The Conduct Process and Procedures at Louisiana State University

The Code of Student Conduct applies to conduct that takes place in the following areas or situations:

· The campus proper; University-owned or controlled property;

· University-sponsored activities, away from the campus proper;

· Functions of University-sponsored organizations or recognized student organizations;

· Fraternity and sorority property and other units assigned for   responsibility to the University;

· Property owned or controlled by the Board of Supervisors of  LSU A&M College, including other campuses in the University system.

Conduct Referral (CR)

If you are suspected of a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, a Conduct Referral will be filed with the Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability. CR’s can be made by a number of people within the LSU community. Examples of referral agents include students, faculty or staff members, and law enforcement officers. A CR is simply a statement of the alleged incident, specifically addressing behaviors that are in violation of the Code of Student Conduct, including any witnesses (and a copy of the course syllabus, in the case of academic misconduct), signed and dated, and delivered to the  Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability . CR’s should be made as quickly as prudently possible, but there is no time limit in which a CR must be made. A case can be heard as long as the charged student is an enrolled LSU student at both the time of the incident and the time that the referral is brought forward.

Charge Letter

Once received, the Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability will review the referral, assign any applicable charges, and may instruct you to meet in connection with an alleged violation. This letter will usually be sent by email but may be sent to you at the address appearing in the registrar’s records, may be hand delivered, or you may be contacted by telephone. To see a sample letter please click here.

Your Conduct Record

Disciplinary cases and records are confidential records of the University and are maintained by the Office of the Dean of Students. Consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you may examine your disciplinary records. However, these records are generally not available to persons outside the University except in accordance with state and federal law. University personnel or University legal counsel may have access to the disciplinary records of individual students only if such information is needed in the performance of duties assigned to that person. After the charge letter is sent, a registration hold will be placed on the student's academic record.  It will remain until the matter has been resolved.  Remember, a registration hold on your academic record will limit your access to REGGIE and PAWS.

Meeting with Student Advocacy & Accountability

After reviewing the evidence supporting the alleged violation, the Dean of Students will discuss the allegations with the student(s) involved. The Dean may choose to defer the   matter for additional investigation. If the evidence is sufficient to justify such action, the student will be informed that the University is bringing formal charges under the Code. The student may request the charge be referred to a hearing panel or may request the Dean of Students to resolve the matter administratively.

What is an Administrative Meeting?

After reviewing the evidence supporting the alleged violation, a Conduct Officer will discuss the allegations with you. The Conduct Officer may choose to defer the matter for additional investigation. However, If the evidence is sufficient to justify such action, you will be informed that the University is bringing formal charges under the Code. You may request the charge be referred to a hearing panel or you may accept the decision of the Conduct Officer and request the Dean of Students to resolve the matter administratively.

What is a Hearing Panel and its procedures?

A Hearing Panel is the alternative to an Administrative Hearing. Each hearing panel shall be composed of 3 faculty members, 3 students, and 1 additional faculty member appointed by the  Chancellor to serve as a hearing panel chairperson. A simple majority vote of the hearing panel members is required to find a student in violation of the Code. All hearings will be digitally recorded, except any deliberation or consultation with University legal counsel.

The following is a brief outline of Hearing Panel procedures:

· Chairperson will provide a general outline of the procedures the panel will follow and of  your rights as a charged student.

· Dean of Students will read and clarify the charges brought before the panel and is responsible for coordinating the presentation of evidence that supports the charges.

· A decision by the panel to find you in violation of the Code will be based solely on information presented at the hearing. If you are found responsible for the violation, records of past violations will be introduced by the Dean of Students or the chairperson and will be considered by the panel in determining a sanction.

· When disciplinary sanctions are to be imposed, you will be sent written notice from the Office of the Dean of Students of the sanction imposed and the specific conditions of the sanction.

To find out more about a hearing panel, please click here.

Range of Sanctions

Sanctions for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct range from Warning Probation to Revocation of the Degree and Withdrawal of the Diploma. All sanctions issued must be    reasonable and commensurate with the violation(s).

Appeal Process

The purpose of the appeal procedure is to provide the opportunity for questioning the appropriateness of actions or recommendations growing out of a Code of Student Conduct hearing. It is not the nature or purpose of the appeal procedure to provide for a new hearing at a higher administrative level. Appeals of the actions by a hearing panel may be made on any reasonable basis. An appeal seeking to modify a sanction imposed or recommended by a hearing panel will be successful only if clear and convincing reasons are advanced to show that the sanction does not meet the test of reasonableness and fairness.

The appeal must be in the form of a written memorandum addressed to the Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Academic Services, should clearly state the specific actions or                  recommendations that are being appealed, and should clearly  present specific reasons, grounds, or justifications to support the appeal. The student who plans to make an appeal must notify the Office of the Vice Chancellor within 48 hours of the findings and/or sanctions being rendered, and the actual written appeal must be received in the Office of the Vice Chancellor within 7 calendar days after the student is notified of the final action on his/her case. The decision of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Academic Services concludes the appellate process.

 For more information about The Conduct Process, view our "Student Conduct Procedures" brochure and our "What Happens if I get a Conduct Referral?".  If you need additional information, contact us at 225-578-4307.

Disclaimer: This brochure was prepared by the Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability or use by faculty, staff, and students at LSU. Content of this brochure is informal and non-binding; it may change without notice. Any questions concerning the University Judicial System should be directed to the Dean of Students Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability, 115 Johnston Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, (225)578-4307. www.lsu.edu/saa