Student Code of Conduct and Statement of Disciplinary Procedures

Definitions

The following list of defined terms utilized throughout this Student Code is provided in an effort to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the Code. This list is not intended to be a complete list of all the terms referenced in the Student Code that might require interpretation or clarification. The Vice President for Student Affairs or his or her designee shall make the final determination of the definition of any term found in the Student Code. For purposes of interpretation and application of the Student Code only, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1. “Accused Student” means any student accused of violating this Student Code.

2. “Appellate Body” means any person or persons authorized by the Vice President for Student Affairs or his or her designee to consider an appeal from a determination by a Hearing Body that a student has violated the Student Code.  

3. “Disciplinary Officer” or “Conduct Administrator” means a University official who is authorized to determine the appropriate resolution of an alleged violation of the Code, and/or to impose sanctions or affect other remedies as appropriate. Subject to the provisions of this Code, a disciplinary officer or conduct administrator is vested with the authority to, among other duties: investigate a complaint of an alleged violation of the Code; decline to pursue a complaint; refer identified disputants to mediation or other appropriate avenues of resolution; establish charges against a student; enter into an administrative agreement developed with an Accused Student in accordance with Section II-B-3 of this Code; advise a Hearing Body; and present the case against the Accused Student as the Complainant before the Hearing Body.

4. “Hearing Body” means any person or persons authorized by the Vice President for Student Affairs to determine whether a student has violated the Code and to impose sanctions as warranted, including a hearing officer, hearing board, or hearing panel.

5. “Instructor” means any faculty member, teaching assistant, or any other person authorized by the University to provide educational services, including, but not limited to, teaching, research and academic advising.

6. “Member of the University Community” means any person who is a student, a University official, or any other person who works for the University, either directly or indirectly (e.g., for a private enterprise doing business on the University’s campus).

7. “Policy” means the written regulations, standards and student conduct expectations adopted by the University and found in, but not limited to, the Student Handbook, the Residence Life Handbook, the housing contract, the graduate and undergraduate catalogs, and other publicized University notices.

8. “Prohibited Conduct” means the conduct prohibited by this Code, as more particularly described in Part I-D of this Code.

9. “Reporting Party” means any person who submits a charge alleging that a student violated this Code.

10. “Student” means any person admitted, registered, enrolled or attending any University course or University-conducted program, whether full-time or part-time, and whether pursuing undergraduate, graduate or professional studies. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the University are considered “students” for purposes of application of this Code.

11. “Student Code” or “Code” means this Student Code of Conduct and Statement of Disciplinary Procedures.

12. “Student Organization” means an association or group of persons that have complied with the formal requirements for University recognition.

13. “Support Person” means a person, who accompanies an Accused Student, a Reporter, a witness, or a victim to a hearing for the limited purpose of providing support and guidance. A support person may not directly address the Hearing Body, question witnesses, or otherwise actively participate in the hearing process.

14. “University” means the CSU System University where the alleged violation of the Code occurred.

15. “University Affiliates” means individuals and/or entities with whom or with which the University has a contractual relationship.

16. “University Calendar Days” means the weekdays (Mondays through Fridays) when the University is open.

17. “University Official” means any person employed by the University to perform assigned administrative, instructional, or professional responsibilities.

18. “University Premises” means all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of, or owned, used, and/or controlled by, the University, either solely or in conjunction with another entity.

19. “Shall” and “will” are used in the imperative sense.

20. “May” is used in the permissive sense.