If You Aren’t Sure You Want to Make a Report
Anyone may request a consultation with the Office of Student Conduct to discuss a concern. Speaking with someone in the Office of Student Conduct does not obligate the person to file an official report; investigations do not begin unless and until an official written concern is filed.
Please note that if there are concerns of health and safety an investigation may move forward without express permission.
How to Submit a Report
You may submit a report online:
UCSB Incident Report Form
After submitting the information on the form, you will also have the opportunity to upload any relevant supporting documents. The report should outline what happened, when and where the incident occurred, the student(s) involved, how it came to your attention, and what steps have been taken thus far. If the concern includes information from a person who wants to remain anonymous, please contact the Office of Student Conduct, 805-893-5016.
Who Investigates Reports
When a report is filed, the matter is assigned to a Conduct Officer. The Conduct Officer is responsible for investigating the concern. Please be aware that all information provided to the Conduct Officer is considered evidence, shared with the responding student, and may eventually be seen by the hearing board if the report results in a charge.
When to Submit a Report
The Office of Student Conduct recommends that your report be submitted to our office as soon as possible after the incident. This allows the Office of Student Conduct to accomplish the educational goals of the process, to provide timely due process, and to avoid unnecessary complications to the investigatory process.
Beyond the formal report, should you wish to discuss the process informally, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Conduct, 805-893-5016.
Faculty Options/grading
1.
The instructor of record of the course has the authority to handle an incident of student misconduct directly, by any of the following means: a) written or verbal reprimand, b) assignment of additional work, c) reexamination, d) lowering the grade. If the professor elects to impose any or all of these remedies he/she must notify both the student and the department chairperson and submit a report.
2.
If the professor chooses to do so she/he will recommend the action be taken by the Student-Faculty Committee on Student Conduct. Administrators and staff members are also encouraged to report incidents of student misconduct, should they know of a conduct code violation. The Office of Student Conduct will investigate allegations referred to the committee. A Conduct Officer will interview the reporting party, all witnesses, and any person(s) alleged to have violated University regulations. All persons accused will be informed in writing of the nature of the charge, his/her rights, and the procedures to be followed.
The Investigation Process
Once a report is reviewed, the Conduct Officer will contact the student in order to schedule a preliminary meeting. At this meeting, the student will hear the details of the report and will be shown whatever documentation the Conduct Officer has.
Students will also:
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Be informed of their rights and responsibilities.
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Have the option to have an additional meeting with the Conduct Officer.
Most cases are heard through our administrative review process and involve a minimum of one meeting with a Conduct Officer from this office. At the end of the appropriate fact finding process, a decision is made as to whether the student is responsible for violating the student conduct code sections cited in the original letter. The University uses the preponderance of evidence standard as the measure by which a decision is made.
Individuals found responsible for violating University policies or regulations may receive the following sanctions.
Written notice to the student that continued or repeated violations of specified policies or regulations may be cause for further disciplinary action.
A status imposed for a specified period of time during which a student must demonstrate conduct that conforms to University standards of conduct. Conditions restricting the student’s privileges or eligibility for activities may be imposed. Misconduct during the probationary period or violation of any conditions of the probation may result in further disciplinary action, normally in the form of suspension or dismissal.
Specific exclusions or loss of privileges will be at the Dean’s discretion and will be for a specified academic term or terms.
Termination of student status for a specified term or terms.
Termination of student status for an indefinite period. Students who are dismissed may not return to the UC System without the express permission of the respective Chancellor.
Maintaining Confidentiality
Records and files related to any student conduct matter are confidential and protected by applicable federal and state laws. Information from these files/records may not be released without the student’s written permission, or a court order. Other exceptions include University officials on a “need to know” basis and victims of violent acts, those who are entitled to know the results of a disciplinary action by the University. The Office of Student Conduct may release data and information relating to conduct hearings as long as the subject of the hearing cannot be personally identified by the information disclosed.
Disciplinary records will be maintained in the Office of Student Conduct for five years (seven years if the incident was also a Clery crime) for any violation resulting in any disciplinary action other than dismissal; and fifty years for any disciplinary action resulting in dismissal.
How You, a Reporting Party, Can Prepare for a Hearing
If a case proceeds to a hearing by the Student-Faculty Committee on Conduct (SFCC), then the Conduct Officer will arrange the hearing and will contact you to request your participation, and discuss dates that work with your schedule, as well as with that of the responding student.
The SFCC is comprised of two students and two faculty who will be present, along with the accused student and the Office of Student Conduct staff. Hearings are closed to the public.
A hearing involves a presentation of the facts of the case:
- You summarize your report and point out any information that may have become pertinent as a result of the investigation and/or the person's response
- The SFCC and the responding student may ask you questions
- The responding student presents his/her position
- The SFCC may ask the responding student questions
- The hearing adjourns for deliberations, at which time you and the student are excused.
- The Conduct Officer will notify you via email, about the outcome.
Additional Questions or Comments
Should you have any questions about the process or the case, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Conduct at 805-893-5016.