A Community of Honor

The University’s motto—Ecce Quam Bonum (or EQB)—summarizes the principle that as members of the Sewanee community, we have a responsibility to live with respect for one another and in healthy relationships. Students are expected to live with honor day and night, in the classroom and in the residence halls, on the athletic field and in social spaces, on campus and off—in short, in every facet of life.

When we commit to living in community with one another, we necessarily agree to accept limitations on our own actions for the benefit of all, with the parallel expectation that we will not be injured, maligned, or otherwise negatively affected by the actions of others. Those who insist upon living outside the expectations of the Sewanee community will understandably be held accountable for their choices by the Honor Council, the Student Conduct Board, or other disciplinary bodies, and may in certain circumstances be removed from the Sewanee community. Matriculation and/or continued enrollment at Sewanee is a privilege, not a right.  Additionally, students are expected to comply with federal, state, and local laws in their conduct whether on or off campus.

Community Commitments

The commitments below provide an outline of what Sewanee students can expect of their community experience with a focus on the implications of living honorably. Any sense of honor requires that each individual living within the community has the responsibility to take action to support the health and well-being of the greater community: we all must hold each other to our shared standards of honor. This responsibility can be made manifest in many ways: for example, students actively preserve their own integrity as well as the reputation of the University’s academic programs when they refuse to tolerate academic dishonesty in any form; they actively respect the dignity of all when they refuse to participate in behavior that demeans others and instead take steps to end such behavior in others; they actively promote an environment of shared trust and support when they alert authorities to threats to the safety of others. We encourage students to support the community values by reporting violations and other concerns.

• Living with personal integrity
• Respecting the dignity of all
• Valuing freedom of thinking and expression
• Demonstrating self-control
• Developing trusting relationships

More information about our expectations, our commitments, and our student conduct policies can be found in the full EQB Guide.

Living Together in Community

More than 98 percent of College of Arts and Sciences students live on campus, and the Office of Residential Life provides programs, professional staff, and student staff support in order to provide a welcoming, thriving, and healthy living environment.  Policies regarding campus living, including the Residential Guide to Living, can be found at Residential Life.

Student Organization Expectations

Sewanee believes in empowering its students to make a difference in the lives of those around them.  One way students do this is through leadership in student organizations.  To help guide students through organization policies and best practices, the University provides the Student Organization Handbook.

Student Health and Immunization Requirements

All students at Sewanee are required to meet certain public health standards for the protection of the Sewanee campus community; these requirements must be completed before the student arrives on campus. The University Wellness Center gathers the information it requires through the completion of a health form specific to the student’s program. This health form verifies that students have received the necessary immunizations and have provided the University with health information required by State and Federal law and is provided to each student upon admission.

New student requirements including information on accommodations, athletes, health forms, immunizations, and insurance coverage can be accessed through the University Wellness Center.

Questions should be directed to University Health Services at (931) 598-1270 or healthservice@sewanee.edu.