FAQ's from Parents
Office of student conduct
This FAQ provides parents and guardians with an overview of the SRU Student Conduct process, including common questions about parental notification, the disciplinary process, and how students can navigate each step.
I just received a letter telling me that my student needs to come in for a meeting. How can I figure out what is happening?
Your student should first discuss the matter with you. If your student would like our office to share information with you, they should complete Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Consent Form granting us permission to do so.
However, we are happy to discuss the general questions about the student conduct process. The student conduct process can be found in the Student Code of Conduct handbook.
My student just told me that they are involved in a conduct case. What can I do?
Each student is expected to act as their own advocate during the student conduct process. However, family is encouraged to provide moral support to the student and assist them in understanding the student conduct process and university expectations.
Can I be present while my student is meeting with the office of student conduct?
A family member can attend a conduct meeting as a support person if requested by the student. A support student is not permitted to participate or speak on behalf of the student.
My student received an e-mail that they need to schedule a meeting. What do they do?
Your student’s email will give them a deadline for them to schedule a meeting with their assigned hearing officer. Incidents will not be discussed before this meeting. Even if your student believes they have not violated the Student Code of Conduct, it is still important that they schedule a meeting to provide any information helpful in resolving their incident.
Why wasn’t I directly notified about their incident?
College students are by law adults and reserve the right to involve a parent/guardian in the disciplinary process. It is up to the student to decide if and when the parent/guardian is notified. In some cases, police departments may notify parents of certain law offenses. SRU will notify parents in writing when a dependent student under age 21 is found responsible for violating the alcohol or drug sections in the Student Code of Conduct.
What happens at this meeting?
This is an informal meeting with a professional staff member who will decide responsibility for any alleged Student Code of Conduct violations from the incident. If the incident involves multiple students, they will have individual meetings. This meeting is the student’s opportunity to provide a response to the alleged violations, provide supporting evidence or witnesses, and answer questions so the hearing officer has as much information as possible to make the most informed decision.
What happens if my student does not schedule a meeting or does not attend?
We give students a relatively long window (2-3 weeks) to schedule their meeting. Sometimes students forget to schedule or forget to attend. In those cases, the student should contact Student Conduct or their assigned hearing officer as soon as possible to reschedule. However, if the student is not responsive, the decision will be made without the student’s ability to provide additional information. The accused student can also appeal their finding if they have additional information they believe was not provided and would affect the outcome.
What are my student’s rights in the SRU disciplinary process?
Students are provided full due process as if they were accused in court. Among these rights, they are afforded the right to written notice of the accused violations, an opportunity to present statements and evidence, right to have an advisor present, the right to a decision based on corroborated facts, and the right to an appeal.
May I attend my student’s meeting or disciplinary hearing?
Yes – but only at the discretion of the student. College students are by law adults and reserve the right to involve a parent/guardian in the disciplinary process. Accused students can have one person attend with them in a purely advisory capacity – they may not speak for or on behalf of the student. This advisor can be anyone the student chooses including parents/guardians, coaches, professors, or a hired attorney. SRU does not provide attorneys for students.
My student’s violation was off campus. Why is SRU involved?
The Student Code of Conduct is a set of expectations for SRU student behavior regardless of location. Violations off campus that are reported to the university are approached as if they took place on campus property. Additionally, student conduct as part of university-sanctioned events, trips, and programs off campus are also subject to the Student Code of Conduct. Slippery Rock University expects our students to be good citizens on campus and in the Slippery Rock community.
What exactly does "disciplinary probation" mean?
Disciplinary Probation is a sanctioned term where the student is not in “good standing” with the university. During this time, the student is expected to uphold the Student Code of Conduct at all times. Violations while on Disciplinary Probation could result in additional or more severe sanctions for the subsequent violations. However, being on Disciplinary Probation does not show on a student’s account or records.
Can I get my student conduct records expunged?
Slippery Rock University does not clear or expunge student records at their request. Even if a student is found to be "not responsible" for an alleged violation, his/her record is kept according to the university's records management policy. Student conduct records are kept in original form for seven (7) years from the date of the student's last incident. Records of students who have been subject to suspension or expulsion are kept indefinitely.
Will my student’s conduct violations affect their future plans?
Disciplinary records are subject to federal privacy laws and not available for the public to see. However, criminal charges that come from these incidents are public record and may be discovered or shown in local media. In Pennsylvania, law dictates that employment decisions may only consider misdemeanors and felony convictions that are related to the work for that position. Summary offenses that result in non-traffic citations like disorderly conduct or underage alcohol possession are public record but generally do not show on criminal background checks or clearances.
What if my student has also been charged criminally? Isn't this double jeopardy?
Your citation has instructions on how to respond to any charges. No offices on campus may provide legal advice – however most criminal defense attorneys will provide a free consultation of the student’s case. While many Student Code of Conduct violations are also against the law, not all violations may result in a citation or criminal charge. The student conduct process is a separate, private civil process related to a student's status at the university. If you are advised to do so, you may request that the university pause its disciplinary process until your court case has completed.
If my student’s criminal charges are dismissed or dropped, will they also be dropped by SRU?
Criminal charges are dropped for many reasons. Only if a student can furnish proof of being found "not guilty" will alleged student conduct violations be reconsidered by SRU.
Will anything appear on my students’ transcripts due to this incident?
SRU’s transcripts are academic only, meaning they only notate the academic coursework and grades for those courses for each semester attended. Discipline is not included or recorded on the academic transcript and is not shared with degree verification.
What can my student do if they disagree with the outcome of their case?
Every student is afforded the right to appeal the original decision made in their case, meaning accused students get just one appeal per incident. This appeal is heard could be heard by a superior professional staff member or a hearing board. Eligible reasons for an appeal and a description of the appeal process can be found in section VIII, subsection p in the Student Code of Conduct. Appeals are submitted through the Symplicity Advocate student conduct system and a link provided in their outcomes letter.