Up for discussion: Student discipline

When a high school student is sent to the principal’s office, it usually means trouble. At UC Davis, students are accountable to a disciplinary office that upholds standards of academic integrity and enforces codes of conduct for the well-being of the campus community.

The oversight of Student Judicial Affairs applies to academic matters and behavior. Its jurisdiction extends on and off campus — even around the world. And the consequences it metes out range from lessons learned to dismissal from the university.

Students may be reported for issues that vary from plagiarism and presenting false information on a transcript to illegal use of alcohol and physical assault.

“If the misconduct impacts the welfare of our campus community, we will look into it,” said Jeanne Wilson, director of the office and one of its attorneys.

Last year, the office had 618 cases of suspected academic misconduct, and 591 students were reported for social misconduct.

Social misconduct

More than one-third of social misconduct referrals were for illegal file sharing of copyrighted television shows, games, music and software. Other categories, followed by the percentage in parentheses, were alcohol (13), theft and vandalism (12), false information/forgery (8), disruption/obstruction (8), unsafe behavior (7), drugs (6), assault/threats/weapons/hazing (5), misuse of resources (5) and sexual harassment (1).

Student Judicial Affairs collaborates with the university and city police departments. And even if there is insufficient evidence to pursue a criminal prosecution, the campus can take action because it has different standards for proving a case.

Only about five percent of cases were dismissed or resulted in a finding of innocence; 6 percent were resolved with an administrative notice, which means no violation was found but the student was cautioned regarding university standards.

Academic cases

Referrals for academic violations included almost 40 percent for plagiarism, 28 percent for exam copying and 12 percent for inappropriate collaboration on homework. Other offenses — together accounting for 20 percent of all academic reports – included providing false information, using a cheat sheet, altering an exam, using an exam “ringer” and stealing work.

Of the 557 academic cases resolved, about 20 percent resulted in a finding of innocence/no violation or no violation accompanied by a notice about university standards.

Process

When a student is referred to the disciplinary office, he or she has the opportunity to respond and discuss possible ways of solving the situation. Nearly all students reported to the office admit to wrong-doing; last year, only 10 cases went to a formal hearing before faculty, staff and other students.

In most cases, the first violation is an opportunity to learn from a mistake, Wilson said. In addition to disciplinary sanctions, students are often required to do community service, write a research paper or participate in academic or personal counseling.

When there are immediate concerns for safety — including the potential for physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person — the campus may issue an interim suspension until the disciplinary process is resolved.

The university’s ultimate sanction is dismissal, which bars an individual from attending any UC campus or program, unless the chancellor of that campus approves the readmission.

Last year, 11 students were dismissed for academic violations and two for social misconduct. Thirty-six academic cases resulted suspensions, and suspension or delayed graduation was the sanction imposed in 21 social misconduct cases.

Crisis response

The disciplinary office is also part of the Student Crisis Response Team that provides leadership in identifying and responding to students who are distressed or distress others.

The team — also including representatives of the university police department, counseling programs, housing office and the Student Disability Center — provides immediate and comprehensive response to situations that involve disruption, intimidation or violence. It develops and implements strategic interventions and helps manage ongoing problems.

The Student Crisis Response Team can be contacted through:

• the UC Davis Police Department at (530) 752-1230.
• Student Judicial Affairs (530) 752-1128.
• Counseling and Psychological Services (530) 752-0871.