Student Resources

Community Standards and Conflict Resolution receives reports from many sources—this can include law enforcement (on- or off-campus), UNC community members, other colleges, or outside agencies. Once we review the information, we determine whether the behavior may violate the Student Code of Conduct or Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct. From there, we decide if the situation will move forward through a formal or informal process. If so, a Resolution Coordinator will be assigned to inform you of the process and guide you through the next steps.

 Check Your Bearmail – all official communication from our office is sent to your UNC Bearmail account. If you’re involved in a conduct case, you’ll receive a letter that includes:

1. The specific policy or policies you’re alleged to have violated
2. Information about the resolution process being offered
3. Your rights and responsibilities during that process

Be sure to check your Bearmail regularly so you don’t miss important updates.

A letter about a formal hearing process includes information (e.g., date, time, and location) for the student to meet with the Resolution Coordinator for a conduct meeting (“Hearing”).  

What to Expect in the Formal Process

If your case moves forward formally, you’ll meet with a Resolution Coordinator for a Conduct Hearing.

During the hearing:

• You have the right to bring a support person with you
• The Resolution Coordinator will listen, ask questions, and help guide the conversation
• They may also connect you with helpful campus resources

The goal is to ensure you understand the process and feel supported throughout.

If More Information Is Needed

Sometimes, additional follow-up is part of the process.

This could include:

• Speaking with witnesses
• Contacting police officers
• Reaching out to others who may have relevant information

Our goal is to understand the full picture and ensure a fair and thorough review.

You’ll receive a decision letter in your Bearmail after the hearing.

This letter will include:

• A summary of the information gathered in the hearing process
• Whether you were found responsible or not responsible for violating university policy
• Any next steps you need to take, like completing assigned outcomes or follow-up actions

Be sure to read the letter carefully and reach out if you have any questions.

If you’re found responsible for violating the Student or RSO Code of Conduct, you may be assigned outcomes to complete.

Outcomes are designed to be educational and reflective. They may include:

• Alcohol or drug education classes
• Attending UNC events
• Community service
• Writing a research or reflection paper

Depending on the severity of the incident, you may also receive a status-related outcome such as a warning, probation, suspension, or— in serious cases—expulsion.

Our goal is to help you learn and grow from the experience.

You may have the opportunity to appeal the outcome of your case. You have five (5) working days to appeal a decision.

To appeal, you’ll need to:

• Submit a written statement explaining the basis for your appeal
• Include any evidence that supports your request
• Key: Make sure to submit everything by the deadline listed in your decision letter

If you have questions about the appeal process, we’re here to help clarify.

If you’re assigned outcomes, it’s your responsibility to complete them and submit proof to our office.

Be sure to:

• Finish all outcomes by the due date listed in your decision letter
• Upload or send any required documentation as proof of completion

Completing your outcomes on time is an important part of resolving your case. Let us know if you need help along the way. To request an extension on deadlines, contact your Resolution Coordinator.

You have the right to review your conduct record.

Our office keeps conduct records for a minimum of seven (7) years. In some cases—such as suspension or expulsion—records may be kept permanently.

For additional details on how long records are kept and how to request access, check out the Records section below.

If you’re found responsible for violating UNC’s drug or alcohol policies, the University may notify your parent or guardian.

This notification is typically sent by email or mail and includes:

• A brief summary that you were involved in a drug or alcohol-related incident
• An encouragement to start an open and supportive conversation

If you have questions or concerns about this letter, you’re welcome to reach out to the Dean of Students Office at dos@unco.edu. We’re here to help.

Your student record is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

That means we can’t share details about your conduct record without your written permission—unless there’s an immediate safety concern or a legitimate educational reason to do so.

Need access to your record? Here’s how:

• To review an incident report or evidence in a case where you’re the Responding Party, submit this form.
• To request a copy of your disciplinary records, use this form.

If you would like a member of our office to speak with someone about your conduct record, you can provide your written consent by completing the online release form here.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out.

Study Abroad

If you’re planning to study abroad, you’ll need to complete a release form so the Dean of Students Office can conduct a background check as part of the eligibility process. This release form can be found in your study abroad application portal.

On-Campus Employment

Some student employment positions require a conduct check before an offer is made. If you’re unsure whether this applies, talk with your potential employer—they can explain what’s included.

Applying to Another University

Some colleges and universities may ask about your conduct record as part of their application process.

To request that your disciplinary records be sent to another institution, submit this form. Please know that some information can be provided to the other institution without your consent.

If you have questions, the Dean of Students Office.

• Student Code of Conduct
• Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct
• Registered Student Organization Conduct Transparency Report
• University Regulations
• Board of Trustees Policy

An informal resolution offer (e.g., Mutual Resolution or Amnesty Education) is an opportunity to have your case processed informally with our office. You can either accept or decline the offer by the deadline listed. If you accept the offer, you will need to complete the outcomes listed in your letter. If you decline the offer, then you will meet with a Resolution Coordinator in a formal conduct process. If you do not respond to the offer, then your case will go through a formal conduct process instead.  

You will have the opportunity to meet with a Resolution Coordinator to discuss the incident. A general outline of the conduct hearing is provided below:  

• Welcome and Get to Know You: The Resolution Coordinator will introduce themselves and spend some time getting to know you (e.g., your hobbies, interests, support systems, academic experience).   

• Hearing Overview: The Resolution Coordinator will provide an overview of the Hearing. This will include the structure/phases listed below, review of our evidentiary standard in student conduct processes, reminders of the role of a Support Person during the Hearing, and review of the approved accommodations for the Hearing.   

• Review of Reports: You will review the incident report(s) related to the incident and alleged violation(s). You will be provided a copy of the incident report(s) to read and review. We will also review any relevant evidence submitted.   

• Incident Discussion: After reviewing the report(s) and evidence, you will be provided with an opportunity to talk about the incident from your perspective. The Resolution Coordinator will likely ask additional questions to clarify or learn more about the incident from your perspective.   

• Next Step Review: The Resolution Coordinator will describe the process of that happens after the Hearing, including issuing a Decision in the matter and your right to submit an appeal should you be found responsible for any policy violation.   

• Questions: You will be provided with an opportunity to ask questions that you have before ending the Hearing. Your opportunity to ask questions is not limited to this one time during the Hearing and instead you can ask questions throughout.  

Attending your Hearing is an opportunity for you to share your experience and perspective regarding the incident. If you choose not to attend, a decision will be made in your absence based on the information available to us.  

By choosing to be a member of the university community, you agree to uphold the Student Code of Conduct (Student Code) on and off campus. The court process and the student conduct process are independent of one another. The court process determines what criminal statutes were violated as well as any penalties. The student conduct process addresses university behavioral expectations as outlined in the Student Code.  

The University may notify your parents/support people regarding any conduct situation. The University may notify your parents/support people if you consume alcohol and/or drugs while under the age of 21. Parents/Support people may also be notified as needed by administrators when permitted by FERPA or with your consent.  

As a responsible member of the University community, you are expected to familiarize yourself with the Student Code. We do not recognize lack of knowledge as an excuse for violating a policy. Reasonable and appropriate behavior will generally help you to avoid violating University policies.  

Most students found responsible for violating the Student Code are not suspended. However, suspension or expulsion is more likely to result from behavior that is severe, recurrent, and/or threatening to the safety of our community.  

If you are found responsible for violating the Student Code, you will be asked to complete a series of educational outcomes. These outcomes are designed to help you succeed in the future, to allow you space and time to reflect on your decisions, to connect you with appropriate resources, to learn something new, and to protect the university community.  

If you choose not to complete your outcomes, a registration hold may be placed on your student account. A registration hold prevents you from registering for classes, making changes to current classes, and/or accessing your transcript. Additionally, you could receive another conduct process  for failing to comply with directives of University officials. If you have questions regarding your outcomes, please contact our office.  

The University’s record retention policy dictates that we retain disciplinary records for a minimum of seven years, and indefinitely in the case of suspension or expulsion. Some outcomes (e.g., suspension or expulsion) may appear on your academic transcript.   

It depends on the policy of the particular program or institution to which you are applying. You may be required to disclose disciplinary records as a part of an application for graduate programs and/or employment. Often colleges and universities will request written consent to receive disciplinary records. However, our office, in accordance with FERPA, may provide disciplinary records without written consent to institutions where students seek or intend to enroll.  

You are allowed to bring one support person to your Hearing. Your support person may be a parent, friend, counselor, professor, attorney, or another trusted party. Your support person may not communicate on your behalf or participate directly in the Hearing. Your Resolution Coordinator may consult with or choose to have University Counsel present at a Hearing. If a support person becomes disruptive to the process, they may be dismissed from the Hearing.  

Appeals must be filed via the Statement of Appeal form included your Decision letter within five (5) business days, outside of unexpected circumstances. For more information about the appeal process, including the criteria for the appeal, please see the appeal section of the Student Code.  

You may request to review your record by submitting the online Request for Disciplinary Records form. After we receive your request, by law, we have 45 days to allow you to view your record or send your record to you. Records will be reviewed in the presence of a staff member. You may bring a support person to view your record. You may not make copies or take photographs of your record, but you may take notes.  

If you have additional questions, please contact our office at 970-351-2001 or via email at dos@unco.edu. You can also email your Resolution Coordinator using the email listed in your letter(s).