Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below you will find a list of the most commonly asked questions regarding the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. Click on a question to read the answer.
- What is the Office of Student Judicial Affairs – What services do we offer?
- I received a charge letter from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs – What do I do first?
- What are my rights as a student?
- What will happen at my initial informational meeting?
- Do I need to get a lawyer?
- Will the Judicial Staff make a decision about whether I violated University rules?
- Is it my word against the word of the person who alleged the charges against me (instructor, resident director, other)?
- Will the violation ill go on my record and keep me from going to professional or graduate school or from getting a job?
- What if I did not do anything wrong?
- If the violation also involves an alleged crime, can I be prosecuted criminally AND also be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs?
- What happens to my grade if I am referred for suspected academic misconduct?
- Is the Student Judiciary Procedure similar to the State or Federal Court judiciary procedure?
1. What is the Office of Student Judicial Affairs – What services do we offer?
The Office of Student Judicial Affairs is responsible for the judicial aspects regarding violations of the Code of Student Conduct at the University of Florida, insuring that students receive fair treatment in all hearings.
The purpose of the Code of Student Conduct is to set forth the specific authority and responsibility of the University in maintaining social discipline, to establish guidelines which facilitate a just and civil campus community, and to outline the educational process for determining student and student organization responsibility for alleged violations of University regulations.
Office personnel can assist victims of assault or harassment by a University student, and they are also available for educational programs on a variety of related topics.
2. I received an allegation letter from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs – What do I do first?
Upon receiving notice that you have been charged with an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct, you must call and schedule an appointment with the Director, or Assistant Director for Student Judicial Affairs.
It is important to make this appointment and keep it. Ignoring the situation will NOT make it go away; ignoring the letter or failing to schedule an appointment could result in your disciplinary matter being decided in your absence. Also, a registration hold may be placed on your registration and transcripts.
3. What are my rights as a student?
Students charged with alleged violations of the Student Conduct Code who choose an informal proceeding shall be accorded the right to:
- Have an advisor present;
- Be provided prior to the proceeding the nature and source of the evidence which will be used by the University; and,
- Be free from compulsory self-incrimination.
Students charged with alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct who choose a formal hearing with a conduct committee or a university hearing authority shall be accorded the right to:
- Have an advisor present;
- Question adverse witnesses;
- Present evidence and witnesses relevant to his/her defense;
- Be provided prior to the hearing the nature and source of the evidence which will be used by the University; and,
- Be free from compulsory self-incrimination.
4. What will happen at my initial informational meeting?
At this initial meeting, the informational meeting, you will be offered with a written copy of your rights and a verbal summary of the information and documentation. You will also be provided with an overview of the disciplinary system and options available to you in the resolution of the allegations.
Not really. All students have the right to have an advisor (friend, family member, attorney, faculty member, etc.) present at all meetings with University officials.
Advisors help students feel more at ease with the process and can assist the student in remembering details. The advisor may not serve to represent the student by speaking for the student or by questioning witnesses.
6. Will the Judicial Staff make a decision about whether I violated University rules?
There are the three options available:
If the student takes responsibility for the charges alleged against them, an Administrative Proceeding can be held immediately.
Administrative Proceeding. This occurs as part of the initial meeting. There are no witnesses called and it consists primarily of a discussion between the student and the Director, or Assistant Director, of Student Judicial Affairs. The informal proceeding is not audio taped. The student retains the right to an appeal to the Dean of Students.
If the student denies the charges alleged against them, they have the option of either a Formal Administrative Hearing or a hearing with the Student Conduct Committee.
Formal Administrative Hearing. Scheduled after the initial, informational meeting, this option is a formal audio-taped process which occurs in front of the Director for Student Judicial Affairs or Designee. The charged student has the opportunity to question all witnesses and present witnesses and documentation on his/her own behalf. The student retains the right to an appeal to the Dean of Students.
Formal Committee Hearing. Scheduled no less than ten days following the initial meeting, this option is a formal, audio taped process which occurs in front of the Student Conduct Committee. (The Committee is composed of four students and four faculty members appointed by the President of the University.) The charged student has the opportunity to question all witnesses and present witnesses and evidence on his/her own behalf. The committee's findings and recommendations are made to the Dean of Students for review and final decision. The student retains the right to an appeal to the Vice President of Student Affairs.
7. Is it my word against the word of the person who alleged the charges against me (instructor, resident director, other)?
No, there are many factors involved in the judicial procedure. In addition to the information from witnesses, the referring person may submit other evidence, including documents such as tests, notes, term papers, assignments, and incident reports. The charged student has the opportunity to question all witnesses and present witnesses and evidence on his/her own behalf. The student also has the right to request to speak one-on-one with the Director or Assistant Director, requiring the referring person to leave the room.
8. Will the violation keep me from going to professional or graduate school or from getting a job?
As an educational institution, a primary goal of the campus disciplinary process is to help students learn from their mistakes. Disciplinary records are kept in Student Judicial Affairs. These confidential files are separate from the academic transcript.
Student disciplinary records in Student Judicial Affairs, excluding records of students who are expelled, are maintained for six years from the date of the student's initial matriculation into the University.
Disciplinary records are confidential and generally cannot be released to others without the student’s consent. In most situations, a student discipline record will not prevent one from applying and being admitted to medical, law, dental or other professional or graduate schools.
9. What if I did not do anything wrong?
If the matter cannot be resolved informally, the student has the right to have the matter heard formally by either the Director of Student Judicial Affairs or the Student Conduct Committee. The committee or hearing officer will listen to all sides, ask questions, and make a decision.
10. If the violation also involves an alleged crime, can I be prosecuted criminally AND also be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs?
Yes. This does not constitute double jeopardy. Students have a separate relationship to the University that is different from their responsibilities as citizens. Similarly, if an employee steals from his/her employer, he can be fired as well as prosecuted for embezzlement. Essentially, what happens at the university and what happens with the criminal justice system are two separate, but concurrent processes.
11. What happens to my grade if I am referred for suspected academic misconduct?
First Offense: If a faculty member believes that a student has violated the Academic Honesty Guidelines, the faculty member should talk to the student with his/her suspicions and listen to the student's account of the incident. The student and faculty member may have a support person or observer attend this meeting. Once the student is told of a possible academic honesty violation, he/she is NOT allowed to drop that class. If the student and faculty member reach an AGREEMENT as to responsibility, the grade penalty to be imposed (reduced or failing grade for assignment or course) and educational sanction, a Faculty Adjudication Form should be completed and forwarded to Student Judicial Affairs, 202 Peabody Hall. This results in a student discipline file for the student and a violation of the Academic Honesty Guidelines.
In cases where the student and faculty member CANNOT agree on the matter of responsibility and/or grade penalty, the case is referred to Student Judicial Affairs. A Faculty Adjudication Form should be completed by both parties and forwarded to Student Judicial Affairs, 202 Peabody Hall. The faculty member may also refer first offenses to Student Judicial Affairs if it appears that the severity of the offense in question warrants conduct probation, suspension or possible expulsion of the accused student. The student should make an appointment with a member of the Student Judicial Affairs within forty-eight hours after signing the Faculty Adjudication Form. The Director or Assistant Director of Student Judicial Affairs will meet with the student and advise him/her of available options. The student may choose a hearing before the Committee on Student Conduct or Student Honor Court to resolve the situation. Typical sanctions for first violations include a grade penalty, reprimand, conduct probation or suspension and an educational sanction. Being found responsible for an academic honesty violation will result in a discipline file for the student.
Subsequent Offenses: All subsequent academic honesty offenses will require a judicial hearing. The faculty member should send all documentation and evidence on the case to the Dean of Student’s Office, Student Judicial Affairs, P202 Peabody Hall. Students found responsible for a second academic honesty violation will normally receive a suspension or expulsion from the University, a grade penalty, and other educational sanctions.
While the matter is pending, no grade will be assigned to the work in question. If the matter is not resolved by the end of the quarter, a grade of “I” will be recorded for the course. The student’s final course grade will be submitted at the conclusion of the disciplinary process.
12. Is the disciplinary system at UF similar to the State or Federal Court judiciary procedure?
No. The student discplinary system at UF is a mechanism which provides a conduct code for hearing and deciding allegations brought against students. Unlike the criminal/civil court system, the student disciplinary system serves administrative and educative functions relating to the mission of the University of Florida. Many of the intricate rules and processes required in the court system are not necessary for the campus. The process at UF is much less complex than the court system.