The Department of Student Community Ethics (DSCE) works with the Western Carolina
University (WCU) community to educate students about their rights and responsibilities
as stated in the WCU Community Creed (Creed) and WCU Code of Student Conduct (Code).
The DSCE strives to make WCU a positive living and learning environment through outreach
and education to the university and surrounding community. The Creed inspires students
to live with integrity, embrace responsibilities, respect others, engage themselves,
and celebrate WCU. The Code informs students of their rights and responsibilities,
WCU rules and regulations, and the process to determine if any violations of the Code
have occurred. The DSCE is here to resolve cases of alleged misconduct in a fundamentally
fair and timely manner that upholds students’ rights and emphasizes WCU’s core values
as expressed in the Creed. Additionally, the DSCE works to ensure compliance with
Title IX, the Clery Act, and other local, state, and federal laws. Consistent with
the Creed, the DSCE promotes the safety and well-being of all students and supports
an environment of respect regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, economic
status, or profession.
5-Step Student Conduct Process
The following section explains the student conduct process step-by-step. Each step
explains the actions of the Department of Student Community Ethics and what a student
should expect when going through the process. Further information can be found in
The Code of Student Conduct.
Step 1: schedule a meeting
The DSCE will notify all students by using the Catamount e-mail system. The e-mail
will be sent from Maxient, the software used by the DSCE to securely communicate with
students. The sender's information will look like this in the e-mail: WCU Employee's
Name (via Maxient), <notifications@maxient.com>.
The official form of University communication is the Catamount e-mail system (WCU Code of Student Conduct). Students are expected to check their WCU e-mail on a regular basis (spam and junk
folders included), which includes during anybreaks from campus. The e-mail from Maxient
will give instructions about who to contact and schedule an initial meeting. This
meeting is the opportunity for the student to participate in the process and present
their side of the situation.
Step 2: Information
In the meeting a staff member (Hearing Officer) will discuss the incident report with
the student and educate them about their rights and responsibilities, as outlined
in the WCU Code of Student Conduct.
Step 3: investigation
The staff member will question the student about their involvement and knowledge of
the reported incident.
Step 4: resolution/hearing
The student can mutually resolve the case at their initial meeting or choose to have
a Hearing Body decide the outcome. A student has the right to appeal Hearing Body
decisions as outlined in the WCU Code of Student Conduct.
Step 5: sanctions
The student should complete all sanctions by the deadlines established to avoid further
conduct proceedings. A list of a few recommended sanctions can be found here: Student Conduct Sanctions.
Alcohol & Drug Education
All new students are required to complete five online courses prior to the start of
each semester: AlcoholEdu, Sexual Assault & Awareness, Run Hide Fight, DiversityEDU
and submit a signed Ethics Statement. The information about these course requirements
is sent to Catamount email addresses near the conclusion of all orientation sessions.
LEARN MORE
Campus Safety
If you have an immediate problem and need help now, please call the WCU Police at
828.227.8911. Western Carolina University is committed to maintaining a campus environment
free of all forms of violence or abuse.
WCU Police
Adopt-A-Highway Program
The DSCE in partnership with the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning
participate in the North Carolina Adopt-A-Highway Program. The adopted section of
highway begins on Highway 107 between Ryan's Steakhouse and Sonic traveling east 1.2
miles to Dunkin' Donuts and the Laundromat/Kel-Save/Bogarts area. Participation is
open to students, faculty and staff. Click here to register. Plan to arrive on your scheduled date sporting your purple and gold
Catamount pride. We do not schedule anything in the summer months of May - August
unless a request is made. Please contact our office with any questions at 828.227.7234.
