Drugs: The use, possession, consumption, sale, manufacture, or furnishing of illicit drugs and narcotics, including marijuana and drug paraphernalia, is prohibited by state law and university regulations. Violations may result in arrest and or suspension from the university for a definite period of time. 

Weapons: The use, possession, or carrying of any kind of firearms on any public school or institution of higher education property is a violation of state laws and university regulations. Violations may result in arrest, and or suspension from the university. The only exceptions are for authorized law enforcement officers, and in compliance with the Concealed Handgun Law. 

Note for concealed handgun carriers: You may NOT posses your handgun within any building on the
A&M-Commerce Campus. 

Sexual Assault: Pursuant to the Sexual Assault Victim's bill of Rights, it becomes important to promote the reporting of all sex crime violations as well as to outline the procedures to facilitate the reporting of all alleged violations. Therefore, students are hereby informed of the following programs and options. 


Definitions:

Sexual Assault- generally defined as attempted or actual unwanted sexual activity. 

Forcible and Non Forcible Sex Offenses - A forcible sex offense is "any sexual act directed against another person, forcible and or against that person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent," and includes forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object and forcible fondling. Non Forcible sex offenses are acts of unlawful, non forcible sexual intercourse such as incest and statutory rape. 

Educational Programs - Various programs addressing sexual assault, date rape, and related issues are presented throughout each academic year. 
These programs are conducted primarily by the Counseling and Student Development Center, the Student Activities Board, The Housing Dept., UPD, and other departments and agencies campus wide. 

Procedures for Reporting Offenses - In those instances where sexual assault is alleged, the victim is strongly encouraged to report the incident to the University Police Department. The victim will be given information as to how to go about brining formal charges against the accused. The victim will also be informed of the University Disciplinary Action that may be taken against the accused. 

Possible Sanctions - Depending on the severity of the crime, those found guilty of a sex crime may face criminal charges, suspension or expulsion from
the university. 

Changing Academic and or Living Arrangements - When appropriate, academic, and or on campus living arrangements may be modified as the direct result of a sexual assault. This action may be taken when requested by the victim and if such modifications are reasonable and available. These arrangements would be coordinated through the Dean of Students office. 

Counseling Services - Those students who have become victims of a sex crime are eligible for and encouraged to take advantage of the counseling services offered by the Counseling and Student Development Center located on the second floor of the Student Services Building. 

Code of Conduct: To provide for the safety of members of the university community and its property, Texas A&M University-Commerce has established standards of conduct to insure the orderly process of daily living. If facts suggest an applicant's behavior as a student may endanger the health and safety of university members, jeopardize the property of the university or its members and visitors, or adversely affect the educational process or mission of the university, then
a pre-admission review is required. Background checks for criminal convictions prior to employment are not conducted on university employees except for security sensitive positions. Employment applications specifically ask potential employees if they have ever been convicted of a crime other than minor traffic violations. A serious crime conviction is grounds for possible discharge of a university employee. 

Campus Facilities: The university facilities are well maintained, and security is given constant attention. Students, faculty, and staff at A&M-Commerce have access to academic, recreational and administrative facilities on campus. Visitors have access to facilities officially opened for study, work or related functions. The general public can attend cultural and recreational events on campus with access limited tot he facilities in which these events are held. The Physical Plant
Department maintains the university buildings and grounds while keeping safety and security in mind. The landscape personnel trim shrubs from sidewalks, walkways and building entrances to provide well lighted routes to buildings and parking lots. The campus is well lighted; however, improvements are made as conditions warrant. 

Residence Halls: Texas A&M University-Commerce Housing Department has thirty-two residence halls including apartment units. These residence halls accommodate three different life styles: Single-Sex halls for women or men, coeducational halls, and family apartments. All freshmen are required to live in university housing, unless special permission is granted. All students have the opportunity to apply for university housing. Many students prefer to live in off-campus
housing; however, the university does not provide supervision for off-campus housing. 

Each residence hall is supervised by a professional Head Resident and Assistant Head Resident who are assisted by trained graduate or under graduate resident assistants, all of whom live in the resident hall complex. These resident hall staff members are on call 24 hours a day, and undergo thorough training in enforcing residence hall rules, regulations and security policies. A security night receptionist is assigned to each single-sex and coeducational hall. These student receptionists are not associated with UPD, but are in phone contact with them. 

As a part of their responsibility for residence hall security, all staff members participate in lectures and seminars associated with safety and security. University administrators, police and safety officers provide instruction. 

Only residents and their invited guests are permitted in the living areas of the residence halls. It is the responsibility of residents to ensure that their guests are aware of the university and residence hall policies. It is the responsibility of each resident and staff remember to challenge or report individuals who cannot be identified as a resident or guest of a resident. When the UPD receives a report of an unescorted person in a residence hall, an officer is dispatched to identify that person.