Answers
Who may file a complaint or report alleged misconduct?
Any person may file a complaint against a student or organization for alleged misconduct. The complaint must be prepared in writing, signed (or, in the case of non-academic misconduct, be submitted via email from a registered ucr.edu email address or other recognized means), and directly submitted to Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs (SCAIP) in 104 Costo Hall. All complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place. Reports or complaints submitted must be verified by SCAIP. Reporter/complainant should be willing to meet with SCAIP staff to attest to the contents and answer questions regarding the report.
Why is a particular rule or policy in place?
Policies are designed to support the University’s educational mission and to ensure a safe environment where all people in the University community can work, study and live without undue interference. They are also designed to build and support the academic and social community, by teaching students responsibility and interdependence, and to promote moral and ethical development.
The police officer/staff member said I/my student wouldn’t get in trouble. Why is SCAIP pursuing the incident?
Many students allege that staff members have assured them they will not get in trouble. The fact is that only SCAIP or the adjudicating office has the authority to determine whether or not a violation of a code of student conduct may exist, and therefore whether or not to pursue the incident.
What if the incident occurred off-campus?
The Administration of Standards of Conduct addresses misconduct that takes place on University premises and addresses off campus conduct when the behavior has an adverse impact on the University community. The University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students also applies to University-sponsored events, activities, trips, etc., which may occur off campus.
If a student is notified of a disciplinary violation, does he/she have the opportunity to defend him/herself?
Every student is afforded the opportunity to explain what happened during the incident and to present additional relevant information through witnesses and other means.
What if the student was not aware of the rule and didn’t know s/he was breaking it?
Lack of knowledge of a rule is not an excuse for misconduct. Every student is responsible for knowing the rules and regulations of the University, so it is very important for students to read the General Catalog, review the University Website, and the Student Conduct Policies.
What happens if the student fails to attend a meeting or participate in a review?
If the student or organization fails to respond to a notice from a conduct officer, the director, or conduct committee relative to participating in an investigation, meeting, or review, the case will be adjudicated without the involvement of the student. Furthermore, an administrative hold may be placed on the student’s University records until s/he attends a meeting or review and/or completes his/her sanctions.
Is it acceptable for an attorney or a parent/family member to represent a student and be involved in the process?
The student conduct process does not provide the involvement of parents, family members or attorneys as representatives. As a member of the UCR community, each student is expected to manage his/her own disciplinary matters with the University. An accused student has the right to consult an advisor of his/her choice before, during, and after any meeting, review, or appeal. Even in the case where criminal charges are pending, an attorney is not allowed to participate in any fashion in the conduct process. They may simply advise the student, but may not represent the student in any way. It is only through direct engagement that the University can fulfill the educational intent of the conduct process.
How does the conduct officer or conduct committee make decisions about “student responsibility” for a policy violation?
All decisions shall be made on the basis of whether a preponderance of the information (more likely than not) supports the allegation(s) or not. At the conclusion of a review, the conduct officer or review panel will determine whether the student has violated each policy which the student was alleged to have violated. Decisions of a conduct committee will be determined by a majority vote.
What sanctions can be assigned if a student is found responsible for violating UCR Policies?
Sanctions may be imposed independently or in combination with other sanctions. Sanctions can be assigned to an individual student, group of students, and student organizations. Sanctioning is determined on a case by case basis, since it reflects the needs of the individual student, the student’s cumulative disciplinary history, and the impact of the student’s behavior on the community. Please view http://conduct.ucr.edu/Policies/Sanctions.htm for a list of possible sanctions. Changes in student disciplinary standing are usually assigned, combined with educational assignments to maximize the educational outcome of the process.
What will happen if I don’t/my student does not complete my/his/her sanction(s) by the stated deadlines?
If a student fails to respond to directions from the conduct officer, director, or conduct committee relative to completing a conduct sanction(s), a hold will be placed on the student’s University record, restricting the student’s ability to add/drop classes and/or obtain copies of transcripts. A student may also face additional disciplinary action.
Does the University keep a permanent record of a students’ disciplinary history?
With exception of Disciplinary Suspensions and Dismissals, a student’s disciplinary record is separate from his/her academic record. A student is considered to have a disciplinary record when any of the following occurs: A conduct committee or conduct officer finds the student responsible for violating one or more of the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students and any appeal submitted by the student results in affirmation of the conduct committee’s or conduct officer’s decision. Students’ disciplinary records are kept for seven (7) years after the date of the last violation, pursuant to the University of California system-wide policies. Suspensions and Dismissals are posted on the student’s transcript. Suspensions are posted for the duration of the suspension period, then removed.
Will my/my student’s involvement in Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs go on my/his/her transcripts?
Notations are made on student’s transcripts only when the student is suspended or dismissed from UC Riverside. However, suspensions only appear on transcripts during the period of the sanction.
Will the University notify the parents of a student if he/she gets in trouble at UCR?
No. We believe that students are adults and that if we set our expectations high, most students can and will live up to these standards. Some students may make a mistake, and the educational focus of the student conduct system allows for that, as long as they are willing to learn from their mistakes. The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) prohibits educational institutions from disclosing information from a student’s educational record to any third party, including parents, without the student’s consent. The University strictly adheres to the provisions in FERPA. The student may come to Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs, located in 104 Costo Hall, and sign a waiver granting parents or others access to his/her records. Once the student signs a FERPA waiver, SCAIP can fully discuss the student’s case with anyone listed on the waiver. However, all dialogue regarding the case or records will still be between the student and University.
Will a disciplinary record keep me/my student from getting into medical school, graduate school, etc.?
A disciplinary record does not automatically exclude a student from further education, jobs, etc. It does depend on the type or severity of misconduct in which a student is involved. A disciplinary record may lead an admissions office to scrutinize the student’s application more closely. Again, we will only release information about a student’s disciplinary record as permitted by federal law.
I know my student could not have done this; I didn’t raise my student that way. So why is my student being charged?
Developmentally, college is a period of exploration and testing for students. They may be in a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood facing many new challenges. They may also be away from home for the first time and dealing with issues of independence in the more unstructured environment of a university. In addition, students are adjusting to the expectations and values of the University, just as they did at home. As students are testing these expectations and values, they may make choices that are inconsistent with their past choices. This testing is a normal part of the developmental process. However, students must also learn that the choices they make may not be healthy and do have consequences.
How can parents help their student?
Parents can help your student by being supportive while still holding the student accountable to your expectations and the University’s. Parents can also help by supporting necessary interventions, such as alcohol or drug education, anger management, and other forms of education, so that your student can be successful at UCR. Allow and expect the student to set appointments, attend meetings, and fulfill sanctions. It is usually not helpful to the educational development of the student for parents to take over the process for their students.
I/My son/daughter was charged criminally. Why do I/does he/she have to meet with Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs too?
UC Riverside students are subject to all University rules and regulations, including those contained in the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students. Additionally, those individuals are also simultaneously subject to all local, state, or federal laws. The University student conduct process does not constitute “double jeopardy” for situations in which a student is facing concurrent criminal proceedings. The constitutional right regarding double jeopardy is solely a criminal law concept and is not applicable to the University student conduct process. The student conduct process is an administrative and educational process.
Can a 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 body.
I/my student was charged criminally. Why do I/does s/he have to meet with Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs too?
UC Riverside students are subject to all University rules and regulations, including those contained in the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students. Additionally, those individuals are also simultaneously subject to all local, state, or federal laws. The University student conduct process does not constitute “double jeopardy” for situations in which a student is facing concurrent criminal proceedings. The constitutional right regarding double jeopardy is solely a criminal law concept and is not applicable to the University student conduct process. The student conduct process is an administrative and educational process.
What can I/my student do to prepare for meeting with a conduct officer/conduct committee?
If there is pertinent documentation or other information which may help an adjudicating officer/committee make a decision regarding responsibility or appropriate sanctions, this information should be gathered and brought to the meeting. (Please see the Administration of Standards of Conduct for details regarding deadlines for submission of such information.) An advisor can often assist students in preparation and provides support during the meeting(s), so an advisor can be sought and obtained. Students are strongly urged to read over the information on the conduct website pertaining to the conduct process, including the Administration of Standards of Conduct, Sanctions, and, if applicable, the pertinent academic integrity policies and protocol.
What are the differences between the conduct process and a criminal/court process?
The campus conduct process is an administrative process, not a criminal court process. The campus conduct process is very different from a criminal or civil law process. There may be perceived similarities, but students are expected to observe federal, state, and local laws as well as University rules, regulations and policies.
Standards of Responsibility of Proof
Campus: “Preponderance” (more likely than not the policy violation occurred, a reasonable conclusion)
Criminal: “Beyond a reasonable doubt” (no question about facts)
Materials Used in Process
Campus: All reasonable materials and information collected
Criminal: Evidence collection and use are under strict limits and procedures
Counsel/Lawyer
Campus: Student may have an advisor, but the advisor may not participate in actual meeting or hearings. The student must represent him or herself.
Criminal: There is a right to counsel. Counsel represents the accused.
Disciplinary Philosophy
Campus: Educational
Criminal: Punitive (jail time or fines)
Double jeopardy
This is the constitutional provision that does not apply to the administrative process of the campus conduct process
Appeal process
A student may have the right to appeal the outcome of the campus hearing. However, the Administrative of Standards of Conduct limits the grounds for appeal.
What if I haven’t found the answer to my question?
Talk to any SCAIP staff member at 951-827-4208 or email us conduct@ucr.edu