Options for Resolving Cases
The Office of Student Conduct & Off-Campus services receives a range of reports that require different approaches and resolutions.
Admonishment
Students or Recognized Student Organizations are issued an informal warning letter that advises the College was notified of behavior, but is not taking action at that time. Repetition of the behavior may result in charges. Some examples of when an Admonishment is appropriate would be for minor off-campus noise concerns, off-campus trash accumulation, or prohibited items.
Alternative Resolution
To adequately address reports of behavior that may be in Violation of Expectations for Student Conduct that may result in charges under 03. Personal Abuse an alternative process may be utilized. Rooted in Restorative Justice practices, alternative resolution is a voluntary process within the College’s Student Conduct Code that allows a Respondent in a student conduct matter to accept responsibility for the behavior they engaged in that may have caused Harm to the Reporter. By fully participating in this process the Respondent will not be charged with a violation of College policy.
Amnesty for Alcohol or Drugs
If an incident qualifies for Amnesty, students or Recognized Student Organization leadership participates in a meeting and has educational requirements. These incidents do not result in disciplinary history if all educational requirements are fulfilled.
Educational Conversation or Residential Educational Conversation
Educational Conversations (EC) are utilized to have conversations with students who may have been in violation of Behavioral Expectations & Regulations or demonstrate concerning behavior that may arise to a policy violation in the future. Residential Educational Conversations (RECs are utilized by professional Residential Education staff to address behavior occurring in the residence halls including those not in alignment with the Guide to Residence Living. While students may not be charged with violations of expectations of student conduct, failing to attend EC/REC meetings and/or fulfill educational requirements may result in 05. Compliance with Directives charges.
Partnership Process (Recognized Student Organizations)
The Partnership Process is a voluntary, alternative resolution method for organizational misconduct, available only to referred Recognized Student Organizations at the discretion of the Office of Student Conduct in consultation with Student Life. It emphasizes collaborative dialogue on leadership, group dynamics, and decision-making to identify systemic issues and develop a formal action plan for improvement. Eligibility is limited to organizations not facing serious violations or recent sanctions. If the organization fulfills all expectations outlined in the agreement, no formal conduct charges or sanctions are issued. Failure to meet expectations will result in the case reverting to the formal conduct process.
Reporter Follow-Up and Resources
There may be times where a formal conduct process is not possible or appropriate, in which the Office of Student Conduct will share resources with a Reporter who was impacted for further support. If additional information is discovered or shared, the case can be reopened for further action. Some reasons where a Reporter follow-up may occur are:
- There is limited information allowing for a thorough investigation such as unknown Respondent, unknown location, etc.
- The reported information does not arise to a policy violation, but the Reporter was impacted.
- The Respondent is a non-TCNJ student who is subject to TCNJ’s Student Conduct Code.
Student Conduct Process Individual Students