Frequently Asked Questions by Students

Below you'll find some frequently asked questions.  Please check over these for more information regarding the Office of Student Judicial Affairs.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Office of Student Judicial Affairs?
2. I received a Student Non-Academic Misconduct (SNAM) citation, what do I do now?
3. How do you make your decision about if I violated policy?
4. So how will I be sanctioned?
5. Will my parents find out about this?
6. If the violation also involves an alleged crime, can I be prosecuted criminally AND also through OSJA?
7. Why does the Code of Student Conduct apply to my behavior off campus?
8. Why do I have a disciplinary hold on my records?
9. I can't finish my sanctions by the deadline, what should I do?< strong>

What is the Office of Student Judicial Affairs?

OSJA serves as the central coordinating office for implementation of the Code of Student Conduct.  The office acts on reports of possible violations from students, faculty & staff, law enforcement and others.  The staff of the Office of Student Judicial Affairs is committed to working with students to develop a campus community with high standards of civility as well as academic achievement. 

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I received a Student Non-Academic Misconduct (SNAM) citation, what do I do now?

SNAM's are issued to students when a University Police Officer believes a student may have violated the Code of Student Conduct.  As it indicates on the bottom of the citation, the student MUST contact OSJA at 348-8234 by 4:45 p.m. on the next business day to schedule an appointment. 

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How do you make your decision about if I violated  policy?

A standard of evidence is the measuring stick by which we make a decision.  The University of Alabama uses a Preponderance of Evidence in order to find a student in violation of policy.  The student is not responsible for violating policies unless proven otherwise; however, unlike a court of law, the standard of evidence which must be met in order to prove a student violated policy is less stringent, a Preponderance of Evidence .  In other words, if you imagine weighing the evidence on some imaginary scale, it must be more than 50% convincing that a policy was violated.  Another way of stating it is "Is it more likely than not that a policy was violated?"

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So how will I be sanctioned?

OSJA operates under an educational philosophy, and as such, does not believe that punishment is the best way to educate.  Our sanctions (from a Disciplinary Warning to University Suspension) range depending on:

• The nature of violations (what you did)
• Prior violations / previous disciplinary history (what you have done before)
• Mitigating circumstances surrounding the violation (unusual circumstances)
• Your motivation for the behavior (why you chose to take this action)
• Sanctions involved in cases involving similar violations (precedent)
• The developmental and educational impact (how this is going to affect you)

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Will my parents find out about this?

Student records are protected under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.  In general, parents of a student less than 21 years of age will be notified of any violation of the University's drug and alcohol policies.  Students may choose to sign a release, giving permission for the staff of OSJA to have contact with their parents.  This is often helpful when students are facing the possibility of suspension from the University.  Most often it is the student who shares this information with their parents.  This is a position we actively encourage.  Parental support is a key ingredient in a student's long term success, no matter what the judicial outcome. 

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If the violation also involves an alleged crime, can I be prosecuted criminally AND also through OSJA?

Yes.  This does not constitute double jeopardy.  Students have a separate relationship to the University that is different from their responsibilities as citizens.  For example, if an employee steals from her / his employer, they can be fired as well as prosecuted for embezzlement. 

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Why does the Code of Student Conduct apply to my behavior off campus?

The Code of Student Conduct indicates that the University reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to investigate "activities which adversely affects the University community and / or the pursuit of its objectives."  This means that the University recognizes that a student does not act in a vacuum.  It is reasonable to assume that some behaviors exhibited by students, even off campus, might have a negative impact on the health, safety, or welfare of the campus community.  This section of the Code affords the University the opportunity to act to protect the broader interests of the students and the University.

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Why do I have a disciplinary hold on my records?

There are a variety of reasons that OSJA may place a disciplinary hold on a student record.  Please contact OSJA immediately to determine why there is a hold on your specific record.  The following is a general list:

• The student has not contact this office to resolve an alleged violation of the Code.
• The student has not completed their sanction by the due date for that case.
• The student has missed appointments with OSJA.

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I can't finish my sanctions by the deadline, what should I do?

Contact OSJA immediately.  There are some circumstances where a student may qualify for an extension.  That decision must be made by an OSJA staff member.  Extensions are not able to be granted by persons who supervise community service work. 

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