Student Conduct Process

Student Conduct Process

The purpose of the Student Conduct Process at Quinnipiac University (“Quinnipiac” or “university”) is to review potential violations of Quinnipiac policies and community standards. The legal responsibilities and liabilities of Quinnipiac reside with the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees vests in the president or their designee the authority to hear and resolve final appeals in any matter.

The Student Conduct Process should be an educational experience that fosters responsibility for individual actions and how those actions impact the community.

The Division of Student Affairs is responsible for managing the Student Conduct Process. The associate dean of student affairs is responsible for advising the chief experience officer and the vice president and dean of students on administration of the Student Conduct Process.

The vice president and dean of students or designee has the authority to immediately address serious violations of the university’s Student Code of Conduct.

The Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, whose office falls under the Division of Student Affairs, or a designated conduct officer reviews all other conduct cases. Students that are alleged to have violated the Student Code of Conduct will be apprised of the allegations and afforded the opportunity to participate in a conduct meeting. After a determination/decision has been made regarding the alleged violation(s), students may request an appeal so long as they (i) attended their original conduct meeting, (ii) have grounds for an appeal as stated in the Student Conduct Process, and (iii) submit the required documentation. At the end of the appeal, a final decision will be issued. The process is concluded after the final decision is rendered.

An officer of Quinnipiac or a duly authorized individual acting on behalf of Quinnipiac may take immediate interim action toward a person(s), if that person(s) is perceived to be a threat to their life, health or safety and/or that of others.

Basic Policies and Principles

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards helps students and student organizations to make positive decisions, define their values, and demonstrate responsible behavior on and off campus. 

The Quinnipiac community values inclusive excellence, and expects our members to exercise personal responsibility and community accountability. These policies and the accompanying conduct procedures are designed to ensure that the rights of community members are protected and to support the educational mission of the university.

Advisers

A student accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct may have an adviser attend the conduct meeting and/or appeal meeting. A Quinnipiac faculty member or staff member (excluding any relative employed by the university) may attend the conduct meeting and/or appeal meeting in the role of an adviser. Advisers serve as a moral and emotional support for students during conduct and/or appeal meetings, and can assist them with their meeting preparation. Advisers are not permitted to advocate for a student or speak on their behalf during a conduct and/or appeal meeting. Any person who is a witness to or otherwise involved in the same student conduct matter cannot serve as adviser. Please note legal counsel/attorneys and parents and/or family members are not permitted to participate in any conduct meeting or appeal meeting.

Amendments

Quinnipiac reserves the right to amend the Student Code of Conduct or related processes at any time.

Bias-Related Incidents

Quinnipiac University fosters respect for each individual by honoring the differences inherent among people. As a community of learners and scholars, we recognize and appreciate our common humanity. As such, bias-related violations of the Student Code of Conduct directed toward a person or group because of factors such as race, color, religion, gender, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, alienage, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law may be assessed enhanced sanctions. Additional information regarding bias-related incidents can be found in the university’s Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment, and Bias-Motivated Acts and Behavior Policy.

Fines and Restitution for Damages

Students responsible for damage and vandalism to Quinnipiac property may be required to pay restitution. In cases where damage or vandalism is done to common areas, and the student(s) who are responsible cannot be determined, students sharing that common area will be required to share in the cost of the restitution. Residents are responsible for reporting individual damages to their residence hall director, the Office of Facilities and/or the off-campus property management company, as soon as they occur. Residents are not permitted to make their own repairs.

While intentionally damaging the property of another person or entity is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the university will not assign, oversee, manage or assure restitution when the university is not a party.

The Division of Student Affairs reserves the right to assign monetary fines for violations of the Student Code of Conduct as appropriate.

Identification

All Quinnipiac students must carry their university QCard and provide it to university personnel (e.g., residence hall director, public safety officer, resident assistant) upon request. Visitors must carry their university visitor pass and state-issued photo identification at all times.

Jurisdiction

The Student Code of Conduct shall apply to conduct that occurs on university-owned or leased property and at university-sponsored events. In addition, Quinnipiac reserves the right to address, through the Student Conduct Process, incidents that occur off campus that may endanger the health, safety and welfare of self or others and/or adversely affect the university and/or the pursuit of its objectives. Quinnipiac also reserves the right to address, through the Student Conduct Process, speech and conduct that occurs or is posted online, via social media or via other electronic communications. Each student, and admitted but not yet matriculated student, shall be subject to the Student Code of Conduct from the time of application for admission through the awarding of a degree at Commencement, as well as during periods between terms of actual enrollment, study abroad and leaves of absence or suspension. Reports involving former students, or students who have previously withdrawn or graduated, may be addressed at the discretion of the university. 

Facilities Access and Other Contraband Searches

The university reserves the right at any time with or without notice to search all university-owned or leased property and all vehicles, packages, containers, briefcases, backpacks, purses, lockers, desks, enclosures and persons entering or leaving its property for the purpose of determining whether any weapons or other contraband has been brought onto its property. This access is allowed to preserve the health and safety of the university community, including inspection or repair, or for suspected violations of university policy. Any person who refuses to promptly permit a search under this policy may be denied immediate and future access to university property and/or subjected to the Student Conduct Process. Public safety staff members will use their discretion to contact local law enforcement if weapons or other contraband are located during a search.

Standard of Information/Evidence

The Student Conduct Process uses a preponderance of the evidence standard in adjudicating conduct cases. A conduct officer will review the evidence and determine if it is more likely than not that the student is responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct. For admitted but not yet matriculated students, the university will notify individuals of any incidents under review and afford such individuals an opportunity to respond, but they will not be entitled to all of the procedures identified in the Student Conduct Process. The university will make a determination as to whether an individual is responsible for a Student Code of Conduct violation and, if so, whether to rescind an offer of admission, based on the information it has gathered from all sources.

Student Conduct Holds

Students who fail to complete student conduct sanctions by the assigned deadline may have a hold placed on their student account. Conduct holds may impact a student’s ability to see the student’s grades online, obtain a copy of the student’s university transcript or register for housing or for classes. 

Refunds

Students who are suspended, dismissed or expelled from the university for disciplinary reasons will only be entitled to a tuition refund based upon the applicable Quinnipiac Refund Policy, which outline the applicable refund percentage, for the first five weeks, in effect at the time of the student’s separation from the university. After the first five weeks of the semester, students are not entitled to refunds. A student who is suspended, dismissed or expelled will be charged all administrative fees as prescribed.

Students who are suspended from university housing for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to a refund unless the suspension occurs within the first two weeks of the academic year, per the appropriate Refund Policy. Students suspended from university housing forfeit all housing deposits paid to the university. Students placed on an interim suspension from the university or university housing who are later reinstated to the university or university housing are not entitled to a refund for the period of their separation.

Title IX Grievance Procedures

Any incident that involves behaviors included under the Student Code of Conduct #7 and/or involves gender-related harassment or discrimination will fall under the investigation and grievance procedures established by the Title IX Policy Against Gender-Based Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct.

Victim Information

Community members who are victims of a reported crime against their person or property may be entitled to certain information, upon written request, about university disciplinary proceedings related to that crime pursuant to Section 493 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Under certain circumstances, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding can be non-consensually disclosed under an exception to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Such information can be disclosed to alleged victims of a sexual offense or one of the following crimes of violence, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education:

• arson
• assault offenses
• burglary
• criminal homicide
• destruction, damage and vandalism of property
• kidnapping/abduction
• robbery

Students who have requests or questions should contact the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Any information regarding the final results of the disciplinary proceeding provided by the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards will be provided upon written request and in accordance with federal law and will be given directly to the alleged victim or the alleged victim’s next of kin, if the victim is deceased as a result of such crime or offense. Information will not be provided to another person, even at the victim’s direction or request.

Electronic Communications

Quinnipiac University encourages its students to become involved and connected to the community in as many ways as possible. The internet has provided additional ways for communication to occur. Students must be aware of the added responsibility associated with these opportunities for networking and communicating. Community members must exercise care and diligence when communicating via such platforms.

Communications on sites such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Twitter and personal blogs, though logins are often required, represent public and open communication. Communications on such sites are not specifically monitored by Quinnipiac officials but may be brought to the attention of officials when seen as possible violations of the Student Code of Conduct. As with other public arenas, information found on internet sites is acceptable as information in conduct meetings and other proceedings. Information that is acceptable may include but is not limited to: wall postings, journal entries, blog postings, pictures, media, online comments, “tweets” and other accessible communications.

Messages between individuals—instant messages, direct messaging, text messages, email, Facebook/Instagram/Snapchat messages, or other electronic forms of communication—may also be used in the conduct process.

Students should be aware that the internet is considered a public forum and information posted there can be viewed by anyone. Students are encouraged to use caution with information made available to others online and through social media.