UNM Student & Visitor Code of Conduct

Questions & Concerns

1. What are the Student Code of Conduct and Visitor Code of Conduct?
2. What are my rights if I am accused of a Code of Conduct violation?
3. What happens if I am charged with a Conduct Code violation?
4. Can I appeal the decisions that is reached?
5. What are the penalties if I am found responsible for a violation?
6. Can I bring an advisor to the hearing?
7. What role does the advisor play at these hearings?
8. Will the hearing be recorded?
9. What types of hearing recordings are kept?
10. What happens to my case if there are also criminal charges pending?
11. Can I be charged for a violation of the Student Conduct Code that took place off campus?
12. Whom do I contact if I have further questions?

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1. What are the Student Code of Conduct and Visitor Code of Conduct?

Policies which describe the rights, privileges and responsibilities of students and visitors at the University of New Mexico. Included are:

• Listings of actions that are violations of appropriate conduct.
• Possible sanctions for such violations:
  • Procedures by which such violations are resolved.
  • The procedural rights of those allegedly involved in Conduct Code violations.

2. What are my rights if I am accused of a Code of Conduct violation?

• Be notified in writing of the charges against you with sufficient detail and time to prepare for a hearing.
• A prompt hearing before the appropriate official or committee.
• Know the nature and source of the evidence which will be used at the hearing.
• Present evidence on your own behalf.
• Freedom against compulsory self-incrimination.
• Appear with an advisor at the hearing.

3. What happens if I am charged with a Conduct Code violation?

Upon receiving notice that you have allegedly committed a violation, you must schedule an appointment with the Dean of Students Office by the timeframe given to you in your notification. At your meeting with the Student Discipline Officer, you will have the opportunity to discuss the charges with the Student Discipline Officer, who will determine whether the situation warrants a hearing. Should a hearing be deemed necessary, you have the option of an informal hearing or a formal hearing before the Student Discipline Officer.

4. Can I appeal the decisions that is reached?

Verbal and written warnings cannot be appealed. Conduct probation, suspension, expulsion, and barring from campus may be appealed. Appeals must be made in writing to the Dean of Students or the appropriate University Official, within five days of the decision of the Student Discipline Officer. Appeals may be made by completing the appeals form at the Dean of Students Office or received in your written notification of your disciplinary findings. The decision of the Dean of Students may be appealed within five days of the decision to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Appeals of decisions regarding academic dishonesty made by the Student Discipline Officer or Student Conduct Committee are made to the Provost or designee rather than the Dean of Students.

5. What are the penalties if I am found responsible for a violation?

If you are found responsible one or more of the following sanctions may be imposed: Verbal Warning, Written Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion, Dismissal from Student Employment, Expulsion from Campus, Payment of Damages, Community Service and/or other appropriate educational sanctions.

6. Can I bring an advisor to the hearing?

Yes. You have the right to have an advisor of your choosing present at all hearings or meetings with University officials or Committees concerning your case.

7. What role does the advisor play at these hearings?

The advisor serves to help the party charged prepare to answer questions that may be asked at a hearing, helps prepare questions to ask witnesses, insures that the party charged understands the hearing process and that their rights are upheld. The advisor does not serve to represent the charged party by speaking for the charged party or directly questioning witnesses.

8. Will the hearing be recorded?

A tape recording is made of formal hearings before the Student Discipline Officer.

9. What types of hearing recordings are kept?

Disciplinary records, including correspondence and official records, are maintained in the Dean of Students Office under guidelines published in the UNM Pathfinder.

10. What happens to my case if there are also criminal charges pending?

The prospect of criminal charges does not preclude the possibility of a hearing on charges under the Student Code of Conduct or Visitor Code of Conduct. However, a student may ask for deferment of the administrative hearing, due to the pending legal or civil charges. This may be granted provided the student accepts and interim probationary or suspension status.

11. Can I be charged for a violation of the Student Conduct Code that took place off campus?

Yes. Students at the University of New Mexico are responsible for certain actions committed off campus. The Student Code of Conduct published in the UNM Pathfinder, identifies the criteria used to determine when off campus conduct is subject to disciplinary action.

12. Whom do I contact if I have further questions?

You may contact the Dean of Students Office at 277-3361 in room 280 of the Student Services Center for more information, of if you would like to request this publication in an alternate format.