Question
What are the Student Conduct Processes
Answer
University conduct processes, administered through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR), ensure that community standards and university due processes are upheld. Referrals may be made to SRR for alleged violations of terms within the Student Code of Conduct, Community Living Policies, Student Handbook, or course syllabi. Violations of the law may be referred to SRR by the University Police Department or other law enforcement.
Due Process:
- SRR is committed to providing fair, educational processes in order to resolve disciplinary concerns in a respectful and timely manner. It is expected that all involved are committed to honesty and mutual respect. SRR will provide the student with the opportunity to share their side of the story and will determine an outcome that is fair and equivalent to the violation at hand, with respect to any previous instances of misconduct.
- Alleged students will receive an electronic notice of the allegations to their USD email including a brief description of the alleged incident, any applicable policy violations, details for a mandatory meeting with a hearing officer from the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, University Housing, or another designee, and an overview of the student's rights.
- Students are expected to check their university email account regularly. Email correspondence, including the notification of a mandatory meeting, is considered received one day after the notice is sent. Failing to attend a mandatory meeting or respond to important communication may result in additional disciplinary action.
- University due process requires that students be informed of their resolution options.
Resolution and Procedural Options:
- Students may waive their right to a formal hearing and opt for an informal resolution by accepting responsibility for the charge(s) and any sanctioning.
- Alternatively, students may choose to participate in a formal process in order to rebut the alleged policy violation(s). Students may be heard informally by SRR staff or opt to participate in a formal hearing administered by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
- A hearing panel, consisting of faculty or staff members, will be assigned to hear the facts of the case and go over any supporting documentation. They will determine if, upon the preponderance of evidence, it is more likely than not that the student violated the alleged charge(s).
- If responsibility is determined, the student is able to appeal the finding if it is believed that their due process rights were violated, or, if new facts emerge which were unknown at the time of the hearing which may affect the outcome. Appeal rights will be included in the outcome letter that is sent following the hearing.
- A student may also accept responsibility for an alleged violation but appeal the sanctioning if it appears to be overly harsh.
Student Code of Conduct Policy