Groups, Organizations & Collective Responsibility
Groups & Recognized Student Organizations
Groups of students and recognized student organizations (here after referred to as "student groups") are expected to comply with all University policies, including the Student Code of Conduct and all additional policies pertaining to groups and organizations. Student groups are defined within the UHAS process as student-run groups that are either recognized by the University as student organizations or independent student-led entities. These include, but are not limited to, registered student organizations, University housing affiliated groups, academic/department affiliated and/or professional organizations, recreation and athletic teams, and organizations connected to a third-party business or corporation. The decision to hold a group or organization responsible as a whole is ultimately determined by examining circumstances and factors of a situation and by taking into account factors including, but not limited to, whether the actions:
1. Were committed by one or more officers or authorized representative acting in the scope of their student group capacities;
2. Involved, were committed by, or were condoned by (actively or passively) a significant number of group members, alumni, or guests;
3. Occurred at or in connection with an activity or event funded, sponsored, publicized, advertised, or communicated about by the student group;
4. Occurred at a location over which the student group had control at the time of the action;
5. Occurred at or in connection with an activity or event that reasonable people would associate with the student group;
6. Should have been foreseen by the student group or its officers, but reasonable precautions against such actions were not taken;
7. Were the result of a policy or practice of the student group;
8. Would be attributable to the organization under the student group’s own policies (including local or national risk management guidelines); or
9. Were taken by individuals who, but for their affiliation with the student group, would not have been involved in the incident.
Or whether:
10. One or more officers or members of a student group fail to report knowledge or information about a violation to, or otherwise fail to cooperate with, appropriate University or emergency officials; or
11. The student group, or any member acting on its behalf, fails to satisfactorily complete the terms of any disciplinary sanction or outcome.
Resources for Student Organization Leaders
A Resource Guide and Flowchart of the community standards process
Collective & Individual Responsibility
Student groups, as well as their members and officers, may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations of the Code of Student Conduct or other University policies as part of their role during an incident or participation in the UHAS process. See also Misconduct within the Student Conduct Process (Student Handbook, p. 23).
Additionally, in cases where students are knowingly affiliating with or providing assistance to unrecognized student groups, the University will use the Groups and Recognized Student Organizations factors to determine if Misconduct Related to Unrecognized Student Organizations or Groups may apply (see Student Handbook, page 24).
For information on student groups on a current disciplinary status, please see Student Group Conduct Status Report.