Definitions

Academic Misconduct Review Committee refers to individual members selected from the trained pool of faculty and students authorized to hear appeals of student conduct cases. The Academic Misconduct Review Committee comprises two (2) faculty members and one (1) student from the Appeal Committee.

All University Hearing Board (AUHB) refers to individual members selected from the trained pool of students who represent Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) Supreme Court, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and recognized student organizations which include club sports and faith-based organizations. The Director will also appoint a Hearing Officer from Student Conduct Services to serve as a voting member of the AUHB. Each hearing conducted by the AUHB will consist of three (3) members from the ASCSU Supreme Court, one (1) member from the specific community or area of the student organization being reviewed, and one (1) Hearing Officer from Student Conduct Services.

Appeal Committee refers to individual members selected from the trained pool of faculty, staff, and students authorized to hear appeals of student conduct cases.

Chair of the Appeal Committee refers to a faculty or staff member selected from the trained pool of University community members authorized to hear appeals of student conduct cases. A Chair of the Appeal Committee is nominated by the Director of the Student Resolution Center and appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Chair of the Appeal Committee is responsible for applying the appeal process for individual students.

Complainant refers to the University when a student is charged with an alleged violation of the Student Conduct Code.

Consent to sexual activity is consent that is informed, knowing and voluntary. Consent is active, not passive, and requires cooperation in act or attitude pursuant to an exercise of free will and with knowledge of the nature of the act. Silence, in and of itself, cannot be interpreted as consent. Sexual activity with someone known, or who should be known, to be mentally or physically incapacitated by alcohol or other drug use, unconscious or otherwise unable to give consent, is not valid consent. A person is considered incapable of giving consent when they lack the cognitive ability to make an important life decision. Consent is required when the same persons have engaged with one another in consensual sexual activity in the past.

Disciplinary standing is a sanction that may be applied when a student or organization is found responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code. A disciplinary standing alone does not require any action from the student or organization. However, some disciplinary standings may limit certain privileges otherwise afforded to students/organizations at the University. A disciplinary standing will result in a reportable student conduct record.

Discretionary outcomes are sanctions that may be assigned when a student or organization is found responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code or in conjunction with an alternative resolution process. These outcomes are intended to provide appropriate education, conflict management, treatment, support, and accountability for the student/organization.

Director means the Director of the Student Resolution Center to include Student Conduct Services. The Director is designated by the Vice President for Student Affairs to be responsible for the administration of the Student Conduct Code. References to the Director in the Student Conduct Code include the Director or their designee.

Impacted Party means an individual or individuals affiliated with the University, directly impacted by alleged violence (including domestic violence and dating violence), sexual misconduct, or stalking. An Impacted Party will have the right to present information and/or provide written statements prior to the Responding Party’s hearing, request witnesses, observe the hearing, bring a support person/advisor to the hearing, and appeal the outcome decision of the hearing.

Instructor means any person hired by Colorado State University to conduct classroom, research, or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the University to be a member of its faculty.

Hearing Officer means a University official authorized by the Director of the Student Resolution Center to facilitate student conduct hearings and determine whether a student or an organization has violated the Student Conduct Code and to impose sanctions when a violation has been committed.

Lead team is a committee formed of members from several student-facing departments on campus who convene for the purpose of examining alleged conduct violations and viewing them through multiple lenses. The lead team makes recommendations to the Director of the Student Resolution Center on ways to address misconduct involving student clubs and organizations.

Policy means the written rules and regulations of the University as found in, but not limited to, the Student Conduct Code; Residential Contract and Handbook; undergraduate, graduate, and professional catalogs or policies; faculty manual; athletic policies, and University web pages including the Office of Policy and Compliance. These include policies related to computer use, solicitation, sexual harassment, non-discrimination policies, athletic events, use of facilities, travel, and participation in student organizations.

Rams Taking Responsibility is an accountability process in which a student organization conducts its own investigation to identify areas of concern, growth opportunities, and required educational programming to mitigate these concerns. By participating in Rams Taking Responsibility, the organization must comply with all requirements of that process and its resolution which are binding and not subject to appeal.

Reportable student conduct record means any record maintained by Student Conduct Services when a student or organization has been sanctioned to a disciplinary standing. These records are maintained for seven years from the end of the academic year of the last decision that includes a finding of responsibility.

Responding Party means any student/organization alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code.

Student includes all persons taking courses at the University, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, professional, or continuing education; those who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Conduct Code; those who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the University; those who have been notified of their acceptance for admission; and persons who are living in University owned or operated housing though not enrolled. The Student Conduct Code applies to all Colorado State University students enrolled online or through University programs who are studying abroad or at other remote locations, including the Denver campuses.

Student organization means any number of persons who have associated as a group and complied with the formal registration requirements for recognition as a University student organization including club sports.

Student organization activity means any activity on or off campus which is group sponsored, initiated, financed, advertised, or attended by a significant portion of the members.

University official includes any person employed by the University performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities. University officials may be full or part-time or may be student staff members.

University premises include all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, leased, operated, controlled, or supervised by Colorado State University whether on the main Fort Collins campus or other locations.