Students' FAQs
While this guide is designed to assist parents who have students interacting with the University Student Conduct System, it is strongly recommended that you review the Student Code of Conduct for complete details of the student judicial process.
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Any alleged violation of the Student Code. This office also addresses faculty, staff and student complaints that relate to the Student Code of Conduct.
All students are required to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. This includes; but is not limited to, athletes, band members, students in leadership roles, student organizations, etc.
Yes, parties to these proceedings have the right to use an advisor (including an attorney) of his or her choosing, and at his/his own expense, for the purpose of providing advice and counsel. The advisor may be present during meetings and proceedings during the investigatory and/or resolution process at which his or her advisee is present. Additionally, the University shall not prohibit family members of a party from attending if the party requests such attendance, but may limit each participant to two (2) family members.
In the case of an administrative meeting, the University Hearing Officer will be making the decision only when the responding student accepts responsibility for his/her alleged violations.
Yes, students can appeal the decision of a hearing officer or conduct board except when admitting guilt and a minimum sanction is given. The request must be submitted in writing within five (5) business days of the final decision in accordance with the following appellate procedures:
- To consider new information, sufficient to alter the decision, or other relevant facts not brought out in the original hearing, because such information was not known or knowable to the person appealing during the time of the hearing;
- To allege a procedural error within the hearing process that may have substantially impacted the fairness of the hearing, including but not limited to whether any hearing questions were improperly excluded or whether the decision was tainted or bias; or,
- To allege that the finding was inconsistent with the weight of the information.
The appeal shall be a review of the record only, and no new meeting will be held.
A student may not voluntarily withdraw from the university without penalty if a decision of suspension or expulsion is rendered against the student.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) prohibits educational institutions from disclosing information from a student’s educational record to any third party including parents without the student’s consent, with some exceptions. In most cases disciplinary records cannot be released to parents without the student’s permission. The Office of Student Conduct always encourages students to discuss issues with their parent or guardian.
There are exceptions to FERPA concerning release of information to parents:
- Parents of students who are under 21 may be notified of drug and alcohol violations. Albany State University notifies parents of these violations.
- If the health or safety of a student is in question, the information can and will be released.
Note that this office does not provide any “other” type of class excuses whether it is for medical purposes or otherwise.
Comprised amongst the purposes of the conduct process are to promote self-discipline, academic integrity, respect and civility; providing a safe environment for all members of the Albany State University community; and addressing behavior that goes against the expectations of an Albany State University student. Sanctions are the outcomes resulting from a violation in which a student is found responsible for violating the ASU Student Code of Conduct. The purpose of sanctions are to provide students with a chance to learn from the experience and bring more consciousness of the impact of choices on themselves, others, and the community of Albany State University.
All records are maintained for a minimum of seven (7) years or until you graduate. The files of students who receive sanctions of suspension or expulsion are the only exception. Those files are maintained permanently.
- Alcohol
- Drugs
The severity of sanctions or corrective actions will depend on the frequency, severity, and/or nature of the offense, history of past conduct, the student’s willingness to accept responsibility, previous University response to similar conduct, and the University’s interests. The student conduct panel will determine sanctions and the conduct officer will issue notice of the same. The broad range of sanctions include but are not limited to the following types:
- Admonishment/Disciplinary Warning
- Disciplinary Probation
- Community Service
- Counseling
- Educational Program/Workshop Participation
- Assessment Fee
- Fine
- Delays in obtaining administrative services and benefits from the University (e.g. holding transcripts, delaying registration, graduation, diplomas)
- Conduct Record Hold
- Loss of University Privileges and/or Restricted Access
- Loss of Student Office/Leadership Position
- Temporary or Permanent separation of parties (e.g. change in classes, reassignment of residence, no contact orders, etc.)
- Financial Restitution
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