Community Standards Policy

DIS Copenhagen Community Standards Policy

Students are expected to contribute to a positive community, where harassment and disruptive behavior are not tolerated and act in respectful and responsible ways toward each other. This includes DIS’ Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.

Community conflict resolution: Students may encounter conflicts with their classmates, roommates, local hosts, DIS staff, DIS faculty or other DIS students. To resolve these conflicts, direct and honest communication is strongly encouraged. Most conflict is best resolved by the individuals directly involved, seeking a resolution together. If a conflict is not resolved directly between the individuals, students may seek a DIS staff member to help. Once a DIS staff member is involved in a potential conflict, students must be aware that:

  • Staff cannot guarantee anonymity, if it lies in the way of solving an issue
  • Students must meet with DIS staff when requested
  • Students must participate in the conflict resolution process by accepting suggestions presented by DIS staff and working in cooperation to reach an acceptable solution

DIS considers the following actions as inappropriate for the DIS community, in opposition of DIS’ core values and in violation of the DIS Code of Student Responsibility, even if the behavior does not constitute illegal behavior in Denmark, Sweden or the location where the behavior occurred:

Harm to Person(s): Engaging in conduct that endangers or threatens to endanger the physical and/or mental health, safety, or welfare of another person, including but not limited to, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or assaulting behavior.

Bullying: Repeated and/or severe actions that intimidate, stress, intentionally harm or control another person physically or emotionally, including but not limited to assaulting, defaming, terrorizing, making obscene gestures, or invading privacy.  Bullying includes “cyber-bullying” which takes place over digital devices, such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

Discrimination: Unwelcome and unprofessional conduct that targets an individual because of age, race, color, national origin/ancestry, religion, sex or gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or a mental or physical disability.

Sexual Misconduct: Unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that is committed without consent or by force, intimidation, coercion, manipulation, or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs*. Behaviors may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Sexual harassment: any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, graphic, physical, or otherwise.
  • Sexual assault: sexual activity (sexual contact or sexual intercourse) that occurs without affirmative consent. Affirmative consent is:
    • Informed (knowing)
    • Voluntary (freely given)
    • Active (not passive), meaning that, through the demonstration of clear words or actions, a person has indicated permission to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity

*Drugs and alcohol impact decision-making and blur consent. When drugs and alcohol are involved, clear consent cannot be obtained. An intoxicated person cannot give consent.

Stalking: Engaging in a course of conduct (two or more acts) directed at a specific person under circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily injury or to experience substantial emotional distress. Acts in which a person directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about another person, or interferes with another person’s property. Stalking includes “cyber-stalking”, which is a form of stalking in which a person uses electronic media, such as the internet, social networks, blogs, cell phones, texts or other similar devices or forms of contact.

Disruptive Behavior: Any behavior by an individual or group that interferes with the normal operation of DIS and the overall educational experience. It hinders or prevents others and/or self from carrying out their educational responsibilities.

Disorderly Conduct: Unreasonable or reckless behavior by an individual or group that creates a potentially unsafe situation for members of the community or damages property; disrupts the peace or interferes with the normal operation of DIS or DIS-sponsored events; and/or infringes on the rights of others.

Students who experience a violation to the Community Standards Policy are encouraged to refer to the DIS contacts and resources in Copenhagen and Stockholm and/or these Sexual Violence Resources in Copenhagen and Stockholm.