California · Public University
California State University, San Bernardino Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense
Facing a Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office proceeding? AdvocatED advisors know CSUSB's specific process under CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, 41301 Standards for Student Conduct).
If you just received notice
What to do right now at CSUSB
- 1Note the exact date on your notice letter and mark every deadline it contains on your calendar, at CSUSB, the appeal window is UNVERIFIED: needs human research, and missing a deadline forecloses your options.
- 2Do not respond substantively yet. Before you reply to the Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office, review CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, 41301 Standards for Student Conduct) so you know the specific procedure that will be applied to your case.
- 3Exercise your right to an advisor. Under CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures, you have the right to be accompanied by an advisor or support person of the student's choosing at the hearing, AdvocatED serves in this role and handles the response on your behalf where permitted.
- 4Preserve everything related to the allegation, emails, drafts, timestamps, communication with classmates, citations. This evidence often decides the case under preponderance of the evidence.
- 5Contact AdvocatED for a free case review before your CSUSB meeting. We'll explain exactly how Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office will approach your case and what response gives you the strongest position.
Governing Policy
CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures · California Code of Regulations, Title 5, 41301 Standards for Student Conduct
10/6/2023
Evidence Standard
preponderance of the evidence
Jurisdiction
UNVERIFIED: needs human research
Who Decides Your Case
Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office (UNVERIFIED: needs human research)
The Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office is staffed by professional administrators within the Division of Student Affairs, led by an Associate Dean of Students who serves as Director, along with an Assistant Director and CARE case management staff. A Student Conduct Administrator reviews reports and, under CSU systemwide procedures, formal hearings are conducted by a Hearing Officer appointed by the President or designee.
How a CSUSB Case Moves
1. How Cases Begin
Any member of the campus community may submit an incident report when they become aware of a possible violation of University policy. Reports may be filed online through the General Campus Incident Form, by phone, or in person at the Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office. A Student Conduct Administrator reviews each report and determines whether the matter should be referred to the disciplinary process for investigation.
2. The Hearing
Student conduct cases follow the CSU systemwide procedures in Executive Order 1098. After a report is reviewed, the Student Conduct Administrator provides the student written notice of the charges and meets with the student to discuss the allegations and explore informal resolution. If the matter is not resolved informally, the case proceeds to a formal hearing before a Hearing Officer appointed by the President or designee. At the hearing the student may be accompanied by an advisor or support person, present evidence and witnesses, and respond to the information presented. The Hearing Officer weighs the evidence under the preponderance of the evidence standard and issues a written decision determining responsibility and any sanction.
3. Appeals
Under CSU systemwide procedures in Executive Order 1098, a student may appeal the decision to the CSU Chancellor's Office within ten working days of the notice of decision. The appeal is a review of the record rather than a new hearing.
Deadline: UNVERIFIED: needs human research
Your Rights at a CSUSB Hearing
- ✓Right to written notice of the specific charges before any sanction is imposed
- ✓Right to meet with the Student Conduct Administrator to discuss the allegations and seek informal resolution
- ✓Right to be accompanied by an advisor or support person of the student's choosing at the hearing
- ✓Right to present evidence and witnesses and to respond to the information presented at the hearing
- ✓Right to appeal the decision to the CSU Chancellor's Office
Sanctions CSUSB Can Impose
Drawn directly from CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, 41301 Standards for Student Conduct).
- 1.Warning or written reprimand
- 2.Educational and restorative sanctions
- 3.Disciplinary probation
- 4.Suspension, a temporary separation from the University
- 5.Expulsion, a permanent separation from the California State University system
What Makes CSUSB's Process Distinctive
Common Violations Referred at CSUSB
Title IX at CSUSB
Institutional Equity & Compliance (Office of Civil Rights & Title IX)
Steven Vasquez, Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator. Located in Santos Manuel Student Union South 103 and Sierra Hall Room 103. Phone: (909) 537-5669. Email: steven.vasquez@csusb.edu or iec@csusb.edu
UNVERIFIED: needs human research
How AdvocatED Helps CSUSB Students
Academic Misconduct Defense
Hearing preparation for CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures cases, including plagiarism, cheating, and unauthorized AI use.
Learn more →Conduct Hearing Preparation
Strategic coaching and preparation for presenting your case before Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office.
Learn more →Dismissal & Suspension Appeals
Building a compelling appeal through CSUSB's appellate process on the grounds that fit your case.
Learn more →Title IX Defense
Navigating Institutional Equity & Compliance (Office of Civil Rights & Title IX) investigations and hearings.
Learn more →CSUSB Resources & Guides
Related guides for CSUSB students
Topic-specific guides that cover the situations CSUSB students most commonly face.
Frequently Asked Questions: CSUSB Students
Who handles academic misconduct cases at CSUSB?
Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office (UNVERIFIED: needs human research) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at CSUSB. The Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office is staffed by professional administrators within the Division of Student Affairs, led by an Associate Dean of Students who serves as Director, along with an Assistant Director and CARE case management staff. A Student Conduct Administrator reviews reports and, under CSU systemwide procedures, formal hearings are conducted by a Hearing Officer appointed by the President or designee. UNVERIFIED: needs human research
What is the evidence standard at CSUSB?
CSUSB applies preponderance of the evidence under CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, 41301 Standards for Student Conduct). Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office uses this standard when determining whether a student is responsible for an alleged violation. The evidence standard is critical because it determines how strong the evidence must be before a finding of responsibility can be made.
What rights do I have during a CSUSB conduct proceeding?
Under CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures, students facing a Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the specific charges before any sanction is imposed; meet with the Student Conduct Administrator to discuss the allegations and seek informal resolution; be accompanied by an advisor or support person of the student's choosing at the hearing; present evidence and witnesses and to respond to the information presented at the hearing. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.
How is an academic misconduct case initiated at CSUSB?
Any member of the campus community may submit an incident report when they become aware of a possible violation of University policy. Reports may be filed online through the General Campus Incident Form, by phone, or in person at the Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office. A Student Conduct Administrator reviews each report and determines whether the matter should be referred to the disciplinary process for investigation.
What sanctions can CSUSB impose for academic misconduct?
Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning or written reprimand, educational and restorative sanctions, disciplinary probation, and more serious outcomes including suspension and expulsion. The specific sanction depends on the facts, the student's prior record, and any mitigating factors presented during the proceeding. Sanction-phase advocacy is often as important as the responsibility phase, since even a first finding can carry long-term consequences on transcripts and graduate school applications.
How do I appeal a decision at CSUSB, and what is the deadline?
The appeal deadline at CSUSB is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Under CSU systemwide procedures in Executive Order 1098, a student may appeal the decision to the CSU Chancellor's Office within ten working days of the notice of decision. The appeal is a review of the record rather than a new hearing. Appeal grounds typically include . Appeals that succeed are usually the ones that ground each argument in the record and the specific policy language, not emotional or general objections.
Can I bring an advisor to my CSUSB hearing?
Yes. Under CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures, students have the right to be accompanied by an advisor or support person of the student's choosing at the hearing. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate CSUSB's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at CSUSB the rules are set out in the governing policy.
Do I need a lawyer for a CSUSB Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office proceeding?
In most cases, no. CSUSB's proceedings follow university policy under CSUSB Student Conduct Code and CSUSB Student Conduct Procedures, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands CSUSB's specific procedures, the evidence standard, and how sanctions are assessed. An education advocate typically provides stronger, more targeted guidance than a general-practice attorney because the body of law here is university policy, not criminal or civil procedure. AdvocatED brings deep, specialized expertise in these exact processes at a fraction of a law firm's cost.
How does CSUSB handle Title IX cases?
CSUSB handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Institutional Equity & Compliance (Office of Civil Rights & Title IX). Steven Vasquez, Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator. Located in Santos Manuel Student Union South 103 and Sierra Hall Room 103. Phone: (909) 537-5669. Email: steven.vasquez@csusb.edu or iec@csusb.edu Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at CSUSB, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.
Other California schools we help
References and primary sources
The procedural details on this page come directly from CSUSB's own published policies and official university resources.
- https://www.csusb.edu/student-conductStudent Conduct Office overview and authority
- https://www.csusb.edu/student-conduct/conduct-processConduct procedures and code references
- https://www.csusb.edu/institutional-equity-complianceTitle IX office contact and authority
- https://www.csusb.edu/institutional-equity-compliance/contactTitle IX Coordinator contact information
- https://www.csusm.edu/dos/documents/eo_1098_systemwide_student_conduct.pdf
Facing a CSUSB Conduct Issue?
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