Student Conduct and Civility FAQ

If the incident was reported to the Office of Care and Civility and the reviewing conduct officer determines a violation of the Code could have occurred, you will receive a notice from the office. The notice will detail next steps. If you have questions, you can reach out to occ@unthsc.edu.

You will meet with a Student Conduct Officer, review any evidence associated with the case, and share your perspective on the alleged incident and evidence. The Student Conduct Officer will decide whether or not there is a responsible finding for a Code violation and will assign disciplinary action if you are found responsible for violating the Code. The full process is outlined in the Code.

If a report is received that indicates that your behavior could have violated the Student Code of Conduct and Civility, you will receive an official “Notice of Complaint” and meet with a Student Conduct Officer to discuss the allegations.

Yes, if you disagree with the decision of the Student Conduct Officer, you can submit a request for review to the Office of Care and Civility. If you have been found responsible for violating the Code and assigned disciplinary action of disciplinary probation, suspension, and/or expulsion, your request for review will be heard by the Student Conduct Committee. Suppose you are found responsible for violating the Code and assigned disciplinary action of written warning. In that case, loss of privileges and/or restitution, the Executive Director for Student and Academic Success will hear your request for review.

Yes, you can specify whether you would like to request a review of the responsible finding and/or the disciplinary action by submitting a Request for Review form to the Office of Care and Civility. You can find this form attached to your “Notice of Outcome” letter.

The Student Conduct Committee is a group convened at the request of a student for the purpose of reviewing either the assigned disciplinary action or finding of responsibility of a Student Conduct Officer and has the authority to uphold, overturn, or modify the original outcome.

You will meet with the Committee, which is comprised of a faculty member, staff member, an Honor Code Representative, and the Committee Chair. The Student Conduct Officer and the student will make opening statements, and the Committee will have an opportunity to ask questions of the student and the Student Conduct Officer regarding the incident. Once questioning concludes, the student and the Student Conduct Officer will provide closing statements. The Committee will then convene privately to discuss an outcome which will be shared with the student and Student Conduct Officer.

Yes, if you disagree with the decision of the Student Conduct Committee, you can submit a request for review to the Office of Care and Civility. For academic dishonesty cases, your request for review will be heard by your academic dean. For behavioral cases, the Senior Student and Academic Affairs Officer will hear your request for review.

Decisions made by your academic dean and the Senior Student and Academic Affairs Officer are final.

Every case that is reported to our office is decided case-by-case. During your conduct conference with a Student Conduct Officer, you will be able to ask questions related to disciplinary action(s).

If you are found responsible for violating the Code and assigned disciplinary actions such as a written warning, disciplinary probation, suspension, and/or expulsion, those will be indicated on your MSPE

The HSC reports information consistent with FERPA practices, which may include reporting on conduct issues.

In addition to any disciplinary action(s), any academic penalties may be assessed by your instructor or program.

If you believe someone has violated the Code, you can notify the Office of Care and Civility by utilizing the “Person of Concern Reporting Form.”

Yes, but it is important to note that if the Student Conduct Officer cannot contact you regarding the details of the incident, this may lead to inconsistent information. A lack of information may hinder an investigation.

The student conduct process allows students to be heard and respond to available evidence. Students have 5 business days to respond to a Notice of Complaint to arrange a meeting. If a student chooses not to respond during that period, the conduct process may continue without the student’s input on the case.

The preponderance of evidence standard is the amount of evidence necessary to establish whether an allegation is more likely than not to have occurred. This is the standard used in matters of student conduct.

In instances of academic dishonesty, students can request an Honor Code Representative be present during their conduct conference. An Honor Code Representative is a student appointed from an academic program who will be present during a conduct conference to ask clarifying questions and provide an additional student perspective

Yes, though it is important to note the conduct process is not a legal proceeding. Your lawyer may be present as your advisor, but you are required to represent yourself – the attorney cannot speak on your behalf. You may consult with your advisor at any time during the conduct process. Lastly, your advisor is not permitted to address the student conduct officer or the Committee at any time during the conduct process.

Circumstances in which the outcome results in a responsible finding and the assignment of suspension or expulsion will appear on your transcript.

You should submit a “Person of Concern Reporting Form” and any relevant evidence. If you are referring a student for academic dishonesty, refrain from grading their work until the investigation has concluded. If you need to submit grades, submit a “Z” grade as a placeholder, and update the grade once the investigation has concluded.

You should include when and where the incident occurred and describe what happened. It is essential to attach any relevant evidence to the report, such as a copy of the assignment, TurnItIn reports, or any relevant communications you have had with the student.

The Student Conduct Officer assigned to the case will review the report and any evidence submitted. They will then determine whether or not a code violation could have occurred. If a violation could have occurred, the student will be sent a “Notice of Complaint.” If a faculty or staff member has submitted the report, they will be cc’d on the “Notice of Complaint” and the “Notice of Outcome.”

OCC staff may route reports for non-violations of the Code for consideration as Care Team or Pathways referrals.

Additional information can be submitted directly to the Student Conduct Officer for the case or submitted to occ@unthsc.edu.