Student Conduct

The Office of Student Conduct and Resolution supports students, faculty, and professional staff in reporting matters of misconduct by addressing concerns through timely and equitable investigations and providing guidance on reasonable and fair resolutions. We educate the community on policies, rights, resources, and standards of behavior while overseeing the university’s Code of Conduct and process.

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Responsible and Ethical Decision Making

Our Student Conduct System supports the educational mission of the University through educating students about appropriate behavior and fostering a community in which academic success can occur. Further, we seek to inspire the development of future leaders and responsible citizens by engaging students in responsible and ethical decision-making. Students are treated with respect and expected to take appropriate responsibility for their behavior and the behavior of those around them. The Student Conduct System is designed to fairly and equitably address behavior that has a negative impact on the University so that all can comfortably live, work, and study in an academic community of great integrity.

The mission of the Student Conduct System is three-fold:

  • To maintain an environment conducive to the academic success of all students.
  • To protect the rights of all members of the University community.
  • To provide a disciplinary process in which participants experience personal growth and appreciation for the responsibilities of living in a community.

Sanctions

Students who are responsible for violating University policy and/or procedure will be assigned an appropriate sanction based on the nature of the violation, the severity of the violation, the conduct history of the student, and/or other criteria as determined by the conduct officer.

Sanctions are typically based on precedent set by similar cases. However, since no two cases or students are exactly the same, sanctions may vary for seemingly similar incidents.

Conduct officers have been trained to determine appropriate sanctions and do not frivolously assign sanctions. They take their jobs very seriously and seek to find education-based solutions to deter future problem behavior and/or reconcile inappropriate behavior.

For more information about possible sanctions view the Student Handbook.

Appeals

The University follows due process, which allows for fair and equitable treatment of cases brought against students. An important component of due process is the ability to file an appeal if certain conditions are met. Review the following information and the Student Handbook for a detailed explanation of the appeals process.

Appealing a Decision

If the hearing officer or University Student Conduct Board determines that you are responsible for the charge(s), you may appeal your case within seven business days of the receipt of the hearing officer or board’s written decision. Appeals may only be filed in the event of:

  • New evidence which was not and could not have been presented to the hearing officer
  • A procedural irregularity by the hearing officer that had a substantial impact on or otherwise prejudiced the determination made by the hearing officer. 

First, review the Appeals policy in the Student Handbook. You must then file a written request, based on the criteria outlined in the Student Handbook. For the name of the appropriate appeals hearing officer, consult with the conduct officer who originally heard your case. Upon receipt of your letter, the conduct review officer will make a preliminary decision to accept or reject the case based on the evidence you present in support of one or more of the appeals criteria. You will receive a letter from the conduct review officer with his/her decision on your appeal request. If the request is granted, you will schedule an appointment