Judicial Affairs

Location: Dean of Students Office - Bell Tower East, Room 1802
Telephone: (805) 437-3332
Fax: (805) 437-8549
Web: http://www.csuci.edu/studentlife/judicial.htm
Office Hours: Mon. – Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Table of Contents

• Purpose of Judicial Affairs
• Student Code of Conduct
• Student Discipline
• Procedures for Enforcing this Code
• Application of this Code
• Reporting Misconduct
• Student Conduct Procedures (CSU Executive Order No. 1043)
• Judicial Diagram

Purpose of Judicial Affairs [top]

The purpose of Judicial Affairs is to:

• provide a fair process for accountability of student conduct;
• promote the development of individual integrity;
• protect the rights of members of the campus community;
• uphold the rules, regulations and integrity of the university;
• provide learning opportunities for students who participate in the student judicial process; and
• provide personal accountability.

Judicial Affairs programs contribute to the teaching of appropriate individual and group behavior, as well as the protection of the campus community from disruption and harm. The programs are conducted in ways that serve to foster the ethical development and personal integrity of students and the promotion of an environment that is in accord with the overall educational goals of the University community.

Judicial Affairs is located in Student Life and is under the general direction of the Dean of Students. Judicial Affairs is responsible for acting on behalf of the University President regarding all aspects of student discipline. The office receives reports of alleged student misconduct relative to Title 5, California Code of Regulations, and investigates complaints in order to determine whether University disciplinary action is to be pursued. University disciplinary action may run concurrently with civil or criminal action initiated by the court system. One type of judicial action does not necessarily affect the other. Campus-related violations include both academic and non-academic misconduct.

Student Code of Conduct [top]

Students are expected to become aware of and abide by the University community’s standards of behavior as articulated in this Student Guidebook, the University Catalog, and other publications of the University. Students accept the rights and responsibilities of membership in the California State University Channel Islands community when they are admitted to the University. These rules shall apply to all students and student organizations, and shall be deemed a part of the terms and conditions of admission and enrollment of all students.

Failure to comply with duly established laws or University regulations might subject the violator(s) to appropriate action by University authorities and/or appropriate civil authorities. Serious violations of University regulations shall be recorded in the individual(s) and/or organization(s) permanent record in the Dean of Students office. Generally, authority necessary to enforce regulations is vested in the vice president for Student Affairs. Select functions of this authority are shared with faculty, staff and students. Some functions of disciplinary administration are assisted through system review boards.

Student Discipline [top]

The University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment for students, faculty, and staff. Each member of the campus community must choose behaviors that contribute toward this end. Student behavior that is not consistent with the Student Code of Conduct is addressed through an educational process that is designed to promote safety and, when necessary, impose appropriate consequences. Inappropriate conduct by students or by applicants for admission is subject to discipline as provided in Sections 41301 through 41304 of Title 5, California Code of Regulations. The following are grounds upon which student discipline can be based:

1. Dishonesty, including:
   1. Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty that are intended to gain an unfair academic advantage.
   2. Furnishing false information to a University official, faculty member, or campus office.
   3. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of a University document, key, or identification instrument.
   4. Misrepresenting one’s self to be an authorized agent of the University or one of its auxiliaries.
2. Unauthorized entry into, presence in, use of, or misuse of University property.
3. Willful, material and substantial disruption or obstruction of a University-related activity, or any on-campus activity.
4. Participating in an activity that substantially and materially disrupts the normal operations of the University, or infringes on the rights of members of the University community.
5. Willful, material and substantial obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or other traffic, on or leading to campus property or an off-campus University-related activity.
6. Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior at a University-related activity, or directed toward a member of the University community.
7. Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person within or related to the University community, including physical abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, or sexual misconduct.
8. Hazing, or conspiracy to haze. Hazing is defined as any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university or other educational institution in this state (Penal Code 245.6), and in addition, any act likely to cause physical harm, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university or other educational institution. The term “hazing” does not include customary athletic events or school sanctioned events.
   1. Neither the express or implied consent of a victim of hazing, nor the lack of active participation in a particular hazing incident is a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act, and is also a violation of this section.
9. Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of illegal drugs or drug-related paraphernalia, (except as expressly permitted by law and University regulations) or the misuse of legal pharmaceutical drugs.
10. Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by law and University regulations), or public intoxication while on campus or at a University-related activity.
11. Theft of property or services from the University community, or misappropriation of University resources.
12. Unauthorized destruction or damage to University property or other property in the University community.
13. Possession or misuse of firearms or guns, replicas, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, knives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals (without the prior authorization of the campus president) on campus or at a University-related activity.
14. Unauthorized recording, dissemination, or publication of academic presentations (including handwritten notes) for a commercial purpose.
15. Misuse of computer facilities or resources, including:
    1. Unauthorized entry into a file, for any purpose.
    2. Unauthorized transfer of a file.
    3. Use of another’s identification or password.
    4. Use of computing facilities, campus network, or other resources to interfere with the work of another member of the University community.
    5. Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or intimidating and abusive messages.
    6. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with normal University operations.
    7. Use of computing facilities and resources in violation of copyright laws.
    8. Violation of a campus computer use policy.
16. Violation of any published University policy, rule, regulation or presidential order.
17. Failure to comply with directions, or interference with, any University official or any public safety officer while acting in the performance of his/her duties.
18. Any act chargeable as a violation of a federal, state, or local law that poses a substantial threat to the safety or well-being of members of the University community, to property within the University community or poses a significant threat of disruption or interference with University operations.
19. Violation of the Student Conduct Procedures, including:
    1. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information related to a student discipline matter.
    2. Disruption or interference with the orderly progress of a student discipline proceeding.
    3. Initiation of a student discipline proceeding in bad faith.
    4. Attempting to discourage another from participating in the student discipline matter.
    5. Attempting to influence the impartiality of any participant in a student discipline matter.
    6. Verbal or physical harassment or intimidation of any participant in a student discipline matter.
    7. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under a student discipline proceeding.
20. Encouraging, permitting, or assisting another to do any act that could subject him or her to discipline.

Procedures for Enforcing this Code [top]

The Chancellor shall adopt procedures to ensure students are afforded appropriate notice and an opportunity to be heard before the University imposes any sanction for a violation of the Student Conduct Code.

Application of this Code [top]

Sanctions for the conduct listed above can be imposed on applicants, enrolled students, students between academic terms, graduates awaiting degrees, and students who withdraw from school while a disciplinary matter is pending. Conduct that threatens the safety or security of the campus community or substantially disrupts the functions or operation of the University is within the jurisdiction of this Article regardless of whether it occurs on or off campus. Nothing in this Code may conflict with Education Code Section 66301 that prohibits disciplinary action against students based on behavior protected by the First Amendment.

Reporting Misconduct [top]

Complaints against students by CI faculty, staff, other students and members of the campus community should be directed to Judicial Affairs in writing (email is acceptable) within 14 calendar days of the incident giving rise to the complaint. This process may not be available to non-students filing complaints. The complaint should include, minimally, the date, time, location, parties involved, and a description of the incident. Any supporting evidence should also be sent to the office. Situations requiring immediate attention, e.g., class disruption which is likely to continue, should be reported by phone and followed up in writing as soon as possible. Situations requiring police assistance, e.g., serious disruptions, crimes, or where there is violence or the threat of violence, should be brought immediately to the attention of the CI Police Department by calling 911. For other non-emergency
matters requiring police assistance, call (805) 437-8444.

The following defined and/or described actions include, but are not limited to, conduct for which judicial action may be taken. These rules apply to conduct occurring on University premises, while attending University-sponsored/related activities, as well as conduct that takes place off campus when that conduct is determined as adversely affecting the interests of the University community.

Student Conduct Procedures (CSU Executive Order No. 1043) [top]

To view CSU Executive Order No. 1043, please visit https://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1043.html.

Please note: In addition to the sanctions referenced under Article V of Executive Order 1043, CSU Channel Islands may impose the following University-recognized sanctions:

1. Verbal Disciplinary Warning: A verbal disciplinary warning is an official warning that the student’s behavior is in violation of the CI Student Code of Conduct. The verbal warning is the least severe of all the sanctions. If the student is found to be in violation of a second charge, subsequent action may be more severe.
2. Written Disciplinary Warning: A written disciplinary warning is an official reprimand for violations of specified University policies or campus regulations. The written warning is placed in the students’ file for a specified period of time. The warning is then removed if the student does not commit any further violations during the specified time. If the student is found to be in violation of a second charge, subsequent action may be more severe.

Judicial Diagram [top]

The Judicial Diagram is an important component to Judicial Affairs as it reflects how the student judicial process works.  Please see the Judicial Affairs diagram (PDF, 577KB) or view the written description of the process below. 

• Step 1:  Violation is reported to the Judicial Affairs office.
• Step 2:  Violation is investigated. 
  • If no evidence of a violation is found, then the case is dismissed and the process ends.
  • If evidence of a violation is found, proceed to Step 3.
• Step 3: Informal disposition with a judicial officer and the accused.
• Step 4:  One of three things can happen after the informal disposition:
  • The case is dismissed and the process ends; OR
  • The case is not dismissed and the resolution/sanction(s) are accepted.  Possible sanctions include verbal warning, disciplinary probation and suspension/expulsion (permanent); OR
  • The case is not dismissed and the resolution/sanction(s) are not accepted.  If this occurs, then the following takes place:
    • Notice of formal hearing with recommended sanction(s)
    • University hearing
    • University hearing officer submits recommendations to the vice president for Student Affairs.
    • The vice president makes a decision.