Frequently Asked Questions

Community Standards received a report regarding an incident in which you may be involved. Community Standards will reach out to schedule a meeting. The meeting does not mean that you have admitted to any wrongdoing or that you are a bad student. It simply allows you to meet with Community Standards to discuss the matter. Community Standards serves as a campus resource to investigate violations of the Student Code of Conduct and hold students accountable to learn from their mistakes.

When you meet with Community Standards, you will have an opportunity to discuss the details of the incident that occurred from your perspective. Community Standards may spend some time getting to know you as a person and student. They may want to know your goals and your purpose for being at the university. They may ask about your wellbeing, as well as your involvement both on- and off-campus before discussing the incident.

After you have shared your perspective, Community Standards will make a decision based on a preponderance of evidence – is it more likely than not that you are responsible for a violation? If you are found in violation of the Drake Code of Student Conduct, Community Standards will send a letter outlining the charge (violation) and sanctions (consequences).

No. Community Standards wants to hear your perspective. Upon hearing your viewpoint, they will make a decision regarding whether or not you are responsible for violating the Drake Code of Student Conduct.

The sanctions imposed for violations depend upon the student’s prior disciplinary history and the nature of the violation. Sanctions are determined on a case-by-case basis while attempting to be consistent. The potential sanctions that may be imposed are outlined in Section III, subsection G. of the Drake Code of Student Conduct.

You have the right to:

• Not say anything at all. (You are not obligated to participate in the process; however, a decision will be made in your absence.)
• Meet with the conduct officer to share your perspective.
• Submit documents and other relevant information.
• Bring an advisor (attorney, parent, advocate, or other support person) to the meeting. You may be accompanied by up to two advisors of your choice at any time within the disciplinary process. The role of the advisors is to provide counsel, advice, or support to you. The advisors do not advocate or take an active role in the hearing.

• If you are a danger to the safety of the campus community or university property.
• Repeated violations of the Drake Code of Student Conduct.
• Other situations as determined by the Dean of Students Office.

Usually nothing. Drake University transcripts only track academic progress. Student disciplinary records are maintained separately, and are governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). In the event you have been dismissed from Drake, your transcript will reflect that you have been dismissed from the institution.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

That depends. There are several directions that your case may follow.

a. Community Standards may conclude the investigation with the following outcomes:

• You are responsible for violating the Drake Code of Student Conduct and sanction(s) are imposed. [You must complete the sanction(s) before the case is completely closed.]
• You are not responsible for violating the Drake Code of Student Conduct and no sanctions are imposed.

b. Community Standards may postpone their decision until additional information is gathered and you may have a second meeting. The process is not over until a final decision is issued.

c. If there is not enough information for Community Standards to make a decision, they may not conclude the investigation until more information is given.

The legal charge and the Code of Student Conduct charge are two different matters even though they arose from the same incident(s). The legal system will work to resolve any criminal or civil violation of the laws. However, because you also are a student, you are responsible for complying with the Code of Student Conduct. Community Standards wants to help you become a successful student, and we take an educational approach to guiding you through learning to make the best decisions in the future.