Student Conduct

Appalachian State University addresses off campus violations to:

1. Reduce and prevent behavior that undermines academic success and that negatively detracts from the educational mission of the University
2. Ensure the health and safety of students and the community
3. Provide timely support and resources for students
4. Prevent violence in and around the University Community

Appalachian does have the legal right to set expectations and to hold students responsible for violating these standards off-campus. Appalachian approaches off-campus violations as a community standard issue, paying special attention to high-risk patterns of behavior, with an underlying focus on our care for student health and safety.

Commonly Asked Questions About Off-Campus Violations

Does the Office of Student Conduct address all off-campus violations?

Types of off-campus behavior(s) that may be addressed by the Office of Student Conduct include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. felony charges;
2. acts of harm charges, including, but not limited to, assault, harassment, or threats;
3. hazing;
4. behavior that occurs at any college or university may be processed under this Code in the same manner as on-campus behavior; and
5. activities of a student or group of students that conflict with the University’s interests and mission, including, but not limited to, any other behavior(s) that put the health and safety of others at risk or show disregard for the policies of the University.

Doesn't addressing off-campus violations involve double jeopardy?

The procedures provided in this Code are not intended to be equivalent to the process of federal, state, or local laws and do not determine whether criminal conduct has occurred. Criminal procedures do not address the educational mission of the University. The University may initiate disciplinary proceedings when a student is charged with a violation of law that may also constitute a violation of this Code. The University reserves the right to proceed under this Code prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to civil litigation, criminal arrest, or criminal prosecution. The University fully cooperates with law enforcement agencies to the extent permitted by law. The outcome of a criminal or civil legal process is not determinative of the outcome of a University disciplinary process.

What happens if my case is dropped in court?

Because the conduct process at Appalachian is separate from the legal system, and utilizes a different standard of proof, outcomes from the court system are not acceptable challenges to the outcomes in the Office of Student Conduct. Students referred to the Office of Student Conduct will still be expected to attend meetings for violating the Code of Student Conduct.

If a student is assigned similar outcomes in the court system and the Office of Student Conduct (such as community service or counseling), can a completed sanction for one entity be applied towards the other?

Yes. If a student receives the same or similar outcomes in the court system and the Office of Student Conduct, fulfillment of the court system sanction may satisfactorily complete the sanction from the Office of Student Conduct. However, if both entities require different outcomes, students must complete all of the requirements for both. The Office of Student Conduct does not extend deadlines for an outcome on the basis that the case has not been heard through the court system.