Office of Student Conduct

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS ACCOUNTABILITY THAT KEEPS YOU MOVING FORWARD

The Office of Student Conduct holds students to the standards in the FSU Code of Student Conduct — and helps them learn from the moments they fall short of it. Whether you are reporting something, responding to a charge, or just trying to understand how the process works, everything you need is on this page.

IF SOMEONE IS IN DANGER RIGHT NOW

Do not use a web form. Call (910) 672-1911 for a campus police emergency, or (910) 672-1775 for non-emergencies. Off campus, call 911.

REPORT AN INCIDENT

Report a possible violation of the Code — on campus, off campus, or online.

Submit a report

READ THE CODE

The full Code of Student Conduct, revised July 29, 2025. Every standard and every sanction.

Open the Code (PDF)

I WAS CHARGED

Know the timeline, your rights, and what to do first. Start with the walkthrough below.

See the process
WHY WE ARE HERE OUR MISSION
  • Empower students to reflect on the impact of their actions, embrace accountability, and advocate for social justice.
  • Support personal growth by fostering the ethical, social, and emotional development of students whose behavior may not align with university expectations — both in and outside of the classroom.
  • Promote responsibility by engaging students in meaningful reflection to understand the root causes of misconduct and take ownership of their behavior.
  • Reduce conduct violations through a blended approach that integrates restorative justice principles and best practices from model conduct codes.
  • Facilitate reintegration of students with prior infractions into the campus community through restorative strategies that encourage healing, accountability, and connection.
  • Raise awareness and educate students, faculty, and staff on the FSU Code of Student Conduct, university policies and procedures, and relevant North Carolina laws through ongoing training, workshops, and outreach.
  • Connect students with resources so they know about and can reach the support systems built to help them succeed.
WHERE THE CODE APPLIES JURISDICTION

The Code of Student Conduct applies to all undergraduate and graduate students. The University reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of its campus community.

The University's jurisdiction and conduct processes cover behavior that occurs:

  • on University premises;
  • at University-sponsored events; or
  • at other off-campus locations, if the conduct adversely affects the University community or the pursuit of its objectives, as determined by university officials.

The Code covers both non-academic misconduct and academic dishonesty.

START HERE FILING A REPORT

If you believe someone has violated the Code, file the University Incident & Student Complaint Form. Anyone may file a report — students, faculty, staff, or a member of the public.

The Code asks that reports be filed within five (5) business days of the incident.

SUBMIT AN INCIDENT REPORT

You may also contact campus police to report ongoing matters. If you need immediate assistance, or you believe the conduct presents a danger of harm to self or others, contact campus police right away at (910) 672-1911 (emergency) or (910) 672-1775 (non-emergency).

TWO SEPARATE PROCESSES

Criminal charges and court proceedings are separate from the student conduct process. They may run at the same time as, and in addition to, any disciplinary proceeding in the Office of Student Conduct.

FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN REPORTED WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A REPORT Six steps  •  tap to open or close

Being reported is not the same as being found responsible. Here is the path a case takes, with the timelines the Code sets. Read the full Code of Student Conduct for the complete procedure.

1. A report is filed

Anyone may submit a report, online or by campus appearance ticket, ordinarily within five business days of the incident.

2. Conduct review

You contact the Director within three business days to schedule an informal meeting. This meeting decides whether the matter warrants formal charges — it is not a hearing.

3. Formal charge

If charges follow, the Director issues them in writing within five business days of the conduct review. The notice states the factual allegations and the sanctions that are possible.

4. Your plea

You respond within three business days — not responsible and requesting a hearing, not responsible with direct review by an Administrative Hearing Officer, responsible with the hearing waived, or responsible while requesting a hearing on sanctions.

5. Hearing

The case is heard by the Student Conduct Board, which makes recommendations, or by an Administrative Hearing Officer, who decides. Hearings are closed, attendance is limited, and the proceeding is recorded. The standard is preponderance of the evidence — whether the conduct more likely than not occurred.

6. Decision

The Administrative Hearing Officer issues the responsibility determination and any sanctions within ten calendar days. Expulsion decisions go to the Chancellor.

OUTCOMES POSSIBLE SANCTIONS Non-academic and academic  •  tap to open or close

Sanctions are matched to the conduct and to the student's history. Most cases end well short of separation from the University.

NON-ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

  • Written reprimand
  • Disciplinary probation
  • Restriction of privileges
  • Removal from housing
  • Suspension for a specified period — noted on the transcript
  • Expulsion — permanent, and it precludes enrollment at any UNC System institution

Additional sanctions may include community service, counseling, restitution, and behavioral contracts.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

  • Community service
  • Failing grade on the assignment or in the course
  • Academic integrity probation
  • Suspension for a specified period
  • Expulsion — permanent
KNOW WHAT YOU ARE OWED YOUR RIGHTS IN THE PROCESS Tap to open or close
  • See the evidence. You have access to the written evidence and the witness list before the hearing.
  • Bring support. You may have an observer at the hearing. Attorneys and non-attorney advocates are permitted at your own expense — in Prohibited Sexual Conduct cases, an advocate is provided.
  • Present witnesses. You may call witnesses and question those who testify.
  • Ask for more time. You may request a continuance — 48 hours' notice for the Student Conduct Board, 96 hours for an Administrative Hearing Officer.
  • Privacy. Hearings are closed and your disciplinary records are protected under FERPA.
  • Challenge an interim suspension. You may ask the Vice Chancellor to reconsider within five business days, on two specific grounds set out in the Code.
APPEALS

Most decisions: appeal to the Vice Chancellor within five business days. Grounds are a violation of due process or a material deviation from substantive and procedural standards. The Vice Chancellor's decision is final.

Expulsion: appeal to the University Board of Trustees within 14 calendar days of the Chancellor's decision. The Board's decision is final.

NOT HANDLED BY STUDENT CONDUCT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT

Reports involving sexual misconduct, dating or domestic violence, sex- or gender-based harassment, or any other conduct governed by Title IX are handled by the Office of Risk and Compliance, not the Office of Student Conduct. The same office handles allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Their website carries the current contacts, policies, reporting forms, and supportive measures — and it is kept up to date by that office.

GO TO THE TITLE IX WEBSITE

FOR FACULTY AND STUDENTS DISRUPTION IN THE CLASSROOM

Faculty or students dealing with disruptive behavior in a classroom will find guidance in the University's Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom policy (Policy 106).

When it needs to go further, report it to the Office of Student Conduct with the University Incident & Student Complaint Form.

WHEN IT IS NOT A CODE VIOLATION STUDENT COMPLAINTS

Whenever possible, an issue that is not an alleged Code violation should be raised directly with the person or department involved. That resolves most of them.

If that does not work, file the Student Complaint Form. It covers University actions, decisions, and processes. You will need to sign in with your FSU account.

FILE A STUDENT COMPLAINT

READ THE RULES POLICIES & DOCUMENTS Four documents  •  tap to open or close
Code of Student Conduct (PDF)

The standards every FSU student is held to, the full conduct procedure, and the sanctions. Revised July 29, 2025.

Hazing Policy 703 (PDF)

What counts as hazing at FSU, and what happens to individuals and organizations found responsible.

Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom, Policy 106 (PDF)

Guidance for faculty and students on handling disruption in an instructional setting.

FSU Student Handbook, 2022–23 edition (PDF)

Campus policies, services, and student rights in one volume. Where the Handbook and the current Code of Student Conduct differ, the Code governs.

STILL NOT SURE WHERE TO GO?

Call or email the Office of Student Conduct and we will point you to the right place — even if the answer turns out to be another office. You can also come see us in Collins Building, Suite 202. Contact details are in the sidebar.

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