Housing Conduct Process

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.

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

Common Sanctions