How to find support if your student gets in trouble
During your student’s college experience, they may have a time when they violate the Student Code of Conduct. For example, underage drinking, disputes among individuals or unreasonable noise can lead to violations.
While a violation can feel concerning to families, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ has resources to help students navigate these challenging situations and grow from their experiences. Here are positive steps your student can take if they find themself in trouble.
Ìý Understanding the Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution processÌý
If your student has an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct on or off campus, they may receive a referral to Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution (SCCR). Anyone can refer a student to SCCR if they believe there was a violation. Boulder Police Department and CU Police Department also refer students to SCCR.
When SCCR receives a referral, they email the referred student a resolution meeting letter, which includes instructions on how to sign up for a meeting. This letter is not a penalty or sentencing. It is an opportunity for students to work with SCCR to reflect on and repair any harm caused by violating the Code of Conduct. The letter invites the student to meet with a resolution specialist who can help them through the conduct process.
The resolution meeting is a chance for the student to tell their side of the story. The student conduct process treats students fairly and openly and follows due process. If they are found responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct, they may be assigned resolution outcomes such as:
- Educational classes.
- Restorative justice.
- Other outcomes that impact the student’s status at CU.
Ìý Resolution specialists are there to helpÌý
Resolution specialists are an excellent resource. They can guide your student through the conduct process and help them reflect on the incident.
The resolution team is open to discussing the conduct process and policies to ensure students feel prepared and comfortable. The meeting with a resolution specialist is also a great time to address specific questions about navigating the Code of Conduct moving forward.
Resolution specialists help determine if resources are available on campus or in the Boulder community that can assist in creating a personal plan to minimize or eliminate harm in the future. The specialists can connect your student with educational opportunities through on-campus partners such as:
Ìý Going beyond what’s required to repair harm
The CU Restorative Justice Program (CURJ) helps empower students to repair harm and make things right. The program’s goal is to help students recognize that their mistakes impacted more people than just themselves. Plus, should your student be referred to CURJ during the conduct process, they will have a say in what they can do to repair harm.
Restorative justice allows your student to share their story with others in the community. This can include their hall director, resident advisor, roommate, friends, classmates, professors, instructors, off-campus neighbors or volunteers who work with CURJ. Together, they and those impacted address the harms of their actions and develop a plan to make things right.
There are endless ways that students can go about repairing harm. Some examples include:
- Delivering care packages to neighbors.
- Volunteering at food banks.
- Supporting Buff Pantry.
- Writing letters of apology and appreciation.
- Sharing their story with their friends and classmates.
Even if they are not referred to CURJ, your student can still take similar steps to repair harm in a safe and healthy way. They can continue to reflect on their actions to determine if there are additional impacts they want to address with friends and family or the greater campus and Boulder communities.
Students can also get involved with CURJ to support their peers during difficult times. Students can volunteer as community representatives, train as facilitators or intern with CURJ. Anyone interested in those opportunities should email curj@colorado.edu.
If you or your student has questions about the conduct process, email studentconduct@colorado.edu.
Ìý Need legal help?
Student Legal Services helps students resolve or minimize their legal situations so they can focus on school. Consultations and representation are available for a fraction of the cost of a private attorney to all ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ students paying student activity fees.
Students can contact Student Legal Services to schedule an appointment:
- UMC 311
- 303-492-6813