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Housing Conduct Process

For emergency assistance, call us immediately at 907-209-6539.

What to Report

Any resident may make a report of a possible violation of the Student Code of Conduct or a housing policy. However, if you require immediate response (i.e. an emergency, or to file a noise complaint), you should contact the On-Call Emergency Cell Phone at 907-209-6539.

For more information about the Conduct Process, Sanctions, Appeals, and more, visit the Dean of Students website.

Submit a Report

Residential Life Conduct Process

The Residence Life Conduct Process mirrors that of the Student Code of Conduct established by the University of Alaska Board of Regents Policy 09.02 - Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Residence Life may receive a report regarding the Student Code of Conduct in several ways:

  • From a staff member directly observing behavior and reporting it.
  • From a student or community member who contacts Residence Life and alleges a policy violation occurred.
  • By routinely reviewing security cameras in housing communal spaces.
  • Via anonymous report.

When a report is received, it is reviewed by the Director of Residence Life who conducts a preliminary investigation to determine if the allegations have sufficient information to begin a conduct investigation and whether or not a minor or major sanction would apply. In any case where a major sanction could be imposed (suspension, expulsion, revocation of a degree), Residence Life refers the matter to the Dean of Students and Conduct Office for further review. All student conduct cases heard by Residence Life Staff are considered for minor sanctions. All Residence Life conduct proceedings are considered "Administrative Reviews" under Board of Regents policy.

Student Notification

Students are notified of allegations of a policy violation in writing via email. Due to the sensitive nature of such correspondence, you will receive an email prompting you to log in and retrieve your letter. You will need to utilize your UA username and password to access your letter.

The letter will include:

  • Information about the specific Board of Regents and/or Housing policies that were allegedly violated.
  • The level of sanctions that could apply (minor or major).
  • An appointment time or opportunity to schedule an appointment.
  • The name and contact information of the staff member handling your conduct case. 

Should you fail to schedule a meeting an appointment will be scheduled without you and you will be informed. Failure to attend a scheduled meeting will result in an Administrative Review occurring without you. 

The Administrative Review

During the administrative review, you will meet with the staff member handling your case. The university conduct process is an administrative process and is not a court of law. The goal of the administrative review will be to understand your alleged behavior, allow you the opportunity to share your perspective, relevant explanations, mitigating factors, witness names, etc. The staff member meeting with you will also likely review applicable Housing policies. The primary goal of an administrative review is to:

  • Determine if a violation more likely than not occurred, 
  • Provide an educational opportunity to learn about housing policy and the impacts of behavior, and
  • Ensure that future violations of Housing Policy and/or Student Code of Conduct do not occur

In some cases, you may informally hear the determination of your conduct case (responsible or not responsible) from the staff member meeting with you. More commonly the staff member will need to meet with additional individuals involved to determine responsibility for all parties.

Notification of Findings

Following your administrative review, the staff member will generally make a formal determination on your responsibility for allegedly violating the Code of Conduct or Housing Policy. You will be issued a formal determination of findings in a letter. This letter will include:

  • Notification if you are found responsible or not for violating the Code of Conduct and/or Housing Policy and the reasoning for the decision,
  • If responsible, any sanctions imposed by the University, and
  • If responsible, the process to file an appeal.

Appeal:

Students have the right to appeal a decision to impose a minor sanction. In accordance with Board of Regents Policy, appeals may be made on the basis that:

  • A procedural error was made during the process which significantly impacted the finding or sanction;
  • The sanctions imposed are substantially outside the parameters of guidelines set by the university for this type of offense or the cumulative conduct record of the respondent;
  • There is new information that was not available at the time of the decision that, if introduced and credible would have significantly impacted the finding or sanction. Any party's unwillingness to provide a statement or participate in the student conduct process will not satisfy this ground for appeal; or
  • The decision is not supported by the preponderance of the evidence. 

Appeals must be submitted in writing within seven days of the day the decision is sent to the student. Instructions regarding where to submit an appeal are included in your findings letter. 

Sanctions for Conduct Violations at UAS Housing

Minor sanctions defined by the Board of Regents that are utilized by Residence Life include:

A warning is notice that the student is violating or has violated the Code, and that further misconduct may result in more severe disciplinary action.

Disciplinary probation is a written warning which includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to be violating the Code during a specified period of time (the probationary period).

Specific benefits may be denied to a student for a designated period of time. Such benefits generally will correlate with the violation of Housing Policy or Student Code of Conduct. For example, a student who violates Guest Policies may be restricted from hosting guests.
A student may be required to reimburse the university or other victims related to the misconduct for damage to or misappropriation of property, or for reasonable expenses incurred.

Discretionary sanctions include community service work or other uncompensated labor, educational classes, research papers, reflective essays, counseling, or other sanctions that may be seen as appropriate to the circumstances of a given matter. Costs incurred by the student in fulfilling a discretionary sanction will typically be the responsibility of the student. 

Some (non-exhaustive) examples of previous discretionary sanctions assigned by Residence Life include online courses related to drug or alcohol use, educational poster campaigns, reflective essays, etc. 

A student may be restricted from entering certain designated areas and/or facilities or from specific equipment for a specified period of time. This may include removal from Student Housing. 

Common Sanctions

The items below outline some common sanctions assigned for violations of Housing Policy and/or Student Code of Conduct. Remember that these sanctions are a guide and staff members hearing conduct cases are expected to use their best judgment determining sanctions. Sanction determinations may vary based on the nature of the violation, engagement with the conduct process, frequency and/or severity of past conduct violations, mitigating factors, etc.

First Alcohol Violation:

  • "Under the Influence" Alcohol Education Course
    • Failure to complete this course would result in a $75 fine
  • If unhealthy drinking behaviors are possible, a referral to Counseling Services may be made.

Second Alcohol Violation:

  • $75 monetary fine
  • If unhealthy drinking behaviors are possible, a referral to Counseling Services may be made.
  • Disciplinary Probation possible
  • Parental Notification is possible for those under the age of 21
  • Discretionary Sanctions possible

Third Alcohol Violation

  • Disciplinary Probation
  • $150 monetary fine
  • Parental Notification required for those under the age of 21
  • Discretionary Sanctions (possible)
  • Eviction from Housing possible if previously placed on disciplinary probation.

This matrix is built primarily for marijuana-related conduct cases. Conduct cases regarding improperly used prescription drugs or other illegal substances will be sanctioned accordingly. 

First Marijuana Violation:

  • "Marijuana 101" Alcohol Education Course
    • Failure to complete this course would result in a $75 fine
  • If unhealthy drinking behaviors are possible, a referral to Counseling Services may be made.

Second Marijuana Violation:

  • $75 monetary fine
  • If unhealthy drinking behaviors are possible, a referral to Counseling Services may be made.
  • Disciplinary Probation possible
  • Parental Notification is possible for those under the age of 21
  • Discretionary Sanctions possible

Third Marijuana Violation

  • Disciplinary Probation
  • $150 monetary fine
  • Parental Notification required for those under the age of 21
  • Discretionary Sanctions (possible)
  • Eviction from Housing possible if previously placed on disciplinary probation.

Typically fines are assessed at a $75 or $150 rate. However, some fines are established by Housing Policy. Examples include:

  • Unauthorized Pet - $150
  • Failure to Evacuate during Fire Alarm - $250
  • Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment - $100
  • Common Source of Alcohol (i.e. kegs, jungle juice) - $250
  • Smoking within a Housing Unit - $250 plus applicable cleaning charges