Student Organization Code of Conduct

1.  Introduction

The Student Organization Code of Conduct is the University’s policy regarding discipline of student organizations.  The primary purpose of the Organization Code is to provide a quality educational environment for students and student organizations, and to notify student organizations of the University’s expectations regarding behavior.  The Code should be read broadly and is not designed to define misconduct in exhaustive terms.

2.  Prohibited Conduct

Societies, clubs, or similar organized student groups, within or recognized by the University, are subject to standards similar to those for individual students in the University community.  Student organizations should be fully cognizant of University policies, including but not limited to:  The Code of Student Conduct, the RSO Event Policy, the Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption, and the University Hazing Policy.  An organization cannot ignore or escape its responsibility for the action of its members.  An organization violates a University policy or rule when:

1. one or more of its officers or authorized representative acting in the scope of their organization capacities commits the violation on University premises or at University sponsored activities;
2. a member of an organization or group acting with apparent authority of the organization commits the violation on University premises or at University sponsored activities;
3. one or more members of an organization or group fail to promptly report their knowledge or any reasonable information about a violation to the appropriate University authorities;
4. one or more member knowingly commits or fails to report a hazing incident;
5. one or more members of an organization or group or its officers, under circumstances in which such person(s) knew an act constituting a violation was occurring or about to occur, and/or fails to prevent the act or encourages, aids and abets the act.

3.  Discipline Procedures

The general responsibility for discipline of all student organizations or groups will be vested in the Office of the Dean of Students.  The University reserves the right to take action under the Code of Student Conduct toward individual students if warranted.

4.  Administrative Conference/Community Review Board Processes

Anyone wishing to report an alleged incident of group misconduct may take such a report in writing to the Office of Campus Life, which will determine whether any action should be taken in response to the report.  If it is determined that action should be taken, the Dean of Students or his designee will decide whether to proceed by an Administrative Conference or through the Community Board Review process.  Generally, cases involving less serious incidents will be handled by a Community Board Review.

Administrative Conference:

The Administrative Conference will be conducted by the Dean of Students or his/her designee.  The accused student group and the complainant, if any, have the right to:

1. be present at the conference but may not be represented by more than three members unless otherwise requested by the Dean of Students or his/her designee.
2. present evidence by witness, or by affidavit if a witness is unable to attend the conference.
3. bring an advisor to the conference.  The advisor may not participate in the conference unless asked to do so by the Dean of Students or his/her designee.

After reviewing relevant information provided by the organization, complainant, witnesses, University officials or other sources, the Dean of Students or his/her designee will issue a written decision.

Community Review Board:

The review will be conducted by a panel comprising staff and students appointed by the Dean of Students or his/her designee.  The process will be informal; strict rules of evidence will not apply.  The review will be closed except to the review panel, appropriate Campus Life staff, representatives from the accused student group, the complainant, an advisor for the accused student group and the complainant.  Witnesses will be present during the actual time of their testimony.

The Student Group and the complainant, if any, have the right to:

1. Be present at the review but may not be represented by more than three current members.  However, if either or both of the student group and the complainant fail to appear, the review may be held and a recommendation rendered in either or both of their absences.
2. Present evidence by witness, or by affidavit if a witness is unable to attend the review.  It is the responsibility of the accused student group and the complainant to notify their witnesses of the date, time, and place of the review.  If witnesses fail to appear, the review will be held without benefit of their testimony.
3. Bring an advisor to the review.  The advisor, however, may not participate in examination of witnesses or presentation of materials or information to the review board, unless asked to do so by the board member(s).

The Community Review Board will submit a written recommendation to the Dean of Students or his/her designee within five (5) working days after the date of the review indicating the recommended findings to be issued and the recommended disciplinary measure, if any, to be imposed.  The Dean of Students or his/her designee or will review the recommendation and issue a written decision.

5.  Disciplinary Measures

If it is determined at the Administrative Conference or the Community Review Board that the accused student group has violated the Student Organization Code of Conduct prohibited in Section 2, the Office of the Dean of Students or his/her designee will impose an appropriate disciplinary measure from among the following sanctions:

1. Reprimand:  Notice of violation of specified regulations and warning that further such conduct may result in more severe disciplinary action.
2. Disciplinary probation:  Imposition of conditions on the organization involved, with warning of possible graver action if further infractions occur (or if probation is violated).
3. Restitution:  Public service, educational requirements or other measures.
4. Restriction of privileges:  Limiting of certain privileges or practices of the group(s) involved in the offense.
5. Suspension of organizational recognition:  Temporary removal of recognition.
6. Revocation or organizational recognition:  Permanent removal of recognition.
7. Charter revocation.

6.  Discipline Decisions

The decision of the Dean of Students will be final except in the instances where the disciplinary measure is suspension of organizational recognition, revocation of organizational recognition, or revocation of charter recognition.  In the event of suspension of organizational recognition or revocation of organizational recognition, the organization may appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs within fifteen (15) days of the decision of the Office of the Dean of Students.  In the event of revocation of charter recognition, the Dean of Students will make a recommendation to the Vice President for Student Affairs.  The decision of the Vice President for Student Affairs will be final.

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