Community Standards and Student Conduct

Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct recommends that students and parents read the Code of Student Conduct, which may answer many of the questions listed below.

The Code of Student Conduct can be viewed online or a hard copy can be obtained from the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct located in room 201 Student Union.

On this page:

Students

  • What if the incident happened off-campus?

    The Code 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 Code also applies to university sponsored events, activities, trips, etc., which may occur off campus. A student who violates the Code and breaks the law is subject to university, civil and/or criminal authorities. The university, at its sole discretion, may pursue disciplinary action against a student while the student is also subject to criminal proceedings. The university reserves this right even if criminal charges are pending, reduced, or dismissed. 

  • What happens if I go to an event, or activity, or location on campus that I am restricted from attending?

    It could result in an additional violation of the Code of Student Conduct, which could result in additional sanctions, conditions, and/or restrictions, and if you violate a criminal trespass order, you could be arrested

  • What do I do if I think the outcome isn't fair?

    A student may request an appeal on one or more of the following grounds:

    1. The student has been deprived of rights as defined in the Code of Student Conduct.
    2. The sanction(s) imposed by the officer/body of original jurisdiction was not justified by the nature of the offense.
    3. To consider new evidence, sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such evidence and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original hearing.
  • How does the hearing officer make decisions about "student responsibility" of a policy violation?

    All decisions shall be made on the basis of whether a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) supports the allegation(s) or not. At the conclusion of a conference or hearing, the conduct officer or hearing panel will determine whether the student has violated each section of the Code of Student Conduct for which the student was notified. Decisions of any hearing panel will be determined by a majority vote.

  • Can I bring a buddy to "testify" for me?

    Admission of any person to the hearing will be at the discretion of the conduct officer or conduct body chair. The complainant, the accused, and the conduct officer or conduct bodies all have the privilege of presenting witnesses. 

  • Do I have to go to my hearing?

    If a charged student or organization fails to respond to directions from a conduct officer, the director, or hearing panel relative to participating in an investigation, conference, or hearing, a $35.00 non-appearance fine will be imposed, and the case adjudicated without the involvement of the student. Furthermore, no student may graduate, receive grades, or have transcripts released until all pending discipline matter(s) are resolved.

  • What kinds of issues/problems/complaints are addressed by the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct?

    The Code of Student Conduct is divided into two categories of violations. Category "A" violations are typically first time violations or minor violations, while category "B" violations are typically repeat violations or major violations. Category "A" violations 1-19 may be assigned, at the director's discretion, as either "A" violations or "B" violations depending upon the particular circumstance of an incident. Category "B" violations 1-9 will always be assigned as type "B" violations. 

  • Will you call my parents or tell anyone else about this?

    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, but there are exceptions in the law. Parents of a student under 21 years of age may be notified by the University if their student is involved in an alcohol-related disciplinary case. Parents may be notified of drug-related infractions regardless of the student's age. Even with these provisions, the best way to ensure staff members in the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct can fully address your parent's concerns is to come to the office in room 022 of the Student Union and sign a waiver granting parental access to your records. Once the student signs a FERPA waiver, staff members can fully discuss the student's case with anyone listed on the waiver. 

  • What will happen if I don't complete my sanctions?

    If a student is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct and fails to respond to directions from the conduct officer, director, or hearing panel relative to completing a discipline sanction(s), a $35.00 non-compliance fine will be imposed, a hold will be placed upon the student's university record, and he/she/they may face additional disciplinary action.

  • What types of sanctions can be assessed if I am found responsible for violating the Code?

    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 case by case, since it reflects the needs of the individual student, the student's cumulative discipline history, and the impact of that student's behavior on the community. 

  • If I am charged under the Code of Student Conduct, could I face charges from the court system?

    Members of the Wright State University community and their visitors are subject to all university rules and regulations, including those contained in the Code of Student Conduct. Additionally, those individuals are also simultaneously subject to all local, state, or federal laws. For further information see Section XII of the Code.

  • Who can I talk to if I have questions about the discipline process?

    For procedural information and general advice, talk to any staff member in the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. The phone number to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct is 937-775-4240.

  • Is it acceptable for a lawyer to represent me?

    An accused student has the right to consult an advisor of his/her choice before, during, and after any conference, hearing, or appeal. Advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in any hearing, conference, or appeal. The Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct recommends that you confer with an attorney if you are involved in concurrent criminal or civil proceedings regarding the same incident.

  • Will my involvement in the office of Community Standards and Student Conduct go on my transcript?

    Notations are made on student transcripts when the following sanctions are issued: suspension or expulsion. However, these notations only appear on transcripts during the period of the sanction. Also, a notation on a transcript made may be imposed if the Academic Integrity Hearing Panel (AIHP) determines that a student has committed a violation of the Academic Integrity policy. The AIHP may impose the sanction of a notation, which is placed on the student's academic transcript indicating he/she/they was suspended or expelled due to a violation of academic integrity. A notation of this type will be reserved for cases in which the violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is determined by the AIHP as serious, or when the violation is a repeat offense. 

  • Does the University keep permanent record of my discipline history?

    A student is considered to have a disciplinary record when any of the following occurs: A hearing panel or conduct officer finds the student responsible for violating one or more of the policies in Section VI of the Code and any appeal taken by the student results in affirmation of the hearing panel's or conduct officer's decision or if the student is the subject of a hearing pursuant to Section 3345.23 of the Ohio Revised Code and is found guilty of the charges that gave rise to the hearing. For further information see Section XIII of the Code.

  • Who hears cases and applies sanctions?

    The following officials and conduct panels review and process issues of student conduct.

    A. Conduct Officers

    Student Affairs Staff-Composed of members of the Division of Student Affairs administrative staff, including graduate and professional staff members within the department of Residence Life, Student Life, Greek Life, and Student Union.

    Director of Community Standards and Student Conduct-The Director is a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students.

    B. Conduct Panels

    Conduct Review Panel (CRP)-The CRP is comprised of five members of the university community, including one faculty member, one staff member, and three students. One student is designated by the Director to serve as the chair. Quorum for any CRP hearing consists of at least one faculty member or staff member, and two students.

    Academic Integrity Hearing Panel (AIHP)-The AIHP is comprised of at least two faculty members, one of whom is designated as the chair, and one student.

    Appeals Panel-The Appeals Panel is comprised of two faculty members, including the chair, and one student.

     

  • What if I was not aware of a rule and I didn't know I 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 important for you to read your catalog, Student Handbook, and the Code of Student Conduct. If you are unsure about any policies, ask for clarification.

  • How can I make a discipline complaint?

    Any person may file a complaint against a student or organization for misconduct. The complaint must be prepared in writing, signed, and directed to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. All complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place. 

  • What are my rights as a student?

    As a public institution of higher education, Wright State University seeks to advance knowledge, promote scholarship, and create an environment conducive to the intellectual and personal growth and development of all of its students. In keeping with these aims, the university recognizes student rights detailed in Section VIII of the Code of Student Conduct.


Parents

  • I know my student could not have done this so why is he/she/they being put through the discipline process?

    Developmentally, this is a period of exploration, experimentation, and testing for students. They may be in a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood. They may also be away from home and the daily influence of their parents for the first time. As students are testing the beliefs and values they learned at home, they may sometimes make choices that are inconsistent with these values. Such testing is part of the development process and is normal, however, students must also learn that the choices they make may not be healthy and may have consequences.

  • Will a disciplinary record keep my student from getting into law school, graduate school, etc.?

    A disciplinary record does not automatically exclude a student from further study, jobs, etc. That usually depends on the type and severity of misconduct in which a student is involved. A disciplinary record may lead an admissions office to more closely scrutinize the student's application. We will only release information about a student's disciplinary record to another school or potential employer as allowed by the records policy. 

  • Does the outcome go on my student's record?

    Notations are made on student transcripts when the following sanctions are issued: suspension or expulsion. However, these notations only appear on transcripts during the time of the sanction. Also, a notation on a transcript made may be imposed if the Academic Integrity Hearing Panel (AIHP) determines that a student has committed a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy. The AIHP may impose the sanction of a notation, which is placed on the student's academic transcript indicating that he/she/they received a failing grade in the course or was suspended or expelled due to a violation of academic integrity. A notation of this type will be reserved for cases in which the violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is determined by the AIHP as serious, or when the violation is a repeat offense.

    Additionally, a student is considered to have a disciplinary record when any of the following occurs: (1) a hearing panel or conduct officer finds the student responsible for violating one or more of the policies set forth in Section VI of the Code, and any appeal taken by the student results in an affirmation of the hearing panel's or conduct officer's decision, or (2) the student is the subject of a hearing pursuant to section 3345.23 of the Ohio Revised Code and is found guilty of the charges that gave rise to the hearing.

  • Can my student appeal a disciplinary decision?

    A student may request an appeal on one or more of the following grounds:

    1. The student has been deprived of rights as defined in the Code of Student Conduct.
    2. The sanction(s) imposed by the officer/body of original jurisdiction was not justified by the nature of the offense.
    3. To consider new evidence, sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such evidence and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original hearing.
  • How are sanctions decided?

    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 case by case, since it reflects the needs of the individual student, the student's cumulative discipline history, and the impact of that student's behavior on the community. For further information see Section VII of the Code.

  • Do I need to hire an attorney to represent my student?

    The accused student has the right to consult an advisor of the student's choice before, during, and after any conference, hearing, or appeal. Advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in any hearing, conference, or appeal. The Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct recommends that you confer with an attorney if you are involved in concurrent criminal or civil proceedings regarding the same incident.

  • My student was charged criminally. Why go through the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct too?

    Members of the Wright State University community and their visitors are subject to all university rules and regulations, including those contained in the Code of Student Conduct. Additionally, those individuals are also simultaneously subject to all local, state, or federal laws. 

  • What is my role as a parent in the university discipline process? How can I help my student?

    You can help to guide your student through the process and be supportive while holding the student accountable to your expectations and those of the university. Expect your student to set appointments, attend meetings, and fulfill sanctions. It is not beneficial to the educational development of the student, or resolution of the matter, for you to take over the process for your son or daughter.

  • If my student is notified he/she/they has violated the Code of Student Conduct, what happens?

    For further information see Section IX of the Code of Student Conduct.

  • My student is notified of a disciplinary violation. Does he/she/they have the opportunity to defend him/her/themself?

    Every student notified that he/she/they may have participated in a behavior that is a disciplinary violation, is afforded the opportunity to explain what happened during the incident and to present additional relevant information-through witnesses and other means.

  • 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 people 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.