Introduction
Student conduct systems in higher education have been in existence for many years, and have evolved over time. Today, the main purpose of the student conduct process is education.
Our department’s goal is to educate students about the policies, rules, and regulations that will impact their time here at Simmons University. We strive to help students gain a greater insight into their decisions and behaviors in an effort to support a safe, respectful, learning environment. In addition, hearing officers strive to repair any harm done to the community.
With your support and understanding, you can help your student navigate the student conduct process and encourage their growth, accountability and development of self-advocacy.
Student conduct records are confidential and we cannot share any information about your student’s conduct process until the case is closed and only with written permission. Your student can complete an information release form.
What to Do When Your Student is Involved in the Student Conduct Process
Sending your student to an institution of higher education is as much of a transition for families as it is for students. The relationship you have with your student will undoubtedly change. Students are expected to make decisions on their own, to learn to resolve conflict independently, and to take responsibility for their actions. At the same time they covet your love, respect your opinion, and generally operate on the values you instilled in them.
Simmons University hearing officers take their responsibilities as educators very seriously and do their best to provide a fair and unbiased system for all impacted students. While these professionals understand that involvement in the conduct process may be difficult for students, they do their best to provide them support to effectively handle the situations in which they find themselves.
The following section provides some recommendations for family members when they discover that their student is involved in the campus conduct process:
- While Simmons University recognizes that your goal is to provide support for your student, conduct officers ask that you provide this support unconditionally, but not blindly. Understand that there is a process in place to hear all information regarding the incident in question and encourage your student to prepare him or herself for the process.
- When your student receives paperwork regarding conduct procedures and has questions, advise them to contact the hearing officer (whose information is on the letter). Please do not call or email on their behalf or to give your narrative of the events. Staff members are not permitted to give specifics to family members. This also empowers the student to learn how to solve their own issues and to be their own self-advocate. Remember, this is an educational process for your student.
- Review the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), which precludes the college or university from discussing your child’s academic and disciplinary record without their written permission.
- Educate yourself on the University’s Code of Conduct and student conduct process.
- Practice the “24 Hour Rule.” You may receive a phone call or email from your student because they are upset about facing conduct charges. You may be tempted to try to immediately fix the problem for them. Try to allow 24 hours to inform, guide, teach, support, and observe. Lessons learned through participation in a student conduct process must be experienced to have the desired effect. After all, gaining a higher education degree is about learning.