Whether you are a soon to be college student or entering your last year, your college expects you to know exactly what their rules say. Trust us, the policies you must abide by are more detailed and complex than you think. Did you know you can be disciplined for behavior off campus? Do you know how your school permits you to use artificial intelligence? How does your school define hazing? Will you be allowed to have an attorney if you need to defend yourself?

It is up to YOU and only YOU to educate yourself.

We recommend reading through your college’s Code of Conduct, Academic Misconduct/Integrity Procedures, and Sexual Misconduct/Title IX policies at the start of each semester. Also, if you receive an email from your school’s conduct office during a semester or break, your first response should be to find the policies that describe your rights as a student so you can understand your options and next steps. 

Knowing your rights and understanding your school’s process will make the difference in a permanent record or a blip in your lifetime.

While this may seem daunting or unnecessary because you “won’t get into trouble,” it can proactively save you from making a wrong decision that does land you in the hot seat. College students are navigating daily situations that are unlike anything they have encountered before, and usually unlike anything parents are aware of before it’s too late. Find your school and read up; it will be the fastest and easiest assignment you have all year!