Student Discipline

 

The Student Discipline/Code of Conduct contains important information about procedures and student rights in case of misconduct. If you have questions about student discipline or the Code of Conduct, please call the Student Services Office at (334) 229-4241. Read the Student Discipline/Code of Conduct policy:

Disciplinary Code of Conduct and Procedures:

  • The Code of Conduct at ASU is not comparable to the criminal Statues of Alabama.
  • Hearings are not set up to enforce criminal or civil law or to operate in place of civil authority.
  • The Code of Conduct is designed to be reliable, fair, and effective.
  • Students are expected to report misconduct, file charges when need be, and testify as witnesses, if called to do so.
  • Students have the right to have access to their records and the right to have a hearing to challenge the contents of such records.
  • The Code of Conduct applies throughout all aspects of campus life, in the classroom, on university
  • property, or at university sponsored activities off-campus.
  • Hearings are limited to instances of student misconduct which distinctly and adversely affect the university.

Prohibited Conduct

Violations of the Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to the following:

A. Prohibited Offenses Against the University Community

  • Acts of dishonesty.
  • Disruption of academic activities.
  • Misuse of identification card.
  • Failure to comply with regulations relating to use of campus buildings.
  • Failure to obey the lawful order of university officials.
  • Obstruction of or interference with or aiding and abetting others in the obstruction of ongoing activities of the university.

B. Prohibited Offenses Against Individuals

  • Coercion or threat of violence.
  • Hazing.
  • Endangering the safety, health, or life of any person on university property.

C. Prohibited Offenses Against Property

  • Theft of or damage to university or individual property.
  • Unauthorized entry to and/or use of university property.

D. Other Prohibited Offenses

  • Disorderly or offensive behavior.
  • Motor vehicle violations.
  • Intentional false reporting of a fire, bomb, or other explosives.
  • Abuse of the judicial system.
  • Gambling.

E. Zero Tolerance Offenses- (students are subject to a hearing and/or suspension/expulsion)

  • Possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs on-campus.
  • Possession, use, or sale of alcohol on-campus.
  • Possession or use of weapons.
  • Fighting/assault and battery.

Judicial Authority

  • The associate provost for Student Services is responsible for student discipline.
  • The assistant vice president for Student Services will receive complaints on student conduct and direct investigations to determine the disposition of cases.
  • The hearing officer will conduct hearings on charges related to student conduct and adjudicate violations of motor vehicle regulations.
  • The hearing officer has exclusive jurisdiction for hearing all cases where suspension or expulsion is considered.

Procedures and Student Rights in Cases of Student Misconduct

  • The university reserves the right to take appropriate actions to protect the safety and well-being of the campus community.
  • Any university member can file charges against a student for code violation.
  • The assistant vice president for Student Services will determine whether to take actions or not when a student is charged with a violation of the Code of Conduct.
  • Charges must be in writing and submitted to Student Services and/or ASU Police Department.
  • Students may be advised by any member of the university.
  • If advised by professional legal counsel, the student must inform the Office of Student Affairs within 48
  • hours of a hearing.
  • Attorneys may serve only in an advisory role and cannot participate in the hearing.
  • During pre-hearing meetings, students may ask any questions about the discipline process and be given an opportunity to present their interpretation of the alleged incident.
  • Students have the rights to review all statements and evidence submitted against them.
  • Students facing charges can plead “responsible”, “not responsible” or “no contest.”
  • If the assistant vice president for Student Services takes the case to a hearing, the burden of proof is on the University or the individual presenting the charges.
  • Students have the right to testify on their own behalf and present evidence and witnesses. They may also question adverse witnesses and rebut unfavorable inferences.
  • All hearing must be recorded.
  • Hearing results will be presented to the student in writing.
  • Hearing results will take effect immediately unless the student presents a notice of appeal to the associate provost Student Affairs within five (5) class days of receiving the hearing results.
  • While charges are pending, the student’s status at the university shall remain unaltered except when the safety of any student, faculty, staff, or university property is at risk.

Sanctions

Possible sanctions for violations of the Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to the following:

  • reprimand
  • restitution
  • fines
  • residence hall suspension
  • probation
  • loss of privileges
  • suspension
  • expulsion

Summary Suspension (Temporarily Suspended)

  • The assistant vice president for Student Services may suspend a student or student organization to protect the safety of students, faculty, staff, or university property, pending a hearing or medical evaluation.
  • The summary suspension may remain in effect until a hearing and/or the appropriate appeals have taken place.

Judicial Appeal Procedures

  • Students have the right to appeal the imposition of a penalty or sanction to the associate provost of Student Services.
  • Students must appeal in writing within 5 class days of receiving notice of a sanction.