The University will communicate the Community Standards to students on an annual basis, usually at the beginning of the academic year. An overview of the Community Standards is also included within the University's Orientation program. However, independently of the annual notice and Orientation, all students are expected to familiarize themselves with all policies and procedures set forth in the Community Standards. Please read this document carefully. If you are a student §101(27), then you are accountable for its contents.

Throughout the Community Standards, as well as in certain other University policies, you will notice references to Categories A, B, and/or C, indicated in parentheses after the name of policy violations (e.g., “Breaking the Plane (B)”). These categories classify the severity of the incident and indicate the types of outcomes typically assigned by the University in response to such a violation. Category A violations, for example, are considered less severe than Category B or C violations and thus usually result in fewer and/or lower-level assigned outcomes.

To provide students a general sense of what types of assigned outcomes to expect, the following guidance is provided. However, outcomes are always assigned on a case-by-case basis while considering the student’s conduct record at the University and may deviate from this chart when reasonable.

Category A violations are considered the least severe and tend to have a lower impact on one’s self, others, or property. Common assigned outcomes may include educational experiences, reflection exercises, restorative service hours, and fines.

Category B violations are considered moderately severe and tend to have a more significant impact on one’s self, others within the community, or property. Common assigned outcomes may include educational experiences, reflection exercises, increased restorative service hours, increased fines. Probation is often considered and Suspension may be considered.

Category C violations are considered the most severe violations and tend to have a more substantial impact on one’s self, others within the community, or property. Common assigned outcomes include extensive service hours or educational experiences, considerable fines, and restrictions to University facilities. Probation or Suspension is likely.

Any student of any school, campus, or program of Loyola University Chicago and Arrupe College may be held accountable under these policies and procedures. This includes students in undergraduate, graduate, or other programs. Some colleges and departments, such as Arrupe College, School of Law, Stritch School of Medicine, John Felice Rome Center (JFRC), the Office for Equity & Compliance (OEC), and the Center for Student Engagement (CSE) may enforce program-specific policies and procedures in addition to those found in these Community Standards. 

The overall purpose of the Community Standards is to ensure the safety of the University community while balancing the needs of (a) the individual student(s) involved in an incident, (b) the rest of the University community, and (c) the University as an institution. None of the procedures or processes described in the Community Standards are intended to be adversarial or overly legalistic in nature; rather, these processes are intended to be informal, fair, and expeditious.

As such, the standards, terminology, and overall philosophy found in the Community Standards may be different from what some individuals expect. However, whether a conduct matter is resolved through the student conduct process or a conflict resolution pathway, the University will always engage in a fundamentally fair process, and will reasonably consider the perspectives of various parties involved in an attempt to understand the facts of an incident and to determine an appropriate resolution.

1.       Violations of Law and the Community Standards

The University may proceed with a hearing or other conflict resolution pathway despite pending civil or criminal proceedings. In some circumstances, the University may refer a case for criminal investigation. Except where expressly adopted in the Community Standards, the rules and procedures of criminal and civil courts – including rules of evidence – do not govern University proceedings. Additionally, the University is not obligated to await the resolution of a criminal or civil matter before moving forward with its own proceedings.

Student conduct records are maintained by the SRCR Team in the Office of the Dean of Students for seven years from the date of the incident, with the exception of cases resulting in University expulsion (such files are retained indefinitely). Such files may contain contact information, correspondence, decisions, assigned outcomes, reports, and other information pertaining to any case in which a student was found responsible.

Students have a right to view a redacted copy their conduct file that falls within the seven-year period or resulted in University expulsion, with any protected information about other students removed, during regular business hours or virtually via secure Zoom video platform. The SRCR Team requires a minimum of five business days’ notice to prepare files for review. In order to request to view a redacted copy of their conduct file, students must complete the Permission to Release Education Record Information Form. Forms are reviewed in the order they are received and the SRRCR Team of the DOS will contact you to schedule a time for your meeting once your form is processed.

In order to request a release of your conduct file information to another person or school/organization, students must complete the Permission to Release Education Record Information Form and if applicable, submit any associated form from the school/organization they want to receive their conduct file information. Forms are reviewed in the order they are received and are typically processed within 5-7 business days.

Privacy applies to affected parties, respondents, complainants, witnesses, advisors, Conduct Administrators, and members of Hearing Boards. All individuals are expected to adhere to the regulations set forth by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended (“FERPA”) regarding the dissemination of information pertaining to the student conduct process or equitable resolution procedures. All proceedings are private and unauthorized recording by any means is prohibited. The University reserves the right to share information regarding a case with other appropriate parties on a need-to-know basis. More information about FERPA can be found in Article VI of the Community Standards.