Updated August 2026
2.19 | Failure to Comply and Disorderly Conduct
2.19.A | Disruptive Activity: Activity that interferes with teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, residential communities, academic mission or pursuits, free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on university premises, or other university missions, processes, or functions, including public service functions or other universities activities. Such activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled or normal activities on university premises.
- Classroom behavior that seriously interferes with either (a) the faculty member's ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of other students to profit from the instructional program. See Section 1.21 of this Handbook.
- Any behavior in or out of class which for any reason interferes with the class work of others, involves disorder, or otherwise disrupts the regular and essential operation of the University.
- Activity or conduct that violates the Freedom of Expression rule in this Handbook. See Section 1.18.
2.18.B | Disorderly Conduct: Public behavior that is disruptive, lewd, or indecent; breach of the peace; or aiding or procuring another person to breach the peace on university premises or at functions sponsored by the University or participated in by members of the University community.
2.19.C | Harmful, Threatening, or Endangering Conduct: Intentional or reckless behavior that harms, threatens, or endangers the physical or emotional health or safety of others, including, but not limited to:
- Physical Assault: Any attempt to cause injury or inflict pain; or causing injury or inflicting pain. Causing physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative. It is not a defense that the person, group, or organization against whom the physical assault was directed consented to, or acquiesced to, the physical assault. This rule is not intended to prohibit customary public athletic events, contests, or competitions that are sponsored by the University or the organized and supervised practices associated with such events, or any activity and conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate educaitonal curriculum, a legitimate extracurricular program, or a legitimate military training program as defined and approved by the University.
- Threats: Communication of a serious expression of an intent to harm a specific person or group of people. Action that causes a reasonable expectation of injury to the health or safety of any person or damage to any property.
- Intimidation: Conduct that would lead a reasonable person to fear for their physical safety, regardless of whether physical contact or injury occurs.
- Retaliation: Adverse action, treatment, or condition taken because of an individual's participation in a university process. Including acts intended to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, that is likely to dissuade a reasonable person from filing a report or participating in a university process.
2.19.D | Breaching Safety or Security: Unauthorized access to university facilities. Unauthorized entry into, or use of, University premises. Intentionally damaging door locks. Unauthorized possession of university keys or access cards. Duplicating university keys or access cards. Propping open of exterior residence hall or other campus building doors. Tampering with fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarm pull stations, gas detectors, or emergency exits. Unauthorized entry into another person's, or entity's, residence, vehicle, or business.
2.19.E | Failure to Comply: Failure to comply with proper and lawful direction of any University official or law enforcement officer. In alignment with Texas Education Code 51.209, individuals are required to provide identification upon request to any university official or law enforcement officer while on university property. Intentionally fleeing a University official or law enforcement officer when the person knows, or reasonably should have known, the University official or law enforcement officer is attempting to confront, arrest, or detain the individual.