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Disciplinary Process and Disciplinary Standing

Understanding the Disciplinary Process at WSSU

At Winston-Salem State University, the Office of Community Standards & Civility stewards the student disciplinary process with an emphasis on restorative justice, personal development, and accountability. When a violation of the Students' Code of Conduct or university policy is reported, or if WSSU is made aware a student has been arrested on criminal charges, the student will be engaged in the Student Conduct process.

The disciplinary process is educational, designed to help students reflect on their actions, understand community expectations, and make more responsible choices moving forward. Each case is reviewed with fairness and care, with students being heard and engaged throughout the student conduct process. The goal is not only to uphold community standards but also to help students grow through their experiences.

Winston-Salem State University utilizes a the standard of preponderance of evidence, meaning student responsibility if determined if they were more likely than not to be responsible for a violation.

separate from any criminal justice system. If a student faces criminal charges or is arrested and those charges are dropped or dismissed, the university conduct process may proceed to determine a student's responsibility for violating the Students' Code of Conduct or other university policy.

For a complete listing of rights, responsibilities, and procedures related to student discipline, please refer to the Students’ Code of Conduct and the Student Conduct Process Flowchart.

Procedures Related to Non-Academic Misconduct
Non-academic misconduct refers to behavior that violates university standards but is not related to academic integrity. These behaviors may include, but are not limited to, alcohol or drug violations, vandalism, bodily harm or threats, and disruptive conduct. Such incidents are typically reported to the Office of Community Standards & Civility through Housing & Residence Life, Campus Police & Public Safety, or other campus officials.

When a report is received, the Office of Community Standards & Civility will notify the student of the alleged misconduct through official University communication via their WSSU Rams email with the time, date, and location of their mandatory hearing. During this hearing, the student will be informed of the specific allegations and granted access to review relevant materials in their conduct file. The student will also be allowed to respond to the allegations and share any additional information. In cases involving allegations of non-academic misconduct, students may be represented by an attorney or non-attorney advocate, consistent with UNC System Policy 700.4.1.

The resolution process will depend on the severity of the alleged behavior.

  • Minor violations, those not likely to result in suspension or expulsion, are typically resolved through an Administrative Hearing with a conduct officer or through a student accepting responsibility in writing per an Acceptance of Sanction(s) as Outlined in UNC System Policy 700.4.
  • Serious violations, which may result in a sanction of suspension or expulsion, are typically resolved through a Student Conduct Board Hearing or through a student accepting responsibility in writing per an Acceptance of Sanction(s) as Outlined in UNC System Policy 700.4.

In cases regarding serious violations, students will have the option to:

  1. Accept responsibility and resolve the matter through a Acceptance of Sanction(s) as Outlined in UNC System Policy 700.4, which includes appropriate sanctions that may be agreed upon by the student/student organization or,
  2. Participate in a Student Conduct Council Hearing before a panel of trained students, faculty, and staff members.

Regardless of the hearing type, students will be allowed to present relevant information, ask questions, and respond to the charge(s) during the proceedings. After the case is adjudicated, either through a hearing or mutual agreement, the outcome will be communicated to the student via an official outcome letter sent electronically. For more information, students are encouraged to review the full disciplinary procedures outlined in UNC Policy 700.4.1 and/or consult with the Office of Community Standards & Civility.

Procedures Related to Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct refers to violations of the university’s Academic Integrity Policy, including—but not limited to—cheating, plagiarism, improper usage of AI, and assisting others in committing academic dishonesty. Winston-Salem State University’s Academic Integrity Policy governs the process as it relates to allegations of academic misconduct. The faculty member can submit an Academic Integrity Reporting Form to the Office of Community Standards & Civility for tracking purposes within the student conduct database.

Good Disciplinary Standing
Good Disciplinary Standing is defined as a student enrolled at the University or a student organization registered with the University and is regarded as having no prior conduct violations imposed or has complied with all required sanctions and is no longer on warning, probation(s), suspension, or expulsion.  Upon request, the Office of Community Standards & Civility may complete a request on behalf of a WSSU-affiliated department or organization to verify a student(s) current disciplinary standing.  The details of any relevant incidents cannot be shared unless a student has signed a FERPA release indicating to whom any information may be provided.  Details of any relevant incidents may be shared directly by the student to the inquiring entity at any time.

Disciplinary Standing and Involvement in Campus Organizations and Activities
Other than a sanction of Disciplinary Probation, the Office of Community Standards & Civility and the Office of the Dean of Students does not determine if a student can or cannot participate in campus organizations and/or activities, including but not limited to student organizations, fraternities and sororities, the band, study abroad experiences, work study employment, and internships.  Each campus organization and/or activity will independently determine if a student is permitted to participate, whether the student is already involved or is seeking to join a campus organization and/or activity.