Student conduct

The Office of Judicial Services is responsible for acting on behalf of the College/University in matters of student discipline. Judicial Services deal with alleged instances of behavioral misconduct and academic dishonesty, in order to determine how best to resolve these allegations consistent with the goals and mission of the College/University as an educational and intellectual community.

"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts."

Aristotle

Purpose

Student Judicial Services is chiefly responsible for the promotion of campus community standards. Judicial processes protect the rights of students as well as the programs, property and persons on the Newark campus. The judicial affairs process educates students about rights and responsibilities and provides students with information concerning conduct issues, judicial policies and non-academic discipline procedures. Detailed information related to the judicial processes for both The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College can be found at their respective Code of Student Conduct links located on this page.

The Office of Judicial Services has twin goals: to help create a safe environment where academic life can flourish; and to promote the development of students.

Staff

Director
Office of Student Life
Assistant Director
Office of Student Life

General Judicial Process

Question
I received a letter in the mail, an email or a phone call asking me to contact the Office of Student Life. What does this mean?

Answer

It most likely means that an incident report containing your name has been filed with the Office of Student Life and that the report indicates that you may have been involved with a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. You should follow the instructions in the message and set up a meeting with the appropriate case administrator (usually the Assistant Director of Student Life) as soon as possible. If the communication contains a specific date and time for a meeting, then you are required to appear for that meeting.

Question
What are my options if it is alleged that I violated a policy?

Answer

Students can choose to resolve their judicial cases in one of two ways:

Administrative Resolution: Either an informal resolution or a formal hearing before an administrator will occur during which the student will respond to formal charges and will be allowed to produce relevant evidence and witnesses. The administrator hearing the case will then determine whether or not the student is responsible for the behavior. If the student is found responsible, the administrator will assign sanctions appropriate to the case.

Panel Hearing: A formal hearing before a panel of students, faculty and staff (Judicial Panel) will occur during which the student will respond to formal charges and will be allowed to produce relevant evidence and witnesses. The panel hearing the case will then determine whether or not the student is responsible for the behavior. If the student is found responsible, the panel will assign sanctions appropriate to the case.

Question
Who can file a complaint or an incident report?

Answer

Anyone can file an incident report. Students simply need to document an incident with Safety and Security or speak with a staff member in the Office of Student Life.

Question
Does double jeopardy apply? Can I go through the courts AND the College/University judicial system?

Answer

Double jeopardy does not apply since the College/University is dealing with violations of the Student Code of Conduct and the College's/University’s expectations of its students. Double jeopardy only applies when a person is twice tried and convicted for the same violation of law in a court of law. Therefore, a student may experience both the College/University judicial process AND off campus legal proceedings.

Question
What happens if I choose not to respond to requests from the Office of Student Life to meet, choose not to appear for a scheduled meeting, or choose not to comply with a sanction?

Answer

If you don't make the appointment within the prescribed period of time or fail to appear for a scheduled appointment, the Office of Student Life may place a hold on your records and an additional violation of failing to comply could result. If you fail to appear for a scheduled hearing or meeting after formal charges have been issued, a decision may be made in your absence.

If you fail to comply with the terms of an assigned sanction, you can be charged with Failure to Comply and/or a hold may be placed on your record. The results of such a charge will most likely be more severe than the original sanction.

Question
If I am involved in an incident off-campus, can the college/university take action against me?

Answer

If you were participating in an authorized or college/university-sponsored event or activity, then you are subject to the rules and regulations of the Code of Student Conduct. If the issue was not related to a college or university activity, The Ohio State University could assume jurisdiction for the off-campus behavior dependent on the severity of the issue.

Sanctions

Question
What are sanctions and why are they levied?

Answer

Judicial sanctions are a type of penalty or restriction placed upon a student found to be in violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Typically, sanctions are designed to be educational and are intended to assist the student in making more effective decisions for themselves in the future. Sanctions should be commensurate with the violation(s) found to have occurred.

Question
How do you determine sanctions?

Answer

Sanctions are determined using a variety of factors including the nature and severity of the violation, related circumstances, impact on the campus/community, past history, precedent, and educational value of the sanction.

Question
What if I am already on probation and commit another violation?

Answer

Further violation of university policies during the probationary period will be viewed not only as the act itself, but also as a violation of the probation, which could result in, suspension or dismissal. Thus, you should be extremely thoughtful about your behavior and should make every effort to avoid future violations. To that end, you should take time to familiarize yourself with the Student Code of Conduct as it is listed in the Student Handbook.

Confidentiality and notification

Question
Besides myself, who else is notified about me involvement in the judicial process?

Answer

The College/University Judicial system is based on confidentiality, however, parents and/or spouse may potentially be notified. Students waive their right to privacy to allow release of information to anyone. The College/University can choose to notify parents even when a student has requested that it not do so, but only in specific and extenuating circumstances. Regardless of the above, we encourage students to discuss their behavior and the related consequences with their loved ones. It is all part of having a mature, honest, adult relationship.

If you have given us permission to notify anyone, they will receive a copy of the outcome a few days after your case is resolved.

Question
I want continue in higher education. Will potential schools find out about my disciplinary history?

Answer

Possibly – Some undergraduate institutions solicit this information. Most graduate, law, and medical schools request information about a student's disciplinary history. Students who are sanctioned with any form of separation from the College/University will have a permanent judicial file at the College/University. Students who are assigned a sanction less than suspension will have a judicial file until a prescribed time.

Keep in mind that your disciplinary history may or may not affect your admission. You will want to discuss your history with the admissions staff of the potential schools if you are concerned.

Question
I was involved with an issue in the Newark Residence Hall; could this be reported to the Office of Student Life?

Answer

Yes, at the discretion of the Newark Housing Coordinator and the Office of Student Life.

Appeals

Question
Can I appeal the outcome of my informal resolution or hearing? If so, who hears the appeal?

Answer

All students found responsible for a violation have the right to appeal. All appeals must be submitted to the appropriate appellate authority in writing within ten calendar days after the written decision is forwarded.

Question
Will I have the opportunity to talk with the person or committee that reviews my appeal?

Answer

In general, the student's written appeal and the case record are reviewed by the appeals officer/board, and the student will not be asked to appear.