Housing’s holistic approach to Conduct and Care supports student growth and learning and caters to the needs of each individual resident’s situation via a spectrum of outcomes from restorative practices to administrative sanctions. The Residence Life Resolution Process addresses the whole student rather than just the misconduct that brings them into the office. In University Housing, the Conduct and Care program is not just about adjudication; it's about education, growth, and creating a supportive environment where all residents can thrive. We are committed to continuous improvement, listening to feedback, and evolving our practices to better serve the residents in our community.
Residence Life Resolution Process
University Housing standards and expectations are in place to provide everyone with a safe environment conducive to sleep, study, and socialize within university expectations. Residential students found in violation of community standards could be subject to educational or administrative action by University Housing and/or the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS). This page explores the Residence Life Resolution Process, which addresses conduct concerns specific to University Housing property. For more information on campus-wide conduct concerns, see the SCCS website.
- You are assumed not in violation until the case is heard.
- All official communication will come through UO email. Failure to read and respond in a timely manner is not grounds for appeal.
- Preponderance of evidence standard (more likely than not, 51/49, 50% plus a feather)
- Suspension and expulsion are not considered by University Housing (though SCCS may consider this in severe cases).
- Eviction is rare and only considered in the most severe cases. You will be notified in the initial email if it is being considered.
- Failure to complete an assigned outcome/sanction from a case can result in a hold on your account that limits your class registration.
Meeting with your case manager is the most meaningful step in this process. You will discuss the incident together and add your perspective to the case. This allows the case manager to consider as much context as possible before making a determination on the case. You will also have a chance to discuss the concerns from the incident, community impact, and purpose of our policies during this time. Our mission is to protect and educate our residents, so these conversations are crucial. While you are not required to meet with the case manager initially, we highly encourage residents to attend the meeting and engage genuinely with the process to benefit from it.
Rights and Responsibilities
For a full explanation of your rights and responsibilities when engaging with the RLRP, please see the Rights and Responsibilities document. For quick reference:
- You choose how much to engage in the process, but cases will be heard in default without your input if you do not attend the RLRP meeting. Cases heard in default are not eligible for appeal.
- You may request to pause or reschedule a meeting without negative assumption.
- You may answer all, some, or none of the questions asked.
- Written statements and evidence/documentation can be submitted.
- You may bring a support person to the RLRP meeting (FERPA waiver required).
- Medical or disability-related accommodations can be implemented.
- Case findings can be appealed to an assistant director.
- Case documentation is FERPA-protected for student privacy.
Advocacy
Want free support and advice from someone with experience in the Residence Life Resolution Process and university conduct process? Reach out to the Student Advocacy Program (SAP) to learn more. SAP offers peers and professionals to help advocate for you and prepare you for meetings, outcomes, and appeals. See their blog for more information on your rights in the residence halls. In addition to this support, SAP helps students navigate the UO's processes and resolve issues with the institution. This free service is already paid for through student fees, so it is completely free for students to utilize.
Support and Accommodations
Want a support person to attend the RLRP meeting with you? Complete a FERPA waiver with the support person’s name and the specific information you would like released to them (ex.: conduct meeting information). Contact your case manager and request to make the FERPA waiver available on the Forms page of your My Housing portal. Our team will also support any medical or disability-related accommodations to enable residents to fully participate in the process. Please contact your case manager directly or the Accessible Education Center (AEC) to discuss how we can best support you.
Common Case Outcomes
The purpose of assigned sanctions:
Case managers commonly assign educational outcomes (aka sanctions) to students found in violation of policies. These assignments are focused on being restorative and reflective to repair harm done in the community and facilitate learning and growth for the student. Most commonly, this is done by assigning students to read housing policies and write a short essay about the purpose and benefit of the policy. Other common assigned outcomes include meeting with a campus partner, conducting a sound check experiment, and researching and writing about substance use on campus. Common partners that help with these outcomes include the Men’s Resource Center, Substance Abuse Prevention and Education (SAPE) team, the UO Fire Marshal and others. If these outcomes are not completed, a hold may be placed on your account.
Holds
Conduct holds can impact class registration for adding, dropping, or changing classes. If you have a hold on your account related to the Residence Life Resolution Process (RLRP), you can contact your case manager directly through email or contact our team at housingconduct@uoregon.edu for more information. In order to remove holds, overdue outcomes must be completed, or an alternative assignment must be agreed upon with the case manager. In rare cases, Residence Life may allow a Hold Release Agreement for you to address the exceptional circumstances impacted by the hold. Contact your case manager for more information.
Appeals (Decision Reviews)
If you believe that the decision on your conduct case was reached in error, you have the right to appeal the decision to an assistant director in residence life within 14 days of the decision date. You can learn more about this process and bases for review in the Rights and Responsibilities document. You can submit an appeal by following the link in the decision letter for your case. The Student Advocacy Program (SAP) can offer assistance with completing these appeals.
Petitions
You have the right to petition fees, fines, and charges that have been placed on your account. You may petition charges only after they have been placed on your account. University Housing convenes a petitions committee each month to review these petitions for specific criteria. The Student Advocacy Program (SAP) can offer assistance with completing petitions. In order to initiate a petition, log into your My Housing portal and look for the petition form on the Forms page.
Exceptions to the contract may be requested by petition describing the bases for the request. Petitions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. University Housing will consider information available and provided in support of the request. In addition to your submitted written statement and documentation, the housing committee may request further documentation, contact and consult with other university departments and staff members.
The petition/appeal will not be reviewed if the documentation provided is incomplete or otherwise deemed by the housing committee as inadequate to permit a final decision. All committee decisions will be provided in writing through email. All documents submitted, including statements, are confidential. University Housing retains sole discretion in granting or denying petitions and all decisions are final.
Complicity Policy
Any resident found to be reasonably knowledgeable of violations of policy may be considered complicit unless the resident attempts to stop/address the violation, reports it to staff, or removes themself from the situation. Complicity includes being in the presence of others violating policy (e.g., consuming prohibited substances, vandalism, etc.). This policy is meant to encourage residents to take ownership of their community and help monitor the wellbeing of their neighbors.
Responsible Action Policy
The University of Oregon is committed to maintaining the safety of our students. In order to remove any barriers or deterrents to contacting authorities for help during emergencies, the UO created the Responsible Action protocol to protect students from administrative sanctions related to drugs and alcohol when calling for help. Consequently, no student experiencing or reporting sexual misconduct or seeking medical assistance for an alcohol- or other drug-related emergency will be subject to UO student conduct action related to the possession or consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Fines and Fees
University Housing has the right to charge fines and fees to residents’ accounts for conduct administration fees, damages, repair costs, fire safety compliance, and other purposes as described in the Residence Hall contract. This includes charges for a group of residents within a room/floor/hall to address common area damages caused by an unknown party. For more information, see the Common Hall Charges document.