Frequently Asked Questions about the Conduct Process

I just got written up by an RA or CPS officer. What do I do?

All conduct reports are referred to the Director of Student Conduct, who works with a team called the Conduct Review Committee (CRC) to decide how the incident will be handled. There are three ways the incident may be referred: either no hearing will be assigned (for such reasons as if the Director of Student Conduct determines there is not enough information or it is unlikely that a policy violation occurred), or you will be asked to attend either a Conduct Resolution Meeting or Student Conduct Board Hearing. The differences between these two meetings is explained here.

If you are scheduled for a Conduct Resolution Meeting or a Student Conduct Board hearing, you will receive notification via email to your University email account letting you know of the meeting's time and location. You will usually receive an email within a week of the incident; University holidays may delay this timeframe. In most cases, your hearing will be set no less than 2 and no more than 10 business days after you have been sent notification. If you believe you should have received an email and have not yet heard anything within a week, please contact studentconduct@pacificu.edu or 503.352.2200.

How can I submit a complaint against another student?

If you feel like you are the victim of a student's misconduct or have witnessed a student's misconduct and would like to submit a complaint, please contact the the Student Conduct office (studentconduct@pacificu.edu, 503-352-2200) or Campus Public Safety (cps@pacificu.edu, 503-352-2230).

For resources regarding sexual misconduct, please see this page for an in-depth listing of your options.

How can I read the report that says I violated a policy?

When you receive email notification letting you know that you have been scheduled for a hearing, you will also also receive instructions for scheduling an appointment to come to Student Life and read the report(s). You are not required to take this step; it is simply an option available should you want to take it.

I can't make my scheduled hearing time. Can I reschedule?

Hearings will only be rescheduled if you are enrolled in a Pacific University class that conflicts with the hearing time. If this is the case, please contact the Conduct Administrator at studentconduct@pacificu.edu or 503-352-2200. Other scheduling conflicts, such as extracurricular activities or jobs, are not acceptable reasons for rescheduling a hearing. If you choose not to attend your hearing, the Student Conduct Board will make a decision in your absence by taking into account all information presented to them.

My friends and I were written up together, but we're scheduled for different hearings. Why is that?

The Director of Student Conduct, in consultation with the Conduct Review Committee (CRC) determines how hearings are scheduled. For a variety of reasons, such as scheduling, differences in students' conduct histories, or the nature of the incident, the Director of Student Conduct may decide to refer students to different hearings. Be assured that at all hearings, the same process is followed, including the practice of giving students the ability to speak about the incident.

Will I get kicked out of school?

Each student conduct hearing is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and therefore, there is no set formula to predict the exact outcome of any incident. Only if you are found in violation of a University code or policy would you be assigned one or more requirements or statuses called "sanctions." Sanctions can include a change in status (such as loss of privileges, removal from campus housing, suspension, or expulsion), or a requirement to do something (such as community service, a research project, pay a fine, etc.). A list of the types of sanctions possible can be found here in the Student Code of Conduct.

Sanctions are assigned on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the policy violation, the behavior of the student or group involved, if the student or group takes responsibility, the impact the behavior had or may have had on the University community, and any prior history of conduct violations.

In general, students who have been found in violation of policies previously will be assigned more significant sanctions. Therefore, it is very uncommon for a student to be suspended or expelled upon a first policy violation.

Will my parents find out if I've been written up?

It is not a common practice for the Office of Student Conduct to discuss student misconduct with parents or guardians. Currently, this only happens if students have signed a consent form allowing University personnel permission to discuss conduct with parents, or under rare medical emergencies.

Why do some people go to hearings with one Student Conduct Officer and other people meet with three Conduct Officers?

The Director of Student Conduct, in consultation with the Conduct Review Committee (CRC) determines how hearings are scheduled. For a variety of reasons, such as scheduling, differences in students' conduct histories, or the nature of the incident, the Director of Student Conduct may decide to refer students to hearings with different compositions of Student Conduct Boards, both in number of members and type (staff, students, etc.). Be assured that at all hearings, the same process is followed, including the practice of giving students the ability to speak about the incident.

Additionally, the Student Code of Conduct states that for certain higher-level sanctions to go in effect from a Student Conduct Board hearing performed with a.) less than three Board members and/or b.) a Board composed solely of students or staff, a Board with at least three members, including both staff and students, must review the hearing details and uphold, modify, or overturn those specific sanctions.

Will this go on my permanent record?

Your conduct record will include any code or policy violations, as well as the sanctions assigned. These conduct records are maintained by the Office of Student Conduct in accordance with the University's policies on privacy and confidentiality, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Student conduct records may be disclosed to officials of another institution where a student seeks to enroll, as well as shared within the University community on an educational need to know basis. Under FERPA, a student may also inspect and review his or her conduct record by submitting a written request. You may also give permission to the University to share your student conduct record with an outside entity, such as a school or potential employer. Common reasons students choose to release their conduct records include: applications to study abroad, job applications for some government positions, and job applications for some student positions at Pacific University.

I don't agree with the decision from my hearing. What options do I have?

You are able to appeal your hearing outcome based on any of four specific criteria within seven days of the decision. Information about appeals is available here.

Where can I find the policies I need to know?

University "policies" are the written regulations of the University as found in, but not limited to, the Student Code, Residence Hall Handbook and contracts, the Appropriate Use Policy for Information Technology, and Graduate/Professional and Undergraduate Catalogs, and any other writings deemed appropriate by the University. Many of these documents are available in the navigation on the left menu under "Student Handbook."