Home Page for Boise State University

Conduct in College

We are all bound by University Policy. As a student, you are bound by the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct. Check Article 2, section 18 (page 6), Article 4, section 1 (page 9), and Article 6, Section 1 (page 13).

The following dos-and-don'ts list is an amalgam of general policies and your instructor's pet peeves. Scan the list at least once.

1. Conduct During Exams
   • If you are wearing a cap with a bill, you must reverse the cap during exams. Make the bill hang down in back.
   • If you are wearing a hoodie, keep the hood "down" off your head during exams.
   • Turn your cell phone or pager off during exams. Then put it away out of sight.
   • You may not use cell phones or PDAs (such as Palm Pilots or Pocket PC's) as calculators during any exam. No exceptions will be made. These machines have communication capabilities which are inappropriate in this context. Keep them put away out of sight during exams.
   • You may not listen to a Walkman, iPOD, or portable tape or other media player during an exam.
   • Avoid giving the appearance of cheating on exams. During exams, keep your eyes on your own paper. If you do need to stare into space in aid of cogitation, stare somewhere neutral.
   • You must not leave the classroom with test materials on the test day.
   • You must turn in exam papers at the end of the exam period. If your paper is not among those checked in at the end of the exam, your score is zero for that exam.
   • If you must mutter to yourself during exams, don't vocalize.
   • Don't click your pencil unnecessarily.
   • On a test day, do not remove that test's materials from the classroom -- hand in your test stuff for the instructor to check off.
   • Don't kick or tap the furniture or the floor during exams.
   • If your desk squeaks with your every move, move to a different desk.
   • Don't wear jangly jewelry to exams.
2. Conduct on Campus
   • When a fire alarm goes off, it is our duty to leave the building immediately in good order by the nearest door to the outside. Keep vital items like car keys and wallets right on your person -- you may not have an opportunity to gather belongings. Sometimes the problem causing the alarm is quickly resolved, and class may resume -- your instructor will advise you once the building is evacuated and the situation is clear.
   • When you are conversing in the hallway, keep your voice low so as not to interfere with classes in session.
   • Cellphone microphones are quite sensitive, so you need not talk very loudly when using your cellphone. A nice low-profile, confiding, cell-phone style is good PR.
   • Likely you will share university computer facilities.
     • You are urged to take it easy on the equipment.
     • Game playing or recreational surfing are not forbidden, but, if the facility is crowded, you probably shouldn't start a game/surf, and, in any case, you should stop your game/surf if someone needs the station for class work.
     • A big no-no is eating or drinking in a computer lab.
     There are Policies on use of math-department computer labs as well.
3. Classroom Conduct
   • Please keep cell phones unobtrusive. If you must take an emergency call during class, please quietly slide out into the hall to talk. Please don't let this happen routinely.
   • Avoid visiting during class time. This bothers your classmates and the instructor. And, likely you are missing something. If you know it all, and cannot refrain from chattering during class, why not go to the SUB during class? Or Bogus Basin?
   • If you are late to class, or must leave early, try to be unobtrusive. Sit on the periphery of the classroom.
   • It's OK to lunch or snack during class. Try to avoid foods or containers which make a lot of noise. Be sure to dispose of the remains.
   • If your beverage capsizes, get a wad of paper towels as soon as possible (like NOW) to mop it up -- puddles on tile floors are especially hazardous to your fellow citizens.
   • If you need to argue for more points on an exam or other item, please do not do it during class time. Please see your instructor in private outside of class.
   • If you have suggestions or critical comments about the instructor's conduct of the class, please save them for a private conversation with the instructor outside of class.
4. Cheating
   • Collaboration on homework is expected and even encouraged. This does not mean copying of homework, of course.
   • Avoid giving the appearance of cheating on exams. During exams, keep your eyes on your own paper. If you do need to stare into space in aid of cogitation, stare somewhere neutral.