Office of community standards, rights, and responsibilities

our mission

As part of the Division of Student Life, the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities promotes personal responsibility through educational outreach to the University community and the enforcement of the Student Conduct Code in a kind, caring, and compassionate manner.

our vision

The Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities seeks to enrich the UMaine student experience by providing meaningful engagement opportunities that promote personal responsibility and peer accountability.  As educators we encourage our students to consider the impact of their actions on the community and themselves in an effort to nurture the development of socially responsible leaders. 

learning outcomes

The following are learning outcomes identified by the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities to instill in our students before they graduate:

  • Promote individual responsibility and personal development
  • Foster respect for the rights of others and the greater community 
  • Utilize analytical decision-making skills in future situations
  • Articulate expectations for future behavior
  • Learn to advocate for their rights as well as the rights of others in the community

about us

The Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities is a department operating within the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Maine.  The Office of Community Standards assists in maintaining the general welfare of the University community by promoting individual responsibility and personal development. The conduct process is designed to supplement the educational mission of the University by encouraging learning outcomes and responsible decision-making through its process, practices, and educational interventions.

The University Of Maine System Board of Trustees has developed a Student Conduct Code. The Office of Community Standards is authorized to establish and administer the Student Conduct Code for the flagship campus at Orono.  The purpose of the Student Conduct Code is to maintain the general welfare of the University community. The University of Maine System Student Code of Conduct and other important policies can be found on our Policies and Forms page.

The University strives to make the campus community a place of study, work, and residence where people are treated, and treat one another, with respect and courtesy. The University views the student conduct process as a learning experience with goals of personal and academic growth, personal responsibility, and understanding and appreciation of the students enrolled in the University community and the greater community.

All students must follow these standards. Students who violate these standards will be subject to the actions described herein. These procedures are designed to provide fairness to all who are involved in the conduct process.

With many of our students returning to campus, the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities (OCSRR) staff is present and open. In addition to work typical of an average academic year, OCSRR will be addressing concerns around COVID-19 safety protocols/procedures and will be focused on the continued support of academic integrity in the classroom as some courses have moved to a hybrid or online modality.

While a large portion of the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities is tied to the Student Conduct Code and the Student Conduct Process, our office does have other responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

Dean’s Certification

To request Dean’s Certifications, Release of Disciplinary Records, or Transfer Forms, please submit those requests here. Please allow for seven (7) business days for the completion of these requests and fourteen (14) business days for any release of disciplinary records that may require the redaction of other students’ information from the record.

Student  Behavior Review Team (SBRT)

Staff in the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities assist in reviewing cases of students in distress. More information and resources concerning the SBRT can be found on the SBRT webpage. 

Classroom and Student Organization Training/Presentations

These presentations are offered through the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities or our campus partners.  Links to more information are included as well as the hosting office contact information.

  • First Amendment/Free Speech: A presentation over the first amendment and free speech on a college campus given by staff in the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities.  The presentation covers what is allowed, what is not allowed, and resources for making sure students know their rights when it comes to free speech.
  • Student Conduct Code Hearing Board Training: The University of Maine System conduct officers present this training once every fall and spring semester and it is intended for those students, staff, or faculty who have an interest in the Student Conduct Code process.  By participating in this training, individuals are able to sit on hearing boards, appeals committees, and assist in reviewing student conduct cases. 
  • Hazing Awareness and Prevention: This training is given by staff in the Division of Student Life annually to student groups and Greek organizations.  It is intended to bring awareness to hazing, how to spot the signs of hazing, and resources for those who may have experienced hazing. 
  • Bystander Intervention Training: This training is offered through the Student Wellness Resource Center and encompasses general guidance on how to assist as a bystander when you come across an individual in distress or emergency situation. 

For more information regarding these trainings please email us at communitystandards@maine.edu or call us at 207.581.1406. 

Our staff work closely with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator and other staff members in our Title IX Student Services Office on matters related to, and covered under, Title IX (sexual assault, dating violence, interpersonal violence, pregnancy and parenting, and more).  If you have a concern related to Title IX please reach out to their staff directly at um.titleix@miane.edu or visit their website for more resources. 

The Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities collaborates with faculty in implementing and upholding the University of Maine System Academic Integrity Policy.  More information and resources for Academic Integrity can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage. 

The Student conduct process

The University of Maine Student Conduct Process is designed to be fair and impartial to all students.  The University of Maine follows the process outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. The steps below outline what happens during the process with a flowchart below.

If a student is found in violation of the student conduct code the case and all associated materials will be kept in the students educational record for up to seven years after the student leaves the university.  If a student is not found to be in violation of the student conduct code then all associated materials will not be kept in the students educational record. 

  • Incident Report is Filed: An incident report is a documentation of an alleged violation to the Student Code of Conduct filed with the Office of Community Standards, Rights, and Responsibilities.
  • Information Gathering: The incident report is reviewed to see if further action is required, and if so, what information is needed.
    • No Action: If, during the information gathering phase, it is determined that no violation of the code occurred the incident report will be closed with no action taken.
    • Educational Conversation: If, during the information gathering phase, it is determined that a violation or disruptive behavior not rising to the level of the conduct process may have occurred the student will have an educational meeting with a staff member of the Division of Student Life.  
  • Initiation of Conduct Process: During the information gathering phase it was determined a potential violation of the student conduct code occurred. The incident report will be turned into a case and assigned to a University Hearing Officer.
  • Written Notice Given: After a case is assigned to a Hearing Officer a date and time will be set for the initial meeting.  All notices and communication will be sent via email to a students @maine.edu email account.
  • Initial Meeting:  An administrative meeting before a Hearing Officer to determine whether or not a violation to the Code of Conduct occurred.  
  • Formal or Alternative Resolution: There are two ways a case may be resolved through the conduct process: a formal resolution or an informal resolution.
    • Alternative Resolution: An alternative resolution may be used for lower level conduct violations and involves the alleged student and a Hearing Officer.  In most cases, the initial meeting serves as the hearing for an alternative resolution.
    • Administrative Resolution: is a scheduled, structured meeting between a Responding party and a Conduct Officer to resolve less complex or serious matters.
    • Formal Resolution: A formal resolution may be used for more higher level conduct violations.  This process may or may not use a Hearing Officer or Hearing Board, depending on the staffing needs and components of each case individually.
  • Outcome Issued: After the conclusion of the formal or alternative process an outcome is issued to the student via their @maine.edu email account.  If a student is found in violation of the student conduct code there will be sanctions issued in the outcome letter.  
  • Appeal: If a student is found in violation of the student conduct code they have the right to appeal the decision within 7 calendar days of the outcome letter being emailed.  All request for appeal must be submitted through the Appeals Form. Appeals will only be granted if the sanction(s) applied include dismissal, suspension, or the student incurs a significant financial impact.  Appeals have one level in the student conduct process:
  • Student Conduct Appeal Panel: The Appeal Panel is the appeal in the student conduct process. A review by a panel of at least three (3) people based on procedural error, consideration of new evidence, and inappropriate sanctioning. 
  • Case Closed: If a student does not file for an appeal then the case is closed.  Once the appeals process concludes the case is closed. 

questions?

Reach out to us at communitystandards@maine.edu or call 207.581.1406.