myCSUSM
Other Conduct of Concern
California State University defines Other Conduct of Concern (OCC) as conduct that does not violate CSU policies or local, state or federal laws and therefore does not warrant disciplinary action, but that nevertheless negatively affects the learning, living or working environment of the university community. Though these situations may not result in formal investigations, they may warrant intervention to address the impact, curb the behavior and prevent recurrence. Left unaddressed, OCC can jeopardize campus well-being and erode a culture of respect and inclusion.
How to Address OCC
There are no mandatory reporting requirements for behavior that falls under OCC. Many concerns can be resolved informally, and the following steps are recommended:
- Speak directly with the individual involved, if safe and appropriate.
- Contact a supervisor or administrator if direct communication is unsuccessful or not feasible.
- Submit an OCC report if informal efforts have been exhausted or additional support is needed.
Reporting
If you have a concern that may fall under OCC, you may file a report using the form below or report to Pamela L. Jackson, Director of Conflict Resolution, at 760-750-8464 or by emailing ocr@csusm.edu.
Why OCC Matters
CSU is committed to fostering a culture of respect and professionalism in all aspects of work, residence and education.
OCC undermines this commitment by interfering with student success, employee well-being and productivity, and the integrity of the academic environment. Addressing OCC is part of our institutional responsibility to foster equity, inclusion and accountability. CSU is committed to upholding and protecting the principles of free speech, expression and academic freedom, but also acknowledges the potential harm these rights may have on members of our community. Addressing OCC is a shared responsibility — students, employees, supervisors, administrators and professionals in human resources, faculty affairs and student affairs all play vital roles in creating safe and inclusive environments where all CSU community members feel heard and supported. Through listening, addressing, support services and education, we work together to reduce the occurrence of OCC and uphold a culture of care, consideration and accountability.
Examples
- Intimidation
- Bullying
- Acts of bias
- Verbal aggression
- Disruptive behaviors
- Microaggressions
- Harassment that does not meet the legal threshold under the nondiscrimination policy
- Ad hominem attacks (personal attacks targeting the individual rather than their ideas or work)
- Unwillingness to collaborate with others in a professional setting
In some cases, behavior may rise beyond OCC and constitute “abusive conduct” as defined in California Government Code §12950.1(h)(2), or be considered unprofessional conduct subject to discipline under Education Code §89535(b). In such instances, disciplinary action will be pursued in accordance with existing practices and in alignment with the relevant collective bargaining agreements.
FAQs
- What is considered Other Conduct of Concern (OCC)?OCC refers to behavior that may not violate university policy or law but still negatively affects the campus environment — for example, behavior that is disruptive, disrespectful or undermines collaboration and inclusion.
- Is OCC a policy violation?OCC does not meet the threshold for a formal policy or legal violation, but rather was addressed in the CSU systemwide guidance on Other Conduct of Concern.
- Can students report faculty or staff behavior as OCC?Any member of the campus community may report behavior that they believe constitutes OCC, regardless of the individual's role.
- Can OCC reports be submitted anonymously?In most cases, yes. However, anonymous reports may limit the university’s ability to follow up or respond fully.
- Will the person I report know that I filed the report?While efforts are made to protect the identity of reporting parties, some situations may require disclosure for resolution efforts to proceed. This will be handled with care and in accordance with campus protocol.
- Will anyone be punished for OCC?Not usually. OCC does not involve formal discipline unless it overlaps with behavior that violates policy or law. Instead, interventions may include informal resolution, education, mediation or supportive measures.
- What happens after I file a report?After the report is received, a designated administrator will review the report, determine the next steps and reach out to schedule an appointment or contact you and route it to the appropriate office.
- What should I do if I’m not comfortable confronting the person involved?You can go directly to a supervisor or administrator, or you may submit an OCC report. Direct interaction between parties is encouraged, but only when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Does OCC include protected speech?The CSU does not discipline legally protected speech, but we may still address the impact it has on others through education, awareness and community response.
- What if I’m unsure whether something qualifies as OCC?You can consult with a campus office (e.g., CCN, HR, OIE, TIX/DHR) or submit a report. You are not required to categorize the behavior — campus professionals will assist in determining the best response.