Student Conduct and Civility FAQ

If the incident was reported to the Office of Care and Civility and the reviewing Student 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 in the conduct process. If you have questions, you can reach out to studentconduct@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 Student Code of Conduct and Civility.

A Student Conduct Officer reviews all reports of alleged violations of the Code. In the event the allegation, if taken as true, would be a violation of the Code, you will receive an official “Notice of Complaint” and meet with a Student Conduct Officer to discuss the allegations.

Yes, students may request a Review of the findings of the conduct conference with the Student Conduct Officer by following the instructions in the Notice of Outcome. If a student was found responsible for violating the Code and assigned disciplinary probation, suspension, and/or expulsion, the review will be heard by the Student Conduct Committee. If a student was found responsible for violating the Code and assigned a written warning, loss of privileges, and/or restitution, the Executive Director for Student and Academic Success will hear your 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. The process for doing so is outlined in the Notice of Outcome sent to you be the Student Conduct Officer.

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. The Student Conduct Committee has the authority to uphold, overturn, or modify the original outcome.

In matters of disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion, you will meet with the Student Conduct 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 alleged behavior. 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 via a Notice of Outcome. The full process is outlined in The Code.

Yes, if you disagree with the decision of the Student Conduct Committee, you can submit a request for review by following the instructions in your Notice of Outcome sent by the Committee Chairperson. For academic dishonesty cases, your request for review will be heard by your academic dean. For behavioral cases, the Vice Provost for Student Affairs will hear your Review.

Decisions made by your academic dean and the Vice Provost for Student Affairs are final.

Every matter of student conduct is decided case-by-case, and the assignment of disciplinary actions depends on the nature of the violation and a student’s prior conduct history (any past responsible findings). During your conduct conference with a Student Conduct Officer, you will be able to ask questions related to possible 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), if a student is found in violation of the Code, an instructor may award partial or no credit for an assignment or assessment on which a student engaged in academic dishonesty. An instructor may assign a failing grade for a course in which a student has engaged in academic dishonesty.

If you believe someone has violated the Code, you can make a report by utilizing the Person of Concern Reporting Form.

Yes, reports can be submitted anonymously. A Student Conduct Officer cannot contact you regarding any additional information needed for the case nor provide you with any information should you choose to report anonymously.

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.

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.

Suspension and expulsion will appear on a student’s transcript. All conduct outcomes are a part of a student’s behavioral record and subject to FERPA.

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.

Suspension and expulsion will appear on a student’s transcript. All conduct outcomes are a part of a student’s behavioral record and subject to FERPA.

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.

Suspension and expulsion will appear on a student’s transcript. All conduct outcomes are a part of a student’s behavioral record and subject to FERPA.

Employees of HSC that have a business need to know student conduct information may be informed of a responsible finding.

This includes the dean of your college and other employees within your college designated by the dean, student affairs leadership, and other offices that could include HSC PD, Testing and Evaluation Services, and the Office of the Registrar and Student records, among others.

Unless requested by you, only other employees with a business need to know your conduct information will be able to request that information.

You should submit a “Person of Concern Reporting Form” and include 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 likely be cc’d on the “Notice of Complaint” and the “Notice of Outcome” sent to the student.

If the behavior indicated in a report does not constitute a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and Civility, a Student Conduct Officer may assign the reports 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 studentconduct@unthsc.edu.