Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You will receive written notification of the alleged violation with instructions on how to resolve the matter. It is important that you contact the Office of Student Conduct within the designated time frame if you are required to schedule an administrative hearing or Student Conduct Hearing Board. A restriction which will limit your ability to register for classes, make any changes to your current schedule, or send transcripts will be added to your student account until the issue is resolved.

A hearing is an opportunity for you to inspect and review submitted information, and share your perspective of the alleged incident with a College representative(s). If you have any evidence that would be helpful to fully understand the situation, please bring that with you. You are allowed to provide witnesses to the incident who have relevant information (character witnesses are not necessary in this process).

There is no requirement for you to hire a lawyer. Since this is a College hearing, it is very different from a formal legal proceeding. You are able to have an advisor present, but this individual may not speak on your behalf. The Office of Student Conduct can assist you in understanding the role of an advisor as well as identifying an appropriate advisor.

If you have been charged with an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the Office will place a restriction on your registration and transcripts until the matter is resolved. If there is a demonstrated need for changes to be made to your schedule and/or transcripts processed while the resolution is pending, this can be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Columbus State reserves the right to notify parents/guardians for students under the age of 21, if the situation involves alcohol, narcotics, substances, and/or inhalants, or if there is an imminent health or safety risk. Outside of the above referenced situations, parents/guardians will not be notified by Columbus State Community College.

Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), all your education records, including conduct records, are confidential. The College can only release confidential information with your written permission using the FERPA Release of Information form or if a College employee has a legitimate educational interest in the information. A College official has a legitimate educational interest in access to information when that information is appropriate for use in connection with: performing a task that is related to the student’s education; providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student’s family, such as housing, health care, counseling, job placement, or financial aid; performing a task related to the discipline of a student; maintaining the safety and security of the campus; or otherwise performing a task related to the effective functioning of the University.  Other exceptions to FERPA may apply; please contact the College Registrar for more specific information.

Students continue to be subject to city, state, and federal laws while at Columbus State, and allegations, charges, or violations of those laws may also constitute violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Columbus State may proceed with disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct independently of any criminal proceeding involving the same conduct and may impose sanctions for violation of the Student Code of Conduct even if such criminal proceeding is not yet resolved, or resolved in the student’s favor.

While enrolled at Columbus State, you represent the College wherever you go. The Student Code of Conduct will apply to conduct that occurs on Columbus State premises or Columbus State property, at any location during Columbus State sponsored activities, and in off-campus buildings occupied by students by virtue of their association with a group/organization given formal registration by Columbus State. The Student Code of Conduct may also apply off-campus when the administration determines that the off-campus conduct affects a substantial Columbus State interest.  

The hearing process allows for a thorough review of reports, statements, and testimonies regarding a potential violation of the Student Code of Conduct. You will not be found in violation of Columbus State policy without information showing a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) that a violation has occurred.

You have the right to due process, including prior notice of the allegations against you in writing and an opportunity for a hearing. Columbus State will follow all published policies.

Suspension refers to a complete and temporal separation between you and Columbus State. This includes services, sponsored events, buildings, etc. This separation is for a determined amount of time as outlined in your sanction. Expulsion extends this sanction to a permanent basis. If you were suspended and wish to return to the College, you will need to contact the Office of Student Conduct at 614-287-2104.

If you are found to be responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct by a Student Conduct Hearing Board, you will have 10 days after receiving the written notice to make a formal appeal in writing. The appeal must be on the basis of:

i) New and compelling evidence that was not available at the time of the investigation and any following proceedings, or
ii) Procedural error that substantially impactted the findings

Instructions to appeal can be found in outcome letters sent by the Office of Student Conduct.

All conduct records are maintained according to the College’s records retention policy, for a minimum of 7 years.

You may attend other higher education institutions while you are suspended or if you have been permanently expelled, but you may have to disclose the circumstances of your violations of the Student Code of Conduct to your transfer institutions. The transfer institution may also require you to complete a FERPA release to allow them to access your prior conduct records.

Under FERPA, a school must provide an eligible student with an opportunity to inspect and review his or her education records within 45 days following its receipt of a request. A school is required to provide an eligible student with copies of education records, or make other arrangements, if a failure to do so would effectively prevent the student from obtaining access to the records. A case in point would be a situation in which the student does not live within commuting distance of the school..

You are encouraged to participate in the hearing process to provide a full understanding of the circumstances of the case. If necessary to protect safety, victims and/or witnesses may be separated physically or through electronic means such as video or audio conference phone during questioning. However, the accused student has the right to hear all information shared with the hearing officer or Board and to present relevant questions for the victim/witness. For matters involvinig Title IX/VAWA, these processes may differ. 

Student Code of Conduct charges do not impact financial aid directly. However, sanctions such as failing a course, suspension, or expulsion can impact Satisfactory Academic Progress, which determine financial aid eligibility.