Information for Parents & Families

SARP receives reports from both inside and outside of the University community. Any member of the TU community can file a report. The report may contain information suggesting a potential violation of the Code of Student Accountability. In that case, the disciplinary process begins.

SARP provides a letter via email to all students notifying them of an allegation, providing basic information about the incident, and identifying which policy(s) they allegedly violated. This notice will also offer an opportunity to meet with a Hearing Officer for a Conduct Resolution Meeting to discuss the incident. 

Students are not required to meet with our office for a Conduct Resolution meeting. However, the Conduct Resolution Meeting is their opportunity to share their perspective, see reports that have been submitted, provide names of witnesses that can provide additional information, and answer any questions the Hearing Officer may have before they make a decision. 

The student's perspective is critical in forming a clear and full picture of the incident. We also know that students build valuable self-advocacy skills by participating in the process.

Students who don't participate are not presumed to be responsible. If students fail to attend a Conduct Resolution meeting, a decision about their responsibility will be made in their absence using the available information.

Students are entitled to bring a Support Person with them to any meeting or proceeding involved in their disciplinary process. While we welcome the involvement of family members, the ultimate decision is up to the student as to who they bring. More information on Support Person's can be found on our webpage.

Towson University uses the preponderance of evidence standard. This means that the evidence must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that the conduct occurred in order to say that the student is responsible for violating policy(s).

Generally, both status and educational Accountability Action(s)  are assigned when a student is found responsible for having violated policy(s). A variety of factors are considered when determining what Accountability Actions(s) are appropriate for a particular student, including the impact the incident had on the campus community, severity of the violation, past disciplinary history of the individual, circumstances related to the incident, and educational value of the Accountability Action.  

Yes, all students have the right to appeal an outcome or an Accountability Action. Information on the grounds for appealing and how to appeal can be found on the Appeal Procedures page.

The disciplinary process and court process can happen simultaneously. In some circumstances, the University may permit a student to wait until the conclusion of their court case before proceeding with the Student Accountability Process. Decisions to wait are made by the Director of SARP and are based upon the reasonably available evidence, nature of the allegations, potential harm to the University Community, location of the incident (on or off campus), and/ or other relevant factors. 

It is important to distinguish that the accountability process is an administrative process intended to address allegations of policy violations, whereas the court process is meant to address violations of law. The University will pursue its accountability process independent of pending criminal charges, regardless of whether they are dismissed, dropped, or otherwise resolved. 

Additionally, the University's standard of evidence (preponderance) is generally lower than that of many courts. Although a criminal charge may have been dismissed, the actions involved may still be a violation of the University's policy(s).

Finally, the University has a vested interest in the holistic development of our students. We want for all students to represent themselves and the University in a positive light; therefore, we address the misconduct of our students regardless of the location where an incident occurred. 

Many graduate schools and employers request information regarding a student's disciplinary record. Due to FERPA, your student's record will only be released to a third party with their written permission. When has student is found responsible for having violated a policy in the Code of Student Accountability, a disciplinary record is created. SARP maintains student's disciplinary records for seven years from the date of the incident, or indefinitely, if the student is suspended, expelled, or removed from on-campus housing.