Student Resources

This section contains information concerning the standards of conduct expected of students along with an overview of the student conduct process in effect at  California State University, Fullerton.

Overview of Expectations

We want you to have the best experience possible here at Cal State Fullerton. The Dean of Students Office and the Student Conduct team are here to assist you in meeting your academic and career goals by helping you understand the   standards   for academic integrity and student behavior which are expected of all students.

Our standards are not only outlined in the University Policy Statements listed below, but also in the policy section of the Student Handbook as well as in other related materials such as the   University Catalog   and the syllabus for each of your classes.   The University expects students to know these rules and abide by them.

Academic Integrity

Integrity and honesty are fundamental to the pursuit of truth and knowledge at any institution of higher education and these core values are essential to the function of the academic community at Cal State Fullerton. Only by maintaining the highest standards of integrity, are the evaluating of students' academic performance, the conducting of research, and the ultimate awarding of degrees meaningful and representative of reality.

See our page on Policies and Procedures for the policy documents that govern academic integrity.

What is Academic Dishonesty?

Academic dishonesty, or simply, cheating, is any act which attempts to gain an unfair academic advantage or assisting or permitting others to do so. This includes:

  • Cheating on exams or assignments
  • Unauthorized collaboration
  • Plagiarism
  • Falsifying academic records
  • Assisting or allowing any of these acts
  • The attempt to engage in these acts

Remember, allowing a classmate to use your work in place of their own is academic dishonesty for both of you!

What Behavior can result in a referral to student conduct?

Academic Integrity isn't the only thing our office enforces. Any of the behaviors below could also result in your referral to a member of the student conduct team:

  • Alcohol Misuse can cause many problems for students - behaviors such as underage drinking, drinking in public, drinking and driving, vandalizing property while intoxicated, engaging in fights, public urination, commiting sexual assault, etc.
  • Inability to manage time or stress sometimes overwhelms students - resulting in verbal harassment, physical intimidation,  forging signatures on documents, or providing false information to the University.
  • Lack of judgement and failure to understand your responsiblity to the community are easy ways to get off-track - behaviors like causing disruptions in class, in department offices, parking lots, or other public areas; possession of firearms or weapons, and allowing or encouraging midconduct from peers or guests.
  • Behavior within the campus community which violates local, state, or federal law - such as the use, possession, or sale of illegal drugs, theft, hazing, etc.

What if you're accused of academic dishonesty or misconduct?

The Student Conduct team responds to allegations of a student's violation of university standards and provides a fair, consistent, and timely response to guarantee that each student is afforded due process. Please refer to the documents regarding Conduct Policies and Procedures to fully understand the process and your role in it.

California State University, Fullerton is primarily an academic community. As such, the university seeks to maintain an optimal   learning environment   for each student. To achieve this objective, the university exercises certain   disciplinary powers   through various policies, rules, and regulations. The Student Conduct team has been designated as the office to handle incidents involving inappropriate behavior by CSUF students.

Our office assists in resolving conflicts and promotes a positive educational community. The goals are to hold students   accountable   for their behavior, to assist students in understanding the effects of their behavior on the community, to assist students in learning more appropriate behavior   and to promote a   safe and healthy environment   for the entire community.

Students are presumed to have a clear understanding of these standards and sufficient maturity and concern for the rights of others to value these University goals. If a student is referred to Student Conduct for making a decision which violates University standards, they are expected to honestly discuss the behavior and to take responsibility for any misconduct if appropriate.

Students who fail to make an appointment, fail to appear for a scheduled appointment, or fail to comply with the terms of an assigned sanction will have a  hold  placed on their academic records prohibiting registration transactions, including adding/dropping classes or receiving transcripts. A student may also be notified of a holds being placed due to a pending investigation.

Parental Involvement

Parents can be useful partners in protecting the standards of the academic community. In our process, parents are most helpful when they partner with the University's educational efforts to emphasize their student's responsibility to live within CSUF policies, rules, and regulations.

Students may notify parents when they have been referred to Student Conduct and parents may accompany the student to the meeting as an advisor if authorized by the student. While the office will be responsive to a parent's concerns, the student will be expected to provide relevant information concerning the incident and answer questions as the office investigates the allegation.

If a student wishes to grant permission to anyone, including a parent, to speak with the Associate Dean of Students, Student Conduct, concerning an allegation, the student will need to complete a   Discipline File Release FormPDF File Opens in new window .

Confidentiality

All applicable laws, including FERPA, and University policies concerning  privacy and confidentiality  are followed. Information regarding any student's disciplinary status is not discussed with anyone outside the Dean of Students Office except under conditions specified by policy. Disciplinary information may only be released with a court order, with the student's written permission, or for legitimate educational interest.