Code of Conduct FAQ's

Who can submit an incident report?

Any member of the university community can file an incident report. Students simply need to document an incident with a resident advisor, head resident or area director, speak with a staff member in SARP, or submit a report via the online reporting system.

Does double jeopardy apply? Can I go through the courts and the student conduct system?

Double jeopardy only applies when a person is twice tried and convicted for the same violation of law in a court of law. Therefore, a student can go through both the university conduct process AND off campus legal proceedings. Double jeopardy does not apply since the university is addressing alleged violations of our Student Code of Conduct and the university's particular expectations of its students.

What if I am off campus when I violate the Conduct Code?

The university expects its students and student organizations to maintain a high standard of conduct both on and off campus. The Code of Conduct applies to conduct that occurs on university property, at university-sponsored activities, and to off-campus conduct when the conduct affects the university community and the pursuit of its objectives. The Director of SARP/designee decides whether the Code will be applied to conduct occurring off campus, on a case-by-case basis. Generally, the university will assert authority to address behavior  that represents a substantial threat to safety or well-being, for significant violation of laws, and for behavior that otherwise can impact the university.

What happens if I choose not to respond to requests from SARP to meet, choose not to appear for a scheduled meeting, or choose not to comply with an assigned sanction?

If you know you have a class or work conflict with the assigned time, please call us, and we will reschedule the appointment.

If you don't appear for a scheduled appointment without notice, we can place a hold on your transcript and registration and/or add an additional violation of Failing to Comply with Directions. If you fail to appear for a scheduled proceeding after formal allegations have been issued, the case administrator or panel can make a decision in your absence.

If you fail to comply with the terms of an assigned sanction or education measure, you can be referred for Failing to Comply with Instructions and/or we will place a registration and transcript hold. The results of such a violation will most likely be more significant than the original outcome.

 What are my options if it is alleged that I violated a policy?

There are three ways students can resolve incidents:

• Informal Resolution: A meeting with a case administrator (CA) during which the student and CA discuss the facts of the matter and the surrounding circumstances and, if possible, come to agreement as to a summary of facts. If the summary indicates that a violation of university policy occurred, the CA will assign one or more actions/educational measures. If the summary indicates that no violation occurred, the CA will find the student "not responsible" and will close the matter.
• Administrative Conference: A formal meeting with an administrator during which the student will respond to the allegations and can provide relevant information and witnesses. The Case Administrator then will determine whether the student is responsible for the alleged violations. If the CA finds the student responsible, the CA will issues actions/educational measures that are appropriate to the violations.
• Student Panel or Community Panel: A formal Panel before a group of students (Student Panel) or a group of students, faculty and staff (Community Panel) during which the student will respond to formal allegations and will be allowed to provide relevant information and witnesses. The panel then will determine whether the student is responsible for the alleged violations. If the Panel finds the student responsible, it will recommend appropriate actions/educational measures. 

Note: Panels are not available for minor violations.

Flow Chart depicting the Student Conduct Process (PDF)

What resources do I have as a Respondent?

Conduct and Honor Advocate Program (CHAP)

Students going through the Conduct process are entitled to a student advisor and can opt to have a CHAP assigned to assist them. CHAP's are trained to help guide students through our process. CHAPs are a source of support and guidance for the student. CHAPs, however, are not attorneys. Although the advisor is present during the proceeding, the CHAP's role is not to seek the student's exoneration; rather, the CHAP can answer questions from the student, speak on the student's behalf when necessary, and aid the student in asking questions of relevant parties at the proceeding. CHAPs cannot answer questions directed to the student, nor can they testify on their behalf.

Witnesses

You can request that witnesses you believe are necessary parties to your case be interviewed and, if there is a panel, you may request the Chair to call them to participate. The Investigators and Chair will determine which witnesses are necessary to participate in the process to help make a full assessment of the facts.

How do you determine assigned Actions/Education Measures? 

We determine them using a variety of factors, including the nature and severity of the violation, related circumstances, impact on the campus/community, the student's previous conduct history, written guidelines, and precedent.

What if I am already on Disciplinary Probation and commit another violation?

Probation includes a warning that further misconduct or violation of university regulations during the period of probation is likely to result in the student's separation (suspension or dismissal) from the university.

Also, if you have previously been placed on probation for a violation, and you commit a similar violation after the completion of probation, you could still face removal from the university depending on the facts and circumstances.

Information for Witnesses

Participation

Students have a duty to cooperate with the resolution of reported matters, including serving as a witness. The Student Handbook authorizes action to be taken if students refuse to appear, make statements, or refuse to remain present when requested.

Honesty

We expect witnesses to provide honest and fulsome information. Failure to cooperate and be honest and complete in your answers may be considered a violation of university regulations and/or our Honor Code. You can choose not to answer specific questions that may incriminate you, but if you do so, you must indicate why you have chosen not to answer.

Confidentiality

To preserve the rights of individuals involved in the process, the process's integrity, and the privacy of students reported, witnesses are expected to maintain confidentiality. We also expect our Council members to adhere to strict confidentiality standards.

Communication Among Witnesses

We are interested in your independent recollections and to help you avoid comments or other pressure that could compromise the process. Witnesses must make every effort to avoid hearing or discussing statements made by of other witnesses. It is also important you refrain from discussing your statements or views about the matter with other witnesses.

Anticipating Your Participation

The Chair is responsible for calling witnesses in a sequence best suited to circumstances of the process. For this reason, the Chair may not be able to predict or promise the order you will be invited to participate, or the precise time you will be required to remain.

To verify arrival and availability of those invited, you may been asked to appear at the scheduled start time of the Panel, though your the Panel may not request your specific participation until much later. We encourage you to to bring books, medication, cell phone, laptop, snack, study materials, or whatever it takes to make effective use of your time and allow you to be as comfortable as possible. If you have time constraints you would like to be considered, please alert the Chair.

Missed Other Obligations

In scheduling Panels, we consider class schedules and meal times; however, it still may be necessary for some invited witnesses to miss an appointment or class to participate in the panel proceeding. We can provide a letter explaining any required absences or tardiness if needed.

Hearsay or Indirect Knowledge

We are interested in examining all available relevant information; however, if you are sharing information, impressions, or understandings based on other than firsthand experience, please clearly indicate this.

Questions Regarding Your Participation

Be prepared to answer questions about your statements, including some which may seem critical of your perceptions. We understand and will assume that you are sharing what you know "to the best of your recollection," and that reasonable persons of goodwill may naturally disagree in their perceptions of events.