host university/partner officials acting in performance of their duties

Harm to Others (Subd. 6) 

  • Harassment 
  • Verbal or physical abuse of faculty, staff, students, representatives from U of M or its host university/partner organizations, or others 

Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Relationship Violence (Subd.9)

  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexual assault
  • Stalking
  • Relationship Violence

Disruptive Behavior (Subd. 19)

  • Actions that impact or infringe upon the U of M’s ability to successfully conduct current or future education abroad programming 
  • Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct, gestures, or actions 

Theft, Property Damage, or Vandalism (Subd. 13)

  • Damage to U of M program property or property of host universities/partners, residence halls, host families, apartments, or facilities used by fellow students
  • Theft
  • Vandalism at U of M programs or facilities, host universities/partners, or institutional members’ property

Violation of University Rules (Subd. 2)

  • Self-endangerment violations (see section on “Self-Endangerment Policy in Education Abroad” below)
  • Violation of any requirements contained in the release and waiver signed by the student (see “Student Release and Waiver”) 
  • Alcohol or drug policy violations (See section on “Alcohol and Other Drug Policy in Education Abroad” below)
  • Illegal or otherwise inappropriate use of U of M or host university/partner’s technology (see “Acceptable Use of Information Technology Policy”) 
  • Violation of residential guidelines or rules, including unauthorized overnight guests, excessive noise, rowdy conduct, and drunkenness

Violation of Local, State, or Federal Laws or Ordinances (Subd. 3)

  • Criminal behavior under laws of U.S. or host country

Self-Endangerment Policy in Education Abroad 

The U of M prioritizes the health and safety of students on education abroad opportunities. Students have a critical role to play in the maintenance of their own well-being, and students are expected to avoid or remove themselves from situations or conditions that a reasonable student in similar circumstances could foresee or understand to be potentially dangerous. Self-endangerment, for the purposes of this policy, includes activities or behavior that could result in personal harm, such as frequenting dangerous places, associating with criminals, or participating in extreme or repeated intoxication.

Alcohol & Other Drug Policy in Education Abroad 

The U of M does not encourage the use of alcohol or condone drinking patterns or behaviors that are detrimental to the health and welfare of the individual, the U of M community, or the community at large. Alcohol may be consumed, but not abused, by students who are of legal age in their host countries. Students who choose to consume alcohol do so with the knowledge that they remain responsible for their actions at all times. The U of M prohibits the use of alcohol in any of its education abroad activities, prohibits the use of alcohol that is illegal in the host country, and prohibits the distribution of alcohol to students who are not of legal drinking age in their host countries. The U of M will impose serious sanctions against any student who commits an alcohol infraction, including drunkenness or any abuse of alcohol.  

U of M education abroad programs have a zero-tolerance policy for purchase, possession, use, or distribution of any drugs considered to be illicit, illegal, or a controlled substance. Any violations will be grounds for dismissal. Students are further cautioned that the possession of drugs is often dealt with harshly by local, host-country law enforcement and neither the U of M nor the U.S. Embassy can obtain release from jail.  

The use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol are detrimental to one’s health and well-being. The U of M urges students engaging in either to obtain the necessary assistance from medical professionals and counselors. Please contact Student Counseling Services on the Twin Cities campus or the appropriate office on the system campuses for possible treatment and assistance locations providing alcohol detox and drug rehabilitation, as well as the associated counseling. 

Pre-Departure Administrative Review of Misconduct 

The University of Minnesota reviews each education abroad applicant’s records, including academic, disciplinary, and other records, by reviewing student files in University offices such as the campus housing office, the campus conduct office, and the campus office of student affairs. This review is completed prior to an applicant’s confirmation to any program or education abroad opportunity and may include consultation with other University representatives.  Depending on what the University learns through this review, an applicant may be asked to fulfill additional requirements including, but not limited to, a meeting to discuss prior disciplinary actions, completion of previously imposed conduct sanctions, drafting of a pre-departure behavioral agreement, or a pre-confirmation review of eligibility for education abroad.   

Administrative Review of Misconduct Abroad 

As noted above, you are expected to comply with all education abroad program rules and the Student Conduct Code at all times.  Your choice not to comply with these policies may result in immediate administrative action, up to and including removal from the program.  In addition, you may be referred to the campus office charged with addressing violations of the Student Conduct Code (“conduct code office”). You understand that by participating in this program, you may be subject to immediate administrative action before there is any finding as to whether you have violated the Student Conduct Code.

The following is the process that will be followed if the program receives a report (or otherwise learns) that you may have violated program rules or the Student Conduct Code: 

  1. The reported information will be provided to the campus education abroad office and, if appropriate, the campus conduct code office.  In addition, if the alleged misconduct implicates the Administrative Policy: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence, then the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or similarly responsible campus office (“EOT”) will also be advised. EOT will follow its process as it would with any other report of alleged sexual misconduct.
  2. If immediate administrative action is considered, you will be provided with information regarding the alleged misconduct and provided an initial opportunity to respond, either in-person, via video conference, or via telephone.
  3. Taking into consideration the reported information and your response—and any other information that has been received relating to the alleged misconduct—the U of M will make a preliminary determination as to whether immediate administrative action, including potential immediate removal from the program, is appropriate.  This decision (and all decisions in this process) will be made by the campus education abroad office in consultation with at least two of the following offices or individuals:
    1. the campus conduct code office;
    2. the Office of the General Counsel;
    3. the Director of International Health, Safety, and Compliance;
    4. if the report involves allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking or relationship violence, in consultation with EOT.

You may be immediately removed from the program if (1) the reported information and your response—and any other information that has been received relating to the alleged misconduct—make it more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred and (2) one of the following is true:

  1. You have shown a persistent unwillingness to comply with program rules or to engage in appropriate behavior during the education abroad program.
  2. Your continued involvement in the program would be unreasonably disruptive.
  3. Your continued involvement would pose a risk to the safety of yourself or others.
  4. In matters involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking or relationship violence, your continued involvement in the program would likely cause harm to the well-being of one or more participants in the program and interim accommodations or protective measures alleviating this harm are not reasonably feasible.   

The U of M has discretion to take other immediate administrative actions (e.g., administrative warning, removal from host family, restriction from certain activities, change in living location, etc.)—short of removal—if it appears to be in the best interest of you or others directly or indirectly involved in the program.

  1. You will be advised of the U of M’s preliminary decision on the issue of immediate administrative action in person, via telephone, or via video conference, before the administrative action is imposed. At that meeting, you will be provided the opportunity to respond.  After you have had the opportunity to respond, the U of M will make a final decision as to whether to impose an immediate administrative action.

The decision on whether to impose an immediate administrative action is not a finding as to whether you have violated the Student Conduct Code.  The U of M only makes a finding of responsibility regarding the Student Conduct Code through the procedures outlined in the Resolving Alleged Student Conduct Code Violations policy and/or the Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence policy.

Revised by the GPS Alliance and Office of the General Counsel - 12/2025

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