When a report is received, the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) determines if there is enough information to support an alleged violation and which violations have happened.  

If more information is necessary, the conduct officer assigned to the case may schedule an investigation meeting with a student to discuss the report and ask questions. Before this meeting, students complete an investigation participation form and are encouraged to review Student Rights in the Conduct Process.  

After an investigation, if the conduct officer determines that there isn’t a violation of the Code the report will be dismissed. Otherwise, the conduct officer will move on in the process.  

It is important to note that not all reports require an investigation. 

When a student is charged with an alleged violation of the Code, the conduct officer sends an informal meeting notice to the student. This meeting is scheduled based on the student’s academic schedule.  

During these meetings, a student and the conduct officer review the report together, and the student is given an opportunity to respond to and discuss the incident in more detail. At the conclusion of this conversation, the conduct officer will determine if the preponderance of evidence was met that a violation took place.  

If the preponderance of evidence is met, and the student accepts responsibility, the student and the conduct officer discuss restorative actions. From there, a student can accept the restorative action plan and resolve the situation within the informal meeting or request a formal hearing on the restorative actions only. 

If the preponderance of evidence is met and the student does not accept responsibility, the case is sent to either a formal hearing or outcome review. 

These meetings are closed; however, a student may have up to two support people in attendance. 

When the student chooses a formal hearing, the OSC schedules the hearing based on the student schedule and availability of the UK Community Hearing Board.  

Every UK Community Hearing Board is made up of a student, a staff member, and a faculty member. Every hearing follows the same script. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Hearing Board deliberates and communicates the final decision. 

As with informal meetings, students are allowed two support people to be present. Formal hearings are recorded, and this recording is the property of the University. 

When a violation of the Code results in suspension, expulsion, cancellation/suspension of housing contract or the social suspension or revocation of a student organization status, the respondent has the right to appeal the decision to the University Appeals Board (UAB). 

To appeal a decision, the respondent must submit a written appeal within 7 business days of the hearing board's decision. The appeal is not a new hearing, but a review of the original hearing to ensure that proper procedures were followed by the University, that the restorative actions imposed were appropriate for the violation, and whether new information not presented at the hearing would have changed the original outcome. After a review, the UAB can uphold the decision, modify the restorative actions, or send it back to the hearing board.

The UAB's decision is final.

Under certain circumstances, the Vice President for Student Success (VPSS) or their designee may impose interim measures prior to the completion of the student conduct process to ensure the safety and well-being of members of the UK community, ensure the student’s own safety and well-being, or to ensure that the normal operations of UK are not disrupted. 

While any measures are considered, the most common interim measure is interim suspension from the UK premises.  

When any interim measure is taken, the VPSS or designee will notify the student immediately in writing, including the reasons for the interim measure and the rights to an interim measure hearing within three business days.

We understand that the conduct process can seem daunting. At every step of the process, a student has the right to have up to two support persons with them. A support person can engage with their student to provide emotional and other support.

For more information, check out our resource page for support persons here: Support Person Resources

Reported allegations of violations of UK’s policy on discrimination and harassment are investigated and adjudicated by the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). When OEO determines a violation occurred and a student is responsible, the case is referred to the Office of Student Conduct. A member of OSC will meet with the student to discuss the outcome and determine appropriate restorative actions. 

All members of the residential community, students and staff alike are responsible for maintaining University Housing Community Standards (UHCS). If a resident engages in behavior that is considered a violation of one of these standards, a staff member will write an incident report. Follow-up on an incident report may involve an informal meeting between the involved party and a Housing Conduct Officer. After discussing the incident, if the Housing Conduct Officer determines that a violation of the UHCS occurred, a restorative action plan may be issued.

Incident reports may also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and/or the Office of Equal Opportunity. Referred incidents will be resolved according to the policies and procedures of the department responsible for the resolution. Any case that may result in the termination of a student’s residence in campus housing will be automatically referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Outcome Review

When the incident is handled by residence life staff under the University Housing Community Standards, a student can request an outcome review. 

In the informal meeting outcome letter, students are provided information on how to request this. A student must submit an Outcome Review Request within seven business days of the notification. An Outcome Review Conduct Officer will schedule a meeting with the student for discussion on the informal meeting outcome. 

Outcome Review decisions are final.

University Housing Community Standards