2. Definitions

2.1 Advisor

A full-time employee of Michigan Tech selected by the organization and approved by Student Leadership and Involvement who provides support and guidance to the organization.

2.3 Charge

Charge means reasonable cause has been established that a violation of the Code has occurred.

2.4 Code

Code means any and all University codes, regulations, rules, and policies, including this Student Code of Community Conduct. This Student Code of Community Conduct applies to all students including both on and off University premises.

2.5 Complainant 

Complainant refers to any member of the University community, of the public, or any law enforcement agency representative who makes a report to the Office of Academic and Community Conduct. In situations where the individual(s) reports information but wishes not to be involved in the conduct process, the University may choose to become the complainant.

2.6 Evidence

Factual information presented that directly supports or disputes the allegations.

2.7 Interim Action

Interim action means any lawful action, order, restriction, or demand made pursuant to the code, as a means to protect individuals, property, and/or the best interests of the University.

2.8 Maxient

Maxient is the conduct management system used by the University. All email correspondence generated from the address Maxient System <notifications@maxient.com> should be treated as official University communication.

2.9 Preponderance of Evidence

Preponderance of evidence means the totality of all available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that a policy violation did/did not occur. The burden is not on a party, but on the institution. The concept of “preponderance of the evidence” can be visualized as a scale representing the standard of proof, with the totality of evidence collected during the University’s investigation resting on the respective trays on either side of the scale. If the scale tips ever so slightly to one side or the other, the weightier side will prevail.

2.10 Procedural Officer

Procedural officer means all administrative staff with delegated authority to resolve academic and community conduct issues.

2.11 Reasonable

Reasonable means fair and appropriate given all facts and circumstances.

2.12 Reasonable Cause

Reasonable cause means there is sufficient information alleged by a complainant to warrant belief by a reasonable person that a respondent has violated the code. Evidence is sufficient if a reasonable person would believe that further inquiry into whether a violation occurred is warranted.

2.13 Reasonable Person

Reasonable person means a person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the complainant.

2.14 Registered Student Organization (RSO)

Registered Student Organization means a student group that has gone through the approval process with Student Leadership and Involvement and has completed the annual re-registration process to remain a registered group.

2.15 Respondent

Respondent means the Registered Student Organization alleged to have violated the code.  Respondents are presumed ‘not responsible’ until proven by the preponderance of evidence standard that indicates a finding.

2.16 Request for Sanction Revision (RSR)

RSR means Request for Sanction Revision. This program is for RSOs that have been sanctioned to conduct probation or conduct suspension to request for their sanction to be revised. To be eligible for RSR, RSOs must have successfully completed their originally assigned educational conditions and at least one third (⅓) of their total probation/suspension period. If RSOs qualify for RSR, additional educational conditions will be determined. Upon completion, the additional condition(s) will be reviewed and the sanction will be reevaluated. RSOs on probation will be released from their probation upon successful completion. RSOs on suspension will have a change in their conduct status to probation. 

2.19 Student

Student means any individual who is an admitted applicant, is currently enrolled, auditing, or participating in any University course or program, (regardless of their classification status), or was enrolled at the time of the conduct at issue regardless of their age or status in regard to parental dependency. Student status is maintained during semester breaks.

2.18 Unaffiliated or Unregistered Organizations

While the students and/or community members within the groups (and others not previously registered) may attempt to recruit individuals into these groups, it is important to note that they are NOT registered student organizations and are NOT affiliated with Michigan Technological University in any way.  The University advises that students and their parents review carefully the potential benefits and the potential disadvantages or risks of affiliating with such non-registered student organizations.

The University Code of Conduct applies to student behavior both on and off campus.  Students involved in conduct violations may subject themselves to individual University disciplinary procedures, including suspension or dismissal if they are found responsible for violations under the Student Code of Community Conduct rather than this policy. To view Unaffiliated or Unregistered Organizations, visit Student Leadership and Involvement.

2.19 University Conduct Board

University conduct board means a group of trained University faculty and staff convened for the purpose of reviewing the conduct violation and determining appropriate consequences as needed, known as hearing decision-makers.