Non-Academic Misconduct

We understand that it can be stressful if you are charged with potentially violating the Student Code of Conduct. We have compiled some information below to help you understand what to expect moving forward. See below for an overview of our conduct process, or check out  our flow chart on the non-academic misconduct process.

One of the largest values of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is ensuring that students understand their rights in our process. Students have the right to...

• Confidentiality as granted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Please review policy for exceptions to confidentiality.
• Written notice of alleged violation(s) and the time, date, and location of meetings related to the allegations.
• A procedural review and/or hearing to discussed alleged violation(s).
• An adviser who may attend meeting regarding the issue, but who may not speak for them. Students must notify SCCS or designee at least 72 hours prior to their procedural review and/or hearing if they are bringing an adviser who is an attorney.
• Appeal the finding and/or sanctions of their procedural review and request a hearing before the Administrative Review Committee (ARC).

Once an incident report is received, alleging a violation of the Student Code of Conduct the student will be contacted by their hearing officer with the date, time, and location of their procedural review. During the procedural review students will:

• Review their rights as students
• Discuss the conduct process and their options for moving forward

If additional investigation is not needed and/or the case is not forwarded to the University Conduct Board, students can also expect that the procedural review will consist of:

• Discussing the incident
• The hearing officer making a decision based on the preponderance of evidence if a violation of the Student Code of Conduct occurred (whether it was more or less likely to have occurred)
• If the student is found responsible, the hearing officer assigning sanctions to help the student best learn from the incident.

Students have three days to respond to the findings and sanctions but can respond at any time prior to that as well. If a student disputes the finding or sanction, their case will be sent to the University Conduct Board.

Above all else, the University of Cincinnati and Student Conduct and Community Standards aim to make students' experiences on our campus educational both inside of and outside of the classroom. We believe that the conduct process is a key place for education and growth to occur. Sanctions that result from a violation of our Student Code of Conduct are a key part of this education. Some examples of sanctions that students can expect include:

• A reflection paper to help them think more about the incident and their time at the University of Cincinnati.
• Community service to help them repair harm you may have caused in the community.
• Hanging a bulletin board or putting on a program in their residential community to help educate other students.
• Alcohol and Drug educational workshops through our Wellness Center.
• A Decision Making Seminar to help them reflect on their values and how to live with integrity.

For instances where we believe a student may benefit from time away from the university permanently or for a shorter period before returning, students may be placed on suspension or dismissed from the university.