TAMIU Student Handbook 2021-2022

Page 26 of 91 Section 6.01 Philosophy Statement The TAMIU community is committed to fostering a campus environment that is conducive to academic inquiry, a productive campus life and thoughtful study and disclosure. The student conduct program is committed to an educational and developmental process that balances the interests of individual students with the interest of the University community. At TAMIU, student members of the community are expected to uphold and abide by certain standards of conduct that form the basis of the Student Code of Conduct. These standards are embodied within a set of core values that include respect, integrity, service and excellence. Students charged with misconduct are entitled to a fundamentally fair process, including notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond to the charges before charges are adjudicated. Conduct determinations will be based upon a preponderance of the evidence standard; that it is more likely than not that a violation occurred. Sanctions are intended to be proportionate to the severity of the violation and to the cumulative conduct history of the student. The student conduct process is not a criminal civil legal proceeding. Students at the University are provided a copy of the Student Handbook annually in the form of a link on the University website and/or Uconnect. Students are responsible for having read and abide by the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct. Section 6.02 Definitions The following definitions will be used throughout the handbook, unless otherwise defined herein. 1. “ Administrative Hearing ” means a process which provides an opportunity for an accused student to respond to specific charges. The purpose of an Administrative Hearing is to determine whether there is a preponderance of evidence to support the charges and if so, to determine the appropriate sanction or sanctions. Only information presented during the Administrative Hearing can be used to determine if there is a finding of responsibility. 2. “ Appeal Panel ” means University officials authorized by the Vice President for Student Success or a designee to conduct appeal reviews. 3. “Acceptance of responsibility” means the charged student agrees that the conduct constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, as outlined in the student conduct notice, waives right to appeal, and accepts outcomes/sanctions imposed. 4. “Aggravating factors” means a fact or circumstance accompanying the commission of misconduct that may be relevant to adjudication. Examples include the use of