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Student Conduct Process

Conduct violations that are non-academic in nature are generally resolved through an administrative conference with a hearing officer. The purpose of an administrative conference is to provide an equitable forum for the review of the available information regarding an alleged incident of misconduct.  The hearing officer will decide by a preponderance of the evidence whether or not the accused Student/Student Organization is found responsible for the allegation(s).

  • 1. After a report of alleged misconduct is received, a notice of charge will be emailed to the accused Student/Student Organization informing them of the allegation.  The Student/Student Organization will be instructed to respond within three business (3) days to schedule an administrative conference.  Accused Students/Student Organizations who fail to schedule a conference, or miss a scheduled conference without notifying the hearing officer, will likely have a hearing date and time set for them and possibly have their case heard in their absence.  If the case is heard in their absence, the notice of decision will be sent to the student /student organization via email. The hearing officer may also choose to place a hold on the student’s registration until such time as the student completes the administrative conference.
  • 2. During the administrative conference the student has the opportunity to explain their account of what happened before, during and after the incident and to provide additional information, witnesses, and context relevant to the report or allegation.
  • 3. The hearing officer will communicate the final decision of responsibility and, if appropriate any sanctions in a notice of decision to the Student/Student Organization via email. The notice of decision will also include information on a Student/Student Organization’s rights to appeal (see section 8 for more information of the Code of Student Conduct).
  • 4. The hearing officer will determine if the accused Student/Student Organization is “responsible” or “not responsible” for violating each of the policies alleged using the preponderance standard as outlined in Section 5.2, or may also reach a finding of no determination. If the hearing officer determines the Student or Student Organization is responsible, they will consult with the Director of SCCS to determine appropriate sanctions.
  • 5. Students are afforded the opportunity to bring an advisor or support person.

The purpose of a SCCS Committee hearing is to provide an equitable forum for the review of the available information regarding an alleged incident of misconduct. The SCCS Committee will decide by a preponderance of the evidence whether or not the accused Student/Student Organization is found responsible for the allegation(s).  The SCCS Committee have the ability to recommend all possible sanctions, up through and including suspension or expulsion from the University or degree revocation.  The following procedures will be used in a Committee Hearing process: 

  • 1. After a report of alleged misconduct is received, a notice of charge will be emailed to the accused Student/Student Organization informing them of the allegation.  The accused Student/ Student Organization will be instructed to respond within three (3) business days to schedule a committee hearing. Accused Students/ Student Organizations who fail to schedule a conference, or miss a scheduled conference without notification, will likely have a hearing date and time set for them and possibly have their case heard in their absence.  If the case is heard in their absence, the notice of decision will be sent to the accused Student/ Student Organization via email. When a SCCS Committee hearing is called, the accused Student/ Student Organization will appear before a trained three- member panel, composed of at least one (1) faculty or staff member and at least one (1) student. 
  • 2. All SCCS Committee Hearings are closed to those other than Committee members, SCCS staff or designees with a role in the hearing proceedings, accused parties and their advisor, and any witnesses approved by the Committee Chair (see section 5.9, number 6 of the Code of Student Conduct). The hearing is informal and does not follow administrative contested case or courtroom procedures.
  • 3. If the Student/Student Organization has been properly notified and does not appear, the SCCS Committee may proceed with the hearing and conduct action may be taken without the participation of the accused Student/Student Organization.
  • 4. Students involved in a Committee Hearing are afforded the opportunity to bring an Advisor or support person.
  • 5. During the hearing, the Student/Student Organization has the opportunity to offer information, witnesses and testimony on their own behalf. The Student/Student Organization also has the opportunity to review and respond to all information, statements, or evidence presented to the Committee.
  • 6. The SCCS Committee will select a Chair, who will lead the Committee. The Chair can be a faculty or staff member, or a student. The Chair has the authority to pause, adjourn, and reconvene the Committee as needed.  For example, if the Chair determines that an essential person or piece of information is missing or otherwise identifies it to be essential to pause or adjourn the hearing, the Chair may decide to reconvene the hearing at the earliest practical time available.
  • 7. After the Chair has determined that all necessary and relevant information has been presented and reviewed, the Committee will go into closed executive session and all participants will be excused. The Committee will determine, based on a preponderance of the evidence, whether or not they believe the accused Student/Student Organization is responsible for the alleged violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct.
  • 8. If the Committee determines that a Student/Student Organization is responsible for the alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct, the Committee will reconvene with the accused Student/Student Organization and a representative of SCCS to consider what sanctions may be appropriate. The accused Student/Student Organization may waive their right to be present. The Committee may consider:
    • Evidence of any mitigating circumstances;
    • Evidence of aggravating circumstances; and
    • Other relevant information, including but not limited to, evidence of prior violations of the Code of Student Conduct, analysis of victim/community impact, or demonstrated learning or restorative efforts relevant to the incident or behavioral history.
  • 9. The Committee will conclude the hearing and proceed in closed executive session to compose written recommendations to the Director of SCCS for responsibility and sanctioning. 
  • 10. The Director will review the recommendations of the Committee and, if necessary, any information presented in the evidence packet and the conduct history of the accused Student/Student Organization to inform the final outcome. 
  • 11. The Director of SCCS will communicate the final decision of responsibility and, if appropriate, any sanctions in a notice of decision to the accused Student/Student Organization electronically. The notice of decision will also include information on an accused Student/Student Organization’s rights to appeal (see section 8 of the Code of Student Conduct for more information).

The University utilizes an educational and restorative sanctioning model.  The sanction applied will be proportionate with the violation committed and become progressively more demanding or severe if the Student or Student Organization repeats violations, or otherwise demonstrates that learning has not taken place. Multiple or on-going violations may therefore result in severe sanctions such as deferred suspension, suspension, or expulsion.  Violations that negatively affect the health, safety and wellbeing of the community are deemed the most severe and may result, upon the first violation, in suspension or expulsion. 

Students or Student Organizations who receive probation, deferred suspension, suspension or expulsion sanctions, or Students or Student Organizations who fail to complete sanctions are considered not in good standing with the University.  Any sanctions will be tracked by the hearing officer, SCCS office, or designee until completion.  Failure to satisfactorily complete sanctions as assigned will likely result in a registration hold that will prevent a student’s registration-related actions until conditions of sanctions are met.

Students or Student Organizations exhibiting behavior that violates any part of the Code of Student Conduct are subject to one or more of the following:

  • 1. Warning: Official notice to a Student or Student Organization exhibiting behavior that violates any part of the Code of Student Conduct. The continuation of such behavior may result in further conduct action.
  • 2. Required Educational Activities: Mandatory participation in educational activities.  Such educational activities include but are not limited to completion of a report or attendance at a seminar or other educational program or presentation.
  • 3. University/Community Service Work Hours:  Requirement to complete a specified number of hours of service to the University or general community.
  • 4. Behavioral Expectations: A written list of specific behavioral expectations the University has for the Student in order for the Student to continue at the institution.
  • 5. Restitution: A requirement that a Student or Student Organization provide reimbursement by dollar amount, by transfer of property, or by provision of services to the University or a member of the community in accordance with the nature of the violation and in an amount not in excess of actual expenses, damages, or losses incurred.
  • 6. Restriction/Exclusion: Restrictions on participation in meetings, denial of entry to specific University facilities, prohibition of presence in certain areas, or other restrictions consistent with the violation committed.  For a Student Organization, restrictions may include denial of specific University privileges including, but not limited to, sponsored social activities, sponsored parties or philanthropy, participation in intramurals, representing the University and any travel in connection with such representation, recruitment, membership or representation on a governing council, use of university space for a meeting or event, participation in competition and events, and receipt of institutional funding.
  • 7. No Contact Directive:  A directive to a Student to refrain from any intentional contact, direct or indirect, with one or more designated persons through any means, including personal contact, e-mail, telephone, social media, or third parties.
  • 8. Academic Sanction: Students whose behavior is found to constitute Academic Misconduct as defined in Section 4.2 are subject to additional academic sanctions, which may include, but are not limited to, failing the course, restriction from course withdrawal, grade replacement provisions, or removal from an academic department, college or program.  Students may also be sanctioned to complete the online Academic Integrity Course.
  • 9. Removal from a Class: A Student’s removal from a class may be temporary or permanent.   Permanent removal from a class may be authorized by the Director of SCCS with concurrence from the Dean of the College in which the class is offered. A Student who is permanently removed from a class will receive a “W” (Withdrawal) on the academic transcript, unless removed in conjunction with an academic misconduct violation that warrants an “F” grade for the course, in which the student will receive an “F” on the academic transcript.  In instances where a student is removed from class due to a finding of responsibility for under this Code, no automatic refunds for tuition or other class fees will be made.
  • 10. Residential Disciplinary Probation: Applies to students who have a contract with University Housing and Dining Services (UHDS).  Residential disciplinary probation means that the student is not in good standing with UHDS, and any further violations may result in relocation or cancellation of a student’s housing contract. 
  • 11. University Conduct Probation: Placement on probationary status during which there is review of behavior and the Student or Student Organization must demonstrate compliance with the Code of Student Conduct.  Terms of the conduct probation will be determined at the time the probation is imposed and may include additional sanctions including but not limited to loss of privileges, restrictions, restitution, and/or required educational activities. University conduct probation means that the student is not in good standing with the University, and any further violations may result in the Student or Student Organization’s suspension or expulsion from or loss of recognition with the University.
  • 12. Conduct Suspension:
    • Deferred Suspension: Deferred suspension is applied when it is determined that the actions and behavioral pattern warrant separation from the Institution, but the hearing body and sanctioning authority deems it allowable for the student to remain enrolled, contingent on completion of and adherence to all terms of sanctions assigned and all University policies and rules.  Failure to complete sanctions as assigned or meet identified conditions of continued enrollment or another violation of the Code of Student Conduct during a period of deferred suspension, will result in immediate suspension when substantiated either through a Student/Student Organization taking responsibility for the behavior or through an additional student conduct process.  Further violation(s) may increase the period of suspension or subject the accused to further sanctions such as expulsion or degree revocation.  
    • Suspension:
      1. Student - Suspended Students are denied the privileges and services provided to currently enrolled Students, including residing in University-owned or recognized Student housing, attending class, or using other University services or facilities.  A sanction of suspension carries with it exclusion from the University and all University property for a specific period of time, unless otherwise noted. Suspension is generally for at least one year; however, the period of Suspension may be specified for any period of time.
      2. Student Organization – Loss of University recognition or registration for a specified period of time. A suspended Student Organization may not use University resources or participate in University activities in a manner that emulates the activities of a recognized Student Organization, including but not limited to recruitment, initiation, or group participation in service, philanthropy or events. The Organization must comply with all sanctions prior to being registered or recognized again. 
      3. The conditions of Suspension take effect immediately when the Student or Student Organization is informed of the outcome in a notice of decision. If a suspended Student files an appeal, the imposition of the Suspension will be stayed until the conclusion of the appeal process as long as the Student is not excluded from the campus under Administrative Suspension (See Section 9 of the Code of Student Conduct).
      4. If a pending conduct hearing or appeal may result in Suspension, awarding of a Student’s academic degree will be postponed pending the outcome of the conduct proceedings. 
  • 13. Expulsion: Removes the student from their academic program and separates the student from the University without the opportunity to graduate or reenroll in the future.  Expelled Students will also be excluded from the University and all University property, unless otherwise noted.
    • The conditions of Expulsion take effect immediately when the Student is informed of the outcome in a notice of decision. If an appeal is filed, the imposition of the Expulsion will be stayed until the conclusion of the appeal process as long as the student is not excluded under Administrative Suspension (See Section 9).
    • If a pending conduct conference, hearing or appeal may result in Expulsion, awarding of a Student’s academic degree will be postponed pending the outcome of the conduct proceedings. 
  • 14. Student Organization Recognition Revocation: Permanent revocation of University recognition of a Student Organization. The conditions of Loss of Recognition take effect immediately when the Student Organization is informed of the decision. If an appeal is filed, the imposition of the Loss of Recognition continue to be in effect pending the outcome of the appeal.
  • 15. Degree Revocation: A degree awarded from the University may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, or other violation of University standards in obtaining the degree, or for other serious conduct violations committed by a student prior to graduation.  The Office of the Registrar maintains the authority to revoke academic credit and degrees awarded in error. Therefore, in instances where an investigation as outlined in this Code would result in a recommended sanction of degree revocation, such a recommendation will be made to the Office of the Registrar by SCCS.  For more information about degree revocation, please see Oregon State University Credit and Degree Revocation Policy.

If sanctioned or requested to participate in a student conduct process or investigation, a hold may be placed on the students ability to re-enroll, graduate, or obtain official transcripts until sanctions and/or participation expectations are satisfied.  The best way to avoid a registration hold is to meet all deadlines to schedule a meeting or complete sanctions as outlined in the notice you receive from Student Conduct and Community Standards in your ONID email. Students can check for registration holds on their account by logging into myosu.