Creighton University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Jesuit, Catholic mission explicitly shapes the conduct process, framing discipline as student formation and growth rather than purely punitive action

Dual-track jurisdiction: the Dean of each school or college holds full authority over academic misconduct; the Vice Provost for Student Life holds authority over behavioral misconduct

Private Decision option allows case resolution by mutual consent of the student and a hearing officer, but carries no appeal right

Advisors are restricted to members of the University community; outside attorneys are not permitted except that a Creighton Law School attorney may advise a law student

Withdrawal from the University does not terminate or suspend pending disciplinary action

Records of cases resulting in suspension or expulsion are kept indefinitely; other records are generally destroyed seven years after graduation or last date of attendance

Students found not responsible receive a 'no action, no record' designation that does not constitute a disciplinary record

Harassment, discrimination, and sexual and relationship misconduct are handled through a fully separate process by the Office of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance under Policies 2.1.25 and 2.1.35

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Creighton?

University Committee on Student Discipline (UCSD) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Creighton. The Committee consists of the Vice Provost for Student Life's designee, three faculty members elected by the faculty for staggered three-year terms from at least two Schools or Colleges, and three students selected by the Creighton Students Union for one academic year (one graduate or professional student, one male undergraduate, and one female undergraduate). The Vice Provost for Student Life appoints the chairperson case by case, and a quorum of four members, at least one of whom is a student, is required to hear a case. Behavioral misconduct cases where a student's status with the University is in jeopardy and could result in suspension or expulsion. Academic misconduct cases are handled by the Dean of the student's school or college. Harassment, discrimination, and sexual and relationship misconduct cases are handled separately under Policy 2.1.25 / 2.1.35 by the Office of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance.

What is the evidence standard at Creighton?

Creighton applies preponderance of the evidence, meaning whether it is more likely than not that the respondent is responsible under Creighton University Student Handbook (published by the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct and Student Life) (Harassment, Discrimination, Sexual and Relationship Misconduct Policy #2.1.25; Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy #2.1.35; Record Retention and Destruction Policy #2.1.22). University Committee on Student Discipline 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 Creighton conduct proceeding?

Under Creighton University Student Handbook (published by the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct and Student Life), students facing a University Committee on Student Discipline proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Written notification of alleged violation(s) and Preliminary Conference date; Opportunity to discuss the matter with Community Standards and Student Conduct before a decision is made; a Private Decision by mutual consent with a hearing officer; have case heard by the University Committee on Student Discipline or a Standards Panel if no mutual agreement is reached. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Creighton?

Any student documented for an alleged violation of the Standards of Conduct must participate in the Community Standards Behavioral Misconduct Process. The student receives written notification of the alleged violation(s) and a date by which a Preliminary Conference must be held with Community Standards and Student Conduct. If the student fails to schedule or attend the Preliminary Conference, an administrative decision is made in the student's absence. Academic misconduct is reported to and initiated by the Dean of the student's school or college.

What sanctions can Creighton impose for academic misconduct?

University Committee on Student Discipline can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including behavioral reprimand, behavioral probation, warning, 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 Creighton, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Creighton is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. For academic misconduct resulting in a serious penalty (expulsion, suspension, or request for withdrawal), the student may file a final appeal to the University Provost by submitting both an Intent to Appeal form (available from the Dean) and a written appeal to the Office of the University Provost, with copies to the Dean's office. For behavioral misconduct, appeals of serious outcomes go to the Vice Provost for Student Life. There is no appeal available for Private Decision outcomes. Appeals are governed by the grounds and procedures set out in the Student Handbook's Appeal Process and Grounds for Appeal sections under Behavioral Misconduct Procedures, which apply to academic appeals as well. Appeal grounds typically include unverified: needs human research. 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 Creighton hearing?

Yes. Under Creighton University Student Handbook (published by the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct and Student Life), students have the right to the assistance of an advisor from within the university community at the preliminary conference and hearing. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Creighton's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Creighton the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Creighton University Committee on Student Discipline proceeding?

In most cases, no. Creighton's proceedings follow university policy under Creighton University Student Handbook (published by the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct and Student Life), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Creighton'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 Creighton handle Title IX cases?

Creighton handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance. Led by Allison Taylor, Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator / Section 504 Coordinator. Located in Creighton Hall, Suite 340, Omaha, NE 68178. Phone: 402.280.3189; Email: titleix@creighton.edu. Handles reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and sex discrimination under Policy 2.1.35 (Title IX Sexual Harassment) and Policy 2.1.25 (Non-Discrimination). Both formal and informal resolution options are available. Confidential advocacy is available through the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center at 402.280.3794. Anonymous reports may be made via EthicsPoint at 855.256.0478. Retaliation against reporting parties is a separate policy violation investigated by this office. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Creighton, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at Creighton?

At Creighton, the most frequently cited violations include: unauthorized collaboration or use of external information during examinations; plagiarizing or representing another's ideas as one's own; furnishing false academic information to the university; falsely obtaining, distributing, using, or receiving test materials. Knowing which violation is alleged is the foundation of an effective defense, because the response strategy differs substantially based on whether the case involves plagiarism, AI use, exam cheating, collaboration, or a procedural technicality.

What are the key deadlines in a Creighton conduct case?

At Creighton, the most consequential deadlines are: Academic appeal (serious penalty): Intent to Appeal form and written appeal delivered to the University Provost; specific calendar deadline UNVERIFIED: needs human research; Behavioral appeal: governed by time limitations in the Student Handbook Behavioral Misconduct Procedures; specific calendar deadline UNVERIFIED: needs human research; Discipline records (non-suspension/expulsion): generally destroyed seven years after graduation or last date of attendance per Policy 2.1.22. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from University Committee on Student Discipline, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.