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If you receive Notice of Alleged Violation, it does not mean you have violated the Code of Community Standards or that you “did something wrong.” It does mean your name was on a report and you have an opportunity to come and share what happened, if anything, before a decision is made.

In a pre-hearing conference, you will have the student accountability process and alleged violations explained to you in detail, and have an opportunity to view the incident report or complaint and any other documentation related to the incident. You will have the option to share preliminary information about the incident, accept or contest responsibility for the alleged violation(s), and indicate your preferred resolution method.

A hearing occurs with either a case administrator or board, depending on the situation. The purpose of the hearing is to determine responsibility. You can formally contest responsibility for the charges, share information about the incident, including documentation and witnesses, and share any thoughts you may have regarding the outcome of the meeting.

If you are found responsible, sanctions may be assigned for you to complete as part of your Action Plan. Sanctions are not here to punish you, but, whenever possible, to turn this experience into an educational one. Common sanctions include online alcohol education, online drug education, parental notification letters, personal statement letters, fines and probation. Your outcome letter will provide all information needed to complete your requirements, including guidelines and deadlines.

It is your responsibility to adhere to any and all sanction requirements until/unless you are informed in writing of approved modifications. If you fail to complete disciplinary sanctions in a timely and satisfactory manner, you may be charged an additional $50 fine for each instance of a missed educational sanction and/or a $100 fine for each instance of a missed intervention or restorative sanction, not to exceed $150 total.

Students have the right to appeal the outcome of a hearing. Student must submit an Appeal Request Form to Student Accountability & Community Standards within 5 business days from the date of the outcome letter. It is important to note that the finding of responsibility cannot be appealed if you accepted responsibility for a violation of the Code of Community Standards. However, you still have the right to appeal the sanctions. If you decide to appeal the decision, the sanctions are placed on hold and will not go into effect until the appeal is reviewed and a decision is rendered.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. For cases that do not involve alcohol and/or drugs, or when the student is at least 21 years of age, the University can only share information if you have signed a release giving the University permission to share protected information. However, in all student accountability cases, we encourage you to discuss the situation with their families.

Depending on how severe the violation was, being found responsible may affect goals you have set for your future. Our office routinely completes disciplinary background checks for employers, government agencies, and schools. Student conduct files are retained until a student graduates or for the period of five (5) years, whichever occurs sooner. However, cases except for those resulting in suspension and dismissal, which are retained indefinitely. Student Code of Conduct violations resulting in a warning will not be reported externally unless required by law. Pending charges and sanctions that remain incomplete at the time a student leaves or withdraws from the University may be kept indefinitely and reported externally as pending.

You are able to bring 1 person to the hearing as your Advisor. Some people prefer to bring parents/guardians, a friend, or a faculty member for support while other people prefer to bring an attorney. Whoever you choose to bring, it is strongly recommended that they have a strong knowledge of the Code of Community Standards. Student Accountability & Community Standards will need the name of your Advisor at least 1 business day in advance, or 3 business days if Advisor is an attorney.

Unlike a plea deal in the court system, accepting responsibility to a charge you do not feel you are responsible for will not change the sanctions. If you do not feel that you are responsible, do not accept responsibility. Accepting responsibility does not infer the sanctioning will be more lenient.

Since the court system and the Student Conduct process are separate proceedings, being found guilty, or innocent, in court does not affect the University’s decision.

We understand that you may have some questions around being a part of this process, and the staff in Student Accountability & Community Standards is here to help. Give us a call at 410-677-0022, email us at studentconduct@salisbury.edu, or come visit us at the Guerrieri Student Union (GC) 213.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The University can only share information if your student has signed a release on Gull Net giving the University permission to share protected information. However, we recognize that parents/guardians are our partners in our mission to foster the development of students, their well-being and continued academic progress. Therefore, there are instances in which a parent or legal guardian, as permitted by FERPA, will be notified of matters concerning a student.

Students are allowed to bring 1 Advisor of their choice to the hearing. Some students choose to bring the parents, but other times students choose to bring a friend, a faculty member, or sometimes an attorney. It is strongly recommended that whoever the student chooses to bring a person with a strong knowledge of the Code of Conduct.

Students are allowed to bring a lawyer as their Hearing Advisor, given they notify the Dean of Students Office 3 business days in advance.

Depending on how severe the violation was, being found responsible may affect goals your student’s future plans. When we are asked, we do provide information to employers, government agencies, and schools for background checks. Student conduct files are retained until a student graduates or for the period of five (5) years, whichever comes first. However, cases resulting in suspension and dismissal are retained indefinitely. Student Code of Conduct violations resulting in a warning will not be reported externally unless required by law. Pending charges and sanctions that remain incomplete at the time a student leaves or withdraws from the University may be kept indefinitely and reported externally as pending.

We understand that going through the student accountability process may be unsettling for both guardian and student. To make this experience as uncomplicated and educational as possible, keep an open line of communication with your student. If your student has questions, urge them to contact their Case Administrator or the Dean of Students Office. Other campus resources that may also be beneficial are the:

• Counseling Center
• Center for Student Achievement
• Office of Access & Accommodations (OAA)
• Housing and Residence Life
• Student Health Services