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For Students:- I just received a notice that I’m being charged with something – What do I do?
- What is going to happen at my hearing?
- Will my parents find out?
- What is FERPA?
- Will this affect my classes?
- What is "mutual resolution"?
- Will it help to take my case to a hearing board?
- What if I disagree with what was reported (written/said) about me?
- What if I disagree with the sanction reached in my case?
- I see people tailgating, can I do this?
- Can I file a policy violation charge against another student?
- I’m dealing with the court system, why am I still being contacted by WCU?
- Isn't this "double jeopardy"?!
- May I bring someone to my initial meeting/hearing?
- If I get in trouble off campus, will WCU find out about it?
- Will my incident show up on a permanent record or transcript?
- What happens if I do not attend my hearing or complete a sanction?
- If I have a hold, what do I do?
- What do I do if I believe someone has committed a violation of the Academic Integrity policy?
- Should I notify the student of the charges?
- Do I have to turn in all possible violations of the Academic Integrity policy?
- What happens if I do not turn in violations of the AI policy to the DSCE?
- If I turn in a student for academic dishonesty, am I ruining his/her academic future?
- If the student I’ve turned in for dishonesty requests a hearing, do I have to be there?
For Students:
I just got a notice that I’m being charged with something – What do I do? [return to top]
First please reread the notice in order to determine who you need to contact. Contact the appropriate source to schedule an initial meeting.
What is going to happen at my initial meeting? [return to top]
Process video coming soon!
Each initial meeting follows a similar format. The student is informed as to the alleged student code of conduct violations that will be addressed. The staff member will inform the student of his/her rights, and the two will discuss the evidence relating to the case. Ultimately, the staff member will use evidence to determine if a student is responsible or not responsible for the violation of the student code of conduct. A mutual resolution will be offered, or the student has the option of proceeding to a hearing board.
Will my parents find out? [return to top]
This depends on a couple of factors. The parental notification policy allows Western Carolina to share some information relating to your case with parents if a violation of alcohol or drug policy has taken place. Information may also be shared in any other policy or situation that leads Western Carolina staff to believe that one is a danger to oneself or others. In order to share detailed information with parents or guardians, a student must sign a FERPA waiver. These waivers can be obtained in the DSCE office.
What is FERPA? [return to top]
Will this affect my classes? [return to top]
If your case is regarding academic integrity it may potentially affect your grades, enrollment in particular classes, or even your enrollment at Western. Some policy violations carry suspension and expulsion as sanctions, in these cases your academic progress may be interrupted or halted through disciplinary action. In other cases, the answer is no.
What is a mutual resolution? [return to top]
Mutual resolution is a system in place to expedite the disciplinary process. Oftentimes, cases can be resolved during an initial meeting with a hearing officer without having to proceed to a hearing board. If the hearing officer and the accused student agree on responsibility and sanctions, a mutual resolution can be signed and there can be no appeal.
Will it help to take my case to a hearing board? [return to top]
Please refer to minimum sanctions. Note that should a hearing board find a student responsible they may sanction more, less, or equally as harshly as the hearing officer as long as the sanction is in compliance with minimum sanction requirements.
What if I disagree with what was reported (written/said) about me? [return to top]
This is your opportunity to engage in the student conduct process. You will have the chance to tell your side of the story when you meet with the hearing officer for your initial meeting.
What if I disagree with the sanction reached in my case? [return to top]
If a mutual resolution was reached, there is no appeals process. This will be made clear during the meeting.
If the decision was made through a hearing board the case will follow a typical appeals process. A student may appeal a disciplinary decision on the grounds that new evidence not available during the first hearing has been uncovered, harshness of sanctions, or if the student’s rights or due process were violated. This appeal will be reviewed and a decision will be reached based on the facts of the case only. A new proceeding will not take place.
I see people tailgating, can I do this? [return to top]
Tailgating itself is not against Western Carolina University Policy. It is the illegal and/or irresponsible behavior that accompanies tailgating which creates issues. It is against the law and a violation of the WCU code of student conduct to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol under the age of 21. Furthermore, those of legal drinking age must be within designated areas near the stadium in order to legally consumetheir alcoholic beverages while tailgaing.
Can I file a policy violation charge against another student? [return to top]
Yes, but no anonymous charges may be filed. To file a charge against another student you must submit, in writing and in detail, what happened and how you were affected by it. Submissions must include your name and current contact information.
What about a staff or faculty member?
What about a staff or faculty member?
Please consult with Human Resources.
I’m dealing with the court system, why am I still being contacted by WCU? [return to top]
WCU students live by the Creed and the expectations placed upon all WCU students in regard to conduct whether they are on or off campus. Students will be held accountable through both processes. In many cases the administrative process is faster than the legal process, providing Western the opportunity to provide important and effective interventions for students.
Isn’t this double jeopardy!? [return to top]
No. Double jeopardy only applies to the criminal justice system. The WCU conduct process (administrative) and the criminal justice system are mutually exclusive.
May I bring someone to my initial meeting/hearing? [return to top]
Yes. Advisors (including legal representation) may come for moral support but may not speak on a student’s behalf; they may speak to the student and advise as needed.
If I get in trouble off campus, will WCU find out about it? [return to top]
If WCU does find out about an off-campus situation we will respond as necessary.
Will my incident show up on a permanent record or transcript? [return to top]
Most situations will not. However, if you will suspended or expelled from WCU your name will appear on the UNC Suspension/Expulsion database.
What happens if I do not attend my hearing or complete sanctions? [return to top]
If you don’t attend your hearing, the hearing will be held in absentia. If you fail to complete your sanctions you may have a Student Judicial Action Hold placed on your records and/or be charged with a violation of the Code, failure to comply with sanctions.
If I have a hold, what do I do? [return to top]
Call One-Stop at (828)-227-7170 to check to see which department placed the hold on your record, and then contact that office to see what you need to do to remove the hold.
For Parents: [return to top]
What happens if a student gets in trouble for a drug or alcohol violation? [return to top]
Each case is dealt with as its own, as every situation is different. Should a student be found responsible for a drug or alcohol violation, please look at our minimum sanctions and process to get an idea of what will happen.
What happens when a student’s internet is disconnected?
[return to top]If a student’s internet has been disconnected, the student’s web browser will direct them on how to address the situation. Please encourage the student to make this call as they will have all the pertinent information to help IT Services resolve the issue.
If my student has gotten in trouble, what can I do to help? [return to top]
Encourage the student to engage in the process. The best support you can give is to allow the student to be their own advocate. If you would like to be actively involved in the process the student must sign a FERPA waiver (see below).
I have just received a letter from the DSCE saying that my student has taken responsibility for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. What is this and how do I find out more information? [return to top]
The letter you have received is part of our parental notification policy. Anytime a student is found responsible for a drug or alcohol violation parental notification is activated. First of all, call your student. They should have all the information you need. If you would like to speak to a DSCE staff member about the case, your student will need to sign a FERPA waiver to release that information. If you just have questions about our process, we would be happy to speak with you without the FERPA waiver.
What’s a FERPA waiver? [return to top]
FERPA (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a piece of legislation that keeps students academic records confidential unless they give you permission to view it. The DSCE has its own FERPA waiver which is separate from the One Stop, Financial Aid, and other university departments.
Why is the FERPA waiver different from the other departments?
[return to top]The DSCE deals with students on a case-by-case basis. Each case has unique implications for students. Students are considered adults, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they have the ability to choose who has access to their records and to what extent. This also ensures that the DSCE follows FERPA regulations.
I am a lawyer / I would like to provide legal counsel for my student during this process.
[return to top]Students are allowed to have an advisor during a hearing. The advisor can be a parent, friend, faculty member, etc. However, the advisor may not speak to the board unless called as a witness and they may not speak on behalf of the student. Also, please remember that this is a university process and is administrative in nature. WCU does not provide legal counsel for students.
For Faculty:
What do I do if I believe someone has committed a violation of the Academic Integrity policy? [return to top]
Always contact the Department of Student Community Ethics (DSCE) first to determine if this is the student’s first academic offense. If so, use the “Report a Violation of Academic Dishonesty” form on the DSCE’s webpage (dsce.wcu.edu) to guide you and your department head through the process. If not, inform your department head of the issues and forward all supporting information to the DSCE.
Should I notify the student of the charges? [return to top]
No. You must fill out the first part of the reporting form but your department head is responsible for meeting with and informing the student of the charge and his options for resolution. However, you may be a part of that meeting if you and your department head agree.
Do I have to turn in all possible violations of the Academic Integrity policy? [return to top]
In your classroom, you know what constitutes academic dishonesty. Therefore you may discern if the students work was a simple mistake or dishonesty. However, the only violations which are formally recorded with the university are in the DSCE so if faculty don’t all report these violations to our department a student could have multiple violations of the AI Policy and none would be recorded.
What happens if I do not turn in violations of the AI policy to the DSCE? [return to top]
The student will not be held accountable for their violation of the AI policy. This is strongly discouraged as the DSCE believes this cheapens the Western Carolina University degree and reputation. Additionally, confronting a violation of AI policy with a student can be an educational process and will help the student learn and grow.
If I turn in a student for academic dishonesty, am I ruining his/her academic future? [return to top]
Our students are adults. As such, a student’s behavior has gotten him/her into trouble, not you. Secondly, the process is based on education first and foremost, and is punitive only when it must be. Students who are charged and found responsible for a first offense of academic dishonesty may face a range of educational sanctions, but will probably not be facing suspension or expulsion (unless the case warrants such severe sanction).
If the student I’ve turned in for dishonesty requests a hearing, do I have to be there? [return to top]
Yes. Both faculty member and student are expected to attend the hearing. During an Academic Integrity hearing there is a board, made up of 3 faculty members and 2 students. Their job is to decide 1) if the student is responsible, and 2) if they are what the appropriate sanctions would be. It makes that job much more difficult if the faculty brining the charges is absent. However, you may bring someone with you for moral support (an advisor) which is typically your department head.