Myths

"All cases are heard by Peer Review Board."

While most cases are heard by Peer Review Board (PRB), there are some exceptions. Individual Conduct Hearings with University staff members may be held under the following circumstances:

"I can only be documented by CPS or Residence Life staff."

Any member of the Pacific University community may submit a report of alleged policy violation. This includes staff, faculty, and students. To submit such a report, please contact Student Life at studentlife@pacificu.edu or ext. 2200.

"Every time I am documented, I go through a hearing."

While all staff are obliged to document any incidents they witness, not all of these incidents are automatically turned into hearings. The Conduct Review Committee evaluates whether sufficient evidence exists to refer the matter to Peer Review Board or to an Individual Conduct Hearing. If an incident is not pursued as a hearing, individuals involved may still be asked to meet with University officials.

"Peer Review Board is part of Housing and Residence Life."

Peer Review Board (PRB) is not part of Housing and Residence Life. The board is composed of undergraduate students who are trained to evaluate whether a policy violation has been committed without bias. PRB members are bound by an agreement to uphold the student conduct code and maintain confidentiality. Board members are typically recruited in late spring. For more information on how to get involved with PRB, contact Student Life at studentlife@pacificu.edu or ext. 2200.

"If I don't get notification by a certain date, I won't have a hearing."

In most cases, a student will be notified of a hearing within two school weeks of the date of the documentation. However, due to the nature of some reports, the time of the year, or workload of cases, this timeline may be adjusted. If you have questions about the status of an incident you were involved in, contact the Student Life at studentlife@pacificu.edu or at ext. 2200.

"I don't have to go to my hearing if I don't pick up my hearing notification letter."

It is your duty to regularly check your University email, UC box and voicemail to receive official university correspondence. You are still responsible to attend a hearing, as long as notification was sent to you in a timely manner. If you know or think you might have been documented for your participation in an incident, check these frequently for notification.

"If I don't go to my hearing, the hearing won't happen."

In accordance with the University's judicial process within the Student Handbook, the hearing provides you an opportunity to respond to any allegations and discuss the facts and circumstances of the incident. If you don't attend your hearing, a decision will still be made in your absence based upon the information presented. If you are found in violation of a University policy, sanctions may be imposed against you. A letter notifying you of the outcome and of any sanctions will be sent to your UC box after the hearing. For your benefit, the University strongly encourages your active participation in this process.

"I'm stuck with whatever the Hearing Officer decides, even if I feel that I haven't been given a fair hearing."

All participants in the student conduct process have the right to appeal a hearing decision within 5 school days of the decision being rendered. Such appeals shall be in writing, and shall be delivered to the Vice President of Student Affairs, Eva Krebs. There are four reasons a student may appeal:

  1. He or she believes the hearing was conducted unfairly.
  2. He or she believes that the facts of the case were insufficient to establish that a violation occurred.
  3. He or she believes that the sanction(s) imposed were too harsh in proportion to the determined violation.
  4. He or she can present new evidence to alter such a decision. If the appeal is determined to be valid, Student Conduct Council will consider it and render a decision.

"I'll always get the same sanction for the same violation."

If you are found in violation of a University policy, your Hearing Officer (whether from PRB or from an Individual Conduct Hearing) may impose any of the sanctions outlined in the Student Judicial Process. Examples of such sanctions include official warnings, fines, community service, participation in a specified program, Residence Hall suspension or expulsion, and University suspension, dismissal, or expulsion. If you have been found in violation, your Hearing Officer will reference your previous violations to determine an appropriate sanction.

"Being found in violation of a policy has no effect on my life."

If you are found in violation of a University policy, that record is placed in your Conduct File in Student Life. If you are found in violation of a policy in the future, that file will be referred to in order to determine an appropriate sanction. Additionally, conduct files are often checked if you apply to study abroad and if you apply for some government positions. Being found in violation can have immediate effects of fines, discretionary sanctions, behavioral contracts, and, in rare circumstances, expulsion.

"If I'm 21, I can't be documented for alcohol violations."

Even if you are 21, you are required to follow University policies regarding appropriate consumption and possession. Common mistakes include: consuming alcohol in the presence of minors, consuming in common areas of campus, transporting alcohol that is opened or not in its original container, and transporting alcohol in containers where the labels are not concealed by a bag, box, or other carrying container. See the Student Handbook and Living on Campus - The Residence Hall Handbook for more information about the alcohol policy.

"My room is private and only I can grant access to it."

The University respects students' rights to privacy in their spaces and personal effects to the maximum extent possible. However, the University reserves the right to enter a resident's space without consent or notice immediately upon an emergency or suspected emergency that presents a danger to life, safety, health, and welfare of persons or property. Additionally, Housing and Residence Life staff and/or CPS officers may enter a resident's space without consent or prior notice in response to a suspected policy violation when the occupants of the space fail to provide access to the space upon request.

"If I deny access to my refrigerator, no staff person can open it."

The University respects students' rights to privacy in their spaces and personal effects to the maximum extent possible. Though not a common practice, Housing and Residence Life staff and/or CPS officers may access a resident's space without consent or prior notice in response to a suspected policy violation when the occupants of the space fail to provide access upon request.

"I can't change the policies if I don't agree with them."

While most policies falling in accordance with laws are designed to keep the Pacific community safe cannot be changed, students do have a voice in the policies that govern them. If you disagree with a policy that affects the residence halls, you can contact Residence Housing Association (RHA) to learn how to propose a policy change. Questions or concerns regarding general policies can be referred to the Associate Dean of Students, Julie Murray-Jensen.