Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean if there is a hold on my student account?

You cannot register for classes or get a copy of your transcript until the hold is removed.  

Can I get in trouble for something that happened off campus?

Yes, Whitworth jurisdiction extends off campus and a student may be held accountable for behavior that takes place off campus.

Will my parents or professors know about this?

The family educational rights and privacy act (FERPA) does allow the university to notify other administrators, coaches and family of conduct issues in some instances. These instances typically involve safety issues or if a student has repeatedly violated the student code of conduct and faces university suspension. If you have more questions about who may be notified of your behavior, please ask your conduct officer or contact Tim Caldwell.

If I am called to a student conduct meeting, does that mean I'm in trouble?

If you are asked to meet with a conduct officer it's important to know that no decisions on your case have been made at that time. The conduct officer will be presenting you with information that they received alleging that you may have violated policy. They will then ask you to provide any other information that can help prove that you did not violate the policy. The conduct officer will then (and only after you have had the chance to present a counterargument to the information reported to them) make a decision on your case.

I was involved in an incident that was reported by an RA or AC. What does that mean?

This means you may be asked to attend a conduct meeting in the future to determine if your involvement in the documented situation violated a Whitworth policy. You are not responsible for violating policy just because your name was included in a report filed by your AC, AAC, or RA. Only after meeting with a conduct officer can you be determined to be responsible for violating a Whitworth policy.

Do I have to provide my ID when an RA asks?

Yes, you do need to provide your Whitworth ID, or if you do not have that on you some other form of identification such as a license. If you do not provide this information to a university official when asked you may be violating the community cooperation policy outlined in the student handbook.

If I am found responsible for a policy violation, will it be recorded on my transcript? Can possible future schools be informed of my conduct record? Who has access to my record?

If you are found responsible for violating Whitworth policy a record will be kept at the university. This information will not be placed on your transcript. We will only release this information to a future employer if you sign a waiver instructing us to share it.

What is FERPA and how does it relate to student conduct?

FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. It's a law that helps to protect student information. As a result, Whitworth cannot provide information about your student conduct to outside agencies or people unless you provide the university with a written disclaimer asking us to share your records. This ensures that your records are kept private unless you ask the conduct office to share them. For more detailed information regarding FERPA please follow the link www.whitworth.edu/ferpa.

What happens if I choose not to respond/attend the scheduled conduct meeting?

If you choose not to respond/attend a student conduct meeting the conduct officer may adjudicate the meeting without your presence.

How are sanctions determined?

Sanctions are determined using various factors. These factors include compounding and mitigating behavior (before, during and after your incident), the number of incidents that you have been found responsible for violating over your entire time at Whitworth and the severity of your offense.

How is this process different than the criminal process?

The student conduct process uses a "preponderance of the evidence standard" not an "innocent until proven guilty standard." The preponderance of the evidence standard seeks to determine if it is more likely than not that the policy was violated. If it is more likely than not that the student violated a policy based on the evidence that was presented then that student may be held responsible.

What should I do if I witness someone violating a university policy?

Encourage them to stop the negative behavior and to tell an administrator about what they did. If students turn themselves in for violating a policy that shows learning is already taking place and that minimal additional sanctions would be necessary if any were applied. If a student refuses to turn themselves in please contact an RA, AAC, or AC and report the behavior that you believe has violated a policy.

I received an email saying I've been alleged of a policy violation and need to meet with a conduct officer. What do I do?

The letter you receive should indicate an estimated date that you violated a policy and how you are alleged to have violated that policy. In this case, make sure to attend the meeting scheduled and bring any evidence you have that would indicate that you did not violate the policy listed in your letter.  

What happens at a conduct hearing meeting?

The conduct officer will read to you the evidence that they have to show that you may have violated a policy. They will then ask for any additional input from you to see what evidence you have indicating you did not violate the policy. They will then make a determination based on the "preponderance of evidence" if you will be found responsible or not.

What happens if I can't/don't complete my sanctions?

You will be notified that a hold was placed on your record with the registrar's office and you will not be permitted to register for classes or access a copy of your transcript until your sanctions are completed.

What are my rights in the student conduct process?

Please see the student bill of rights section located in the student handbook.

Are student conduct and Title IX the same process?

No, these are not the same process. Title IX is federally regulated by the Office of Civil Rights. As a result, they dictate the process and how each allegation is handled. The student conduct process is regulated by the student handbook and given its authority by the board of trustees.

What supports are available to me during this process?

You have the ability to bring a support person to be with you during the meeting. This person is not permitted to defend or speak for you during the meeting, but they are allowed to be in the meeting with you and help you process after the meeting is over. The support person must be a member of the university community (staff, faculty or student). If you would like an exception to be made to this rule please contact your conduct officer ahead of time and see if an adjustment can be made.  

What if I don't agree with the hearing outcome?

If you simply do not agree with the outcome of a conduct meeting there is no additional review afforded to you. However, you can request a review of a conduct meeting on three specific criteria. they are:

• The university did not follow the procedures outlined in the student handbook.
• New evidence has been made available. This evidence was not available at the time of the initial conduct meeting.  
• You believe the sanctions are not consistent or appropriate for the violation.   

What are sanctions?

Sanctions are requirements that you must complete in order to remain in good standing at the university. Sanctions are typically designed to change behavior and encourage reflection and learning by a student regarding their negative behavior.

Why do I have to attend a meeting if I was just present during the event and not participating?

The conduct officer will work to verify your involvement but may need to hear your personal testimony before they are able to determine if you should or should not be found responsible for violating a policy.    

If I have questions about my meeting, who do I contact?

Please contact the person who signed your initial request to meet letter.