Home > FAQs > General Questions

General Questions

How long does the disciplinary process take?
There are a number of factors that contribute to the length of time that it takes to process a case, including the time of year in which the Office of Student Conduct receives the report of alleged misconduct.

Students who receive a letter of investigation usually have 5-7 business days to submit a written statement to the Office of Student Conduct. Generally, the conduct officer will contact the student and notify him/her that the statement has been received.

After the statement is submitted, the judicial officer will gather additional information for the case, which may take between one and three weeks (or longer), depending on the circumstances surrounding the case. An accused student can always contact his/her conduct officer regarding the status of his/her case or to offer additional information. In most cases the conduct officer will respond to the student indicating receipt of the student's statement.
Does Duke have an honor code? What is the Duke Community Standard?

The Duke Community Standard is the University's name for its honor code. As a statement of principles, it expresses an expectation that students will adhere to the values of "honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect for others...in both their academic and nonacademic endeavors," and that they will actively promote a "climate of integrity." Specifically, students sign a pledge that they will not cheat in their academic endeavors nor accept the actions of those who do cheat. In the second part of the pledge, students affirm that they will "conduct [themselves] responsibly and honorably in all [their] activities as a Duke student."

Out of principles flow policies. While the Duke Community Standard sets forth principles, Duke has many policies dealing with specific behaviors, and students may be found to be in violation of those policies.

How will a violation of university policy be recorded and will it affect my chances of getting into law/medical school or getting a job?
Students have two records at Duke--a permanent academic transcript maintained by the Registrar and a disciplinary record maintained by the Office of Student Conduct. All disciplinary violations processed through our office are noted on the disciplinary record for eight years from the date of a student's matriculation, except in cases resulting in suspension or expulsion, in which disciplinary records are kept indefinitely.

There is no hard and fast rule about the impact of a disciplinary violation on getting into a graduate program or getting a job. Variables include the nature and severity of the violation, how much time has lapsed since the violation and what the student has learned as a result of the violation. Minor offenses will likely have a minimal effect. Violations such as academic dishonesty, fighting, and drug violations are likely to have an impact through an admissions process. A student may find that his/her options are limited by his/her disciplinary record, but there have been many Duke students who have been found responsible for significant violations who have gone on to law school or medical school because they proved their willingness to learn from the mistake and move on.
What does it mean to be on disciplinary probation?
Disciplinary probation is a status indicating that a future violation of university policy, particularly during the period of probation, may result in separation from the university (suspension) for a period of time. Students on probation may be ineligible for university privileges, such as the ability to study abroad on an approved Duke program.
Will my parents find out if I violate university policies?
The university hopes that students will keep their parents informed of their lives at Duke. The Office of Student Conduct will not routinely contact parents when their son or daughter has violated university rules. However, parents of students under the age of 21 will be notified of alcohol-related disciplinary violations when a student's health or safety has been/is at risk (including when a student is granted "amnesty"). Parents may also be contacted by Trinity College or the Pratt School of Engineering if a student is suspended as a result of a disciplinary infraction.
I have an upcoming disciplinary hearing. Should I get a lawyer?
A student may seek advice from anyone he/she wishes. If a student has been charged criminally, we recommend that the student seek professional legal advice. The North Carolina State Bar has resources to help find an appropriate licensed attorney.

For students going solely through the university's disciplinary process, the use of disciplinary advisors -- staff and students trained specifically in helping students through the on-campus process -- is strongly encouraged. A list of disciplinary advisors can be found here.  [A student, though, may bring any advisor with him/her to a hearing before the Undergraduate Conduct Board, but the advisor must be a member of the university community (current faculty, staff, or student)]. Experience has shown that students who tap into the services of the university's trained disciplinary advisors are well-prepared for a hearing and have a much better experience with the disciplinary system than those who do not.
I received a citation, court order, or was arrested, and am not sure what my options are. What can I do?
While the Office of Student Conduct cannot offer legal advice, we can point you to some resources.

Students who have been charged under state or federal law are strongly encouraged to retain a lawyer. There are several in Durham who work on criminal cases involving alcohol, driving over the speed limit, and arrests. Our first recommendation is to utilize the North Carolina Bar Association's Find-a-Lawyer search tool to find
someone in the local area who can assist you.

Our second recommendation is to talk with friends who have received citations, or people you know who might know others who received citations. Then ask those people for a personal referral for a lawyer.

Regardless of how you find a lawyer, when you do meet with your lawyer or speak on the phone be aware of how you are treated. If you have a hard time getting information from the lawyer, s/he does not call you back or you believe that you are not being listened to; don't hire that lawyer. If the introductory conversations are not useful to you, then once you have given the lawyer money, s/he likely will continue to not be helpful.

In your introductory conversations, bring up the topic of money. A reputable lawyer or firm should be willing to talk to you about how much it may cost, any fees etc. that they have. Hiring a lawyer is a financial transaction and if the lawyer won't give you any estimates or information about cost, then don't hire that lawyer.
How are members of the Undergraduate Conduct Board selected?
The Undergraduate Conduct Board recruits new student members in the spring semester of each year. Rising juniors and seniors may apply.

Faculty or staff who are interested in joining the Board should contact Stephen Bryan at 919-684-6938. Faculty appointments are approved by the dean of Trinity College or the Pratt School of Engineering. Staff appointments are approved by the vice president of Student Affairs.
Why do students (and not just faculty and staff) participate in the Undergraduate Conduct Board?
The Duke Community Standard (DCS) stresses the commitment that students share with all members of the community to enhance the climate for honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability at Duke University. Further, The DCS asks that students not only reflect on their own behavior, as important as that is, but that they also act to encourage the integrity of their peers.

Participation in the Undergraduate Conduct Board is one way for students to shape their environment so that it reflects the ideals expressed in the Duke Community Standard.

[Adapted from the Duke Community Standard in Practice: A Guide for Undergraduates.]
Are students required to report potential misconduct of their peers?

The Duke Community Standard in Practice is a comprehensive bulletin of Duke University’s rules, regulations, and procedures that contains information on student conduct and explains one’s obligation to “act” – to do something – if he/she sees behavior inconsistent with the DCS.

“Acting” on academic and social behavior inconsistent with the DCS includes:

  • Speaking directly with the individual exhibiting the behavior;
  • Publicly calling attention to the behavior;
  • Alerting residence hall or other university staff;
  • (For cases involving academic integrity) Alerting the instructor that cheating may be occurring; and  
  • Directly alerting the Associate Dean for Student Conduct at 684-6938 (confidentiality may be offered).

Any person with a Duke NetID may report an incident involving undergraduate students through an online form, found here.

What is a Resolution through Agreement?
A Resolution through Agreement may be offered to a student if he/she accepts responsibility for the alleged violations. The judicial officer will offer to the accused student sanctions based on how the Undergraduate Conduct Board (UCB) has responded to that type of case in the past. The accused student can then choose to agree with the offer for resolution, thus making it final, or reject the offer for resolution. If the offer is rejected the student will be forwarded to the UCB for a panel hearing. This resolution takes the place of a traditional administrative hearing or UCB hearing in cases where the student(s) also agree(s) to the proposed sanctions.

For more information, see Resolution through Agreement.
How are members of the Undergraduate Conduct Board selected for my panel?
Hearing panels charged with determining a verdict and a sanction shall consist of three students and two members of the faculty or staff selected from the Undergraduate Conduct Board (UJB). Hearing panels charged with determining only a sanction shall consist of two students and one faculty or staff member selected from the UJB. (In some circumstances, the conduct officer may choose to utilize a 5-person panel consisting of three students and two faculty or staff members to determine a sanction.) In most cases, panel members are selected for cases on the basis of availability.

(See Sexual Misconduct for hearing panel composition of these cases.)

An accused student may agree to a smaller panel or different student-to-faculty/staff ratio in the event that a full panel is not available. The accused student also may challenge any panel member if there is a significant conflict of interest. Such a challenge must be made at least 24 hours prior to the hearing and will be granted only for sufficient cause.
What if I am unable to complete my sanction by the deadline given?
Students who have been assigned sanctions with deadlines (e.g., community service, educational initiatives) should communicate with their conduct officer if they cannot complete a sanction or need assistance in doing so. Failure to adequately complete sanctions with reasonable effort may result in re-entry into the disciplinary process for a potential violation of Failure to Comply.
Why is the university charging me with a policy violation if I am going through the local/state/federal courts? Isn't that double jeopardy?

Students may be accountable to both civil authorities and to the university for acts that violate local, state or federal laws. (Students are encouraged to seek advice of legal counsel when they face criminal charges.) Disciplinary action through university processes concurrent with criminal action does not subject a student to “double jeopardy.”

The university operates under different policies, procedures and standards and thus, will not be bound by the findings of a court of law. If the court’s outcome satisfies the university’s interests, such outcome may be recorded on the student’s disciplinary record ithout invoking the university disciplinary process. Should any criminal proceeding result in a felony conviction, as a result of an incident on or off campus, the vice president or Student Affairs reserves the right to summarily dismiss a student.

What will happen if I am going through the university disciplinary process and also have criminal charges?
University disciplinary action will normally proceed during the pendency of a criminal or civil action. A student may request, however, that the university disciplinary process be placed on hold until criminal actions are resolved. The conduct officer or designee will decide whether this request will be granted. In such a case, interim restrictions may be imposed. If resolution of a criminal case is protracted, the conduct officer or designee may decide to proceed with the disciplinary process.
Copyright | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Duke.edu | Student Affairs | Dean of Students