Frequently Asked Questions

Receiving a letter from the Office of Community Standards usually means the University received a report saying you may have violated a policy. The letter typically outlines:

• The incident in question
• What the alleged violation is.
• The next step in the process (Pre-Hearing Meeting, Administrative Hearing, etc.)
• In some cases, temporary measures that may be put in place (like no-contact orders or campus restrictions), especially if there’s a concern for safety
• Additional relevant information

When an incident report/complaint (not related to the Title IX & Equity) is received, it can be addressed by an individual Administrative Hearing Officer or the Community Standards Board. There are a variety of things that are considered when determining the appropriate hearing type, including the nature of the allegation. Please reference the Student Handbook for more information. 

Alternative Resolutions occur when conduct concerns are addressed with students in the absence of formal charges for violations of University policy. Alternative Resolutions are recorded on a respondent's discipline record, but not as a violation of University policy. These resolutions may or may not result in requirements for the respondent (e.g. alcohol education, counseling meetings, discretionary assignments).

Alternative Resolutions can include formal communications regarding an incident from the Office of Community Standards, meetings with a University administrator to discuss an incident, conflict resolution, facilitated dialogues, or mediation.

Students should treat Alternative Resolutions with the same level of attention as they would a hearing. That means, appearing for meetings and complying with requirements. For some situations, failure to do so could result in the matter being addressed more formally (i.e. through a hearing as opposed to an Alternative Resolution).

Respondents are expected to attend their hearings or to forfeit the opportunity to provide information orally. The respondent’s failure to attend the hearing does not limit the Hearing Officer or CSB from making a decision based upon available information. If a student misses a hearing due to an emergency, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Hearing Officer or Board Moderator within 24 hours after the scheduled hearing. No student may be found to have violated the Community Standards solely because the student failed to participate in the process.

In more serious cases such as those with the potential for high-level sanctions, or otherwise at the discretion of the Hearing Officer, a Pre-Hearing Meeting may be scheduled to provide an overview of the matter and process. Student respondents will also have the ability to review evidence, as relevant.

No. All meetings/hearings within the Community Standards process shall be private. Meetings/hearings shall not be recorded through the use of audio and/or visual devices.

Yes. Witnesses of fact are permitted at Hearings. Generally speaking, you should notify the Hearing Officer or the Office of Community Standards in advance of the Hearing with your intentions to bring a witness of fact. Character witnesses are not permitted.

Yes. Community Standards Advisors may attend the Hearing with you. Non-University advisors, and family members or legal counsel, regardless of whether they are members of the University community, are not allowed to serve as advisors, inspect hearing records during the Community Standards process, or attend meetings/hearings.

If the Hearing Officer or Community Standards Board determines that there was a violation of the Community Standards, a sanction(s) shall be imposed.

In addition to the egregiousness, which is predominate, of the violation itself, the following may be considered in determining sanctions: motivation (e.g. retaliation, bias, hate crimes, intention to cause damage, injury harm, or disruption); present attitude; past record, both positive and negative; the severity of the damage, injury, harm, or disruption, or the potential for such; honesty; maturity; cooperation; willingness to make amends; and compliance with previous sanctions.

Possible sanctions are described further in the Student Handbook.

Cases are typically resolved within 5 - 7 business days, with outcomes sent within 48 hours of a hearing.

Click here for more information on sanction compliance. Keep in mind that failure to complete your sanctions by the due date(s), may result in further administrative action and/or further violations of the Community Standards. Contact the Hearing Officer or the Office of Community Standards if you would like an extension on the due date of a particular sanction.

Sometimes the University does notify parents/guardians of the outcome of a hearing, consistent with our published Community Standards process and FERPA allowances. If you have any question regarding notification for a specific incident, discuss it with the Hearing Officer or the Office of Community Standards. See also Access to Student Record Information. 

Yes. Please reference the Student Handbook for more information on the appeals process.

Students seeking to return to the University after serving a suspension should email reinstatements@sju.edu with a request to return no earlier than one month prior to the start of the semester the student is seeking to return. The request should include the student’s name and ID number, the student's intent to return, the anticipated return date, and verification that all necessary sanctions have been completed (if applicable). The student should also address why they want to return and provide any reflection from their time away from the University.

Any questions should be directed to communitystandards@sju.edu.

Saint Joseph's University is strengthened as an institution by our surrounding neighborhoods, who contribute greatly to the diversity of the educational opportunities available to students. The University expects students to behave as exemplary citizens when in the surrounding neighborhoods and to demonstrate respect and concern for all members of the local community. This includes being a good neighbor. Students are responsible for upholding all federal, state and city laws and ordinances, especially those relating to public health, trash, noise, traffic, parking, zoning and consumption of alcohol.

University Community Standards proceedings may be instituted for conduct that potentially violates both criminal law and the University’s Community Standards without regard to pending criminal arrest or prosecution. Proceedings in accordance with the Community Standards process may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following criminal proceedings. Determinations made or sanctions imposed in accordance with the Community Standards process shall not be subject to change solely because criminal charges arising out of the same facts were dismissed, reduced or resolved in favor of the criminal law defendant. The University may refer violations of the law to local law enforcement agencies.

Yes. Students may be held responsible for the behavior of their guests. For this reason, students should take care when inviting non-student guests on or off-campus and/or welcoming student guests into their residence. Students should also avoid hosting/signing in guests for other students, whom they do not know.

Yes. Even if you are not a resident student, there are specific Residential Living Policies and Procedures that all students should be aware of. These policies cover such things as items prohibited in the residence halls, damage to rooms and common areas, quiet hours, guest policies, etc. Students should reference the Student Handbook or the Office of Residence Life for more information.

Yes. All students are required to carry their SJU ID Card with them at all times and are not permitted to give the ID to another person (other than a staff member in the fulfillment of duties), regardless of the intended use. All students need to be able to show their ID to inquiring University staff/personnel. Everyone at Saint Joseph's plays a role in keeping our community safe.

In most cases, if a respondent voluntarily withdraws from the University while a complaint is pending, the Community Standards process shall continue and a decision rendered based on available information, whether or not the respondent participates in the process. 

Alternatively, a registration hold may be placed on the respondent’s account and the respondent shall not be permitted to re-enroll until after the complaint has been resolved. If the complaint cannot be resolved because the complainant, key witnesses (character witnesses will not be considered or heard during the process), or evidence are not available, in most cases re-enrollment shall be denied. Permission for readmission shall be granted at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Life/Associate Provost.

No student may be found to have violated the Community Standards solely because the student failed to participate in the process.

All SJU faculty, staff, and students are welcome to apply! If you are interested in receiving training to become a Community Standards Board (CSB) member or if you want to become a trained Community Standards Advisor (CSA). Please note that the CSB is open to faculty, staff, and students, while applying to become a trained CSA is limited to faculty and staff.

Additionally, students may join the Hawk Values Ambassadors, student leaders trained to foster ethical decision-making, uphold community standards, and promote Jesuit values like integrity and inclusion. As peer mentors, workshop facilitators, and Community Standards Board members, Ambassadors help shape a culture of personal growth and accountability at Saint Joseph’s University.

Please email the Office of Community Standards at communitystandards@sju.edu if interested!

Yes, but there are restrictions to keep in mind. Reference the Residential Living Policies and Procedures section of the Student Handbook for more information.

Yes. Students may be held responsible for the behavior of their guests and those they invite into their residence. Allowing minors to consume alcohol in your residence (on or off campus) can also be a violation of the alcohol policy, regardless of your age.

Yes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a person commits a summary offense if they, being less than 21 years of age, attempt to purchase, purchases, consumes, possesses or knowingly and intentionally transports any liquor or malt or brewed beverages. For more information, see the Alcohol Policy.

When a student knowingly is in the presence of a violation of Community Standards, the University expects the student to do one or more of the following: notify University staff, act as a bystander and intervene in the situation (i.e. ask the individual(s) to stop), or leave the situation immediately. All students should recognize that their presence during a violation may subject them to disciplinary action.

Contact the Center for International Programs with specific questions regarding your study abroad eligibility. Keep in mind that being placed on a disciplinary probation or deferred suspension period can impact some leadership positions and opportunities on campus, including studying abroad.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a United States federal law that protects the educational records of students. See also Access to Student Record Information. 

Community Standards violations and sanctions shall not be made part of the student’s permanent academic record, but shall become part of the student’s educational record. Student discipline records not relating to expulsion from the University are kept for seven years after the conclusion of the semester last attended by the student. Student discipline records relating to expulsion from the University are kept permanently. For more information on your discipline record, please reference the Student Handbook.

Disciplinary holds can be placed on a student’s account for a variety of reasons (pending case, outstanding sanctions, etc..) If you have questions regarding a hold on your account please contact the Office of Community Standards.

See Discipline Records for more information.

See Discipline Records for more information.