H. Definitions

Action Plan: During a Student Conduct Meeting the student and the conduct officer will work together to develop an Action Plan that will consist of various assignments to aid the student.
Advisor: A person who has agreed to assist a complainant or respondent during the university conduct process. The advisor may be a person of the student’s choosing, including a Science & Arts faculty or staff member, a Science & Arts student, a parent, a friend, or an attorney.
Complainant: An individual who files a disciplinary complaint; the university may also serve as a complainant.
Day: University working day, not including Saturday, Sunday, or university breaks/holidays/closures. Time deadlines may be extended during breaks closures, and university holidays.
Faculty Member: Any person employed by the University to conduct classroom activities. For the purpose of the Student Code of Conduct this includes adjunct faculty.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): A federal law originally passed in 1974 that defines student educational records and regulates who may access those records and under what circumstances. The purpose of FERPA is to protect the privacy of student education records.
Hearing: An initial formal gathering and educational opportunity for complainants and respondents to voice their version of involvement of reported incidents, hear and question the findings of the investigation, present witnesses, and be supported by advisors before a hearing body, which may consist of faculty, staff, and/or students. A hearing may be a student conduct hearing, a Title IX hearing, or an appeal hearing. Prior to hearings, complainants and respondents will receive notice of the date, time, and location of hearings. Additionally, complainants and respondents are notified of the final outcomes of hearings.
Hearing Panel: Any person or persons authorized by the Dean of Students or designee to determine if a student has violated the Student Code. This body is to hear misconduct cases, consider the provided information, and recommend an appropriate outcome, which may include recommending or imposing sanctions. A hearing body may be referred to as a board or committee.
Member of the University Community: Any person who is a student, faculty member, University Official, or any other person employed by the University. A person’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Vice President for Student Success and Human Resources or their designee.
Policy: The written regulations of the University as found in, but not limited to, the Student Handbook, the Student Code of Conduct, and the University Catalog.
Respondent: Any student that is alleged to have violated the Student Code of Conduct.
Sanction: A disciplinary correction which is imposed on students who are found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions can range from a verbal warning to suspension or expulsion. Sanctions are primarily educational and corrective; however, sanctions such as suspension or expulsion from the university may be necessary to uphold community standards and to protect the campus community.
Standard of Evidence: The standard of evidence to be used in making a determination as to whether a violation has occurred is a preponderance of the evidence. Under this standard, the burden of proof is met when evidence exists or is presented that establishes that it is “more likely than not” that a violation occurred. This standard is often described as requiring a showing that there is a greater than fifty percent (50%) chance that the claim is true.
Student: The term “student” includes all persons enrolled at the university, both full-time and part-time, pursuing undergraduate studies. This includes any person whether full- time, part-time, concurrent, on campus, on-line, abroad, or any other form of enrollment. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a relationship with the university may also be considered students. This definition may include but is not limited to incoming freshmen, transfer students, anyone participating in university sponsored programs and activities for students, and persons who enroll for courses from time to time. Failure to observe the following regulations will subject the student to disciplinary action. Students who leave the university before a conduct complaint is resolved may be prohibited from future enrollment until the matter is resolved.
Student Organization: Any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for University recognition as managed by Student Services. Those organizations not formally recognized are still covered by the Student Code of Conduct.
Title IX: A clause in the 1972 Federal Education Act that states that no person shall be denied the benefits of any educational program or activity because of sex. Title IX prohibits sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination and sexual violence.
University: University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma.
University Official: Any person employed by the University, both full-time and part-time who perform assigned administrative or professional responsibilities. A University official in their work has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review the contents of an educational record in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities.
University Premises: Any buildings or grounds owned, leased, operated, controlled, or supervised by the university (including adjacent streets and sidewalks). Students should be advised that this includes properties that are not a part of the main university campus such as the Science & Arts Habitat. University premises also include, but are not limited to, all University- owned, leased, or rented vehicles.
University-sponsored Activity: Any activity on university premises or at an off-campus location that is directly initiated or supervised by the university or a university recognized group or organization. This includes but is not limited to study abroad programs and sporting events.
Witness: Material witnesses are individuals with firsthand knowledge of the incident. A witness may be allowed to present information related to their knowledge of the incident. Character witnesses will not be allowed.