Office of Student Life and Alumni Relations
Disciplinary Charges
Students, faculty members, or Columbia staff members who have concerns or complaints about a student's behavior, including issues pertaining to academic integrity, are asked to contact the Associate Dean of Student Life and Alumni Relations to discuss the concern. Based on the conversation with the complainant, the Associate Dean will determine whether or not the complaint warrants an informal meeting with the student or a formal disciplinary hearing. The Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs will review the options and the procedures with the complainant. If a formal disciplinary hearing is to be held, normally the complainant must formalize the complaint in writing. A copy of the written charges is provided to the student, who is required to submit a written response prior to meeting with the disciplinary committee.
A disciplinary hearing is held to discuss the allegations with the student, and when necessary, to determine appropriate sanctions. Present at the hearing are the charged student and members of the disciplinary subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing. On the strength of the evidence and the student's response, the committee reaches a determination and notifies the student of its decision after the hearing. The student can be exonerated or found guilty; in some instances where the evidence is insufficient, the committee may take no action and warn the student.
For students found guilty of academic dishonesty or misconduct, the sanctions range from warning to probation, suspension, or dismissal. Because the committee wants to ensure that the disciplinary process is also an educational process, every effort is made to refer students to appropriate resources and support services that will help them learn from the experience. In cases of academic dishonesty, the disciplinary response is deliberately separate from the decision an instructor makes concerning how the breach of the academic contract affects a student's grade. If a student is found guilty of a second violation of University regulations, academic dishonesty, or inappropriate behavior, that student is dismissed. Students have the right to appeal the decision of the disciplinary committee. Appeals must be submitted in writing within two weeks of the date of the letter informing the student of the disciplinary action taken. Appeals concerning suspension or dismissals must be addressed to the Dean of the School; all other appeals should be addressed to the Committee on Academic Standing.
In general, under University policy and federal law, information about dean's disciplinary proceedings against a student is confidential and may not be disclosed to others. In cases involving allegations of gender-based misconduct (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence), students should consult the Gender-Based Misconduct Policies for Students at: http://www.essential-policies.columbia.edu/gender-based-misconduct-policies-students
