Conduct
Community Standards
As in every community, University Housing has specific rules and regulations, as well as general guidelines of good citizenship and responsible behavior. The policies are developed to help students understand the expectations of the University Community in order to obtain the maximum benefits from their educational experience.
Housing’s conduct system is the process used to hold students accountable when a student's behavior infringes upon the rights of others, is illegal, or violates residence hall policies. It is the mechanism used to support the rights of individuals and balance them with the community environment.
The goals of the Conduct System are to:
- Facilitate an environment conducive to living and learning
- Allow students to learn from each other about how their behavior affects others
- Protect the rights of all students
- Hold students accountable for their actions
- Provide students and staff members with a uniform conduct process
By virtue of enrollment, all students enter into an agreement with the University that they will abide by the institution’s rules and regulations and will observe the standards expected of students. Through the Housing Contract, a student further agrees to abide by University Housing Code of Conduct.
Specific policy information on University Housing polices is available at Housing Policies. Laws governing Conduct on University Lands, (Chapter 17 & 18 UW-System Disciplinary Guidelines) can be found on the University Police website.
Based on students' dual citizenship in the campus community and in the city/county/state communities, disciplinary processes may run simultaneously with sanctions occurring as part of both the city/county/state courts and University Housing conduct system.
Student Rights
Students are guaranteed certain rights within the conduct process.
Students' rights include:
- To be notified of the charges within 7 working days of the incident
- To have a fair and prompt hearing
- To be notified promptly of the results of the hearing
- To be advised of the appeal process
- To attend a hearing with a University official or the Peer Review Board.
- To be respectful during the conduct process.
- To provide accurate, truthful, and appropriate information regarding the incident at every level of the conduct process.
Levels of the University Housing Conduct System
The level at which you enter the conduct process will be determined by the severity of your infraction.
Level OneHearing Conducted by your Hall Director with the possible sanctions:
| Warning | Educational Sanction |
Restitution |
| Housing Probation | University Service | Education Opportunities |
| Mandatory Storage | Loss of Privileges |
Level Two
Hearing Conducted by your Hall Director with the possible sanctions:
| All Sanctions from Level One | |
| Reassignment to Another Room | Parental Notification |
| Extended Probation | Counseling Referral |
Level Three
Hearing Conducted by the Peer Review Board with possible sanctions:
| All Sanctions from Level One and Level Two | |
| Contract Termination with Financial Penalty | Outside Counseling Assessment |
| Banning from Residence Halls | |
Level Four
Hearing Conducted by a University Hearing Officer with possible sanctions:
| All Sanctions from Level One, Level Two, & Level Three |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I get contacted to set up a hearing?
An incident occurred where you may be involved. A report was filed and forwarded to the Hall Director. The Hall Director is responsible for deciding what policy(ies) may have been violated and who will hear the policy violation. From the time a report is filed, the Hall Director will typically contact you within 3 working days (Monday-Friday are considered working days). After this contact is made, you can expect to have a conduct hearing with the Hall Director within 5 working days. For cases involving the Peer Review Board, the board will be convened typically within 1-2 weeks. *Residents may be referred to the campus conduct system based on the circumstance of the incident.
What happens when I meet with my Hall Director?
The Hall Director explains the conduct process. They will ask you to share your perspective of the incident and share information from the incident report and/or other documentation. Based upon your input and all of the information, the Hall Director will decide to what extent you are responsible for the policy violation(s). If you are found to be responsible for violating a policy, the Hall Director will issue a sanction.
What happens if I do not schedule or attend a hearing?
Should you take no action to schedule or attend a meeting, a decision will be made without the benefit of your input and based on available information in the report. Be advised that failing to schedule or attend a meeting may result in additional disciplinary action.
What is the purpose of a sanction?
A sanction is a consequence that typically includes an assignment or duty to complete. Sanctions are intended to be educational allowing a student to reflect on past behaviors, consider future options and deter additional violations. Typically sanction(s) will be determined at the hearing, but some situations require time to consider all of the information and then issue an appropriate sanction. Previous policy violations are considered when determining an appropriate sanction.
What if I don’t complete a sanction?
Failing to complete a sanction is considered another violation. If you
fail to complete a sanction in a timely or satisfactory manner, you
will face further disciplinary action.
The Peer Review Board hears conduct cases referred by Hall Directors, and appeals from the Hall Director level. The Peer Review Board is comprised of students and a Hall Director advisor. The Peer Review Board will determine to what extent you are responsible for the policy violation(s).
Housing staff members value confidentiality and avoid discussing your case outside of this process. Federal law requires that a student must sign a release in order for a University official to discuss specific incidents and consequences with the student’s family members or future employers. Parents/Guardians can be notified when a student is found responsible for a second underage drinking violation or any illegal drug possession violation.
How long will this be on my transcript?
University Housing conduct related records and information are not part of an academic transcript.
Yes. In order to appeal you must have one of more of the following reason(s):
- Severity of the sanction
- Introduction of new evidence not presented at the hearing
- Lack of procedural due process (your student rights were not honored)
An appeal must be made in writing, using the University Housing Appeal form within five working days of the decision. The appeal will go to the next level in the conduct process. Obtain the appeal form at the appeals form.
Appeals made based on severity of the sanction are a review of the disciplinary action and not a rehearing of the case. Appeals made based on introduction of new evidence or lack of procedural due process are a rehearing of the case based on new pertinent information.
Please contact your Resident Advisor (RA) or Hall Director.