To uphold the integrity of our community, the Code of Conduct outlines expectations for both individual students and student organizations. Just as students strive for excellence, organizations play a vital role in fostering a campus environment built on respect, accountability, and ethical leadership. By acting with honesty and integrity, student organizations contribute to a culture where all members uphold their commitments and support one another. Understanding and following the Code ensures that their actions reflect the university’s values. Explore the sections below for guidance, tips, and recommendations on navigating the conduct process as a student organization.
Student Organizations Conduct Process
Information for Student Organizations
Student Organization Conduct Report
To help you make informed choices about joining student organizations at UK, we provide this report on student organization conduct violations.
Student Leader Information
Information to support the student organization representative navigating the UK conduct process.
Advisor & Inter/National Organizations
Information to support advisors and inter/national organizations navigating the UK conduct process.
Report a Violation
Submit a referral to the Office of Student Conduct regarding alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct.
UK’s Amnesty Policy
UK cares about the health and safety of all its community members. As such, UK has an amnesty policy to encourage individuals and student organizations to seek assistance for others experiencing drug or alcohol-related emergencies.
Request a Training
Staff are available to present to your organization on a variety of different topics.
Associating Conduct with Student Organizations
The Code of Student Conduct policies and procedures also apply to student organizations at UK. The Code outlines the following standards that will be considered when deciding whether conduct is associated with a student organization (SO):
| 1. | The conduct is endorsed by the SO or any of its officers (“endorsed by” includes, but is not limited to, the following: active or passive consent or support, having prior knowledge that the conduct was likely to occur, or helping to plan, advertise, or promote the conduct); |
|---|---|
| 2. | The conduct is committed during the course of an activity paid for by the SO, or paid for as a result of one or more members of the SO contributing personal funds in lieu of organizational funds to support the activity or conduct in question; |
| 3. | The conduct occurred on property owned, controlled, rented, leased, or used by the SO or any of its members for an organizational event; |
| 4. | The purpose of the activity was related to initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in the SO; |
| 5. | Non‐members of the SO learned of the activity through members, advertisements, or communications associated with the SO, or otherwise formed a reasonable belief that the conduct or activity was affiliated with or endorsed by the SO; |
| 6. | Members of the SO attempted to conceal the activity or protect other members who were involved; or |
| 7. | One or more officer(s) of the SO had prior knowledge or reasonably should have known that the conduct would take place. |
Definitions
Below is a list of common terms and their definitions that may help you better understand the Code or the student conduct process.
Attorney
“Attorney” means an individual who, at the student or SO’s own expense may attend any phase of the conduct process. The attorney must be licensed to practice law in the state of Kentucky in order to participate as an attorney in the conduct process. (See also definition of “Support Person”)
Complainant
“Complainant” means a person (or their proxy) alleging a violation(s) of the Code. UK may designate a Proxy Complainant or initiate the student conduct process without a formal complaint from the victim of an alleged violation of the Code.
Conduct Officer
“Conduct Officer” means a UK official, who has undergone specialized training, designated by the Dean of Students to determine outcomes in the student conduct process.
FERPA & Student Organizations
“Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)” does not apply to student organizations, but rather only to individual students. If a FERPA waiver is on file for a member, an inter/national organization may participate in OSC meetings and interviews with members of the student organization.
Formal Hearing
“Formal Hearing” is a closed meeting that permits UK and the respondent and other appropriate parties to address the alleged violation and/or restorative actions with a hearing board.
Hearing Board
"Hearing Board” means a hearing panel authorized by UK to resolve alleged violations contained in the Code through a formal hearing. Hearing Boards consist of one (1) faculty member, one (1) staff member, and one (1) student member.
Informal Meeting
“Informal Meeting” means a meeting that provides the respondent with the opportunity to discuss the referral with a conduct officer, and others as deemed appropriate. The purpose of an informal meeting is to determine whether it is more likely than not that the respondent violated the Code, and if a violation took place, the appropriate restorative actions.
Interim Measures
"Interim measures" means conditions or restrictions that may be placed on a student or student organization alleged to have violated the Code. Interim measures do not represent a finding that there has been a violation of the Code. They may be in place for a specific period or until the case is concluded. Interim measures may include but are not limited to the following: social suspension, interim suspension, housing relocation or suspension, or no contact orders. Interim measures provided to the complainant or respondent will remain confidential to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability of the University to provide supportive measures. Interim measures may be imposed to:
- Ensure the safety and well-being of members of the UK community or preserve UK property;
- Ensure the Student’s own physical or emotional safety and well-being; or
- Ensure that normal operations of UK are not disrupted.
Inter/National Organization
“Inter/National Organization” is a governing body that oversees and supports campus-based student organizations.
Investigation Meeting
“Investigation Meeting” means a meeting that provides an opportunity for the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) to gather additional information from the respondent(s), complainant(s) and/or witness(es).
OSC
"OSC" means the Office of Student Conduct
Preponderance of Evidence
“Preponderance of Evidence” means that it is more likely than not (at least 50.1% certain) that the respondent is responsible for the alleged act. This is the standard of proof used in conduct cases to determine if a violation of the Code occurred.
Respondent
“Respondent” means a student or student organization who has been formally alleged to have violated the Code.
Restorative Action
“Restorative Action” means any measure given in response to a policy violation. Restorative actions are meant to offer education, encourage self-reflection and accountability, and to deter future violations. Restorative actions may also include measure to protect the learning environment and safety of the University community. Restorative actions should be connected to the violation, tailored to meet the respondent’s developmental needs, and intended to repair the harm done.
Student
“Student” means any person admitted, enrolled, or matriculating at UK while pursuing undergraduate, graduate or professional studies, and who has not completed the program of study in which they are enrolled. Student status continues whether or not UK’s academic programs are in session. Student status includes those taking courses for credit or non-credit at UK, either full-time or part-time, in-person or virtual. Persons also considered to be students include those who:
- Withdraw after allegedly violating the Code;
- Are living in the residence halls although not enrolled at UK;
- Are serving a period of suspension;
- Are not officially enrolled for a particular term, but have a continuing relationship with UK; or,
- Have been notified of acceptance and have confirmed intent to attend.
Student Conduct Report
“Student Conduct Report” means any document(s) that describes an alleged violation of the Code. Student conduct reports may include UK incident reports, investigative reports, police reports, or verbal, written, or electronic communication.
Student Organization (SO)
“Student Organization (SO)” means a group of students who have complied with registration requirements as determined by the Office of Student Organizations and Activities in accordance with Administrative Regulation 4:1, Registration and Recognition of Student Organizations. This includes Registered Student Organizations and Sponsored Student Organizations. Groups that are actively seeking, but have not yet been granted registered status, are also included.
Support Person
“Support Person” means an individual who may provide advice, support, or guidance to either the respondent or the complainant during the student conduct process. A support person may not represent, speak on behalf of, delay, disrupt, or otherwise interfere with the student conduct informal process. An attorney may serve as a support person; however, a support person may not be a witness, respondent, or complainant in the same case. An attorney serving as a support person may participate directly in direct and cross-examination during the fact-finding portion of a formal hearing where responsibility for an alleged violation is being determined.
UK Activity
"UK Activity” means any activity, including virtual activities, on or off UK property that is aided, approved, sponsored, or supervised by UK or a SO.
University Appeals Board (UAB)
“University Appeals Board (UAB)” means the persons appointed by the President in accordance with Governing Regulation XI to consider appeals of a hearing board’s finding. On appeal, the UAB determines questions as to:
- Whether a student or SO violated the Code;
- Specific restorative action(s) recommended by the hearing board (i.e., housing contract cancellation, social suspension, disciplinary suspension, or disciplinary expulsion); or
- Interim measures imposed by the Vice President for Student Success.
UK Community
“UK Community” means the employees, students, visitors, volunteers, and members of the public.
UK Official
"UK Official” means:
- Any faculty member;
- Any staff employee who acts as an academic advisor or has responsibility for students;
- Any other individual who has administrative responsibilities, including but not limited to, deans, directors, department heads, managers, supervisors, and resident and assistant residence directors.
UK Property
“UK Property” means all property owned, leased, used, or controlled by UK, and includes adjacent streets and sidewalks.
Witness
“Witness” means a person who directly observed an incident or has direct or indirect knowledge related to an incident. Witnesses should be able to speak knowledgeably about the incident and be able to provide relevant facts to OSC.