Navigating the UCF Student Conduct Code: Upholding Integrity and Community Standards
The University of Central Florida (UCF) Student Conduct Code serves as a cornerstone for fostering a scholarly community built on integrity, respect, and responsibility. This code outlines the expectations for student behavior and the procedures for addressing alleged violations. By embracing these fundamental values, instructors, students, staff, and administrators create effective scholarly communities where integrity is a touchstone. Without them, the work of teachers, learners, and researchers loses value and credibility. More than merely abstract principles, the fundamental values serve to inform and improve ethical decision-making capacities and behavior. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the UCF Student Conduct Code, clarifying its key components, processes, and implications for students.
Core Principles and Values
At the heart of the UCF Student Conduct Code lies a commitment to upholding academic integrity and maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all members of the university community. The code emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making and responsible behavior, recognizing that these qualities are essential for the success of both individuals and the institution as a whole.
Scope and Jurisdiction
Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) handles concerns against University of Central Florida students and student groups but not faculty or staff. The UCF Student Conduct Code applies to all UCF students, both on and off campus, and covers a wide range of behaviors, including academic misconduct, disruptive conduct, and violations of university policies.
Reporting and Investigation of Misconduct
The process begins when the Director of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) or designee receives and reviews a written report alleging misconduct. Upon receiving an alleged violation of misconduct, the Director of SCAI or designee may review relevant information and consult with relevant parties regarding the incident in question. The written complaint of violation of the UCF Code of Conduct shall be made no later than six months following discovery of the alleged violation.
If the information warrants disciplinary action, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity will send written notification to the charged student indicating the nature of the activity in question and what university rules were allegedly violated. The charged student has the right to inspect any information submitted in support of the charges. SCAI staff member sends written notification to charged student indicating the alleged violation(s) and information regarding a preliminary conference.
Read also: Understanding Student Conduct
Resolution Processes
Depending on the nature and severity of the alleged violation, Student Conduct & Academic Integrity may recommend formal mediation as an alternative to disciplinary action. At the discretion of SCAI, violations found not to warrant a formal hearing may be referred to an Informal Resolution Conference. If an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct is not dismissed or otherwise resolved, then SCAI shall move forward with the formal hearing process.
Specific Violations Addressed
The UCF Student Conduct Code addresses a variety of specific violations, including but not limited to:
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct encompasses a range of dishonest behaviors related to academic work. A Z designation denotes a student was found “responsible” for academic misconduct while enrolled in a course. A Z designation does not affect a student’s grade point average.
Prohibited Conduct
The code also outlines specific prohibited conduct, including various forms of harassment and violence:
Sexual Assault
(a) Sexual Assault.
Read also: Office of Student Conduct Details
Sexual Harassment
(b) Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment means any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other unwanted verbal, graphic or physical conduct of a sexual nature when the conditions for Hostile Environment Harassment or Quid Pro Quo Harassment as defined in UCF’s Nondiscrimination Policy (No.
Gender-Based Harassment
(c) Gender-Based Harassment: Gender-based unlawful harassment is harassment that is based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, which may include acts of aggression, intimidation, or hostility, whether verbal, graphic, or physical, even if the acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature, when the conditions for Hostile Environment Harassment or Quid Pro Quo Harassment as defined in UCF’s Nondiscrimination Policy (No.
Relationship Violence
(d) Relationship Violence: Relationship Violence includes any act of violence or threatened act of violence that occurs between individuals who are involved or have been involved in a sexual, dating, spousal, domestic, or other intimate relationship.
Stalking
(e) Stalking: Stalking occurs when there is a course of conduct directed at a specific person under circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others, or to experience substantial emotional distress. Defined as when a person engages in a course of conduct directed as a specific person under circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or to experience substantial emotional distress. A “course of conduct” is two or more acts, including but not limited to acts in which a person directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about another person, or interferes with another person’s property.
Exposing another person to a sexually transmitted infection or virus without the other’s knowledge.
Read also: Student Accessibility Services at USF
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