Student Code of Conduct

Pursuing Charges

Judicial action may be pursued against any student who allegedly commits a violation of the Code of Conduct. The complainant is any individual who brings forth information indicating that a currently enrolled USA student may have violated the student Code of Conduct and who wishes to have charges filed against that student. A victim is any individual who may have suffered any harm or loss or threat at the hands of a currently enrolled USA student due to a violation of the Code. A victim does not have to serve as the complainant. A witness is any individual who has information regarding an incident which is an alleged violation of the Code.

The decision to pursue is made by the judicial hearing officer; an unfavorable decision may be appealed to an ad hoc committee of the University Disciplinary Committee, a pre-selected and trained group of students and faculty. No individual can force charges to be filed, nor is participation by complainants, witnesses, or victims necessary for judicial charges to be filed and action pursued.

Student judicial proceedings and actions are not subject to challenge or postponement on the grounds that criminal or civil charges involving the same incident have been dismissed, reduced, or are pending in court. No individual can force charges to be dropped.