Student Code of Conduct
Idaho State University is an engaged and vibrant campus of learning that is united in its goal to improve the intellectual vigor, cultural vitality, and health of our communities. In developing campus expectations for students, the Student Code of Conduct (The Code) reaffirms that each individual Bengal is valued. The Code, and its resulting processes, are deeply rooted in self-reflection, improving oneself, and understanding the responsibility of being a part of a community. The Code employs a student-centered approach where meaningful skills, values, and expectations are paramount. We uphold University values of integrity, community, inclusivity, teamwork, shared responsibility, and learning as the foundation for a healthy and successful academic environment.
The Code helps promote growth and learning as Students interact with their environment and accept responsibility for their decision-making. The conduct process educates students about their responsibilities as members of an academic community and imposes sanctions when students act contrary to the expectations set. Our goal is to resolve conflict through active communication designed to better understand motives, intentions, attitudes, beliefs, and emotions. Through acceptance of responsibility and mediation, we focus on reconciliation and healing alongside community members who are impacted by other’s actions. It is intended that those participating in ISU’s conduct process leave as better-educated students, with a deeper sense of purpose and meaning of the ISU community and their place within it.
All students are responsible for reading and understanding the University's expectations, which are documented in the Student Code of Conduct and other University policies. By enrolling, students agree to comply with the standards of behavior described in the Student Code of Conduct and other University policies.
Important Documents and University Policies
DOCUMENTS
Please click on each link to get to the PDF version of each document.
POLICIES
This is not a comprehensive list of relevant campus policies, but rather most relevant to students. Please see ISU Policies and Procedures for additional policies.
- Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Non-discrimination ISUPP 3100
- Accommodations for Students with Disabilities ISUPP 5030
- Use of University Space for Expressive Activity ISUPP 11010
- Possession of Firearms ISUPP 9000
- Smoke Free Campus ISUPP 9040
- ITS Acceptable Use ISUPP 2400
- ITS Communications and Operations Management ISUPP 2450
- ITS Compliance and Sanctions ISUPP 2460
- ITS Electronic Messaging ISUPP 2470
Additional Helpful Information
General Questions
Idaho State University is committed to creating and maintaining a learning and working environment free of discrimination and harassment against any individual based on that person’s race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or Veteran’s status. Additional protections may apply to students through other laws and ISU procedures. We take all reports of discrimination seriously and strongly encourage anyone who is concerned that an act of discrimination has occurred, to report what they know immediately through the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX.
- Students who believe they have experienced sex and/or gender-based discrimination (including sexual harassment, sexual violence, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and pregnancy related issues.) should report their situation to the Title IX Office.
- Students who believe they have experienced discrimination based on race, color or national origin should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, as there are protections through Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
When you apply to Idaho State University you are asked to disclose your criminal history, including incidents with pending charges as well as convictions. Prospective students who do not answer the question honestly may have their admission status re-evaluated. The most common ways a conviction may impact an admitted student are as follows:
- Employment- Many student employee positions require a background check prior to an official offer of employment being made. Depending on the specifics of your history, you may or may not be eligible for the job. All applicants who apply for employment at ISU as a state employee are required to complete a background check. Additional information can be found in the Background Investigations Policy, ISUPP #3170.
- Academic Programs- Some academic programs require background checks for participation in clinical/field experiences, internships, study abroad, certification status, etc. This is especially common in health programs and those roles working with vulnerable populations (minors, elderly, those with impaired decision making capability, animals, etc.). Students should research requirements of their intended program to determine if they will be impacted.
- Housing- University Housing may have specific restrictions for students charged with a crime, and/or convicted felons, and/or registered sex offenders living in their properties. Due to the concentrated number of people living in an on-campus facility, the potential presence of minors, and overall accessibility to spaces and property, the standards for eligibility for living in campus properties are high.
- Code of Conduct- Students who are charged and/or convicted of a crime after they are admitted to ISU, have an obligation to disclose to the University their updated status. Depending on the type of charges, there may or may not be implications to their student status. ISU reserves the right to bring students through the Conduct Hearing Process based on any legal charges or convictions. More information can be found in the Student Code of Conduct, ISUPP #5000.
In some instances, ISU may require students with criminal charges and/or convictions to submit a reference from a parole officer, probation officer, other Department of Corrections officials (to be determined by the University), or other relevant officials. Students may also be required to schedule an in-person interview with university representatives from the Dean of Students Office, Department of Public Safety, Office of the General Counsel, University Housing, and others. Final decisions regarding a student's status or university restrictions due to a criminal record, will be documented in writing at the conclusion of the investigative process. Current and prospective students who have questions about their specific situation should reach out to the Dean Of Students Office at deanofstudents@isu.edu or (208) 282-2794 for more information. All communications, documentation, and related information will be held by the Dean of Students Office for University record keeping purposes.
Preparing for a Conduct Hearing
When the Dean of Students Office receives notification that a student has potentially violated our Student Code of Conduct, we will send them a conduct hearing notice via their student email requesting they set up an appointment. In the hearing we will discuss: the policies that have allegedly been violated, hear your perspective of the report, discuss levels of responsibility and accountability for the alleged violations, and develop a plan for moving forward productively and successfully as a student here at ISU.
When the Dean of Students Office receives notification that a student has potentially violated our Student Code of Conduct, we will send them a conduct hearing notice via their student email requesting they set up an appointment. In the hearing we will discuss: the policies that have allegedly been violated, hear your perspective of the report, discuss levels of responsibility and accountability for the alleged violations, and develop a plan for moving forward productively and successfully as a student here at ISU.
No, this process is specific to the university and your status as a student with the university. There may be additional legal charges related to the same events but those would be initiated through the court system by one of the parties mentioned in the report, but that would be independent of and outside of our scope.
“Beyond a reasonable doubt” is a court standard for the evidence needed to determine “guilt” or “innocence”. University standard is the “preponderance of evidence” meaning we want to determine if it is more likely than not, that a violation of policy occurred. Students are found “responsible” or “non-responsible”. This process is meant to be conversational and educational rather than the adversarial atmosphere of court cases that include interrogations, fierce cross-examinations, jurors, etc.
Read your conduct hearing notice letter fully, including the charges alleged. Review the Student Code of Conduct to familiarize yourself with the policy and the process of conduct hearings. Pull together any information you have access to that directly relates to the alleged charges. All information shared should be relevant to the specifics of the case. Consider putting your notes in a written statement for your reference during the conduct hearing.
You may select an advisor to be with you during the hearing but it is not required. The advisor is not allowed to speak during the course of the hearing but rather can only confer with you. If you choose to use an advisor, you must notify the Dean of Students Office at least 3 days prior to the hearing of the name of your advisor and you must sign a FERPA Waiver.
Comply with any interim measures before the hearing, such as a No Contact Directive.
When you read through the code of conduct you will notice there are specific timeframes associated with each part such as: setting up the hearing, receiving notification of the decision, the appeal process, etc. This is intentional and important. We give all students due process, we want our conduct process to be fair, to provide you with time so you can adequately gather your thoughts and prepare your comments so you can best represent yourself throughout the process.
Our conduct hearings are meant to be educational and geared toward achieving a resolution that allows all students involved to feel they can move past the incident while feeling comfortable on campus and be successful students.