GW Community Feedback on the Code of Student Conduct

Update and Additional Comment Period

The Division of Student Affairs has engaged in an extended process to revise the Code of Student Conduct (the Code). The GW community has been important in that effort, and we are grateful for the time given in reviewing draft language. Following the second community engagement period, the Division for Student Affairs made substantial revisions to the Code. Based on ongoing feedback, we are opening a final comment period before the Code is finalized.

• Current GW students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit additional feedback through Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
• Click the "Provide Feedback on the Revised Code" button below to be directed to the submission form.
• We welcome your questions, requests for clarity, constructive critiques, and suggestions. Questions submitted will be interpreted as feedback and will not receive a response.
• For technical issues or submission questions, please email studentsgwu [dot] edu (students[at]gwu[dot]edu).
    

Revision Highlights

Below are a several examples of how community feedback was incorporated into the draft Code following the most recent engagement period.

• Expanded Content: While initially incorporated throughout the initial draft, the Code now includes a clearer summary of respondent rights. This version includes new content that adds to or expands upon the initial draft, such as adding the definition of Preponderance of the Evidence and refining language related to University Official, Harming Behavior, Failure to Comply, and involvement in unregistered student groups.
• An Automatic Review Mechanism for the Most Serious Sanctions: The revised Code now incorporates an automatic review panel for cases involving the most serious educational sanctions: suspension, expulsion, and revocation of organizational status. This is a meaningful structural protection that did not exist in earlier drafts.
• Fully Restored Appeals Process: The initial draft included more limitations on appeals. Appeals are once again an option for any case not resolved through a Student Conduct Agreement. The option to appeal on the grounds of disproportionate or inappropriate educational sanctions was also reintroduced. 

The Process

In spring 2025, the Division for Student Affairs (DSA) began its first major revision of the Code of Student Conduct since 2019. Feedback from students, faculty, and staff indicated interest in a timely community-driven review. A primary objective throughout this process was to emphasize a collaborative, less adversarial approach to upholding community standards.

Phases 1 and 2

Phase 1:  In April 2025, the Division opened a public comment period and met with stakeholders representing students, faculty, and staff to gain a broad understanding of how our campus approaches community responsibility, impact, and repair. Community input provided valuable insight into questions about the Code and recommendations for improvement. Guidance from an external subject matter expert helped shape the new draft Code from an objective lens. 

Phase 2:  A revised draft of the Code was shared with the GW community in November 2025 and a second community engagement period was held from November 10, 2025 through February 13, 2026.. To facilitate a comprehensive review, the draft Code was re-written rather than edited in pieces. This allowed us to apply a fresh perspective and center our guiding principles throughout the process. The Division was intentional in releasing a draft rather than a final version so that it could engage the broader GW community in shaping the final document. 

Phase 2 Outcomes

All feedback has been carefully considered and community input significantly informed the current draft of the Code. Examples of substantive changes found in the draft Code, as compared to the current Code, are found below. The stated revisions are subject to change following the final comment period.

Expand to learn more about key changes

Student Rights 

• The Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, currently published within the Code, will become a standalone document to better reflect its scope. The preamble will link directly to the Statement which will be published on the CESA website.
• While initially incorporated throughout the initial draft, the Code now includes a clearer summary of respondent rights.  

Discriminatory Misconduct Process Changes 

• Discriminatory misconduct and harassment was removed from the Code as these reports are now addressed by the Office of Access and Opportunity under the Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Non-Retaliation Policy.
• A statement was added to emphasize that the University is committed to the equitable application of the Code and its related procedures.

Harming Behavior

• A new prohibited conduct category, "Harming Behavior," addresses severe or repeated acts that cause physical or substantial emotional harm, that otherwise does not constitute discriminatory misconduct.

Approach to Student Organizations 

• Unregistered student groups are no longer considered a collective entity accountable under the Code of Student Conduct as they are not formally recognized and do not receive University benefits. Students who are members of these unregistered groups remain accountable for their individual behavior.
• Provided more differentiation for what suspension and revocation of status mean.

Revised Language & Additional Details 

• This draft includes additional content that adds or expands upon various points throughout the Code, such as adding the definition of Preponderance of the Evidence and refining language related to University Official, Harming Behavior, Failure to Comply, and involvement in unregistered student groups.
• Direct links to the Alcohol and Other Drug Medical Amnesty Program and the Good Samaritan Statement were reintroduced in the final draft to inform students of these related programs.

The Conduct Process and Resolution Model

• The revised Code offers clearer descriptions of the conduct process. The resolution pathways were streamlined while retaining flexibility and a variety of options for outcomes and educational sanctions based on the unique circumstances of the incident.
• Students continue to have the option to accept educational sanctions and action items through a one-on-one Student Conduct Conference with a case manager. If a student and case manager are unable to reach an agreement through a Conference, the case will be referred to a decision-maker.
• Hearing panels were previously removed from the initial draft to address operational challenges, further leverage the experience and expertise of trained professionals, improve timeliness of the review, and increase objectivity and consistency in all steps of the process.
• In direct response to feedback received throughout this process, the revised Code now incorporates an automatic review panel for cases involving the most serious educational sanctions: suspension, expulsion, and revocation of organizational status.
• Under the proposed language, when a decision-maker determines that one of these status sanctions is warranted, the case is referred to a Review Panel, a body composed of one student, one faculty member, and one administrator. The panel reviews an anonymized case file and determines to uphold or not uphold the sanction. This mechanism preserves faculty and student voices in the most high-stakes decisions while addressing the operational challenges of the prior panel model.

Appeals Expansion 

• The initial draft included more limitations on appeals. Following community feedback, this was amended. Appeals an option for any case not resolved through a Student Conduct Agreement. The option to appeal on the grounds of disproportionate or inappropriate educational sanctions was also reintroduced. With this appeal option being reintroduced to the Code, the three original appeal options have been maintained.

Probation 

• To emphasize learning and personal growth, conduct probation is no longer for a fixed term (e.g., six months, one year, indefinite). Instead, it will be indefinite and can be lifted after at least six months through review by a student-led Probation Review Committee.
• Trained students will be engaged in the review of petitions to lift probation status of a respondent. The petition will focus on student learning and positive contributions to the campus community to determine if the Probation should be lifted. If the Probation is not lifted, the student can reapply six months after the Committee decision.

Transcript Notations

• In the current Code, transcript notation for a suspension appears on a student’s transcript for a minimum of three years. Moving forward, suspension notations will be removed from transcripts upon a student’s return to the university.
• Notations of expulsion continue to be considered permanent records and will not be removed from a student’s transcript.

Next Steps

Following the close of the comment period, the Division for Student Affairs will review all feedback and make final revisions. Once finalized, the new Code will be published here. The Code is scheduled to take effect June 1, 2026. The Conflict Education and Student Accountability website will be updated at that time.

The Division for Student Affairs will establish an Advisory Committee to support and evaluate the implementation of the new Code. The Committee will meet periodically for a minimum of three years to review data, solicit feedback, and propose additional revisions to meet the needs of our community.