Conduct System FAQs

For Students

What is Niagara University's conduct system all about?: Niagara's conduct system is an education-based process for the just, fair and equitable resolution of student grievances and evaluation of behaviors and choices.
A Residence Life staff member tells me I was "documented". What happens next?: Documentation is the formal means by which Residence Life staff communicate information regarding alleged violations of the Rules of Student Conduct and Judicial Procedures. If the situation warrants, involved students may be emailed a formal Notice of Complaint detailing the situation and providing options available to the student to resolve the matter.
I received a Conduct System "Notice of Complaint", what do I do next?: It is important that you carefully read and follow all of the directions on the document. There are specific deadlines by which you must respond to the options available to you and instructions on who to return the materials to. Be advised that failure to respond to the Notice may result in the conduct process proceeding (and a decision being rendered) without your input.
Why did I receive a fine for setting off my smoke detector?: It is fortunate for fire safety reasons that Niagara's fire detection and alarm equipment is advanced and sensitive. This does bring with it a need for students to have increased awareness and avoidance of circumstances that may trigger false alarms. Commonly, aerosal sprays, curling/straightening irons and hair dryers (when used too closely to detector heads) may result in activation. In the student apartments it is shower steam that most commonly results in avoidable alarms. Whenever possible use these items in bathroom facilities or well away from smoke detectors in residence hall rooms. Always use ventilation fans when showering in the apartments. By law, Upper-Mountain Fire Company must respond to all activations of smoke/fire detection equipment in residence halls. If Upper-Mountain Fire Company determines an alarm to be "avoidable" a fine of $100.00 is assessed to the student. These fines are assessed under a Town of Lewiston ordinance governing false alarms.
How do I pay a fine?: Conduct fines must be paid to the Dean of Student Affairs office by cash or check. Credit or debit cards may be used at the Student Accounts office to settle conduct fines and verification provided by the student to the Student Affairs office.
What is fine money used for?: Fine money is used to provide additional services and/or amenities to the resident student population. Gameroom equipment, programming and residence life staff events are a few examples of where fine money is directed.
How do I verify completion of a community service requirement?: Community service issued as a condut outcome is referred for completion to the Niagara University Community Action Program (NUCAP) office. Students completing service through NUCAP will receive a form verifying the completion of service. It is the students responsibility to ensure that this form is delivered to the Dean of Student Affairs office by the deadline. Students wishing to complete community service through a different agency or channel may do so with approval of the conduct hearing officer.

For Parents

Will I be notified if my student gets in trouble (e.g.. if my student is charged with violating the Rules of Student Conduct)?: We may notify parents of financially dependent students under the age of 21 if their son or daughter has been found responsible for an alcohol or a drug policy violation as allowed by the amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This act governs the release of educational records. For other offenses we encourage students to speak with their parents and believe that as adults, students should take responsibility for initiating the conversation. We also encourage students to sign releases that allow us to speak with parents about a situation, so that we can all work together to come to a resolution and ultimately help the student.
What is my role in the university judicial process? How can I help my student?: You can help your student by being supportive while holding the student accountable to your and Niagara University’s expectations. You can also help by supporting necessary interventions, such as alcohol or drug education, anger management, and other educational sanctions, so that your student can be successful at Niagara. Allow and expect the student to set appointments, attend meetings, and fulfill sanctions. It is usually not helpful to the educational development of the student for you to take over the process.
If my student is charged with violating the Rules of Student Conduct, what happens?: The student has an opportunity to meet with a hearing officer to discuss the allegations of misconduct. For more detailed information about the different resolution options for students charged with misconduct, please visit the following webpage: ‘http://www.niagara.edu/sa’ and review the judicial process.
Can I attend a resolution conference or judicial hearing with my student?: The process of growing and developing as an independent adult requires students to accept involvement in the judicial system as an individual responsibility. Parents are not permitted to attend resolution conference or hearings. Students may have an advisor present at University Judicial Board proceedings. Guidelines for advisors are outlined in the judicial procedures.
Do I need to hire an attorney to represent my student?: Students may not have an attorney serve as an advisor in a judicial hearing.
How are sanctions decided?: Sanctions are determined by considering the following factors: the nature of the violation, the student's role in the incident, the effect of the incident on others and on the student, and the student's prior disciplinary record. Mitigating and aggravating circumstances are considered.
My student was placed on disciplinary probation? What does that mean?: Probation serves as notice to the student who has violated the Rules of Student Conduct; should the student violate policy during a probationary period, the student's sanctions will be progressively more serious, including the possibility of loss of university housing, or suspension or expulsion from the university.
Can my student appeal a disciplinary decision?: The student may request an appeal of a decision based on new evidence or procedural error. Appeals are reviewed by the Dean of Student Affairs or Vice President for Student Life.
Why is a particular rule or policy in place?: Policies are designed to support the university's academic mission. They are meant to support a safe environment where people can work, study, and live without undue interference. They are also designed to build and support the academic and social community, teach students responsibility and civility, as well as promote critical thinking and ethical development.
Will a disciplinary record keep my student from getting into medical school, graduate school, etc.?: A disciplinary record does not automatically exclude a student from further study, jobs, etc. That usually depends on the type or severity of misconduct in which a student is involved. A disciplinary record may lead an admissions office or potential employer to more closely scrutinize the student's application. We will only release information about a student's disciplinary record to another school or potential employer as allowed by the records policy.
This incident happened off campus. Why is the university involved?: The university has an interest in maintaining a safe community and appropriate standards of conduct for its students. Your son or daughter is a student regardless of whether the alleged misconduct takes place on the campus, across the street from campus, or across town. Niagara University is particularly concerned about high-risk drinking and drug use by students due to the threat these behaviors pose to student health, safety, and academic success. This includes both on-campus and off-campus behavior, which can have an adverse impact on the university community and its mission.
Why was a Judicial Fine billed to my son/daughters student account?: A fine may be issued as a stand-alone sanction for certain violations (excessive noise, cooking in room, etc.) and in conjunction with other sanctions in more serious cases. All fines are due to the Dean of Student Affairs office within ten days of being assigned. Fines unpaid by the deadline double and are billed to the student account.
But I pay the bills, why didnt you contact me?: Remember that your student (if over 18) is ultimately responsible for his or her account. Whatever payment arrangements your family has worked out, it is important that your student be made responsible for his or her actions. Your son or daughter will always have received information regarding any assessed fines. Encourage them to speak openly with you if you have an agreement where you are paying their student bill.
My student was charged criminally. Why: The criminal justice system and Niagara University Rules of Student Conduct are not mutually exclusive. By virtue of being a student, your student is held responsible for upholding the standards of behavior in the Niagara University Rules of Student Code of Conduct, as well as local and state laws.
I know my student could not have done this; I didn't raise my student that way. So why is my student being charged?: Developmentally this is a period of exploration and testing for students. They may be in a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood facing many new challenges. They may also be away from home for the first time and dealing with issues of independence in the more unstructured environment of a university. In addition students are adjusting to the expectations and values of the university, just as they did at home. As students are testing these expectations and values, they may make choices that are inconsistent with them. This testing is a normal part of the developmental process. However, students must also learn that the choices they make may not be healthy and have consequences.
Who may I call and speak with regarding my students conduct case?: Students facing involvement in the judicial process often contact their parents to vent or to look for advice and direction. This is a critical time to demonstrate your trust and support for your student, as well as encourage their independence. Try to avoid the impulse to solve the problem for them. Instead, encourage them to follow through with the judicial process, remembering that the process is one of support, accountability and education, not simply punishment for wrongdoing.

Student Affairs

Conduct System FAQs