Admissions Review

We’re committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment that fosters student success, and our review of non-academic conduct is one component. Applicants who answer “Yes” to one or more of the conduct questions below receive confidential review outside of the admission decision process. Past non-academic conduct incidents do not automatically disqualify an applicant from full consideration for admission and scholarships, and applicants have the right to appeal a decision made based on any information required to be disclosed here.

* This means a conviction by a jury verdict or by entry of a verdict or acceptance of a guilty plea or a plea of nolo contendere by a court. It does not include a plea to a deferred judgement and sentence until the deferred judgement and sentence is revoked. You are not required to disclose any information contained in sealed records.

If an applicant checks yes to one or more of these questions, they will be asked to provide a concise explanation that details what happened, who was involved, what charges or sanctions (if any) were brought upon you as a resolute, what penalty/remedy was assessed (if applicable) and how the situation has resolved. It is also important to address what was learned from the experience and what changes, if any, have resulted. The response will be reviewed by Student Conduct Services at the Student Resolution Center. And additional information may be requested by Student Conduct Services as needed.

For applicants who have pending criminal charges, have been convicted of a crime, are presently incarcerated or on probation, or have been suspended or expelled from another institution for acts of violence, threatened violence, sexual misconduct or related behaviors the procedures outlined below will be followed:

A copy of the application for admission will be forwarded to the SRC by the Office of Admissions. SRC will have a hearing officer from Student Conduct Services review the criminal history and subsequent documentation. If the staff person determines that the criminal history does not rise to a safety concern for the institution, the hearing officer will approve of discipline clearance for the applicant.

If the hearing officer reviews the documentation provided by the applicant and believed this individual may pose a risk to campus safety, they will forward the materials to the Pre-Admission Applicant Review Committee.

The committee may require that the applicant sign a release of information as it relates to alcohol/drug treatment recommendations, treatment verification, etc. The Pre-Admissions Application Review Committee shall have access to all relevant information pertaining to the applicant, such as police reports, court documents and treatment provider recommendations. In addition, the committee shall have the right to communicate with any person, including experts, who can supply relevant information. A meeting of the committee will be convened by the Director of SRC once all relevant information is received. The applicant is encouraged to participate either in person or on the phone on the date/time designated for the meeting with the committee. Applicants will be given notice of all issues and will be afforded the opportunity to appear in person (or from a distance using audio and/or visual technology). The applicant may bring an advisor or support person to the hearing, at their own expense. The advisor may be an attorney. The advisor is limited to counseling the applicant, but may not represent the applicant and speak on the applicant’s behalf, or participate directly in the hearing. Advisors may not serve in a dual role as a witness in the hearing. The Pre-Admissions Application Review Committee may also consult with or include University Counsel as an advisor at the hearing. The Pre-Admissions Application Review Committee will forward to the Office of Admissions and Office of the Graduate Dean, as appropriate, a recommendation regarding the admission of the applicant. The committee will set forth in writing the factual basis of its decision. A recommendation for admission to the University may be upon such conditions as the committee deems necessary to protect all members of the University community. This may include such items as continued counseling, the denial of the right to participate in certain programs extracurricular activities, and the denial of access to University-operated residence halls or other facilities. If the applicant is not cleared by the committee for reasons listed above, the Office of Admissions or the Graduate School, as appropriate, will withdraw the application from the review process. The SRC will then inform the applicant and the appropriate department in writing of the decision, the reasons for the decision and that the applicant has the right to appeal the decision within ten (10) business days of the date of the letter. The applicant can direct an appeal to the office of the Provost/Executive Vice President at: Office of the Provost/Executive Vice President Colorado State University 108 Administration Building Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1001 970-491-6614 (Office). Appeals will be reviewed by the Office of the Provost/Executive Vice President. The decision of this office will be final. This policy is also available in the CSU Policy Library