FAQ for Students

I received an email from the Office of Student Accountability (OSSC). What is this about? What do I do now?

When the OSSC receives information that a student may have been involved in a violation of University policy, a letter is sent to the student's university email address notifying them of the preliminary charges and the scheduled date of the pre-hearing meeting.

During this pre-hearing interview, the complaint or violation will be explained, the student's rights and the conduct process will be thoroughly outlines, and the student will be afforded the opportunity to explain the incident. At the close of the pre-hearing interview, the student will be informed of the options for the resolution of their conduct case. Students are afforded the ability to have their case heard administratively or through an All University Conduct Board hearing.

Can someone attend the pre-hearing interview with me?

Yes, a student may bring an advisor. The process limits the role to one (1) person who serves the student in the role of an advisor. The advisor may be anyone that the student feels comfortable with during the judicial process. This individual could be a fellow student, member of the university community or family member. A student is allowed to use an attorney as an advisor if the attorney conforms tot he role of advisor during the process. The advisor is allowed to perform the following:

Advise the student or student organization concerning the preparation and presentation of his/her case.
Accompany the student or student organization to all judicial proceedings.

The advisor will not be allowed to speak for the student or student organization. All information presented and questions asked of individuals involved in the process must be presented by the student respondent. The student may seek the advice of the advisor throughout the process. All communication between the student and the advisor must be accomplished in a quiet and confidential manner. The pre-hearing interview, administrative hearing, or board hearing will not be scheduled or rescheduled based on the availability of the student's advisor.

What's going to happen if I am found responsible for violating the Code of Student Life? Am I going to be suspended or expelled from the University of Arkansas because of a violation of the Code?

The majority of student conduct cases do not result in suspension or expulsion in which a student is found responsible for a violation. Appropriate disciplinary and educational sanctions are imposed according to the nature of the violation. In the conduct process students are treated in a fair, consistent, and educational manner. Every student involved in conduct proceedings will be treated iwth dignity and respect throughout the process.

What do I need to bring to the hearing?

Students should bring any relevant information they would want the hearing officer or All University Conduct Board to consider before making a decision in the case.

Can I present witnesses on my behalf?

A student may present witnesses to speak on their behalf if the person was a witness to or has substantive knowledge of the events in question. Students are limited to the presentation of character witnesses in the form of written statements. Students may also submit written statements from material witnesses who cannot be present for the hearing. These statements must be notarized. Last, but not least, a student can make arrangements for witnesses who cannot be present to be contacted via phone. The Office of Student Accountability DOES NOT organize a pre-hearing, administrative hearing, or board hearing around the availability of witnesses.

Is my conduct file confidential? Who can request it?

Student records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. This means that individuals other than the student will not readily receive access to an individual student's records.

One exception permits a school to disclose personally identifiable information from an eligible student's education records, without consent, to another school in which the student seeks or intends to enroll. Some graduate, law, and medical schools ask students to disclose any disciplinary information. They have the right to contact us to verify any information that a student gives them. In those cases, the Office of Student Accountability will disclose information regarding a disciplinary case.

Will my parents find out about this?

Consistent with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the University of Arkansas will notify the parents of a student under 21 when he or she has been found responsible for a drug or alcohol violation. To see the full policy regarding this, go to this link: Parental Notification Policy.

If the violation also involves an alleged crime, can I be prosecuted criminally AND also go through the Office of Student Accountability?

Yes. This does not constitute double jeopardy. Students have a separate relationship to the University that is different from their responsibilities as citizens.

Why does the Code of Student Life apply to my behavior off campus?

A full explanation of the jurisdiction for disciplinary matters can be found here: Jurisdiction for Disciplinary Matters.

What happens if I can't finish my sanctions by the deadline?

If a student does not complete a sanction by the deadline outlined by the hearing officer or All University Conduct Board, a HOLD will be placed on his/her student account. This will prohibit the student from adding or dropping a class. If a sanction deadline is approaching and the student will not have the sanction complete, it is important for the student to contact the Office of Student Accountability immediately at 479-575-5170 or judicial@uark.edu.

What happens if I exercise my right not to participate in the student conduct process?

Students have the right to choose not to participate in the conduct process; however, the process will still move forward. A decision will be made, which may result in sanctions that the student will still be responsible for completing. If a student chooses not to participate in the process, he or she must provide written notification to the Office of Student Accountability. This written notification must be received by the office 24 hours prior to the student's first meeting with the Hearing Officer. Failure to provide written notification and failure to appear at the meeting will result in a No-Show Charge of $15 being assessed to the student's account.

Why do I have a disciplinary hold on my account?

In most cases, if a student has a disciplinary hold on his/her account, it is a "Late Sanction Hold". This hold is applied when a student fails to complete the assigned sanctions by the deadline indicated in the Decision of Hearing letter. If you have received this hold, contact the Office of Student Accountability at 479-575-5170 for help in addressing this issue.

What if I disagree with the decision? What is the Appeal process?

If a student disagrees with the original decision made in a disciplinary case, he or she has the right to appeal that decision. A student can submit an appeal online by accessing a link outlined in the original Decision of Hearing letter. The deadline to submit an appeal is twenty-five (25) days from the date of the original decision.