Q: Why are students documented and referred to Residential Life?
A: Students can be referred to Residential Life for alleged violations of the NDSCS Student Code of Conduct. Referrals are often made by Residential Life staff, on and off-campus Police, Faculty, Staff, or other members of the campus community.
Q: Can students be documented for off-campus conduct incidents?
A: Yes, NDSCS Students are responsible for their conduct off campus as well. Any Conduct that occurs off campus, that would also be a conduct violation on campus, can be referred to Residential Life.
Q: Can students be both processed criminally and referred to Residential Life for the same act?
A: Yes, NDSCS students can be processed criminally and go through the NDSCS Conduct Process for the same incident. Although both processes will be separate from each other, any reports or statements may be used in both processes.
Q: How are students notified that they have been reported to Residential Life?
A: When the Residential Life office receives a report that there has been an alleged Conduct violation, any student(s) involved will receive an email Notice to Appear from a Conduct Officer (either a Resident Director or the Assistant Director of Leadership and Community Development, depending on type/severity of the alleged violation). This email will contain information about the alleged violations, as well as set a time and place for the student to meet with their Conduct Officer for an Administrative Hearing.
Q: What should be done once a student receives a Notice to Appear?
A: The student should read through the email carefully, making sure that the time/date of the Administrative Hearing will work for them. If it does not, the student should call the Residential Life office (701-671-2224) to reschedule.
Q: What happens if the student does not appear for their hearing?
A: If a student misses the Hearing set in the Notice to Appear, the student will have another opportunity to appear in a hearing. The student will be sent a 2nd Notice to Appear, informing them that they will have a period of time that they can call to set up a hearing time with their Conduct Officer. This period of time is typically around 3 business days. If a student were to not appear for their hearing a 2nd time, the Conduct Officer would hold a “default” hearing, in which they make a decision of responsibility for the student, without any input from the student. It is always in the student’s best interest to appear to their hearing.
Q: If a student receives a Notice to Appear from their Conduct Officer, does that mean the student has already been found responsible for a violation?
A: No. If a student were to receive a Notice to Appear, that is that start of an investigation into an alleged conduct violation, and responsibility will not be determined unless the student either accepts responsibility in their Hearing or the Conduct Officer has finished their investigation.
Q: What if the student did not commit the violation that they have been accused of?
A: The student will have a chance to provide a plausible explanation for the circumstances that led to the allegation during their hearing. The student should bring any evidence that supports their statements that they can to the hearing. However, given any other evidence discovered during the investigation, the Conduct Officer may still find a student responsible for a violation.