CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

The Code of Student Conduct is the primary document governing non-academic student behavior. It defines prohibited conduct for students and student organizations and sets up a conduct system to address reported violations and preserve student rights.

View the Code of Student Conduct (PDF)

Effective August 15, 2023

View the Code of Student Conduct (Web)

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Conflict Education & Student Accountability (CESA) regularly conducts a comprehensive review of the Code of Student Conduct and related documents.

Previous Versions of the Code of Student Conduct

About the Behavioral Conduct Process

CESA directs the efforts of students and staff members in matters involving behavioral student conduct and supports the university’s mission of guiding students to become more responsible citizens.

Aspects of the behavioral student conduct process involve:

Determining the student conduct charges to be filed according to the Code of Student Conduct
Collecting available and relevant information about the reported conduct
Providing information to individuals regarding the student conduct process
Training and advising the panels
Maintaining all records that are handled through CESA processes
Developing procedures for conflict resolution
Conducting student conduct proceedings, including agreements, panels, and conferences
Collecting and disseminating research and analysis regarding student conduct
Resolving cases of student misconduct, including the assignment of sanctions

Jump to a section below:

Basic Rights
The Student Conduct Process
Preparing for a Conference or Panel
Outcomes & Sanctions for Behavioral Misconduct
Appeals

Basic Rights

Purpose

The primary purpose of establishing conduct proceedings in the university setting is to protect the university community and to establish clear standards for interactions among community members. The university’s goal, through the standards set forth in the Code of Student Conduct, is to help students experience engaged citizenship with its obligations and responsibilities.

List of Basic Rights

Basic rights for respondents in a student conduct proceeding under the Code of Student Conduct:

Notice of charges and date of student conduct proceeding at least 3 days before the proceeding;
Notice with enough specificity to reasonably prepare a response;
The right to respond to information that will be used to make a decision in the case;
The right to produce witnesses on one's own behalf, to present evidence, to know the contents of any written statements that may be introduced against them and to respond to them;
The right to request that CESA call additional witnesses that are available and will provide relevant information to the case;
The right to a decision based on evidence determined by principles of fundamental fairness, rather than formal rules of evidence, as in a court of law;
The right not to be sanctioned unless the hearing body finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent is in violation;
The right to be accompanied by a support person as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct;
The right to appeal decisions as specified in the "Appeals" section of the Code of Student Conduct;
The right to have cases processed in a time frame that balances expediency with thoroughness;
Reasonable access to the case file at least 3 days prior to and during the proceeding, as laid out in the Code of Student Conduct.

The Student Conduct Process

Step-by-Step Process

CESA receives reports regarding possible violations of the Code of Student Conduct from various sources, including GWPD, the Campus Living & Residential Education team, faculty, staff, students, and campus neighbors.
CESA staff reviews the incident report and determines if the report indicates any violation(s) of the Code.
CESA determines what kind of action to take, which could include referring the incident to other offices or issuing an initial warning.
If the case will proceed through the conduct process, the case is assigned to a case manager. The case manager will contact the individuals involved regarding next steps.
Individuals involved in the incident will have the opportunity to meet with the case manager, who will give an overview of the conduct process, in addition to the rights and responsibilities of individuals involved. Individuals can share additional information relevant to the case.
A student conduct conference or conduct panel will occur.
The case will be resolved and the individuals involved will be notified of the outcome.

Overview of the Student Conduct Process (PDF)

Preparing for a Conference or Panel

This is intended to provide a summary of what to expect during the conference/panel process. The panel may make changes to the process on a case-by-case basis while still preserving fundamental fairness and integrity in the process. Questions regarding this process should be directed to CESA.

What is a Student Conduct Conference?

A student conduct conference is one mechanism for resolving an incident report. It will occur when the outcomes are not likely to include removal from housing, suspension, or expulsion.

What is a Student Conduct Panel?

A Student Conduct Panel (SCP) is one mechanism for resolving an incident report. It will occur when the outcome could reasonably include removal from housing, suspension, or expulsion.

Respondents scheduled for a SCP may elect to have a Student Conduct Conference instead. The conference will be considered a Panel-Level Student Conduct Conference, in which the full-range of sanctions may be assigned, including removal from housing, suspension and expulsion.

What is a pre-conference?

An optional meeting with the case manager that takes place before the Student Conduct Conference or Student Conduct Panel
Designed to prepare the respondent for the conference/board by explaining the respondent’s rights in the process and answer any questions the respondent may have

Which parties are involved?

In both a student conduct conference and a student conduct panel, the following parties participate in the process:

Respondent: the student involved in the incident who have violated the Code of Student Conduct
Case manager: a university administrator who will facilitate the process
Complainant (as approved): parties reporting having been affected by an incident
Support person (sometimes): person to emotionally or strategically support the respondent (and the complainant, as approved)
Witnesses (sometimes): individuals with relevant information regarding the incident who can be requested by the respondent, the complainant, or a university official

In addition to those parties listed above, the following also participate in Student Conduct Panels:

Presiding officer: a university administrator or UICC member who will be the lead facilitator of the process
Student Conduct Panel: 3-5 full-time students and possibly a faculty member or administrator

What should you expect?

To answer questions regarding
- The reported violations
- The level of the your responsibility, if any
- Your decision making process during the incident
- How this incident will impact you in the future
- What harms occurred and how they can be repaired
To interact with the individuals present by asking and answering questions

What is expected of you?

Provide information that is true and accurate
Engage in good faith with all involved in the process
Dress in a way that is comfortable for you, as you would for class

What happens during a conference?

Overview of the conduct process
Affirmation to be truthful
Review of alleged violations
Statements and questions of witnesses
Parties’ statements and questioning
Parties’ clarification statement
Closing information regarding notification of decision and the appeals process

What happens after a conference?

A university official (for student conduct conferences) or the University Integrity & Conduct Council members (for Student Conduct Panels) deliberate over all of the evidence presented and makes a determination if the respondent is in violation of the charges.

What happens before a panel?

Parties will provide a list of any witnesses they plan to have attending and any documents they would like to present during the proceeding. If the parties plan to have a support person attend, they should provide the name of that person and a waiver confirming their participation. The deadline for providing that information will be sent to the parties.
The parties have the option to meet with the case manager during the pre-panel meeting to go over any documents/information that will be provided to the panel, as well as discuss the timeline of events.

What happens during a panel?

The Panel will convene briefly before the parties participate. We strive to arrange private rooms (virtual or in person) in which parties can wait while the panel assembles.
The parties will join the panel. The presiding officer will start the recording and explain the purpose and expectations of the panel, including that a decision is reached using the preponderance of evidence standard. Everyone present will introduce themselves.
The presiding officer will present and obtain a response for any and all charges of the respondent. The respondent, if present, will provide a response of not responsible or responsible for each charge.

Opening Statements and Questioning of Complainant and Respondent (note that questioning may occur indirectly upon request

The complainant and the respondent may provide opening statements.
The panel and the respondent may ask the complainant questions.
The panel and the complainant may ask the respondent questions.

Statement and Questioning of Witnesses

Any university witnesses may make a statement. The complainant, the panel, and the respondent may ask the university witnesses questions.
Any witnesses for the complainant may make a statement. The complainant, the panel, and the respondent may ask the complainant’s witnesses questions.
Any witnesses for the respondent may make a statement. The complainant, the panel, and the respondent may ask the respondent’s witnesses questions.

Closing Statements and Additional Questioning

The complainant can provide any additional information.
The panel and the respondent may ask any remaining questions they have for the complainant.
The respondent can provide any additional information if they wish.
The panel and the complainant may ask the respondent any remaining questions.
The complainant may provide their closing statement.
The respondent may provide their closing statement.
The presiding officer will make sure there are no additional or clarifying questions. If not, they will dismiss the parties, and begin the deliberation.

Rules for Order in Conduct Proceedings (PDF)

What happens after the panel?

The panel will deliberate all of the information provided during the panel, as well as the case documents.
The decision will be made using the preponderance of evidence standard, meaning that it is “more likely than not” that the respondent committed the reported violation(s).
If found responsible, the panel will discuss and recommend possible status and active sanctions. The panel will also discuss any mitigating and/or aggravating factors.
The panel will provide this information to the CESA case manager.
The case manager will contact the respondent with the decision of the panel, and any sanctions, if applicable.

What is a Student Conduct Agreement?

Applicable in cases where the respondent wishes to accept responsibility
Respondent submits a statement accepting the in violation finding for all alleged violations
Sanctions can include any status sanctions up to and including suspension and expulsion
Respondent waives all rights to appeal
If declined by the respondent, the case will proceed as originally referred.

Outcomes & Sanctions for Behavioral Misconduct

After the completion of a Student Conduct Conference or Student Conduct Panel, a respondent will receive a decision of

Not in violation for all charges
In violation for some or all charges

Sanctions will be issued to respondents found in violation for some or all of their charges. While some violations have typical outcomes, the Code of Student Conduct seeks to preserve flexibility in the assignment of sanctions so that each respondent is afforded appropriate and just treatment. All sanctioning will consider the institution’s goal of providing an effective learning environment for all members and seeks to repair harm that may have been caused by the incident.

Factors that influence the degree and nature of the sanctions:

the nature of the violation and the incident itself;
the impact of the conduct to the individuals;
the impact or implications of the conduct on the university community;
prior misconduct by the respondent, including the respondent’s relevant prior student conduct history, both at the university or elsewhere, and any criminal convictions, if such information is available and known;
any expression of remorse or acceptance of responsibility by a respondent;
maintenance of a safe and respectful environment conducive to learning;
protection of the university community;
the necessity of any specific action in order to eliminate the prohibited conduct,
prevent its recurrence and remedy its effects on members of the university
community; and,
any mitigating, aggravating, or compelling circumstances in order to reach a just and appropriate resolution in each case.

Most cases will be assigned both a status sanction and one or more active sanctions.

Status Sanctions

Status Sanctions reflect a change in the respondent's status in the student conduct system.

Warning

A warning is an initial directive against similar behavior in the future and do not usually create a formal conduct record unless a subsequent violation occurs.

Censure

Censure is an official written reprimand for violation of specified regulations, including a warning that continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct will be cause for additional student conduct action. It is typically the lowest level of status sanction once a student has been formally charged.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary probation is period of probation where additional restrictions or conditions may be assigned. Violations of student’s probation or additional violations of the Code of Student Conduct during the period of probation, may result in removal from housing, suspension or expulsion from the university if student is found in violation of new charges.

Other services and offices at the university may limit participation on the basis of probation status as determined by their own policies. This includes the Office for Study Abroad.

Limitation of Privileges

Limitation of privileges limits access to participate in specified university activities or resources for the duration of the probationary period, including but not limited to parking, use of facilities, use of information technology resources, leadership roles in student organizations (including club athletic events), participation in student organizations, study abroad, academic honor ceremonies, university-related travel, etc., during disciplinary probation or other status sanction terms. This does not limit the ability of other services and offices at the university to place more stringent limits on participation on the basis of a student’s conduct record or other circumstances.

Removal from Housing

Removal from housing results in the termination of residence contract and possible exclusion from visiting within certain or all residential facilities.

Suspension

Suspension is the exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities, including access to university premises or university-sponsored activities off campus for a specified period of time.

Expulsion

Expulsion is the termination of student status and exclusion from university privileges and activities, including access to university premises or university-sponsored activities off campus, in perpetuity.

Other Status Sanctions

Other sanctions may be assigned instead of, or in addition to, other status sanctions. Students may be directed to have “no contact” with other students and/or may be forbidden to access specified areas (barring notice, also known as persona non grata).

Active Sanctions

Active sanctions require action by the respondent in order to be completed. Examples include

Alcohol and other drug review
Apology
Community engagement
Community restitution project
Fine
Meetings
Reflective project
Restitution
Workshop
Other

In determining what sanction or other action might be appropriate, the university may require a behavioral assessment conducted by a licensed professional to assess the respondent’s capacity to change behavior and succeed in the GW community.

Individuals may be required to adhere to/or complete conditions or provisions as part of an initial warning from the university.

Students who fail to complete active sanctions or conditions will have a hold placed on their records until completion of their sanctions and/or conditions. Holds can typically prevent students from registering for classes, withdrawing from courses, applying for on-campus housing assignments, graduating, or receiving copies of academic transcripts.

Students who fail to comply with their sanctions or provisions may also face additional conduct action.

Appeals for Behavioral Misconduct

A respondent has the right to appeal the outcome of a student conduct process on one or more of the following grounds:

There was a material deviation from the procedures that affected the outcome of the student conduct process.
There is new and relevant information that was unavailable at the time of the proceeding, with reasonable diligence and effort, that could materially affect the outcome.
The sanction(s) was clearly inappropriate and/or disproportionate to the prohibited conduct for which the respondent was found in violation.

Appeals must be submitted in writing to CESA within five business days after the outcome letter is provided to the respondent. Failure to appeal within the time limit will make the original decision final and conclusive.

Submit an Appeal

An appeal submitted within five business days will be reviewed by an employee designated by the Vice Provost for Student Affairs to determine if the appeal provides grounds as described above. This review by a designee will generally be completed within 14 days of the date the appeal is filed. In certain cases additional time may be required depending on the complexity of the case and other factors.

If an appeal is found to have provided grounds as described above, the appeal will be forwarded to an Appeals Panel. The Appeals Panel shall consist of one student, one faculty, and one staff member who did not participate in the original proceedings. In order to serve as a member of an Appeals Panel, individuals will confirm they do not have a personal bias regarding the parties and that they do not have previous knowledge of the incident or original proceeding, Respondents will also have the opportunity to review a list of potential Appeals Panel members for a conflict of interest. The decision to grant or deny the appeal will be based on information supplied in the written appeal and, when appropriate, the record of the original proceedings. As a general practice, the Panel will attempt to reach its decision within 45 days. The Panel may take additional time in individual cases depending on the circumstances involved, the complexity of the facts, and other factors. The decision of the Panel or the outcome and sanctions (if any) shall be final and conclusive. No further appeals will be permitted based on the original resolution of the case. If the case is returned to the original or new panel or conference officer for a new panel or conference, the respondent retains appeal rights regarding that outcome.

During the appeal period, (implementation of) sanctions will be deferred, unless concern for campus safety necessitates immediate implementation of sanctions.

The Appeals Panel may

Affirm the finding of the original hearing body,
Remand the case to the original hearing body,
Request that a new hearing body hear the case, or
Recommend revised sanctions to the VPSA (if that is the grounds for appeal).