Student Conduct Code - Relationship of Law Enforcement and University Conduct System

8.060. Relationship of Law Enforcement and University Conduct System. Violations of federal, state and local laws are incorporated as offenses under the Student Conduct Code.  When an offense occurs over which the university has jurisdiction, the university conduct process will usually go forward notwithstanding any criminal charges that may arise from the same incident.  Should a student withdraw from the university when criminal charges are made, it is the typical practice of the university to pursue investigation and resolution of campus conduct matters, regardless of the fact that the student has withdrawn.

When a student is arrested, charged or indicted for a violent, alcohol, or drug-related off-campus crime, the University may elect to take action against that student for violation of the Student Conduct Code, which incorporates violation of local, state and federal laws as code infractions.  

When it has reasonable cause to separate a student from the community, the university may suspend a student for a reasonable time pending the scheduling of a campus hearing for violation of the Code.  The University reserves the right to exercise its authority of interim suspension upon notification that a student is facing criminal investigation and/or charges.  The university will permit a student who receives an interim suspension to request a meeting with the Dean of Student Affairs or designee to show cause why an interim suspension is not merited.  Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, the university may still proceed with the scheduling of a campus hearing.

When criminal charges are pending, the university may be delayed or prevented from conducting its own investigation, and moving forward with a campus hearing.  In such cases, the university will delay its hearing until such time as it can conduct an internal investigation, or obtain from law enforcement sufficient information upon which to proceed.

It may be in the best interests of students accused of crimes to withdraw from the university, without penalty, until the criminal charges are resolved.  The university has a procedure for voluntary withdrawals, under the following conditions.  The accused student may not be present on campus or at university-sponsored events without special permission.  The accused student must comply with any and all campus efforts at investigation that will not prejudice their defense in the criminal trial, and the accused student must agree that in order to be reinstated to active student status, the student must first be subject to and fully cooperative with a campus hearing, and must comply with any sanctions that are administered.  If the alleged victim of the crime is a student, the University will consult with the alleged victim about the voluntary withdrawal of the accused student.

8.060.1. Cooperation with Authorities. When a student is charged by federal, state or local authorities with a violation of law, the University will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his or her status as a student. If the alleged offense is also the subject of a proceeding for a violation of the Student Conduct Code, the University may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Student Conduct Code and of how such matters are handled internally within the University community. The University will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on University premises and in the compliance with conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators. Individual students and employees, acting in their personal capacities, will remain free to interact with governmental representatives, as they deem appropriate.