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[
  {
    "chunk_id": 0,
    "title": "Introduction",
    "content": "UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-CLEAR LAKE"
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 1,
    "title": "STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT",
    "content": "2025 – 2026\nIntroduction\nThe University of Houston-Clear Lake, as an educational institution, has a special set of\ninterests and purposes essential to its effective functioning. These include (a) the opportunity\nfor students to attain their educational objectives, (b) the creation and maintenance of an\nintellectual and educational atmosphere throughout the University, and (c) the protection of\nthe health, safety, welfare, property, and human rights of all members of the University, and\nthe property of the University itself. The Student Code of Conduct emphasizes the University’s\ncommitment to promote the freedom, intellectual development, and personal responsibility of\nits students.\nThe Student Code of Conduct sets forth those acts that constitute unacceptable conduct for\nstudents of the University. All alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct may result in\nreferral to the Dean of Students Office for disciplinary action.\nThe University of Houston-Clear Lake supports the concept of educational discipline - educating\nthe student through appropriate sanctioning when circumstances permit; but should the student\ndemonstrate an unwillingness to obey the rules governing conduct, the student will be treated in\nthe same manner as one who has failed academically. Students are expected to adhere to, and\nwill be held accountable for adhering to, all federal, state, and local laws in addition to all\nUniversity policies, rules, and regulations.\nA student admitted to the University of Houston-Clear Lake accepts the responsibility to conform\nto all University of Houston-Clear Lake rules and regulations. Proven failure to meet this obligation\nwill justify appropriate disciplinary action including, but not limited to, expulsion, suspension,\ndisciplinary probation, reprimand, or warning. Although the University will make every reasonable\neffort to make the rules and regulations available, students are responsible for becoming familiar\nwith them.\nThe University of Houston-Clear Lake student conduct process is the responsibility of the Dean\nof Students Office. The Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Housing, under the\ndirection of the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students, will supervise the implementation\nof the student conduct process and procedures.\n[1]\n\nPolicy"
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 2,
    "title": "1. Application and Jurisdiction",
    "content": "1.1 Students are subject to applicable federal, State, and local laws; University of Houston\nSystem rules, regulations, and policies, including those set forth in UH System\nAdministrative Memoranda.\n1.2 Students may be disciplined by the University for violating any of the conduct standards\non University grounds or off University grounds when the incident occurs in connection with\na University sponsored or affiliated activity or program, field trip, retreat, or study abroad\nexperience, when the incident has a substantial connection to the interests of the University,\nwhen the incident poses a threat of serious harm to any member of the University\ncommunity, or when the behavior is prohibited by University policy regardless of where it\noccurs, even if the student is or may be penalized by civil or criminal authorities for the\nsame act. Students are subject to University disciplinary action even if the student\nwithdraws from classes while a conduct matter is pending.\n1.3 University disciplinary action may be instituted against a student charged with conduct\nthat potentially violates both criminal law and University policy without regard to pending\ncivil litigation or criminal arrest and prosecution. At the discretion of the Assistant Vice\nPresident/Dean of Students, University disciplinary proceedings may be carried out prior to,\nsimultaneously with, or following criminal proceedings. Determinations made and/or\nsanctions imposed as a result of University disciplinary proceedings will not be subject to\nchange because criminal charges arising out of the same facts that resulted in the violation of\nUniversity rules were dismissed, reduced, or resolved in favor of or against a criminal law\ndefendant.\n1.4 Any conduct that is a potential violation of the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy or\nDiscrimination and Harassment Policy will be exclusively processed, investigated, and\naddressed, as appropriate, by the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity Services pursuant\nto those policies and not this Student Code of Conduct, except as provided herein. If the\nOffice of Title IX and Equal Opportunity Services (EOS) has reasonable cause to believe that a\nstudent’s presence on University premises or at a University-related or registered student\norganization activity poses a significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or security of\nany member of the University community or to property, EOS may request the issuance of an\ninterim suspension pursuant to the Interim Suspension section of this Student Code of\nConduct. A student may appeal the issuance of an interim suspension in accordance with\nSection 11. If a student is found to be in violation of the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy\nor Discrimination and Harassment Policy, and the student wishes to appeal any\nsanction(s) imposed by the Dean of Student’s Office, the student’s appeal shall be brought\npursuant to the appeal section of this Student Code of Conduct. Similarly, if the complainant\n[2]\n\nwishes to appeal any sanction(s) imposed by the Dean of Students Office against the student,\nthe complainant’s appeal shall be brought pursuant to the appeal section of this Student\nCode of Conduct."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 3,
    "title": "2. Definitions",
    "content": "2.1 “Appellate Officer” includes the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or their\nrespective designee.\n2.2 “Associate Dean” means the Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Housing.\n2.3 “Board” means the University Hearing Board.\n2.4 “Business Day” means Monday through Friday during regular University business\nhours.\n2.5 “Code” refers to the UHCL Student Code of Conduct.\n2.6 “Good Standing” means that a student has complied with any assigned sanctions if\napplicable, and is not in the process of serving on probation, suspension, or expulsion.\n2.7 “Handbook” means the official UHCL Student Handbook.\n2.8 “Hazing” means those activities defined in the Texas Education Code Chapter 37, § F:\nHazing, the Prohibited Conduct Section of the Student Code of Conduct regarding Hazing, and\nthe UHCL Hazing Policy.\n2.9 “Hearing Officer” includes the Associate Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of\nStudents, the Coordinator for Student Conduct and Residential Life, the Graduate\nAssistant Hall Director, and the University Hearing Board or their designees.\n2.10 “Notice” means correspondence sent to the addressee by the means identified in"
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 4,
    "title": "Section 5 of the Student Code of Conduct regarding Notice.",
    "content": "2.11 “Preponderance of the evidence” is the standard of review in the student discipline\nprocess which evaluates whether it is more likely than not that the student did violate a Code\nprovision and/or University policy.\n2.12 “Procedures” means the Student Disciplinary Procedures.\n2.13 “Record” means correspondence referenced herein relating to the Student Disciplinary\nProcedures and all hard copy or electronic documents, forms, copies, reports, statements,\nrecordings, or tangible evidence presented in a disciplinary hearing or conference.\n2.14 “Referral Notice” refers to the notice initiating disciplinary action.\n2.15 “Respondent” means accused student.\n2.16 “Sanction” means penalty for violation of the Prohibited Conduct Section of the\nStudent Code of Conduct.\n2.17 “Student” means a person who; (a) is currently enrolled at the University; (b) is\naccepted for admission or readmission to the University; (c) has been enrolled at the\nUniversity in a prior semester or summer term and is eligible to continue enrollment in\nthe semester or summer term that immediately follows; (d) is attending an additional\nprogram sponsored by the University while that person is on campus; or (e) has engaged\nin prohibited conduct at a time when the student met the criteria of (a), (b), (c), or (d).\n[3]\n\n2.18 “University” means the University of Houston-Clear Lake, including its academic\ndivisions, programs, offices, and business units.\n2.19 “University officials” means those persons in an official university capacity or those\nwho have been given the authority and the responsibility by the appropriate agency or\nperson, including regents, officers, faculty, and administrative staff.\n2.20 “University grounds” means property owned, leased, controlled, used, or occupied\nby the University including property physically removed from campus."
  },
  {
    "title": "3. Prohibited Conduct",
    "content": "The following examples of prohibited conduct are defined by the University to be\nunacceptable. Being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol does not diminish or excuse a\nviolation of the Student Code of Conduct. The list should not be viewed as all-inclusive or\nexhaustive. Committing an act that would constitute a criminal offense under local, state, or\nfederal law is also prohibited.\n3.1 Aiding and Abetting - Assisting, hiring, or encouraging another person to engage in a Code\nviolation.\n3.2 Complicity – A student shall not, through act or omission, assist another student,\nindividual, or group in committing or attempting to commit a violation of this Code of Conduct.\nStudents who have knowledge of another committing or attempting to commit a violation of\nthe Code of Conduct are required to remove themselves from the situation and failure to do so\nwhen reasonable under the circumstances may be the basis for a violation of this policy.\n3.3 Destruction of Property - Intentionally or recklessly causing, or threatening to cause\ndamage, destroy, deface, or tamper with University property or the property of any person or\nbusiness on campus.\n3.4 Discrimination - Intentional discrimination against a person or group of people on the basis\nof age (over 40), race, color, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, genetic\ninformation, sexual orientation, gender, or sex (including pregnancy) except where such\ndistinction is allowed by law. Additionally, the UH System prohibits discrimination in all aspects\nof employment and educational programs based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or\ngender expression.\n3.5 Disruption/Obstruction - Obstructing or interfering with University functions or any\nUniversity activity. Disturbing the peace and good order of the University by, among other\nthings; fighting, quarreling, excessive noise, traffic obstructions, behavior that substantially or\nrepeatedly interrupts either an instructor’s ability to teach or student learning, or any\nbehavior that causes or threatens to cause a material disruption to the residential, business\nor academic functions of the University, including but not limited to, a material disruption by\nthe use of all types of cameras, electronic tablets, cell phones, and/or communication\ndevices. Adherence to this policy extends to any setting where a student is engaged in work\ntoward academic credit or satisfaction of program-based requirements or related activities.\n3.6 Failure to Comply or Identify – Failure to comply with directives of University officials,\n[4]",
    "chunk_id": 5
  },
  {
    "title": "3. Prohibited Conduct",
    "content": "police, or any other law enforcement officers acting in the performance of their duties or\nfailing to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so. This includes failure to\nappear at the request of any Hearing Officer or as directed by the Assistant Vice\nPresident/Dean of Students or designee on any matter.\n3.7 False Statements – Being party to falsification; giving or providing false statements,\nwritten or oral; and/or providing false information during any University proceeding, any\nUniversity affiliated or sponsored event, or to any University official. This includes reporting\nfalse conduct allegations, false reports of emergency, furnishing false information to the\nuniversity, as well as altering, forging, or misrepresenting, or misusing documents or records\nof the University.\na. Falsification of Records – Altering, forging, falsifying, attempting to falsify, conspiring\nto falsify, omitting information, or knowingly using falsified documents or records of\nthe University, including, but not limited to, UHCL parking permits, student IDs,\nfinancial aid records, and academic records. Falsification of academic records includes,\nbut is not limited to, altering or assisting in the alteration of any official record of the\nUniversity and/or submitting false information or omitting information that is required\nfor or related to any academic record. Academic records include, but are not limited\nto, applications for admission, application for the awarding of a degree, registration\nmaterials, grade change forms, and other documents or forms used by the Office of\nthe Registrar. A former student who engages in this prohibited conduct may be\nsubject to a bar against readmission, the revocation of a degree, and/or withdrawal of\na diploma under the Student Disciplinary Procedures.\n3.8 Forcible/Unauthorized Entry or Trespass - Forcible or unauthorized entry to any\nUniversity building, structure, or facility and/or unauthorized entry to or use of University\ngrounds.\n3.9 Gambling, Wagering, and/or Bookmaking - Gambling, wagering, and/or bookmaking\nas defined by federal, state, and /or local laws on University grounds or by using University\nequipment or services.\n3.10 Hazing - Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an\neducational institution, committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other\npersons), against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other\nperson or persons to participate, that:\n(A) Is committed during an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of\nmembership in, a student organization; and\n(B) Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered during participation\nin the University of Houston-Clear Lake or the organization (such as the physical\npreparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or\npsychological injury including the following:\n1. Whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful\nsubstance on someone’s body, or similar activity; and\n2. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the\nelements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics, or other similar\n[5]",
    "chunk_id": 6
  },
  {
    "title": "3. Prohibited Conduct",
    "content": "activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that\nadversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student; and\n3. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume food,\nliquid, alcohol, liquor, drugs, or other substances; and\n4. Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual\nacts; and\n5. Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm using\nthreatening words or conduct; and\n6. Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local,\nState, Tribal, or Federal law; and\n3.11 Any activity that induces, causes, or requires another person to perform a duty or task that\ninvolves a criminal violation of local, State, Tribal, or Federal law.Mental or Bodily Harm – (a)\nIntentionally inflicting mental or bodily harm upon any person; (b) taking any action for the\npurpose of inflicting mental or bodily harm upon any person; (c) taking any reckless, but not\naccidental, action from which mental or bodily harm could result to any person; (d) engaging in\nconduct, including, but not limited to stalking, that causes a person to believe that the offender\nmay cause mental or bodily harm; (e) communicating a threat which would cause mental or\nbodily harm to a reasonable person; (f) any act which demeans, degrades, or disgraces any\nperson that causes, or would be reasonably likely to cause, mental or bodily harm. “Any person”\nas used in this section may include oneself.\n3.12 Misuse of Identification - Transferring, lending, or borrowing University\nidentification.\n3.13 Misuse of Safety Equipment - Unauthorized use or alteration of firefighting\nequipment, safety devices, or other emergency equipment.\n3.14 Misuse or Abuse of Computers - Unauthorized use or misuse of any University\ncomputer, computer system, service, program, data, network, cable television network, or\ncommunication network. The inappropriate or disproportionate use of an information\ntechnology resource owned or controlled by the University or use of an information\ntechnology resource for an illegal, threatening, harassing, abusive, or intentionally\ndestructive purpose. Failure to comply with laws, license agreements, and contracts\ngoverning network, software and hardware use. Abuse of communal resources. Use of\ncomputing resources for unauthorized commercial purposes or personal gain. Breach of\ncomputer security, harmful access or invasion of privacy.\n3.15 Photographing or Videotaping - Photographing, filming, digitally recording, or by any\nother means, secretly viewing another person without that person’s consent in any location\nwhere the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, or in a manner that violates a\nreasonable expectation of privacy. This section does not apply to lawful security surveillance\nfilming or recording that is authorized by law enforcement or authorized University officials.\n3.16 Possession of Firearms, Weapons, and Explosives - Use or possession of any items used\nas weapons, including, but not limited to, handguns, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, pellet\nguns, paintball guns, BB guns, knives, explosive or noxious materials on University premises\nexcept in accordance with federal, state, local law, and/or University of Houston-Clear Lake\n[6]",
    "chunk_id": 7
  },
  {
    "title": "3. Prohibited Conduct",
    "content": "policy.\nNOTE: See University of Houston-Clear Lake policy regarding Campus Carry at:\nhttps://www.uhcl.edu/policies/documents/administration/campus-carry-policy.pdf\n3.17 Sexual Misconduct - Violation of the UH System Student Sexual Misconduct Policy\nincluding, but not limited to, engaging in, or attempting to engage in sexual assault, sexual\nexploitation, sexual intimidation, sexual harassment, nonconsensual sexual contact,\nretaliation, sexual violence, intimate partner violence (domestic violence and dating\nviolence) and/or stalking.\n3.18 Theft/Possession of Stolen Property - Theft, or attempted theft, of property or\nservices from any person or any business on University grounds or possessing property\nknown to be stolen and that may be identified as property of the University or any other\nperson or institution.\n3.19 Unauthorized Use of Alcoholic Beverages - Possession, distribution, or\nconsumption of alcoholic beverages except during events or in circumstances\nauthorized by University officials, presenting a threat to oneself or others due to being\nunder the influence of alcoholic beverages or other drugs, and/or failure to comply\nwith state or University regulations regarding the use or sale of alcoholic beverages\nincluding but not limited to use of alcohol by anyone under 21 years of age or\nproviding alcohol to someone under 21 years of age.\n3.20 Unauthorized Use of Property or Service - Unauthorized use of property or services,\nincluding unauthorized use of the University’s name, or unauthorized possession of University\nproperty or the property of any other person or business.\n3.21 Unauthorized Use of University Keys - Unauthorized use, distribution, duplication, or\npossession of any key(s), access card(s), or access code(s) issued for any building, laboratory,\nfacility, room, or other University property.\n3.22 Use, Manufacture, Distribution, Sale, Offer for Sale, or Possession of Controlled\nSubstances or Drug Paraphernalia - The use, manufacture, distribution, sale, offer for sale,\nor possession of any controlled substances, including but not limited to, barbiturates,\nhallucinogens, amphetamines, cocaine, opium, heroin, marijuana, or misuse of prescription\ndrugs. Controlled Substances and Drug Paraphernalia are defined by Texas law.\n3.23 Violation of Campus Recreation Policies - Violation of the published policies, rules,\nand/or regulations of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.\n3.24 Violation of University of Houston-Clear Lake and University of Houston System\nPolicies and Procedures - Violation of University and System policies and procedures\nincluding, but not limited to, those published in the UHCL Student Handbook.\n3.25 Violation of Probation or Suspension- Violation of the Code while on disciplinary\nprobation or disciplinary suspension, or violation of the terms of disciplinary probation or\ndisciplinary suspension.\n3.26 Violation of Student Housing and Residential Life Policies, Procedures and/or License\nAgreements - Violation of the terms of a University housing License Agreement or the\npublished policies, rules and/or regulations of the Department of Student Housing and\nResidential Life including, but not limited to, the following:\n[7]",
    "chunk_id": 8
  },
  {
    "title": "3. Prohibited Conduct",
    "content": "a. Alcohol – Violation of Student Housing and Residential Life policies regarding the\npossession, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.\nb. Smoking – Smoking, vaping, and/or use of tobacco in a residence hall or in violation\nof the UHCL Tobacco Smoke, and Vape Free Campus Policy (MAP 01.A.08) located at:\nhttps://www.uhcl.edu/policies/administrative-policies-procedures/.\nc. Health and Welfare – Failing to maintain living space and common areas in original\ncondition; clean; unaltered, and hazard-free.\nd. Unauthorized Occupancy/Use of Residential Facilities – Unauthorized occupancy of\na living space or use of residential facilities including, but noted limited to;\ncohabitation, subletting, altering the physical structure of the room/apartment\nwithout approval from Student Housing and Residential Life, remaining present if\nmaintenance work is occurring after a temporary living space has been assigned,\nand/or providing laundry facility access to non-residents.\ne. Pets/Animals – Possession of a pet, apart from non-carnivorous fish in a 5-gallon or\nless sized fish tank, pre-approved service animals, or emotional support animals preapproved by Student Housing and Residential Life. This also includes not adhering to\nthe expectations and guidelines as outlined in the service animal or emotional\nsupport animal agreements.\nf. Trash/Recycling – Improperly storing or disposing of trash and/or recycling.\ng. Wheeled Transportation – Unauthorized parking, securing, storing, indoor transport,\nuse, or abandonment of a skateboard, hover board, bicycle, motorcycle, or scooter.\nh. Decorations – Displaying obscene (as defined by Texas or federal law) or\ndiscriminatory information/materials that cause, or would be reasonably likely to\ncause, mental harm to another or that is in violation of University policies.\ni. Gatherings – Assembling ten (10) of more people (residents included) in a residential\nroom, suite, or apartment.\nj. Guests – Unauthorized or unattended guests. Hosting a guest(s) for an excessive\nnumber of consecutive nights; hosting an excessive number of guests, and/or failure\nof a guest(s) to comply with University policies and procedures.\nk. Hall Sports – Engaging in games and sports intended for outdoor play including, but\nnot limited to, water guns/balloons, rollerblading, and bouncing and throwing balls.\nl. Living with Roommates/Suitemates – Failing to follow a Roommate and/or\nSuitemate Agreement, creating an inhospitable environment, or not maintaining\npersonal care.\nm. Courtesy/Quiet Hours – Making excessive noise and/or engaging in disruptive\nbehavior that causes sound to be heard beyond the confines of a room, suite or\napartment.\nn. Posting/Advertising – Unauthorized display, distribution, or removal of flyers, posters,\nbanners, or other advertisements.\no. Soliciting/Operating a Business – Operating a business, selling, or promoting a\nservice or product from a residence hall room, suite, apartment, or common area.\n[8]",
    "chunk_id": 9
  },
  {
    "title": "3. Prohibited Conduct",
    "content": "p. Fire Alarm Activation Intentional false activation of the fire alarm system, or\nactivation through forbidden activity (e.g. smoking, candles, open flame cooking\nequipment).\nq. Fire Evacuation Procedure – Failing to evacuate after the activation of the fire alarm\nand/or following the directives of University and/or emergency personnel.\nr. Open Flames, Burning Embers & Flammable Materials – Possession of, but not\nlimited to, candles, incense, marijuana smelling smoking substances, smoking,\nfireworks, “Christmas Trees” (live or cut down), lighter fluid, gas/propane, charcoal\nbriquettes, and/or burning of any materials.\ns. Projectiles – Throwing, dropping, or projecting, objects from a residential\nstructure.\nt. Appliances, Electronics, and Furniture – Possessing an appliance with an open heat\nsource and/or no thermostat control (i.e. toaster ovens, hot plates, space heaters,\netc.); using a multi-outlet extension cord; unauthorized movement of University\nfurniture, and/or possessing a waterbed or self-manufactured loft.\n3.27 Bicycles/Recreational Wheeled Transportation – Unauthorized use of any wheeled\ntransportation or other conveyances (bicycles, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, etc.) be used\non any campus bench, steps, or walls. Wheeled transportation is not to be taken inside the\nbuildings without permission from the building manager or other administrative authority.\nWheeled transportation may not be secured to any handrail, light pole, trees, trash receptacles,\nor other campus fixtures other than designated areas/racks intended for this purpose. Students\nare expected to practice safety and show respect for others by walking their recreational\nwheeled devices on common pedestrian walking areas on campus (mall areas, walkways,\npathways, and plant areas and wheelchair ramps). Medical transportation devices being used\nfor their intended medical purposes are exempt, e.g. wheelchairs, wheeled stability walkers,\netc.).\n3.28 Misuse of Campus Waterways and Systems – This includes, but is not limited to,\ndisorderly conduct with campus waterways or other bodies of water (water fountains,\nmanmade and natural ponds or lakes, or other structures involving watering systems).\n3.29 Mistreatment of Wildlife - UHCL is a self-designated nature preserve. All wildlife is\nprotected. Trapping, tracking, hunting, fishing, or any other activity which is harmful to\nwildlife is not permitted except when associated with faculty sponsored research or teaching\nthat involves collecting these resources and that is approved by the IACUC (Institutional\nAnimal Care and Use Committee).\nStudent Disciplinary Procedures\nThe purpose of these procedures is to provide for the orderly administration of the Student\nCode of Conduct consistent with the principles of due process of law. Reasonable deviations\nfrom these procedures will not invalidate a decision or proceeding.",
    "chunk_id": 10
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 11,
    "title": "4. Disciplinary Action Initiated",
    "content": "Any member of the University community may submit a written allegation of violation of the\n[9]\n\nProhibited Conduct Section of the Student Code of Conduct. The individual alleging a violation\nmust include sufficient facts which would enable the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or\ndesignee to decide if further fact finding is necessary. An allegation of violation must include the\nname of the complainant and should include pertinent facts including, but not limited to, a\ndescription of the alleged violation, the date of the alleged violation, the name(s) of the students\ninvolved, the time that the alleged violation took place, and the location of the alleged violation."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 12,
    "title": "5. Notice",
    "content": "5.1 Students who are the subject of prohibited conduct allegations will be notified by the\nappropriate Hearing Officer. The Disciplinary Referral Notice will contain information\nregarding the student conduct involved, a statement of the Code provision(s) and/or\nUniversity policy alleged to have been violated, information regarding student’s rights and\nresponsibilities, a Respondent Disciplinary Choice Form and a redacted copy of the\nincident report or other charging document.\n5.2 All written notices to students will be considered received and constitute full and\nadequate notice upon the occurrence of one or more of the following: placing the written\nnotice addressed to the student’s current local or permanent address as listed in the\nRegistrar’s records in the United States Postal Service mail or campus mail, sending written\ncorrespondence to the student’s official University email address, or hand delivering written\nnotice to the student.\n5.3 The student’s failure to provide and maintain current addresses with the Registrar,\nrefusal to accept delivery of a letter, or failure to receive an email message because the\nmailbox is full, or the message is inappropriately forwarded will not constitute good cause\nfor failure to comply with written notices.\n5.4 Failure to respond to notices pursuant to this Code shall constitute a separate violation of\nthis Code. Failure of the accused student to respond to the Disciplinary Referral Notice and/or\nreturn a completed Respondent Disciplinary Choice Form shall in no way prevent the University\nfrom scheduling and conducting a Disciplinary Conference with the Hearing Officer in the\nabsence of the accused student.\n5.5 The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students may place a hold on or cancel the\nenrollment of a student who fails to comply with notices sent in accordance with Section\n5.2.\n5.6 Students alleged to have violated the Prohibited Conduct Section of the Code must\ncontact the Hearing Officer within five business days of receiving the Disciplinary Referral\nNotice. This response must be sent electronically by email and/or by hand delivery to the\nDean of Students Office with the signed Rights and Responsibilities Document and\ncompleted Respondent Disciplinary Choice Form.\n5.7 Students who fail to contact the Hearing Officer within the five-business day period\noutlined in the Disciplinary Referral Notice will be considered to have elected to proceed\nwith a Disciplinary Conference under the Student Disciplinary Procedures.\n[10]"
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 13,
    "title": "6. Hearing Selection",
    "content": "6.1 Within five business days of receiving a Disciplinary Referral Notice, the student shall\nchoose either a hearing before the University Hearing Board or a Disciplinary Conference\nwith the Hearing Officer. The student shall indicate their choice of hearing on the\nRespondent Disciplinary Choice Form and submit the Form to the Hearing Officer via email\nand/or by hand delivery.\n6.2 Students who fail to select either a hearing before the University Hearing Board or a\nDisciplinary Conference with the Hearing Officer within the five-business day period\noutlined in Section 6.1 will be considered to have elected to proceed with a Disciplinary\nConference.\n6.3 The Hearing Officer shall notify the student of the time, date, and place of the\nDisciplinary Conference or hearing before the University Hearing Board."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 14,
    "title": "7. Disciplinary Conference",
    "content": "The following procedural guidelines shall be applicable in Disciplinary Conferences with the\nHearing Officer:\n7.1 Written notice of the alleged violation(s), incident reports and supporting documentation\nwill be provided to the student at least three business days prior to the scheduled conference.\nIncident reports will not be sent electronically to students.\n7.2 The respondent is entitled to be accompanied and assisted by an advisor. An advisor\nmay be an attorney, but who sits in an advisory capacity and who addresses the Hearing\nOfficer only upon permission of the Hearing Officer. Respondents who wish to have an\nattorney attend the Disciplinary Conference as their advisor shall notify the Hearing Officer\nof the attorney’s name and contact information at least three business days prior to the\nDisciplinary Conference. If the respondent’s advisor is an attorney, the University may have a\nUniversity attorney present at the Disciplinary Conference. An advisor may not appear in lieu\nof a respondent.\n7.3 The respondent has the right to have access to the case file at least three business days\nprior to and during the conference.\n7.4 If a respondent fails to appear for a scheduled Disciplinary Conference, the Hearing\nOfficer will proceed with investigating the allegations.\n7.5 The Hearing Officer will investigate the complaint, including but not limited to,\nreviewing incident reports, reviewing any witness statements, and interviewing witnesses,\nas appropriate. Before a decision is rendered, the respondent will be given an opportunity\nto respond to any new information obtained by the Hearing Officer during the investigation.\nIf a respondent fails to appear for this follow-up meeting to respond to new information,\nthe Hearing Officer will decide the case based upon the information obtained in the\ninvestigation.\n7.6 The Hearing Officer will notify the respondent of the decision in writing within ten\n[11]\n\nbusiness days of the close of the investigation. The Hearing Officer will send a copy of the\ndecision to the respondent."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 15,
    "title": "8. University Hearing Board",
    "content": "8.1 The University Hearing Board shall be composed of seven students appointed by\nStudent Government, five faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate, and five staff\nmembers appointed by the University Staff Association.\n8.2 There will be at least seven alternate members: at least three student alternates appointed by\nStudent Government, at least two faculty alternates appointed by the Faculty Senate, and at\nleast two staff alternates appointed by the University Staff Association.\n8.3 A quorum shall consist of five persons, at least three of which shall be students and one shall be\nfaculty or staff. If a quorum is not met and at least three people are present with one being a\nstudent, the respondent may request that the hearing proceed with those members present.\n8.4 The Chair must be selected from the student members present at a scheduled hearing.\nThe student selected by the Board to serve as Chair shall serve for the duration of the\nscheduled hearing.\n8.5 All members of the board must be in good standing with the University.\n8.6 The Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Housing may remove a Board\nmember for justifiable cause. A Board member may appeal their removal to the Assistant\nVice President/Dean of Students.\n8.7 If a Board member resigns, cannot serve, or is removed from office, the Associate Dean of\nStudents, Director of Student Housing will select one of the alternates to fill the vacancy.\n8.8 The University Hearing Board will hear all cases related to Registered Student\nOrganizations and/or Student Groups."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 16,
    "title": "9. Hearing Procedures",
    "content": "The following procedural guidelines shall be applicable in disciplinary hearings of the\nUniversity Hearing Board.\n9.1 At least three business days prior to the hearing, the Hearing Officer will make available\nto the respondent(s) and the complainant(s) copies of documents relevant to the case and a\nlist of witnesses.\n9.2 The respondent is entitled to be accompanied and assisted by an advisor. An advisor may\nbe an attorney, but who sits in an advisory capacity and who addresses the Board only upon\npermission from the Chair. Respondents who wish to have an attorney attend the hearing as\ntheir advisor shall notify the Hearing Officer of the attorney’s name and contact information\nat least three business days prior to the hearing. If the respondent’s advisor is an attorney, the\nUniversity may have a University attorney present at the disciplinary hearing. An advisor may\nnot appear in lieu of a respondent.\n9.3 Hearings of the University Hearing Board will be closed to the public except when\n[12]\n\nthe respondent requests an open hearing and such a request is approved. This request\nmust be made in writing to the Hearing Officer at least three business days prior to the\nhearing.\n9.4 If a respondent fails to appear, the University Hearing Board will decide the case in the\ncharged student’s absence.\n9.5 The Hearing Officer or designee may present the case for the University or the\ncomplainant.\n9.6 Prospective witnesses, other than the complainant and respondent, will be excluded\nfrom the hearing during the testimony of other witnesses. All participants shall be\nexcluded during Board deliberations.\n9.7 The hearing will be held in two parts:\na. Determination of violation.\nb. Determination of recommended sanction; only if a finding of “in violation” is\ndetermined.\n9.8 The Chair will exercise control over the proceedings. Any person disrupting a hearing or\nwho fails to adhere to the rulings of the Chair may be removed or excluded from the\nproceedings.\n9.9 Any party may challenge a Board member on the grounds of personal bias. Board\nmembers may be disqualified upon a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board.\nDisqualification votes must be conducted by secret ballot.\n9.10 The burden of proof shall be on the complainant or University, whichever is applicable,\nto prove whether it is more likely than not that the student did violate a Code provision\nand/or University policy.\n9.11 The Chair shall determine what evidence is admissible. Formal rules of evidence shall\nnot apply.\n9.12 The respondent, the complainant, and/or the Board members may examine the\nwritten evidence offered and may question all witnesses.\n9.13 Respondents will not be forced to testify against themselves and their silence shall\nnot be used to their detriment.\n9.14 Individuals referred to in any written statements or testimony of respondent,\ncomplainant, and/or witnesses may be called as witnesses by the University Hearing Board.\nThe Chair shall determine the length of any such witness testimony and when it shall be\nheard during the hearing.\n9.15 At the conclusion of the presentations, the Board shall deliberate the violation stage of\nthe proceeding in closed session. After deliberation and a vote, the decision of the Board\nwill be announced to the participants.\n9.16 The Board may hear evidence concerning sanctioning if the respondent is found to\nhave violated the Prohibited Conduct Section of the Student Code of Conduct. The Board may\nconsider the respondent’s prior disciplinary record during the sanctioning phase of the\nproceedings in order to recommend the appropriate sanction(s).\n9.17 Decisions by the Board shall be by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Chair will\n[13]\n\nvote to break the tie.\n9.18 Hearings will be recorded, and upon written request, the respondent will be afforded\naccess to the recording of the hearing. The only recording devices allowed in the hearing are\nthose provided by the Hearing Officer.\n9.19 The Board’s recommendation of violation and sanction(s) will be forwarded to the\nHearing Officer for further action. The Hearing Officer will notify the respondent of the\ndecision in writing within seven business days of the hearing. The Hearing Officer will also\nmake a copy of the decision available to the respondent in the Dean of Students Office."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 17,
    "title": "10. Sanctions",
    "content": "Factors to be taken into consideration when issuing sanctions, include but are not limited to\nthe respondent’s motivation for displaying the behavior; the respondent’s disciplinary\nhistory; the extent to which the behavior jeopardizes the safety and security of the\nUniversity of Houston-Clear Lake community; the impact on any victim; and, the likelihood\nof the behavior occurring again. Upon written request, the Hearing Officer will disclose the\nresults of the campus disciplinary proceedings to the victim of a non-forcible sex or a\nviolence related policy violation.\nUpon a finding of a violation of the Prohibited Conduct Section of the Student Code of\nConduct, one or more of the following sanctions may be imposed:\n10.1 Expulsion permanently separates the student from the University and prohibits the\nstudent from ever attending the University, enrolling in any University courses and/or from\nbeing present on University grounds without the permission of the Dean of Students Office.\nExpulsion will be noted on the student’s permanent record.\n10.2 Suspension prohibits the student from attending the University of Houston-Clear\nLake, enrolling in any University courses and from being present on University grounds\nwithout the permission of the Dean of Students Office for a specified period of time. A\nstudent suspended for prohibited conduct is not guaranteed readmission to the University\nbut shall petition the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students to review the student’s\neligibility for readmission. Suspension will be noted on the student’s permanent record. A\nstudent who has been suspended from any University of Houston System component shall\nbe ineligible to enroll at any other system component during the period of suspension.\n10.3 Deferred Suspension allows a sanction of suspension to be deferred to a specific date\nin the future. If a student is found in violation of any University rule while under the\nsanction of deferred suspension, the suspension sanction may be implemented\nimmediately and additional conduct sanctions appropriate to the new violation(s) may be\nimposed. Students under the sanction of deferred suspension may be subject to additional\nrestrictions identified by the Dean of Students Office. Failure to comply with the additional\nrestrictions established by the Dean of Students Office will be considered additional\nconduct violations.\n10.4 Disciplinary Probation is a sanction in which students are considered “not in good\n[14]\n\nstanding” with the University. Any further misconduct while on probation may result in\nadditional disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University. Students\nunder the sanction of probation may be subject to additional restrictions identified by the\nDean of Students Office. A sanction of probation is imposed for a definite period. Probation\nwill be noted on the student’s permanent record during the period of probation.\n10.5 Revocation of Admission and/or Degree may be imposed for fraud,\nmisrepresentation, or other violations of University rules in obtaining admission or a\ndegree, or for other serious violations committed by an applicant or by a student prior to\nthe awarding of the degree.\n10.6 Educational Programs or Assignments are sanctions designed to develop and/or\nexpand a student’s understanding of a University rule or policy and/or support the\nstudent’s learning in relation to the rule or policy that was violated.\n10.7 Reprimand is an official written notification retained in a student’s disciplinary file\ndesigned to inform the student that their behavior has been unacceptable.\n10.8 Restitution or compensation for loss, theft, deception, damage, or injury which may\ntake the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.\n10.9 Warning is a sanction which advises a student that they have engaged in behavior that\nis unbecoming of a member of the University community. A warning may include a\nrequirement to meet with a designated University official. This sanction remains in effect for\na specified period, after which, it may be removed from the student’s conduct record at the\nstudent’s request.\n10.10 Other Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, disenrollment; referral for\nmandatory assessment by a qualified licensed professional; no contact orders; restrictions\nfrom specific areas in University buildings and/or on University grounds; restrictions from\nparticipating in intercollegiate athletics, extracurricular activities, and student housing and\nresidential life activities; monetary fines; community service; disciplinary room change for\nresidential students, and/or ban or removal from University housing facilities. Students may\nalso be required to meet periodically with a person designated by the Hearing Officer."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 18,
    "title": "11. Interim Suspension",
    "content": "11.1 The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee may immediately suspend a\nstudent on an interim basis prior to a hearing when the Assistant Vice President/Dean of\nStudents or designee has reasonable cause to believe that the student’s presence on\nUniversity premises or at a University-related or registered student organization activity poses\na significant risk to substantial harm to the safety or security of any member of the University\ncommunity or to property, the student may be immediately suspended from all or any\nportion of University premises, University-related activities or registered student organization\nactivities. This temporary suspension will be confirmed in writing and without undue delay, in\naccordance with the Student Disciplinary Procedures.\n11.2 The Hearing Officer will notify the student(s) of the interim suspension by issuing a\nnotice of interim suspension. This notice will include a statement of the regulation(s) that the\n[15]\n\nstudent allegedly violated, a specific statement of the facts constituting the alleged violation\nand will direct the student(s) to contact the Dean of Students Office to submit the Disciplinary\nProcess Choice Form within five business days of the notice. The notice will also include a\ncopy of the Student Code of Conduct and/or the web address of the code. The notice of\ninterim suspension may be issued initially by the Chief of Police or designee when there is\nreasonable cause to believe that the student(s) poses an immediate threat to the University\ncommunity. In such cases, the Hearing Officer will subsequently issue a notice of interim\nsuspension pursuant to this section.\n11.3 An extension to the requirement to submit the Disciplinary Process Choice Form to the\nHearing Officer within a five-business day period may be granted by the Hearing Officer for\ngood cause.\n11.4 Students who fail to submit the Disciplinary Process Choice Form within the fivebusiness day period outlined in Section 6.1 will be considered to have elected to proceed in\nthe Student Disciplinary Procedures with a Disciplinary Conference.\n11.5 If the sanction for a confirmed violation of the Code of Conduct is to suspend or expel\nthe student, the sanction takes effect on the date of the interim suspension.\n11.6 A student may appeal an interim suspension by submitting a written statement of\nappeal to the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students. The Assistant Vice President/Dean\nof Students or designee will consider an appeal of an interim suspension on an expedited\nbasis. The interim suspension will remain in effect for the pendency of the appeal."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 19,
    "title": "12. Interim No Contact Orders",
    "content": "The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee may immediately issue a no\ncontact order on an interim basis prior to a hearing if it is believed necessary to protect a\nperson’s safety and/or preserve a safe environment. A no contact order prohibits a student’s\nor registered student organization’s contact with a specific individual or individuals.\n13. Withholding of Transcripts, Grades, Diploma, or Degree\nThe Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee may withhold an official\ntranscript, grade, diploma, or degree of a student alleged to have committed a violation of a\nUniversity of Houston- Clear Lake rule and/or the Prohibited Conduct Section of the Student\nCode of Conduct. The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee may take such\naction pending a Hearing Board hearing or Disciplinary Conference, and/or the exhaustion\nof the student’s appellate rights. A student may appeal the withholding of a transcript, grade,\ndiploma, or degree by submitting a written statement of appeal to the Assistant Vice\nPresident/Dean of Students. The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee will\nconsider an appeal on an expedited basis. The withholding of a transcript, grade, diploma, or\ndegree will remain in effect for the pendency of the appeal.\n[16]"
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 20,
    "title": "14. Counseling Referrals",
    "content": "The Hearing Officer may refer any student who is the subject of prohibited conduct allegations\nto the Counseling and Mental Health Center or Health Services. The Counseling and Mental\nHealth Center or Health Services may, with written permission of the student, discuss the\nresults of the referral with the Hearing Officer. The student may refuse to attend a session\nwith the Counseling and Mental Health Center or Health Services without penalty, at which\ntime the disciplinary process will continue as if no referral were made.\n15. Reporting at the Request of the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students\nA request to meet with or respond to the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or\ndesignee shall be heeded by all students. The request of the Assistant Vice President/Dean of\nStudents or designee shall have priority over all other duties of the student. The student will\nrespond at the time and place set by the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students of\ndesignee unless arrangements are made because of extraordinary circumstances. Failure to\nreport or respond as directed by the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee on\nany matter shall constitute a separate violation of this Code and may result in disciplinary\naction and/or a hold being placed on the student’s enrollment."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 21,
    "title": "16. University Hearing Board Appearances",
    "content": "The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee shall have the authority to require\na student to appear before the University Hearing Board at a designated time and place when\nthe student’s presence is necessary to resolve a question which is before the Board. The\nAssistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee shall have the authority to require the\nstudent to produce such items as are relevant to the adjudication.\n17. Official Withdrawal from the University of Houston-Clear Lake\nThe Dean of Students Office may place a disciplinary hold on the records and future\nenrollment of any student who withdraws from the University prior to the resolution of\npending disciplinary action. The Dean of Students Office may also place a notation on the\nstudent’s official transcript indicating that, “Disciplinary proceedings are pending at the\nUniversity of Houston-Clear Lake”. Students remain subject to the jurisdiction of the Student\nDisciplinary Procedures even if they withdraw from the University while disciplinary\nproceedings are pending."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 22,
    "title": "18. Appeals",
    "content": "18.1 An appeal is not an opportunity to re-hear the original conduct case and will not be\ngranted based on a respondent’s disagreement with the outcome of the original conduct\ncase.\n18.2 An appeal may only be based upon the following grounds:\n[17]\n\na. New information, not available at the time of the original hearing, was discovered\nand such new information could affect the decision rendered in the original conduct\ncase.\nb. The weight of the evidence does not support or is contrary to the finding of violation.\nc. Procedural error that resulted in material harm or prejudice to the student (i.e., by\npreventing a fair, impartial, or proper hearing). Deviations from the designated\nprocedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless material harm or\nprejudice results.\nd. The sanction imposed as the result of the original hearing was excessively severe in\nrelation to the violation that the student was found to have committed. Appeals\nsubmitted on a claim that the sanction was excessively severe do not have bearing on\nthe finding of “in violation” and relate only to the sanctions imposed.\n18.3 The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee will serve as the\nAppellate Officer for all conduct cases.\n18.4 The Appellate Officer will review requests for appeal to determine if acceptable grounds\nfor appeal have been demonstrated.\nRespondents may appeal the decision of the Hearing Officer by filing a written appeal,\nincluding a detailed explanation of the reason for the appeal consistent with the grounds for\nappeal outlined in Section 18.2, with the appropriate Appellate Officer within ten business\ndays after receiving written notification of the decision. The Appellate Officer will render a\ndecision and notify the respondent in writing within ten business days of receipt of the\nappeal. The appellate officer may review the case and amend the finding(s) and/or\nsanction(s). The appellate officer may review the case and remand the case for further\nproceedings as directed. The appellate officer may review the case and uphold the original\ndecision and sanction(s). The decision of the Appellate Officer shall be final."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 23,
    "title": "19. Disciplinary Records",
    "content": "19.1 The University shall maintain a permanent written disciplinary record for every\nstudent assessed a sanction of suspension, expulsion, denial or revocation of a degree,\nand/or withdrawal of diploma.\n19.2 A disciplinary record shall reflect the nature of the charge, the disposition of the charge,\nthe sanction assessed, and any other pertinent information. Disciplinary records shall be\nmaintained by the Dean of Students Office. Disciplinary records will be treated as confidential\nstudent records and shall not be accessible to or used by anyone other than the Dean of\nStudents or University officials with legitimate educational interests, except upon written\nauthorization of the student or in accordance with applicable state or federal laws or court\norder or subpoena.\n19.3 Disciplinary records of students who were not assessed a sanction of suspension,\nexpulsion, denial, or revocation of a degree, and/or withdrawal of a diploma will be\nmaintained by the Dean of Students Office for seven years after the final disposition of the\n[18]\n\ncase in accordance with the University’s Records Retention Schedule and Clery Act\nregulations.\n19.4 Disciplinary warning records are maintained as active conduct records by the Dean of\nStudents Office for the specified period of warning. Students issued a warning sanction may\nrequest that the record be removed once the period of warning has expired or when they have\ngraduated from the University."
  },
  {
    "chunk_id": 24,
    "title": "20. Student Groups and Registered Student Organizations",
    "content": "20.1 Student groups and registered student organizations are subject to the same behavioral\nexpectations as individual students and as such, may be charged with violations of the\nProhibited Conduct section of the Student Code of Conduct. The same Student Code of Conduct\nprocedures afforded to individual students are applicable to student groups and registered\nstudent organizations. However, student groups and registered student organizations will have\nconduct matters adjudicated by the University Hearing Board. A disciplinary conference with a\nhearing officer is reserved for individual students only.\n20.2 Student groups and registered student organizations, their members, as well as other\nstudents may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations that occur on\nUniversity grounds, on premises used or controlled by the group or organization, and/or at\nUniversity sponsored activities on or off campus. The disciplinary jurisdiction set forth in Section\n1.1 and 1.2 applies to individual students, student groups, and registered student organizations.\n20.3 Student groups and registered student organizations and their officers may be held\ncollectively and/or individually responsible for violations of the Code when the organization’s\nleaders, officers, or spokespersons have given tacit or overt consent or encouragement for the\nprohibited conduct.\n20.4 Student group and registered student organization leaders, officers, and/or spokespersons\nmay be directed by the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee to take action to\nprevent or end violations of the Code by members of the organization or by any persons\nassociated with the organization. Failure to make reasonable efforts to comply with the\ndirectives of the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students or designee shall be considered a\nviolation of the Code by the leaders, officers, and spokespersons of the organization as well as by\nthe organization.\n20.5 Sanctions for student group and/or registered student organization misconduct may include\nrevocation or denial of registration as well as other appropriate sanctions cited in Sections 10,\n11, and 12 of the Code.\n[19]\n\nApproval: August 21, 2025, by Dr. Tina Powellson, Vice President of Student Affairs\nReview/Responsibility: Annually by the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students and\nAssociate Dean of Students, Director Student Housing\n[20]"
  }
]