Common Misconceptions

Community Responsibility

Behavioral expectations, along with their application and their enforcement, are the responsibility of all members of the Whitworth community. Because of this, if one of us is present at the commission of a known violation, and if we fail to confront those who are in violation, our silence will be considered passive approval and participation, making us responsible for the violation as well.

Community Cooperation Expectations

The cohesiveness of any community depends upon the willingness of its members to cooperate to promote community values and ideals that help to keep the campus safe. While this cooperation should extend to all members of the community, it is especially important that we cooperate with those members of the Whitworth community who have been entrusted with responsibility for the enforcement of behavioral policies. At a minimum, such cooperation must include a willingness to identify oneself when asked to do so and a commitment to exclude all actions clearly identifiable as hostile, threatening, or that could endanger the health and safety of the community. Students who fail to cooperate with community employees as prescribed in this policy are subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension from the university for the remainder of the academic term and for the term following any violation.

Off-Campus Behavior

Students are viewed by the larger community as representatives of Whitworth, and they must understand that their behavior reflects on the university. While the university treats students as private citizens who are responsible for their own behavior, there are instances in which the university reserves the right to address students for behavior that occurs off campus. Examples of off-campus behavior that may warrant disciplinary sanctions include, but are not limited to, criminal offenses, behavior that indicates the student may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of any community member, and behavior that is seriously or chronically disruptive to the community.

Residence Hall Security

While the outside doors of each residence are locked 24/7 and can be accessed only with a student I.D. card, students are strongly urged to keep room doors locked at all times for an extra measure of security. There is a fine for propping residence exterior doors open, for using fire doors as entrances, for using windows to exit or enter residence halls, and for gaining access to roof areas of any campus buildings. 

Immunity for Complainants and Witnesses

The Whitworth community encourages the reporting of student-handbook violations. Sometimes complainants or witnesses are hesitant to report to university officials or to participate in investigations or conduct processes because they fear that they may be charged with policy violations, such as underage drinking, at the time of the incident. It is in the best interest of this community that as many complainants as possible choose to report violations to university officials and that witnesses come forward to share what they know. To encourage reporting, the university will not charge complainants and witnesses with a policy violation (e.g. alcohol possession or cohabitation). While complainants and witnesses will not be charged with a policy violation, they may be required to complete educational sanctions.

Bystander Engagement

The welfare of students in our community is of paramount importance. At times, students on and off campus may need assistance. The university encourages students to offer help and assistance to others in need. Sometimes, students are hesitant to offer such assistance, for fear they may get themselves in trouble (for example, an underage student who has been drinking might hesitate to help walk a sexual assault complainant to Whitworth Security). The university will not charge a policy violation to students in need. While "good Samaritans" will not be charged with a policy violation, they may be required to complete educational sanctions.