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Effective July 2020
B. Student Conduct Code
- General Disciplinary Principles
Students are expected to make themselves aware of and abide by the University community’s standards of behavior as articulated in the Student Conduct Code, Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, and in related policy statements. Students accept the rights and responsibilities of membership in the USC community when they are admitted to the university. In the university, as elsewhere, ignorance is not an acceptable justification for violating community standards. Lack of intent or awareness of university standards normally will not be accepted as excuses for violations and will normally receive the same consequences as deliberate violations.
Because the functions of a university depend on honesty and integrity among its members, the university expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid disciplinary action. Likewise, while many of the university’s standards of conduct parallel the laws of society in general, university standards may exceed those found elsewhere in society.
Where there is a delay between the conduct and the reporting of the potential violation, the applicable provisions regarding behavior violating university standards and appropriate sanctions (as described in Section B.11) shall be those that were in effect at the time the behavior occurred. Student conduct investigations will be conducted according to the most recent or current procedures described in the most current version of this part as of the date of the notification letter to the respondent.
Any reference to “days” in this part refers to calendar days, unless otherwise noted.
10.05 Disciplinary Authority
The powers of the university are exercised, its property controlled and its affairs conducted by the Board of Trustees. Responsibility for the administration of these affairs is delegated by the board to various officers of the university, as stipulated in the corporate bylaws; the enforcement of all rules and regulations is the specific duty of the university president. The President, in turn, delegates the authority to the Vice President for Student Affairs to establish and hold student conduct review proceedings that will ensure the proper administration of the university’s rules and regulations. The Vice President for Student Affairs has delegated this responsibility to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, who may, in its sole discretion, delegate all or a portion of its responsibilities to another investigative office on campus, including the Office of Professionalism and Ethics (OPE), or any office which receives oversight from OPE, or any external entity or individual. The delegation of responsibilities is different for matters involving sexual, interpersonal, and protected class misconduct, which are delegated to the university’s Title IX Coordinator and are governed by the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.
In certain circumstances, the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee may, in their sole discretion, modify procedures outlined under the Non-academic Conduct Review System (see Section B.12).
Student procedural rights and review procedures are articulated in later sections of the Student Conduct Code.
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10.10 Basic Principles
I. The Relationship of Discipline to the Purpose of the University. The University of Southern California is primarily an academic community. As such, the university seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. To achieve this objective, the university exercises certain disciplinary and discretionary powers. It protects its educational environment by establishing and maintaining standards of conduct for its students as individuals and as groups. These standards reflect the very nature of an academic community and the need to preserve an effective educational environment.
Activities of students may result in violation of law, and students who violate the law may incur penalties prescribed by civil authorities. However, the university reserves the right to review such incidents independent of action by civil or criminal authorities, recognizing that the university’s authority and its disciplinary process serve its educational mission and interest, a function separate from action by civil or criminal authorities.
The university’s function with reference to student conduct differs from the community’s function in method as well as scope. Recognizing its role in developing a sense of responsibility in students, the university uses admonition, example, counseling and guidance in addition to formal disciplinary proceedings. Every USC student is presumed to have sufficient maturity, intelligence and concern for the rights of others to help maintain the standards of the academic community. When a student’s behavior demonstrates otherwise, the university will consider disciplinary action as appropriate.
II. Conditions for Review
a. Definition of a Student:
For the purpose of university rules and regulations, a student is defined as one whose enrollment has begun (typically, enrollment begins on the first scheduled day of classes of a student’s program), and who:
i. is currently participating in one of the university’s degree or non-degree programs,
ii. has completed the immediately preceding semester and/or has registered for the next scheduled semester,
iii. is officially representing the university during a period between regular academic semesters, or
iv. is not officially registered for a particular semester, but who has a continuing relationship with the university.
An individual may be reviewed under this Code if an allegation of academic integrity violation is made after the student has left the university and a degree has been granted.
b. Definition of a Student Organization:
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- The nature and scope of the alleged conduct, including whether the reported behavior involved the use of a weapon or force;
- The risk posed to any individual or to the campus community including the risk of additional violence or significant disruption of university life or function;
- Whether there have been other reports of other prohibited conduct or other misconduct by the student;
- Whether the report reveals a pattern of misconduct related to prohibited conduct at a given location or by a particular group;
- The university’s obligation to provide a safe and non- discriminatory environment;
- The timing of the investigation in the academic calendar; and
- The ability of an interim measure to reduce or mitigate the threat.
Interim Protective Measures are actions taken by the university after a report of prohibited conduct but prior to a final decision. Such measures do not indicate the university has made a decision about the report of prohibited conduct. These measures may be modified at any time and may be kept in place pending a final decision.
Interim Protective Measures may include exclusion from all or part of university housing; exclusion from specified activities or areas of campus; prohibition from representing the university in any capacity such as playing on an official team, serving in student government, and performing in an official band, ensemble, or production; or interim suspension (exclusion from all classes, seminars and programs; prohibition of participation in university-sponsored activities; and exclusion from university premises).
Interim Protective Measures are imposed by the Interim Action Committee, at the request of the Director of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, following review and discussion (either in person or by teleconference) of the information that indicates that the student presents a substantial threat. At least three Interim Action Committee members must vote to authorize the Interim Protective Measure(s). The Interim Action Committee is comprised of the following individuals (or their designees):
- Senior Associate Vice Provost, Student Affairs
- Associate Vice Provost, Threat Assessment and Management
- Associate Vice Provost, Campus Support and Intervention
- Associate Vice Provost, Campus Wellbeing and Education
- Department of Public Safety representative
- Counseling and Mental Health Services representative
(Note: Avoidance of Contact Directives are not considered Interim Protective Measures subject to this process.)
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A student subject to Interim Protective Measures is given prompt written notice of the basis for the interim measure. The Interim Action Committee’s decision may be appealed by the student by submitting a written request to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs within 15 calendar days of the notice. Any Interim Protective Measures imposed by the Interim Action Committee will not be stayed pending the interim action appeal. The sole basis for an interim action appeal is that less protective measures could adequately reduce or mitigate the threat. Decision on the interim action appeal will be made by the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee.
Failure to comply with Interim Protective Measures or an Avoidance of Contact Directive is a separate and independent violation. A student may be found in violation for failure to comply with an Interim Protective Measure or an Avoidance of Contact without being found responsible for the underlying report of prohibited conduct.
The imposition of Interim Protective Measures does not relieve the student from financial obligations to the university.
g. Administrative holds affecting registration transactions, posting of degree, or a student’s ability to acquire copies of their official transcript, may be placed under certain circumstances. Such circumstances may include failure to respond to a written notice to meet with a designated university official, including Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, the Title IX Office, the Office of Campus Support & Intervention, the Office of Campus Threat Assessment & Management, and the Office of Professionalism & Ethics, or failure to complete disciplinary sanctions by an established deadline. This restriction normally will remain in effect until disciplinary obligations are met or adjudication of the matter is complete.
h. Status of Students Pending External Review.
When a student is under investigation by an outside law enforcement agency, the status of the student may be altered prior to the initiation of the student conduct process by the university in accordance with the process for imposing Interim Protective Measures as set forth in Section 10.10 (II)(f). Changes in status may include exclusion from all or part of university housing, exclusion from specified activities or areas of campus, interim suspension, or prohibition from representing the university in any capacity such as playing on an official team, serving in student government, or performing in an official band, ensemble, or production.
Some factors considered in determining whether to alter the status prior to the initiation of the student conduct process include:
- The nature of the alleged crime, including whether the crime involved the use of a weapon or force, significant loss of property, or a vulnerable victim;
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student fails to respond after proper notice has been given or after the university has exercised reasonable effort to notify the student of the allegations.
IV. A fair and impartial review of the incident. If the student identifies concerns about potential actual bias or conflict of interest in the process, they should notify the Director of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards in writing as soon as possible. Actual bias is an articulated prejudice in favor of or against one party or position; it is not generalized concern about the personal or professional backgrounds, positions, beliefs, or interests of the decision makers in the process. Where actual bias or conflict of interest is established, the process will be managed by individuals identified by the university that eliminates the identified bias or conflict.
V. Prior to a review, a summary of rights, review procedures and avenue of appeal.
VI. The opportunity to be present at the review; to inspect relevant documents and relevant information gathered during the review; and to provide names of relevant witnesses and relevant information.
VII. If the student declines to present information on their own behalf, this will not be construed as an admission of responsibility.
VIII. A written decision outlining the results of the review. In Summary Administrative Reviews, this includes the factual basis for the conclusions drawn.
Student conduct records are maintained as a confidential student disciplinary file. As a primary document in such files, distribution of written decisions is limited to students and to USC personnel charged with responsibility for implementation of sanctions. Reporting parties may be notified by separate letter of the outcome of the review. (For an explanation of university policy concerning student records, see Section C.5 Student Education Records.)
IX. The opportunity to appeal the initial review within ten business days of receipt of the written decision. Both the student and the reporting party may be notified in writing of the outcome of any appeal. Notice will be emailed to the student’s email address of record in the Student Directory, unless the student makes arrangements in advance with the review officer to have the decision mailed to the student’s last known address or hand-delivered. If a notice is mailed, it is deemed to be received three days after it is mailed.
X. A timely initial review conducted as soon as possible after the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards has received all pertinent documents of the case. Due to the nature of the university’s academic calendar, the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards may not be able to conduct a review at any specified date or time.
XI. At all steps of the initial review and in preparing an appeal, the student may have an adviser of their choice present. The adviser may not be a witness or have any conflicting role in the process or with a party. The adviser may be a practicing attorney only for cases in which criminal charges are pending or the
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recommended sanctions include expulsion, suspension, revocation of degree or revocation of admission.
The role of the adviser is to provide support and assistance in understanding and navigating this process. To protect the privacy of those involved, all advisers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to attending an interview or otherwise participating in the university’s process.
The university’s duty is to the student, not the adviser. All communication is made directly with the student. The process will not be unreasonably delayed to accommodate the schedule of the adviser. An adviser must be familiar with university policy and may be required to meet with the review officer in advance of participation in university proceedings. The adviser may not testify in or obstruct an interview, author written submissions, create a recording or transcription of the meeting, bring electronic devices into the meeting, or disrupt the process. The review officer has the right to determine what constitutes appropriate behavior of an adviser and take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with this policy.
- Behavior Violating University Standards and Appropriate Sanctions
General principles of academic integrity include and incorporate the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one’s own academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All students are expected to understand and abide by these principles. Faculty members may include additional classroom and assignment policies, as articulated on their syllabus.
The Student Conduct Code articulates violations that are most common and readily identifiable. Conduct violating university community standards that is not specifically mentioned may still be subject to disciplinary action.
Where conduct under any provision of this Code involves student sexual, interpersonal, or protected class misconduct, the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation applies.
The following are examples of violations of these and other university standards.
A. The submission of material authored by another person but represented as the student’s own work, whether that material is paraphrased or copied in verbatim or near-verbatim form.
B. The submission of material subjected to editorial revision by another person that results in substantive changes in content or major alteration of writing style.
C. Improper acknowledgment of sources in essays or papers.
Note: Culpability is not diminished when plagiarism occurs in drafts which are not the final version. Also, if any material is prepared or submitted by another
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B. Unauthorized collaboration on a project, homework or other assignment. Collaboration will be considered unauthorized unless expressly part of the assignment in question or expressly permitted by the instructor.
A. Attempting to benefit from the work of another.
B. Any attempt to hinder the work of another student or any act which may jeopardize another student’s academic standing.
Using any portion of an essay, term paper, project or other assignment more than once, without permission of the instructor(s).
Falsification, alteration or misrepresentation of official or unofficial records or documents including but not limited to academic transcripts, academic documentation, letters of recommendation, and admissions applications or related documents.
Taking a course, any course work or exam for another student or allowing another individual to take a course, course work, a portion of a course or exam in one’s stead.
A. Accessing, altering and/or using unauthorized information.
B. Misuse of university computer systems or access to those systems as articulated by the university’s Computing Policies (including improper downloading of material, see Section F.1. Computing)
Fabrication: Submitting material for lab assignments, class projects or other assignments which is wholly or partially falsified, invented or otherwise does not represent work accomplished or undertaken by the student.
Any act that gains or is intended to gain an unfair academic advantage may be considered an act of academic dishonesty.
A. Dishonesty by a student (or someone acting on their behalf) such as furnishing false information to any university official, faculty member or office. This includes, but is not limited to, furnishing false information in academic petitions
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or requests, financial aid documents, student employment documents, applications, financial statements or other documents or intentionally evading university officials and/or obligations to the university.
B. Failing to participate fully and truthfully in university investigations.
A. Conducting oneself in a manner that endangers the health or safety of oneself within the university community or at university sponsored or related events.
B. Conducting oneself in a manner that endangers the health or safety of other members or visitors within the university community or at university sponsored or related events.
A. Unauthorized entry, presence in or use of university premises, facilities or property.
B. Unauthorized entry into, or presence in, the dwelling or property of another.
A. Forgery, unauthorized alteration or unauthorized use of any university document, records, keys or instruments of identification, or of documents or records related to functions of the university.
B. Unauthorized presentation of oneself as a representative of the university for the purpose of gaining or attempting to gain privilege, convenience, goods or services.
C. Possession, manufacture or distribution of false or altered instruments of identification within the university community.
Theft (or attempted theft) of property or of services within the university community; possession of stolen property regardless of origin; or misappropriation of university resources.
A. Causing physical harm to any person in the university community or at university-sponsored activities.
B. Causing reasonable apprehension of harm to any person in the university community or at university-sponsored activities.
Note: Self-defense is that which reasonably appears necessary, in view of all the circumstances of the case, to prevent injury and remove oneself from the situation.
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B. Engaging in or encouraging lewd, indecent or obscene behavior in the university community or at university-sponsored activities.
C. Encouraging or permitting others to engage in misconduct prohibited within the university community, failing to confront and prevent the misconduct, notify an appropriate university official of the misconduct, or remove oneself from the situation.
Initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning or threat, such as that of fire, explosion or other emergency in the university community or at university-sponsored activities.
A. Misusing or damaging fire safety equipment or other emergency equipment in the university community or at university-sponsored activities.
B. Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm, whether the alarm is activated falsely, as a drill, or in a genuine emergency.
C. Inappropriate use of flammable substances or equipment, or use of such items without proper authorization.
A. Unauthorized use or possession of firearms or replicas, ammunition, explosives, knives, flammable substances or other weapons, or parts thereof, in the university community or at university-sponsored events.
B. Unauthorized use or possession of fireworks in the university community or at university-sponsored events.
Violating rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of bicycles, mopeds and/or vehicles, roller skates, rollerblades, scooters and skateboards in the university community property. (Also see Sections F.10. Bicycles; F.11. Motorscooters/Motorcycles; F.12 Coasting Devices)
Knowingly violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with the Student Conduct Code. This includes further violations during a period of disciplinary probation.
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A. Violating regulations or policies governing residence in university owned or administered property (e.g., rules outlined in the USC Housing Contract and Residential Education policies).
B. Violating standards or policies established for social greek letter organizations, including but not limited to the Trojan Greek Standards & Accreditation.
C. Violating any policies, rules, directives or regulations of the university including but not limited to administrative rules of campus offices.
D. Violating Section G.2. Group Responsibility for Student Organizations (including social greek letter organizations). This policy can also be found in the Office for Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Development and in the Office of Campus Activities.
Engaging in harassing behavior.
Any act chargeable as a violation of local, state or federal law may be cited as a violation of the Student Conduct Code, whether or not charges are brought by civil authorities, when such act(s) occur on university premises, or at university sponsored activities or events, or when such conduct adversely affects the university community and/or the pursuit of its objectives.
Engaging in behavior prohibited by the policy against Hazing. (See Section G.8. Hazing.)
Where conduct under section 11.54 involves student sexual, interpersonal, or protected class misconduct, the conduct will be subject to review under the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.
Threatening, attempting, or committing retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, brings a complaint under the Student Handbook policy, university policy, or applicable law; or participates in investigation of such a complaint; or protests in good faith alleged discrimination, harassment or retaliation against another. Such retaliation may include, but is not limited to:
- Coercion, intimidation, interference, harassment or vexatious behavior;
- Excluding or blocking someone from a team, activity, organization, or course participation due to that person’s having filed a complaint or been a witness as part of an investigation;
- Spreading negative information about the individual.
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usually in the form of expulsion from the university. Normally after the suspension, the student will be on disciplinary probation for a specified period of time. If the suspension becomes effective during a semester for which the student currently is enrolled, the student’s enrollment will be cancelled by the university resulting in marks of “W” for the enrolled courses on the student’s transcript.
Students placed on deferred suspension may continue to participate in university activities unless specific sanctions or other campus and organizational rules or regulations restrict such participation.
Interim Protective Measures: See Section B. 10.10 above.
Revocation of Admission: The student loses admitted status to the university. The student may not continue enrollment or enroll for future semesters and may not receive a USC degree. Normally, revocation of admission precludes the student from the opportunity to apply to or be admitted to any program at the university in the future. A permanent notation will be made on the student’s transcript indicating that admission was revoked and the date of the action. If the revocation of admission becomes effective during a semester for which the student currently is enrolled, the student’s enrollment will be cancelled by the university resulting in marks of “W” for the enrolled courses on the student’s academic transcript.
Revocation of Degree: The student loses the right to claim the degree as earned. Posting of the degree will be removed from the student’s transcript, and a permanent notation will be made on the transcript indicating the revocation, the degree involved and the date of the action.
Dismissal from an Academic Unit: Permanent termination of the student’s right to enroll or participate in the classes, seminars and/or programs of a specific academic unit, school or department.
I. Undergraduate Students: Dismissal from a specific undergraduate academic unit shall not prevent undergraduate students from enrolling in other university academic units. Normally after dismissal from an academic unit, the student will be on disciplinary probation for a specified period of time.
II. Graduate Students: Students who have been dismissed from a specific graduate academic unit may not enroll in other graduate programs unless they have gained formal admission to such programs.
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Removal from an individual course or section of a course. Removal precludes the student from participation in and attendance of the course or section, or any of its sessions. In multiple section courses, the student will not necessarily be allowed to transfer to another section.
Grade Sanctions: Any disciplinary grade reduction including, but not limited to, grades of “F” for a course, a reduced grade for a course, grades of “F” or zero credit for assignments, or reduced credit for assignments. In cases where a student has registered for a course on a Pass/No Pass basis and the student is found responsible for an academic violation, a letter grade may be assigned. See Appendix A for university recommendations.
Disciplinary Probation: Indicates that the student has engaged in unacceptable behavior and may be required to report to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards or designee and meet specific conditions related to the violation during the probationary period. Additionally, the student is given written notice that any further violations of university policies may result in more severe sanctions such as removal from university housing, suspension, dismissal from an academic unit or expulsion from the university. Students placed on disciplinary probation may continue to participate in university activities unless specific sanctions or other campus and organizational rules or regulations restrict such participation.
Warning: Written notice to the student that continued or repeated violations may be cause for further disciplinary action, normally in the form of disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion.
Restitution: Reimbursement for damage to university property or for misappropriation of university property or services may be imposed in combination with other disciplinary action where appropriate. Such reimbursement may take the form of monetary payment or appropriate service to repair or otherwise compensate for damages. Restitution may be assigned for minor damage to the property of individuals or groups within the university community, but adjudication of student discipline usually will defer determination of significant restitution to other appropriate processes.
Restriction or Loss of Computing Privileges: Consequences for violation of the University Computing Policies or violations involving use of university computing services may include:
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Details regarding amnesty to students who report sexual, interpersonal, or protected class misconduct are available in the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.
- Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards Conduct Review
Note: This Section 12 does not apply to student sexual, interpersonal, or protected class misconduct, which is subject to the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.
12.01 Incident Report
Faculty or staff may initiate an incident report against a student or student organization for an alleged violation of the Student Conduct Code by submitting a written incident report to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards. See Section 13 for details regarding the academic integrity process specifically.
12.02 Intentionally omitted.
12.03 Contents of an Incident Report
A report of an alleged violation should consist of a clear, concise written statement that contains the following information:
I. A list of any and all parties against whom the incident report is being filed.
II. A description of the alleged misconduct, the date or period of time during which it occurred and the location where the incident(s) allegedly occurred.
III. The name, address and phone number of the person making the report.
IV. All incident reports are considered to have been made in good faith.
12.04 Timing of Incident Reports
Reports may be submitted up to one year after the date of discovery of the alleged incident. This timeframe may be extended under special circumstances.
Cases involving academic, or sexual, interpersonal or protected class misconduct, may be reported at any time.
12.05 Intake and Initial Fact-finding
Upon receiving a report that a student has allegedly violated university standards, the Director of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, or designee, will review the report to determine whether there is good cause to proceed with the student conduct process. The Director or designee may conduct such fact-finding as they see fit in order to determine whether a particular
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incident report has merit, and such fact-finding shall not disqualify them from also conducting the Administrative Review with the student.
The Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards will send written notification of the incident report to the student via USC email.
Students who fail to respond to initial notification from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, or designee, within five business days of the email notification or who cannot be contacted after reasonable attempts, remain subject to Summary Administrative Review and consequent sanctioning. If the student fails to respond to the email notice to schedule an appointment with the designated member of the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, or designee, an administrative hold will be placed on the student’s record prohibiting the student from performing registration transactions until an appointment is scheduled and completed. In addition, a Summary Administrative Review may be conducted in absentia when a student fails to respond to initial notification.
12.06 Overview of Student Conduct Reviews
In incident reports where there is good cause, the Director or designee will meet with the student to conduct an Administrative Review, either Voluntary or Summary. At this Administrative Review meeting with the Judicial Affairs officer, the student has the opportunity to present any information regarding the incident, however, written statements from the student will not be accepted, and the student are not permitted to create a recording or transcription of the meeting. The decision as to whether the matter should be resolved by Administrative Review is at the sole discretion of the Director or designee.
12.10 Administrative Reviews
An Administrative Review consists of a meeting between the Director or designee (finder-of-fact), and the named student.
I. In a Voluntary Administrative Review, the student does not dispute the facts upon which the allegations are based, waives their right to further review, and accepts the decision by signing an Administrative Review form. Students accepting the Administrative Review form retain the right to appeal to the appropriate appeal body only as to the appropriateness of the sanction (see Section B.15.02.II).
II. In a Summary Administrative Review, the student may verbally deny some or all of the facts upon which the allegations are based, or the student may dispute the appropriateness of the recommended sanction(s).. The Director of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, or designated review officer, may determine the student is responsible for the alleged violation(s) or dismiss the case, based on the preponderance of the evidence. Students found responsible for violations under the Summary Administrative Review process retain the right to appeal to the appropriate appeal body on all grounds (see Section 15.02).
12.13 Residential Education Review
