Judicial Affairs
For Students
Philosophy of Student Discipline
The judicial process is based on the assumption that disciplinary
procedures, when required, should be an educational process. Disciplinary sanctions are imposed to help students develop
individual responsibility and encourage self-discipline, to foster a
respect for the rights of others, and to protect the rights,
freedoms, and safety of members of the University community. Students
who demonstrate an unwillingness or inability to follow the
Code of
Conduct will be treated in the same manner as one who has failed
academically.
An institution of higher learning is authorized by law to establish
and administer codes of conduct and to suspend, expel or dismiss
students whose action negatively impact the campus community. The
University reserves this right.
Student disciplinary proceedings are not analogous to criminal court
proceedings. No particular model of procedural due process is
required. However, the procedures should be structured in order to
facilitate a reliable determination of the truth and to provide
fundamental fairness. Procedures can be very informal in cases where
suspension, expulsion, or dismissal, are not a probable penalty; more
procedural formality should be observed in serious disciplinary
cases. In all situations, fundamental fairness requires that students
be informed of the nature of the charges and be given a fair
opportunity to respond to them.
