Creighton Community Standards

Community Expectations

The Creighton community is based on the Jesuit, Catholic tradition and is committed to supporting the intrinsic value of each human being. This tradition involves striving to create a human community influenced by the principles of justice and love, complete with respect and concern for all persons as children of God.

Creighton fosters an environment of learning from experience and moving beyond negative choices. We support students as they work through the potentially uncomfortable process of making choices that better reflect the personal and communal values articulated by the Jesuit values central to the mission of Creighton University. You’ll find information about our Student Handbook, hazing policies, our good neighbor policy and activism on campus below.

Student Handbook

The Creighton University Student Handbook applies to all enrolled students. It is published by the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct and Student Life.

The Vice Provost for Student Life, or his/her designee, is responsible for notifying students of the availability and accessibility of the publication. Additionally, the Vice Provost, or his/her designee, shall notify students of publicized changes to the Student Handbook. Changes are effective immediately upon publication. The published version and addenda supersede all previous editions of the Student Handbook.

The publication is neither a contract, nor an offer to enter into a contract. The University reserves the right to modify, deviate from or make exceptions to the provisions of the Handbook at any time and to apply any such modification, or make such deviation or exception applicable to any student, or student group, without regard to date of admission, application or enrollment. Every student is held responsible for the knowledge of the policies and standards contained in the Handbook.

Graduate-Level Student Handbooks

While all students (undergraduate and graduate) are held responsible for knowledge of the regulations and information contained in the Creighton University Student Handbook, graduate and professional students are also expected to adhere to the following college/school-specific expectations and standards:

Additionally, students can log in to view a complete list of student life policies and procedures (login required).

Anti-Hazing Information

Hazing is contrary to the Creighton credo. Creighton defines hazing in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)), which was amended to include the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Further, Creighton University reports hazing incidents, investigates hazing incidents, educates proactively to prevent hazing, and compiles statistics associated with any hazing acts committed.

Hazing is defined as: any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that is:
 

  1. committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and
  2. causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation at Creighton or the student organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury.

Hazing includes actions in connection with training, indoctrination, qualification for membership, functions or activities, or initiations conducted or sponsored by any student organization, athletic team, or group of students.

Hazing includes any action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, intended to produce or which may foreseeably produce unusual or unnecessary mental or physical discomfort or pain, embarrassment, harassment, ridicule or risk of physical, mental or emotional harm or injury. 

Hazing also includes any action or situation which is intended to be or which may foreseeably be morally, physically, emotionally or mentally degrading to any individual, or which unnecessarily exposes any individual to any risk of physical, mental or emotional harm, injury or distress beyond the risks encountered in ordinary daily life, or which is intended to intimidate or has the effect of intimidating any individual to unwillingly or reluctantly engage in any activity, or which unreasonably interferes with scholastic activities or pursuits of any individual.

The University fully reserves the right to interpret this policy, and to apply it as interpreted, to the actions of University students and student organizations as University officials in their discretion deem appropriate under the circumstances.

The University will impose serious disciplinary action upon any student or student organization, athletic team, or group of students found in violation of this policy, up to and including revocation of the charter of, and/or withdrawal of University privileges from, a student organization, athletic team or student group and suspension or dismissal from the University of individual students determined to have violated this policy.

Any form of hazing is contrary to Creighton's Student Credo. Any individual who believes she or he has been subjected to or knows of hazing should report the violation as soon as possible to Community Standards and Student Conduct at (402) 280-2775. This Hazing Policy can be found on the Student Life website on Hazing (log-in required).

Good Neighbor Guidelines

Consistent with Creighton’s Standards of Conduct is the affirmative support for equal rights and opportunities for all members of the Creighton University community, realizing that you are a member of a larger community, understanding societal issues and being a responsible participant in the civic and Creighton community. Always try to do what is right and fair by treating others as you would expect to be treated yourself. Know that being a good neighbor can be difficult because people hold different beliefs and perceptions. It is important that all of us respect the rights of others and that we accept the responsibilities, as well as the benefits, of good citizenship. These guidelines give students an understanding of how behavior may affect others.

Students must adhere to the Creighton University Community Standards on and off campus. Students who allow or sponsor house parties that disturb the neighborhood and adversely affect the surrounding community, will be subject to review by the University and be referred to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. 

Our Good Neighbor Guidelines are outlined below.

  1. Promote a Peaceful and Respectful 
    Environment Protect the environment from noise, litter and other intrusions. This includes being appropriately quiet during evening and night hours, keeping auto and home stereo systems at acceptable sound levels, and not leaving litter or trash on campus, city of Omaha streets or neighbors’ or students’ properties. 
  2. Keep the Exterior of Your House/Apartment Tidy 
    Properly maintain off-campus rooms, apartments or houses. This includes many of the recommendations stated above plus other vital information, such as keeping rooms, apartments and houses litter-free and putting trash on the street curb for pickup once per week. Students who live off campus can contact the City of Omaha and Deffenbaugh Trash to find out about trash pickups and recycling. 
  3. Know Your Rights as a Citizen of Omaha 
    Educate yourself on how to report things to your local precinct, Mayor’s hotline (402.444.5555) or your neighborhood association. All tenants and landlords are subject to the zoning and health and safety laws of the city of Omaha. Please feel free to contact the Office of Community Standards and Wellbeing, to find out more about the zoning laws and how they affect students as tenants. 
  4. Engage in the Greater Omaha Community 
    All students are encouraged to join on-campus clubs/organizations, which perform community service by working with such groups as the Siena Francis House or Lydia House, local parishes such as Sacred Heart and Holy Family and local soup kitchens.

    Students who live off campus are also encouraged to join civic programs and neighborhood associations because membership for these groups is not limited to homeowners. It is rewarding and mutually beneficial to participate in community-service learning and neighborhood activities, such as civic meetings and block parties. 

Drug Free Schools and Campuses Act

In 1989, U.S. Congress passed the Drug Free Schools and Campuses Act. This Act requires Creighton to provide enrolled students with various pieces of information regarding the unlawful use of drugs or alcohol on University property or at any University-sponsored event.

Freedom of Expression

Creighton University strives to be a community that is dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms and to the betterment of society. As a University, Creighton is committed to its role as an academic institution in which the widest possible freedom of expression and openness to diverse ideas should be responsibly presented and examined. It is because of these commitments that we embrace freedom of thought and expression. Essential elements in the Ignatian tradition emphasize active dialogue and the innate dignity of each member of our community.

What is activism? Activism is defined as “a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue.” (Merriam-Webster, 2020) Creighton’s mission and values point us to be men and women for and with others, to be agents of change, and strive towards the betterment of society. At times, the Creighton community might activate around a broad range of social issues. Activism can take many forms including on-campus demonstrations, participating in phone banks, writing letters to legislators, or other actions of being in solidarity with a community.

Updated in February 2020, the  Freedom of Expression and Active Dialogue Policy provides guidance in reconciling possible or perceived conflicts between Creighton’s commitments as a Jesuit, Catholic institution and its commitments as a university when events, activities and demonstrations are hosted, sponsored, or funded by any Creighton University entity, while ensuring the orderly functioning of the University and a safe learning environment. 

A brief overview of the procedure as it related to students and student clubs/organizations is outlined below. View the full policy and procedures. 

The following steps must be completed when it is likely that a promoted event will be designated a controversial event:

  • In the case a promoted event requires review by the Vice Provost for Student Life or the Vice Provost’s designee, the student club/organization should give advanced notice to staff in the Student Leadership and Involvement Center.  (It is preferred 30 or more days in advance to allow an informed judgement as to whether or not to designate the promoted event a controversial event and allow sufficient time to build an event support plan.)
  • The student club/organization must provide an event proposal using the event proposal template and include all relevant and requested information. This includes but is not limited to background information on the speaker or performer, format of the event, event plan, execution details, and anticipated audience.
  • The Vice Provost for Student Life or the Vice Provost’s designee will review all submitted information and determine whether to designate a promoted event as a controversial event.
  • The Vice Provost for Student Life or the Vice Provost’s designee determines whether to designate a promoted event as a controversial event for student clubs/organizations.
    • If designated a controversial event the Vice Provost for Student Life or the Vice Provost’s designee will determine if the controversial event is approved and under what circumstances (including but not limited to the format of the event) the controversial event may proceed.
      • The organizer or their designee will include in their opening/introductory remarks the Freedom of Expression and Active Dialogue Policy’s purpose, as well as the no connoted endorsement statement in their entirety. The organizer may be required to include the no connoted endorsement statement in advertisements for the event.
      • Once a controversial event proposal has been approved by the Vice Provost for Student Life or the Vice Provost’s designee, any alterations to the promoted event’s proposal must be submitted for review and approval prior to the event.
    • If the Vice Provost for Student Life or the Vice Provost’s designee does not allow an event to proceed or otherwise limits how the event may proceed, the event organizer may appeal that decision to the President or the President’s designee. The decision of the President or the President’s designee is final.

Registration of Demonstration

The University also acknowledges the rights of members to express their views by way of individual or collective activity. For reason of general information, assistance and courtesy, as well as good order, the University requires that those contemplating demonstrations and similar activity make their intentions known in advance to the Vice Provost for Student Life or the Vice Provost’s designee for approval. Request to host a demonstration. It is important to engage with the Division of Student Life’s Assistant Director for Programming and Student Organizations, so the demonstration is registered and supported.  

Timeline

Recognizing the University policy calls for 30 days advance notice is required, the University also recognizes the spontaneous nature of demonstrations. In order to best support you and your planning team, we suggest you submit your Request for a Demonstration at least two business days in advance.  

Discernment and Action

Our Jesuit, Catholic mission calls us to reflect and discern where we are called to action. This is an ongoing cycle to engage in and allows event organizers to be focused on planning efforts. Reflecting, discerning, acting, and debriefing are all important parts of considering whether a demonstration is right for your group.  

Safety

It is important to consider safety when planning the demonstration. The Vice Provost for Student Life or the Vice Provost’s designee will assist students in crafting a safety plan for the demonstration. However, it’s also important that students consider rights and responsibilities established for those participating in the demonstration.

The Student Handbook provides additional guidance regarding Group Activity/Demonstrations on page 75. It is important to note that all policies and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook would also be applicable and enforced during the demonstration. Students should be knowledgeable about policies while planning the demonstration.

Contact Student Life

Creighton Hall Suite 224 
P: 402.280.2775 
F: 402.280.4706 
studentlife@creighton.edu

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