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Rights of Students and Recognized Student Organizations

Every Pensacola State College student and recognized student organization is entitled to certain procedural rights and guarantees in the student conduct process. The rights outlined below are not exhaustive, but serve as guidelines to ensure that all students and recognized student organizations are treated fairly.


  1. A student or recognized student organization is entitled to be notified of an alleged Student Code of Conduct violation as soon as reasonably possible. In most cases, the student or recognized student organization will be notified within 5 class days. Notifications of an alleged violations will be sent to the Piratemail address of the student or recognized student organization. Sending such an email shall be deemed constructive notice.
  2. The Office of Student Conduct will give written notice of an informal hearing to the alleged student or recognized student organization. The notice shall include the date, time, and location of the hearing and will be given at least 3 class days prior to the hearing. This notice will be sent via Piratemail and sending such an email shall be deemed constructive notice.
  3.  A student or recognized student organization may inspect their conduct file upon request to the Office of Student Conduct in advance of the conduct hearing.
  4. The alleged student or recognized student organization have the right to meet with staff from the Office of Student Conduct to discuss their incident and be informed of the entire student conduct process
  5. The alleged student or recognized student organization has the right to utilize the Student Advocate/Student Ombudsman at no cost. The use of the service of the Student Advocate/Student Ombudsman is to be determined by the student. The Student Advocate/Student Ombudsman can provide guidance and advice regarding the student conduct process.
  6. An advisor may accompany the alleged student, recognized student organization, complainant, and victim/survivor of an incident at any time during the student conduct process. Advisors will only be allowed to confer with their advisees (alleged student, recognized student organization, complainant, and victim/survivor). The advisor will not be allowed to directly participate in the student conduct process on behalf of any party or as a spokesperson, advocate, or expert witness.
  7.   The student or recognized student organization will be given the opportunity to participate in a fair and impartial hearing. The student or recognized student organization will not be forced to give self-incriminating testimony, may inspect all documents before the hearing, may hear and question all adverse witnesses who participate in the hearing, and may present information and call witnesses on the behalf of the student or recognized student organization.
  8.  The college is not required to postpone any disciplinary proceedings pending the outcome of any criminal proceedings.
  9.  A written decision will be sent to the alleged student or recognized student organization within 5 class day following the hearing. This time may be extended for cases in which additional time is needed for deliberations. If additional time is needed, the student or recognized student organization will be notified.
  10. The student or recognized student organization has the right to appeal the decision of a Judicial Review Board Hearing in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs within 5 class days of the date of the decision letter. Grounds for appeals are limited to the following:
    1.  The student or recognized student organization’s procedural rights were violated in the student conduct process
    2. New information is discovered that was not available at the time of the hearing
    3. Information presented does not support the decision
    4. The sanction(s) imposed were not appropriate for the violation

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