Code of Student Accountability

It is the responsibility of all Towson University students to know, understand and adhere to all official university policies and procedures. All policies are subject to review and change. Include below is a list of important student policies and procedures that you are responsible for knowing. You can find the full text and the most up-to-date versions of these policies at towson.edu/studentaffairs/policies/conduct.html

Policy Statement: Towson University (“Towson” or “University”) is dedicated to supporting and maintaining a scholarly community. To help protect the campus community and advance its educational mission, the University publishes a Code of Student Accountability (“Code”) and imposes discipline upon Students found responsible for violating that Code. The purpose of this Policy (and associated procedures) is to ensure a fair and impartial disciplinary process. The Policy should not only deter dangerous behaviors or those contrary to the University’s mission, but also assist Students to develop critical thinking and decision-making through engagement in the disciplinary process. The University’s procedures associated with determining whether a violation of the Code occurred and identifying appropriate disciplinary action seek to provide Students with fundamental fairness, including notice of the charges and an opportunity to be heard, prior to the imposition of disciplinary action.

The University’s policy is to promptly and thoroughly investigate allegations that a Student violated the Code. Upon receiving such allegations, the Office of Student Conduct & Civility Education (“OSCCE”) conducts a preliminary review of the circumstances and reasonably available information. It does so to inform its decision whether there is sufficient evidence to support a reasonable belief the individual violated the Code. If there is not sufficient evidence, the University withdraws the charge(s) and takes no further action. If there is sufficient evidence, it proceeds with the disciplinary process described herein.

Students have the right to participate in the disciplinary process and may offer evidence and information consistent with relevant procedures. A Student may appeal the imposition of disciplinary action consistent with this Policy and procedures.

Upon finding that a Student has violated the Code, Towson imposes disciplinary action, including though not necessarily limited to, suspending or expelling the Student. It may also impose other disciplinary obligations upon Students found to have violated the Code (e.g., a meeting a Student must attend or an activity they must complete prior to being allowed to return to campus). As appropriate, the University will take reasonable efforts to impose discipline which effectively encourages and fosters the personal, educational, and social development of those Students found to have violated the Code.

When Students choose to accept admission to Towson, they are expected to maintain a high standard of conduct as outlined by this Code. Because the University establishes high standards for membership in the TU community, its standards of conduct, while falling within the limits of the law, may exceed federal, state, or
local requirements.

Scope

1. The Code applies to all Students, Student Groups, and Student Organizations.

2. Each Student shall be responsible for their conduct under the Code for the period of time they meet the definition of Student.

3. This Code applies to behavior: (1) occurring in any University facility or on any University property; (2) occurring in connection with any University sponsored, recognized, or approved program, visit, or activity; (3) that adversely affects the University’s pursuit of its mission or policies; or (4) that otherwise threatens the health or safety of any member of the University Community.

4. When there are pending criminal or civil charges:

          a. The University will pursue its disciplinary process independent of those pending charges, regardless of whether they are dismissed, dropped, or otherwise resolved.         

          c. The OSCCE Director will determine whether to proceed with the disciplinary process or wait for the judicial process to conclude. This decision will be informed by the reasonably available                    evidence, nature of the charges, potential for harm to the University Community, location of the incident (on- or off-campus), and/or other relevant factors.

    5. Campus disciplinary actions for allegations of off-campus Event Related Misconduct may take place regardless of the existence, status, or outcome of any civil or criminal charges in a court of law related to the alleged misconduct.

Prohibited Conduct

The following misconduct is subject to disciplinary action:

Procedures

A.   Reporting

The University encourages prompt reporting of allegations that a Student, Student Group, or Student Organization violated this Code. Reports can be made by any person to OSCCE in person, via phone (410) 704-2057), or electronically (online reporting form at www.towson.edu/reportit). Allegations of violations occurring within On-Campus Housing may also be referred to the Department of Housing and Residence Life.

Those reporting an allegation are normally expected to serve as a witness and to present relevant evidence during a University Hearing or Conduct Resolution Meeting.

B.   Due Process

The purpose of these procedures is to ensure fundamental fairness to Students, including that the University fairly evaluates allegations of a Code violation. Among other things, this means that the Responding Party will receive notice of the charges against them, an opportunity to offer evidence (including identifying witnesses) in support of their position, and a chance to review (in advance) any documents or other information the University intends to consider.

Every Student has the due process right to:

• Notice of the charges against them (including the specific Code violation(s) alleged) and the circumstances surrounding the incident or alleged misconduct;
• Participate in a Accountability Resolution Meeting;
• Participate in a Hearing when (i) the charges allege a violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy and/or (ii) potential discipline includes Suspension, Expulsion, or Removal from On-Campus Housing;
• Identify and present relevant evidence (including witnesses) in support of their position;
• Review, in advance of a Hearing or the imposition of disciplinary sanction, evidence the University intends to consider;
• Have a Support Person present during interviews, meetings, or Hearings;
• Notice about how to contact OSCCE to ask questions about the process, schedule a Accountability Resolution Meeting, etc.; and
• Appeal a finding of responsibility for a Code violation and/or a disciplinary sanction.

The University will act reasonably to ensure evidence is considered (or not considered) in a manner consistent with basic standards of fundamental fairness. Harmless deviations from the prescribed procedures shall not necessarily invalidate an outcome unless they caused significant prejudice.

C.  Disciplinary Meetings and Hearings

OSCCE follows a consistent process based on allegations of a violation of the Code. As described more in the full code online, this includes, as necessary, a Preliminary Review, Accountability Resolution Meeting, and Hearing. The processes applies to individual Students, Student Groups, and Student Organizations.