I. General

A. General Information

Baylor University rules, regulations, and policies applicable to students are published in the Student Policies and Procedures and other student-related publications. Since the Student Policies and Procedures and other student-related publications may be revised semester to semester, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain revisions from the Judicial Affairs office. Most of these publications can be found on the Baylor Web site or a student may contact the Judicial Affairs office for assistance in obtaining copies of these publications with the latest revisions.

In all cases of the violation of University rules, regulations, and policies or in violation of local, state, federal, or international laws, the University reserves the right to proceed with its own disciplinary action independently of governmental charges or prosecution. The University has no obligation to await the outcome of governmental prosecution before taking its own disciplinary action.

B. General Expectations of Baylor Students

Baylor University is governed by a predominantly Baptist Board of Regents and is operated within the Christian-oriented aims and ideals of Baptists. The University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, a cooperative association of autonomous Texas Baptist churches. We expect that each Baylor student will conduct himself or herself in accordance with Christian principles as commonly perceived by Texas Baptists. Personal misconduct either on or off the campus by anyone connected with Baylor detracts from the Christian witness Baylor strives to present to the world and hinders full accomplishment of the mission of the University.

Under the Student Conduct Code, all Baylor students are expected to obey the laws of the United States, the state of Texas, and municipalities, or, if studying abroad, the laws of other countries. Students are also expected to obey the rules, regulations, and policies established by Baylor University. These expectations apply to all persons taking courses at the University, either full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the University or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission will be held to this standard.

Each student is responsible for learning about and adhering to the Baylor University Student Conduct Code. The Division of Student Life attempts to ensure that the Student Conduct Code is communicated to all students through various means. However, the student is responsible to the University for his or her conduct that violates University policies. Moreover, should a student witness a violation of University policies on the part of other students, the student is responsible for reporting that violation to the appropriate University official.

C. Standard of Proof Used in Administrative, Student Conduct Board, and Presidential Hearings

In an administrative, Student Conduct Board, and presidential hearings, the preponderance of the evidence standard of proof is used to determine whether or not the accused student has committed an act of misconduct. A preponderance of the evidence presented at a hearing means such evidence as, when considered and compared with that opposed to it, has more convincing force and produces in the mind of the student conduct officer in an administrative hearing, or in the minds of the members of the Student Conduct Board, or in the mind of the president in a presidential hearing, the belief that the alleged act of misconduct more likely occurred than not.

D. Record of the Administrative, Student Conduct Board or Presidential Hearing

1. The tangible evidence presented at the administrative or Student Conduct Board Hearing or at a presidential hearing and the summary of the hearing constitutes the record of the hearing.

2. The student conduct officer in an administrative hearing, the chair of the Student Conduct Board hearing, and the president in a presidential hearing shall destroy the record of the hearing in which a decision is rendered that an act of misconduct has not been committed, unless it is believed that the circumstances of the case warrant the retention of the record for a reasonable length of time. If records are retained, they may not become a part of the student's permanent disciplinary record; and they must be marked CONFIDENTIAL and may not be disclosed, except as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and its implementing regulations.

E. Proceedings of Hearing Confidential

The proceedings of an administrative hearing, Student Conduct Board Hearing and a presidential hearing are confidential and are subject to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and its implementing regulations. A member of the Student Conduct Board who violates this rule of confidentiality may be expelled from the Student Conduct Board by the president or by a majority vote of the other members of the Student Conduct Board. Additional disciplinary action may be taken against the expelled member of the Student Conduct Board.

Modified: 6-11-2012; 8-16-2013; 2-24-2017