Student Conduct Process

If you are contacted by the Office of Student Conduct and Civility, a report has been received about an incident, and you have been listed within the report as someone who may have knowledge of the matter.

Generally, the director or the designee will request to meet with you. Student conduct meetings are informal but designed to determine specific facts of the incident. These meetings are not connected in any way to the criminal justice system; however, there may be instances where criminal violations are also conduct violations. 

Electing not to schedule a requested student conduct meeting may result in “failure to comply with directions of university officials acting in the performance of their duties.” You will also forfeit your opportunity to have your voice heard, and the university may decide the case in your absence, nullifying your opportunity to appeal the outcome. In addition, a hold may be placed on your Pathway account, which can prevent you from enrolling in classes or obtaining transcripts.

For violations of the Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity Policy, both the accused and the complainant will receive a written notice that an investigation will take place at least seven days before the resolution process. When the investigator is ready to present the findings, each party will receive a three-day notice so they have an opportunity to select a formal hearing. If both parties agree to allow the investigator to make a decision, then after the three days the investigator will inform them of the results. In most instances, no action by the student indicates agreement with the decision of the appropriate administrative officer.

Student rights during the conduct process

Reporting person

1. To be treated with respect by university officials.
2. To have access to campus support resources, such as university counseling and health services.
3. To have an advisor of their choice accompany them to all interviews, meetings and proceedings.
4. To report the matter to law enforcement, if applicable, and to have assistance in making that report.
5. To request a no-contact directive between the parties.
6. To receive amnesty for minor student misconduct that is ancillary to the incident, at the discretion of the Appropriate Administrative Officer.
7. To have a right to a formal hearing and refuse to have an allegation resolved through the informal disposition process.
8. To receive advance notice of the investigation and notice of a Formal Resolution Hearing.
9. To request alternative attendance or questioning mechanisms for the hearing (e.g.: screens, Skype, questions directed through the chair, etc.)
10. An equal opportunity to present a list of potential witnesses and provide evidence.
11. To be informed of the finding(s), rationale and sanction(s) in writing.
12. To be free from retaliation.
13. To appeal the finding(s) and sanction(s).

Responding person

1. To be treated with respect by university officials.
2. To have access to campus support resources, such as university counseling and health services, unless suspended from campus pending the completion of the process.
3. To have an advisor of their choice accompany them to all interviews, meetings and proceedings.
4. To receive notice of the policies alleged to have been violated and notice of the appropriate process.
5. To request a no-contact directive between the parties.
6. To have a right to a formal hearing and refuse to have an allegation resolved through the informal disposition process.
7. To request alternative attendance or questioning mechanisms for the hearing (e.g.: screens, Skype, questions directed through the chair, etc.)
8. To receive advance notice of the investigation and notice of a Formal Resolution Hearing.
9. An equal opportunity to present a list of potential witnesses and provide evidence.
10. To be informed of the finding(s) and sanction(s) in writing.
11. To be free from retaliation.
12. To appeal the finding(s) and sanction(s).

Advisor

You may bring an advisor with you and you will have the opportunity to provide the names of any witnesses, who will meet with the director or designee regarding the incident.

Any person can serve as an advisor, including parent, faculty, attorney or friend. University hearings are not court proceedings. 

Advisors may perform these functions

• Advise you on how to prepare for their case
• Accompany you to all conduct hearings and meetings
• Advise you in preparation and presentation of any appeal
• Pose questions for the witness through the hearing panel chair, if appropriate

Advisors may not perform these functions

• Present the case for the accused
• Disrupt or delay the proceedings

Advisors not complying with university hearing procedures may be removed from the meeting or conduct proceedings.

Informal and formal disposition

After the meeting, the investigator will make an informal disposition to determine a finding of facts and responsibility based on a preponderance of the evidence.

You may then be subject to sanctions.

You may choose to appeal the findings of the informal disposition and opt for a Student Conduct Hearing, the formal disposition to decide cases in accordance with the University of Missouri Rules of Procedures in Student Conduct Matters. The Student Conduct Committee hears these cases and makes a decision based on the evidence presented.

Student conduct records

The university maintains student conduct records for conduct violations for seven years from the completed sanction unless the student is expelled, suspended or dismissed. In those cases, the records may be held permanently.

The best policy when applying for jobs or an advanced degree is to be honest on your application. Most applications will ask for a previous history of academic integrity, honor code or disciplinary misconduct violations. Failure to disclose this information is often viewed as much worse than having been found responsible for a code of conduct violation.