Marshall University requires all students to act as responsible citizens and members of our community. Each student is expected to adhere to the expectations laid out in the Student Code of Conduct. Each student also has the right to due process, and is expected to review the Student Conduct Procedures to learn more. A brief overview is provided below:
The Office of Student Conduct can receive reports from anyone in the community through the General Incident Form. We also receive reports from faculty and staff members, student organization advisors, the Marshall University Police Department, and Huntington Police Department. Allegations of student misconduct will be reviewed by the office, or other appropriate personnel.
Submit a Report
When a report is received, appropriate university personnel will explore each allegation of student misconduct contained in the report. The assigned personnel will review the allegations, gather the relevant evidence, and interview complainants, respondents, and witnesses. This information will be used by the Office of Student Conduct in determining if a violation of the Student Code of Conduct has occurred.
Informal Process
If it is determined that there is not a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or a complainant requests a less formal route, the report may be resolved through an informal process. This process aims to educate the involved parties and stop the reported behavior. This process may be completed through an educational conversation, mediation and conflict resolution, or in partnership with another university office.
Formal Process
If, after investigating the complaint or allegation of student misconduct, the University finds that it is reasonable to believe that the Respondent violated the Student Code of Conduct, then charges will be brought against the student.
If it is reasonable to believe that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct has occurred, a formal written charge of alleged prohibited conduct will be sent to the respondent. The notice of charge will be sent through a student’s Marshall email account. This notice will contain the accusation(s), charges brought against the student, meeting instructions, and resources for the student conduct process.
A determination of responsibility shall be based on a preponderance of the evidence. “Preponderance of the evidence” means evidence which is of greater weight or more convincing than the evidence which is offered in opposition to it; that is, evidence which, as a whole, shows that the fact sought to be proved is more probable than not.
During your meeting, it will be determined if there is a standard of proof for the violations.
The Outcome Letter will include a brief statement of the result of the investigation, the assigned sanction(s), and an explanation of any appeal rights. When applicable, the Complainant will receive a copy of the Outcome Letter. Outcomes letters will be sent to a students MU email account.
Students may request a hearing within four (4) calendar days from the date that the Outcome Letter is sent. If the Respondent does not request a hearing in accordance within the timeframe, the outcome decision will become final and sanctions will be implemented.