Frequently Asked Questions

The Code addresses misconduct that takes place on university premises and addresses off campus conduct when the behavior has an adverse impact on the university community. The Code also applies to university sponsored events, activities, trips, etc., which may occur off campus. A student who violates the Code and breaks the law is subject to university, civil and/or criminal authorities. The university, at its sole discretion, may pursue disciplinary action against a student while the student is also subject to criminal proceedings. The university reserves this right even if criminal charges are pending, reduced, or dismissed. 

It could result in an additional violation of the Code of Student Conduct, which could result in additional sanctions, conditions, and/or restrictions, and if you violate a criminal trespass order, you could be arrested

A student may request an appeal on one or more of the following grounds:

1. The student has been deprived of rights as defined in the Code of Student Conduct.
2. The sanction(s) imposed by the officer/body of original jurisdiction was not justified by the nature of the offense.
3. To consider new evidence, sufficient to alter a decision or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such evidence and/or facts were not known to the person appealing at the time of the original hearing.

All decisions shall be made on the basis of whether a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) supports the allegation(s) or not. At the conclusion of a conference or hearing, the conduct officer or hearing panel will determine whether the student has violated each section of the Code of Student Conduct for which the student was notified. Decisions of any hearing panel will be determined by a majority vote.

Admission of any person to the hearing will be at the discretion of the conduct officer or conduct body chair. The complainant, the accused, and the conduct officer or conduct bodies all have the privilege of presenting witnesses. 

If a charged student or organization fails to respond to directions from a conduct officer, the director, or hearing panel relative to participating in an investigation, conference, or hearing, a $35.00 non-appearance fine will be imposed, and the case adjudicated without the involvement of the student. Furthermore, no student may graduate, receive grades, or have transcripts released until all pending discipline matter(s) are resolved.

The Code of Student Conduct is divided into two categories of violations. Category "A" violations are typically first time violations or minor violations, while category "B" violations are typically repeat violations or major violations. Category "A" violations 1-19 may be assigned, at the director's discretion, as either "A" violations or "B" violations depending upon the particular circumstance of an incident. Category "B" violations 1-9 will always be assigned as type "B" violations. 

The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) prohibits educational institutions from disclosing information from a student's educational record to any third party, including parents, without the student's consent. The university strictly adheres to the provisions in FERPA, but there are exceptions in the law. Parents of a student under 21 years of age may be notified by the University if their student is involved in an alcohol-related disciplinary case. Parents may be notified of drug-related infractions regardless of the student's age. Even with these provisions, the best way to ensure staff members in the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct can fully address your parent's concerns is to come to the office in room 022 of the Student Union and sign a waiver granting parental access to your records. Once the student signs a FERPA waiver, staff members can fully discuss the student's case with anyone listed on the waiver. 

If a student is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct and fails to respond to directions from the conduct officer, director, or hearing panel relative to completing a discipline sanction(s), a $35.00 non-compliance fine will be imposed, a hold will be placed upon the student's university record, and he/she/they may face additional disciplinary action.

Sanctions may be imposed independently or in combination with other sanctions. Sanctions can be assigned to an individual student, group of students, and student organizations. Sanctioning is determined case by case, since it reflects the needs of the individual student, the student's cumulative discipline history, and the impact of that student's behavior on the community. 

Members of the Wright State University community and their visitors are subject to all university rules and regulations, including those contained in the Code of Student Conduct. Additionally, those individuals are also simultaneously subject to all local, state, or federal laws. For further information see Section XII of the Code.

For procedural information and general advice, talk to any staff member in the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. The phone number to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct is 937-775-4240.

An accused student has the right to consult an advisor of his/her choice before, during, and after any conference, hearing, or appeal. Advisors are not permitted to speak or to participate directly in any hearing, conference, or appeal. The Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct recommends that you confer with an attorney if you are involved in concurrent criminal or civil proceedings regarding the same incident.

Notations are made on student transcripts when the following sanctions are issued: suspension or expulsion. However, these notations only appear on transcripts during the period of the sanction. Also, a notation on a transcript made may be imposed if the Academic Integrity Hearing Panel (AIHP) determines that a student has committed a violation of the Academic Integrity policy. The AIHP may impose the sanction of a notation, which is placed on the student's academic transcript indicating he/she/they was suspended or expelled due to a violation of academic integrity. A notation of this type will be reserved for cases in which the violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is determined by the AIHP as serious, or when the violation is a repeat offense. 

A student is considered to have a disciplinary record when any of the following occurs: A hearing panel or conduct officer finds the student responsible for violating one or more of the policies in Section VI of the Code and any appeal taken by the student results in affirmation of the hearing panel's or conduct officer's decision or if the student is the subject of a hearing pursuant to Section 3345.23 of the Ohio Revised Code and is found guilty of the charges that gave rise to the hearing. For further information see Section XIII of the Code.

The following officials and conduct panels review and process issues of student conduct.

A. Conduct Officers

Student Affairs Staff-Composed of members of the Division of Student Affairs administrative staff, including graduate and professional staff members within the department of Residence Life, Student Life, Greek Life, and Student Union.

Director of Community Standards and Student Conduct-The Director is a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students.

B. Conduct Panels

Conduct Review Panel (CRP)-The CRP is comprised of five members of the university community, including one faculty member, one staff member, and three students. One student is designated by the Director to serve as the chair. Quorum for any CRP hearing consists of at least one faculty member or staff member, and two students.

Academic Integrity Hearing Panel (AIHP)-The AIHP is comprised of at least two faculty members, one of whom is designated as the chair, and one student.

Appeals Panel-The Appeals Panel is comprised of two faculty members, including the chair, and one student.

Lack of knowledge of a rule is not an excuse for misconduct. Every student is responsible for knowing the rules and regulations of the university, so it is important for you to read your catalog, Student Handbook, and the Code of Student Conduct. If you are unsure about any policies, ask for clarification.

Any person may file a complaint against a student or organization for misconduct. The complaint must be prepared in writing, signed, and directed to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. All complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place. 

As a public institution of higher education, Wright State University seeks to advance knowledge, promote scholarship, and create an environment conducive to the intellectual and personal growth and development of all of its students. In keeping with these aims, the university recognizes student rights detailed in Section VIII of the Code of Student Conduct.