Procedure if I Violate a Policy
Community Living
Rights and Responsiblities
If you become involved in a violation of policy, you should refer to the housing policies which outline the procedures of the discipline process. If you have any questions, contact the RA, RD, RLC or Housing Office by phone (852-6636) or by e-mail at uoloch@louisville.edu.
If you are involved in an alleged infraction of residence hall policy, a referral report is completed by residence hall staff or another resident documenting the incident. Your signature will not indicate that you admit guilt. It is simply a way to let you know that we plan to follow up on your involvement in the incident.
Housing and Residence Life is responsible for promoting positive community standards and responding to violations of policies published in two areas: Housing Policies and Regulations and The Student Code of Conduct.
Regulations may be changed or new ones added to reflect the best interests and protection of persons and property. Residents will be advised promptly of such changes and/or additions through normal channels of communication. Also, inaccuracies or errors may occur and the student should contact Housing to address those as soon as they are discovered.
Certain violations could result in termination of your housing agreement, including immediate removal from the hall until the case is resolved. Those violations are:
- Distribution of drugs
- Destruction of property
- Use or possession of fireworks
- Use or possession of weapons
- Tampering with fire equipment
- Harm or possible harm to others, including, but not limited to fighting or assault
- Sexual misconduct
- Any behaviors detrimental to the community, including but not limited to, harassment
Other serious infractions as determined by Housing and Residence Life
The Student Code of Conduct has jurisdiction over all students and residents may be held responsible for those policies as well as all housing policies. Students are advised to read all of this information to understand expectations for their behavior while in or on the premises of the residence halls. Your discipline status with Housing could be considered in hearings involving code of conduct violations. Your status in the university discipline system could be reviewed for a housing judicial hearing as well.
Note: In certain circumstances, a student may be removed from the residence halls before a student judicial meeting has been held or following a hearing where removal is imposed and an appeal pending. An interim removal may be imposed to ensure the health, safety, or well being of members of the residence hall community or to preserve property.
Confidentiality of Records
In order to protect your rights as a resident and University student, the Housing and Residence Life Office will maintain written records on all disciplinary action. Access to these records is restricted to the student, individuals who have the expressed written consent of the student to review the records, and University officials who have a legitimate educational interest in reviewing a student’s records.
The names of the persons involved in a particular case are not public information and as such are subject to the same restraints. All records are kept for a period of five years from the date of the incident.
FERPA
THE PRIVACY OF STUDENT RECORDS
We assure our students that we respect the privacy of their education records in accordance with the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), our state's university system rules, and state statutes. To learn more, please visit U of L's FERPA guidelines.
Basically FERPA assures that U of L uses private student information appropriately in its normal business activities and does not release it to third parties. The only information that may be publicly released is directory information, which includes items such as name, postal and email address, telephone number, major, and the like. A student has the right to direct the university not to release directory information. Confidential information such as grades and disciplinary records will not be released to a third party without the express written consent of the student. No one, not even a U of L student's parent or legal guardian will have access to a student's educational records nor will their contents be disclosed, without the written consent of the student, except as provided under FERPA.
There are exceptions to the above statements under certain special circumstances. For example, if a student is transported to an emergency medical treatment center for drug use or intoxication, the student's parents or guardians may be notified if necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. Furthermore, U of L can disclose to parents or legal guardians of a student under the age of 21 incidents involving drug and alcohol violations in which the student is found to be responsible.
The university intends to comply fully and fairly with the provisions of FERPA.
The Steps of the Process:
- A Referral report will be generated and forwarded to the RD/AM – residence hall staff members are required to document any event that occurs in the University residence halls. Examples of events that will be documented include fire alarms, serious medical emergencies, and violations of policies. An event is recorded on a “referral report.” A referral report is a written account of an event or situation by the person who has the earliest and most direct involvement with the incident. Charges of policy violations originating from an information report are considered alleged pending completion of the student judicial process. Any member of the residence hall and University community can report behavior that is inconsistent with community standards. If the alleged misconduct occurred in the residence hall, complaints should be placed in writing and brought to the Residence Life Coordinator, Resident Director or Apartment Manager.
Note: if you are present during policy violations, you may be held responsible and appropriate sanctions will be imposed. - The RLC/RD/AM will request to meet with the student. Missing this meeting would result in disciplinary action being taken without the benefit of your input. You lose your right to a hearing should you chose not to meet with the RLC/RD/AM.
- The matter will be resolved in the RLC/RD/AM's office or through the hearing process.
- The possible outcomes range from an informal warning to termination of your housing agreement.
- Sanctions stay on your record for the duration of time you live on campus and will carry over from year to year.
Codes
The following regulations have been developed to create a productive and safe living environment in the residence halls, and in accepting his/her room assignment, a student agrees to abide by these regulations:
Before a senction is issued for an infraction, prior record of violations and severity of the behavior are considered. Information about sanctions is listed in detail later in Procedures You Need to Know if You Become Involved in a Policy Violation section.
