This page presents the most frequently asked questions students have about the student conduct process. For FAQs often asked by parents, guardians, and families, please visit the Parents & Families FAQ.
While the FAQ page provides a more conversational approach to understanding the conduct process at Syracuse University, students and families should always consult the Student Conduct System Handbook for official policies and processes.
Community Standards is the office designated to educate students on the rules and expectations for members of the Syracuse University Community.
Community Standards protects student rights outlined in the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, addresses alleged violations of the Student Conduct Code through the conduct process, and manages the University’s Bias Response Process to maintain a safe and respectful, and responsible community.
Community Standards is responsible for addressing all alleged behavioral violations involving students with the exception of academic integrity, which is managed by the Academic Integrity Office.
Anyone may submit a report to Community Standards using the Incident Report Form.
Concerns can also be reported to a member of the Residential Living staff (RA/RD), or to the Department of Public Safety by calling 315.443.2224.
When filing a complaint, it is very important to provide as much information as possible (ex. time, place, detailed description of the incident, names of individuals involved, and impact).
Reports may be filed anonymously, however, this may limit the University’s ability to fully investigate or address a concern.
The Student Conduct Code is a statement of behavioral expectations that apply to all Syracuse University students and Recognized Student Organizations.
Students are a representation of Syracuse University and responsible for living up to standards and expectations of our community.
The Code applies to all students and organizations:
- From the time of admission until graduation or permanent separation from Syracuse University.
- On and Off-Campus.
- Abroad.
- Online.
- At all University sponsored events.
- To the actions of guests brought to campus by SU students.
- During all University breaks.
The Student Conduct Process is the process used by Syracuse University to resolve complaints regarding a student’s or recognized student organization’s alleged violation of the Student Conduct Code.
The process:
- is educational in nature, not punitive.
- is meant to help students understand the importance of personal responsibility and communal accountability.
- promotes development of skills, including self-advocacy, critical thinking, and communication.
- promotes meaningful reflection and personal growth and development.
- allows students to understand the impact of their actions not only for themselves, but for others in their community.
The conduct process is outlined in the Student Conduct System Handbook.
READ IT! All communications from our office contain important, and often time sensitive information.
- Use the first 9 digits of your SUID to open the secure letter sent by our office.
- Carefully read and review the letter you received. The letter will tell you why we want to meet with you. Community Standards meets with students for a wide variety of reasons.
- If you have been accused of something, the letter will tell you what you have been accused of and the policies that have been allegedly violated.
- The letter will tell you the date, time, location, and person you will be meeting with. If you need to reschedule, call our office in advance. Failure to attend a meeting may result in decisions being made in your absence.
- If you have been accused of a violation, the letter will tell you how to request a copy of the case file to prepare for your meeting, how to get a procedural advisor to assist you, and how to request disability accommodations if needed.
Arrive with an understanding that the intent of a resolution meeting is to allow yourself and the conduct officer to discuss the incident in which you were allegedly involved.
Although it is understandable that you may feel some stress prior to and during a resolution meeting, we ask that you always make an effort to be courteous and professional throughout the process. It is important to trust the Student Conduct System process and understand that the intent in resolving conduct matters is educational rather than punitive. Please review the Conduct Process page in advance to get more information related to the letter you received.
Yes. We understand that being accused of violating University policy is stressful and may be scary for some students. You do have the right to have a procedural advisor assist you throughout the conduct process. Please review Part 5 of the Student Conduct System Handbook for details about procedural advisors.
Procedural advisors are a full time student, faculty, or staff of Syracuse University. Parents/guardians, and personal attorney’s cannot serve as an advisor (unless the case is related to allegations of sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, or stalking).
Students may also request disability accommodations. Requests must be made in advance to Community Standards and will be confirmed with the Center for Disability Resources (CDR). Please contact their office at disabilityservices@syr.edu if needed. Community Standards does not have prior access to a student’s individual accommodation needs.
No. Whether you have a formal hearing is your choice and the type of alleged misconduct in your case. For all non-Title IX- related cases, a student can choose if they want their case resolved through a formal hearing or if they would prefer to resolve with a conduct officer through the Resolution by Agreement process. More information on the conduct process, is available in Part 7 of the Student Conduct System Handbook.
If you are referred to Community Standards for an alleged violation involving sexual assault, stalking, gender- related harassment, and domestic/relationship violence, your case will be resolved through a formal hearing with a hearing officer specifically trained to hear cases involving this type of alleged behavior. For detailed information on the conduct process for such cases, refer to the Part 3 of the Student Title IX Policies and Procedures Handbook.
It is important to attend your resolution meeting / hearing as they are your opportunities to share what happened during an alleged incident from your perspective. If you do not attend your resolution meeting or hearing, the process may continue without your participation and a decision may be made in your absence.
Students who choose not attend their resolution meeting / hearing cannot appeal their outcome on this basis.
Sanctions are assigned based on the context and nature of the behaviors and the status of the respondent. Sanctions are meant to be educational and help a student learn from an incident as well as help prevent future incidents.
Please consult the Sanction Guidelines or review Part 9 of the Student Conduct System Handbook for more information.
Yes. Student Leaders of Recognized Student Organizations, Graduate Student Organizations, or Sport Clubs holding an executive position (president, vice president, treasurer, new member educator, recruitment chair, social chair, captain, co-captain, or the equivalent) have specific obligations when it relates to the health and safety other individuals.
When a student leader has reason to know of a situation that a reasonable person would perceive threatens the health or safety of another individual or the campus community they must promptly (i) take affirmative action to intervene to prevent possible harm to others, (ii) contact the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety, or (iii) otherwise notify a relevant University official. Failing to do so is a violation of Section 18 of the Student Conduct Code.
Yes. Per Part 12 of the Student Conduct System Handbook, Syracuse University offers amnesty for help-seeking behavior related to substance use cases (alcohol and other drugs). Our first concern is the safety of our community, and we encourage members to care for themselves and others. Therefore, when a student or student organization initiates help from a campus or community resource, involved students or organizations will generally not be charged with violations of the Student Conduct Code.
Students are expected to wait for assistance to arrive, and fully comply with the instructions of first responders.
Intoxication does not excuse other violations of the Student Conduct Code, and students who engage in other violations while under the influence of substances (ex. property damage, physical assault, disorderly conduct) may not receive amnesty.
Students may be required to complete educational interventions designed to assist them in their decision-making process and/or the outcomes of their decisions. The University retains the right to hold individuals and organizations accountable when the health and safety of community members is at risk.
Please review Amnesty for Reporting Individuals for information on amnesty in cases of alleged domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.
Your ability to participate in campus programs and activities depends on your conduct status. You are in good conduct status if you have been issued a conduct warning. If you are placed on conduct probation or higher, you are no longer in good conduct standing. Some restrictions on your ability to participate begin at the probation level. For example, according to Syracuse University Abroad, students on conduct probation may not study abroad.
Likewise, Student Engagement and Greek Life restricts students on conduct probation from holding leadership positions. If you are applying to a campus organization or experience and the requirement is that you are in good conduct standing, you would not be able to participate if you are on conduct probation.
In addition, there are other situations in which your participation may be prohibited or restricted. These include being on a lower status, such as conduct warning, but having incomplete sanctions as well as having an open, unresolved case in Community Standards.
Please use the Educational Sanction Submission Form. Your outcome letter will detail how you should complete your sanction(s).
We encourage you to maintain a open line of communication with your family/supports through your time at Syracuse so they can assist you in your journey.
Except in unusual circumstances, Syracuse University will notify parents or guardians of conduct issues involving tax dependent students as follows:
- In an emergency;
- After final outcome and finding of responsibility in all alcohol and drug-related violations for students under the age of 21; and/or
- After final outcome and finding of responsibility in all violations resulting in conduct probation, removal from University housing, suspension, or expulsion.
- In instances of concerning or repetitive substance use, regardless of age, which result in medical amnesty as outlined in Part 12.
Community Standards may place a “SRR” Hold on a student’s account in the following situations:
- during an investigation process with Community Standards or Student Title IX.
- if there is a pending conduct case that could result in suspension or expulsion.
- if a student has overdue sanctions that need to be completed.
A student conduct hold restricts you from being able to register for classes, receive a transcript or a diploma, participate in graduation, or have your degree issued.
Students with active investigations or who are waiting for the final outcome of a hearing can request a temporary lift of the hold to register for classes if needed. Students must visit Community Standards in person to have this lifted, or must have their academic advisor call Community Standards to register them if they are unable to visit our office.
Students with overdue sanctions must complete and submit their sanctions before a hold can be lifted, even for registration for future classes. Sanctions can be submitted using the Educational Sanction Submission Form.
Please call our office at 315.443.3728 if there are any questions.
Yes. While it may not feel like it at the time, a suspension is designed to remove you from an environment in which you have made serious or repeated poor decisions that have negatively impacted you and/or the community. The time away from Syracuse is an opportunity to reflect on the choices you made, learn new skills that will help you to succeed upon your return, and provide time for you to practice those skills outside of the university environment.
Suspended students can complete the Good Citizenship Petition to return to Syracuse after their suspension period has ended. Specific conditions for return would be noted in your outcome letter you received when you were suspended. If you have questions, contact Community Standards at 315.443.3728 or email studentconduct@syr.edu.
Student conduct files are separate from a student’s academic transcript. However, under specific circumstances, specific transcript notations will be made. Only incidents resulting in suspension or expulsion are noted on an academic transcript. All other records are only kept on file with Community Standards.
For more information, please visit the Transcript Notations page.
Disciplinary records are retained for seven (7) years from the date of the most recent incident in the student’s conduct file or until one (1) year after the student has graduated from the University, whichever is longer. Records of students who were suspended, expelled, prohibited from future enrollment or otherwise withdrawn for disciplinary reasons are retained indefinitely.
A student found responsible for violating University policy may request early expungement from the Director of Community Standards, or designee by completing the Request for Expungement Form .
A student is eligible to request expungement if:
- The student has completed all assigned sanctions by the assigned deadlines;
- The student is in good standing with the University; and
- The student remained free of any Conduct Code violations for two (2) consecutive academic semesters since the violation at issue.
A student whose violation occurs the semester in which they graduate may apply for expungement if they have met all other requirements and can demonstrate they are applying to professional or graduate school.
Should a student be found responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code after an expungement has been granted, the original conduct record may be restored, and the previous record may be considered in determining appropriate sanctions in the new case.
Expungement will not be granted for:
- Records of expulsion
- Incidents involving violations determined to be motivated by bias
- Academic Integrity violations
- Incidents involving hazing
- Incidents involving sale or distribution of drugs/controlled substances
- Incidents causing significant damage to property
- Incidents causing significant injury
- Incidents involving violations of the University’s Sexual Assault, Stalking, Gender-Related Harassment, Dating or Domestic Violence, and/or Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault Prevention policies.
All requests are subject to approval by the Director of Community Standards or designee.