Section 1.01 – History

The conduct governance system of the University of Illinois was established in the University Statutes by the Board of Trustees in l931 and was reaffirmed in l957. In January, l972, the Board of Trustees again affirmed the existing status of the university governance system and adopted recommendations for strengthening the system. The Trustees asserted their belief in the concept that the university discipline system shall be separate from, but coexistent with, general systems established by society to deal with the conduct of citizens of society. They emphasized again that, as provided by the Statutes in Article XI, section 2, the Senate Committee on Student Discipline (SCSD) shall have jurisdiction over the hearing and adjudication of the application of rules of student conduct to particular cases. The committee shall not have responsibility for or right to make or define the rules or regulations or to concern itself with the responsibility of the Chancellor to exercise powers to meet an emergency, safeguard persons and property, and maintain educational activities.

Section 1.02 – Philosophy

As a community of scholars, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is committed to providing an environment that values academic excellence, personal integrity, justice, equity, and diversity in an orderly and peaceful environment. Such an environment is essential for fostering the intellectual growth and personal development of all students. All members of the academic community share responsibility for maintaining conditions which support the university's mission.

The community supports each member's right to study and work in a quiet, respectful, non-violent atmosphere that is conducive to the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge. Students who voluntarily join this university community assume the obligation of abiding by the standards commonly held by that community. Every student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is therefore obligated to assume responsibility for their actions, to respect constituted authority, to be truthful, and to respect the rights of others, as well as to protect personal and public property.

The goal of the disciplinary system is to educate and discipline the individual as well as to protect the integrity and security of the university community and its mission by serving as a deterrent.

Section 1.03 – Scope

The university discipline system recognizes that not all violations of local, State, and Federal law affect the interests of the university community and the discipline system accepts jurisdiction in those instances where the university community's interest is substantially affected, regardless of whether the conduct in question occurs on or off campus. The rules governing conduct may come under the jurisdiction of the legal system but are typically and necessarily broader in coverage than statutes and ordinances. The university discipline system is based on the most recent edition of the Student Code. Action taken through university disciplinary committees does not abrogate the right of any dean or director to deny admission or readmission based on scholarship.

As students enrolled in the College of Law are preparing for careers in a profession demanding honesty and integrity, the College requires high standards of conduct specific to its students. Therefore, The College of Law operates under an honor system and has special additional policies and procedures outlined in an appendix to this document.

Section 1.04 – Nature of System

Our disciplinary system is not intended to be adversarial in nature and is substantially less formal than a court of law. The majority of cases, in which severe sanctions are not likely to be considered, can and should be handled informally. The objective of a system of student discipline is to promote responsible citizenship in a complex organizational or social setting.

Section 1.05 – Jurisdiction

The university has jurisdiction over student conduct that occurs on university property, or in connection with official university programs or functions whether on or off university property. The university may, at its sole discretion, exercise jurisdiction over student behavior that occurs off campus and that would violate student conduct policies or regulations in those instances in which the university community’s interest is substantially affected. The university discipline system recognizes that not all violations of law affect the interests of the university community. Additionally, the university may take disciplinary action for incidents that violate the university’s rules of conduct whether or not such alleged conduct is not prosecuted in the courts.

In determining whether or not to exercise off-campus jurisdiction, the University may consider factors including but not limited to:

1. the alleged misconduct indicates the student posed or poses a threat to the safety or security of any individual; or
2. the alleged misconduct involves academic work or the forgery, alteration or misuse of any University document, record, key, electronic device, or identification.
3. The seriousness of the alleged misconduct; whether an alleged victim is a member of the campus community; the ability of the University to gather information, including the statements of witnesses; and whether the off-campus conduct is part of a series of actions that occurred either on or off campus.