The referral process
Who can make referrals?
The Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards can receive referrals from any member of the University and surrounding community who has reason to believe a student or student organization has violated the definitions of misconduct in the Code of Student Conduct. The following chart illustrates the most common sources of referrals:
How do I submit a referral?
Complete the electronic Student Referral Form.
What happens when a referral is made?
Upon receipt of a referral, The Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards will send a letter to the student's university email account that will outline the alleged violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct, and provide a date and time for a fact-finding meeting.
Can I be referred for an incident off-campus?
Of course! Student Conduct has jurisdiction over you as a student and member of the University of Akron community. The Code of Student Conduct applies to all undergraduate and graduate students for both on and off-campus behavior.
Not only are we interested in your ability to be successful, but we are also concerned about the safety and well-being of our campus community. To that extent, we examine the behavior and it's impact on the community more than the proximity to campus property.
This is clearly defined by the following:
University Rule 3359-41-01 : Jurisdiction
"University authority should not be used merely to duplicate the function of general laws. The University of Akron Code of Student Conduct applies to the conduct of all students and student organizations that occurs on university premises or on non-university premises, in person or by any electronic form or medium, where the conduct away from university premises is deemed by the university to affect the university or its students and university employees..."
University Rule 3359-41-01 : Introduction, Purpose and Disciplinary Authority of the University
“Students are subject to public laws, which the university police and other law enforcement agencies are empowered to enforce on or off university premises, either through their statutory jurisdiction or pursuant to a mutual aid agreement. Public laws include federal, state and local laws and ordinances. Should a student’s conduct violate public law and the Code of Student Conduct, the university may proceed with its own investigation and disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct without awaiting the outcome of concurrent criminal, administrative or civil proceedings.”
What if I wasn't aware my behavior was a violation?
It is your responsibility as a student to know and understand the Code of Student Conduct, and ignorance is NOT a defense for violations of the Code of Student Conduct.