Student Conduct

Conduct Authority 

Ultimate authority to govern student conduct rests with the University’s Board of Regents. The Board of Regents has delegated authority to the President of the University. Subsequently, the President grants authority to the Division of Enrollment & Student Experience through the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, to the Office of Student Conduct and the Office of Institutional Equity (Title IX). 

The Office of Student Conduct assumes the responsibility to oversee the administration of the Student Code of Conduct. When appropriate, the Office of Student Conduct may delegate conduct authority to additional University officials (e.g., Housing and Residence Life staff) and committees (e.g., University Disciplinary Committee) in keeping with University policies, rules, and regulations. 

University’s Scope Governing Conduct 

The Student Code of Conduct applies to individual students, both undergraduate and graduate, and all student organizations of WKU.  For the purposes of student conduct, the University considers an individual to be a student from the point at which a student is enrolled with the institution and thereafter throughout the student’s enrollment. At all times, students have access to the Student Code of Conduct.  In addition, material copies of the Student Code of Conduct are contained in the Student Handbook and are available in the Office of Student Conduct and upon request.   

The Student Code of Conduct and disciplinary authority of the University applies to behaviors of students and/or student organizations that occur on WKU premises, at University-sponsored activities and events, or in connection with a credit-bearing experience.  Additionally, the Student Code of Conduct may, in the University’s discretion, apply to off-campus conduct that causes a significant disruption to the educational mission of the University or presents a significant danger or threat of safety to themselves or others, such that if the conduct occurred on WKU premises, a possible outcome would be suspension or expulsion.  For instance, conduct arising to this level, might include, but is not limited to, instances of drug trafficking or crimes of violence.   

The conduct process outlined in this policy may proceed prior to, independent of, or concurrent with any civil or criminal proceedings.  The administration of this policy is independent from any legal process and is not governed by the rules of evidence or civil or criminal procedure.  

Purpose of the Code of Student Conduct 

The Student Code of Conduct provides the standards of behavior developed by the Western Kentucky University (WKU, or the University) Community for individual students and for student organizations during their enrollment and recognized status respectively. WKU adopts reasonable rules and regulations applicable to students and student organizations which are necessary for the orderly, harmonious, and beneficial learning environment of the whole WKU Community. The Student Code of Conduct is intended to ensure that conduct of an individual student or organization aligns with WKU’s educational mission, its goals to prepare productive, engaged, and socially responsible citizen-leaders, and institutional core values.   

The Student Code of Conduct summarizes fair and impartial procedures that are used to determine the responsible person or persons in the event it is determined that student misconduct has occurred.  The Student Code of Conduct outlines the procedure for redress of misconduct and appropriate sanctions, if any, for a student or student organizations deemed in violation of the University standards of behavior.  Throughout the entirety of this process, individual rights and due process are sustained and respected. For more on Student Rights and Responsibilities, please visit: https://www.wku.edu/studentconduct/.  

Students who violate federal, state, or local laws may incur penalties prescribed by civil and criminal authorities. Nevertheless, the University reserves the right to review student incidents independent of action by civil and criminal authorities and to apply the University student conduct process as it serves the educational mission of WKU, a function separate and distinct from civil and criminal proceedings. 

Academic freedom, constructive criticism, and due process of law depend upon civility of behavior by all members of the University community towards all other persons in all circumstances. The University will not tolerate the use or threat of force, violence, coercion, intimidation, obstruction, duress or disruption by any individual or group. Members of the University community found to be participants in such activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action. Likewise, appropriate measures will be taken to stop and correct such activities by any non-member of the University community, whatever may be the claimed basis for his/her presence on the campus. 

Following procedures of due process, if the WKU Student Code Conduct is violated, the responsible parties will go through the University’s disciplinary process, which is intended to be a fair and educational experience. Students are presumed not responsible until the institution has established every element of an alleged violation; however, this shall not be construed to mean that a complainant or any witnesses has presented false testimony or evidence. Although a student accused of academic or nonacademic misconduct will be granted every consideration, if actions and behavior of the student are duly found to be detrimental to the University mission, function, property, or wellbeing, the University will apply an appropriate disciplinary outcome.  

Any WKU student may be expelled, suspended, placed on probation, or given a lesser outcome for one or more violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The Code can be found at www.wku.edu/studentconduct and www.wku.edu/policies/docs/index.php?policy=414.

Following procedures of due process, when a student is accused of academic or nonacademic misconduct the alleged policy violator will be required to go through the University’s Student Conduct process. Students are presumed Not Responsible until the institution has established every element of the alleged violation; however, this shall not be construed to mean that the complainant or any witness(es) has presented false testimony or evidence. The following list describes University outcomes that may be administered as a result of violating the WKU Code of Student Conduct. A student accused of an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct will have the opportunity to review accusations, review any information, and will be able to provide a response. Outcomes may be used independently or in combination depending on the particular circumstance of the violation. Chronic and/or multiple violations during the course of an individual student's college career may increase the severity of outcomes applied. The Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Experience, or designee, will make the determination whether allegations are sufficiently egregious to warrant consideration of suspension, dismissal, or expulsion. The following shall be factored into the decision-making process: 

Western Kentucky University is committed to student health and well-being. As a result, the University is concerned about the effect of alcohol and other drugs on the educational process. The Policy on Parental Notification is designed to assist parents in developing a partnership with their student and the University to address behaviors that detract from the educational purpose. The University will notify parents or guardians of dependent students for behaviors associated with The Code of Student Conduct under the following conditions: 

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (”FERPA”) allows the disclosure of specific information concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance by students under the age of 21. The goal of parental/guardian notification is to enlist parental/guardian support for fostering more appropriate student behavior to create a safer community environment and reduce the many negative impacts of substance abuse. 

The Campus Partners Team (CPT) is a multidisciplinary team operating under the auspices of the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Enhancement. The team is charged with providing a layer of support for students exhibiting behaviors that instigate concern or imminently reckless behavior. Additionally, the team works jointly to educate the University community on prevention strategies to disrupt the risk of threatening situations. Using a case management theoretical framework, the CPT assesses student behavior, links students to campus and community resources, determines reasonable interventions, determines reasonable modifications to the learning environment when appropriate, and develops and implements a coordinated standard of care plan for students. The Team meets weekly to review referrals from faculty, staff, and students’ demonstrative behavioral concerns. The CPT consists of the following offices: