Reporting Conduct Violations - FAQs

• What happens when I refer a student to the Dean of Students Office?
  The student is sent a letter via email to their CSUSM account from the Dean of Students Office that asks them to contact our office to schedule a meeting with a Student Conduct Administrator regarding the referral. The student will also receive information in their letter and conversation with the Student Conduct Administrator about the Standards for Student Conduct (California Code of Regulations under Title V, section 41301-41304) and CSU Systemwide Student Conduct Procedures.
• What will happen at the conference (meeting)?
  The student will become acquainted with the process and be informed of their rights. The student is told the reason for the referral and is given an opportunity to tell the Student Conduct Administrator their first-hand perspective of the incident and alleged violations. It is during this meeting where the student takes responsibility for their part of the incident and/or further investigation may take place.
• Does the Student Conduct Administrator decide if a University rule has been violated?
  Yes, in most instances during this part of the student conduct process (the Informal Conference) the Student Conduct Administrator will adjudicate the case and will  subsequently provide a resolution agreement with the student. If the student does not agree with the proposed sanction or refuses to participate in the disciplinary process, a formal hearing may be scheduled to resolve the student's case.
• What happens if the student is not in violation?
  This mainly impacts referrals for Academic Dishonesty. The findings from the student conduct process does not impact the original grade assigned by a faculty member. The student conduct process and grading process are separate. There may be times based on the amount of evidence when students may not be found in violation for the behavior that has been referred. Student Conduct Administrators base decisions on a preponderance of evidence standard, which is different than a standard used by a faculty member.
• What info should I provide the Student Conduct Administrator regarding my referral?
  As the referring party, you must submit all information/knowledge that you have about the incident, including information from witnesses, any contact you have with the student, any documentation such as tests, notes, term papers, assignments and police/incident reports that pertain to the incident, etc.
• Will I attend the informal conference to give my side of the incident?
  No, the referring party does not attend the student's informal conference. The Student Conduct Administrator meets with the student in a confidential one-on-one meeting. In the event of a formal hearing, the referring party may be called to provide testimony or otherwise participate regarding the facts of the case.
• Will I attend the Disciplinary Hearing?
  You may be asked to serve as a witness for the hearing.
• Will I be told the results of the case?
  Federal law protects the privacy of educational records as dictated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Decisions regarding disclosure of the case results will be determined by legitimate educational interest. In following campus protocol, the Dean of Students Office will inform faculty of the sanction outcome for academic dishonesty cases and/or referrals for COVID-19 safety violations.
• How do I learn more about the Academic Honesty policy?
  All faculty are encouraged to review and become familiar with the Academic Honesty Policy at CSUSM.
• What if I don’t want to ruin the student’s life, chances at grad school, etc?
  As an educational institution one of our primary goals for the campus disciplinary process is to help students learn from their mistakes. Usually, no permanent records are retained, and nothing goes on a student’s transcripts regarding specific behavior or actions. Disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion will be noted on student transcripts with varying degrees of time. Disciplinary records are confidential and generally cannot be released to others without the student’s consent (in adherence with FERPA). In all but a very few cases, a student discipline record will not prevent one from applying and being admitted into medical, law, dental, or other professional or graduate schools.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to call the Dean of Students Office at (760) 750-4935, located in ADM 1200 or email Leslie Rockwell at lrockwell@csusm.edu.