Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Allegations of Student Conduct Code Violation(s)...

Meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator...

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Student Conduct Code policies and procedures prior to their meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator. These may be found by visiting the following link: Student Conduct Code.

After Meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator...

Sanction(s) Imposed...

Appeal Process...

Other Questions...

Allegations of Student Conduct Code Violation(s)...

Q. I was involved in an incident related to an academic dishonesty and/or misconduct issue. What may I expect as a result?

A. Incidents related to an academic dishonesty and/or misconduct issue may be reported to the Office of Student Conduct by various constituents within the University community, including, but not limited to, administrators, faculty, staff, and/or students. These reports are reviewed by the Student Conduct Administrator. If it is deemed that a violation(s) of the Student Conduct Code may have occurred, the Office of Student Conduct will proceed with the University's disciplinary process as outlined within the Student Conduct Code procedures. You will be notified via email at your University of Hawaii email address (UH Webmail system).

Q. I received a letter from the Office of Student Conduct stating that I am alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code. What does this mean?

A. A student who is alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code will be notified via a letter issued to him/her in the form of an email (UH Webmail system). This letter will indicate details of the allegations and inform the student that he/she is required to schedule an appointment with the Student Conduct Administrator by a specified date. Failure to schedule and/or attend this meeting will result in a hold being placed on the student's University account. This will result in not being able to register for classes or get transcripts until the meeting has been held.

Q. If the incident in which I was involved also led me to be charged with a criminal offense for which I will be prosecuted, will the case also be adjudicated by the Office of Student Conduct?

A. Yes. Regardless of whether a student has been charged criminally, the Office of Student Conduct will proceed with the University's own disciplinary process if a student is alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code. This is an internal proceeding specific to the University and is conducted separately from that of a court of law. At the discretion of the Senior Student Affairs Officer, a case may be adjudicated by the Office of Student Conduct prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings held off-campus. Determinations made or sanctions imposed under the Student Conduct Code, arising out of the same facts, shall not be subject to change if the criminal charges are dismissed, reduced, or resolved. These are two seprate processes.

Meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator...

Q. What may I expect during my meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator?

A. During a meeting, the Student Conduct Administrator will review with the student the following information: the report(s) submitted to the Office of Student Conduct related to the incident in which the student was involved, the alleged Student Conduct Code violations, and the Student Conduct process. The student will be provided with an opportunity to respond to the allegations and present any other relevant information, documents, or statements written by witnesses and other involved persons. Honesty is always emphasized, as it is an important factor that is taken into consideration during the decision-making process. A meeting is typically scheduled for one hour; however, the actual amount of time needed will vary according to the complexity of each case.

Q. May I bring someone with me to my meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator?

A. If a student so chooses, he/she may have a silent support person present during the meeting or ask this person to wait outside in the waiting room. This individual may be a parent, friend, or advisor, but not an attorney. This person may take notes for the student or assist him/her in organizing documents, but may not speak on the student's behalf or interfere with the process in any manner. This person and the student will need to sigh a FERPA release form. For more information on this see: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/registrar/student-records/ferpa-for-students/. If you wish to have a support person present, please let us know and fill out the form in advance of your meeting time. Furthermore, a student should not bring any witnesses or other involved persons to his/her meeting, as each meeting time is dedicated to one individual. For more information regarding witnesses, please see below.

Q. What if I have a witness(es) who was present during the incident in which I was involved?

A. If a student has any witnesses who are able to provide the Student Conduct Administrator with more information, he/she is welcome to refer these individuals to the Office of Student Conduct. Witnesses are asked to submit written statements that include a detailed description of the sequence of events that occurred and any other relevant information he/she may have knowledge of. The Student Conduct Administrator will follow-up with each witness as necessary.

After Meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator...

Q. What should I expect after having met with the Student Conduct Administrator?

A. Following the completion of an investigation, the student will be informed of the Student Conduct Administrator's findings and decision via a letter issued to him/her in the form of an email (UH Webmail system). If it has been determined that there is insufficient evidence to believe a violation of the Student Conduct Code occurred, no further action will be taken and the case will be considered closed. If, however, it has been determined that it is more likely than not that the student violated the Student Conduct Code, sanction(s) may be imposed as appropriate.

Sanction(s) Imposed...

Q. Why have I been sanctioned under the Student Conduct Code?

A. Sanction(s) may be imposed upon a student who has been found responsible for violating the Student Conduct Code. This component of the University's disciplinary process aims to promote growth and understanding of one's responsibilities and privileges within the University environment. Through the use of sanctions, the Office of Student Conduct endeavors to create a learning experience for students to not only accept responsibility for one's actions but the consequences of these actions as well.

Q. What kind of sanction(s) may be imposed upon me?

A. Sanctions include, but are not limited to, the following listed below:

  • Written Reprimand
  • Probation
  • Loss of Privileges
  • Restitution (service or monetary/material replacement)
  • Other Sanctions (work assignments, essays, counseling, alcohol or other drug education programs, etc.)
  • Suspension
  • Dismissal
  • Revocation of Admission and/or Degree
  • Withholding Degree
  • Sanctions for Student Organizations
  • Interim Suspension

More than one sanction may be imposed for any single violation.

Q. What if I do not complete the sanction(s) that I have been assigned by the specified deadline?

A. If a student does not complete a sanction by the specified deadline, a hold will be placed on his/her University account. For more information regarding holds, please see the "Other Questions" section.

Q. Will the sanction(s) appear on my "permanent record"?

A. A student's disciplinary information, if any, and academic information are maintained as two separate records at the University. Any disciplinary sanctions that have been imposed upon a student will not be made a part of his/her academic record; rather, a disciplinary record will be established for the student. Disciplinary records are retained by the Office of Student Conduct for a minimum of seven years from the date of the final disposition of the case.

Appeal Process...

Q. For what reasons may I appeal the decision of the Student Conduct Administrator?

A. A student may appeal the decision of the Student Conduct Administrator for one or more of the following purposes listed below:

  • New Information: To consider new information or other relevant facts, sufficient to alter a decision, not brought out in the Student Conduct Administrator’s investigation, because such information and/or facts were not known to the student appealing at the time of the Student Conduct Administrator’s investigation, the student appealing could not have discovered such information and/or facts through the exercise of reasonable diligence, and the absence of such information and/or facts was sufficient to have materially and detrimentally affected the outcome.
  • Procedural Error: To determine whether the Student Conduct Administrator’s investigation was conducted fairly in light of the complaint and information presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures. Deviations from prescribed procedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless the deviation(s) resulted in significant prejudice (e.g., there was significant procedural error of a nature sufficient to have materially and detrimentally affected the outcome).
  • Substantive Facts: To determine whether the decision reached regarding the Responding Party was based on information that, if believed by the Student Conduct Administrator, was sufficient to establish that a violation of the Student Conduct Code occurred.

Q. How do I appeal the decision of the Student Conduct Administrator?

A. The student may submit an appeal in writing to the Student Conduct Administrator or designee within ten (10) calendar days of the date of the written decision for one or more of the purposes outlined above. The student’s written appeal will be forwarded to the Chair of the Student Conduct Appellate Board for appropriate action (please see VI.A.2. Student Conduct Appellate Board Preliminary Review Guidelines).

Q. What may I expect during a Student Conduct Appellate Board hearing?

A. A student and his/her advisor, if any, may attend the appellate hearing, excluding deliberations. The student is responsible for presenting his/her own information, which may include any pertinent records, exhibits, and written statements. The student's advisor is not permitted to speak during or participate directly in the hearing. Attorneys may not serve as advisors unless the student is also the subject of a pending criminal matter arising out of the same circumstances. All appellate hearings are audio-recorded, excluding deliberations, and conducted in private.

Q. What should I expect after my Student Conduct Appellate Board hearing has been held?

A. After the conclusion of an appellate hearing, the Appellate Board will determine (by majority vote) whether to uphold or deny the student's appeal. If the appeal is upheld, the matter will be returned to the Student Conduct Administrator to reopen the investigation for reconsideration. If the appeal is denied, the matter is considered final and binding within the University.

Other Questions...

Q. Why has a hold been placed on my University account (registration/records)?

A. A hold, which prevents a student from being able to register for classes and make registration changes or access enrollment and other services, such as transcripts, diplomas, etc., will be placed on a student's University account if he/she failed to do any of the following listed below:

  • Schedule an appointment with the Student Conduct Administrator by the date specified in his/her letter
  • Attend a scheduled meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator
  • Complete an assigned sanction(s) by the specified deadline

To remove a hold, the student should contact the Office of Student Conduct: osc@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-4416.

Q. If I need another copy of any of my letters and/or forms, how can I obtain this?

A. A student may request copies of their letters and/or forms from the Office of Student Conduct. the student should contact the Office of Student Conduct: çosc@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-4416. These may be picked-up from the office, emailed, or mailed to an address provided by the student, according to his/her preference.

Q. What if I did not find an answer to my question(s)?

A. Please contact the Office of Student Conduct for further assistance: osc@hawaii.edu or (808) 956-4416.