Student Conduct and Grievences

Student Judicial Affairs
3200 Dutton Hall
(530) 752-1128; http://sja.ucdavis.edu

Student Judicial Affairs (SJA) is charged with administering the student discipline system. SJA supports campus standards by resolving alleged violations of university policies or campus regulations. SJA also provides information about campus grievance processes and addresses student complaints involving prohibited discrimination or harassment (based on sex, race, religion, disability, etc.), arbitrary treatment, or unfair policies or practices. The office can help with conflict resolution and provide interpretations of university policies and regulations.

Misconduct and Discipline

Students enrolling or seeking enrollment in the university have an obligation to act honestly, ethically and responsibly consistent with the university's function as an educational institution. As members of our academic community and of society at large, students have both rights and responsibilities and are expected to comply with the general law, University policies and campus regulations. Rules concerning student conduct, student organizations, use of university facilities and related matters are set forth in both university policies and campus regulations; they apply to on-campus and University-related conduct or activities, and also to certain off-campus behavior.

Standards for student conduct are included in the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct, the Student Organization Sourcebook, the Guide to Residence Hall Life and the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students. The operation of the campus student disciplinary system is outlined in the publication, the Administration of Student Discipline. These policies and regulations are available on the Internet. For assistance, contact SJA.

Misconduct for which students are subject to discipline includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, or other dishonest or unfair academic misconduct; furnishing false information to the university; sexual assault, relationship violence, or other physical assault; threats of violence or conduct that threatens health and safety; misuse of university property or resources, including electronic communications; possession of weapons; harassment, including stalking and sexual harassment; forgery; theft; vandalism; possession, use, distribution or sale of drugs or alcohol that is illegal or against University policy; hazing; obstruction or disruption of university activities or functions; and alteration or misuse of university documents, records, keys or identification.

Disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed range from censure to dismissal from the university and may include restitution, exclusion from activities or areas of campus, and/or assigned community service. Suspected violations of campus or university standards by individual students should be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. Suspected misconduct by registered student organizations should be reported to Student Housing, Office of Student Development at (530) 752-1736.

If complaints cannot be resolved informally by agreement between Student Judicial Affairs, the accused student and the reporting party, the case may be referred to a hearing before a panel of students and faculty or staff, or a hearing officer. The president of the university, through the chancellor, has ultimate authority for the administration of student discipline.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for complying with the announcements and regulations printed in this catalog, in the Registration Guide, and with all policies, rules and regulations of the university and this campus. Students will not be able to register or receive transcripts of record or diplomas until they have met all university obligations.

Discrimination/Harassment

If students believe that they have been discriminated against or harassed, they may contact Student Judicial Affairs at (530) 752-1128 or the Title IX and Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Coordinator, (530) 752-9466, for information and assistance. It is important to seek assistance as soon as possible, as time limits may apply to some grievance processes. Advice is also available from the Sexual Harassment Information Line at (530) 752-2255 and the campus Sexual Harassment Officer at (530) 752-9255. Graduate students may contact Graduate Studies at (530) 752-0650 and/or the Graduate Student Association at (530) 752-6108.

Resolving Academic Problems

Grade Changes

Grades may not be changed once they have been submitted to the Office of the University Registrar unless (1) a clerical error has been made (e.g., homework score was added incorrectly) or (2) a procedural error has affected the student's grade (e.g., misapplication of grading procedures.). Students who believe they received an incorrect grade due to a clerical or procedural error should ask their instructor to file a grade change form with the Office of the University Registrar. If the instructor does not agree, the student should discuss the matter with the chair of the department. If at that point the matter is still unresolved, the student may request a change of grade by filing a grade change petition with the Office of the University Registrar. Requests must be made by the end of the following quarter.

The Academic Senate Committee on Grade Changes reviews requests for grade changes and, like the instructor, has no authority to reevaluate student work but can change the grade if it finds a documented clerical or procedural error. In the case of a challenged grade, the student will be expected to bear the burden of proving that a clerical or procedural error occurred and caused the incorrect grade to be assigned. If the alleged procedural error involves arbitrary treatment or prohibited discrimination, the Committee may inform the student of his/her right to file a complaint under campus grievance procedures (see nondiscrimination policy). For more information, students may contact the Office of Student Judicial Affairs at (530) 752-1128.

See the posted UC Davis Registration Guide at http://registrar.ucdavis.edu for further details. See guidelines for the Committee on Grade Changes at http://academicsenate.edu/GCC. Questions regarding this process should be directed to the Deputy to the Committee on Grade Changes at GradeChanges@ucdavis.edu.

Other Academic Problems

If you need a requirement waived or any other type of variance, contact your faculty adviser or the appropriate dean’s office for information on your college’s procedures. If you cannot get satisfaction through normal channels, contact the ASUCD Student Advocacy Grievance Center or the Committee on Student-Faculty Relationships; see ASUCD Student Advocacy Grievance Center, below.

ASUCD Student Advocacy Grievance Center

349 Memorial Union
(530) 754-4131/6101/3339

The ASUCD Student Advocacy Grievance Center advocates students' academic and nonacademic concerns to the faculty and administration. Grievance counselors assist students one-on-one, directing them to appropriate channels through which to state their academic grievances (e.g., student-faculty relations, sexual harassment, grade change problems, pre-judicial treatment in the classroom and problems with academic procedure and policy) and nonacademic grievances (e.g., campus facilities, campus safety, ASUCD and any other nonacademic concerns). All information discussed between counselors and students is completely confidential. Students can get counseling, referrals and support to aid in the resolution of these matters.