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 June 1, 2026

View the Statement on Student Rights and Responsibilities (PDF)Last modifications effective August 15, 2023

Previous Versions of the Code of Student Conduct

About the Behavioral Conduct Process

Code of Student Conduct Resolution Model (PDF)

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
Maintaining all records that are handled through CESA processes
Developing procedures for conflict resolution
Conducting student conduct proceedings
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
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

The following rights shall be provided to a respondent in the student conduct process:

The right to receive written notification of a Student Conduct Conference, including the date, time, location, and a brief description of the concern raised at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled Student Conduct Conference.
The right to meet one-on-one with a case manager to discuss the incident, learn about the student conduct process, and review possible options for resolving the case.
The right to be notified when an investigation is initiated; to be heard, identify witnesses, and submit relevant evidence or information; and to receive a copy of the investigation report upon its completion.
The right to have cases processed in a time frame that balances timeliness with thoroughness.
The right to a decision based upon evidence and to not be sanctioned unless the case manager or decision-maker finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the student is in violation.
The right to receive a written determination letter that includes the behavioral allegations, policy violation findings, the rationale for the findings, and any assigned action plan.
The right to appeal an administrative decision as described in this Code.

Outcomes & Sanctions for Behavioral Misconduct

After the completion of a conduct proceeding, 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 action items.

Status Sanctions

A respondent who was found to have violated the Code may be assigned one or more status sanctions, either individually or in combination with action items. Possible status sanctions include:

Warning
Conduct Probation
Loss of Campus Housing
Loss of Privileges
Suspension
Expulsion
Revocation of Registered Student Organization Status

More information about each sanction can be found in the Code of Student Conduct.

Action Items

Action items are designed to repair the harm caused by the respondent and to actively engage the respondent in contributing positively to the University. Action items may be implemented individually or in combination with a status sanction or other action items. This list provides examples but is not exhaustive.

Educational Initiatives: Projects; participation in health or safety programs (the student may be required to pay a fee); service to the University or the larger community; seminars; and other assignments as warranted.
Mentor Program: A student is assigned to a mentor, either a student or an employee, who meets with them regularly. The mentor will assist the student in designing a customized involvement plan tailored to the student’s interests and academic goals.
No Contact Order: No contact with (staying away from) an individual, including phone, letter, or email, by any means of technology (e.g., social media, internet messages, text messages, etc.), through third parties, or by any other means, communicate to, or in any fashion attempt to contact the individual.
Restitution: Compensation for loss or damage to property or services rendered. The restitution may be an appropriate service, monetary replacement, or material replacement.
Restorative Programs: Engagement in restorative practice initiatives such as restorative circles, facilitated dialogues, and circles of support and accountability.

Students who fail to complete action items 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

A respondent may appeal an Administrative Decision. Cases agreed upon by a Student Conduct Agreement are not appealable. All appeals will be submitted in writing and referred to the appeal officer, who is the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee. The original determination, along with any sanctions or action items imposed, remains in effect during the appeal process.

The deadline for filing a written appeal is three (3) business days from the date the respondent is sent written notification of the outcome. The appeal must be on one or more of the following grounds:

Procedural error that would change the determination
New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time of the determination
Sanction(s) was inappropriate or disproportionate to the prohibited conduct

Except as required to explain the basis of new information, an appeal shall be limited to a review of the respondent’s appeal, investigation report, any written responses to the report, and any documentation created by the decision-maker. There is no in-person element to an appeal review. The appeal officer may uphold the original determination, return the case for additional proceedings, or take other necessary action, depending on the process under appeal and the grounds.

Submit an Appeal