The Most Frequently Asked Questions by Parents About Judicial Affairs

	Will I be notified if my student gets in trouble: i.e., if student is charged with violating the Student Conduct Code? We may notify parents if their student has an alcohol violation or a drug violation as allowed by the amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This act governs the release of educational records. 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 resolve it and help the student. In addition, you may be notified if there is an imminent risk to the student's health, safety, or welfare.
	If my student is charged with violating the Student Conduct Code, what happens? The student will be asked to set a meeting with a Judicial Affairs staff member to go over the process. Then the student makes a request to have the case heard, choosing from among three options: Administrative Disposition, Administrative Conference, or Judicial Affairs Hearing Board Hearing. For more detailed information, please see the Student Conduct Code. The university reserves the right to choose an option if the situation warrants such a choice by the university.
	What is my role in the university judicial process? How can I help my student? You can help to guide the student through the process and be supportive while holding the student accountable to your expectations and the university's. You can also help identify and provide necessary interventions, such as alcohol or drug evaluations, anger management, and others, so that your student can be successful at CU. 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, or resolution of the matter, for you to take over the process from your student.
	Can I be in a disciplinary meeting or conference with my student? The student may have an advisor present, who may be a parent. The role of the advisor is to support and advise the student but not to speak for or represent the student.
	Do I need to hire an attorney to represent my student? Students may have an attorney serve as an advisor but may not be represented by counsel. Students most often hire attorneys when there are criminal charges that relate to an incident.
	How are sanctions decided? Sanctions are determined by considering the following factors: nature of the violation, the student's role in the incident, the effect of the incident on others and on the student, the student's developmental and educational needs, and the student's prior disciplinary record. Mitigating and aggravating circumstances are considered.
	Explain the strike process. The word "strike" is used by students to refer to a violation of the alcohol and/or drug policies. Violations of those policies count towards a possible suspension. A single violation of the noise policy and leaving trash in the hallway, for example, would not put a student in danger of being suspended.  If a student already on probation is again found to be in violation of alcohol laws or policies, that student will be subject to suspension. Alcohol and drug violations ("strikes") remain on a student's record throughout their tenure at this university.  The student's record is not wiped clean after they complete their probationary period or move out of the residence halls. A student found to be in violation of alcohol laws or policies on three occasions over the entire period of their enrollment will be subject to suspension.
	My student was placed on probation? What does that mean? Probation lasts for a specific period of time, and is implemented by semesters. It is notice to the student that any violation of the Student Conduct Code or the conditions of probation committed during the probationary period will subject the student to further action, with a likely result of suspension or expulsion.
	Can my student appeal a disciplinary decision? An appeal may only be submitted if a student was put on probation, terminated from a residence hall, suspended, or expelled. That appeal can then be submitted on three bases: 1) Severity of sanction; 2) Process was not followed; and/or 3) There is new information available that was not available at the time of the original hearing. For more information, see: www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#review.
	Does the outcome go on my student's record? If a student is suspended from the university, a notation will be placed in the student's academic transcript for the period of the suspension. If the student is expelled, a notation will remain on the transcript permanently. For any student receiving a sanction less serious than suspension or expulsion, notations are not placed on the academic transcripts.
	Will a disciplinary record keep my student from getting into law 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 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, or with the permission of the student.
	Why is a particular rule or policy in place? Policies are designed to support the university's educational 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 interdependence, as well as promote moral and ethical development.
	My student was charged criminally. Why go through Judicial Affairs too? The criminal justice system and CU Student Conduct Code are not mutually exclusive. By virtue of being a student, your student is held responsible for upholding the standards of behavior in the Student Conduct Code, as well as public laws. A Conduct Code violation may be heard if the criminal case is not completed or if the criminal charges are dropped.
	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. This includes both on-campus and off-campus behavior, which can have an impact on the university community and the university mission.
	What resources are available to help my student? For a list of various resources, including counseling, victim assistance, legal assistance and psychiatric care, see: www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#resources
	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, experimentation. and testing for students. They may be in a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood. They may also be away from home and the daily influence of their parents for the first time. As students are testing the beliefs and values they learned at home, they may make choices that are inconsistent with these values. Such testing is part of the developmental process and is normal. However, students must also learn that the choices they make may not be healthy and may have consequences.
	How can I learn more about parent involvement at the university? You may contact the Office of Parent Relations at 303-492-1380 or visit their web site at: www.colorado.edu/parentrelations.
	Why is my student being charged an adjudication fee of $50 for going through the Judicial Affairs procedure? The aim of the Office of Judicial Affairs is to encourage and educate students to take responsibility for their actions in the community. Students who meet with the Director, Assistant Director, Judicial Coordinator, or any of the Judicial Affairs Assistant Conduct Officers will be assessed this fee if responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code.  The funds accrued from the fees are provided to Victim Assistance and the A Matter of Degree program to support their efforts in working with students.
	How can I talk to my student about alcohol and their decisions about it? Alcohol is an important issue to discuss with your student.  As parents, you have a great opportunity to impact your student’s success at this institution, and your involvement can be of tremendous influence. The “A Matter of Degree” program has several helpful hints to make this dialogue better.  Please see www.colorado.edu/alcohol/parents for further information.