Conduct Issues
Conduct Issues
Rights and Responsibilities
Students are expected to become positive, responsible members of the university community. Each student enrolled at the University of St. Thomas enjoys rights related to academic classes and services. They are guaranteed due process in their dealing with violations of the student code of conduct or other university policies. The dean of students and staff are available to consult with students about these rights and responsibilities.
University Discipline Process
The university has a set of community standards that all students are expected to follow both on and off campus. The office is responsible for overseeing the discipline process and adjudicating students who have violated policy. The Dean of Students Office assists students in understanding and protecting their rights and responsibilities within the community as well as providing a due process when violations to the code of conduct have occurred. The student code of conduct can be found in its entirety within the Student Policy Book.
What to Expect
If you have received a Notice of Violation or another request to schedule a meeting with a judicial officer, you may be wondering what to expect. This Notice of Violation is one of the initial steps of the judicial process and should be read closely and carefully.
While some students may experience a level of anxiety and stress over receiving a Notice of Violation, one goal of our office is to provide an atmosphere of mutual respect throughout the process. While students are expected to be respectful of the judicial officers and the judicial process, students can also expect to be treated with respect.
You can also expect to be informed of any pending charges, options for resolving your case, and any potential sanctions, or consequences, for your behavior. During the hearing, the judicial officer will allow you to review any evidence that has been presented against you. You will then be presented with your Notice and Rights as a student going through the disciplinary process. You will be asked whether you admit or deny responsibility for the charges and to provide your account of the
incident(s) in question. You also may be asked additional questions to further clarify understanding of the incident. Following the hearing, you will be notified of the outcome and any related sanctions if you were found responsible for violating university policy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long after the incident will I receive a Notice of Violation and have my judicial meeting?
Will this become a part of my academic record?
If I violate the Code of Conduct off-campus, will I still have to meet with a judicial officer?
What happens if I fail to set up a disciplinary meeting after I have received a Notice of Violation?
What should I do if I have also been charged criminally?
1. How long after the incident will I receive a Notice of Violation and have my judicial meeting?
Normally students receive a Notice of Violation within 10 business days after the incident has occurred.
2. Will this become a part of my academic record?
No. If you are found responsible for violating the Code of Conduct, it will become part of your disciplinary record at the University of St. Thomas.
Data privacy laws allow the university to contact parents in situations where a student, who is under 21 years of age, has been found in violation of the universeity code of conduct involving the use of illegal drugs or alcohol. Parents of a student under the age of 21 will be notified when the student is placed on conduct probation. Parents may also be notified by Student Affairs staff or the Department of Public Safety in situations that involve a threat to the immediate health and safety of a student. Please see Parental Notification section for more information.
4. Who is my judicial officer?
Your judicial officer may be a residence hall director or a representative from the Dean of Students Office.
5. If I violate the Code of Conduct off-campus, will I still have to meet with a judicial officer?
Yes. Student behavior reflects upon the univeresity regardless of where that behavior takes place. Student behavior off campus that violates the university code of conduct falls under the jurisdiction of the univeresity judicial process.
6. What happens if I fail to set up a disciplinary meeting after I have received a Notice of Violation?
If you fail to contact your judicial officer to set up a meeting within the outlined timeframe, a hold will be placed on your student account and your file will be forwarded to the Dean of Students Office for further review of the matter.
7. What should I do if I have also been charged criminally? Isn't this double jeopardy?
The University of St. Thomas judicial process is separate from the criminal court proceedings and is not "Double Jeopardy". If you have already been to court for the alleged incident, then you have fulfilled your obligation to any violation of Minnesota Law. You have not, however, met your obligation for University of St. Thomas policy.
