G. Organization Violations

A student group or organization and its officers and membership may be held collectively and individually responsible when violations of this Code of Conduct by the organization or its member(s):

• Take place at organization-sponsored or co-sponsored events, whether sponsorship is formal or tacit;
• Have received the consent or encouragement of the organization or of the organization’s leaders or officers; or
• Were known or should have been known to the membership or its officers.

Hearings for student groups or organizations follow the same general student conduct procedures.  These cases are managed by the director of Student Conduct or designee.  After an initial investigation, a notice identifying the basic incident in question and charges of potential Code of Conduct violations and/or institutional policies will be sent to the President or appropriate leader of the student organization.  If the organization accepts responsibility for the charges, the director of Student Conduct, in consultation with the assistant dean of students will make the final decision regarding sanctions.  If the recommendation involves suspension of university recognition, the director of Student Conduct, in consultation with the dean of students will make the final decision regarding sanctions

If the organization disputes or denies responsibility for the charges, the Office of Student Conduct will assemble the organizational hearing panel.  (See section 3.D. for a description of this panel.)  The assistant dean of students will convene the hearing and the panel’s recommendations for determination of responsibility/non-responsibility and sanctions will be considered. The outcome of the hearing will be delivered to the organization in writing within five business days.   In instances where there is a finding of responsibility and the recommended sanction may be disciplinary suspension or permanent separation, the hearing officer will consult with the dean of students prior to notifying the organization  of the final outcome of the hearing.   The assistant dean of students will make the final decision.

An organization may request to appeal the decision on the following grounds: the discovery of new and substantial information relevant to the outcome of the decision; arbitrary or capricious sanction (beyond the guidelines as presented in the Student Handbook); and/or substantial violation of procedures. (See the Appeals section for more details on the grounds and process for requesting an appeal.) The written request for an appeal must be received by 5 p.m. on the fifth business day after the initial decision is rendered.   The appeal will be considered by the associate vice president for Student Life/dean of students or, if that person was involved or consulted in the hearing, by the assistant vice president for Student Life/dean of campus life or designee.

Student organization decisions are not protected from release under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  When found responsible, violations and sanctions for student groups may be made known to the campus and public, depending upon the relationship between findings of responsibility for individual students as well as the organization.  If sanctions are not completed by assigned due dates, additional charges and/or sanctions may be assigned.