SCampus Student Guidebook

University Governance

Summary of Student Conduct Code Review Process

Summary of Nonacademic Review Process

1. A written report regarding an alleged violation of the Student Conduct Code is received by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards from the USC Department of Public Safety, a faculty member or a staff member of the university community.

2. The director will evaluate reports to determine whether there is sufficient information to proceed with the student conduct process.

3. The Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards sends written notification of the complaint to the student.

4. The student must meet with a designated review officer from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards to review the complaint and allegation.

1. The student may accept a Voluntary Administrative Review by not disputing the allegation, waiving the right to a further review and accepting the sanctions assessed. The Administrative Review is completed through a written form signed by both the student and an Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards staff member.
2. The student may deny the allegation. A Summary Administrative Review may be conducted by a designated review officer or the matter may be referred to a review panel, as appropriate. If the student is referred to a review panel, a review officer will arrange the date, time and place for the review, send a letter of notice to the student and convene a panel review according to the written notice provided to the student.
3. The case may be dismissed by the review officer.

5. Sanctions which may be assessed include but are not limited to: educational classes, warning, disciplinary probation, service, restitution, removal from university housing, suspension and/or expulsion.

6. The decision from the review may be appealed within 10 business days of receipt of the written decision.

7. For certain cases or when it is determined that a student is responsible for a violation of university standards by any of the above processes, a conduct record of the matter will be maintained in a confidential student file by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for a minimum of seven years. Expulsion, suspension, revocation of admission or degree will result in permanent student conduct files.*

Summary of Academic Integrity Review Process

1. The instructor believes that an academic integrity violation has occurred.
2. 1. The instructor makes a reasonable attempt to meet with the student and discuss the incident.
   2. The instructor forwards a report of the alleged violation to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards.
3. The Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards sends written notification of the complaint to the student with a copy to the instructor and the academic unit.
1. If further review is not required, the student will be notified of the opportunity to meet with a review officer from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. Further review of the matter may be requested by the student.
2. If further review is necessary (e.g., because additional sanctions are recommended or because further review is requested), the student must meet with a review officer from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. The student then may:
1. accept a Voluntary Administrative Review by not disputing the allegation, waiving the right for further review and accepting the sanctions assessed. The Administrative Review is completed through a written form signed by both the student and review officer.
2. deny the allegation and request further review of the matter. A Summary Administrative Review may be conducted by a designated review officer or the matter may be referred to a review panel, as appropriate. If the student is referred to a review panel, a review officer will arrange a date, time and place for the review, send a letter of notice to the student and convene a panel for review according to the written notice provided to the student.
4. Sanctions which may be assessed include but are not limited to: grade sanctions (e.g., “F” in course) and dismissal from the academic department. In addition, sanctions of suspension or expulsion from the university may be assessed through a review process when requested by the instructor, requested by the academic or administrative unit in which the violation occurred or when indicated by university standards (such as the seriousness of the misconduct or the existence of previous academic violations by the student).
5. The decision from the review may be appealed within 10 business days of receipt of the written decision.
6. When it is determined that the student is responsible for a violation of university standards by any of the above processes, a disciplinary record of the matter will be maintained in a confidential student file by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for a minimum of seven years. Expulsion, suspension, revocation of admission or degree will result in permanent student conduct files.

*This information summarizes extensive materials from the Student Conduct Code. Readers should note that this summary is not authoritative in speaking to issues of review process. Sections 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the code should be consulted.

The Student Conduct Code articulates violations that are most common and readily identifiable. Conduct violating university community standards that is not specifically mentioned may still be subject to disciplinary action.

Revised April, 2009.