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Dean of Students Office
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Summary of the Behavioral Conduct Process

The Dean of Students Office (DOS) upholds the University's Student Code of Conduct. Students are generally referred for violations of the Student Code of Conduct, and any member of the university community or public may submit a referral of a possible violation. Additionally, the Dean of Students Office may initiate a referral if information regarding alleged misconduct is reported through other venues.

Referral Received

Upon receipt of a referral, the DOS will review the information provided and either open an Investigation or determine there is enough information present for a potential violation and issue a Notice of Charges Letter.

A Conduct Investigation will be automatically triggered in cases involving violations of the Sexual Misconduct Regulation or Title IX. Investigations involving witness(es) or victim(s) continue with or without their involvement.

Notice of Charges Letter Sent

Once a Notice of Charges Letter is sent to a student, they have three (3) class days to respond and schedule an optional Pre-Disciplinary Hearing Review Meeting. A student will waive their right to a Pre-Disciplinary Hearing Review Meeting by not contacting the DOS within three (3) class days.

Included in the Notice of Charges Letter is:

If the student is unable to attend the automatically scheduled Administrative Hearing, they have the option to change their Administrative Hearing date or their Resolution Method via the Request Hearing Changes Form OR during their informational Pre-Disciplinary Hearing Review.

Cases involving violations of the Sexual Misconduct Regulation, Title IX, or exceptionally egregious in nature will automatically require a Panel Hearing.

It is important that the student completes the Scheduled Hearing Confirmation Form OR the Request for Hearing Changes Form that is located in their Notice of Charges Letter. This letter confirms with our office that the student:

  • prefers to have an Administrative Hearing over the required Panel Hearing.
  • would like to change their hearing date/time or that they are satisfied with the date/time that our office has provided them.
  • received written notice of their allegations, with the date, time, and location of their scheduled disciplinary hearing.
  • confirms their hearing or have selected an alternate resolution method.
  • was informed of the role of the advisor should they request one.
  • understands they have seven class days after receiving their Notice of Charges Letter before their disciplinary hearing, and
  • has the right to receive all information at least five class days prior to their scheduled hearing.

Finally, since we are required to offer all information via Document Packet to the student five days prior to their hearing, this form indicates if the student would like to waive that right, as well as the right to at least a seven (7) class day waiting period, in order to have their hearing earlier than was previously scheduled. 

Pre-Disciplinary Hearing Review

The Pre-Disciplinary Hearing Review Meeting is informational in nature and provides the student with the opportunity to understand their rights, the conduct process, and review the incident report/referral sent to the conduct office. If the student has not completed their Scheduled Hearing Changes Form OR Request for Hearing Changes Form the Hearing Administrator will direct them to do so at this time. Additionally, if the student would like to change their date, time, location, or Resolution Method, they should state so at this time and complete a new Request for Hearing Changes Form.

Hearing

There are three types of Hearings a student may choose from, except in certain circumstances:

Agreed Resolution 

Refers to a conduct resolution where the student elects to resolve outstanding violations with a Hearing Administrator in lieu of a disciplinary hearing by accepting responsibility for the alleged violation(s) and the meeting focuses on determining an appropriate sanction(s), if any.

Administrative Hearing

Refers to a disciplinary hearing where the student meets with their Hearing Administrator who reviews the reported charges against the student and all other relevant information to determine whether the student is “responsible” or “not responsible” for the alleged violation(s) and to address any appropriate outcome(s).

Panel Hearing 

Refers to a disciplinary hearing authorized by the Provost/Designee where individuals drawn from the student conduct board will review charges and information presented and determine whether to recommend to the Provost/Designee that a student is “responsible” or “not responsible” for the charge(s) and any sanction(s).

The administrative hearing can be heard with or without student participation in the case where the student completed one of the confirmation forms. If a student does not show to/confirm their Administrative Hearing, they will be scheduled for a Panel Hearing. The Panel Hearing can be heard with or without student participation and regardless of whether the student completed their Confirmation/Selection Form.

More information can be found in Section G of the Student Code of Conduct.

Post-Hearing

After a Hearing, the DOS will review the information presented and/or recommendations from the Panel Hearing Board. In cases involving potential suspension or permanent separation from the University, a recommendation will be reviewed by the Provost or Designee and/or President of the University. A Decision Letter stating the outcome and sanctions, if any, will be sent to the student via their UNF email.

Decisions on the case will be sent to the appropriate students within fourteen (14) class days, unless outstanding or additional circumstances prevent the DOS from being able to do so. All University communication is sent to the students University email account (N********@unf.edu). Students are expected to check their UNF student email account on a 24-hour basis per the Student Handbook.

Total timeline: between 25-35 class days (up to 1.5 months)

For summaries of our other conduct processes, please see: