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Parents and Family

The Office of Student Conduct wants to assist University of Tampa parents and families in supporting their students. Below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers that may help you advise your student during the student conduct process. Please visit ourÌýStudent ResourcesÌýpage, as well as the list of important resources on the main page for additional information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General

My student received an incident review meeting letter; what do I do?
We encourage our students to inform their parents and families when they are referred to our office. To protect our students’ rights, we will ask and ensure that a completed and signedÌýFERPA formÌýis on file, prior to further conversations with a staff member from the Office of Student Conduct or an assigned incident reviewer.Ìý

What is my role in the Student Conduct process? How can I help my student?
Parents and families play an important supporting role in their student's conduct process. Parents can support their student by ensuring their student has read the Student Code of Conduct, are aware of the student due process rights and are prepared to meet with a representative of the Office of Student Conduct.

Does my student need a attorney for the Student Conduct process at ÌÒñ«ÉçÇøampa?
No, your student does not need an attorney for the Student Conduct process. The Student Conduct process is an educational process. Students may consult with attorneys, but they will not be permitted to participate in meetings during the student conduct process.

I am concerned about my student; what should I do?
Please complete aÌýCARE reportÌýonline or call us at (813) 258-7228. Once the CARE report is submitted, it is reviewed by theÌýSpartan Support ProgramÌýto determine the next appropriate steps.

I received a Parental Notification in the mail; what does this mean?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits a college or university to let parents or guardians know when their student who is under the age of 21 has violated any law or policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance. Parental Notifications are intended to open communication between the student and their parent or guardian.

My student violated the Academic Integrity policy; is this handled the same way as other University violations?
ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø takes academic misconduct very seriously; however, our office does not directly handleÌýÌýcases. Please contact theÌýOffice of the Associate ProvostÌýfor more information.

Student Conduct Records

Is there a record of my student’s conduct status? Is this information shared?
A students’ conduct record is retained for seven (7) years within the Office of Student Conduct. The record can be accessed through an educational disciplinary records check. These educational disciplinary record checks are not criminal background checks. Conduct checks are often requested by other University of Tampa offices, potential employers and other institutions and typcially require consent from the student. Records such as suspensions or expulsions are retained indefinitely. View theÌýRecord Retention PolicyÌýfor more information.

IR Meetings & Hearing Boards

What are incident review meetings? Can I attend this meeting?
Incident review meetings are between the respondent student and the incident reviewer who represents the Office of Student Conduct. This meeting is an opportunity for a respondent student to review the alleged incident, where the misconduct occurred, and accept or deny responsibility for University violations. Parents cannot attend this meeting, but parents may wait in the Office of Student Conduct waiting room while the meeting occurs.

What are student conduct hearing board meetings? Can I attend this meeting?ÌýStudent conduct hearing board meetings are meetings in which students who have denied responsibility for assigned violations or been& referred to by an incident reviewer have their University violations adjudicated. More information on the types of hearing boards can be found within theÌýStudent Code of Conduct.

Students are permitted to have aÌýUniversity support personÌýwith them during a hearing board meeting. The University support person must be a current University student, staff or faculty member. Alumni and parents may not serve as University support persons.

Student Conduct Sanctions

How are University sanctions determined for my student?
ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø has an educational philosophy regarding sanctioning for students found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions are determined by a number of factors including but not limited to the nature and severity of the violation and the student’s prior disciplinary history.

Is there a list of University sanctions?
All students who are determined responsible for a policy violation are assigned a standard disciplinary sanction. Students may also be assigned additional sanctions. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct for more information regarding sanctions.

Understanding Student Rights

During incident teview meetings respondent students have the right to:

1. Be notified in writing via their university e-mail of the alleged misconduct and student conduct procedures at least one (1) business day prior to their scheduled Incident Review meeting.

2. Review any incident report(s) submitted to the Office of Student Conduct during the Incident Review meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, respondent students may request a redacted copy of the reports. Such requests must be submitted in writing and emailed to conduct@ut.edu.Ìý

3. Present information on their own behalf at the Incident Review meeting.Ìý

4. Have the opportunity to accept responsibility for the alleged misconduct. By accepting responsibility during the Incident Review meeting, respondent students waive procedural appeal rights.Ìý

5. Have the opportunity to deny responsibility and request a student conduct hearing board to determine whether a violation occurred. The appropriate student conduct hearing board will be determined by the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct or designee.

6. Be notified in writing via their university email of the outcome of the Incident Review meeting within ten (10) business days, unless additional time is needed to gather further information regarding the alleged misconduct.Ìý

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During student conduct hearing board meetings respondent students have the right to:

1. Be notified in writing via their university e-mail about the alleged misconduct and hearing procedures at least one (1) business day prior to the student conduct hearing board meeting.

2. Have an opportunity to review any incident report(s) submitted to the Office of Student Conduct during the student conduct hearing board.Ìý

3. Have an individual student conduct hearing board. In cases involving multiple respondents connected by the same incident or facts, individual hearings may be scheduled to run concurrently. This approach streamlines the process for efficiency and a prompt resolution particularly when witnesses have information relevant to multiple respondents. The Office of Student Conduct reserves sole discretion to determine when concurrent individual hearings occur.ÌýÌý

4. Present information on their own behalf at a student conduct hearing board. This includes up to three (3) witnesses or written witness statements. All witnesses or witness statements must have direct knowledge of the incident under review by the student conduct hearing board. Respondent students may also choose not to provide any information; however, the student conduct hearing board reserves the right to draw reasonable inference from a respondent student’s decision to answer questions or provide information.

5. Question individuals presented as witnesses who provide information to the student conduct hearing board. All questions must be directed to the Hearing Board Advisor, who will make the final decision regarding their relevance and appropriateness.Ìý

6. Request the removal of student conduct hearing board members based on bias or other conflict of interest. The Hearing Board Advisor will have the final determination regarding such requests.

7. Be assisted by one (1) University support person as defined above. Attorneys are not permitted to participate in the student conduct hearing board process.ÌýÌý

8. Be notified in writing via their university e-mail of the determination of the student conduct hearing board within fifteen (15) business days after the conclusion of the student conduct hearing board.

9. Appeal the hearing board determination of responsibility of assigned violation(s) within two (2) business days from receiving written notification of the outcome to their university email.Ìý

10. Schedule a post-hearing meeting with the Office of Student Conduct to discuss the student conduct hearing board's determination.