Resident Conduct

Housing prohibits actions that violate Housing policies or community standards, including, but not limited to the guidelines provided in this handbook. Violations of these standards can result in disciplinary action up to and including administrative removal from the residence halls. Residents are also required to comply with University policies (including the Code of Student Conduct) and all local, state, and federal laws.

Reporting Criminal Activity

In the event of an emergency, dial 911. Students are encouraged to report known or suspected criminal activity by calling the UNT Police Department non-emergency number: 940-565-3000. Additional. Additional information may be obtained by visiting the UNT Police department’s website: www.unt.edu/police.

Identification

The student ID card is a student’s official University identification. Students must carry their UNT ID on campus. Identification may be required of any person on University property, and the student ID card must be presented to any UNT official upon request. Failure to produce an ID is an act of non compliance, and the individual(s) may be asked to leave, escorted to the hall’s front desk, or trespassed by the UNT Police.

Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with reasonable directions and requests of a University official, or failure to heed an official summons of any University official acting in the performance of his or her duties will result in disciplinary referrals to the Hall Director(s), to the Central Housing Office, or the Dean of Students office. Failure to appear for disciplinary appointments is viewed as non compliance and may result in similar action as noted above.

Disciplinary Procedures

JURISIDICTION

Resident conduct that violates the policies set forth in the Housing Handbook will be addressed by Housing staff. Conduct committed in the residence halls that may violate the Code of Student Conduct will be referred directly to the Dean of Students office for further review in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. Residents who are referred to the Dean of Students office may also be required to meet with their Hall Director to discuss the incident, educate the residents on Housing or University policy, and address the implications of the resident’s behavior within the community. If the Dean of Students office declines to exercise jurisdiction over resident conduct, Housing may still act to enforce Housing policy. Hall Directors and/or Central Housing staff may address resident conduct issues through disciplinary meetings and sanctions.

SANCTIONS

Sanctions for violation of housing policy are based on the nature of the violation, the impact on the community, and the resident’s previous conduct history. The Hall Director and/or Central Housing staff is responsible for assigning sanctions. Failure to abide by or complete an assigned sanction may result in additional sanctions. Sanctions available to address violations of housing policy include:

• Warning –A verbal or written notice to a resident that they have violated Housing policy and must refrain from future violations.
• Loss of Privileges – A temporary or permanent loss of Housing privileges.
• Educational Sanctions – An assignment designed to educate a resident about the potential impact of misconduct and to prevent reoccurrence.
• Fines – Fines may be imposed as set forth in the Handbook.
• Restitution for Damages – A resident may charged the cost of materials and labor required to repair damages related to misconduct.
• Disciplinary Change of Assignment – A resident may be transferred to a different room, a different area within a residence hall, or to another residence hall.
• Disciplinary Termination of Housing Agreement – A resident may be temporarily or permanently removed from on-campus housing.

Investigation and Discipline Meetings

Upon learning of an alleged violation of housing policy, the Hall Director and/or Central Housing staff member will investigate the allegation to consider if there is a reasonable basis for believing that housing policy has been violated. The Hall Director and/or Central Housing staff member may interview any complainant and any witnesses as part of the investigation. If it is determined that a violation may have occurred, the accused resident will be contacted to schedule an appointment to review the alleged misconduct and to provide the resident an opportunity to respond to the allegations. When receiving a request for a discipline meeting the accused resident will be notified about what housing policy has allegedly been violated.

At the discipline meeting the accused student may bring any information or be accompanied by any witnesses that may be relevant to a complete review of the alleged violation. Residents must speak on their own behalf during the discipline meeting and are not permitted to be accompanied by legal counsel. Residents may be accompanied by a parent in accordance with the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.

If the accused student fails to appear at a meeting or fails to respond to a request for a discipline meeting, they can be subject to additional disciplinary sanctions.

Determination and Sanctions

If the information available from the investigation and disciplinary meeting shows that it is more likely than not that the accused resident committed a violation of Housing policy, the Hall Director and/or Central Housing staff member can proceed with assigning sanctions. Notice to residents regarding sanctions will be in writing and will provide the factual basis for the decision and the specific details regarding the sanction (e.g., amount of fines, amount of restitution, information regarding change in room assignment).

Appeals Process

Residents who wish to appeal a decision or disciplinary sanction made by the Hall Director and/or Central Housing staff member must submit a written appeal to the Associate Director for Residence Life in Central Housing within three working days of the decision or sanction. Only sanctions of an in-hall move or greater may be appealed to the Associate Director for Residence Life. The Associate Director for Residence Life will issue a decision on the appeal within ten business days.