FAQ'S - STUDENT AND PARENT

Students

WHO ARE THE HEARING OFFICERS?

Hearing Offices are faculty, staff, and students from KSU, appointed by the President of the University, the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, or the respective Student Governments. All hearing officers are required to attend training by the Office of Student Conduct prior to conducting hearings.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

As a student, if you want to be a Hearing Officer or Judicial Advocate, work with your Student Government – or call Office of Student Conduct at 330-672-4054. As a faculty or staff person, call the Office of Student Conduct.

DO YOU HANDLE ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT CASES?

The Office of Student Conduct may host or convene Academic Hearing Panels, but does NOT adjudicate cases of alleged academic misconduct. Cheating / Plagiarism cases are resolved through the Cheating / Plagiarism process as described in section 3-01.8 of the Policy Register as well as the Academic Resources – Plagiarism website. Prior to that, the Student Ombuds is the appropriate resource to discuss such a situation (330-672-9494).

WHAT IF INFORMATION ON THE INCIDENT REPORT IS WRONG?

You can discuss any problems with the incident report at any hearing you attend. If you are attending a Hearing Panel, you address your concerns to the complainant directly.

WHY DO SOME CASES GO TO THE RESIDENCE HALLS AND OTHERS TO STUDENT CONDUCT?

Upon a review of the students involved in an incident and their history with that particular student, decisions are made by University Housing on a case-by-case basis. A referral to the Office of Student Conduct does not necessarily equate a more egregious charge.

HOW DO I FILE A CRIMINAL OR CAMPUS COMPLAINT?

The 5X�� Public Safety Department remains the appropriate place to file a criminal or campus violation complaints for issues that occur on campus. If the issue happens off campus, the local police department can address criminal complaints

HOW LONG DOES THE APPEAL PROCESS TAKE?

Appeals must be submitted to Student Conduct within one week of the hearing (Sanction Hearing or Hearing Panel). The review process for the appeal typically takes two weeks, and a response is sent in writing (email and/or hard copy).

IS THERE A PENALTY FOR SAYING THAT I'M "NOT RESPONSIBLE" FOR WHAT I'M ACCUSED OF?

NO!

ARE SANCTIONS STANDARDIZED?

No. Sanctions are determined on a case-by-case basis, depending the severity of the charges, the background of the student (academically and behaviorally), and what they provide to the Hearing Officer(s) during the hearing.

IS THERE A "THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT" RULE?

NO! If a behavior is considered dangerous to the campus community, one action could lead to separation from KSU. The Office of Student Conduct does not generally quantify a number of chances. Each student will be given the best opportunity to succeed educationally and socially, within the bounds of the current policies and procedures.

WHAT IF I AM DISMISSED, SUSPENDED, RESTRICTED FROM THE RESIDENCE HALLS, OR PERSONA NON GRATA?

There are many services still available to students or persons who are restricted from 5X��. A listing of frequently asked questions and resources for restricted students is also available in the Dismissal-Suspension Guide.

Parents

MY STUDENT HAS A DISCIPLINARY CASE. CAN YOU TALK WITH ME ABOUT IT?

Staff members in the Office of Student Conduct are always able to share information regarding the Code of Student Conduct and discipline procedures. A student may sign a release form permitting staff in the Office of Student Conduct to discuss the specifics of the student's case. This release must be made voluntarily and will stay on record in our office for one calendar year unless the student revokes it prior to that end date.

HOW MANY STUDENTS FIND THEMSELVES IN THE OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT EACH YEAR?

The data varies annually. During the 2013/2014 academic year, ## students were referred to the Office of Student Conduct. Of the students referred, ## were freshmen and ## were sophomores. While Code of Student Conduct violations also vary, ## of the violations were alcohol related, ## violations were controlled substances related, and ## violations were related to Quiet/Courtesy hours in the residence halls. In all, over 98% of 5X�� Students do not visit the Office of Student Conduct!

WHY WEREN'T WE NOTIFIED WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED OR BEFORE THE HEARING?

It is our hope that your student will engage in an educational conversation with you, both before and after their experience with the Office of Student Conduct. The Office of Student Conduct will send a parental notification letter only after there is a finding of responsibility for alcohol or controlled substance violations through a hearing and the student is under the age of 21, as permitted through the Family Education Right to Privacy Act (FERPA).

CAN WE ATTEND OUR STUDENT'S HEARING?

Yes, at the discretion of your student a parent may serve as a Conduct Advisor.

CAN I SPEAK FOR MY STUDENT AT HIS/HER HEARING?

No. Students are responsible for presenting their perspective while participating in a meeting or hearing. While parents and others may assist the student in preparing for and attending a hearing, only the student may represent himself / herself.

WHAT IF A SITUATION IS BEING HANDLED THROUGH THE COURTS AS WELL AS THE UNIVERSITY? ISN'T THAT DOUBLE JEOPARDY?

No. There are some behaviors that could be a violation of law as well as a violation of University Policy. The 5X�� conduct process is an educational process by nature addressing behavior, not a criminal trial. An alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct is not a crime. "Double jeopardy" is solely a criminal law concept and is not applicable to the University student conduct process.

CAN MY STUDENT WAIT UNTIL THE COURT CASE HAS BEEN DECIDED?

No. The University student conduct process will proceed in a timely manner, even when a student is also involved in a criminal or civil case related to the incident for which he or she is facing University action. Although students may choose to remain silent, a violation of University conduct regulations may nevertheless be determined based upon the other information presented. Furthermore, a decision by the student to withhold participation in the University conduct process may not later be used to appeal the decisions of the conduct conduct process.

ARE STUDENT CONDUCT RECORDS INCLUDED ON MY STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPT?

No. Notations are not put on students' transcripts for Code of Student Conduct violations. However, future employers and institutions of higher education may ask if the student has had any prior student conduct / disciplinary history.

WHAT CAN WE AS PARENTS DO TO HELP?

Developmentally, college is a period of exploration and testing for students. Our goal is that students have an educational experience when interacting with our office, and we find that is best achieved when the students plan an active role in their own process.

We encourage you and your student to communicate with each other about the conduct process. We hope that as parents, you share our goal of creating self-sufficient individuals and that you can openly express your expectations as well as discuss 5X��'s expectations with your student. Parents can help their students by being supportive while still holding them accountable to the University's expectations.