Code of Conduct

Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination

The University is committed to maintaining learning and working environments that are free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Discrimination and harassment based on sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religion, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic under Egyptian law are prohibited. The University will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment (including sexual assault), or retaliation in the workplace or educational environment whether committed by students, alumni, staff, faculty, vendors, or by visitors to AUC while they are on campus. Each member of the community is responsible for fostering civility, for being familiar with the Policy, and for refraining from conduct that violates the Policy. Learn more about AUC's Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy.

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is the principal point of contact for any harassment, discrimination, or sexual misconduct complaints and ensures the University’s prompt and equitable response in compliance with AUC policies to stop and prevent the recurrence of the harassment, in addition to remedying the effects. The office works closely with impacted individuals to provide them the necessary support, backed by AUC’s resources. Anonymous complaints of alleged violations can be reported through different channels, including online reporting forms, one-on-one meetings, or by emailing the OIE at equity@aucegypt.edu. The University assures that information about cases remains confidential and is only shared on a need-to-know basis.

The AUC Speak Up webpage has all of the University’s official statements and news regarding the Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy, including steps on how to file a formal complaint, helpful resources, and important contacts.

Learn more about AUC's Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy. 

Report an incident

Read more about AUC SpeakUp initiative

REPORTING INCIDENTS OR SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF THE POLICY

SCE faculty or learners who believe that they have been subject to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation are encouraged to report, as soon as possible, their concerns. Individuals who witness what they believe may be discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation against another individual are also encouraged to report their concerns. If you are a witness or a bystander of an incident, you are also encouraged to report.

Reporting channels are:
1. Online – you can report your incident by filling the online reporting channels. You have an option of anonymous reporting.
2. Contact the Title IX Coordinator: Reem ElMograby at equity@aucegypt.edu. The Title IX Coordinator is a neutral party, responsible for coordinating the University’s response under the Policy.

For detailed information on the resolution process, please check the information under section VIII of the AUC's Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy.

Non-Fraternization

In keeping with its commitment to provide equal opportunity to students, faculty, and staff, and in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest, favoritism, exploitation, harassment or breaches of professional standards, the University prohibits romantic or sexual relationships where there is an inherently unequal position between the parties including supervision, direction or influence. Consistent with the purpose of this policy, employees and faculty shall not engage in romantic or sexual relationships with students they instruct, evaluate, assign or advise.

Intellectual Property Rights

SCE observes the policies of The American University in Cairo (AUC) regarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).  IPR comprises the issues of software licensing, material (i.e., books, CDs, DVDs, periodicals, video cassettes, audio recordings, and reprints), courseware, and Internet content usage. All course curricula and certificates designed and developed by SCE departments are an SCE property for the sole use in SCE classes. Partnership agreements between SCE and training providers specify the shared use of curricula and materials. All software used at SCE is original through a comprehensive licensing agreement between AUC and the vendors/manufacturers. The IPR policies are made public on the AUC website as part of the Academic Ethics policies.

Disclosure of Proprietary Interest

All employees should refrain from conduct that violates or adversely affect the rights of the institution at large or the rights of other members of the AUC community. The Code of Academic Ethics posted on the AUC website governs the behavior related to academic integrity, which is stated to be a commitment to the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility’, and sets the guidelines of behavior for SCE faculty, learners, and staff. In using books, handouts, materials, software, or any commercial product, every individual should avoid a real or perceived conflict of interest, and disclose them to the affected parties when they do exist. Partnerships with training institutions, such as Cisco Networking Academy Programs (CNAP) or Microsoft IT Academy, are disclosed to learners and the joint programs and products (for example courseware) are clearly identified.    

Photocopying

Photocopying textbooks and original content including computer software is a violation of international copyright laws and as such will not be tolerated. Photocopied textbooks and software are not allowed in SCE classes. Photocopying for classroom use must not substitute for the purchase of books or other materials. When learners are charged for photocopies, the charge must not exceed the actual cost of the photocopying. Additionally, all AUC copyright and photocopying policies apply to SCE.

Tobacco-Free Campus

Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited by learners, staff, faculty, and visitors outside of designated smoking areas effective February 18, 2018. The appropriate signage is placed around campus to make clear where the use of tobacco products is allowed. Learner organizations are prohibited from accepting money or gifts from tobacco companies and tobacco advertisements are prohibited in university-run publications and on grounds or facilities. Any violators of this policy will face progressive disciplinary actions.

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace

No employee may be under the influence of illegal or unauthorized drugs or alcohol during working hours. All employees must comply when asked by authorized personnel (his/her director) to undergo a drug test. It is prohibited that the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol by an employee on the University’s property. Failure to adhere to such instructions or to cooperate with persons administering the drug test will result in sanctions as prescribed in the applicable laws and University policy, up to and including dismissal. Employees found to be using illegal or unauthorized substances during working hours or on University property will be dismissed and may be reported to the appropriate legal authorities.

Cellular / Mobile Phone

Learners shall turn off their phones prior to entering the above mentioned sessions and not to turn on again until they are out of the above mentioned sessions. SCE faculty shall also abide by the rules and refrain from using their cell phones during class time.

Dress Code

All administrators, staff, and SCE faculty are expected to maintain a level of dress and personal appearance appropriate to their position and working environment.

Firearms and Weapons

All members of the University community, as well as visitors, are prohibited from possessing firearms, explosives or weapons on the premises of the University without the explicit advance authorization of the University, regardless of any license to possess the same has been issued to the possessor.

Parking Policy

AUC community members wishing to park on AUC’s New Cairo campus need to register their vehicles with the Office of Safety and Security, as well as purchase either daily tickets or longer-term subscriptions for parking lot access. Additionally, visitors will need to purchase tickets upon entry to campus in order to park their vehicles in the “visitor lot”. While on campus, AUC takes no liability whatsoever for any damage or theft caused to private vehicles.

Campus Access Policy

The American University in Cairo welcomes not only its students, faculty, staff, and alumni, but also members of the broader Egyptian and visiting international public, to a wide range of activities held on its campuses and in its facilities. The University also welcomes visitors and immediate family members (including minor children) of current faculty, students, staff, and alumni. All persons present on campus must be visually identifiable at all times.

Academic Integrity

AUC promotes an atmosphere of academic integrity by constantly reaffirming its value in all the forums of interaction at the University, involving students, faculty, administrators, staff, and parents. Academic integrity is a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. All activities at The American University in Cairo, from teaching to administrative and support functions, serve the process of learning.

Together, the University’s faculty, staff, and students form a cohesive academic community that shares the Code of Academic Ethics published at the University policies webpage. Generally, academic fraud and dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following categories: cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, multiple submissions, obtaining unfair advantage, unauthorized access to academic or administrative systems, aiding and abetting, impersonation, threatening harm, misconduct, and copyright infringement.

PPM: B10 June 2023

Absence
Enrollment of a learner in an SCE class constitutes a contract whereby the learner is purchasing a prescribed number of hours of instruction for a specific sum of money. SCE must deliver quality instruction time equal to the amount the learner has contracted for. SCE faculty shall teach the scheduled number of class hours and invest the prescribed number of preparation hours each term.  Necessary absences other than illness and emergency must have prior written approval of the department director.   

Punctuality
Punctuality is expected of all SCE faculty members. SCE faculty is required to be on time and to start and end their classes promptly. Faculty member punctuality is assessed by learners/customers in class. A faculty member with a punctuality problem over two consecutive terms will receive a warning letter from the Evaluation, Testing and Assessment Department (ETAD) Director.  A faculty member with continuing punctuality problems and consistent patterns of lateness over three consecutive terms is suspended for one term.

PPM: B10 June 2023

Attendance

All learners must attend at least 75% of the class sessions or class hours. Failure to do so will result in failure of the course, although the learner is allowed to attend classes.

Punctuality

Learners are expected to arrive on time for all scheduled classes and laboratory sessions. Learners will be considered late if they enter the class any time after the start of instruction. Learners are allowed to be late twice without penalty. All successive instances of tardiness will be counted as absences, although learners are allowed to attend the class.

Cheating

Cheating is not acceptable in an institution dedicated to learning. Cheating includes giving or receiving information during an examination, using unauthorized material during an examination, and other acts of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism. If a learner is caught cheating on the final examination (cf G5), the final course grade will be recorded as ‘F.’ The penalty for a second offense is automatic suspension from studying at SCE for one term and failure of the course. In instances of a third offense, the learner will be permanently dismissed from SCE.

Impersonation

Impersonating or allowing to be impersonated by another individual during classes, examinations or other university activities is a violation of the academic integrity policy. Learners violating this policy will be reported to Department Directors and referred to an ad-hoc learner disciplinary committee.

Misconduct

Acceptable adult behavior is expected of SCE learners in the classroom and on university campuses. Breach of such behavior shall be reported by the faculty member to the Department Director, and learners involved are referred to an ad-hoc learner disciplinary committee.

The fundamental purpose of the American University in Cairo’s regulation of Student Conduct, published at https://documents.aucegypt.edu/Docs/Policies/Code%20of%20Student%20Conduct.pdf, is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. In addition to maintaining good academic standing, students and student groups/organizations (recognized by the University and this includes office-led programs) must refrain from the following conduct, which is prohibited, irrespective of location (i.e., on or off University property) and whether committed against members or non-members of the University community:

1. Conduct that disrupts or interferes with the orderly functioning of the University, the performance of the duties of University personnel or other University business or activities, including without limitation studying, teaching, research, administration, including without limitation that of University property (e.g., blocking entrances and exits) is prohibited.
2. The physical or emotional abuse of any person or any action that threatens physical or emotional harm or endangers the physical or emotional well-being, health, or safety of any person.
3.  Any physical or verbal threats against or harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any person(s).
4. Conduct or a pattern of conduct not of a sexual nature (including without limitation physical, verbal, graphic, written, or electronic) in which a person approaches or pursues another person(s) with intent to place the person(s) in fear of physical harm or with intent to harass, bully or intimidate the person(s).
5.  The theft, destruction, damage to, or wrongful appropriation or vandalism of University, public or private property, or knowingly possessing stolen property.
6. The failure to comply with the directions (e.g. refusal to produce your student ID when requested) of University administrators or security acting in the performance of their duties responsible for maintaining order, safety, or security.
7. The unauthorized or improper use or misuse of University property, facilities, resources, or services, or the University name, logo, or seal.
8. The misuse or abuse of any University computer, computer system, Internet or communications service, program, data, networks, or resources, or related conduct that violates University IT policies.
9. The violation of any applicable Egyptian or U.S. laws, statute, regulation, code, or ordinance.
10. Conduct that disturbs the peace or impinges on the rights of residents, including without limitation: loud parties or excessive noise; shouting or talking that unreasonably disturbs other students or community members; public urination; drinking in public; littering or not disposing of trash appropriately; or failure to reasonably maintain premises.
11. The hosting or conducting of an event in violation of University, divisional, or unit policies or procedures.
12. Conduct that hinders, obstructs, or interferes with investigations, hearings, corrective actions/sanctions, appeals, and other implementation or administrative processes of this Code or any other University, divisional, or unit policy or procedure.
13. The failure to comply with the terms of any University directives, interim measures, or disciplinary corrective actions/sanctions.
14. Condoning, actively supporting, or otherwise encouraging any violation of this Code; students who observe a violation of University policy are expected to remove themselves from participation and are encouraged to report the violation (which can be done anonymously.)
15. The making, attempting to make, sharing, or distribution of an audio or visual recording, or photographing of, any person(s) without the knowledge and consent of all such person(s) in locations where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, and when the action causes or is likely to cause injury, distress, or damage to reputation or violates applicable law. Please note that public and/or common areas on campus and in buildings are not considered private, thus may be subject to videotaping, or photography for security and safety purposes.
16. The possession, sale, or manufacture of any false or altered form of identification, the improper use of any identification card, including knowingly altering a University student identification card, or using the identification card of another, or allowing one’s own card to be used by another. Impersonation.
17. The unauthorized burning of any material in or on any University building or property, including arson or tampering with any fire or other safety equipment.
18. Any forgery or fraud, including without limitation attempts to obtain any item of value under false pretenses, or falsification, forgery, alteration, destruction, or misuse of official University documents or seal.
19. The participation in any form of gambling.
20. Knowingly making a false statement or fabricating evidence in connection with a matter under this Code or any other University policy or procedure.
21. Violations of any University policy or procedure, including without limitation those concerned with:
22. Discrimination and Harassment
23. Student Organizations
24. Information Technology
25. Copyrights
26. Intellectual Property
27. Parking Regulations
28. Identification Cards
29. Providing assistance to or in any way perpetuating the activities of a student organization/group which was a formally recognized student organization or group that has lost or been denied University registration or recognition or dissolved as a consequence of responsibility for Code and/or other policy violations, even if operating under a different name.
30. The unauthorized or illegal use, possession, storage, transportation, sale, distribution, manufacture, or transfer of any weapons (including without limitation guns, firearms, shotguns, rifles, air rifles, paintball and pellet guns, BB guns, Tasers, and knives), chemicals, or explosives (including without limitation fireworks). Refer to Firearm and Weapons Policy.
31. The unauthorized or illegal use, possession, consumption, manufacture (synthesis or growth), sale, storage, transfer, transportation, or, distribution or sale of any controlled substance (including without limitation illegal drugs), or being on campus while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or conduct that violates the University’s Policy on Drug and Alcohol Policy.
32. Conduct that violates the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures, including sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. Refer to the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy.
33. Conduct that violates the University’s Tobacco-Free campus policy.
34. Conduct that violates the University’s Campus Access Policy.
35. Conduct that violates any of the policies on the University Policies webpage.
36. Violations of the University’s Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response policy, namely sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking will be investigated and resolved pursuant to the procedures in that policy.

The University reserves the right to institute disciplinary action whether or not the alleged misconduct results or may result in action by a civil or criminal court or a governmental authority. Any disciplinary action at the University will normally proceed irrespective of and separate from any action taken by courts or governmental authorities.

Drug and Alcohol

The university may conduct drug and/or alcohol testing under any of the following circumstances:

1. FOR-CAUSE TESTING: In the cases of evidence of use, or a justifiable cause, such as possession and/or distribution of drugs or alcohol on or about the learner’s person or in the learner’s vicinity. Only authorized personnel (AUC clinic medical personnel, Dean of Students, Well-being Office personnel, or chaperone for off-campus events in Egypt or abroad) may ask a learner to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test.

Note: Because the symptoms listed under the definitions of reasonable suspicion could be attributable to causes other than drugs or alcohol, the person reporting (a faculty, staff member, administrator, security officer, learner, or an AUC chaperone) the learner will document those facts that led him/her to believe the learner was impaired. In addition, the AUC clinic will evaluate the learner before testing to ensure that other likely causes have been reasonably considered.

2. POST-ACCIDENT TESTING: If a learner is involved in an accident on AUC property or at an AUC sponsored event off-campus, or who sustains an injury on AUC or at an AUC sponsored event where there is justifiable cause to be asked to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test.
3. OFF-SITE TESTING: If there is justifiable cause to suspect a student is in violation of the drug and alcohol policy while on a sponsored trip or event off-campus, whether in Egypt or abroad, he/she may be tested at a local facility or even possibly sent back to Egypt to be tested if necessary.

PPM: B10 June 2023