Frequently Asked Questions for Students
1. What is the Student Rights and Responsibilities Governing Student Behavior
document?
Rules and regulations are in place to support the university’s educational
mission and to provide a safe living, learning and working environment where all
can concentrate on the education process without undue interference. The R & R
document informs students of the standards of behavior expected, the processes
in place for enforcing the rules and the University’s response to violations.
The R & R document also gives information about the rights of students and
procedures to follow should students believe they are being treated in a
discriminatory manner by faculty, staff or other students. The R & R document
also contains various policies containing information which universities are
required to provide to students.
2. Why does OSU have a Student Code of Conduct?
The Code of Conduct and related processes serve to educate students about their
civic and social responsibilities as members of the OSU academic community and
to hold them accountable for their behavior. In
summary, the Student Code of Conduct expects students to:
Follow the policies, rules and regulations of the University;
Use the Golden Rule as a guide in your relationships and interactions with
others; (Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated!)
Be honest in academic work and other activities;
Be law abiding.
Having a Code of Conduct is necessary in order to strive for a safe campus community and to make it possible for all community members to successfully pursue their educational interests.
3. What are some examples of possible violations?
Academic integrity violations, alcohol violations (i.e. underage drinking, public intoxication,
drinking and driving), computer misuse, damaging other’s property, fighting,
harassment, hazing, intimidation, physical abuse, sexual misconduct, stalking,
theft, threats, possession of weapons on campus.
4. Who can file a complaint in Student Judicial Affairs?
Any member of the University community may file a complaint against a student
alleging that a violation of the Code of Conduct has occurred.
5. How can a complaint be filed?
Complaints must be submitted in writing as soon as possible, but within 60 days
of the alleged violation. (The time may be extended at the discretion of the
Vice President for Student Affairs.) The complaint must be signed and should
include the details of who, what, when, where and how and include contact
information for any witnesses. A form is available at
http://www.okstate.edu/ucs/SJA/forms.htm.
6. Who can I talk to if I’m unsure about filing a complaint or have questions
about the process?
An appointment can be scheduled with the Coordinator of Student Judicial Affairs to discuss the
issue and to learn about the process. The phone number is 405-744-5470.
7. What happens when I am called in to meet with the Coordinator of Student
Judicial Affairs?
You will be given an explanation of the discipline process, additional
information related to the alleged violation will be shared and you will be
given the opportunity to share your version of what happened. Generally, a
resolution is reached during this meeting, known as an informal hearing. See
Section IV of the Code of Conduct.
If the alleged violation is one for which suspension from the University is a
possibility, an explanation of the formal hearing procedures will also be
provided. See Section IV(D) of the Code of Conduct.
8. What are some of the ways in which students can be held accountable?
Some examples of sanctions include reprimand, required to complete an education
program, assigned community service, make restitution for damages, placed on
conduct probation, or suspended or expelled from the university. Sanctions can
be imposed individually or in combination and are determined on a case by case
basis, based on the student’s needs, his/her conduct history, and the impact of
his/her behavior on the community. See Section VIII.
9. What will happen if I don’t schedule or keep an appointment or complete the
assigned sanction?
In most cases a “hold” will be placed on your enrollment, preventing you from
enrolling for subsequent terms at OSU. In some cases a decision will be made
about responsibility for a violation and, if appropriate, a sanction will be
imposed.
10. In what circumstances can a student be held accountable for off campus
behaviors?
Off campus behaviors which affect the educational mission of the university or
which impact other students' ability to continue with their education at OSU may
be subject to review and disciplinary action. Examples of off campus behaviors
include: selling or providing alcohol to underage students, selling or
distributing illicit drugs; sexual violence; hazing; and actions which result in
serious injury or death of another person.
11. Will my parents be notified when I’m called into the Office of Student
Judicial Affairs?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), is a federal law
that prohibits educational institutions from releasing information about a
student’s educational record to third parties, including parents, without the
consent of the student. Discipline records are classified as “education
records.” Some exceptions in the law do exist. The law does permit educational
institutions to notify parents of students under age 21 when a student has been
found responsible for an alcohol and/or drug-related violation. Students are
generally notified when parents will be contacted. If a student wants University
officials to discuss his/her discipline records with a parent or parents, the
student can sign an authorization for release of information form granting such
permission. To sign a form, go to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, 326 Student Union.
There are some other exceptions related
to the release of information to other parties from individual student
discipline records. Please read the University's policy at
http://home.okstate.edu/policy.nsf,
under OSU Policy and Procedures Letter No. 2-0701.
When students do not give the University a local address or keep the local
address current, letters can be sent to a student’s permanent address, which is
usually a parent’s address. If you do not want such mail sent to a permanent
address, keep your local address current on the SIS system.
12. I am also going to court for the offense for which I got a letter from Student Judicial Affairs. Isn't this double jeopardy? Can my campus proceedings be delayed until the criminal process has concluded?
Students may be subject to civil and/or
criminal penalties in addition to campus sanctions. Student Judicial Affairs is
obligated to proceed with disciplinary matters as soon as sufficient information
to do so has been collected. The most educational value is derived when
discipline occurs relatively contemporaneously with the offense. The University
is not required to defer to timelines imposed by the criminal justice system.
Campus resolution may proceed before, during, or after civil and/or criminal
actions are concluded and is not subject to challenge based on the action or
inaction of civil authorities. Student Judicial Affairs does not attempt to
determine whether or not a student committed a crime, but only whether or not a
violation of the Code of Conduct occurred.