Student FAQs

The Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards received a report regarding potential violations of the University of Nebraska Student Code of Conduct. This initial meeting is for information gathering and to give you the opportunity to provide any information you have regarding the alleged incident. You are required to appear for that meeting, or you must call to reschedule if you have a conflict. During you meeting, you will be given an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the report we received and about the process.

The Student Conduct process is distinct and separate from criminal or civil court proceedings. An alleged violation of the University of Nebraska Student Code of Conduct may be heard even if the criminal case is not completed or if the criminal charges are dropped. As a student, you are responsible for complying with the Student Code of Conduct. Student Conduct & Community Standards takes an educational approach to resolving conduct cases and works to identify appropriate educational sanctions/outcomes for students referred to our office. Additionally, any educational outcomes you complete through the Student Conduct process may be used to assist you with your court proceedings.

The Student Conduct process is an educational administrative process where the determination of responsibility is based on a greater weight of the evidence that the student/student organization violated the University of Nebraska Student Code of Conduct. The greater weight of evidence means evidence sufficient to make the alleged violation(s) more likely true than not. If the evidence is evenly balanced, or if it weighs in favor of the student/student organization, then the student/student organization is found not in violation of the alleged violation(s).

The University of Nebraska reserves the right to address off-campus behavior if the incident arises out of a student's membership in the campus community or has impacted or is likely to impact the University community. The University of Nebraska Student Code of Conduct specifies locations in which the Code applies in Section I, Subsection D.

The University of Nebraska Student Code of Conduct encourages students to seek emergency help for themselves or others related to the use of alcohol or illegal drugs if they have problems functioning or suffer a physical injury. The exception states that the University will not take disciplinary action against students for using or possessing alcohol or illegal drugs, if the use or possession was part of the incident for which they received emergency help or sought emergency help for another person, or if they were involved in the care of that person. As a condition of not taking action, however, the University may require students to meet with a Conduct Officer and to participate in an alcohol or drug educational program that is designed to help increase their awareness of their alcohol or drug-related behavior.

The Conduct Officer assigned to a case involving alcohol or illegal drugs will determine whether the case qualifies for the Exception. For more information about the exception, visit the Student Code of Conduct section about the Exception for Seeking Emergency Help.

In most cases, nothing will appear on your transcript. Only in cases where suspension or expulsion occur will a note appear on your transcript. Outcomes including suspension or expulsion are rare and only used in severe cases or when a student has multiple violations of the same nature. Suspension results in a temporary notation that would be present only during the period of suspension. Expulsion results in a permanent notation.

While your Conduct Officer will consider some standard responses based on the violation, each specific Administrative Resolution will be determined on a case-by-case basis. We cannot predict the outcome of a case before all the information has been considered. For a list of potential sanctions, the University of Nebraska Student Code of Conduct lists potential outcomes in Section III, Subsection A. Educational sanctions are intended to provide students the opportunity to reflect on what happened and gain information regarding the subject of the violation.

If you are considered a minor (under the age of 18) your parents or legal guardians will be notified if you are placed on suspension or expulsion from the University. Parent/guardian notification may occur if you are under 21 years old, and you are found in violation of an alcohol or drug related policy.

FERPA stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and is a federal law that protects student educational records, including student conduct records. For more information, please visit the https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.htmlUS Department of Education website specific to FERPA.

Information regarding your Student Conduct records is confidential. In some cases, you may wish to release information contained in your Student Conduct records to a third party, such as an advisor or a parent. Any time you want the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards to be authorized to release information contained in your case to a third party, you must sign a Release of Information Authorization Form. The form must specify the information to be released, the person(s) authorized to receive information, the type(s) of access (including by oral discussion, electronic communication, or in-person viewing), and the length of time of the consent. You may also need to complete a Release of Information for Study Abroad, transfers to another institution, or employment opportunities. These releases are usually managed by the program or employer.

If you wish to authorize a release of information, you must fill out a Release of Information Waiver Request. This form must be submitted by the student and cannot be completed by another person on your behalf. Once you have completed the request, you will receive an email to your Husker email address to electronically sign a Release of Information Authorization Form.

Instances of misappropriating your financial aid, or failure to make academic progress may affect your eligibility for federal student loans. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information. Most violations of the Student Code of Conduct will not affect scholarships, but a student should read the individual conditions of the scholarship.

Please visit the Dean Certification and Background Checks page on our website for more information.

Please contact the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards at studentconduct@unl.edu or (402) 472-2021. You may also reach out to your Conduct Officer directly to ask case specific questions.

Prior to the hearing, you will have an opportunity to review the hearing packet that is shared with the University Conduct Board. You can schedule a time to review the hearing packet no fewer than five (5) University days prior to the hearing.

You will also have the opportunity to submit any documentation, pictures, or video that you would like included in the hearing packet no fewer than two (2) University days prior to the hearing.

During the hearing, you will have an opportunity to provide a brief narrative of the incident, to answer questions, to ask questions, and to make a closing statement. You can prepare an opening and closing statement prior to the hearing along with any questions you may have for other individuals that may be present during the hearing. If you are found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, you will have an opportunity to speak to the Board members about potential sanctions/outcomes before they decide on sanctions.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln holds hearings via Zoom. When you are notified of your hearing date and time, a Zoom link and any additional instructions that may be needed will be included in that notification.

Yes. You are able to have an advisor present with you during any meetings throughout the Student Conduct process, including the hearing.

An advisor can be anyone you select, including an attorney. An advisor may provide guidance to you but may not otherwise directly participate in the Student Conduct process. The Student Conduct process shall not be unduly delayed based on the availability of your advisor. You are responsible for any fees that the advisor may charge.

During the hearing, the advisor may not speak for you, answer questions, or directly participate in any way. If your advisor fails to follow these instructions or otherwise is disruptive, the Chair may ask them to leave the hearing. The purpose of the advisor is to provide you with support, guidance, and advice. You may also request a break during the hearing to confer with your advisor, if needed.

If you wish to have witnesses present information during the hearing, you must notify your Conduct Officer at least two (2) University days prior to the hearing. At the time of notification, you must identify anyone you plan to call as a witness. You are expected to communicate with your witnesses and ensure they have the correct information in order to participate in the hearing.

A witness cannot serve as your advisor.

You are strongly encouraged to attend your hearing, but you are not required to participate. If you do not attend, the University Conduct Board will decide the case in your absence, and you will be notified of their decision. Information you shared with the Conduct Officer during your initial meeting will be included as part of the hearing packet.

If you disagree with the outcome of a hearing, you may appeal the decision to the Vice Chancellor responsible for student conduct or their designee. Refer to the Student Code of Conduct Section IV, H. for more information about the appeal process.