FAQ

  • What is a student conduct record?

    • A conduct record is not the same as an academic record.
    • A conduct record is a record kept by the College when a student is found responsible for a violation of the student code of conduct. Citations are cumulative on a yearly basis. Violations and other offenses are cumulative through all of a student's time at Gustavus. 
    • Student conduct records are maintained in the Dean of Students Office for seven (7) years after an incident for auditing purposes only. After a student graduates from Gustavus, the Dean's Office stops releasing disciplinary records. Conduct records of Students who leave the College without having graduated shall be maintained and can be released by the Dean of Students Office for seven (7) years from incident date. After seven (7) years, all Student disciplinary records are expunged. In all cases in which a student has been expelled from the College, however, the fact shall become part of the Student’s permanent academic record at the college.
    • Records are private except when:
      • The student gives written consent for release.
      • Under legal compulsion, by subpoena or other legal process.
      • Members of the faculty with administrative assignments may have access for internal educational, administrative, and statistical purposes.
      • For directory information.
      • To a parent regarding drug and alcohol violations.
      • The “final results” of a disciplinary proceeding in which the institution determines that a student perpetrator has committed a crime of violence or non forcible sex offense.

  • How did I violate alcohol policy if I'm 21?

    Numerous alcohol policies apply to all students, regardless of age. Gustavus students:
    • Will not provide alcohol to a minor, or assist them in gaining alcohol in any way. 
    • Will not consume alcohol such that it has the potential to put self or others in danger (generally described as any behavior falling in the "Level 3" category on the alcohol grid: Vomiting and incoherence; unconsciousness; needing or receiving medical attention (including treatment by EMTs and/or transportation to hospital or "detox"); loss of bodily functions; memory loss; and/or BAC .20 or higher. 
    • Will not consume or possess alcohol in an open container in any public campus location. 
    • Will not drive under the influence. 
    • Will not resell alcohol. 
    • Will not promote events where drinking is the primary focus, or promote consumption of large amounts of alcohol. 
    • Will not have kegs, including "party balls", ponies, etc., or any premixed punches or concoctions such as "waps", "garbage can punch", etc. 
    • Will not possess or consume alcohol at any public campus event. 

  • What is a conduct board?

    • The Student Conduct Board is composed of a faculty member drawn from a pool of faculty appointed administratively, an administrator chosen from a pool appointed by the Dean of Students, and a student drawn from the pool of trained students selected by the Dean of Students. The administrator chosen by the Dean of Students convenes and chairs the Student Conduct Board.

  • What happens at a conduct board?

    • A conduct board is an educational hearing where both the Complainant (the person bringing the complaint, often a staff member representing the College) and the Respondent (the person responding to the charges) both have an opportunity to present information to a neutral panel of three who will decide whether or not policy was violated and, if so, assign appropriate sanctions. The board is made up of an administrator who serves as Chair and facilitates the hearing, a faculty member, and a student.

  • What can Campus Safety do?

  • I am upset. Who do I talk to?

    • You may contact the Conduct Coordinator (Megan Ruble) to discuss your concerns.

  • What does Disciplinary Probation bar me from doing?

    • Students on Disciplinary Probation will be prohibited from registering for or participating in off-campus study, credit-bearing internships, career explorations, and off-campus independent studies. They may be prohibited from representing the College in any activity (e.g., athletic teams, fine arts groups, student organizations, etc.), performance, or presentation. The College reserves the right to remove a student on disciplinary probation from a course or program if it deems such action to be in the best interest of the student, the College, or the program/course. The individual’s status with the College is in jeopardy and therefore parents are notified, to the extent allowable under state and federal law. A student’s academic advisor and coach (if applicable) are also notified.

  • Can I be charged both on campus and off campus?

    • The College reserves the right to invoke the College Student Conduct System for student behavior occurring off-campus.
    • It is necessary to endeavor to protect the campus community when there are reasonable grounds to believe that a Student may pose a substantial danger to self or others. Normally, such “substantial danger” will be manifested by a pending criminal charge, usually relating to a crime of violence, burglary, substantial theft or fraud, the sale of illegal drugs, or the possession of substantial quantities of illegal drugs or serious self-imperiling behavior. 
    • While a criminal charge does not mean that the student is guilty of an offense, such a charge does mean that civil authorities have determined that there is at least probable cause to believe that an offense was committed, and that the Student committed it. Under these circumstances, it may be necessary and appropriate to conduct a College Student Conduct Hearing. 
    • If a student is charged with or convicted of a violation of law while off of the campus, the College may have to deny certification when the conduct violates established standards for professional accreditation of the Student.
    • On-campus behavior that may be a violation of civil law may also be referred to local authorities.
    • It is possible to be charged both on and off campus when a student is in a group with non students who are violating alcohol and drug policy. 
    • It is possible to be charged both on and off campus when a student is confronted about behavior on or off campus and then brings it to the other location (i.e., fleeing the police back to campus then getting stopped by Campus Safety.)

  • Can I appeal?

    • Yes, on one of two permissable grounds. For more information, refer to the "Appeals" section of the Gustie Guide.

  • What is the standard of evidence?

    • The Gustavus conduct system works on a "preponderance of evidence" standard which asks "Is it more likely than not?" that an individual violated policy. Decision-makers need over 50% to rule one way or another. This is very different than the commonly used court standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt."

  • Who else will find out about my violation?

    • If a student is sanctioned with censure, probation, suspension, or expulsion, then their parents, coach, and/or academic advisor are notified of the violation. Please see the description of each sanction for who is notified in what circumstance. No information is released to other parties without the advanced permission of the student. For answers to more specific questions, please contact the Megan Ruble, 507-933-7526 or mruble@gustavus.edu.