Community Standards
Student Code FAQ
Who developed The Student Code?
The Student Code was developed and written by a committee of students, faculty, and staff. It was approved by the Board of Trustees on April 11, 2000. It is designed to reflect the expectations of students, faculty, and staff.
Who administers The Student Code?
The Student Code is posted on the web (http://www.dos.uconn.edu/student_code.html). A clear and consistent message is delivered to incoming students through the first year orientation process that certain behaviors can place their relationship with the University in jeopardy. These include serious alcohol violations; distribution of drugs; serious or multiple cases of academic misconduct; theft; providing alcohol for others; violence towards others and providing false information to University officials.
In addition, Community Standards staff present on The Student Code to a number of community members. This includes First Year Experience classes as well as other undergraduate and graduate courses, Study Abroad participants, Teaching Assistants, Community Assistants, residence hall students, and student organizations. The Student Code and all pertinent information is available to all students, parents and any member of the public online at http://www.dos.uconn.edu/student_code.html.
How many hearings does the University conduct annually?
Over 300 hearings are held each year. Please refer to the Community Standards website for statistical information.
Who can report a student/student organization for a violation of The Student Code?
Any member of the University community can report a possible violation of The Student Code by submitting a written report to the Director of Community Standards.
What happens once a student has been documented for a violation of The Student Code?
Reports of behaviors that may violate The Student Code that occur outside of the residence halls, or are very serious regardless of where they occur (on or off campus) are sent to the Director of Community Standards. If the Director of Community Standards determines that the information presented warrants further review, the accused student/student organization will receive written notice to attend an Administrative Conference with a student conduct officer.
Reports of behaviors that may violate The Student Code that occur in the residence halls are sent to the Hall Director or Complex Coordinator where the incident occurred. If the Hall Director/Complex Coordinator determines that the information presented warrants further review, the accused student/student organization will receive written notice to attend an Administrative Conference with a student conduct officer.
What happens at an Administrative Conference?
An Administrative Conference is a meeting between a student and a student conduct officer. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the incident and the student conduct process. For some incidents, resolution may occur in the Administrative Conference. The decision to resolve a matter through the Administrative Conference lies in the sole discretion of the student conduct officer. The outcome of a conference may include the student and student conduct officer coming to an agreement about the student’s level of responsibility and sanctions, if any, that are appropriate. If the student and the student conduct officer resolve the charges through an Administrative Agreement, the student/student organization waives their right to a hearing.
When will a hearing be held?
A hearing is scheduled for one or more of the following reasons:
- If an agreement cannot be reached
- The student chooses not to attend an Administrative Conference
- The hearing officer deems it appropriate due to the severity of the situation.
Normally, a hearing will be conducted within ten business days of the accused being notified of the charges.
What are the different kinds of hearings?
Hearings can be presided over by an Administrative Hearing Officer(s) (University official(s)) or a Peer Hearing Board (consists of at least three students with a hearing advisor). The majority of hearings are heard by administrative hearing officers. The Director of Community Standards or designee will determine the type of hearing. Peer boards typically hear low level cases and cannot issue the sanction of Suspension or Expulsion. They can only recommend it to the Director of Community Standards.
What types of witnesses are allowed at hearings?
Both the complainant and the accused student may present incident witnesses. The complainant and the accused student may request questions to be asked to the incident witnesses presented by the other party.
Who can serve as a support person?
All hearing participants (the accused student, complainant, and victim) have the right to bring in a Support Person. A support person may not directly address the hearing body, question witnesses, or otherwise actively participate in the hearing process. They are there for the limited purpose of providing individual consultation. A student may bring an attorney as a support person but the attorney would be subject to the same limitations for support persons that are detailed above. When choosing a support person, the student needs to choose an individual who can attend the scheduled hearing as hearings will not be scheduled to accommodate a specific support person’s schedule.
How does a University Hearing differ from a court hearing?
The University’s student conduct system is a means of addressing improper and disruptive student conduct. It is not a criminal process and the criminal justice system is not the model that is used. A University Hearing is an administrative process based on the standards and process outlined in The Student Code.
Who can influence the hearing officer’s decision?
The decision of the hearing officer is made based only upon the information shared at the hearing. No other input is considered.
How will the hearing be conducted?
There is an outline that is used for all hearings that guides the hearing process. A copy of the agenda (which can also be found on the Community Standards website) is given to students in advance. If the student chooses to attend an administrative conference, the process is reviewed by a student conduct officer. The hearing officer will also clarify any process questions prior to a hearing. At any point if a student needs clarification, they are encouraged to ask.
The complainant and the accused will each present his/her information before the hearing body. Witness will be brought in one at a time to provide information. The hearing body will question all parties and the complainant and accused student may request the hearing body to ask particular, relevant questions.
After the facts of the case are presented, the hearing body will deliberate privately and decide if the accused student(s)/student organization(s) is “Responsible” or “Not Responsible” for any charge(s). The hearing body must decide if there is a preponderance of evidence that the accused student violated The Student Code.
What factors affect the length of a hearing?
There are many factors that impact the length of the hearing process. All hearing officers use the same outline. Any questions regarding the process are answered prior to beginning the hearing and throughout the hearing as needed.
Another factor regarding the length of the hearing is whether or not the student pleads “responsible” to the charges. When this occurs, the hearing goes directly to the sanctioning phase. It is important to note that the hearing officer will ask the student to explain why s/he is pleading responsible, for which components of the charge s/he is responsible, and to explain the circumstances of the incident. When a student pleads “not responsible” there is the need for the full hearing which includes the fact finding phase (presentation of facts, questioning of witnesses, etc.); private deliberation of the hearing officer for a determination of responsible/not responsible; and the sanctioning phase. This can take a considerable amount of time.
If a student pleads “responsible” or is found “responsible”, the sanctioning phase is held.
It is extremely important that all participants present the facts in the clearest and most direct manner possible.
What happens when a student/student organization is found “Not Responsible”?
If the student/student organization is found “Not Responsible”, the process is concluded.
What happens when a student/student organization is found “Responsible”?
If the student/student organization is found “Responsible”, then the case will enter the sanctioning phase.
How are the sanctions decided?
The complainant and the responsible student/student organization will each have the opportunity to present an impact statement to the hearing body before sanctions are determined. Upon conclusion of the presentation of this information, the hearing body will deliberate privately to decide what sanctions are appropriate given the circumstances. Factors taken into consideration include the student’s credibility in presenting information; the student’s knowledge and forethought involved in committing the violations; the student’s prior student conduct history at UConn; whether there were multiple violations and their accumulative effect; and severity of the violation(s). The hearing body will consider the student’s academic record as well before deciding on sanction(s).
What kinds of sanctions are issued?
The student conduct process of the University does not use strict sanctioning directives, allowing for the judgment and discretion of the hearing body and the uniqueness of each case. General guidelines are provided under “Possible Sanctions” on the Community Standards website. Sanctions can be both educational and/or punitive. The sanctions will include specific actions or programs that the student will have to complete, as well as a time frame for their completion. Possible sanctions range from a written Warning to University Expulsion for students and Warning to Loss of Privileges for student organizations. Please see Part IV, E of The Student Code for a more complete listing of sanctions.
If an individual has been found responsible for violating The Student Code before, is that considered in determining sanctions in subsequent hearings?
Yes. Only after a finding of “responsible” has been made is information regarding the student’s history presented to the hearing body during the sanctioning phase.
If an individual has been found responsible for criminal behavior, is that used as part of the process?
No. The criminal/court process works very differently than the University’s administrative process. The criminal process focuses on violations of law. The University’s process focuses on violations of UConn’s community standards.
In deliberating whether a student is responsible for violating The Student Code, does a hearing body consider the broader impact of the sanctions levied (e.g., loss of academic sequence, loss of study abroad, loss of parking privileges, loss of student teaching)?
No. The role of the student conduct process is to determine the level of responsibility of each individual relative to the charges levied. To do so in a fair and equitable manner, it must be blind to the impact of the sanctions. The Dean of Students Office is available to assist individuals in coping with the impact of the sanctions levied.
Can cases involving multiple students which appear to have the same circumstances result in different sanctions?
Yes. When multiple individuals have been charged with violations emanating from a single set of circumstances, it is the role of the hearing process to determine the level of responsibility of each individual involved. Rarely, does the hearing body determine that individuals have the exact same level of responsibility. Different levels of responsibility can result in different sanctions.
What happens if sanctions are not fulfilled?
If a student/student organization does not complete their assigned sanctions within the timeline identified, s/he will be charged with abuse of the student conduct system (failure to comply with sanctions). If the student/student organization is found “Responsible”, the additional sanctions will be more severe, and could lead to Suspension or Expulsion (or Loss of Privileges for student organizations). The student/student organization will also need to complete the original sanctions.
Can a student/student organization appeal the decision of a hearing body?
Any student or student organization that has been found responsible in a hearing has a right to appeal the decision within five (5) business days from notification. A student or student organization can appeal based on the criteria listed in The Student Code. The student will be notified at the hearing and in the decision letter who the appeal officer is and how to contact that individual.
What can be shared publicly about the results of student conduct matters?
The University is prohibited by federal law from sharing information publicly about student conduct matters without express written permission from the student involved. The student conduct process is a private matter between the individual and the University. The University complies with federal law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects the confidentiality of student educational information by prohibiting the University from disclosing personal student information, including the results of a Student Code proceeding. While a student may certainly comment or provide information on his/her own Student Code proceeding, the University is still prohibited from providing any information unless the student provides written consent.
Student organizations are not protected by FERPA and the University may release information regarding the outcome of a hearing with a student organization.
Last Updated: June 4, 2007
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