Academic Honesty Hearing (AHH) - A hearing where the facts of an alleged violation of academic misconduct are presented in an effort to determine if a violation(s) took place, and if so, what sanction(s) should be assigned.
Academic Misconduct - An act that violates the standards of academic integrity policy as described in the Code of Student Conduct.
Appeal - The process that provides a student with the opportunity to challenge the fairness of a decision made by a conduct officer or a hearing board. Appeals of decisions made by conduct officers will be made to the Conduct Board. The appellate decision of the Conduct Board will be final. Appeals involving violations heard by the Conduct Board will be made to the University Board. The appellate decision of the University Board is final. Appeals involving violations heard by the University Board will be made to the Dean of Student Life.
Behavioral Misconduct - Any action that is inconsistent with community standards as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct, Residence Hall General Provisions, or other University publication.
Category "A" Violation - A relatively minor violation of the Code of Student Conduct for which separation from the University may not result as a sanction. Category "A" violations are usually heard by a Head Resident hearing officer or conduct officer.
Category "B" Violation - A more serious or repeat violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Category "B" violations may entail a hearing before a conduct officer, the Conduct Board or the University Board.
Category "C" Violation - A major or repeat violation for which separation from the University may be an appropriate sanction. Category "C" violations entail a hearing before the University Board.
Complainant - The person presenting his/her case against the respondent.
Conduct Conference - A process in which the facts of an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct are presented to a conduct officer to determine if a violation(s) took place and what sanction(s) are appropriate.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) - A federal law passed in 1974 that defines educational records and indicates who, and under what circumstances, an individual may have access to educational records.
Fundamental Fairness - A standard that protects an individual from arbitrary and unreasonable decisions and ensures due process through timeliness and equitable treatment.
Paraprofessional Staff - Residence Hall Staff (Head Resident and Resident Assistant) who may act on behalf of the Coordinator for Student Conduct in the investigation of incidents, referring charges and settling minor disputes and offenses that occur in the residence halls.
Preponderance of Evidence - A standard of proof used in university disciplinary proceedings that indicates that the evidence provided shows that "more likely than not" a violation did or did not occur.
Respondent - The student accused of violating 1 or more of the University's policies or state and federal law.
Sanction - An outcome imposed for the violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Generally, sanctions are educational in nature and intended to modify the student's behavior and build an awareness of personal responsibility and community standards.
Student - An individual who is accepted to or taking courses at Susquehanna University, on a full-time and/or part-time basis.
University Official - Any individual who is employed by the University.
University Premises - The property of Susquehanna University includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of, owned, used, managed, or controlled by the University (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).
