爆料社区

Reporting Conduct Violations - FAQs

• What happens when I refer a student to the Dean of Students Office?
  The student is sent a letter via email to their 爆料社区 account from the Dean of Students Office that asks them to contact our office to schedule a meeting with Student Conduct to discuss the alleged concerns included in the referral. The student also receives information in their letter and conversation with Student Conduct about the Standards for Student Conduct (California Code of Regulations under Title V, section 41301-41304) and .
• What will happen at the conference (meeting)?
  The student will become acquainted with the process and be informed of their rights. The student is informed of the referral and is given an opportunity to tell Student Conduct their first-hand perspective of the incident and alleged violations. During this meeting, the student ideally takes responsibility for their part of the incident and reflects on their behavior and decisions. Otherwise, further investigation may take place prior to sending the student a proposed outcome letter.
• Does the Student Conduct Administrator decide if a University rule has been violated?

  Yes, in most instances during this part of the student conduct process (the Informal Conference) Student Conduct will adjudicate the case and will subsequently provide a resolution agreement with the student. Student condutc typically ends the meeting by sharing next steps and the anticipated range of sanctions (both educational and disciplinary). The student does not receive a final letter/decision during the meeting or immediately after the meeting. If the student does not agree with the proposed outcome & sanction(s) or refuses to participate in the disciplinary process, a formal hearing will be scheduled to resolve the student's case. The student has 10 working days to make one of the following decisions:

  • Agree with the proposed outcome and sanctions. Case is closed and considered "resolved."
  • Refute/challenge the proposed outcome and sanctions and requesting a formal hearing to resolve the case. Student Conduct will schedule a hearing and send the student a formal "Notice of Hearing" with accompanying information to assist the student in their preparation and educate the student on what to expect. 
  • If the student is unresponsive, they will receive a reminder with an extended deadline. Should the student remain unresponsive, an Adminsitrative Hold will be placed on thir account, restricting their ability to enroll in classes and obtain student records. Based on the student's enrollment, a formal hearing will be scheduled regardless of the student's choice to participate (if they remain enrolled) to formally resolve the case.  
• What happens if the student is not in violation?

  This mainly impacts referrals for Academic Dishonesty. The findings from the student conduct process does not impact the original grade assigned by a faculty member. The student conduct process and grading process are separate. There may be times based on the amount of the preponderance of evidence when students may not be found in violation for the alleged behavior that was referred. Student Conduct bases their decisions on a preponderance of evidence standard, which is different than a standard used by a faculty member. 

  Preponderance of the Evidence means the greater weight of the evidence; i.e., that the evidence on one side outweighs, preponderates over, or is more than, the evidence on the other side. The Preponderance of the Evidence is the applicable standard for demonstrating facts and reaching conclusions in all investigations conducted by Student Conduct & Ethical Development. 

• What info should I provide Student Conduct regarding my referral?
  As the referring party, you must submit all information/knowledge that you have about the incident, including information from/about witnesses, any contact you had with the student, any documentation such as tests, notes, term papers, assignments, screenshots, emails, and, if applicable - note if UPD (University Police) were notified or responded so Student Conduct may request information from UPD reports about the incident, etc.
• Will I attend the informal conference to give my side of the incident?
  No, the referring party does not attend the student's informal conference. Student Conduct meets with the student in a confidential one-on-one meeting. The student may choose to being an Advisor to accompany them at the meeting for support; the Advisor does not speak on behalf of the student. In the event of a formal hearing, the referring party may be asked to provide testimony or otherwise participate by providing a statement (written or recorded), additional evidence, regarding the facts of the case and include any impact the violations had on you, other students, your class, etc.
• Will I attend the Disciplinary Hearing?
  You may be asked to serve as a witness for the hearing. Contact us if you are unsure about participating as a witness. You are not required to do so. 
• Will I be told the results of the case?

  Federal law protects the privacy of educational records as dictated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Decisions regarding disclosure of the case results will be determined by legitimate educational interest. Following campus protocol, the Dean of Students Office will inform the referring faculty of the case outcome (including sanction) for academic dishonesty cases. If you are notified of a "higher-level" sanction such as a Suspension or Expulsion, it's likely due to the student having prior conduct violations and/or their existing/prior discipllinary standing. In some cases, severe sanctions are imposed for severe or higher-level violations. 

  In some instances, students may be unresponsive, drop their 爆料社区 courses, transfer to a different university, etc. In those cases, the referring faculty will receive an update from the Dean of Students Office that the case is "Pending". For pending cases, an Administrative Hold is placed on the student's account which prevents enrollment and access to transcripts. A case may be re-opened and processed should the student attempt to return as an active 爆料社区 student or need their transcripts to apply to another institution, program or profession. 

• How do I learn more about the Academic Integrity policy?
  All faculty are encouraged to review and become familiar with the Academic Integrity Policy at 爆料社区.
• What if I don鈥檛 want to ruin the student鈥檚 life, chances at grad school, etc?

  As an educational institution one of our primary goals for the campus disciplinary process is to help students learn from their mistakes. Usually, no permanent records are retained, and nothing goes on a student鈥檚 transcripts regarding specific behavior or actions. Disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion will be noted on student transcripts with varying degrees of time. Disciplinary records are confidential and generally cannot be released to others without the student鈥檚 consent (in adherence with FERPA). In all but a very few cases, a student discipline record will not prevent one from applying and being admitted into medical, law, dental, or other professional or graduate schools.

  Please keep in mind that students may attempt to dissuade you from notifying the Dean of Students Office of their behavior. Some reasons students often use with faculty to try to influence your decision or discourage a referral may be: 

  • Loss of Financial Aid, Scholarships, or Grants:
    • This RARELY happens: 
      • The only times students may lose financial support are when a case results in Suspension or Expulsion. In these cases, the student's pattern of behavior and has likely violated not only 爆料社区's Academic Integrity Policy before, but also have likely violated safety-related policies during their time at 爆料社区.   
  • They are already on Disciplinary Probation and will be Suspended or Expelled:
    •  - there may be limited information we are able to clarify with faculty based on what the student has told you. 
    • Students often confuse their Housing Conduct standing with their University Conduct standing if they reside(d) in the UVA, The QUAD, or North Commons. A student-resident may be on "Housing Contract Probation" for violating University Student Housing Policies, but has no prior University Conduct. 
    • We treat each case differently based upon a variety of factors: 
      • The student's willingness to be honest, reflective and remorseful of the violations. This includes articulating the reasoning behind their decisions, and identify underlying concerns needing attention and change in order to make better, more informed decisions in the future.
      • The student's University conduct history, current disciplinary standing, and class standing. 
      • The severity of the incident and violations (prior or current), and the likelihood of future/ongoing violations. 
  • Other Personal Struggles:
    • Contrary to the stigma that exists about Student Conduct, we employ a CARE-centered approach to our developmental conversations with students. We are here to help guide them at a potentially difficult time in their life. Most students are surprised and appreciative at how supportive, caring and effective their interactions are with our team. 
    • We often refer students to necessary 爆料社区 and off-campus resources and support to address the stressors that led to the dishonest behavior. Personal struggles are most often the underlying reason for the student's behavior and decisions.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to call the Dean of Students Office at (760) 750-4935, located in ADM 1200 or email Leslie Rockwell by using the chat function on MS Teams or email kavilez@csusm.edu.