Student Conduct Process
Student conduct resolution – pathways, process, overview, and options
At UC Santa Cruz, the student conduct process is designed to be fair, educational, and responsive to the unique circumstances of each situation. Whether a matter is resolved informally through coaching or conflict resolution, or formally through a hearing process, our goal is to support student growth while upholding community standards. Below, you’ll find an overview of the available pathways—from educational interventions to formal adjudication.
The processes below are listed from informal to formal.
Conflict Education and Alternative Resolutions
A proactive, educational approach to resolving issues and building conflict resolution skills.
Administrative Resolution
The Administrative Resolution process follows the Student Conduct Investigation and Resolution Framework in Appendix H of the Student Policies and Regulations Handbook.
When a report falls under Appendix H and includes allegations that could violate university policy, Student Conduct will review the situation and, if needed, investigate.
If the investigation finds the student responsible for a policy violation, Student Conduct will issue an Administrative Resolution explaining the findings and the outcomes.
A student may choose to accept the Administrative Resolution, which makes the decision final—no hearing or appeal will take place afterward. A student also has the right to appeal the findings and/or outcomes. If the resolution includes suspension or dismissal, the student may contest the determination and proceed to a formal hearing.
Formal Hearings
When the outcome of the Administrative Resolution includes a suspension or dismissal, students may contest the outcome and proceed to a Formal Hearing. If only the outcomes are in dispute, the student may choose to bypass the hearing and move straight to an appeal of the outcomes.
Peer Review Board
The Peer Review Board (PRB) is an option for Administrative Resolution meetings.
Learn more about the Peer Review Board
Responsible Action Plan
The Responsible Action Plan (RAP) is a safety-focused policy for students seeking help in alcohol or drug-related medical emergencies.
Amnesty Policy: When RAP conditions are met, no student conduct status or administrative outcomes are assigned. The responding student must complete the assigned educational outcomes to maintain RAP eligibility.
Learn more on the Responsible Action Plan & Substance Use Policies page
Student organizations
Student organizations follow a similar process to individuals in the Administrative Resolution process. Letters are sent to the four SOAR-registered signatories.
Potential outcomes are outlined in Section 105.17 of the Code of Student Conduct.
Student employees
When a student is also an employee, the student conduct process may run separately from, or alongside, any employment-related corrective action.
Note: The Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Education only addresses conduct code violations and does not make employment decisions.
Anti-Discrimination Cases
Governed by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
After a formal investigation by Equity and Equal Protection (EEP), findings are reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Education. Student conduct outcomes are assigned based on the findings and severity of the violation.
Title IX Cases (SVSH)
Following the investigation, the Title IX Investigator submits the Investigation Report, including their preliminary findings, to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Education. If the Respondent is preliminarily determined to be responsible for one or more policy violations, the assigned staff member, who in most cases will be the Senior Conduct & Equity Specialist, will assign appropriate sanctions. For more information, please review the following Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH):
- Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Interim Policy
- Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Student Investigation and Adjudication Framework for Non-DOE Covered Conduct
PACAOS Appendix E - Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Student Investigation and Adjudication Framework for DOE-Covered Conduct
PACAOS Appendix F