TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE: University Restorative Intervention Processes

“To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized—this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life” (Ellen G. White, “Education”, pages 15–16).

As members of the Andrews community, student rights and responsibilities must be balanced with the needs and responsibilities of each member of the community. The University’s responsibility to uphold established community values is balanced with the desire to foster opportunities for the growth and development of the individual student.

Student Conduct Intervention Framework 

Return to: Student Handbook 2025-2026  

The Student Conduct Intervention processes at Andrews University are designed to foster personal responsibility for one’s own spiritual, mental and physical growth. This includes personal accountability to uphold the Andrews Community Values Agreement students affirmed during the application process as well as to respect every member of the Andrews community.

A voluntary commitment to the Andrews Community Values requires personal integrity and self-discipline, which generally dispenses with the need for the University to intervene with corrective discipline. Inevitably, however, there will be occasions when students fail to exercise self-discipline and do not fulfill their commitment to the Andrews Community Values and the Code of Student Conduct. On such occasions, it becomes necessary for the University to intervene.

The Student Conduct Intervention process seeks to hold students accountable for their conduct, by taking responsibility for the consequences of their choices. As such, student conduct processes are not intended to include direct participation by parents or external parties.

The University’s approach is designed to facilitate more than just a change in the student’s conduct. Most importantly, the University seeks to do so within a student development framework that is both educational and restorative.  

As in the classroom, the University seeks to foster student learning in the development of critical thinking skills. Thus, through the educational aspect of the Student Conduct Intervention Process, students are challenged to reflect upon and deepen their understanding of how their choices impact their own lives as well as the lives of others. They are also called to determine if their conduct is in alignment with who they want to be and who God is calling them to become.

The University seeks to be restorative and foster the transformation of Christ-like character in our students. Ultimately, we not only seek to inspire students to successfully reach their academic goals at Andrews, but to be prepared for “the joy of service in this world and the higher joy of wider service in the world to come” (“Education,” p. 13).

The University will strive to provide students with processes that are fundamentally fair, which include students being informed of the nature of any alleged violation(s) and being given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegation(s). 

As a religious institution, Andrews University claims constitutional guarantees that permit it to have expectations for students and employees regarding their duty to uphold biblical principles of morality, deportment and appearance as interpreted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Code of Student Conduct 

Return to: Student Handbook 2025-2026  

The Code of Student Conduct is a formal notification to students of their responsibilities embedded in their choice to be a member of the Andrews community as well as their responsibilities to the members of Andrews University. Students are provided notice of the Code of Student Conduct annually in the form of a link on the University website.

A student is an individual to whom an offer of admission has been extended, paid an acceptance fee, registered for credit or non-credit bearing classes, or otherwise entered into another agreement with the University to take instruction. Student status lasts until an individual graduates, is permanently dismissed, is not registered for two consecutive terms and/or no longer has a continued educational interest in the University.

Admission to the University is not a right. It is a privilege that entails acceptance of individual responsibility and exercising self-discipline to uphold our academic standards and community values.

All students are responsible for reading and abiding by the Code of Student Conduct. Regardless of status, undergraduate or graduate, all students should expect to receive consequences, up to and including dismissal from the University, if the student engages, or attempts to engage, in any misconduct set forth in the Code of Student Conduct, whether it takes place on-campus, off-campus or online. Students who host guests may be held accountable for the misconduct of their guests.

The list that follows is not comprehensive but does provide a good-faith representation of violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

1. Failure to Comply with Directives of University Officials or Campus Safety officers acting in performance of their duties. This includes, but is not limited to, the failure to identify oneself to one of these officials when requested to do so, failure to comply with a No Contact Order, or to complete a directive prescribed by the conduct process.
2. Dishonesty 

Conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

3. Profane, Obscene, Indecent Expressions Conduct includes, but is not limited to, actions, images, words, such as indecent exposure, public nudity or sexually or other offensive expressions, whether via phone, email, texts, social media and other types of activity, etc.
4. Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct 
   Conduct (regardless of intent), or other types of obstructive or dysfunctional behaviors that compromise the educational, residential, work, campus life environment, or the well-being, health and safety of others
5. Disrespectful, Abusive, Bullying Conduct of Another
   Verbal, written, physical and other forms of inappropriate, disrespectful, intimidating, harassing, or bullying (degrading, humiliating, malicious or defamatory) behaviors which compromise the dignity, emotional well-being, health or safety of any person/animal (i.e., child abuse or animal cruelty); includes, but is not limited to, in person, phone calls, electronic emails, texts and all forms of online or social network communications.
6. Bias Incidents, Discriminating Against, or Harassment of Another on the Basis of Protected Characteristics 
   See definition and included characteristics in section on bias, discrimination, and harassment.
7. Threats or Threatening Expressions
   Conduct or statements that directly express or imply an intention to inflict emotional or physical harm or death on another person or on a specific or general target.
8. Hazing
   An intentional or reckless act that the person knew or should have known endangers the physical or emotional well-being of an individual, and that is traditionally done for the purpose of being initiated into or affiliating with an established group or organization.
9. Physical Aggression or Assault 
   An encounter with blows or other personal violence between two or more people. Includes acts of hitting, pushing, kicking, spitting, pulling hair, etc.
10. Relationship Violence or Abuse 
    Conduct that includes domestic violence, dating violence and stalking behaviors.
11. Sexual Exploitation
    Without effective consent, conduct that includes: causing the prostitution of another person; electronically recording, photographing or transmitting intimate or sexual utterances, acts, sounds or images of another person; allowing third parties to observe sexual acts; engaging in voyeurism; intentionally exposing a person’s private body parts to others; or knowingly having a sexually transmitted infection (including HIV) and failing to inform a sexual partner prior to engaging in sexual activity.
12. Sex or Gender-based Harassment/Discrimination 
    Conduct that includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault, non-consensual sexually related contact and non-consensual sexual penetration, quid pro quo harassment, hostile environment harassment, and stalking or lurking (expressing and/or maintaining steady romantic interest that is unwelcomed and/or unrequited). See Title IX Policy for definition of misconduct, which may violate this Code of Student Conduct even if it doesn’t fall within the jurisdiction of Title IX.
13. Retaliation 
    Any adverse action—such as intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination— against someone for exercising their rights or participating in protected activities, including reporting, complaining, testifying or participating in an investigation under University policy (see “Retaliation” below).
14. Cohabitation 
    Conduct of unmarried members of the opposite sex or hosting overnight visitors of the opposite sex (including sharing a hotel or guest room); entering the residence hall room of a member of the opposite sex (with the exception of a formal open house program or permission from a residence hall dean)
15. Sexually Related Consensual Activity Outside of a Marriage Relationship 
    Sexually related behavior that includes but is not limited to inappropriate displays of affection; intercourse and conduct promoting such intimacy (i.e., nudity, partial undress, lying or sleeping in bed together), accessing, possessing or displaying pornographic or other sexually explicit materials; and sexting or other virtual forms of sexual activity. The University recognizes a distinction between sex outside of marriage and a resulting pregnancy. While sex outside of marriage is a code violation, a pregnancy resulting from sex outside of marriage is not in itself subject to disciplinary action. View more information in the Parent, Family and Pregnancy Framework  .
16. Romantic Behaviors Between Individuals of the Same Sex and Failing to Navigate the Campus According to Gender Assigned at Birth
    (understanding that not all displays of affection are romantic in nature and understanding that there are other gender-related complexities). View more information in A Framework for Relating to Sexuality and Gender on the Campus of Andrews University. 
17. Use (on- or off-campus), Possession (in one’s residence, vehicle, belongings or on person), Purchase, Distribution, Manufacture,  Sale or Attempts to Facilitate the Purchase or Presence of Prohibited Substance and/or Paraphernalia
    This includes the following:
       a. Tobacco in any form
       b. Alcoholic beverages (or empty alcohol containers) in any form
       c. Marijuana in any form
       d. Illegal drugs or drug-related paraphernalia
       e. Other paraphernalia, including roach clips, bongs, hookahs, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, papers, scales or any material or apparatus containing drug residue etc., 
       f.  Controlled substances or misuse of prescription drugs
       g. ​Violation of local, state or federal laws related to substances
18. Proximity to Prohibited Substances
    Alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, such as parties where alcohol or illegal drugs, etc., are present and served by another host.
19. Hosting/Planning Events Where Prohibited Substances are Present 
    Students have additional responsibility for the activities that take place in their own residence or elsewhere where alcohol is served or consumed and/or illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia are present.
20. Inappropriate Activities 
    Conduct that does not meet the high standards of Christian values or campus protocols, including but not limited to sexually explicit dancing, gambling and pornography.        
21. Participation in Unregistered Organizations 
    Students should not participate in student organizations that are not registered with the Student Life office. Student organizational activities must be approved by the faculty/staff sponsor and the Student Life office.
22. Unauthorized Use of Andrews University’s Name or Facilities
    This may include purposes that are not consistent with the Code of Student Conduct and the values of Andrews University.
23. Possession or use of Firearms, or Weapons and/or Paraphernalia
    Firearms, weapons and/or paraphernalia of any kind are not allowed on University property, in any vehicle parked on University property or at any University function. This includes, but is not limited to, explosive, flammable substances, rifles, shotguns, pistols, paintball guns, BB guns, pellet guns, bow and arrows, stun guns, Tasers, “air-soft” guns, look-alike firearms, knives with blades longer than three inches (excluding culinary knives) and martial arts weapons. It should be understood that any object used to threaten, intimidate, or harm someone else may be interpreted as a violation of this weapons policy. The manufacturing of any part of a firearm or explosive, as well as the use or possession of any firearm/weapon or storage of ammunition on University property, is cause for immediate action up to and including dismissal. For further explanation, please see andrews.edu/safety.
24. Destruction or Defacement of Property
    Attempted or actual vandalism, fire setting (without authorization) arson, destruction damage or defacement to individual, public or University property. Removal of institutional property from its designated place.
25. Endangering the Health or Safety of Others
    Conduct that may constitute a safety or health hazard or violate an established safety protocol, but is not limited to, includes popping of doors, giving access to non-residents, tampering with, covering, removing, fire or life safety equipment, deliberate misuse of a fire alarm system or other emergency equipment (Civil Code may bring up to one year in prison and up to a $500 fine), failing to evacuate a building during a fire alarm, fire setting and projecting objects that may cause injury.
26. Unauthorized Use of University Property 
    This includes but is not limited to entry or exit of campus buildings by any means other than the designated entrances; use of an exit for non-emergency purposes during timeframes when usage is established for emergency purposes only; unauthorized use of University facilities, including unauthorized events and presence (non-criminal trespassing) in facilities after established operational hours; and unauthorized possession, duplication or use of University key(s) or other access devices to any University space or equipment.
27. A Legal Conviction or Confirmation of a Violation of Federal, State or Local Law Note: University Student Conduct action does not preclude the possibility of civil or criminal charges being placed against an individual, nor does the filing of civil or criminal charges preclude Student Conduct action by the University.
28. Failure to Model Good Citizenship and/or Leadership within the University or in the community.
29. Failure to Utilize Established Resolution Processes
30. Violation of any University Policy or Code 
    Policies/codes may be published in this Handbook, sent electronically and/or posted on the University website, such as a Residence Life, Campus Safety or a Public Health policy.             

The Code of Student Conduct is reviewed annually. Input from students and other members of the Andrews University community is welcome. The University retains the right to instate additional policies or modify existing policies as needs may dictate. Any expectation published by the administration in informal written communication and/or online requires the same respect and compliance as expectations available in official publications.

Any questions related to the interpretation of this code should be referred to the vice president for Campus & Student Life.

Student Conduct Intervention Processes 

Return to: Student Handbook 2025-2026  

• The president delegates authority to the chief academic officer for the development and application of the academic policies. The chief academic officer, along with the academic deans, applies academic policies.
• The president delegates authority to the vice president for Campus & Student Life for the development and application of student conduct policies.
• The vice president for Campus & Student Life may delegate to Student Life personnel the application of student conduct policies and consequences for violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

Reporting Violations of the Code of Student Conduct

Students and University employees are encouraged to share reports of violations of the Code of Student Conduct directly with a Student Life administrator or a Residence Life dean. Careful consideration and investigative processes, when deemed necessary, will be taken in the context of established policies and processes to determine the best course of action. An online public incident report can also be made here.

Anonymous reporting is discouraged, as it will seriously limit the University’s capacity to investigate and respond to the report.

Self-Report Policy

Students at Andrews University may self-report to the Division of Campus & Student Life that they have been involved in a situation where they have violated or may have violated the Code of Student Conduct, provided that the specific incident has not come to the University’s attention via normal reporting channels and/or any such violations did not place the health or safety of any other person at risk. Self-reports typically do not result in corrective disciplinary actions and do not become a part of a student’s conduct record.

Student Life will work with the student to understand the situation and assist the student in addressing the situation so that they will be in compliance with the Code of Student Conduct in the future. This may include connecting the student to appropriate interventions or resources that fit the situation.

Self-report situations may be complicated, and the outcomes referred to above may be hard to predict. Thus, students have the right to inquire whether a scenario or type of situation would be eligible for a self-report.

To make a self-report, please contact a Residence Life or Student Life dean. 

Retaliation

• Retaliation is any adverse action, including intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination, against any person by the University, a student, employee or a person authorized by the University to provide aid, benefit or service under the University’s education program or activity, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by law or policy, or because the person has engaged in protected activity, including reporting information, making a complaint, testifying, assisting, participating or refusing to participate in any manner in an investigation or resolution process under the University Policy. 
• An allegation of retaliation should be reported to a Student Life or Human Resources official.
• The exercise of rights protected under the First Amendment does not constitute retaliation. It is also not retaliation for the University to pursue policy violations against those who make materially false statements in bad faith in the course of a resolution. However, the determination of responsibility, by itself, is not sufficient to conclude that any party has made a materially false statement in bad faith.
• If a report of retaliation relates to an active University case that has not yet gone to a resolution, the investigative processes can be combined into the current case investigative processes. Retaliation may be substantiated even without a finding of responsibility.

Interim Measures

The University may consider appropriate interim protective measures including, but not limited to, academic, class, work, committee or housing reassignments; No Contact Orders; restrictions on academic or cocurricular activities; campus bans; etc., to facilitate the well-being of the parties involved, the broader community and/or the integrity of the investigative and resolution process. Interim measures are for a provisional period of time pending the outcome of an investigation or until a specified condition is met. Understanding that interim actions do not typically assume a student has been found responsible for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, a disciplinary action could be implemented at the point that a student accepts responsibility for the violation.

No Contact Order

A student, faculty or staff member who provides relevant evidence and feels they are the target of threats, harassment, intimidation, excessive communication or other similar behaviors that pose a concern to his/her safety or well-being may request a No Contact Order (NCO). No Contact Orders requested by students are issued at the discretion of Campus & Student Life. Interim No Contact Orders may be implemented by Campus Safety as a precautionary measure, pending further review by Campus and Student Life.

No Contact Orders are issued at the discretion of Campus & Student Life for requesting students. A NCO will typically remain in effect until the requesting party asks for it to be removed or until Campus & Student Life deems it no longer necessary. If Campus & Student Life determines that the reported behavior does not warrant the issuance of a NCO, the reporting individual will be referred to other forms of conflict resolution offered through the University. Campus & Student Life may put a NCO in place even if parties do not request one, if circumstances warrant it.

No Contact Orders do not become part of a student’s record. However, failure to abide by a NCO may result in disciplinary action for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct or Working Policy, which will become part of a student’s conduct record. Requests by a student for a NCO or reports of violations should be directed to the vice president or the assistant vice president for Campus & Student Life for general concerns or the Title IX coordinator for concerns related to sex or gender-based harassment/discrimination during regular business hours. Requests by faculty/staff for a NCO or reports of violations should be directed to the associate vice president of Human Resources for general concerns and to the deputy Title IX coordinator for concerns related to sex or gender-based harassment/discrimination during regular business hours. Requests or reports of violations on weekends or after hours should be directed to Campus Safety (269-471-3321).

Expectations for Conduct Officials

When a report is made and received at the Campus & Student Life office regarding an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct, the designee of the vice president for Campus & Student Life initiates communication and/or a conference with the student to: 

1. Provide notice to the student(s) involved and a brief summary of the alleged violation.
2. Provide an opportunity for the student to respond to the report and give their own account of the events, verbally and in writing, as well as to offer further information, evidence, additional perspectives, suggestions of witnesses and/or avenues of investigation.
3. Determine if the student accepts responsibility for the allegation.
4. Determine if an investigation needs to be activated to seek additional relevant information regarding any disputed facts.
5. Review relevant policies and the Code of Student Conduct as well as the student conduct intervention processes.
6. Provide care, support, insight and wisdom, and intentionally challenge the student toward personal growth that includes an educational and restorative outcome.

Expectations for Students in the Conduct Process

When notified that they are involved in an incident or alleged misconduct, students are expected to:

1. Respond truthfully about their actions, even at the risk of negative consequences.
2. Take responsibility for their choices and actions.
3. Make an effort to learn and grow, even in difficult situations.
4. Participate respectfully in the investigation and conduct process.
5. Refrain from attempting to influence or intimidate witnesses or complainants.

Student Conduct Determination of Responsibility and Corrective Disciplinary Responses

Minor allegations of misconduct may be assessed informally, and when a student accepts responsibility, established protocols may be applied by a designee acting by the authority of the vice president for Campus & Student Life. 

If it is determined that there has been a serious violation of a University regulation, or a student does not accept responsibility for the allegation, the case is referred to the Student Life Conduct Council. The Student Life Conduct Council determines a) if the student is found responsible for serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct, b) any subsequent corrective disciplinary actions, including warnings, citizenship probation, suspension and dismissal, and c) additional educational and restorative measures.  

In determining an appropriate response to a violation, consideration will be given to the nature of the incident, the student’s account of events and available evidence, within the context of established University protocols.

Students facing an off-campus suspension or dismissal are provided the opportunity for a hearing with the Student Life Conduct Council as well as the opportunity to select an advisor/support person. Such persons will be individuals from within the University’s faculty or staff, as long as they are not a relative of the parties involved. Advisor/support persons may provide support to a student outside the processes, as well as accompany the student to a hearing with the Student Life Conduct Council. However, they may not direct questions to or otherwise address the Council. 

The vice president for Campus & Student Life will be consulted before all major student conduct suspensions of one semester or more are finalized. The vice president for Campus & Student Life will consult with the president before a dismissal from the University is finalized.

University processes are not legal criminal judicial proceedings. Criminal courts make a determination of guilt or innocence of an accused. The student conduct processes at Andrews University make a determination of responsibility. Some students may elect to seek counsel from an attorney at their own expense. However, attorneys are not permitted to be present or speak or otherwise participate in formal University proceedings for general student conduct cases.

Standard of Evidence

A standard of evidence is the measure of how convinced a decision-maker must be about the facts of a case to reach a decision. If there is a lack of clarity or confirmation regarding the alleged report, University personnel will further investigate the allegations, interview parties and witnesses, and make a reasonable effort to gather all relevant evidence.

While criminal courts use a “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard of evidence, University student conduct processes use a lower “preponderance of evidence” standard. This means that it is on the basis of “more likely than not” that a determination is made that a student is responsible for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Therefore, a student may be found responsible for violating a University policy, and at the same time there may be insufficient evidence to be prosecuted in the criminal justice system’s higher standard of evidence.

Notifications and Records

Outcomes of student conduct processes are generally not disclosed to the public, except as may be permitted by FERPA, such as cases involving allegations of crimes of violence. The University may disclose the final results of a disciplinary proceeding to the victim of an alleged crime of violence. This disclosure is permitted regardless of whether the student was found responsible.

The University may inform the academic dean and an undergraduate student’s parent/guardian of more serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct and the resulting consequences. Every effort will be made to encourage students to inform their parents prior to their parents receiving notification from the University.

Student Conduct records are generally retained for seven (7) years, with the exception of those that result in suspension or dismissal. Cases that result in a major suspension or dismissal are retained indefinitely.

Professional Program Standards

In addition to a response from the Student Life Intervention process regarding their status as a student-at-large, students found responsible for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct may receive an initial or an additional response according to the professional program standards of their academic department.

Types of Intervention and Corrective Disciplinary Response
Depending on the severity of the situation, the University’s response may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:

• Conversation with the student and appropriate staff, faculty or administrators to clarify issues and provide an opportunity for learning to take place
• Counsel, written or oral
• Warnings, written or oral
• Citizenship probation (see below)
• Suspension (see below)
• Dismissal (see below)
• Participation in an educational experience, such as psychoeducational classes and online courses
• Participation in a professional assessment and/or counseling session(s) through the University’s Counseling & Testing Center
• Participation in a counseling or mentoring component with a licensed professional (such as an on-campus counselor from the Counseling & Testing Center, a chaplain or pastor, or from an off-campus provider)
• Participation with an accountability advisor or a facilitated interaction between the student and a University faculty/and or staff designed to provide accountability, structured support and the creation of an educational and restorative plan
• Participation in a student success plan or voluntary service, on- or off-campus
• No Contact Order
• Fines or restitution
• Separation from all classes and organized campus activities
• Separation from the campus property under the terms of a campus ban (violation of a campus ban may include legal consequences)
• Additional academic consequences, up to and including dismissal from an academic program

Citizenship Probation

A student may be placed on citizenship probation for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct for a designated period of time that generally spans for 15 weeks of class registration. Citizenship probation may also be included in  suspension-level responses. As part of a probationary status, privileges such as formal student leadership offices, participation in the Cardinal Athletic Program and other campus activities may be removed. Honor, curfew and overnight leave privileges may also be removed for residence hall students. In general, a student on citizenship probation should expect that any further disregard of the Code of Student Conduct will result in a more serious response including suspension, withdrawal and dismissal.

Suspension

At the discretion of the University or the Student Life Conduct Council, there are several types of suspensions and timeframes involving both required class attendance as well as separation from classes, activities and the University.

Timeframes. The suspension time frame may be as follows:

1. Definite: The duration is known and stated.
2. Indefinite: The duration may be unknown until some components are completed; even so an indefinite suspension generally identifies the minimal suspension time period, for example, of not less than a year. 
3. Interim: Pending the outcome of an investigation or until a specified condition is met. In special circumstances, such as to facilitate the safety or well-being of members of the University community, an interim leave or suspension may be activated prior to a determination of responsibility.
4. A deferred suspension may be for a definite period of time that is served at a later period of time.

​Locations and restrictions. The terms of suspension may be as follows:

1. Off-campus Suspension Components
   
   a. Short-term (generally one semester)
   b. Mid-term (ranges up to one year)
   c. Longer-term (ranges from two–four years)
   d. Suspension is served at student’s off-campus home or off-campus location
   e. Suspension from attending classes, campus activities and work; may also include a campus ban
   f. If a suspension for the remainder of the semester occurs prior to the last scheduled date to withdraw from classes, the student may complete the formal exit/withdrawal process to receive “W”s for their classes. Receiving grades, incompletes or deferred grades is not an option. Partial tuition refunds are potentially available only early in the semester, as established in the Andrews University Bulletin.
   g. Include Citizenship Probation
   h. Includes restorative and educational interventions
2. On-campus or In-Class Suspension Components 

Further disregard of University expectations may result in a student being dismissed.

Dismissal

A student who is dismissed for student conduct violations is generally permanently separated from the University as well as from the academic program in which they are enrolled. This means that the student would not be eligible for readmission to any academic program and may also be issued a ban from visiting the campus for any purpose.

Appeal Processes for Student Conduct Intervention and Corrective Disciplinary Response

An appeal is not granted in response to general dissatisfaction with the outcome of a disciplinary case. The limited grounds on which the University will consider granting a request to activate an appeal process are one or more of the following:

1. Procedural Irregularity: The original processes had a procedural irregularity that could affect the outcome of the matter.
2. New Evidence: New and relevant evidence that (a) was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made and (b) could affect the outcome of the matter. A summary of such new information should be included in the request.
3. Conflict of Interest: The decision-makers had a conflict of interest or bias that could affect the outcome of the matter.
4. Substantive Disproportionate Response: The University’s response was clearly disproportionate to the established range of consequences for the violation.

Responses to violations of the Code of Student Conduct that are at the level of probation or below are not eligible for the formal appeal process.

Request to Activate for an Process

The formal request for an appeal to student conduct intervention responses should be directed to the vice president for Campus & Student Life who serves as the appeals officer, with a copy to the chair of the Student Life Conduct Council, within three business days of receiving written notice of the decision. The request to activate an appeal process must consist of a concise written statement outlining the grounds for the appeal as described above. 

The scope of the authority of the appeals officer is to provide a determination and rationale as to whether or not the appeal request identified one or more valid grounds as described above to facilitate the appeal process. 

The University typically implements the original University response during the appeal process.

The Appeal Process

Given that the student, in most cases, has already had a face-to-face hearing with a Student Life dean and/or the Student Life Conduct Council, the appeal process does not provide a second opportunity for a face-to-face hearing, nor does it provide a rehearing of the facts or a repeat of the investigative processes. The process is generally limited to the review of a student’s written appeal request or other relevant documents. 

The appeals officer will issue a written determination and rationale regarding whether or not the appeal request included one or more valid ground(s) to facilitate the appeal.

If the appeals officer finds that there was a substantive procedural irregularity, new evidence of a substantial nature or a substantive disproportionate response, the case will be returned for further proceedings to the original Student Life Conduct Council. If, however, there has been a finding of bias or a conflict of interest on the part of an original member of the Student Life Conduct Council, the case will be reviewed before a newly constituted Conduct Appeals Panel. 

The chair of the Conduct Appeals Panel will issue a written determination and rationale regarding the outcome of the appeal

The original Student Life Conduct Council or the new Conduct Appeals Panel can (a) uphold the original decision, (b) alter the original decision and/or (c) alter the Conduct Council’s (disciplinary) response.

If the appeals officer rejects all the grounds raised on appeal, the original decision of the Student Life Conduct Council will be upheld.

The decision of the Conduct Appeals Panel will be final; however, in cases involving a dismissal, the student may request a final review of the case by the vice president for Campus & Student Life in consultation with the University president.

False Report

The University also prohibits members of the community from knowingly filing a false report. However, a report made in good faith is not considered false merely because the evidence does not ultimately support the allegation of misconduct. Acts of knowingly filing false reports are, by themselves, cause for disciplinary action.

University Authority and Civil Penalties

The University will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of the law and the conditions imposed by the courts. When a student is charged by federal, state or local authorities with a violation of a law, the University will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of their status or former status as a student. If the offense is also subject to a corrective disciplinary response for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, the University may elect to advise off-campus authorities how such matters are generally handled internally within the University community and the consequences that will likely be imposed by the University. Individual students, faculty and staff members, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives as they deem appropriate.

A student who is charged with violating the law may also incur consequences prescribed by the University (in addition to those prescribed by the civil authorities) when the Code of Student Conduct has been violated. Depending on the circumstances, the University may proceed with, or postpone, its inquiries or investigations while a criminal investigation is underway. The University reserves the right to proceed in a manner that best protects its students or its interests.

If a student living in a residence hall is accused of or arrested for breaking a federal, state or local law, their parents may request a short-term loan of up to $500 to help with bond, provided it is legally allowed. This loan may be acquired after approval by the vice president for Campus & Student Life in consultation with Student Financial Services.

Registered Sex Offender Policy Statement

In accordance with the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, information regarding registered sex offenders is provided by the State of Michigan to the public as well as the campus community. All sex offenders are required to register in the state of Michigan and to provide notice to each institution of higher education in Michigan at which the person is employed, carries a vocation or is a student. The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry can be reviewed here.

All sex offenders are required to deliver written notice of their status as a sex offender to Andrews University no later than sixty (60) calendar days prior to their enrollment in, employment with, volunteering at, attending public programs at, or residence at Andrews University.

Thank You for Choosing Andrews 

Return to: Student Handbook 2025-2026  

By choosing Andrews, you choose to be part of a unique living and learning environment. Our Seventh-day Adventist Christian faith and values set us apart as a community that seeks to love God with all our hearts and souls and minds, and our neighbor as ourselves. 

Whether or not you share our particular faith perspective, we invite you to live within the values that make Andrews a welcoming and supportive environment for all who seek a faith-based education.