Interim Policy for On/Off Campus Event Related Misconduct

System Policies

The Policy for On or Off Campus Event Related Misconduct ("Event Related Misconduct") is misconduct by a Coppin State University student that occurs on or off campus that is directly or indirectly related to a University sponsored activity or event, including but not limited to athletic events where the misconduct results in any harm either on or off campus to any person or property, or poses a threat to the stability of the campus, or the campus community, or the community surrounding the campus or the community where the event was located. Event Related Misconduct includes but is not limited to on or off campus acts such as rioting, assault, theft, vandalism, arson, fire setting, breach of the peace or destruction of property that is related either directly or indirectly to a University sponsored activity or event. Campus disciplinary action for Event Related Misconduct may take place regardless of the existence, status or outcome of any criminal charges in a court of law related to the misconduct. Event Related Misconduct does not include offensive related speech by a student at University sponsored events which is covered under other sections of the Student Code.

Event Related Misconduct may vary in its seriousness and degree of harm. However, because of the very seriousness of the impact of any Event Related Misconduct on the University, other students, innocent bystanders, the campus community and the community surrounding the University or the community where the University sponsored event is located, or the potential for Event Related Misconduct to impact the behavior of others, Event Related Misconduct student disciplinary proceedings and sanctions will be as follows:

• For Event Related Misconduct there is a presumption that if the student is found responsible for Event Related Misconduct by the University, that student will be dismissed from the University. This Presumption of Dismissal means that if the student is found by a preponderance of the evidence during a CSU judicial hearing or appeal, responsible for or to have committed Event Related Misconduct, the sanction for that student will be dismissal from the University - either temporarily through suspension or permanently through expulsion.
  
  
• The student is allowed to present to the Judicial Board during a judicial board hearing evidence of mitigating or extenuating facts or circumstances that a lesser penalty than suspension or expulsion is appropriate.
  
  
• If the Judicial Board imposes a sanction of less than suspension or expulsion from the University, the Judicial Board must issue a written finding of fact to support the lesser sanction. The final decision of the University whether decided on appeal or otherwise that provides for discipline of less than suspension or expulsion from the University must be signed by the Judicial Appeals Board Chairperson.
  
  
• Students who are suspended under this section of the Student Code shall not be admitted to class or be allowed to be on campus during the term of the suspension at Coppin State University or to be admitted to any other University System of Maryland (USM) institution during the term of the suspension.
  
  
• Students expelled for Event Related Misconduct are not allowed to be readmitted to Coppin State University. Students expelled for Event Related Misconduct shall not be admitted to any other USM institution for at least one year from the effective date of his/her expulsion.
  
  
• Campus disciplinary action may take place regardless of the existence of, status or outcome of any criminal charges in a court of law related to the event related misconduct. In addition to all provisions of the Coppin State University student code, if a Coppin State University student has been charged or convicted of any crime related to a violation of federal, state or local law for on or off-campus behavior arising out of or related to Event Related Misconduct, that student that student may be disciplined under the Student Code without a judicial hearing when the following occurs:
  
  
  • The student if found guilty by a court of law or
  • The student pleads guilty or solo contendere to the charges or
  • The case is settled.

If the University exercises it right under Section 6 above against a student, it will only be taken after a limited investigation by the Department of Public Safety and or the Judicial Affairs Advisor after the student has been offered an informal meeting with both.