4. Violation of Law and University Discipline

University conduct proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with a violation of a law which may also be a violation of this Code without regard to pending civil litigation in court or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under this Code may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings at the discretion of a University Conduct Officer. Misconduct determinations made or outcomes imposed under this Code shall not be subject to change because civil causes of action or criminal charges, which arise out of the same facts that gave rise to a violation of University rules, are dismissed, reduced, settled, or resolved in favor of or against the civil or criminal law defendant. Any evidence in the possession of law enforcement which is not accessible by a University Conduct Officer, the Office of Institutional Equity, and/or their designee shall be excluded from consideration in all University conduct proceedings and the University shall not be imputed with knowledge of any such evidence.

When a student is charged by federal, state, or local authorities with a violation of law, the University will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of their status as a student. If the alleged offense is also being processed under the Code, the University may advise off-campus authorities of the existence of the Code and of how such matters are typically handled within the University community. The University will attempt to cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for rehabilitation of student violators (provided that the conditions do not conflict with campus rules or outcomes). Individual students and other members of the University community, acting in their personal capacities, remain free to interact with governmental representatives as they deem appropriate.