As students of the University of Utah, you are afforded rights and are accountable to act in a way that is in line with specific expectations. All of the details of your rights and expectations are outlined in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Regulations Library Policy 6-400, also known as the “Student Code.”
The purposes of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities are to set forth the specific authority and responsibility of the University to maintain social discipline, to establish guidelines that 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. University policies have been designed to protect individuals and the campus community and create an environment conducive to achieving the academic mission of the institution.
Student Academic Performance
The Office of the Dean of Students often receives inquiries regarding grades for courses and how to have them changed. Grades are an academic issue and the process for seeking an appeal is outlined in Section IV., Student Academic Performance, of the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.
If a student believes that an action taken (i.e. a grade given) by a faculty member is arbitrary (unsupported) or capricious (impulsive), the student has twenty business days to discuss the action with the faculty member. If the faculty member does not respond, or if the student and faculty member are unable to resolve the disagreement, further steps are outlined for the student to appeal.
Please note that the Office of the Dean of Students does not have any authority in these matters, but can serve as a resource to students for understanding the Student Code.
Academic Misconduct
A student who engages in academic misconduct (i.e. cheating, plagiarism, etc.) may be subject to academic sanctions including but not limited to a grade reduction, failing grade, probation, suspension or dismissal from the academic program or the University. This process, including how to appeal, is outlined in Section V., Student Academic Conduct, of the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.
Please note that the Office of the Dean of Students does not have any authority in these matters, but can serve as a resource to students for understanding the Student Code.
Petitions for Exception to Academic Policy
Students are responsible for complying with all University regulations and deadlines, but the University has provided means for students to be granted exceptions to University policy in cases involving unusual or extenuating circumstances. Modification of the academic record for sake of appearance does not constitute justification for exception to policy.
View information on requesting exceptions to University policy.
You will note that for most requests, students need to work through the college of their major for support of the petition. Students who have declared majors should submit petitions and supporting documentation to the Office of the Dean of their academic college. Undeclared, non-matriculated, and pre-major students should apply to University College. Students enrolled in workshops, short-term classes, or noncredit courses may petition the deadline to withdraw by submitting a petition and supporting documentation to the Academic Outreach and Continuing Education Office, 1202 Annex.
After you have confirmed what major you have declared (you can check this by logging into CIS), find the contact information of the Dean’s office of your college. The necessary forms and all supporting documentation must be received before your Dean’s Office will consider your petition.
Process
Students are expected to uphold the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Regulations Library Policy 6-400, also known as the Student Code while attending the University of Utah. We understand that the Student Code may be difficult to read and complicated to understand. Our intention of writing the Student Code is to be as thorough as possible by outlining all details of the behavioral misconduct process. However, we also wanted to break down the Student Code in plain language to help you better understand the process if you are considering filing a complaint or if you are accused of a violation.
This is the process that is outlined in Section III, Standards of Behavior, of the Student Code (NOT for Academic Conduct, Academic Performance, or Professional Behavior).
Definitions of Common Words in the Process
- Conduct Hearing Officer: The person(s) from Office of the Dean of Student who will investigate and determine an initial outcome for your case
- Responding Party: Student who is accused of a possible violation Due Process: Allowing students to meet with a Student Conduct hearing officer to tell their side of what happened
- Allegations: A claim that there has been a possible violation(s) of the student code
- Preponderance of the Evidence: The University’s standard of determining if someone is responsible (think: are we 51% confident this incident happened?)
- Eviction from community: Removed or not allow to enter a specific area of campus or the entire campus
- Violations: The act of doing something that is not allowed by a law or policy
- Rules/Regulations/Polices: The guidelines used at the University found at regulations.utah.edu
- Complaining Student: Student who filled an allegation
Process Flow Chart
[NEED PROCESS FLOW CHART LINK]
Disciplinary records are part of a student’s academic record up to seven years and are therefore governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). To learn more about FERPA, visit the Office of the Registrar at http://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/ferpa.php. Please note that the University may disclose information from a student’s disciplinary record to officials of another school in which a student seeks enrollment without the student’s written consent.
In order for the Office of the Dean of Students disclose disciplinary records, the Consent to Release Student Education Records form must be completed and signed by the student.