Student Expectations
The College expects all students to behave responsibly as citizens of this community. Therefore, all students must abide by the Rhodes Honor System—the Honor Code, the Standards of Conduct, and the Rhodes Commitment to Diversity. With the Honor System, everyone in the Rhodes College community maintains the values and expectations by which they live and learn together.
Behavior that represents a persistent and/or significant departure from these expectations may result in restrictions, removal from campus, suspension, or expulsion from the College. Rhodes College reserves the right to separate from the institution any person whose conduct is determined to be inconsistent with the standards and values of the community. In such cases, no refunds are made for tuition, fees, or room and board, and the College, its students, faculty, administrators, councils, committees, and officers do not bear any liability.
The Associate Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students, the Office of Community Standards, administrative designees, the Honor Council, and the Community Standards Council are responsible for the administration and enforcement of student conduct processes and behavioral expectations.
This section of the College Catalogue provides a general overview of student expectations and policies. The Student Handbook, available on the College website, serves as the official and comprehensive source for all student policies and procedures.
The Honor Council and Community Standards Council
Rhodes students assume responsibility for honorable conduct in campus life. They elect an Honor Council and a Community Standards Council. Each Council is composed of elected representatives from each of the four classes. The Council investigates alleged infractions of the Honor Code and Standards of Conduct and enforces regulations with outcomes up to and including expulsion. The decision may be appealed to the designated Committee. Every entering student is expected at matriculation to sign a pledge promising to uphold the College Commitment to Diversity Statement, the Honor Code, and the Standards of Conduct. .
Alcohol Use
A complete description of the Rhodes College Alcohol Policy is available in the Student Handbook on the College website. As a community, we embrace the vision of a healthy and balanced social environment grounded in trust and open communication among faculty, staff, and students. Such an environment fosters personal and community growth and embodies a sense of responsibility and accountability to self and others. This vision depends on each member's commitment to achieving and maintaining inclusiveness, consistency, continual education, and the growth of shared traditions. It is our duty to one another. Rhodes College supports legal, responsible, and healthy behaviors and reflects our community values.
Rhodes supports legal, responsible, and healthy behaviors related to alcohol use and is committed to ongoing education regarding the effects of alcohol consumption. The College provides educational programming, prevention initiatives, and access to confidential support resources designed to promote informed decision-making and reduce alcohol-related harm. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, as well as College policies related to alcohol use. Violations of the Alcohol policy may result in disciplinary action through the College’s Community Standards process and may also subject individuals to criminal or civil penalties under applicable law.
Drug Use
The possession, use, manufacture, sale, distribution, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or controlled substances on College property or at College-sponsored activities is prohibited. The misuse or abuse of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, or other legal substances is also prohibited. Such conduct:
- Violates the federal, state, and local law;
- Poses significant risks to an individual’s physical and mental health and well-being; and,
- Undermines the safety, security, and integrity of the Rhodes community.
All members of the Rhodes community (students, faculty, and staff) are responsible for knowing and complying with applicable laws (local, state, and federal) regarding controlled substances and prohibited drugs. Any member of the Rhodes community who violates the law is subject to prosecution and punishment by civil authorities and to disciplinary proceedings by the College.
Rhodes College is committed to education, prevention, and support related to substance misuse. The College provides educational programming and access to confidential resources and referrals for community members seeking assistance related to substance use or dependency concerns.
Sexual Misconduct Policy
Rhodes College is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment that supports the dignity of all members of the Rhodes community. Rhodes does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any of its education or employment programs and activities. Rhodes will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.
This Title IX Policy (the “Policy”) is intended to ensure that all members of the Rhodes community involved in a Title IX case receive appropriate support and fair treatment, and that allegations of sexual harassment are handled in a prompt, thorough and equitable manner.
All of Rhodes’ students and employees are expected to comply with this policy. Rhodes strongly encourages students to report instances of sexual harassment immediately. Employees, including 2 faculty, are required to report such instances, pursuant to Rhodes’ Employee Handbook and Rhodes’ Mandatory Reporter Policy.
Rhodes will review, evaluate, and make any revisions or amendments to this Policy on an ongoing and as-needed basis.
General inquiries about the application of this Policy should be directed to the College’s Title IX Coordinator:
General inquiries about the application of this Policy should be directed to the College’s Title IX Coordinator:
Inez Warner, J.D.
Director of Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator
Rhodes College
Southwestern Hall, Ste. 200
2000 North Parkway
Memphis, TN 38112
901-843-3354
warneri@rhodes.edu
The complete sexual misconduct policy is in the Student Handbook and on the Title IX and Sexual Misconduct page.
College Initiated Administrative Withdrawal (CIAW)
The College occasionally faces the problem of students who pose a threat to themselves or others, who are unable to cope, or who create a pattern of extreme disruption. If such behavior violates College rules and regulations, the case will be referred to the Associate Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (AVP/DOS) or the Dean’s designee for action.
The College may take administrative action, including withdrawal from classes, withdrawal from the institution, removal from College housing, or the imposition of conditions for continued enrollment, when a student’s behavior, health, safety, or well-being significantly impacts the student or the broader campus community. Such actions may be taken when one or more of the following circumstances occur:
- The student significantly disrupts the activities of the college community;
- The student poses a direct risk to the health or safety of others or
- The student demonstrates evidence of significant impairment such that they are unable to participate safely and successfully in the college's academic and/or residential life and cannot independently determine that a voluntary leave is needed.
In the circumstance described above, the Associate Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students (AVP/DOS) or the Dean’s designee, in consultation with the appropriate medical, psychological, and academic resources, may administratively withdraw a student from their classes, remove the student from the residence halls, and/or place conditions on the student’s continued enrollment. The decision must be based on assessing 1) the probability, nature, duration, and severity of the disruption, risk, and/or impairment and 2) whether reasonable accommodations can mitigate the risk, allowing the student to remain enrolled. Under certain circumstances, either before or after deciding to withdraw the student administratively, AVP/DOS or the Dean’s designee may mandate that the student undergo a psychological or medical assessment to evaluate the student’s ability to participate successfully in the college community.
The AVP/DOS’s determination regarding CIAW and the reasons supporting the decision are shared in written form with the student. The written determination includes the length of separation from the college and describes the conditions under which the student may seek to return.
A student may appeal the CIAW determination in writing and provide supporting documentation within forty-eight (48) hours. The Vice President for Student Life, whose decision is the college's final decision.
Campus Modes of Communication
There are two official means of communication at Rhodes: campus mail and Rhodes email. All students, staff, and faculty have a personal Rhodes e-mail address, and students are expected to check this account regularly during the semester, breaks, and recesses.
Official notices to individuals and the campus community are sent via e-mail; such correspondence is considered official. In addition to email, some official notices, communication, and information are sent via campus mail. For this reason, all students must maintain a P.O. Box in the mailroom in Burrow Hall.
Residency Requirement
Residential living is an integral part of the mission of Rhodes College and the student experience; all unmarried, full-time undergraduate students are required to live in college housing for six consecutive full semesters (excluding summer) and participate in a college meal plan. Transfer students must live on campus until they meet the requirement (previous residency may count). Exchange students must live on campus and participate in one of the college meal plans for the duration of their enrollment.
Residency requirement exemptions may be made for students who meet any of the following criteria and provide supporting documentation:
- Students who are married.
- Students who are legal guardians of minors who reside with them permanently.
- Students who are at least 24 years old.
- Students with a documented medical disability that cannot be accommodated in on-campus living.
- A limited number of junior-level students may apply for exemptions to live off-campus based on projected space availability. The availability of this option varies from year to year, depending on enrollment numbers and housing availability. The Office of Residence Life will notify students if this option is available. Exemptions granted, if any, will be made at the sole discretion of the Office of Residence Life.
Students who reside off-campus without meeting one or more criteria and do not get appropriate approval will be held responsible for all room and board costs for all semesters they are enrolled and residing off-campus without such approval.
By accepting a room assignment, a student is contractually obligated to occupy that room for the entire academic year unless the student withdraws from the College, is approved for a mid-semester withdrawal, is approved for a leave of absence, graduates, or participates in a study abroad program. Vacant spaces are subject to assignment by the Office of Residence Life.
Financial hardship: If a student or their family/caretakers face financial hardship or experience a significant life change that has impacted income and may be challenging to pay for housing, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for assistance.
Residency Exemption Request Process
Step 1: Submit Request
- Complete the Residency Exemption Request form (via eRezLife).
Step 2: Provide Required Documentation
Based on your eligibility:
- Age 24+
- Submit government-issued ID (e.g., license, passport, or birth certificate).
- Married / Guardian Status
- Submit official documentation (e.g., marriage certificate or guardianship documentation).
- Medical/Disability
- Complete the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) accommodation process
- Provide documentation from a qualified provider within the last 6 months
- SAS and Residence Life jointly review requests
Step 3: Await Review
- Office of Residence Life reviews all materials and determines approval.
- Medical exemptions are rare, as most needs can be accommodated on campus.
Step 4: Receive Decision
- If approved, the exemption may apply to the remainder of the enrollment (depending on the category).
- If denied, the student must remain in campus housing.