Lorenzo de' Medici - art, language and culture since 1973

Introduction and General Clause

Lorenzo de' Medici takes seriously its academic mission of fostering the creative and intellectual potential of each of its students in an international environment that values tolerance and respect. We believe in the concept of informed decision-making and wish to promote healthy behaviour.

In order to maintain an atmosphere that nurtures this potential, Lorenzo de' Medici has established Rules of Conduct consistent with this goal.

By accepting admission to Lorenzo de' Medici, students - full-time and part-time - are accepting the conditions as described in these Rules of Conduct.

These conditions apply to behaviour both on and off campus (e.g. in the city, pubs, discos, clubs and other meeting places). These Rules apply also to students' behaviour in the apartment (or family) where they reside while attending Lorenzo de' Medici.

In addition, the Rules contained herein supersede other LDM publications or documents (e.g. housing flyers, residence life brochures or handbooks, etc.) Any changes to the terms and conditions of these Rules of Conduct will be communicated to students in writing and will replace the relevant portions of this text.

1) General Conduct

Each student is expected to:

a) act as a responsible member of the academic community, in language, personal interactions and the treatment of property. They are expected to treat others as they would like to be treated, and to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every person in the community. 

b) behave and dress in classes according to the standards of a serious learning environment.  Dressing in a disrespectful or offensive manner is not allowed.  Appropriate dress and footwear during all studio art and cooking courses is required.

c) refrain from using computers, mobile telephones and blackberry systems during lectures.

d) avoid eating and drinking during all lectures and/or academic activities.

e) respect the personal and property rights of all other persons, of Lorenzo de' Medici itself, and of the community at-large; be responsible in helping keep the community safe, and work with the community to prevent vandalism, hate speech, physical violence and harassment.

f) acknowledge that we are all different - rural, urban, gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, from differing religions, philosophies, ethnic groups, cultural backgrounds, physical abilities, and so on. We are expected to strive to understand one another and protect and affirm the right of each person to be themselves.

2) Alcohol

Alcohol may be consumed, but not abused, by students who are of legal drinking age in their host country. All students are responsible for discouraging alcohol-related behaviour that is abusive to themselves or to others. Moreover, Lorenzo de' Medici considers drunkenness and intoxication in public, whether inside or outside the School's premises, unacceptable regardless of age.

LDM will not be held responsible for students' alcohol abuse and for all the consequences arising from that abuse.

Penalties for violating the alcohol policy of LDM include but are not limited to: warnings, probations, fines, parental notification and educational service projects. It is hoped that education will help students understand more about the residual effects of alcohol both physically and socially. Alcohol violations may also result in suspension or expulsion from LDM. Penalties are levied on a per-person basis.

3) Drugs

The possession, use or distribution of any substances that are considered illicit or illegal drugs or controlled substances is prohibited and is considered a violation of Lorenzo de' Medici Rules as well as Italian laws. Violators are subject to both disciplinary action by Lorenzo de' Medici and prosecution by the Italian authorities. Any drug infraction will be considered a grave violation of policy and will result in serious sanctions, up to and including dismissal from the program.

4) Assault and Fighting

Assault, fighting and similar behavior are serious offences that are considered detrimental to the name of the School.

5) Academic Dishonesty (Cheating and Plagiarism)

The School will make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct. Students should at all times act with integrity and honesty in their academic and personal affairs and within a framework of mutual respect, and be honest in their writing and classroom work.  If a faculty member believes that there is evidence of academic dishonesty on the part of a student, it is the faculty member's responsibility to take action in accordance with the Lorenzo de' Medici Student Policy.

6) Privacy Policy

a) The LDM privacy policy may be different from the privacy policy of the state where the students come from.

b) The LDM privacy policy is governed by Italian law.

c) In case of any form of infringement of the Lorenzo de' Medici Rules of Conduct, or in every case of a health problem for a student, every LDM student agrees to permit LDM Academic Advisors or the Directorate notify the home university and/or the family about all information concerning the infringement or the health problem.

7) Enforcement of the Rules of Conduct

The Office of the Dean of Students will handle enforcement of these policies.

a) Determination of Violation. In the case of a possible violation of the Rules the following process will be followed. After a report is filed, the student will be required to meet with the Dean of Students or a designate. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the student and the Dean to discuss the possible violation. If the student does not admit to a violation, the Dean of Students or designate will decide whether the preponderance of the evidence shows that the student has violated Lorenzo de' Medici's Rules of Conduct.

b) Sanctions. In all cases involving a violation of any of these Rules, the Dean of Students or designate may impose any combination of the following sanctions: oral or written admonition, written warning, probation, fines, withholding of academic transcripts and expulsion from Lorenzo de' Medici. All sanctions will be notified in writing to the program or university to which the student belongs and at the school's discretion, to the parent/s.

In case of expulsion the Dean of Students will decide the timing and the modality of execution.  From the moment that notice is delivered, the student will no longer be a student of LDM, and will be obliged to leave LDM without any form of refunding.

c) Appeals.  In all cases involving a violation of any of these Rules, the student may appeal to the Board of Directors of the School on the grounds of insufficient evidence, violation of rights, or severity of the sanction. The appeal will be based on the record of the original meeting, unless new material evidence has been discovered since that time.

d) Disciplinary Files.  Files involving violations of the Rules by students will be maintained for two years from the date of sanction. Personally identifiable information about individual students in these files will be protected.