Appendix B: Registered Student Organization Conduct

  1. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), as recognized through the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), are responsible for following the UC Davis Standards of Conduct for Students (UC Davis Standards of Conduct) Sections 102.01 through 102.30, as well as university administrative policies (see Section J).
  2. Alleged individual misconduct arising from participation in an activity sponsored or engaged in by a RSO does not excuse an individual student's accountability under the provisions of UC Davis Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline. Likewise, individual student accountability for actions while participating in an organization's activity does not excuse the RSO’s accountability.
  3. Student Officers of a RSO may be held accountable individually for knowingly, negligently permitting, or condoning any violation of the UC Davis Standards of Conduct by the RSO. Student Officers are expected to intervene to prevent violations of the university policy by the RSO in which they are an Officer, and at minimum, notify an appropriate staff/advisor when they become aware of a potential violation.
  4. A RSO may be affiliated with state, regional, national or international organizations. The university may report alleged violations of university regulations by a RSO to the organization's governing body or affiliated organizations.
  5. Reports of misconduct by a RSO are categorized as Tier 1 or Tier 2 policy violations.
    1. Tier 1 policy violations involve minor violations of university administrative policies identified in, but not limited to, Section J. CSI may address Tier 1 policy violations with a RSO according to CSI policy.
    2. Tier 2 policy violations include alleged violations of the UC Davis Standards of Conduct and/or repeated or serious Tier 1 violations. These are generally addressed by Student Conduct and Integrity.

    3. At any point in the process, Student Conduct may offer an Alternative Resolution option (e.g. mediated dialogue, restorative justice, educational agreement, subject to the following conditions:

      1. The RSO does not dispute the facts relevant to whether the policy violation occurred, and/or acknowledges responsibility.
      2. Involved parties consent in writing to participate. The Student Conduct Administrator will determine who is an “involved party”.

      Not all allegations are eligible for Alternative Resolution. The Student Conduct Administrator or designee is responsible for making the final decision regarding whether or not Alternative Resolution is appropriate and may change their determination if additional information is received.

      Upon acceptance of the Alternative Resolution Agreement, the RSO waives the right to a hearing and appeal, if applicable. The Agreement will be in writing and likely include educational or restorative components. Records of Alternative Resolution will be maintained as non-disciplinary records (unless otherwise agreed to within the resolution plan), but failure to accept the Agreement or to comply with the terms of the Agreement may lead to a cancellation of the Alternative Resolution Agreement and a return to the investigation and or resolution process.

  6. Under University of California policy (University of California PACAOS 70), the following summarizes the basic standards of due process provided to a RSO for reports adjudicated by the Student Conduct and Integrity as Tier 2 violations.
    1. Upon receipt of a report of alleged misconduct, Student Conduct and Integrity reviews the report to determine whether the alleged behavior, if true, violates the UC Davis Standards of Conduct.
    2. For alleged violations involving potential threat to the health and safety of any person or conduct that disrupts the orderly operation of the campus, or conduct of a similar serious nature, Student Conduct and Integrity may direct the RSO to cease operations while the conduct matter is pending.
    3. Student Conduct and Integrity will notify the RSO, in writing, of an alleged violation and direct the RSO to schedule a meeting, normally within three days of the notice.
      1. The e-mail address of the primary listed officer for the RSO will be considered the official contact address for the RSO.
      2. The RSO will designate one individual to respond to the incident (Responding Official), normally the president or primary officer of the RSO.
      3. If the RSO fails to respond to Student Conduct and Integrity within three days, Student Conduct and Integrity may place holds on the RSO’s registration privileges and proceed to adjudicate the referral based on the evidence.
    4. At the scheduled meeting, Student Conduct and Integrity will inform the Responding Official of the nature of the referral and the policies that may have been violated.
    5. The Responding Official may be accompanied by one advisor, including, at the RSO’s expense, an attorney. The advisor does not take an active role in the process and is expected to be a silent observer.
    6. The RSO may present evidence regarding the reported incident including the names of potential witnesses.
    7. Student Conduct and Integrity investigate and review all information related to the incident. This includes, but is not limited to, witness interviews, collecting documents and other evidence. The RSO does not have right to the identity of witnesses or cross-examination of witnesses.
    8. The RSO may review any written documentation supporting the report.
    9. Student Conduct and Integrity issues a written decision to the RSO, based on a preponderance of the evidence, with findings and determination whether the organization violated the UC Davis Standards of Conduct for Students and/or administrative policies.
  7. If found in violation, Student Conduct and Integrity imposes the appropriate sanctions and/or outcomes. This includes:

    1. Formal Warning

      The Student Organization is given official notice that their conduct violates the Code and that future violations may result in more significant student conduct action.

    2. Disciplinary Probation

      The Student Organization is given official notice that its continued relationship with the University is conditional and dependent upon demonstrated and sustained compliance with university policy and the assigned sanctions. This status means the student organization is no longer in good disciplinary standing, and that, if the organization fails to comply with any assigned sanctions or otherwise violates the Student Code while on probation, that organization should expect to have their status as an RSO revoked.

    3. Social Restriction

      A status imposed for a specific period of time, during which chapters are barred from or limited in engaging in, participating in, hosting, or sponsoring social events or other activities. The purpose of the social restriction is to allow chapters and their members to reflect on creating and sustaining socially responsible environments and behaviors and to demonstrate the ability to abide by community standards and University expectations. The precise parameters of the restriction may vary depending on the circumstances and will be specified to the group.

    4. Loss of privileges and exclusion from activities

      The Student Organization is denied specified privileges normally associated with recognized Student Organization status, such as participation in or sponsorship of University Sponsored Activities or use of university property or facilities.

    5. Restitution

      The Student Organization is required to replace or restore damaged, stolen, or misappropriated property.

    6. Class/Workshop Attendance

      Attendance and completion of a class or workshop that will assist the Student Organization avoid future non-compliance with the Code.

    7. Other Disciplinary Sanctions

      The student organization may be assigned other sanctions designed to address the impact of the conduct and prevent its recurrence. Examples of other sanctions include but are not limited to the following: new member education, risk management plans, officer,transition, check in meetings, reservation restrictions or requirements

    8. Revocation of Registration

      Revocation of registered organization status shall be imposed upon an organization when there is a determination that the organization’s relationship with the university should be terminated. When Revocation is imposed, a minimum duration for the sanction will be identified. After this time has elapsed, CSI may consider formal requests for permission to pursue registration. The standard term of Revocation is five (5) years.

  8. Appeal procedures:
    1. For Revocation of Registration, the RSO has the right to appeal, in writing, to the Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) of Student Life or designee within ten days of the notice of decision from Student Conduct and Integrity.
    2. An appeal may be based on the following grounds:
      1. New Information not available at the time of the investigation, the absence of which can be shown to have materially affected the outcome;
      2. There was a procedural error in the process that materially affected the outcome;
      3. The proposed sanction is disproportionate given the findings of fact.
    3. Upon review, the AVC may:
      1. Grant the appeal,
      2. Deny the appeal,
      3. Return the matter to Student Conduct and Integrity for additional information for the AVC to review, or
      4. Provide other relief as appropriate.
    4. Unless an extension is granted for good cause, the AVC will issue a written decision to the RSO within 20 business days of receiving the appeal and all related documents.
    5. The Decision on Appeal by the AVC is final. There are no further appeal rights.
  9. Student Conduct and Integrity maintain records of misconduct by Registered Student Organizations
    1. The records of RSOs are not confidential.
    2. Student Conduct and Integrity maintain records of RSOs for seven (7) years after the end of the academic year in which the case is closed or as otherwise required by law.
    3. For cases resulting in revocation of recognition, all records shall be maintained for a period of 50 years from the end of the academic year in which the RSO is no longer recognized by the University.
    4. CSI may also retain records of misconduct by RSOs according to their retention policy.
  10. University administrative policies can also be found on the Center for Student Involvement Policy and Guidelines webpage.

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