Conduct & Conflict Resolution FAQs

Your letter outlines the alleged incident, date of incident and the corresponding conduct violation(s). The violation(s) is/are further explained in the Student Code of Conduct, Regulation 2.012. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

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A Judicial Hold will be placed on your student account, which will prevent you from registering for classes and obtaining transcripts. It is in your best interest to schedule and attend your appointment with a staff member.

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You must bring picture identification, preferably RattlerCard, to your appointment. A staff member will explain the student conduct process at this meeting, including your due process rights and the alleged violations. You will have an opportunity to select a resolution path (an administrative hearing or informal disposition) and sign the appropriate forms.Back to top

Any student registered for study at the University. This includes persons not officially registered or enrolled for a particular term but who are eligible to enroll or are associated with the University because he/she has not completed a course or program. The term ""student"" will also refer to student clubs and organizations which are subject to the Student Code of Conduct. 

Discipline may be imposed for any conduct which occurs on University property, at University-sponsored events, at University approved events conducted by certified clubs/organizations or off campus, including non-University related activities.

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Disciplinary actions do not appear on academic transcripts. However, if a student is suspended or expelled from the University, a notation will appear on the academic transcript noting that the student is not in good standing with the University. 

Once the suspension period is over, the notation is removed. If a student is expelled, the notation is permanent and cannot be removed.

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The Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution is bound by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  Students may choose to sign a release form granting Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution permission to discuss any and all information related to their disciplinary file with any individual that they designate. This form is available from the Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution. Additionally, any educational institution or agency requesting a disciplinary check on a current or former FAMU student must be in writing and accompanied by a signed release from the student. 

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We may notify parents if their student has an alcohol and/or drug violation as allowed by state and federal laws. We encourage students to speak with their parents and believe that, as adults, students should take responsibility for initiating the conversation. Students may also sign a release(s) that would allow us to speak with parents about any situation at hand. In addition, you may be notified if there is an imminent risk to the student's health, safety or welfare.

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You can help your student through the process by being supportive while holding the student accountable to your expectations and those of the University. You can also help identify and provide necessary interventions, such as alcohol or drug evaluations, anger management and others, so that your student can be successful at FAMU. Allow and expect the student to set appointments, attend meetings and fulfill sanctions. It is usually not helpful to the educational development of the student or resolution of the matter for you to take over the process from your student.

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The student may have an advisor, advocate or legal representative present, who may be a parent/guardian. The  advisor, advocate or legal representative may be present to advise the student and participate in all aspects of the proceeding but cannot testify for the student.Back to top

An attorney is not required although some students choose, at their own expense and initiative to have an attorney accompany them. An attorney may serve as an advisor and participate in all aspects of student conduct proceeding. The attorney cannot testify for the student or serve in any other role in the student conduct process.

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A disciplinary record does not automatically exclude a student from further study, jobs, etc. That usually depends on the type or severity of misconduct in which a student is involved. A disciplinary record may lead an admissions office to more closely scrutinize the student's application. We will only release information about a student's disciplinary record to another school or potential employer as allowed by the records policy, or with the permission of the student.

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The criminal justice system and the Code of Conduct are not mutually exclusive. By virtue of being a student, your student is held responsible for upholding the standards of behavior in the Code of Conduct, as well as public laws. Note that the University may proceed with the student conduct process prior to, concurrent with or subsequent to criminal arrest and/or prosecution.

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The University has an interest in maintaining a safe community and appropriate standards of conduct for its students. This includes both on-campus and off-campus behavior, which can have an impact on the University community and the University’s mission.

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Students can represent themselves in all student conduct matters, whether or not the student is also facing other proceedings related to the same conduct. Students may have an advisor, advocate or legal representative present who may participate in all aspects of the student conduct proceedings, but the advisor may not testify for the student or serve in any other role in the conduct process.

This advisor may be an attorney or a friend or another person. In addition, the Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution will correspond at all times directly with the student and not through any third party.  Any communications between the University and the 'student's attorney are through the Office of the General Counsel.

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The student conduct process at FAMU is not attempting to determine whether or not a student has violated the law; the University is trying to determine whether or not a student violated University regulations. As such, the goals and the means of the criminal justice process and the student conduct process are dissimilar. A student may request to have the administrative hearing postponed for no more than sixty (60) business days provided the student agrees to accept the imposition of probation, suspension, or withdraws voluntarily depending upon the gravity of the offense. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall make the final determination regarding the 'student's status.

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No. "Double-jeopardy" is a concept that applies solely to criminal proceedings. Criminal proceedings do not in any way offer exemptions from civil or administrative proceedings.

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The student disciplinary system is not judging criminal guilt, but rather, whether a student has violated campus regulations. The courts have long recognized the differing interests of the University community from that of the criminal justice process. Although there are basic concepts of fairness that apply to student disciplinary proceedings, the student disciplinary system serves administrative and educational functions relating to the mission of  Florida A&M University. Many of the intricate rules and processes found in a court system are not applicable for the campus.

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Decisions with respect to student responsibility for alleged actions are made based on a preponderance of the information; that is, the University must prove that it is  "more likely than not" that the violation occurred. The student is presumed ""Not Responsible"" for the alleged violation(s).

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