Florida A&M University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Florida A&M is the nation's largest public Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and its conduct process operates within that community mission of student success, development, and responsible community membership.

The Student Government Association Supreme Court may adjudicate cases where the University Conduct Officer determines the sanction would not exceed probation, giving students a peer-adjudication option for lower-level violations.

The University's conduct process explicitly runs independently of any criminal or civil court process; a student charged with an off-campus crime may request postponement of the administrative hearing for no more than 60 business days, provided the student agrees to accept an interim sanction such as probation or suspension.

The College of Law operates a separate Student Code of Conduct for academic and professional-conduct violations; the University's Regulation 2.012 governs non-academic misconduct not expressly covered by the College of Law code.

Title IX and sexual misconduct cases are governed by a separate regulation, University Regulation 1.022, with joint-investigation procedures where charges overlap with Regulation 2.012, 1.019, or 10.103.

The OSCCR communicates directly with the student at all times and not through any third party; any communications between the University and a student's attorney are routed through the Office of the General Counsel.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Florida A&M?

Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Florida A&M. Cases are heard by an Administrative Hearing Panel chaired by a staff member of the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. For minor violations not warranting sanctions beyond probation, the University Conduct Officer may refer the matter to the Student Government Association Supreme Court. The Vice President for Student Affairs may also appoint an ad hoc committee, chaired by an academic dean or director, for emergency matters including interim suspensions. All students registered or eligible to enroll at Florida A&M University, for conduct occurring on or off campus when that conduct may adversely affect the student, the University community, its international programs, or any University-affiliated programs.

What is the evidence standard at Florida A&M?

Florida A&M applies Preponderance of the evidence, meaning the University must prove it is more likely than not that the violation occurred. The student is presumed Not Responsible for the alleged violation(s). under Student Code of Conduct (Regulation 2.012). Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution 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 Florida A&M conduct proceeding?

Under Student Code of Conduct, students facing a Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Written notice of alleged violations and the date of the incident; An Information Meeting to have due process rights explained and resolution options presented; Presumption of Not Responsible unless proven by a preponderance of the evidence; attend the entire hearing, excluding deliberations. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Florida A&M?

A charge letter is issued to the student outlining the alleged incident, date of incident, and corresponding conduct violation(s) under Regulation 2.012. The student must contact the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution to schedule an Information Meeting. Failure to schedule or attend results in a Judicial Hold being placed on the student's account, preventing registration and transcript access. At the Information Meeting a staff member explains due process rights, reviews the allegations, presents resolution options, and the student selects either an Administrative Hearing Panel or an Informal Disposition.

What sanctions can Florida A&M impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including written reprimand: correspondence notifying the student their behavior did not meet university standards., conduct probation: student may not be elected to office or represent the university during the probation period., restriction or loss of privileges: denial of specific university privileges including athletic events, 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 Florida A&M, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Florida A&M is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. The 2020 archived version of Regulation 2.012 references a ten (10) business day time limit in connection with the appeal process; the 2021 operative version does not state an explicit appeal filing deadline in retrieved excerpts. Students should confirm the current deadline directly with the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution or by reviewing the full current text of Regulation 2.012.. Decisions of the Student Supreme Court, University Housing judicial boards, Clubs and Organizations Review Board, the University Conduct Officer, and Administrative Hearing Panels are all appealed to the Dean of Students or another designated senior University administrator. No person who participated in the original conduct proceeding may hear or decide the appeal. The Dean of Students' decision is final, and the student's conduct matter is disposed of through a final order signed by the Vice President for Student Affairs, which includes notice of the student's right to appeal to an external judicial forum. During the appeal period the student, with written authorization, may listen to the recorded hearing testimony under arrangements determined by the University Conduct Officer. Appeal grounds typically include due process errors involving violations of a responding party's fundamental due process rights or a reporting party's rights that substantially affected the outcome of the initial hearing., demonstrated prejudice against any party by the person presiding over the hearing, evidenced by a conflict of interest, bias, pressure, or influence that precluded a fair and impartial hearing., newly discovered, relevant information that was not reasonably available at the time of the original hearing and that would have substantially affected the outcome., among others. 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 Florida A&M hearing?

Yes. Under Student Code of Conduct, students have the right to have an advisor (including legal counsel) and/or parent (with written authorization) present; witnesses may not serve as advisors. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Florida A&M's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Florida A&M the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Florida A&M Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution proceeding?

In most cases, no. Florida A&M's proceedings follow university policy under Student Code of Conduct, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Florida A&M'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 Florida A&M handle Title IX cases?

Florida A&M handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs / University Title IX Office. Located at Foote-Hilyer Administration Center, 1700 Lee Hall Drive, Suite 308, Tallahassee, FL 32307. The Title IX Coordinator is Darese Doskal (darese.doskal@famu.edu, 850-599-3076; titleix@famu.edu). The Director of Equal Opportunity Programs, Latrecha K. Scott, Ph.D., is appointed as the University's Title IX Officer and facilitates University-wide compliance. Sexual misconduct cases are governed by University Regulation 1.022 (Title IX Sex Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Prohibition and Formal Hearing Process). For overlapping charges, a joint investigation with Regulation 2.012 may be initiated. A Victim Advocate Program provides confidential support services (victimadvocate@famu.edu, 850-599-8785). Formal complaints of discrimination or harassment may also be filed under University Regulation 10.103 Non-Discrimination Policy. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Florida A&M, 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 Florida A&M?

At Florida A&M, the most frequently cited violations include: academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, and related violations under regulation 2.012); sexual misconduct including sexual violence, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking, dating violence, and relationship violence; alcohol violations including underage possession or consumption, providing alcohol to minors, driving under the influence, and intoxicated behavior; controlled substances and illegal drug violations including unlawful possession, use, purchase, distribution, delivery, or sale. 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 Florida A&M conduct case?

At Florida A&M, the most consequential deadlines are: Charge response: student should contact OSCCR to schedule an Information Meeting upon receipt of charge letter; failure to do so results in a Judicial Hold; Informal Disposition waiver rescission: student has two (2) business days from signing the waiver to rescind it in writing and request a hearing; Informal Disposition decision: student is informed in writing of the decision within fourteen (14) business days from the date of the waiver. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.