Conduct Resources for Students
UO Student Conduct and Community Standards
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is there a Student Conduct Code? The Code sets the standard of personal and organizational conduct for students and groups. However, this standard is not merely a minimum expectation but also what the University community hopes each student and group aspires to be. The Code’s main purpose is to maintain and protect an environment conducive to learning.
- Where and when does the Code apply? In general, students are accountable for their behavior when it occurs on University property or University-sponsored event. Students may also be accountable for behavior off-campus if it involves physical violence or causes reasonable fear of physical harm.
- So, what are the rules? The UO’s primary “rules” can be found at http://conduct.uoregon.edu (click on Student Conduct Code). They are also available in a summarized format on the opposite side of this page. Students must also follow other University policies, such as class syllabi, departmental policies, Computing Center’s Acceptable Use Policy, and University Housing’s Residence Hall Contract.
- What does the University do when a violation is reported? University officials determine what, if any, violations may have occurred and then notify the student(s) of the suspected violations by e-mail. The University requires students to check their University e-mail accounts daily. The student then has 14 calendar days to schedule an appointment with a hearing officer to discuss their options regarding the alleged misconduct. A hearing officer or panel may decide the student’s responsibility without the student’s input after this 14-day time limit.
- What standard is applied in determining responsibility? The UO uses the “preponderance of evidence”. This is also known as “what is more likely than not” to have occurred. This is not the same standard used in criminal cases.
- If a student is found responsible, what are the possible sanctions? Sanctions are assigned specific to each student and are intended to be educational in nature. Sanctions may include substance abuse education courses, counseling assessments, reflection papers, educational projects, loss of privileges, or community service. Severe cases or cases in which the student violates a policy multiple times could result in eviction from the residence halls, suspension, expulsion, or negative notation on their transcript.
- What effect does a finding of responsibility have on a student? Students may need to explain these violations on study abroad, scholarship, employment, etc. applications, but evaluators of these applications are looking for what students have learned from their violations. Moreover, most students’ conduct records are destroyed (and therefore no longer reportable) five years after the incident date.
- Will the University tell parents about these violations or hearings? No. A student must specifically waive privacy (granted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) and designates a person(s) to receive such information. Moreover, even after a student waives privacy, it is up to the designee(s) to inquire about the student’s conduct record—the University will not automatically inform a designee(s) of future violations.
- What support can a student get? Students can seek assistance from administrators, faculty/staff, family, or friends. A good place to start is the Office of Student Life, located at 164 Oregon Hall, 541.346.3216. Staff members are available for drop-in from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. on business days. Student Life staff members can help a student negotiate and understand the conduct process and can usually attend a hearing for either party in a case. However, students need to know that the support person is there to offer support, not to resolve the case; students are expected to speak for themselves and participate in the educational process.
For more information, please contact:
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
164 Oregon Hall, http://conduct.uoregon.edu, 541.346.1140
Conduct Resources for Students
UO Student Conduct and Community Standards
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is there a Student Conduct Code? The Code sets the standard of personal and organizational conduct for students and groups. However, this standard is not merely a minimum expectation but also what the University community hopes each student and group aspires to be. The Code’s main purpose is to maintain and protect an environment conducive to learning.
- Where and when does the Code apply? In general, students are accountable for their behavior when it occurs on University property or University-sponsored event. Students may also be accountable for behavior off-campus if it involves physical violence or causes reasonable fear of physical harm.
- So, what are the rules? The UO’s primary “rules” can be found at http://conduct.uoregon.edu (click on Student Conduct Code). They are also available in a summarized format on the opposite side of this page. Students must also follow other University policies, such as class syllabi, departmental policies, Computing Center’s Acceptable Use Policy, and University Housing’s Residence Hall Contract.
- What does the University do when a violation is reported? University officials determine what, if any, violations may have occurred and then notify the student(s) of the suspected violations by e-mail. The University requires students to check their University e-mail accounts daily. The student then has 14 calendar days to schedule an appointment with a hearing officer to discuss their options regarding the alleged misconduct. A hearing officer or panel may decide the student’s responsibility without the student’s input after this 14-day time limit.
- What standard is applied in determining responsibility? The UO uses the “preponderance of evidence”. This is also known as “what is more likely than not” to have occurred. This is not the same standard used in criminal cases.
- If a student is found responsible, what are the possible sanctions? Sanctions are assigned specific to each student and are intended to be educational in nature. Sanctions may include substance abuse education courses, counseling assessments, reflection papers, educational projects, loss of privileges, or community service. Severe cases or cases in which the student violates a policy multiple times could result in eviction from the residence halls, suspension, expulsion, or negative notation on their transcript.
- What effect does a finding of responsibility have on a student? Students may need to explain these violations on study abroad, scholarship, employment, etc. applications, but evaluators of these applications are looking for what students have learned from their violations. Moreover, most students’ conduct records are destroyed (and therefore no longer reportable) five years after the incident date.
- Will the University tell parents about these violations or hearings? No. A student must specifically waive privacy (granted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) and designates a person(s) to receive such information. Moreover, even after a student waives privacy, it is up to the designee(s) to inquire about the student’s conduct record—the University will not automatically inform a designee(s) of future violations.
- What support can a student get? Students can seek assistance from administrators, faculty/staff, family, or friends. A good place to start is the Office of Student Life, located at 164 Oregon Hall, 541.346.3216. Staff members are available for drop-in from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. on business days. Student Life staff members can help a student negotiate and understand the conduct process and can usually attend a hearing for either party in a case. However, students need to know that the support person is there to offer support, not to resolve the case; students are expected to speak for themselves and participate in the educational process.
For more information, please contact:
The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
164 Oregon Hall, http://conduct.uoregon.edu, 541.346.1140