Student Conduct FAQs

That means that the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution has received a complaint or allegation that you were involved in a violation of the Student Conduct Code. A hearing officer needs to meet with you to discuss the alleged violation to determine responsibility.

Review all information related to the hearing such as the charge and the evidence as indicated in your Notice of Charge Letter. You should also review the Student Community Conduct Code in the Community Standards “Blue Book” before your scheduled hearing date. This is your opportunity to give your side of the story in regard to the alleged violation. Be truthful and honest; hearing officers take this into consideration regarding findings and sanctioning. The goal of the hearing is to have an open dialogue.  If you do not participate in the hearing, a decision will be rendered in your absence.

Yes. You are entitled to bring an advisor to the hearing. Advisors are required to be current University faculty, staff, or student. Parents, family members, legal counsel, alumni, and those persons who have no affiliation with the University are excluded from the definition of “Advisor” and are not permitted to be in the hearing. The role of the Advisor is to provide emotional and personal support for the student. Advisors may not speak during a hearing.

You are also permitted to present witnesses during hearings. Witnesses are required to be current University faculty, staff, or student. Witnesses in attendance of the hearing will be required to sit outside of the hearing until the hearing officer determines that it is an appropriate time for the witness to speak. You will not be permitted to speak directly to the witness during the hearing. Character witnesses are not permitted.

Yes! You may contact the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution directly to ask questions. The Office can provide an overview of the hearing process and allow you to look over important hearing documents such as incident reports and evidence. We understand that hearings may be stressful for students, if you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious going through the hearing process, we encourage you to speak with Student Counseling Services.

The hearing officer will determine if it is more likely than not that you violated University policy. Outcome Letters will be delivered to students by University-issued email or other approved means. The Outcome Letter will state the decision, the rationale for the decision, and if responsible, the assigned sanctions.

You are able to appeal a decision made during a student conduct hearing. You may not appeal an outcome simply because you disagree.

Appeals are considered for one or more of the following purposes:

1. To consider new information which was unavailable at the time of the original hearing that could change the outcome; or
   • Example: If you come to learn that there is a video of an incident after you receive your Outcome. This video can be used as new evidence.
2. To assess whether a material deviation from written procedures resulted in an unfair outcome of the hearing.
   • Example: If you were only given two calendar days’ notice of your hearing rather than the required four calendar days’ notice.
3. To assess whether a sanction of the loss of University housing, a suspension, or expulsion will have a substantially disproportionate impact on the student or is inconsistent with University practice and values.

If a student admits to violating the Student Conduct Code or is found responsible in a hearing, they will receive one or more University sanctions, typically a status sanction, an educational sanction, and other sanctions at the discretion of the hearing officer. The list of sanctions can be found in Section 7 of the Student Community Conduct Code. This list is a guide and not all-inclusive.

In short, no. However, if you do not attend the hearing, the hearing officer will review all evidence and make a determination and impose sanctions if you are rendered responsible in your absence. Without your account of the situation, the information in the reports stands. Therefore, it is highly suggested that you attend the hearing.

Outcome Letters will be delivered to the student by University-issued email, or other approved means if warranted. The Outcome Letter will state the decision, the rationale for the decision, and if responsible, the assigned sanctions.

First, you will be subject to a $25 incomplete sanction fine charged to your student account along with a First Notice of Incomplete Sanction Letter. Next, you will be subject to a $75 fine for a Second Notice of Incomplete Sanction Letter. A hold will also be placed on your student account which will restrict your ability to add/drop classes and/or obtain copies of transcripts.

You can appeal the Outcome Letter within three (3) business days of the date the letter was sent. An appeal must be in writing and delivered to the appointed administrator outlined in the Outcome Letter. You may not appeal an outcome simply because you disagree. Appeals are considered for one or more of the following purposes:

1. To consider new information which was unavailable at the time of the original hearing that could change the outcome; or
   • Example: If you come to learn that there is a video of an incident after you receive your Outcome. This video can be used as new evidence.
2. To assess whether a material deviation from written procedures resulted in an unfair outcome of the hearing.
   • Example: If you were only given two calendar days’ notice of your hearing rather than the required four calendar days’ notice.
3. To assess whether a sanction of the loss of University housing, a suspension, or expulsion will have a substantially disproportionate impact on the student or is inconsistent with University practice and values.

You must request that the University delay imposing sanctions until after the appeal decision is made. This request is at the discretion of the appellate officer to grant the stay of sanctions.

The appellate officer will review the record and all supporting documents to consider whether an appeal consists of at least one of the three aforementioned criteria.

Marymount University maintains disciplinary records for seven (7) years after graduation or withdrawal. Your conduct record is not part of your academic transcript unless you are suspended or permanently dismissed from the University. Former students may request to expunge records that did not result in suspension or expulsion from the University. The Chief Conduct Officer will determine if the expungement request is just.

Cases that involve disciplinary probation, loss of housing, suspension, or dismissal from the University are subject to disclosure to officials who have a legitimate need to know and others as permitted by law. All conduct records may be disclosed if subpoenaed.

All conduct records may be provided to Resident Assistants and Orientation Leaders. Cases that involve disciplinary probation, loss of housing, suspension, or dismissal from the University are subject to disclosure to internal Marymount faculty and staff, particularly for leadership positions.

The University notifies parents of sanctions of housing probation, loss of housing, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion under the following conditions:

• you are under 21 and are found responsible for an alcohol/other drug violation; or
• you are a dependent of your parents for tax purposes and the University has record of your dependency.

Parents will be sent a letter from the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution regarding the decision of the case. Parents who wish to know more details of a case should open an honest discussion with their student. Most of the time, students accurately report what occurred which helps facilitate trust between students and parents. Students may also provide consent for release of information by filling out a FERPA waiver.

Talk to any staff member in the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at 703-908-7669 or sconduct@marymount.edu.

It is very likely that the hold on your account is associated with a missing/incomplete sanction. The Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution sends out several notices to students with incomplete sanctions. Each of those letters contain the information needed to complete the sanction(s). You can also look back at your Outcome Letter for information on your sanction(s). Please be sure that you are completing each step provided as you may be missing something as small as completion of a Google Form. If you believe that you have completed your sanction(s) and should not have a hold on your account, please immediately reach out to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at 703-908-7669 or sconduct@marymount.edu.