{"id":1428,"date":"2025-08-07T11:19:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T15:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/conductaffairs\/?page_id=1428"},"modified":"2025-08-07T16:35:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:35:42","slug":"student-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/conductaffairs\/student-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"UMES STUDENT CONDUCT FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GENERAL INFORMATION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What should I do if I witness a Code of Student Conduct violation taking place?<\/summary>
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Submit an Incident Report<\/a> within 24-48 hours.  For serious cases, such as assault, contact the Department of Public Safety\/Campus Police at 410-651-6590 to file a formal complaint and initiate charges.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I am experiencing an escalating conflict with another UMES-related party. What should I do?<\/summary>
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Submit an Incident Report<\/a>. If you live in university-managed housing, also notify your Resident Assistant (RA) or Resident Director (RD) for additional support and intervention.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why did I receive a letter from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS)?<\/summary>
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You received a letter because you may have been involved in, witnessed, or have information related to a potential conduct violation. The OSCCS contacts students to provide notice, request a meeting, or share important information related to the conduct process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What policies do students need to know?<\/summary>
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Students are expected to follow all UMES policies, including the Code of Student Conduct and, if residing in University-sponsored housing, the Residence Life Housing Contract. Additionally, students must comply with applicable laws and regulations set by the State of Maryland and the Town of Princess Anne.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What if I didn\u2019t know I was breaking a rule or policy?<\/summary>
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Not knowing a rule does not excuse misconduct. All students are responsible for understanding University policies and procedures. You are encouraged to review the Student Handbook, Code of Student Conduct, University Catalog, and the Residence Life Housing Contract if you live in University-sponsored housing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

REPORTING AND HANDLING INCIDENTS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What is an incident report or complaint?<\/summary>
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It\u2019s the first step in the conduct process. An incident report or complaint provides the Department of Public Safety\/Campus Police and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards with information that a student allegedly violated University policy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How does UMES receive reports or complaints? Who can submit them?<\/summary>
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It\u2019s the first step in the conduct process. An incident report or complaint provides the Department of Public Safety\/Campus Police and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards with information that a student allegedly violated University policy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why and how does UMES handle Code violations that take place off campus?<\/summary>
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The University may act when off-campus conduct negatively impacts the UMES community or mission. Anyone can report an incident to the local police and submit the UMES online Incident Report. These cases are investigated the same way as on-campus incidents.
See Appendix I \u2013 Off-Campus Violations<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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If an incident is being handled in the courts, can the University also take action?<\/summary>
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Yes. The University may pursue its own conduct process even if the matter is also being addressed through the civil or criminal justice systems. This is not considered double jeopardy, as University conduct proceedings are administrative in nature and separate from legal proceedings.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Will my dean, academic advisor, or coach be notified about my involvement in a conduct case?<\/summary>
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Students are encouraged to inform them personally as soon as an incident occurs. The University only notifies them if the student is found responsible<\/em> and sanctioned with Suspension or Expulsion.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Will graduate schools or employers know about my disciplinary record?<\/summary>
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Some graduate schools and employers may ask about your disciplinary history. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the University can only share this information with your written consent, except when required by law.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Can professors remove disruptive students from the classroom?<\/summary>
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Yes. If a student\u2019s behavior disrupts the learning environment, a professor can remove them from class and report the incident. The matter may then go through the student conduct process. If the complaint is upheld after a Conduct Hearing, the student may be removed from the course. The student has the right to appeal the decision.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

PRE-HEARING CONFERENCES & PARTICIPATION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What is a Pre-Hearing Conference, and why do I have to attend?<\/summary>
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It\u2019s an initial meeting to explain the conduct process, review reports, gather information, and answer questions. Students can share their perspective, identify witnesses, and learn about their options. The purpose is to allow the accused student to: 
1. Share information about what occurred during the incident from their perspective.
2. View reports and documents related to the incident and respond to them.
3. Offer names of witnesses who may be interviewed about the incident.  
4. Learn about the conduct review process and options available.  
5. Ask any questions they have about the process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What happens if I don\u2019t participate in the Pre-Hearing Conference or Conduct Hearing?<\/summary>
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If you do not attend, you forfeit the opportunity to share your perspective. A decision regarding your responsibility will be made in your absence based on the information available. In some cases, the Student Conduct Administrator may freeze your HawkCard, limiting access to campus services such as the dining hall.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I missed my Pre-Hearing Conference or my Conduct Hearing. What should I do?<\/summary>
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Email studentconduct@umes.edu<\/a> immediately to ask if another meeting can be scheduled.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

PARENTS, PRIVACY & FERPA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Will my parents be notified?<\/summary>
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Generally, no. Parents\/guardians are notified only in serious cases (Suspension, Expulsion, No Contact Orders) or if the student is under 21 and found responsible<\/em> for alcohol\/drug violations. However, we encourage students to communicate with parents\/guardians about any incidents and\/or Hearings. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Can my parents, attorney, or other people receive details about a case in which I am involved?<\/summary>
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No. Only the accused student\/Respondent, Complainant, and victim may receive associated case details from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What is the parent\u2019s role in the conduct process?<\/summary>
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Parents play a supportive role in the conduct process\u2014guiding their student, encouraging accountability, and helping identify and connect them with resources like counseling or alcohol or drug evaluations. However, it\u2019s important for the student to take ownership of the process rather than having the parent step in to handle it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How does FERPA work with the conduct process?<\/summary>
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Parents play a supportive role in the conduct process\u2014guiding their student, encouraging accountability, and helping identify and connect them with resources like counseling or alcohol or drug evaluations. However, it\u2019s important for the student to take ownership of the process rather than having the parent step in to handle it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

CONDUCT HEARINGS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What is a Conduct Hearing?<\/summary>
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A Conduct Hearing is a formal procedure to evaluate if a student violated the Code of Student Conduct when the possible sanction could result in Suspension, Expulsion, or removal from on-campus housing. For more details, see the Code of Student Conduct.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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May my parents or other relatives attend the Hearing?<\/summary>
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A Conduct Hearing is a formal procedure to evaluate if a student violated the Code of Student Conduct when the possible sanction could result in Suspension, Expulsion, or removal from on-campus housing. For more details, see the Code of Student Conduct.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Can I bring a support person with me?<\/summary>
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Students are entitled to bring an advisor for support to any meeting or proceeding in their conduct process.  The advisor must be a student, staff or faculty member at UMES.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Are character witnesses allowed in the conduct process?<\/summary>
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No. Only witnesses who saw or heard the incident are allowed. Character witnesses aren\u2019t permitted because their input usually isn\u2019t relevant to the specific charges.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How is responsibility decided?<\/summary>
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UMES uses the preponderance of the evidence standard. This means that the evidence must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that the conduct occurred in order to say that the student is responsible<\/em> for violating policy(s).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Can I be held responsible for a violation committed by others?<\/summary>
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Yes. If you were present or played a role in the violation, you can be held responsible as an accessory. Also, you are fully responsible for the actions of any guests or visitors you bring with you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I don\u2019t agree with the decision made. How do I appeal?<\/summary>
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Students may file an appeal using the online Student Hearing Appeal Form<\/a>; the form will also be included in the student\u2019s Notice of Hearing Decision email.
NOTE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n