Standard of Conduct

Reviewed: 10/13/21
Updated: 7/25/22
Contact: Student Life Office

It is important that students know College policy and understand expectations. Living responsibly in community with constant interaction requires reasonable regulation. These standards reflect our collective responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy living and learning experience.

William Jewell College has established the following guidelines for student conduct. This list outlines conduct that is inconsistent with the values of William Jewell College and the institution’s philosophy of living responsibly in community:

  1. Dishonesty or knowingly providing false information to the college.
  2. Theft of, misuse of, or damage to college or personal property by a member of the college community or campus visitors; possession of stolen property.
  3. Forgery, alteration or misuse of college documents, records or identification.
  4. Impeding or interfering with students’ right to a high-quality educational experience.
  5. Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct on college-owned property, at college-sponsored functions, or directed toward a member of the college community.
  6. Conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person, including one’s self.
  7. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury to any member of the college community, any person on college-owned or controlled property, or any person at a college-sponsored or supervised function.
  8. Use, possession, or distribution of narcotic or dangerous drugs (including, but not limited to: marijuana, steroids, or cocaine), except as expressly permitted by law.
  9. Violation of College’s Alcohol Policy (found within the Student Handbook).
  10. Unauthorized entry to, use of, or exit from college facilities.
  11. Misuse or abuse of fire safety equipment including fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers.
  12. Violation of Campus Housing Policies.
  13. Failure to comply with directions of college officials acting in the performance of their duties.
  14. Conduct that adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the college community.
  15. Conduct that would meet the definition of Sexual Harassment as defined in the College’s Sexual Harassment Policy but that falls outside the jurisdiction of the Sexual Harassment Policy because it occurred outside the United States or because it occurred outside the College’s education programs and activities.

Standards 1-3 respond to Jewell’s Honor Code. Charged violations of Standards 1-3 are subject to review by both the Honor Council and the Standard of Conduct Review Board.

The College reserves the right to address inappropriate behavior that does not clearly fall within an identified Standard of Conduct. Residential students should familiarize themselves with Campus Housing Policies.

Alleged acts of Sexual Harassment will be initially referred to the Title IX Coordinator for disposition under the College’s Sexual Harassment Policy, as appropriate.

Standard of Conduct Charges

Any member of the William Jewell College community may file Standard of Conduct policy violation charges against a student, along with any supporting documentation, to the Student Life Office. Charges may be submitted anonymously if the reporting party provides the Student Life Office with a signed written statement. The identity of anonymous reporters will be confidentially disclosed only to the Standard of Conduct Review Board Chairperson.

Standard of Conduct Review Process

Charges Initiate the Standard of Conduct Review

  • Incident Report
  • Written or Verbal Complaint

Standard of Conduct Notification to Responding Student
Responding student meets with a Student Life Office staff representative to receive a Standard of Conduct Notification that outlines the charge(s). The Student Life Office staff representative will:

  • Explain the Standard of Conduct Review process to the responding student and answer questions
  • Assess the responding student to determine if referral to other campus support services is appropriate
  • Communicate the date, time, and location of the Standard of Conduct Review Board hearing

Standard of Conduct Review Board Hearing

  • Responding student appears before the Standard of Conduct Review Board to state their case
  • Standard of Conduct Review Board rules on the responding student’s case and produces an Outcome

If the Responding Student Accepts the Standard of Conduct Review Board’s Outcome

  • Standard of Conduct Review process is concluded

If the Responding Student Appeals the Standard of Conduct Review Board’s Outcome

  • Appeals involving full suspension or dismissal are heard by the VP of Marketing, Enrollment and Student Life
  • All other appeals are heard by the Dean of Students

Appellate Ruling

  • Appellate ruling of the Dean of Students or VP of Marketing, Enrollment and Student Life is final and the Standard of Conduct Review process is concluded

Procedural Guarantees

  • Due Process – Students charged with violating the Standard of Conduct policy are entitled to:
    • written notice of charge(s).
    • a copy of the Standard of Conduct Review process.
    • the right to:
      • contest the charge(s) at a hearing the Standard of Conduct Review Board.
      • have an advisor present, if appearing before the Standard of Conduct Review Board for a hearing.
      • appeal the outcome of the Standard of Conduct Review Board (see appeals below).
  • Notification of Charge(s) – A Student Life Office staff member will present the student(s) charged with violating the Standard of Conduct policy with a Standard of Conduct Notification that includes:
    • Written notification of the charges;
    • A copy of the Standard of Conduct Review procedures;
    • The date, time, and location of the Standard of Conduct Review Board hearing; and
    • The responding student’s signature.

If the responding student fails or refuses to meet with a Student Life Office official to receive a Standard of Conduct Notification, the responding student will be e-mailed a written notification of the charges; a copy of the Standard of Conduct Review procedures; and the date, time, and location for the Standard of Conduct Review Board hearing. The Standard of Conduct Review Board will be informed of the responding student’s failure to respond, which may result in an additional charge of 13. Failure to comply with the directions of a College official acting in the performance of their duties. Regardless of whether an additional charge is added, a student’s failure to respond may be a factor considered by the Review Board.

  • Face the Reporting Party – Responding students have the right to face the reporting party during the Standard of Conduct Review Board hearing, unless the reporting party has requested anonymity. The Reporting party’s identity will not be disclosed during the Standard of Conduct Review Board hearing if the charge(s) were submitted anonymously. The Standard of Conduct Review Board Chairperson will share the written statement from the reporting party and may share the anonymous party’s relationship to the charge(s) if the Chairperson deems it relevant to the hearing.

Interim Measures

The VP of Marketing, Enrollment and Student Life, or their duly authorized representative, may temporarily impose interim measures (including, but not limited to, partial suspension, full suspension), or deny readmission to a responding student if it is deemed that their presence on campus may be disruptive or constitute a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the College. Standard of Conduct Review procedures will commence within five (5) business days if a responding student receives an interim measure of full suspension. Charges brought during semester breaks will be reviewed in the first five (5) business days once classes resume.