Lafayette College is a private educational institution that cares about its students and maintaining a safe, healthy environment where all students can thrive. As such, Lafayette has a vested interest in providing space for students to think through their decisions, including the impact of their decisions on others, and in maintaining community standards. The Office of Student Conduct aims to provide guidance, support, and accountability as students explore their independence and vibrant new community.
The Office of Student Conduct advances the mission of the College by promoting a living-learning environment that is conducive to educational achievement and to the integration of intellectual, social, and personal growth.
The Office of Student Conduct is overseen by the assistant dean of students, and day to day operations are managed by the senior associate director of residence life. Each conduct case is assigned to a case administrator. In addition to the assistant dean and senior associate director, case administrators are staff members selected by the vice president for student life to be trained to serve in this capacity. The case administrator will reach out to the student who allegedly violated the policy to schedule a conduct meeting. Students and case administrators engage in dialogue regarding the incident to determine the appropriate outcome based on the conduct procedures explained in the Student Handbook.
The Student Conduct Board consists of faculty members and students who are selected and trained to hear complex conduct cases. Campus Life administrators also receive training and sit on Board cases. Three people, in any composition of faculty, students, and Campus Life staff, are assigned per case, and three additional people are assigned per appeal. No person who heard a particular case will sit on that case’s appeal.