Information for Parents about the Student Conduct Process

What if my daughter or son is documented? How does the student conduct process work?
When a student is documented, an incident report is submitted to the director of Residential Life, who is the chief student conduct officer. The chief student conduct officer is responsible for reviewing and handling all reports of alleged violations of residential policy.

When a report is received, the chief student conduct officer determines how the case will be processed based upon the allegation and evidence presented.

Do I need to hire a lawyer?
No, the student conduct process is different from a criminal process, and lawyers are not necessary. Students must represent themselves. Keep in mind if a student is facing college student conduct charges and criminal charges for the same incident, he or she may wish to consult an attorney regarding any concurrent or subsequent criminal charge.

Does being found responsible for a college violation give a student a criminal record?
No, violations of residential policy do not result in a criminal record. However, if a student is going through a criminal process as well as the student conduct process for the same incident and is found guilty in the criminal process, it may result in a criminal record.

A student's residential disciplinary record is considered part of the education record and is kept as a separate disciplinary file maintained in the Office of Residential Life. Education records are protected by privacy laws as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). A student has the option of submitting a form to release the information.

Sanctions

What are sanctions?
The Office of Residential Life wants students to learn from any poor choices. Therefore, sanctions imposed upon a student are educational in nature. Our goal is for each student to learn from a bad decision and equip themselves with the skills to make better decisions in the future.

While some sanctions may be perceived as punitive, the student conduct process seeks to assign sanctions with educational purpose, and sanctions are intended to balance the needs of the individual with those of the residential community. Sanctions may range from assignments such as periods of probation, educational programs or reflection papers, community service, to actual removal from CCA housing.

How are sanctions determined?
Each student and each conduct situation is looked at on a case-by-case basis. Many factors go into reaching a decision regarding sanctions. For example, we take into consideration the nature of the alleged violation and whether a student has a prior conduct record.

Precedent and consistency are important factors in the sanctioning process. We have developed typical sanctions for alcohol and drug violations in order to be as consistent as possible, however some situations may warrant departures from the typical sanctions.

I remember hearing about a "three strikes" policy. What is this?
A "strike" is simply a violation of the college's alcohol/drug policy. We use this terminology to convey how repeated violations in this category can result, figuratively, in a "three-strikes-you're-out" student conduct situation.

Parental Notification

How will I learn about my son or daughter's scheduled appointment with a student conduct hearing officer?
Communicate with your son or daughter. The Office of Residential Life will notify a student of when their meeting is scheduled. Parents of dependent students may be notified once the assigned sanctions are final, at the expiration of any appeals process.

How will I be notified?
If the conduct situation warrants parental notification, the student conduct hearing officer will call home to the parent or guardian.

Student Conduct Records

Will employers know about my son's or daughter's student conduct record?
Per FERPA, a student conduct record is part of the education record, which means it is confidential information and cannot be shared without the student's consent. Employers are not informed of a student's prior conduct record unless a student gives the employer permission.

Typically, a student will sign a written release form indicating the college may release information to the employer or agency. Often the employers interested in student conduct files include government agencies such as the FBI, CIA, NYPD, etc.