Dean of Students Office

The flowchart below outlines the several steps the nonacademic disciplinary process may follow at the university.

1. The process starts with the Dean of Students Office receiving a report of an alleged violation(s).  (Nonacademic misconduct notification)
2. A letter is sent to the student outlining the alleged misconduct and requesting to meet.
3. Investigator, usually an Assistant Dean of Students, meets with the student to discuss the alleged violation(s).
4. The investigator can proceeds in one of two ways:
   • determines that no misconduct occurred, they inform the student and the process ends; or
   • determines that misconduct occurred. If misconduct occurred, the investigator decides on recommended sanction(s). The investigator writes a report and sends it to the student. Sanctions are imposed unless the student requests a hearing within 10 days, or a hearing is required under Chapter UWS 17.11 (4)(c)2.
5. The student can proceeds one of two ways:
   • completes the sanctions and the process ends; or
   • a hearing is requested or required. If a hearing is requested or required a Dean of Students Office staff member will schedule the hearing. The staff member will assist the student with any process questions. A Hearing Examiner* or Committee will oversee the hearing and make a determination. *Hearing Examiners may be an Administrative Law Judge from the Wisconsin Division of Hearing and Appeals.
6. Hearing can proceeds one of two ways:
   • the Hearing Examiner or Committee determines there is no misconduct, the student and investigator are sent the decision, and the process ends; or
   • the Hearing Examiner or Committee determines misconduct occurred. If it is determined misconduct occurred, the Hearing Examiner or Committee can uphold or modify the findings and sanctions. The student and investigator are sent the decision.
7. The student can proceeds one of two ways:
   • completes the sanctions and the process ends; or
   • in cases where a student is sanctioned with an enrollment restriction, suspension or expulsion the student may request an appeal to the Chancellor. The Chancellor will make a determination based on the record. The decision will be sent to the student and investigator.

For more information on the Non-academic Disciplinary Procedures and appeal options, refer to Chapter UWS 17. For questions, contact the Dean of Students Office at 920.424.3100 or deanofstudentsoffice@uwosh.edu.

• Shall be considered not responsible until proven otherwise
• To be notified of the allegations against them
• The opportunity to be heard on their own behalf
• To present evidence and witnesses on their own behalf
• To have an advisor/support person with them through the process
• To be notified of the findings of the investigation
• To not participate or share information within the student conduct process (determination will be made with the information available)
• To request a hearing
• To be advised of the appeal process

The Department of Residence Life and the Dean of Students Office work together to address any misconduct that is reported to the campus. Students living in the residence hall are contractually obligated and must follow the Community Rights & Responsibilities Handbook in addition to university policies. Most alleged misconduct that occurs within the residence halls will be reviewed and addressed by the staff in the Department of Residence Life. However, there are a few cases that occur within the residence halls that will be addressed by the Dean of Students Office under Chapter UWS 17. Alleged misconduct that occurs outside the residence halls, on or off campus will be addressed by the Dean of Students Office.

Students should be familiar with the Community Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, Chapter UWS 17, and Chapter UWS 18, as they contain important information, and a student conduct matter could be handled through both processes simultaneously. Please refer to these documents for full descriptions of the Department of Residence Life and Dean of Students misconduct processes.

Please contact Residence Life at 920.424.3212 or email housing@uwosh.edu for questions regarding Community Rights and Responsibilities Handbook  or please contact Deans of Students at 920.424.3100  or email deanofstudentsoffice@uwosh.edu  for questions regarding Chapter UWS 17, and Chapter UWS 18. 

What will come from this?

If a student is found responsible for a policy violation(s) a Dean of Students Office staff member will send you a letter explaining their findings. In cases a student is found responsible for a violation the staff member will consider a variety of factors when determining sanctions for a case. Consideration may include the following factors:

• How severe was the incident
• Was anyone hurt/could someone have gotten hurt
• Was anything damaged
• Did the student take responsibility
• Has the student been found responsible for similar instances in the past
• Is the student on disciplinary probation

Some examples of sanction include a warning, hall/privilege restrictions, attending a program, community service, paying for damages, disciplinary probation and suspension. A full list of sanctions can be found in Chapter UWS 17.085.

To see an example of nonacademic letter: Nonacademic misconduct notification

This incident happened off campus, why is the University involved?

Chapter UWS 17.08 (2) outlines that the university can adjudicate an incident that occurred off campus, if the conduct adversely affects a substantial university interest.

Additionally, the University is invested in the safety and wellbeing of all our students. One of the goals of the student conduct process is to provide educational opportunities to foster students’ overall wellness and academic success.

My court case was dismissed, why am I going through the nonacademic misconduct process at the university?

The legal system and the university conduct process are separate and operate independently. Each process has its own standards for evidence and burden of proof. A case could not meet what is needed to proceed with legal charges but could meet what is needed to be found responsible for a university policy violation.

Can someone attend the conference with me?

Yes. You can have an advisor/support person attend any meeting you have throughout the nonacademic misconduct process. You will need to sign a release of information with the Dean of Students Office prior to the meeting, so the staff member can discuss the situation with your advisor/support person present. Download a copy of the Dean of Students Release of Information and send a signed copy to your investigating officer.

How do I submit my completed sanction?

Your outcome letter should provide instructions on how to submit your sanction. For most sanctions you can email your completed sanction directly to your investigating officer. You can also submit your sanction through the Sanction Submission Form. When submitting the Sanction Submission Form be sure to select your investigating officer, so they receive your sanction.

• UWS Chapter 18: Conduct on University Lands
• Alcohol Policy
• Chalking Policy
• Community Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
• Expressive Activity on Campus
• Hazing Policy
• Medical Safety Policy
• Posting Policy
• Sexual Misconduct Policy