Student Conduct Process
Section 1
Understanding the Conduct Process
Narrative of the Student Conduct Process
When a report of a possible policy violation is received, the Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct contacts the authorized signer(s) for the Registered Campus Organization involved, and provide them with notification regarding the incident. The nature of the conflict determines whom a Registered Campus Organization may meet with in the Administrative Meeting. The official representatives are given an opportunity to attend an administrative meeting with a Student Conduct Officer. During this meeting the Student Conduct Officer and official representatives will discuss the organization’s involvement with the incident. Specifically, the official representatives will be:
(1) Informed of the incident and specific allegations made against the organization;
(2) Informed of the University policy(ies) or campus regulations allegedly violated and;
(3) Provided the opportunity to give their response to the report(s), and offer additional information that might help with resolution of the case.
Based on the discussion in the meeting, the Student Conduct Officer must investigate the Registered Campus Organization’s involvement in the incident, and determine if the organization is responsible for violating the policy(ies). The Student Conduct Officer may choose to take no action if it is determined that the initial report lacks information, is unsupported based on new information or falls outside the purview of the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students. If after the discussion it is determined that the Registered Campus Organization was responsible for a policy(ies) violation, the organization will be notified of the sanction(s) via written notice. After being notified of the decision the organization may either accept the decision and imposed sanction(s) or proceed to one of the following options:
(1) Appeal to the Dean of Students (for sanctions of Warning, Probation, or Restitution);
(2) Ask to have the case be reheard by the Student Conduct Review Board (only for cases Suspension or Dismissal is imposed)
In cases where a Registered Campus Organization is subject to Revocation of Recognition, a formal hearing before the Student Conduct Review Board will be held. Organizations subject to such sanctions are entitled to resolve the matter informally and without a formal hearing, by having an official representative sign a waiver of the right to a formal hearing.
For more information about the campus student conduct procedures, refer to PACAOS Section 103.10. For more information about the formal hearing and appeal process for Registered Campus Organizations, please refer to the following the Appeal and Formal Hearing page.
Advisors
A Registered Campus Organization is allowed to have an advisor participate in the Student Conduct Process. An advisor can be an attorney, parent, friend, etc. During student conduct related meetings, advisors may act as consultants for the Registered Campus Organization, however, advisors may not speak on behalf of the Registered Campus Organization. If a Registered Campus Organizations chooses to have an attorney as the advisor, the student shall pay all fees, costs, and expenses for the retention of an attorney. If an attorney or advisor is to be present at a Student Conduct Review Board hearing, the Office of the Dean of Students must be notified of this fact at least ten (10) business days prior to the hearing. In the interests of expediency, as a general practice, hearings shall not be delayed due to the unavailability of an advisor/attorney. Registered Campus Organizations and their advisors should refer to the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students for more information about the role of the advisor(s) in the process.
Sanctions and Educational Outcomes
The Student Conduct Process is primarily focused on providing opportunities for education. These educational opportunities typically occur through discussion with a Student Conduct Officer and the sanctioning process. Sanctions are imposed only if a Registered Campus Organization has been found responsible for a policy violation. The primary goals of sanctions are to protect the safety of the University community, to educate Registered Campus Organizations about the concern related to the inappropriateness of their misconduct, and to provide opportunities for Registered Campus Organizations to learn new behaviors. Sanctions are designed to allow the individual student to reflect upon the impact of the violation(s) on the community. Sanctions are typically compromised of two parts: a) an administrative sanction (warning, disciplinary probation, suspension, revocation of recognition from the university, etc.), and b) an educational outcome requiring students to engage in an activity that will allow them to reflect upon the incident and/or assist in repairing the affected community (restitution, attending classes or workshops, community service, writing a reflection, etc.)
Sanctions for issues of misconduct vary on a case-by-case basis, utilizing the following criteria: a) the nature of the offense; b) the precedent established at the University for similar offenses, and; c) the previous disciplinary history of the Registered Campus Organization, as well as the membership's attitude and behavior throughout the resolution process. More than one sanction may be imposed, depending on the severity of the violation. Previous violations are taken into consideration when imposing sanctions violations. Possible sanctions include: written warning, disciplinary probation, restitution, restriction from areas of campus, attending classes or workshops, educational projects, community service, relocation or removal from housing in accordance with the housing contract, removal from specific courses or activities, no contact provisions, suspension or dismissal from the university. Descriptions of sanctions from PACAOS are listed below.
105.01 Warning/Censure
Written notice or reprimand to the student that a violation of specified University policies or campus regulations has occurred and that continued or repeated violations of University policies or campus regulations may be cause for further disciplinary action, normally in the form of Disciplinary Probation, and/or Loss of Privileges and Exclusion from Activities, Suspension, or Dismissal.
105.02
[Rescinded May 17, 2002]
105.03 Disciplinary Probation
A status imposed for a specified period of time during which a student must demonstrate conduct that conforms to University standards of conduct. Conditions restricting the student's privileges or eligibility for activities may be imposed. Misconduct during the probationary period or violation of any conditions of the probation may result in further disciplinary action, normally in the form of Suspension or Dismissal.
105.04 Loss of Privileges and Exclusion from Activities
Exclusion from participation in designated privileges and activities for a specified period of time. Violation of any conditions in the written Notice of Loss of Privileges and Exclusion from Activities, or violation of University policies or campus regulations during the period of the sanction may be cause for further disciplinary action, normally in the form of Probation, Suspension or Dismissal.
105.05 Suspension
Termination of student status at the campus for a specified period of time with reinstatement thereafter certain, provided that the student has complied with all conditions imposed as part of the suspension and provided that the student is otherwise qualified for reinstatement. Violation of the conditions of Suspension or of University policies or campus regulations during the period of Suspension may be cause for further disciplinary action, normally in the form of Dismissal.
105.06 Dismissal
Termination of student status for an indefinite period. Readmission to the University shall require the specific approval of the Chancellor of the campus to which a dismissed student has applied. Readmission after dismissal may be granted only under exceptional circumstances.
105.07 Exclusion from Areas of the Campus or from Official University Functions
Exclusion of a student as part of a disciplinary sanction from specified areas of the campus or other University-owned, -operated, or -leased facilities, or other facilities located on University property, or from official University functions, when there is reasonable cause for the University to believe that the student's presence there will lead to physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person on University property or at official University functions, or other disruptive activity incompatible with the orderly operation of the campus.
105.08 Interim Suspension
Exclusion from classes, or from other specified activities or areas of the campus, as set forth in the Notice of Interim Suspension, before final determination of an alleged violation. A student shall be restricted only to the minimum extent necessary when there is reasonable cause to believe that the student's participation in University activities or presence at specified areas of the campus will lead to physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person on University property or at official University functions, or other disruptive activity incompatible with the orderly operation of the campus. A student placed on Interim Suspension shall be given prompt notice of the charges, the duration of the Interim Suspension, and the opportunity for a prompt hearing on the Interim Suspension. Interim Suspension shall be reviewed by the Chancellor within twenty-four hours. If a student is found to have been unjustifiably placed on Interim Suspension, the University is committed to a policy whereby reasonable efforts are taken to assist an individual who has been disadvantaged with respect to employment or academic status.
105.08a
If an interim suspension is imposed, the Dean of Students (or designee), shall immediately inform the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs (or designee). The notification to the Vice Chancellor (or designee) shall include the student's name, the reasons for imposing the interim suspension, and, if available, the student's address and phone number. Within twenty-four hours of the imposition of the interim suspension (not including weekends or holidays), the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs (or designee) shall review the information provided by the Dean of Students (or designee).
If the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs (or designee) does not affirm the interim suspension by the end of the twenty-four hours, it shall be deemed void and a reasonable effort shall be made to inform the student that the interim suspension is void. Should the interim suspension be voided, such a decision shall have no bearing on the University's disciplinary proceedings arising from the conduct which gave rise to the interim suspension. Any such disciplinary proceedings shall be conducted under the normal procedures provided in these policies.
A student placed on interim suspension which is also affirmed by the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs (or designee) shall be given prompt written notice that the interim suspension was upheld and that the student may request, in writing, a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs (or designee) to challenge the interim suspension. The written request must be submitted within ten (10) days of the date that appears on the Notification of Interim Suspension. Upon receipt of the request, the student will immediately receive notice of the time, place, and date of the meeting. The Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs (or designee) shall convene this meeting within seven (7) days from the date of receipt of the request.
Convening the meeting shall not restrict the University's right to initiate disciplinary proceedings for the conduct which gave rise to the interim suspension. Any such disciplinary proceedings shall be conducted under the normal procedures provided for in these policies.
105.09 Restitution
A requirement for restitution in the form of reimbursement may be imposed for expenses incurred by the University or other parties resulting from a violation of these policies. Such reimbursement may take the form of monetary payment or appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damages. Restitution may be imposed on any student who alone, or through group or concerted activities, participates in causing the damages or costs.
105.10 Revocation of Awarding of Degree
Subject to the concurrence of the Academic Senate, revocation of a degree obtained by fraud. Such revocation is subject to review on appeal by the Chancellor.
105.11 Other
Other disciplinary actions, such as monetary fines, community service, or holds on requests for transcripts, diplomas, or other student records to be sent to third parties, as set forth in campus regulations.
105.11a Other Disciplinary Actions May Include
a. Required participation as an unpaid volunteer in activities that serve the University.
b. Specifying requirements relating to expectations of behavior.
c. Revoking the registration of a Registered Campus Organization.
d. Other actions as set forth in campus regulations.