Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens when I refer a student to the Judicial Affairs Office?
The student is sent a letter from the Judicial Affairs office providing them with an appointment to meet with a Student Judicial Affairs Officer (SJAO) regarding that complaint. The student will also receive a copy of the California Code of Regulations under Title V, section 41301-41304 and the judicial procedure at San Francisco State University (E.O. 970 and E.O. 969-Judicial Sanction).
2. What will happen at this meeting?
The student is told the reason for the referral and is given an opportunity to tell the Student Judicial Affairs Officer their side of the incident or what they know about the situation. It is here where the student takes responsibility for his/her part of the incident.
3. Will the JAO make a decision about whether a University rule has been violated?
Yes, in most instances during this part of the judicial process (the Informal Conference) the JAQ will adjudicate the case and provide a sanction agreement with the student. If the student does not agree with the sanction or refuses to participate in the disciplinary process, a formal hearing will be scheduled.
4. What information should I provide the JAO regarding my referral?
As the referring party, you must submit all information/knowledge that you have about the incident, including information from witnesses, documents such as tests, notes, term papers, assignments and police/incident reports, etc.
5. Will I attend the informal conference to give my side of the incident?
No, the referring party does not attend the informal conference. The JAO meets with the student in a confidential one-on-one meeting. In the event of a formal hearing, the referring party will be called to provide testimony on the facts of the case.
6. Will I be told the results of the case?
No, unless the end result is needed in order to submit a grade.
7. What if I don’t want to ruin the student’s life or keep them from getting into a graduate school, or from getting a job?!
As an education institution is one of our primary goals of the campus disciplinary process is to help students learn from their mistakes. Usually , no permanent records are retained, and nothing goes on a student’s transcripts regarding the disciplinary action. Only if the sanction involves suspension or expulsion is it noted on transcripts. Disciplinary records are confidential and generally cannot be released to others without the student’s consent. In all but a very few cases, a student discipline record will not prevent one from applying and being admitted into medical, law, dental, or other professional or graduate schools.
If you have any further questions about Student Judicial Affairs or student discipline, you can call the Office of Student Judicial Affairs at (415) 338-2032, located in the Student Affairs/Dean of Students Office.