25. Student Conduct System (Revised: 2006)
The university views the student conduct system as an educational experience that can result in growth in personal understanding of one's responsibilities and privileges in the university community. Acceptable standards of conduct have been established to protect the rights of others and the orderly operation of the university. Individuals are encouraged to discuss their concerns at the lowest level possible for effective resolution of the situation. Should such attempts prove ineffective, the student conduct system provides a student conduct process to resolve the matter. The focus of student conduct proceedings is to determine whether the university standards of conduct have been violated and not criminal guilt. To this end, student conduct proceedings attempt to balance an understanding and knowledge of the students with the needs of the university community.
25.1 Reporting. Any member of the university community may initiate a complaint against a student for an alleged violation of University Student Rules. Such complaints are generally submitted in writing to the Director of Student Life or the Office of the Commandant.
25.2 Mediation Services. Matters involving a personal dispute between two or more students may be referred to the Office of Student Life to mediate the dispute. Students involved in incidents referred to Student Life are required to attend a mediation session and to proceed in a good faith effort to resolve the dispute on a basis that is fair and just for all parties. The mediator is authorized to inform the administrative hearing officer only that the case did nor did not settle.
25.3 Notice. If circumstances surrounding the complaint indicate that a violation of the Student Conduct Code may have occurred, disciplinary charges may be issued. Students are notified of disciplinary charges in writing. A letter of charges is issued to the student's address of record (see Section 1.2). Disciplinary action may be taken against a student for failure to appear after proper notice.
25.4 Hearing. A disciplinary hearing may be conducted in one of the following forms depending on the nature of the violation.
25.4.1 Administrative Hearing - The student meets with one or more administrative hearing officers to discuss the charges, the student’s involvement in the incident or lack thereof and any other information relevant to the charges. Based on the information presented and discussed in the hearing, the administrative hearing officer(s) will determine whether a violation has occurred and issue sanctions accordingly.
25.4.2 Student Conduct Board - A Board of seven students shall be elected by the students of the Galveston Campus to consider minor infractions of University Student Rules.
25.4.2.1 The Student Conduct Board consists of three seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman elected by their respective classes. The election of all representatives except the freshman shall be held in conjunction with the spring student election. An election for the freshman representative will be conducted early in the fall semester. The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Auxiliary Services shall appoint a non-voting faculty or staff advisor for this board.
25.4.2.2 To hear a case, the Student Conduct Board must have a quorum of five members present. A simple majority of the members present must agree to any recommendation.
25.4.2.3 The Board will have the authority to issue the sanctions of verbal or written reprimand, work hours, restrictions, and to require restitution.
25.4.3 Cadet Disciplinary System - The Superintendent, the Commandant, the Cadet Corps Commander and the Cadet Court shall have authority to administer the disciplinary system of the Corps of Cadets as approved by the President and CEO for Texas A&M University at Galveston and delineated in the Corps of Cadets Rules, Texas A&M University at Galveston.