Office of Citizenship and Community Standards
Mission Statement
The Office of Citizenship and Community Standards (OCCS) strives to resolve allegations of misconduct under the Student Conduct Code in a manner consistent with its core principles of fairness, honesty, and integrity. OCCS acknowledges the importance of balancing the interests of the individual student or student organization and the community at large, as well as protecting the integrity of the institution and its values. To that end, the Office of Citizenship and Community Standards seeks to enhance the educational mission of the University by promoting a purposeful, inclusive, caring, responsible, just, and celebrative community. To foster the development of future leaders and responsible citizens, Citizenship and Community Standards promises to support the academic community by promoting and investing in students’ holistic learning, ethical growth, and character development.
Principles of the Conduct System
Fairness
Fairness is paramount in the conduct process. Every person involved should expect to be treated with respect and compassion, given the opportunity to communicate their perspective, as well as be heard without prejudice. The Office of Citizenship and Community Standards uses a consistent process and strives for timely resolution of cases.
Honesty
Honesty is critical to the resolution of community disputes, healthy relationships, personal growth, and social development. While acknowledging the reality of human fallibility, the Office of Citizenship and Community Standards believes that honest confrontation of choices is instrumental to the learning process.
Integrity
Integrity undergirds the legitimacy of the student conduct system and its processes. In other words, it living up to the expectations we espouse. Therefore, the Office of Citizenship and Community Standards seeks to be held accountable to the high expectations articulated in this statement and to foster a student and student organization conduct system that embodies the values of fairness, honesty, and integrity.