Student Organizations Conduct Process

The term “student” includes all persons taking courses at St. John’s University, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate or professional studies. The term “student” also includes persons who are enrolled at the University but are on an authorized leave of absence, persons who are between periods of enrollment, and persons who have accepted an offer of admission to the University.

A “student organization” is defined as an organization recognized by Student Government, Inc. (SGi), all organizations affiliated with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) and all organizations that are supported or sponsored by an academic or an administrative unit.

All student organizations are expected to act in accordance with the Mission Statement and Core Values of St. John’s University.

A fundamental pillar of the success of any student organization is the election of officers, all of whom strive to ensure that the activities of the student organization are appropriately conducted. It is the responsibility of the officers of each student organization to ensure that the student organization complies with the Student Organizations Conduct Process and to actively oppose and/or prevent any planned or impromptu organizational activity that would violate this process.

Any officer who allows their student organization or a member of that organization to violate the Student Organizations Conduct Process without taking steps to prevent the violation may be referred to the Student Conduct Process and charged with an alleged violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, any officer who knows of an unreported violation of the Student Organizations Conduct Process that has been committed and does not report it to appropriate University officials may be referred to the Student Conduct Process and charged with an alleged violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct. A student organization may also be collectively held accountable if an officer is found to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct in their capacity as an officer.

The Office of Student Conduct (OSC) reserves the right to address the behavior of all student organizations, regardless of whether that behavior occurs on-campus, off-campus or online.

Student organizations and their members may be found collectively responsible for any action committed by members that violates any University policy. Disciplinary action taken against student organizations may be separate from action taken against individual members. Facts of an incident may necessitate action taken against both a student organization and the individual members of that organization who were found to have violated University policy.

Policy 703 - Title IX and N.Y. Education Law Article 129-B Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures Policy 704 - Policy against Bias, Discrimination, and Harassment

Student organizations and their members shall be required to adhere to the standards and regulations outlined in the policies below. A violation of any of these policies by a student organization or its members may result in disciplinary action. Attempted violations or complicity on behalf of the organization or its members may also be treated as a violation. Any person having knowledge of any activity or conduct that may constitute an organizational violation should contact the Office of Student Conduct, Office of Campus Activities or Public Safety immediately.

• Student Code of Conduct
• Campus Activities Policies:
  • Event Guest Policy
  • Contracts & Vendors
  • Publicity Policies
  • Communications Guidelines
• Campus Recreation Policies
• Fraternity and Sorority Life Policies
• Residence Life Policies and Procedures
• Policy 703 - Title IX and N.Y. Education Law Article 129-B Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures
• Policy 704 - Policy against Bias, Discrimination, and Harassment

Anyone who recruits students to join a student organization whose recognition had previously been revoked may be charged with violations of the Student Code of Conduct and referred to the Student Conduct Process. An accused student may be subject to the full range of disciplinary outcomes available at the University, up to and including expulsion.

Students who are recruited to join a student organization whose recognition has been revoked are encouraged to report such action to the Office of Student Conduct. A student who was unknowingly recruited to join a student organization whose recognition has been revoked, but then recruits St. John’s students to join that organization at a later date, may be referred to the Student Conduct Process. An accused student may be subject to the full range of disciplinary outcomes available at the University, up to and including expulsion.
 

The term “University” means St. John’s University.

The term “member of the University community” includes any person who is a student, faculty member, University official or employee of a University vendor.

The term “University premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities and other properties in the possession of or owned, used, leased or controlled by the University (including adjacent streets and sidewalks). The term includes property the University leases from third parties or contracts with third parties for the use of, including buses and vans.

The term “Student Conduct Administrator” means a member of the University community authorized on a case-by-case basis to adjudicate alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct and to impose outcomes on any student(s) found to have violated the Student Code of Conduct.

The term “member” shall mean a person affiliated with the organization listed on their official roster with the University, a person who actively participates in organization activities or a person who is an alumni member of the organization.

The term “shall” is used in the imperative sense.

The term “may” is used in the permissive sense.

The following are the rights of all St. John’s students participating in the Student Organizations Conduct Process:

Notice: The president (or analogous member) shall receive via their St. John’s e-mail a statement describing the alleged policy violation(s); notification of the date(s), time(s), and location(s) of any scheduled meetings or hearings; the determination of the investigation; and any outcome(s) imposed.

A Fair and Unbiased Process: To be treated fairly and equitably at all stages of the Student Organizations Conduct Process.

Participation: Students may participate in meetings directly by their attendance, provided that the student abides by all University policies when doing so. A student may also participate remotely through video conferencing or by telephone. A student may also choose not to participate or submit a written statement to substitute for their presence. Failure to attend a hearing is not grounds for appeal.

An Advisor of Their Choice (recognized student organizations only): Student organizations recognized by SGi or OFSL may invite their advisor or faculty moderator to support them in the Student Organizations Conduct Process.

Witnesses and Relevant Evidence: To present information or witnesses on their organization’s behalf for consideration during the Student Organizations Conduct Process, subject to reasonable limitations imposed by the Student Conduct Administrator.

Appeal: To appeal the decision of the Student Conduct Administrator.

Non-Discrimination: To be free from discrimination or bias related to actual or perceived race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, disability, religion, age, alienage or citizenship status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Freedom from Retaliation: To be free from any act to intimidate, threaten, coerce or discriminate for participation in this process. Students who engage in retaliation may be charged with violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

Any person may file a complaint against a student organization with the Office of Student Conduct, Office of Campus Activities or Public Safety. The Office of Student Conduct shall review all suspected or reported organizational violations.

Investigations obtain facts about the behavior in question and may consist of gathering witness statements, evidence or other relevant information. The student organization president (or analogous position) may be notified of the investigation by the Office of Student Conduct when appropriate. An organization’s advisor or liaison may also be notified of the investigation.

Investigations may result in the Office of Student Conduct presenting charges of a University policy violation or may result in the closure or dismissal of a complaint based on the information available. If charges are brought, they shall be communicated to the president (or analogous position) of the organization via their St. John’s e-mail account.

Interim Actions: The Office of Student Conduct or the Dean of Students may implement interim actions to preserve the safety and integrity of the University community prior to the completion of the Student Organizations Conduct Process. Once imposed, an interim action takes effect immediately and cannot be appealed. Interim actions may include, but are not limited to:

• Interim Restriction: Specific restrictions of organizational functions or activities (on-campus, off-campus or online); and
• Interim Suspension: A complete halt to all student organization functions and activities (on-campus, off-campus or online).

A Student Conduct Administrator (SCA) shall hold a meeting with the president (or analogous position) of a student organization that has been charged with a University policy violation. The organization’s representative shall have the opportunity to respond to the charges and to either accept or deny responsibility for the violation. The organization representative shall also have the opportunity to present any relevant information and evidence on behalf of the student organization.

The SCA shall determine responsibility based on the investigation. An organization’s advisor or liaison may attend, but not actively participate in, any meeting or hearing attended by the organization’s president or designee.