Rules of Conduct
Introduction and General Clause
Lorenzo de’ Medici takes seriously its academic mission of fostering the creative and intellectual potential of each of its students in an international environment that values tolerance and respect. We believe in the concept of informed decision-making and wish to promote healthy behaviour.
In order to maintain an atmosphere that nurtures this potential, Lorenzo de’ Medici has established Rules of Conduct consistent with its mission and values.
By accepting admission to Lorenzo de’ Medici, students are accepting the conditions as described in these Rules of Conduct.
These conditions apply to behaviour both on and off campus (e.g., in the city, bars, clubs and other meeting places), and also include behaviour in all LdM activities (e.g., LdM clubs, volunteer activities, etc.). These Rules apply also to students’ behaviour in the apartment (or family) where they reside while attending Lorenzo de’ Medici.
In addition, the Rules contained herein supersede other LdM publications or documents (e.g., housing flyers, residence life brochures or handbooks, etc.). Any changes to the terms and conditions of these Rules of Conduct will be communicated to students in writing and will replace the relevant portions of this text.
1) General Conduct
Each student is expected to:
a) Act as a responsible member of the academic community, in language, personal interactions, and the treatment of property.
b) Act honestly. Providing false information to an LdM faculty or staff member is not allowed.
c) Treat others as they would like to be treated, and to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every person in the community.
d) Behave in classes according to the standards of a serious learning environment and be respectful of cultural norms and local etiquette. Disruption of teaching, study, administration or other Institute activities is not allowed.
e) Adhere to safety, attire, and hygiene standards of the academic environment during in-class and out-of-class activities. This includes appropriate dress and footwear requirements during all practical courses (e.g., cooking courses, studio art, etc.) and the respect of local etiquette and public morals during class visits and academic fieldtrips (e.g., visits to churches, museums, etc.).
f) Refrain from using computers, tablets, and mobile devices during lectures, unless instructed to do so by your professor.
g) Avoid eating and drinking during all lectures and/or academic activities.
h) Respect the personal and property rights of all other persons, of Lorenzo de’ Medici itself, and of the community at-large. Students are not allowed unauthorized entry to, or use of, an LdM building, structure or facility. Attempted or actual theft of, or the unauthorized possession of, LdM property or property belonging to any member of the LdM community is strictly forbidden.
i) Be responsible in helping keep yourself and the community safe.
j) Work with the community to prevent vandalism, hate speech, physical violence and harassment.
k) Acknowledge that we are all different – in social class, sexual orientation, religion, philosophies, ethnic groups, cultural background, physical abilities, and so on – and strive to understand one another and protect and affirm the right of all persons to be themselves.
2) Alcohol
a) Alcohol may be consumed, but not abused, by students who are of legal drinking age in their host country. All students are responsible for discouraging alcohol-related behaviour that is abusive to themselves or to others. Moreover, Lorenzo de’ Medici considers drunkenness and intoxication in public, whether inside or outside the Institute’s premises, unacceptable regardless of age.
b) LdM will not be held responsible for students’ alcohol abuse and/or for any consequences arising from alcohol abuse.
c) Penalties for violating the alcohol policy of LdM include but are not limited to: warnings, probations, fines, parental notification, service projects, and educational sanctioning. It is hoped that education will help students understand more about the residual effects of alcohol both physically and socially. Alcohol violations may also result in suspension or expulsions from LdM. Penalties are levied on a per-person basis.
3) Drugs
The consumption, sale, distribution, manufacture, purchase, or passing of controlled substances, drugs (including marijuana), intoxicants, and/or stimulants that are unlawful in Italy is expressly prohibited. The presence of the odor of marijuana and the possession of drug paraphernalia may be considered evidence that a drug violation has occurred. Students present in the vicinity of drugs or drug paraphernalia may be considered complicit in the activity, depending on the circumstances surrounding the student’s involvement.
Drug offenses carry severe sanctions since a student is not only breaking the Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici Rules of Conduct but also Italian law.
Separate from or in addition to prosecution by Italian authorities, a student found in violation of the drug rule may be placed on probation or expelled from the study abroad program. If Italian authorities do become involved in a drug-related offense and choose not proceed with prosecution, Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici may still impose serious sanctions, up to and including expulsion.
4) Assault and Fighting
Assault, fighting, and similar behaviour are serious offences that are considered detrimental to students and to the name of the Institute. Students engaging in such behaviour are subject to disciplinary action by Lorenzo de’ Medici and potential prosecution by Italian authorities.
5) Academic Dishonesty (Cheating and Plagiarism)
The Institute makes every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct. Within a wider framework of mutual respect, students should act with integrity and honesty in their academics. Instances of suspected academic dishonesty are reported by faculty to the Dean of Students or designated LdM staff who investigates in consultation with the faculty member and the Academic Committee. Violations include cheating on tests, plagiarism, inadequate citation, recycled work, unauthorized assistance, or similar actions not explicitly mentioned here. The Dean of Students may determine the sanction of a grade of “F” for any coursework, exam, or project determined to be academically dishonest. Sanctions may also include, but are not limited to, academic probation, receiving a grade of “F” in a course, and/or expulsion from the Institute.
6) Privacy Policy
a) The LdM privacy policy may be different from the privacy policy of the state where the students come from.
b) The LdM Privacy Policy is governed by the European law (Reg. UE 2016/679-G.D.P.R.) and Italian Law (D.lgs. 196/2003, as modified by D.lgs. 101/2018).
c) In the event of an issue regarding the infringement of the Lorenzo de’ Medici Rules of Conduct, the Institute reserves the right to notify a student’s parents, legal guardian(s), educational program, home institution, and relevant law enforcement agencies regarding all information relating to the incident.
d) By signing the LdM Rules of Conduct, the student authorizes the Institute to provide information to the student’s parents, legal guardian(s), educational program, and/or home institution in cases of serious violation or incident, including but not limited to severe illness/injury, mental health concern, criminal activity, sexual harassment, and/or sexual assault.
7) Confidentiality Policy
If a student requests confidentiality, LdM officials must weigh that request against the Institute’s obligation to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for its community members. If LdM honours a request for confidentiality, the student should understand that the Institute’s ability to meaningfully investigate an incident and pursue disciplinary action may be limited.
8) Enforcement of the Rules of Conduct
a) Determination of Violation. In the case of a possible violation of the Rules the following process will be followed. After a report is filed, the student will be required to meet with the Dean of Students or a designated LdM staff. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the student and the Dean or designated staff to discuss the possible violation. If the student does not admit to a violation, the Dean of Students or designated staff will decide whether the preponderance of the evidence shows that the student has violated Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Rules of Conduct.
b) Sanctions. In all cases involving a violation of any of these Rules, the Dean of Students or designated LdM staff may impose any combination of the following sanctions: oral or written admonition, written warning, probation, mandated counselling assessment, fines, withholding of academic transcripts, expulsion from Lorenzo de’ Medici, or any other discretionary sanctions. Sanctions may be notified to the program or university to which the students belong and/or to the parent/s or guardian/s, at the Institute’s discretion. Any sanctions by Lorenzo de’ Medici do not necessarily signify that further sanctions cannot be forthcoming from the home institution.
In case of expulsion for conduct or academic reasons, the Dean of Students or designated representative will decide the timing and the modality of execution. From the moment that notice is delivered, the student will no longer be a student of LdM, and will be obliged to leave LdM without any form of refunding. The student will no longer have access to LdM services, premises or activities. The student will be obliged to vacate LdM Housing (if applicable). Students will receive an “F” in each non-completed course.
c) Appeals. In all cases involving sanctions, the student may appeal to the Board of Directors of the Institute on the grounds of insufficient evidence, violation of rights, or severity of the sanction. The appeal will be based on the record of the original meeting, unless new material evidence has been discovered since that time.
d) Disciplinary Files. Files involving violations of the Rules by students will be maintained for five years from the date of sanction. Personally identifiable information about individual students in these files will be protected.