Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between having a Conduct Administrator determine the sanctioning or the Board (UBSC)?
How long will it take for my case to be finished?
Am I entitled to an advisor during my hearing?
What is the difference between a Warning and Residence Probation?
Does a conduct sanction automatically go on my transcript?
Will being sanctioned affect my chances of getting into law school or medical school?
I am a student, and I believe someone has violated a university policy. Can I refer him or her?
What else does your office do other than adjudicate conduct cases?
What is the purpose of a peer-judgment based system of student conduct?
What is an interim suspension/restriction?
What about off-campus incidents?
Q: What is the difference between having a Conduct Administrator determine the sanctioning or the Board (UBSC)?
A: The officers and the board are all given the same training on appropriate sanctioning and the sanction is always delivered as a recommendation to the director or dean for approval. Some students who accept responsibility for a violation would prefer that the board hear the case because they want to present their case to their peers.
Q: How long will it take for my case to be finished?
A: Normally no longer than two weeks unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Q: Am I entitled to an advisor during my hearing?
A: Yes, if your case goes before the UBSC, you are entitled to have an advisor with you during the hearing. Your advisor must be someone from the Brandeis community.
Q: What is the difference between a Warning and Residence Probation?
A: A Warning informs the student that they now have a conduct record on file in the SDC Office, and that further inappropriate behavior may lead to more severe sanctioning. Residence Probation is for a specific period of time, and lets the student know that they are no longer in good standing in their living unit. Further violations may result in removal from the residence halls.
Q: Does a conduct sanction automatically go on my transcript?
A: No. There are only a few instances in which a sanction appears on a transcript. If you are required to withdraw from the University due to academic dishonesty or an egregious behavioral issue, your transcript may say "Required to Withdraw". If you are sanctioned to receive a failing grade in a class for academic integrity issue, the failing grade will appear, but your transcript will not state that you received the failing grade as a sanction.
Q: Will being sanctioned affect my chances of getting into law school or medical school?
A: That depends. Most law and medical schools ask that you provide conduct involvement information on their applications. Most times the SDC Office is asked for conduct information about applicants. Usually a persons inappropriate behavior is an issue only when that person has been involved in several "minor" violations, or one or two "major" ones.
Q: I am a student, and I believe someone has violated a university policy. Can I refer him or her?
A: Yes. Any member of the Brandeis community (faculty, staff, student) can refer a student.
Q: What else does your office do other than adjudicate conduct cases?
A: The SDC office is very involved in academic integrity and leadership development. We are involved with on-going education and programing efforts. Please give us a call at 781.736.5070.
Q: What is the purpose of a peer-judgment based system of student conduct?
A: A peer-judgment based system is of vital importance when talking about student conduct at Brandeis. Students are expected to be involved in the Brandeis community, and thus it is paramount that students have a voice in this process. At the heart of this process is the University Board on Student Conduct (UBSC), a student-faculty and staff panel that hears cases of alleged student misconduct.
Q: What is an interim suspension/restriction?
A: If a student is accused of a very serious infraction he/she may be restricted or suspended from the residence halls, the university, or certain buildings or areas pending the review or final outcome of their case or referral. The decision to interim suspend/restrict is made by the Dean and communicated to the student. The student does have the opportunity to meet with the Dean to discuss and review this interim action (see sections 2,3 and 21 of Rights and Responsibilities).
Q: What about off-campus incidents?
A: The University expects Brandeis students to conduct themselves in accordance with the expectations set forth in Rights and Responsibilities as long as they are an enrolled student. This means the University may take conduct action if it learns of violations which take place off-campus (including at home and when studying abroad, see Section 22 of Rights and Responsibilities).