Mediation

Student FAQ's

What is the best way to contact the Office of Student Conduct?
How do I file a complaint?
If an incident occurs off campus, can charges be brought against me under the Student Conduct Code?
I received a letter from the Office of Student Conduct requesting a preliminary interview. What is the purpose of this meeting?
What are my rights?
What will happen if I refuse to attend this meeting? 
Do I need an attorney?
What are my hearing options?
On what basis is a decision made?
Do I have to attend all meetings and hearings?
What happens if I’m found responsible for violating the Student Conduct Code?
What if I disagree with the decision?
Will my parents be notified?
Will this affect my financial aid or scholarships?
What will happen if I don’t complete my sanctions?

What is the best way to contact the Office of Student Conduct?
You can contact the Office of Student Conduct by phone at (702) 895-2308 or you may click here  for a specific person’s email. Please note that you may stop by the office on Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm which is located in FDH Rm. 325.

How do I file a complaint?
You may file a complaint by filling out the complaint form. For a printable copy, please click here or visit the Office of Student Conduct for a hard copy. Please include the date, time, place and name of person(s) involved in the incident. Please explain the circumstances of the alleged violation and include the name(s) of any person(s) who may have witnessed the alleged prohibited conduct.

If an incident occurs off campus, can charges be brought against me under the Student Conduct Code?
Yes, the Office of Student Conduct has jurisdiction to address off-campus behavior as well as on campus behavior. If you violate the Student Conduct Code off-campus, you may be charged with a violation.

I received a letter from the Office of Student Conduct requesting a preliminary interview. What is the purpose of this meeting?
If you received a letter from the Office of Student Conduct requesting a meeting, then you have been referred to our office because you may have violated the Student Conduct Code. Your letter will outline the alleged violations and includes a copy of the Student Conduct Code for your reference. During this meeting, you will meet with a Student Conduct staff member and be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations.

The Office of Student Conduct will determine whether a violation of the Student Conduct Code has taken place. There are three possible outcomes:

• The charges may be dismissed.
• Informal Hearing: You may choose to handle the case informally through a Student Conduct Hearing Officer.
• Formal Hearing: You may choose to refer your case to the Student Conduct Hearing Board for resolution of the charges.

What are my rights?
Based on the Student Conduct Code, the rights of students whose conduct is under review by the Office of Student conduct is as follows:

• Written notice of alleged violation(s) from the Office of Student Conduct including a description of the charges, the person to contact for an interview and the date by which that contact must occur
• Explanation of all procedural options such as Formal Resolution and Informal Resolution
• In a formal hearing: Right to be assisted by any advisor you choose at your own expense.  While your advisor may be an attorney, advisors are not permitted to speak on behalf of either the complainant or the charged student.
• In a formal hearing, you and your advisor have the right to examine any supporting documentation to be presented at the hearing at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the hearing during regular business hours.
• Both the complainant and the charged student may present and question witnesses.
• All hearings are closed unless you request an open hearing.
  Right to appear at a hearing to hear all evidence, offer explanation and clarify information and evidence
• Right to choose to not attend the hearing
• Right to present and question witnesses at hearing
• Right to a copy of the audio tape of your formal hearing which must be requested in written form
• Right to appeal an adverse decision which must be filed within fourteen (14) calendar days from the your receipt of findings

What will happen if I refuse to attend this meeting?           
If you choose to not attend an initial meeting, the Office of Student Conduct will decide to:

• Dismiss the case
• Place a hold on your registration and/or transcripts until the case is handled
• Refer the case to a Formal Hearing
  If you choose to not attend a required meeting by the Office of Student Conduct, you may be asked to reschedule.

Do I need an attorney?
Meetings and hearings at educational institutions do not require an attorney presence and do not follow the same procedures used in courtrooms. The University does not employ lawyers to prosecute students, but instead matters involving violations of the Student Conduct Code are handled with University officials. The Office of Student Conduct investigates the alleged charges and reaches a resolution based on the evidence and information presented.

You may have an attorney or advisor present but they may not speak on your behalf and it is a cost endured solely by you.

What are my hearing options?
You may choose to have your case resolved informally by a Student Conduct Hearing Officer.  You may request this while meeting with the Office of Student Conduct.

You may choose to proceed with a formal hearing of your case where either an Individual Hearing Officer or a Hearing Panel is assigned by the Vice President of Student Life. You may petition the Vice President of Student Life to request, or the Vice President may choose to have a hearing before a Special Hearing Officer or a Special Hearing Committee.

On what basis is a decision made?
Decisions are made by a hearing officer or panel on the basis of whether it is more likely than not that the accused student violated the code.

Do I have to attend all meetings and hearings?
Formal Hearings: You have the right to choose to not attend hearings but in that case, it will take place in your absence.

You may be required to attend meetings by your Student Hearing Officer and if you do not attend said meeting, it is considered a violation of the Student Conduct Code with possible sanction(s) being imposed.

What happens if I’m found responsible for violating the Student Conduct Code?
If you are found responsible of violating the Student Conduct Code, you will receive a letter outlining the sanctions you are required to complete. Click here for a list of possible sanctions. (link to the Student Conduct Resources Page)

What if I disagree with the decision?
After an Informal Hearing:
If you disagree with the decision or sanctions, you have the right to a formal hearing.  You must notify the Office of Student Conduct within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of your findings whether you accept or reject the sanctions.

After a Formal Hearing:
If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal the decision and any sanctions imposed to the Vice President of Student Life. If you choose to appeal the decision, you must file a request to the Vice President of Student Life within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date you received the findings.

Will my parents be notified?
If you are considered a minor (under the age of eighteen), your parents or legal guardians shall be notified if you are placed on suspension or expulsion from the University.

Parent/Guardian Notification of Drug and Alcohol Related Violations may occur if you are under 21 years old and found responsible for violating the alcohol or drug and narcotic policy.

In any other case, student records will be maintained in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 and the U.S. Department of Education guidelines for implementation. Academic and disciplinary records shall be maintained separately. Please refer to the Student Conduct Code Section II under Student Rights and responsibilities for specifics.

Will this affect my financial aid or scholarships?
Your financial aid will not be affected unless the incident occurred involves the Financial Aid Department such as defrauding the government. Your scholarships will not be affected unless there is a stipulation stating that you may not have a disciplinary record unless the academic sanction involves falling below the needed credit hours to remain a full-time student. If you have any questions regarding your financial aid or scholarships, please feel free to discuss it with the Office of Student Conduct or the Office of Financial Aid.

If my incident involves a violation of state, local or federal laws, could I be prosecuted criminally and have a conduct code case through UNLV?

If you are involved in an incident that violates state, local or federal laws, you may be prosecuted criminally and simultaneously have a conduct code proceeding through the Office of Student Conduct at UNLV.

Per the Student Conduct Code Section III-A of Student Rights and Responsibilities, any act committed by a student within the authority and jurisdiction of the Student Conduct Code that is in violation of the federal, state or local law may result in any disciplinary sanction, depending upon the seriousness of the violation.

What will happen if I don’t complete my sanctions?
If you fail to complete the sanctions imposed, you may be constituted in violation of the Student Conduct Code and further sanctions may be imposed.