Code of Conduct

The image a school portrays is determined by the behavior of its students. One of the main goals of APU International School is to develop self-discipline in all students.

The following expectations apply while on school premises, in school vehicles, or attending APU functions both on and off APU property. Violations of the Code of Conduct based on misconduct directed at school employees or their property apply even outside of school premises, functions, or hours of operation.

Any student action that would constitute criminal conduct under Vietnamese law is also a violation of the Code of Conduct.

Before any disciplinary action occurs, affected students shall be given due process.

General Expectations

APU International School values its students and expects that they will exercise self-discipline. Specifically, the school expects students to be:

• Safe
• Punctual
• Prepared
• Respectful
• Responsible

School’s Right to Search

Lockers, desks, dormitories, and other storage places provided for student use are the exclusive property of APU International School. These spaces and their contents are subject to search at any time, according to school policy and procedure. Administrators are authorized to conduct reasonable inspections of students and their property, including vehicles, backpacks, purses, and pockets, while on school grounds or attending an APU event when there is reasonable cause to believe that a law or a school rule has been violated. Students are required to submit any keys or passwords required to open containers or unlock electronic devices.

Specific Rules

In order to foster standards of good conduct that assure continuity of class work without disruption, protect the school community against disorder, and ensure the rights and welfare of others; APU International School requires that all students abide by the following rules:

1. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and controlled substances: No student may use, furnish, possess, or sell alcohol, tobacco products, drugs, or controlled substances on school property or at a school-sponsored activity.
2. Assault: Students shall not act nor threaten to act in such a way as to cause physical injury to other students, school employees, or other persons.
3. Attendance: Students will attend all assigned classes and school functions on time. No student shall leave the supervision of school officials, prior to specified dismissal times, without official permission.
4. Cheating/Plagiarism: Students shall not give nor receive unauthorized information regarding class work or class activities; misrepresent the results of research or laboratory assignments; or give or receive unauthorized assistance on assignments. Students are responsible for ensuring that they understand the policies regarding academic dishonesty set in each of their courses, including the use of electronic translators. Violations may result in a failing grade for the assignment, the course, or expulsion from the school.
5. Computers: Students shall comply with the school policies regarding Computer Usage at all times. This requirement applies both to school-owned computers as well as to the use of personal computers, where applicable.
6. Disruptive behavior: Students shall not, by the use of violence, force, coercion, threat, or any other means, cause disruption or obstruction to the normal operation of the school. This also includes general misconduct such as throwing objects, playing cards, engaging in horseplay, and being excessively noisy.
7. Dress code: Student shall comply with the dress code. The school uniform and student identification card must be worn at all times while on school premises or attending school functions, unless stated otherwise.
8. Electronic devices: During school hours, students may only use electronic devices on the sixth floor lunchroom and only during their lunch period, except when permitted by an instructor as part of an instructional activity. At all other times, electronics and their accessories must be stored out of reach inside a book bag or pocket. Devices used in a manner inconsistent with this rule will be confiscated in accordance with school policies.
9. Failure to obey instructions/insubordination/disrespect: Student shall comply with any lawful instructions or requests of teachers, student teachers, principals, or other authorized personnel during any period of time when he or she is properly under the authority of such school personnel. No student shall fail to provide information or supply false information when requested.
10. Forgery: Students shall not misrepresent a signature on any document. Violation of this rule is grounds for expulsion.
11. Gambling and sale of goods or services: Gambling and the sale of any goods or services by students is not allowed on school property or at school functions except when permitted by the Vice Principal of Student Affairs. Student organizations wishing to sell items for a charitable purpose must seek and receive permission from the student government advisor in order to do so.
12. Harassment and threats: Students shall not harass other students, school employees, persons who are guests of the school, or persons conducting business for the school. These include actions or remarks of a sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious nature that are offensive or threaten physical or emotional harm. This rule applies outside of all school property, functions, and hours of operation.
13. Hazing: Initiations of any sort are prohibited. Initiations and/or hazing are activities in which students are coerced in order to become part of a group or activity or to avoid harm.
14. Displays of affection: Students shall refrain from actions deemed to be inappropriate displays of affection.
15. Obscene language/materials: Students shall not use obscene, vulgar, or profane language or make inappropriate gestures or possess vulgar materials in any language, whether English, Vietnamese or otherwise.
16. Property damage, vandalism, and littering: Students shall not damage, attempt to damage, nor vandalize school property, including vehicles and equipment, or personal property. Students shall not touch or handle another person’s property without that person’s permission. Students must place their refuse in proper waste receptacles.
17. Theft: Students shall respect the ownership rights of others. Theft may be reported to local authorities.
18. Unauthorized or Unsupervised Areas: Students may not be in areas for which they have not been authorized or unsupervised areas.
19. Weapons: Students are not permitted to possess weapons while on school property or at school-sponsored activities. The term “weapons” includes explosives of any type, such as firecrackers and party poppers, as well as any item used or threatened to be used as a weapon, including toys.
20. Rules Not Specified: Students shall abide by the spirit as well as the letter of the APU International School Code of Conduct. This includes refraining from behavior that would be judged injurious or threatening to another.

Academic Honesty

The principle of academic integrity is the cornerstone of any school community. In all of our actions at APU International School, we encourage students to practice a life governed by the values of academic honesty and respect for the work of others. Cheating, plagiarizing, giving or receiving unacknowledged assistance in academic work is unacceptable behavior in this or any academic community. Students who are unclear on course policies should consult the instructor prior to completing assignments.

Consequences

APU International School will impose consequences for academic dishonesty, depending on the seriousness and circumstances of the offense. In cases where dishonesty is suspected but not proven, the person(s) concerned will be given the benefit of the doubt and cautioned.

Depending upon the seriousness of the incident and the surrounding circumstances one or more of the following consequences will apply:

• Verbal warning.
• Assignment must be resubmitted.
• Parental conference.
• Grade of zero assigned.
• Letter to parents/appropriate action.
• In-school suspension.
• Out-of-school suspension.
• Voluntary withdrawal from school.
• Expulsion.

Dress Code

Students are required to wear uniforms provided to them by the school. The school uniform consists of:

• White collared shirt, buttoned up and, for males, tucked in.
• Navy vest.
• Plaid tie, worn snugly around the neck.
• Navy slacks, worn snugly at the waist, or plaid skirt, at most 5-cm above the knee.
• Student identification card, visibly displayed around the neck with photo facing foward.
• Close-toed shoes.

Students are to wear their uniform correctly and neatly. They are not allowed to exclude or replace any component of the uniform or make any alterations deemed inappropriate.

Students must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate at all times. Slippers, flip-flops, and sandals are not permitted. They may not wear any articles or accessories deemed inappropriate, including those which promote alcohol, tobacco, or drug use or contain messages which are offensive, sexually oriented, hostile, degrading, harassing, or discriminatory. They also may not wear any chains or studded accessories.

Students must abide by these rules while on school premises or attending school functions, except when permitted otherwise, such as for physical education courses. Under such circumstances, instructors, deans, or vice principals may impose a separate dress policy.

Computer Usage

The use of computers and other electronics at APU International School and for coursework is a student privilege. The rules governing the use of computers at the school apply to all software and hardware components of the network including any communications between them or with the user. These rules apply to all electronics at APU and their accessories, including the property of APU and its staff members, students, and guests.

In order to use computing resources at APU International School, students must present the signed Student Computer/Internet Usage Agreement, affirming parental consent. Students may only use APU computing resources for their intended purpose as directed by school officials.

Exceptions to these rules are permitted only under direct teacher supervision. Violations of these rules may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to termination of access to the school’s computers, detention and/or suspension. Violations also may be referred to the appropriate legal authorities and/or other legal action may be pursued.

As with the Code of Conduct, students must abide by both the letter and the spirit of the following rules:

1. Student accounts: Students may only access the school network and/or Internet by using their assigned network account. Use of another person’s account/password is prohibited. Students may not share nor allow other users to utilize their passwords. Students may not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of or modify files, data, or passwords belonging or other users or misrepresent other users on the network.
2. Data usage: Students are not to transfer files between computers and the Internet or any other external data source such as a flash memory device or hard disk drive except with explicit permission from the course instructor. Data stored on shared network drives or in other school information databases are strictly off-limits from students except under the direction and direct supervision of a school official.
3. Modifications: Students may not alter or make modifications—whether permanent or temporary—to either computer hardware or software. This includes the removal of physical labels affixed to equipment; the connection or disconnection of communication or power cables; changes to printer, application or operating system settings; the installation of application plug-ins; or the installation or uninstallation of software
4. Maintenance: Students shall exercise caution and care when handling or using computing resources or other electronics. They shall avoid any activities that will or have the potential to damage equipment, such as bringing food or drinks into the computer lab.
5. Applications: Students shall not install nor execute any applications unless explicitly authorized by a course instructor. These include applications downloaded from the Internet, applications executed from an external drive or disc, applications compiled by a student and scripts
6. One student policy: Only one student may work at a single computer at any given time, unless explicated permitted otherwise.
7. Compliance with local law: Students shall not engage in any illegal activity, including the violation of intellectual property laws or gambling.
8. Malicious use: Students will not attempt to compromise the security of any computer system, whether belonging to APU or not. They shall not attempt to gain access to content where they do not have permission from the owner nor create disruptions in the normal operation of computing services. This rule applies to all computer systems, whether belonging to APU or a third party.
9. Other prohibited content: Students shall not create, view or distribute any obscene, offensive, harassing, or illegal content. This includes pornography or other illicit multimedia; defamatory, slanderous or threatening content; chain letters, solicitations or advertisements; copyrighted software which the student does not have the right to distribute.
10. Right to review: School officials reserve the right to filter and review any student use of computers while at APU International School or computers belonging to APU at any time. This includes the viewing of files, messages, and actions created, used, or taken by the student or by an application in the course of operation by a student, whether with or without the student’s consent or knowledge.
11. Other student expectations: Students are expected to behave responsibly when using computers and refrain from any actions that could be considered injurious to others or to computers and their related systems. Students are expected to report any problems with or misuses of electronic devices to the course instructor or other school officials.