CHAPTER 3335-23 CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

As of September 2, 2016

3335-23-01 Introduction and purpose.

The code of student conduct is established to foster and protect the core missions of the university; to
foster the scholarly and civic development of the university’s students in a safe and secure learning
environment, and to protect the people, properties and processes that support the university and its
missions. The core missions of the university are research, teaching and learning, and service.
Preservation of academic freedom and free and open exchange of ideas and opinions for all members of
the university are central to these missions.

(Board approval date: 4/6/2012)

3335-23-02 Jurisdiction.

The code applies to the on-campus conduct of all students and registered student organizations,
including conduct using university computing or network resources. The code also applies to the off-
campus conduct of students and registered student organizations in direct connection with:

(A) Academic course requirements or any credit bearing experiences, such as internships, field trips,
study abroad or student teaching;

(B) Any activity supporting pursuit of a degree, such as research at another institution or a professional
practice assignment;

(C) Any activity sponsored, conducted, or authorized by the university or by registered student
organizations;

(D) Any activity that causes substantial destruction of property belonging to the university or members
of the university community, or causes or threatens serious harm to the safety or security of
members of the university community, or creates or could reasonably create a hostile environment
on campus as defined in the sexual misconduct policy; or

(E) Any activity in which a police report has been filed, a summons or indictment has been issued, or
an arrest has occurred for a crime of violence.

The code governs all campuses of the university. However, students attending regional campuses,
centers, or institutes are advised to consult their local resources for additional information or rules
pertaining to those locations, which may create hearing bodies or processes for the locations, consistent
with these rules.

The university reserves the right to administer the code and proceed with the hearing process even if the
student withdraws from the university, is no longer enrolled in classes, or subsequently fails to meet the
definition of a student while a disciplinary matter is pending.

Students continue to be subject to federal, state, and local laws while at the university, and violations of
those laws may also constitute violations of the code. In such instances, the university may proceed with
university disciplinary action under the code independently of any criminal proceeding involving the same
conduct and may impose sanctions for violation of the code even if such criminal proceeding is not yet
resolved or is resolved in the student’s favor.

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(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

3335-23-03 Definitions.

As used in the code:

(A) “University premises” includes all lands, buildings, facilities, and resources owned, leased,
managed, or operated by the university.

(B) “Student” includes an individual who has been admitted to the university, paid an acceptance fee,
registered for classes, or otherwise entered into any other contractual relationship with the
university to take instruction.

(1) It further includes persons who are eligible to receive any of the rights and privileges
afforded a person who is enrolled at the university;

(2) Student status lasts until an individual graduates, is dismissed, or is not in attendance for
two complete, consecutive terms;

(3) “Student” also includes registered student organizations.

(C) “Members of the university community” includes, but are not limited to, students, faculty, staff, and
visitors to the campus.

(D) “Complaint” includes information alleging a violation of the code of student conduct or other
published rule, policy, standard, or guideline applicable to students at the university, provided to an
authorized university official, per paragraph (A) of rule 3335-23-05 of the Administrative Code.

(E) “Crime of violence” includes the offenses stated in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

3335-23-04 Prohibited conduct.

Any student found to have engaged, or attempted to engage, in any of the following conduct while within
the university’s jurisdiction, as set forth in rule 3335-23-02 of the Administrative Code, will be subject to
disciplinary action by the university. For the purposes of this section, attempt shall be defined as conduct
that, if successful, would constitute or result in the prohibited conduct.

(A) Academic misconduct.

Any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the university, or subvert the
educational process. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:

(1) Violation of course rules as contained in the course syllabus or other information provided
to the student;

(2) Knowingly providing or receiving information during examinations such as course

examinations and candidacy examinations; or the possession and/or use of unauthorized
materials during those examinations;

(3) Knowingly providing or using unauthorized assistance in the laboratory, on field work, in
scholarship or on a course assignment;

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(4) Submitting plagiarized work for an academic requirement. Plagiarism is the representation
of another’s work or ideas as one’s own; it includes the unacknowledged word-for-word use
and/or paraphrasing of another person’s work, and/or the inappropriate unacknowledged
use of another person’s ideas;

(5) Submitting substantially the same work to satisfy requirements for one course or academic
requirement that has been submitted in satisfaction of requirements for another course or
academic requirement, without permission of the instructor of the course for which the work
is being submitted or supervising authority for the academic requirement;

(6) Falsification, fabrication, or dishonesty in creating or reporting laboratory results, research

results, and/or any other assignments;

(7) Serving as, or enlisting the assistance of a substitute for a student in any graded
assignments;

(8) Alteration of grades or marks by the student in an effort to change the earned grade or
credit;

(9) Alteration of academically-related university forms or records, or unauthorized use of those

forms or records;

(10) Engaging in activities that unfairly place other students at a disadvantage, such as taking,
hiding or altering resource material, or manipulating a grading system; and

(11) Violation of program regulations as established by departmental committees and made

available to students.

(B) Endangering health or safety.

(1) Endangering behavior: Taking or threatening action that endangers the safety, physical or
mental health, or life of any person, or creates a reasonable fear of such action.

(2) Stalking: Engaging in a pattern of unwanted conduct directed at another person that
threatens or endangers the safety, physical or mental health, or life or property of that
person, or creates a reasonable fear of such a threat or action. When stalking is sex- or
gender-based, it falls under sexual misconduct.

(C) Sexual misconduct.

Sexual misconduct in any form is never acceptable. Students are responsible to know and adhere
to the sexual misconduct policy which can be found at
http://hr.osu.edu/public/documents/policy/policy115.pdf.

(D) Destruction of property.

Actual or threatened damage to or destruction of university property or property of others, whether

done intentionally or with reckless disregard.

(E) Dangerous weapons or devices.

Storage, or possession of dangerous weapons, devices, or substances including, but not limited to,
firearms, ammunition or fireworks, unless authorized by an appropriate university official or
permitted by a university policy, even if otherwise permitted by law. Use or misuse of weapons,
devices, or substances in a manner that causes or threatens serious harm to the safety or security
of others.

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(F) Dishonest conduct.

Dishonest conduct, including, but not limited to, knowingly reporting a false emergency; knowingly
making false accusation of misconduct; misuse or falsification of university or related documents by
actions such as forgery, alteration, or improper transfer; submission of information known by the
submitter to be false to a university official.

(G) Theft or unauthorized use of property.

Theft or the unauthorized use or possession of university property, services, resources, or the
property of others.

(H) Failure to comply with university or civil authority.

Failure to comply with legitimate directives of authorized university officials, law enforcement or
emergency personnel, identified as such, in the performance of their duties, including failure to
identify oneself when so requested; or violation of the terms of a disciplinary sanction.

(I) Drugs.

Use, production, distribution, sale, or possession of drugs in a manner prohibited under law or
applicable university policy or facility policy. This includes, but is not limited to, the misuse of
prescription drugs.

(J) Alcohol.

Use, production, distribution, sale, or possession of alcohol in a manner prohibited under law or
applicable university policy or facility policy.

(K) Unauthorized presence.

Unauthorized entrance to or presence in or on university premises.

(L) Disorderly or disruptive conduct.

Disorderly or disruptive conduct that unreasonably interferes with university activities or with the
legitimate activities of any member of the university community.

(M) Hazing.

Doing, requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in
conjunction with initiation or continued membership or participation in any group, that causes or
creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. Such acts may include,
but are not limited to, use of alcohol, creation of excessive fatigue, and paddling, punching or
kicking in any form.

(N) Student conduct system abuse.

Abuse of any university student conduct system, including but not limited to:

(1) Failure to obey the summons or directives of a student conduct body or university official;

(2) Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information before a student conduct body;

(3) Disruption or interference with the orderly conduct of a student conduct proceeding;

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(4) Knowingly instituting a student conduct proceeding without cause;

(5) Discouraging an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, a university student conduct
system;

(6) Influencing the impartiality of a member of a student conduct body prior to, and/or during
the course of a student conduct proceeding;

(7) Harassment and/or intimidation of a member of a student conduct body prior to, during,
and/or after a student conduct proceeding;

(8) Failure to comply with one or more sanctions imposed under the code of student conduct;
and

(9) Influencing another person to commit an abuse of a university student conduct system.

(O) Violation of university rules or federal, state, and local laws.

Violation of other published university rules, policies, standards, guidelines, or violations of federal,
state, or local law. University rules, policies, standards, or guidelines include, but are not limited to,
those which prohibit the misuse of computing resources, rules for student groups or organizations,
and residence hall rules and regulations.

(P) Riotous behavior.

(1) Participation in a disturbance with the purpose to commit or incite any action that presents
a clear and present danger to others, causes physical harm to others, or damages
property.

(2) Proscribed behavior in the context of a riot includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Knowingly engaging in conduct designed to incite another to engage in riotous

behavior; and

(b) Actual or threatened damage to or destruction of university property or property of

others, whether done intentionally or with reckless disregard; and

(c) Failing to comply with a directive to disperse by university officials, law

enforcement or emergency personnel; and

(d) Intimidating, impeding, hindering or obstructing a university official, law

enforcement or emergency personnel in the performance of their duties.

(3) This rule shall not be interpreted as proscribing peaceful demonstrations, peaceful
picketing, a call for a peaceful boycott, or other forms of peaceful dissent.

(Q) Recording without knowledge.

Using electronic or other means to make a video, audio, or photographic record of any person in a
location where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy without the person’s prior knowledge,
when such a recording is likely to cause injury, distress, or damage to reputation. This includes, but
is not limited to, taking video, audio, or photographic records in shower/locker rooms, residence hall
rooms, and restrooms. The storing, sharing, and/or distributing of such unauthorized records by any
means is also prohibited.

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(R) Public urination or defecation.

Urination or defecation in a place such as a sidewalk, street, park, alley or yard, residence hall
space, or on any other place or physical property that is not intended for use as a restroom.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 7/11/2003, 7/7/2006, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

Student Conduct Procedures

3335-23-05 Initiation and investigation of code violations.

(A) Initiation.

Person(s) witnessing or experiencing what they believe to be a possible code violation should
provide an authorized university official with the information.

(1) Complaints about possible code violations occurring in residence halls should be provided
to the residence hall director;

(2) Complaints about possible non-residence hall related code violations should be provided to
the director of student conduct, or chief student conduct officer for the regional campuses;

(3) Complaints regarding academic misconduct should be referred to the coordinator of the
committee on academic misconduct; and

(4) In cases when the alleged activity may involve a violation of criminal law in addition to a
violation of the code, complaints should be provided to the Ohio state university police or
other appropriate law enforcement agency. The university will review all complaints
received and may conduct a preliminary investigation of the alleged violation.

(B) Investigation.

(1) Role of the university.

(a) The Ohio state university police or other appropriate law enforcement agency shall
have primary responsibility for the investigation of acts that involve suspected
criminal violation of federal, state, or local laws;

(b) Residence hall directors, assistant hall directors, the director of student conduct,
the chief conduct officer for the regional campuses, and other designated university
personnel are authorized to investigate alleged violations other than those involving
paragraphs (B)(1)(c) and (B)(1)(d) of this rule;

(c) The coordinator of the committee on academic misconduct is authorized to

investigate allegations involving academic misconduct;

(d) Only those personnel designated by the sexual misconduct policy shall investigate
charges involving sexual misconduct.

(2) Role of other participants.

(a) During the investigation, the student allegedly involved in misconduct may be:

i. Notified of the alleged violation;

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ii. Requested to make an appointment to discuss the matter; and

iii. Provided a date by which the appointment must be made.

(b) Any person believed to have information relevant to an investigation may also be
contacted and requested to make an appointment to discuss the matter.

(3) Failure to comply with a request to make and keep an appointment relevant to an
investigation may result in a disciplinary hold being placed on a respondent’s registration
and records and/or the initiation of charges for student conduct system abuse.

(4) Upon completion of an investigation, the investigator will decide upon an appropriate
course of action, which may include, but is not limited to:

(a) Taking no further action,

(b) Deferring further action with or without conditions, or

(c) Initiating charges with the appropriate university student conduct body.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

3335-23-06 Filing of complaint and initiation of charges.

A complaint alleging a violation of the code of student conduct should be filed with the university as soon
as practicable following the discovery of the alleged violation. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the
complaint must be filed within six months for cases of non-academic misconduct (paragraphs (B) to (R) of
rule 3335-23-04 of the Administrative Code), and one month for academic misconduct (paragraph (A) of
rule 3335-23-04 of the Administrative Code), from the date upon which a university official becomes
aware of the alleged violation and identifies the student(s) who allegedly committed the violation. Absent
extraordinary circumstances, the university must initiate charges, if any, within one year of the filing of the
complaint. This time limitation does not apply to complaints of sexual misconduct. In all cases, a student
charged with one or more violations of the code of student conduct has the right to be heard, subject to
the student conduct procedures.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016)

3335-23-07 Notice of charges.

(A) Notification.

Students shall be notified of university charges in writing, unless a more effective form of
notification is deemed appropriate. Charges may be presented in person, by placement in the
respondent’s residence hall mailbox, by email to the respondent’s official university email address
(which may direct the student to view the notice on a secure website), or by mail to the
respondent’s local or permanent address on file in the office of the university registrar.

(B) Current address.

All students are required to maintain an accurate and current local and permanent address with the
university registrar.

(C) Meeting with university official.

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Following notification of charges, respondents are strongly encouraged to and shall be afforded the
opportunity to meet with a university official for the purpose of explaining the university student
conduct process and discussion of the charges.

(D) Failure to respond.

Failure of the respondent to respond to the initiation of charges or schedule a preliminary meeting
shall in no way prevent the university from scheduling and conducting a hearing in the absence of
the respondent.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016)

3335-23-08 Administrative decision.

In a case where a respondent admits to a violation(s) in writing, the student may request in writing to have
a decision as to appropriate sanction made administratively by a hearing officer rather than have the
charges referred to a hearing body. In such situations, the student waives the right to a hearing and the
related procedural guarantees provided by a hearing body. Administrative decisions in academic
misconduct cases involving graduate students are to be made in consultation with the graduate school.
Following an administrative decision, the student retains the right to request an appeal of the original
decision, but may do so only upon the ground that the sanction is grossly disproportionate to the violation
committed.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 7/7/2006, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016

3335-23-09 Notice of hearing and request for postponement.

(A) Notice.

If a hearing is to be held, written notification will be provided to the respondent, and in charges
involving sexual misconduct to the complainant. The notice may be hand delivered, placed into a
student’s residence hall mailbox, sent by email to the student’s official university email address,
which may direct the student to view the notice on a secure website, or mailed to the last known
address of the student, by first class mail, no fewer than ten calendar days prior to the hearing.
Unless already provided to the student, the notification will include the charge(s), date, time, and
location of the hearing, the designated hearing body, a statement of the student’s rights, and
information on the hearing procedures.

(B) Postponement.

The respondent and the complainant may request a postponement for reasonable cause or a
separate hearing from other respondents. A request for a postponement for reasonable cause must
be made in writing, include supporting rationale and be received by the person sending the hearing
notification at least two business days before the scheduled hearing.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016)

3335-23-10 Hearing procedures.

Although the procedural requirements are not as formal as those existing in criminal or civil courts of law,
to ensure fairness, the following procedures will apply and, unless already provided to the student, be
included within the hearing notice:

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(A) Attendance.

Attendance at hearings is limited to those directly involved or those requested by the hearing body
to attend. The hearing body will take reasonable measures to assure an orderly hearing, including
removal of persons who impede or disrupt proceedings.

(B) Advisor.

The respondent and the complainant may have an advisor throughout the disciplinary process. The
advisor may only counsel the student and may not actively participate in the disciplinary process,
unless clarification is needed as determined by the hearing body.

(C) Written statements and witnesses.

The respondent and the complainant, in charges involving sexual misconduct, may submit a written
statement, invite relevant factual witnesses to attend, invite character witnesses to submit written
statements, ask questions of witnesses called by others, and will be notified of potential witnesses
to be called. The respondent and the complainant must submit a list of potential witnesses to the
hearing body at least two business days prior to the hearing. The university may present witnesses
as well as question those presented by the respondent and the complainant.

(D) Witness absence.

The hearing body may allow written statements if, for good reason, a fact witness cannot attend the
hearing.

(E) Consultants.

In cases requiring special expertise, the hearing body may appoint individuals with appropriate
expertise to serve as consultants to the hearing body. The consultants may be present and provide
information as called upon during the hearing but will not vote.

(F) Standard of evidence.

A student will only be found in violation if a preponderance of evidence supports the charges. In the
event of a tie, the board will continue to deliberate. If after the board determines that exhaustive
deliberations have occurred and a majority decision is not reached the student will be found not in
violation.

(G) In cases where prompt review is essential (e.g., when graduation or the end of the academic year is
imminent) the accused may be offered the option of an expedited administrative review consisting
of an administrative decision or administrative hearing. The accused student may decline such
expedited review without the expectation that the process can be completed on an expedited
timeline.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 7/11/2003, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

3335-23-11 Attendance.

Because the most accurate and fair review of the facts can best be accomplished when all parties are
present, the respondent and complainant are strongly encouraged to attend and participate. If an
individual does not choose to attend a hearing, the charges will be reviewed as scheduled on the basis of
the information available, and a decision will be made. Although no inference may be drawn against a
student for failing to attend a hearing or remaining silent, the hearing will proceed and the conclusion will

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be based on the evidence presented. No decision shall be based solely on the failure of the respondent
or the complainant to attend the hearing or answer the charges.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 4/8/2016)

3335-23-12 Record of proceedings.

A single record consisting of written notes, tape recording, or other method selected by the hearing body,
will be made of all hearings. Such record will remain the property of the university but will be made
available to the respondent, and the complainant in charges involving sexual misconduct, for review
during the appeal period. A written notice of the decision will be provided to the respondent and the
complainant, where privacy laws allow. If the respondent is found in violation, information regarding
appeal procedures will be provided to the respondent and complainant in cases involving sexual
misconduct.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016)

3335-23-13 Hearing bodies.

(A) In addition to the committee on academic misconduct, the university conduct board, the director of
student conduct, hearing officers within the student conduct system, the coordinator of the
committee on academic misconduct, university housing professional staff are to be considered as
official university hearing bodies, and may hear cases of alleged violations of the code affording the
respondent the same procedural guarantees as provided in hearings by a committee, or board.

(B) The respondent has the right to accept responsibility for the charges, which will result in an
administrative decision, or choose to have a hearing.

(C) Students will generally be afforded the right to choose an administrative or board hearing, except
under special circumstances when, in order to ensure a fair and just process, the hearing officer
may determine the appropriate hearing venue.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

3335-23-14 Committee on academic misconduct.

(A) On behalf of the committee, the coordinator may investigate and resolve all reported cases of
student academic misconduct that fall under the committee’s jurisdiction. The coordinator and chair
shall establish procedure for the investigation and resolution of cases. The committee does not
hear cases involving academic misconduct in professional colleges having a published honor code.
These colleges shall follow their own codes and procedures which can be obtained in their
respective central offices. Some allegations against graduate students that fall under the
committee’s jurisdiction may also implicate the university policy and procedures concerning
research misconduct and/or graduate school policy on the investigation of allegations of research
misconduct by a graduate student. Upon receipt of such an allegation, the coordinator shall meet
with the dean of the graduate school or designee, and/or the senior vice president for research or
designee, and these parties shall mutually agree on the appropriate procedure for adjudicating the
case. Notice of this decision and a description of the procedure to be used shall promptly be given
to the student who has been charged. The coordinator or chair may refer complaints to the student
conduct system if it is determined that the academic misconduct allegation is incidental to some
other misconduct.

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(B) The committee on academic misconduct is constituted according to rule 3335-5-48.7 of the
Administrative Code.

(C) All complaints of academic misconduct shall be reported to the coordinator of the committee.

(D) Students have an obligation to report suspected misconduct.

(E) A quorum for a hearing shall be no fewer than four voting members of the committee which shall
include no fewer than one student member and two faculty members.

For cases involving graduate students, reasonable efforts will be made to have graduate students
serve as the student members of the hearing committee.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 7/7/2006, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016)

3335-23-16 University conduct board.

(A) Membership.

The respondent may elect for the university conduct board to adjudicate charges involving
prohibited behaviors listed in rule 3335-23-04 of the Administrative Code, except paragraphs (A)
(academic misconduct) and (C) (sexual misconduct). For charges involving sexual misconduct to
be heard by the board, there shall be no student membership. For charges involving prohibited
behaviors listed in rule 3335-23-04 of the Administrative Code, except paragraphs (A) (academic
misconduct) and (C) (sexual misconduct), the board consists of:

(1) Fifteen faculty and/or administrative members recommended by the director of student
conduct to the vice president for student life for three-year terms which begin with the
autumn term;

(2) Twelve undergraduate student members, appointed by undergraduate student government;

(3) Six graduate student members, appointed by the council of graduate students;

(4) Two professional student members, appointed by the inter-professional council; and

(5) The director of student conduct or designee shall serve as board coordinator ex-officio
without vote.

(B) Quorum.

A quorum for a hearing shall be no fewer than four voting members of the board which shall include
no fewer than two student members, except for charges involving sexual misconduct when there
shall be no student members. A hearing board shall consist of no more than eight voting members.

(C) Appointment.

All student appointments shall be for staggered two-year terms beginning in the autumn term. Six of
the undergraduate student members, three of the graduate student members, and one of the
professional student members shall be appointed in odd-numbered years, with the remainder
appointed in even-numbered years.

(1) To be eligible for appointment or service, a student must possess a minimum 2.5
cumulative grade point average and not be under current disciplinary sanction from the
university

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(2) Additional alternate members may be appointed as needed.

(D) Removal.

The director of student conduct may remove university conduct board members for cause, including
but not limited to, not attending training, falling below the minimum grade point average, repeated
absences, violating the code of student conduct or other applicable laws or rules, policies,
standards, or guidelines, or not responding to repeated attempts at communication. Notification
shall be made in writing to the university conduct board member prior to removal, whenever
possible.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

University Sanctions

3335-23-17 General guidelines for sanctions.

Sanctions should be commensurate with the violations found to have occurred. In determining the
sanction(s) to be imposed, the hearing body should take into account any mitigating circumstances and
any aggravating factors including, but not limited to, any provocation by the subject of the conduct that
constituted the violation, any past misconduct by the student, any failure of the student to comply fully
with previous sanctions, the actual and potential harm caused by the violation, the degree of intent and
motivation of the student in committing the violation, and the severity and pervasiveness of the conduct
that constituted the violation. Misconduct, other than constitutionally protected expression, motivated by
bias based on age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information,
HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status
may be considered an aggravating factor for sanctioning. Impairment resulting from voluntary use of
alcohol or drugs (i.e., other than medically necessary) will also be considered an aggravating, and not a
mitigating, factor. One or more of the following courses of action may be taken when a student has been
found to have violated the code of student conduct.

(A) Informal admonition.

An oral or written admonition issued by a hearing officer or residence hall advisor resulting from the
student’s misconduct. No formal charges are required before the issuance of an informal
admonition. However, following issuance of an informal admonition, the student shall be entitled to
a hearing upon written request, under the procedures provided in the code of student conduct. A
written request for such a hearing must be filed with the university official who administered the
informal admonition, within five working days of the student’s receipt of the informal admonition. An
informal admonition shall not be considered a disciplinary sanction, but may be considered in any
subsequent hearings.

(B) Disciplinary sanctions.

(1) Formal reprimand.

A written letter of reprimand resulting from a student’s misconduct.

(2) Disciplinary probation.

This probationary condition is in effect for a specified period of time and may involve the
loss of specified privileges. Further violation of university rules, policies, standards, or
guidelines during the probationary period will additionally be viewed as a violation of the
probation, which shall result in further action up to and including suspension or dismissal.

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(3) Suspension.

Suspension is a sanction that terminates the student’s enrollment at the university for a
specified period of time. Satisfactory completion of specified stipulations may be required
for readmission at the end of the suspension period.

(4) Dismissal.

Dismissal is a sanction which permanently separates a student from the university without
opportunity to re-enroll in the future.

(C) Conditions of suspension and dismissal.

A student who has been dismissed or suspended from the university shall be denied all privileges
afforded a student and shall be required to vacate campus at a time determined by the hearing
body. In addition, after vacating campus property, a suspended or dismissed student may not enter
upon campus and/or other university property at any time, for any purpose, in the absence of
expressed written permission from the vice president for student life or designee. To seek such
permission, a suspended or dismissed student must file a written petition to the vice president for
student life for entrance to the campus for a limited, specified purpose or to have the terms of this
condition modified or reduced.

(D) Failing or lowered grades.

In cases of academic misconduct, a hearing body may authorize the instructor to award a failing or
lowered grade in the course, a loss of credit on the graded coursework, and impose any of the
above-listed sanctions including suspension or dismissal from the university.

(E) Other sanctions.

Other appropriate sanctions may be imposed by a hearing body singularly or in combination with
any of the above-listed sanctions. Examples include, but are not limited to, making restitution for
property damage or misappropriation of university property or services, or the property of any
person, residence hall contract termination or reassignment to another room, restriction of access
to specified campus facilities and/or property, research assignments, community service projects,
special workshop participation, and/or referral to medical resources or counseling personnel.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 7/7/2006, 12/7/2007, 5/14/2010, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016)

Appeal Process

3335-23-18 Appellate process.

(A) Right to appeal.

(1) A student found to have violated the code of student conduct has the right to appeal the
original decision. The appeal is not intended to re-hear or re-argue the same case and is
limited to the specific grounds outlined in this rule. The appeal must state the specific
grounds for the appeal and should include all supporting documentation. The appeal must
be postmarked or hand delivered to the appropriate appeal officer, or sent via email, as
provided below, within five working days after the date on which notice of the decision is
sent to the student. Each student shall be limited to one appeal. The decision of the appeal
officer is final.

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(2) In cases involving charges involving sexual misconduct as defined by applicable university
policy, the complainant may appeal the original decision in accordance with the appeals
procedures provided in this rule.

(3) A student who has accepted responsibility for violating the code of student conduct waives
the right to appeal, except on the basis that the disciplinary sanction is grossly
disproportionate to the violation(s) committed.

(4) Each party shall be limited to one appeal. The decision of the appeal officer is final.

(B) Grounds for appeal.

An appeal may be based only upon one or more of the following grounds:

(1) Procedural error that resulted in material harm or prejudice to the student (i.e. by
preventing a fair, impartial, or proper hearing). Deviations from the designated procedures
will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless material harm or prejudice results;

(2) Discovery of substantial new evidence that was unavailable at the time of the hearing and
which reasonably could have affected the decision of the hearing body; or

(3) Disciplinary sanction imposed is grossly disproportionate to the violation(s) committed,

considering the relevant aggravating and/or mitigating factors.

Non-attendance by the respondent or the complainant may not be the sole grounds for an appeal.

(C) Appropriate appeal officers.

(1) Appeals from residence hall hearings:

(a) All appeals from residence hall hearings other than contract terminations, shall be
submitted to the director of residence life or designee;

(b) All appeals, when the sanction imposed by the residence hall hearing is contract
termination, shall be submitted to the director of student conduct or designee.

(2) Appeals of a decision of a hearing body will be submitted for decision to the vice president
for student life or designee.

(3) Appeals of decisions of the committee on academic misconduct or its coordinator will be
submitted for decision to the executive vice president and provost or designee.

(D) Appeal proceedings.

(1) The appeal officer will dismiss the appeal if the appeal is not based upon one or more of
the grounds set forth in paragraph (B) of this rule.

(2) The appeal officer will decide the appeal based upon a review of the record and supporting
documents (e.g. prior disciplinary history).

(3) The appeal officer may consider additional relevant information from any party to the
proceeding and then decide the appeal based upon the enhanced record.

(E) Possible dispositions by the appeal officer.

The appeal officer may, after a review of the record:

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(1) Uphold the original decision and/or sanction(s);

(2) Dismiss the case or individual charge(s) against the student and vacate any portion or all of
the sanction(s);

(3) Modify or reduce the sanction(s); or in cases involving charges relating to sexual
misconduct as defined by applicable university policy, enhance the sanction; or

(4) Remand the case to the original hearing body or refer the case to a new hearing body to be
reheard. If possible, a new hearing body should be different from the one that originally
decided the case. If a case is reheard by a hearing body, the sanction imposed can be
greater than that imposed at the original hearing.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/7/2007, 5/14/2010, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

3335-23-19 Minor deviations from procedure.

A student and hearing officer may agree in advance to minor deviations from procedure. Such deviations
are not then subject to appeal. Other minor deviations are acceptable as long as such deviations are not
found upon appeal to be materially harmful to the respondent or the complainant.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016)

3335-23-20 Interim suspension.

When the vice president for student life or designee has reasonable cause to believe that the student's
presence on university premises or at a university-related or registered student organization activity
poses a significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or security of themselves, others, or to property,
the student may be immediately suspended from all or any portion of university premises, university-
related activities or registered student organization activities. This temporary suspension will be confirmed
by a written statement and shall remain in effect until the conclusion of a full hearing or administrative
decision, without undue delay, in accordance with the rules of the Ohio state university. The student may,
within three working days of the imposition of the suspension, petition the vice president for student life
for reinstatement. The petition must be in writing, and must include supporting documentation or evidence
that the student does not pose, or no longer poses, a significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or
security of themselves, others or to property. A decision on such petition will be made without undue
delay by the vice president for student life or designee.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 7/11/2003, 5/14/2010, 4/6/2012, 9/2/2016)

3335-23-21 Administrative disenrollment and other restrictions.

(A) A student may be disenrolled from the university; prohibited from all or any portion of university
premises, university-related activities or registered student organization activities; and/or permitted
to remain only under specified conditions when the vice president for student life or designee finds
that there is clear and convincing evidence that the student’s continued presence poses a
significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves, others, or to property.

(B) In those cases under paragraph (A) of this rule in which it appears that the risk posed by the
student is a result of a health condition or a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities
Act, the vice president for student life or designee shall also determine whether the risk or
disruption can be eliminated or sufficiently reduced through reasonable accommodation and, if so,
shall take appropriate steps to ensure that accommodation is made. The vice president for student

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life or designee may request the student to undergo an appropriate examination, as specified by the
vice president for student life or designee, to determine whether any such condition exists and
whether any such accommodation is possible. If the student fails to undergo such an examination,
and if the other available evidence supports a finding under paragraph (A) of this rule, the vice
president for student life or designee shall, to the extent reasonably possible, take the least
restrictive measure or combination of measures necessary to resolve the risk or disruption.

(C) A student who has been disenrolled; prohibited from university premises, university-related
activities or registered student organization activities; or permitted to remain only under specified
conditions may petition the vice president for student life for revision of that status. The petition
must include supporting documentation or evidence that:

(1) The conditions found to have existed under paragraph (A) of this rule no longer exist and
will not recur, and

(2) The student meets all normal and appropriate standards for admission and enrollment in
any academic unit in which the student seeks to re-enroll. Upon receipt of such a petition,
the vice president for student life or designee shall evaluate the evidence and may consult
with the student, any appropriate university personnel, and any other persons whom the
vice president for student life or designee deems appropriate. The vice president for
student life or designee may deny the petition, grant the petition in whole or in part under
specified conditions, or grant the petition in whole or in part without condition.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 12/6/2001, 5/14/2010, 4/6/2012)

3335-23-22 Authority.

The bylaws of the university board of trustees and rules of the university faculty provide that the university
president shall have the final responsibility and authority for the discipline of all students of the university
(see paragraph (A) of rule 3335-11-01 of the Administrative Code). This responsibility and authority has
been delegated by the president to the vice president for student life, whose office is also charged with
responsibility for promulgation of rules governing student conduct (see paragraph (H) of rule 3335-1-03 of
the Administrative Code).

The deans of colleges and of the graduate school, the directors of schools, and the chairpersons of
departments, respectively, are responsible to the president through regular disciplinary channels for the
discipline of all students in the activities of their respective colleges, schools, and departments (see
paragraph (B) of rule 3335-11-01 of the Administrative Code). Likewise, the deans and directors of the
regional campuses are responsible to the president through the executive vice president and provost for
the discipline of all students in the activities of their respective campuses.

The Ohio state university code of student conduct is an official publication of the university board of
trustees. All petitions for revision and amendment of this code of student conduct should be submitted
through the office of the vice president for student life. The code shall remain consistent with the sexual
misconduct policy; any code of student conduct changes related to that policy shall be done in
consultation with the Title IX coordinator. Proposed revisions to the code shall be reviewed, in draft form,
by the office of the president, the office of academic affairs, and the steering committee of the university
senate before being presented for approval to the university senate by the council on student affairs. No
revision shall become effective unless approved by the university board of trustees and until printed
notice of such revisions is made available to students.

(Board approval dates: 3/2/2001, 5/14/2010, 4/6/2012, 4/8/2016, 9/2/2016)

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