Frequently Asked Questions for Families and Advocates
The following are questions frequently asked by family members and advocates during the conduct process.
It is the student who notifies parent(s) or self-selected third parties about a pending case. Conversations are between the University and its students. Parents/legal guardians of dependent students under 21 years of age are notified when a student is found responsible for an alcohol or drug violation.
The Notice of Charge (NOC) informs your student that they have allegedly violated one or more parts of the Code of Student Conduct. The Notice contains a statement of the charges as outlined by the Code of Student Conduct and a summary of the information received, including the date and location of the reported incident. The Notice of Charge also informs your student that they must call to schedule an Administrative Meeting with a Case Administrator.
Navigating a collegiate environment can be challenging for many students. There may be times when your student engages in behavior that is counter to University standards and expectations. A Code of Student Conduct violation isn’t an indictment of your student's character. Violations of expectations, however, are a choice and part of the developmental process is to help them understand that they are part of a larger community and that their choices have an effect on themselves and the community.
We encourage you to help your student by being supportive throughout the conduct process. You can help by identifying and providing necessary interventions to support your student’s success at UMass Amherst. Allow and expect your student to set appointments, attend meetings, and fulfill any sanctions they may receive.
The Administrative Meeting is between your student and a Case Administrator. You may attend the meeting as an advisor to support your student through the process. However, you cannot speak for, or represent your student in the process. Attendance at a conduct meeting or hearing is subject to the approval of your student (who must also complete a Confidentiality Waiver) and the Case Administrator holding the meeting.
You don't have to, but you can. When there is a pending criminal/civil case or when there is a reasonable likelihood that a criminal complaint will be sought against the student(s) arising out of the same facts as the charge(s), your student may, at their own expense, be accompanied by an attorney. Your student is responsible for presenting their information and perspectives in the conduct meeting; attorneys may not participate. An attorney assisting your student must not be an employee of the Student Legal Services Office or supported by University funds. Your student must also complete a Confidentiality Waiver to allow the attorney to be present in the meeting(s).
Conduct cases are considered on an individual basis with each involved student. The nature and severity of the offense, as well as a student’s conduct history, is taken into consideration when determining sanctions if a student is responsible for violating the Code of Conduct. If your student would like to request a copy of their conduct history prior to an upcoming conduct conference, they can submit a Conduct Records Request.
When Housing Removal Deferred, Housing Removal, University Probation, Suspension Deferred, Suspension, or Expulsion ARE potential sanctions the Case Administrator will issue a Summary Administrative Review setting forth responsibility, imposed sanctions, and options for resolving the case. Your student would then have three (3) business days to request a Sanction Review. Sanction Reviews are conducted by the Dean of Students, or designee, who will meet with your student to discuss their rationale for requesting a review of the imposed sanction(s). Following the Sanction Review meeting, the Dean of Students, or designee, will issue a written outcome letter outlining if the imposed sanctions are upheld or modified. More information on the Sanction Review process is available in the Code of Student Conduct.
The University reserves the right to take action based on any student conduct, regardless of location, that is contrary to the pursuit of the educational mission of the University or that may adversely, distinctly or directly affect the University community and or its international programs. Therefore, it is possible for students involved in the Student Conduct process to also be involved in a separate, legal process.
While many of the University’s standards of conduct parallel the laws of society in general, the University sets standards that are higher and more stringent than those found elsewhere in society. The purpose of our conduct process is to reinforce and encourage the development of good decision-making and personal integrity and to teach these skills where they are lacking. It is the University’s goal that your student make their way through any aspect of the conduct process, your student will leave that process as a better educated student, a better member of the University community, and a better global citizen.
For a list of potential violations, review the Code of Student Conduct.
In cases where criminal charges related to the alleged Code of Student Conduct violation(s) are pending, a reasonable delay may be granted. Delays may be granted to any party at the discretion of the Case Administrator(s).
The University conduct process is separate from the criminal/court process. Disciplinary action at the University will normally proceed during the pendency of criminal proceedings and will not be subject to challenge on the ground that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced.
Your student conduct record is kept by the Dean of Students Office and is separate from academic records. However, students who were expelled prior to July 1, 2012 will have their dismissal noted on their transcript.
The impact on your student’s ability to get into graduate school depends on several factors including your student’s conduct history, their status with the University, the severity and/or frequency of Code violations, as well as the scrutiny of the graduate program requesting the information. The decision to admit your student based on their conduct history is ultimately up to the institution requesting your student’s history.
Your student’s conduct history is not released to any third party without their written permission. Graduate and professional schools, state bar associations, government agencies, and/or independent agencies may request a clearance to review their conduct history while attending UMass Amherst. For more information on what violations are reported to graduate schools, review the University's Reporting Policy.
If your student accepts responsibility for violating an alcohol policy, they may be required to complete the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) program. BASICS aims to help students explore their alcohol and drug use in a non-judgmental environment with the goal of reducing risky behaviors and the harmful consequences of alcohol use and abuse. BASICS is not therapy or substance abuse treatment. Students are assessed a fee for completing BASICS.