Frequently Asked Questions

• What does the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards do?

  The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards receives, investigates, and resolves alleged violations of the Code of Student Responsibility involving behavioral misconduct by students. Through our student conduct processes and outreach, we educate students on the rights and responsibilities of community membership, and support the success of individual students and the Stony Brook University community as a whole.

• How do I file a complaint?

  Any member of the University community (student, staff or faculty) may make a complaint and/or referral or offer information concerning such complaint and/or referral to the appropriate office or person (i.e. Dean of Students, Division of Campus Residences, Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity, Title IX Coordinator, Title IX Deputies, Student Conduct and Community Standards, University Police, etc.).

  
  For more information, contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at communitystandards@stonybrook.edu or 631-632-6705.

• I was just documented for possibly violating the Code of Student Responsibility (Code). What should I do?

  Community Standards receives and reviews reports of alleged Code violations to determine whether further action is warranted. Check your student email account on a regular basis as you may receive an email letter notifying you of a scheduled meeting. Please follow the directions outlined in the letter. Should you have questions, you can email communitystandards@stonybrook.edu or call our office at 631-631-6705.

• I received an email notifying me to attend a Student Conduct Meeting. What should I do?

  Students charged with alleged violations of the Code will be provided with a written notice of charges and will have an opportunity to meet with a University official for a student conduct meeting. A student conduct meeting provides you with an opportunity to discuss the incident and allegations and to share your perspective on the matter with a University official. In some cases, the meeting may resolve the matter and sanctions may be imposed.  As our student conduct process is intended to educational and reflective, we encourage all students to attend with a willingness to discuss this incident and share any reflections they have on the matter.

• I received a Notice of Charges for a Hearing. What should I do?

  Students charged with alleged violations of the Code that cannot be resolved with a student conduct meeting will be provided with a written notice of charges to appear for a hearing. You will be given at least ten days advance notice of the hearing date.

• Who will be at the hearing?

  Besides the hearing officer and the student, the following people may be present during the hearing:

  Hearing Board Members- comprised of trained faculty, staff and students 

  Witnesses—only witnesses who can provide information directly pertaining to the incident may attend the hearing. Character witnesses are not permitted to attend hearings but may submit written references for the Hearing Board to review.   

  Advisor—The advisor’s role is to support the student. Advisors (including attorneys) who are present at the hearing may not engage in any verbal presentation or questioning.

• Do I need an attorney?

  Complainants or respondents may each select an advisor of their choice to accompany them during any proceeding. Advisors for either party may only advise or assist but may not engage in any verbal presentation or questioning. Attorneys may serve as advisors, subject to the same limitations and conditions.

• Can I bring a witness to the hearing?

  You can bring a witness, however, at the hearing we only allow witnesses with direct information of the incident, not “character witnesses.”  Witnesses need to be approved by community standards prior to the hearing. You may submit the names and email addresses of your proposed witnesses to communitystandards@stonybrook.edu.
  

• I have a disability and may need an accomodation during the student conduct process. Do I need to request one?

  Please contact the Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) to assist you in obtaining any necessary accommodations.

• What happens if I miss my hearing or conduct meeting?

  Should you choose not to attend without obtaining prior approval, the student conduct process will proceed in your absence and a finding will be reached based on the available information.  

• If I am found responsible for violating policy what sanctions can be assigned?

  The student conduct process aims to assign purposeful sanctions that support personal growth and development. Outcomes may range from educational dialogues to expulsion from the University. More serious sanctions may be imposed for multiple or repeated violations. A list of possible sanctions is outlined in the Code of Student Responsibility. 

• Will my parents or guardian be informed of what happened?

  University student conduct proceedings are confidential and subject to strict confidentiality on the part of the University in a manner consistent with all applicable laws.

  As a general rule, violations of the Code and the sanctions that may be imposed will not be routinely reported to parents. However, in the case of serious violations of Federal, State, or Local law, including alcohol and other drugs violations, or when instances of medical/psychological emergencies come to the University’s attention, the University may notify parents in cases where it is believed the student might benefit.

  However, the University does encourage students to inform their parents if they have filed a complaint, or have been accused of alleged violations of the Code of Student Responsibility.

• Will this go on my transcript?

  When students are suspended or expelled from the University a notation will appear on their academic transcripts. Notations may also be placed on transcripts when assigned sanctions are not completed.  

• I’m applying for a job and they are doing a background check, will you tell them about my student conduct history?

  When our office receives a request for information related to a background check, we do share the outcomes of the student conduct matters, provided we have a copy of a signed release from you.  Student conduct records will generally be maintained for a period of seven (7) years after the last incident except in cases of expulsion from the University which may be kept indefintely.  

• How do I appeal the decision?

  Please refer to the Appeals section of the Code of Student Responsibility.

• What happens if I don’t follow through on the conditions of the decision?

  If a student does not follow the conditions of the decision, a student conduct hold may be placed on their account which may prohibit them from registering for classes and/or housing.  Another possibility is to face additional conduct charges for refusing to comply with the terms of the original outcome.

• Is this like court?

  The student conduct process is completely independent of legal proceedings and both procedures may take place concurrently. The student conduct process is administrative and educational in nature and uses a lower standard of proof called a preponderance of evidence, or “more likely than not” to determine responsibility.

• Do I get a refund if I am suspended?

  In cases of suspension or expulsion, Stony Brook University’s institutional refund policy will apply. Campus Residences (for on-campus students) and Financial Aid will follow their respective policies also. Please refer to their specific offices for more details.

• The situation happened off campus, why am I charged?

  This Code may be applied to off-campus violations when students are participating in University-sanctioned activities, such as sporting events, field trips, conferences, or are exercising privileges granted to Stony Brook students. In addition, this Code may be applied to off-campus violations if such violations are deemed to adversely affect the safety and security of the University, University property or individual members of the University community.

• I am confused by the email I received regarding a student conduct matter. Can I speak with someone about this?

  Yes.  You can contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at communitystandards@stonybrook.edu or 631-632-6705 during business hours.

For further information, please contact:

Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
Suite 209, Stony Brook Union 
Phone: (631) 632-6705
Fax: (631) 632-5757
E-mail: communitystandards@stonybrook.edu