Student Code of Conduct

Recognizing that student behavior has a significant impact on the quality of education and the health of campus communities, SUNY and the University at Buffalo have mandated standards for behavior to establish a just, safe, orderly and positive climate on UB's campuses. 

One step to ensure that all students understand the university's established standards is requiring that each student acknowledge receipt of and affirm the Student Code of Conduct.  At orientation in July, UB’s Office of Student Conduct & Advocacy and University Police provide first-year students with programming about proper student conduct and acceptable behavior on and off campus.  Student behavior is discussed during parent orientation during a “Safety and Community Standards” session presented by UB’s Office of Student Conduct & Advocacy and University Police. Appropriate on and off-campus behavior is also addressed throughout the year during discussions in residence halls and with student leaders.

"Student Conduct Rules, University Standards and Administrative Regulations" are also more commonly known as "UB Rules & Regulations." In addition, rules of the SUNY Board of Trustees and all laws of the City of Buffalo, Town of Amherst, New York State and the U.S. apply on UB's campuses and are considered part of the Student Code of Conduct.

University disciplinary processes take appropriate action when student conduct directly or significantly interferes with the university's primary educational responsibility: ensuring that all members of UB's community have the opportunity to attain their educational objectives in accordance with the SUNY mandate.

University disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with violation of a law which is also a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Proceedings under the Student Code of Conduct may be carried out simultaneously with civil or criminal proceedings off-campus.

When a student is charged by federal, state or local authorities with a violation of law, UB will not request or agree to special consideration for that individual because of his or her status as a student. UB will cooperate fully with law enforcement and other agencies in the enforcement of criminal law on campus and in the conditions imposed by criminal courts for the rehabilitation of student violators.

In any university disciplinary procedure one of the highest priorities is to safeguard the student's right to due process, which requires the rudimentary elements of "fair play" in an administrative proceeding. The University at Buffalo's disciplinary procedures will afford the accused student a clear statement of the charges and the nature of the information upon which the charges are based. The accused student is then given the chance to have a fair hearing and present his or her own position, information and explanation. No final disciplinary sanctions will be given unless the charges are substantiated by the preponderance of evidence.

Students are told in no uncertain terms that they put their academic careers at risk by breaking the law or violating UB’s Student Code of Conduct. When student behavior violates the law, it is our expectation that students will face the consequences of their behavior through enforcement of applicable laws and the university’s disciplinary process.

Should a student’s action be ruled as violating the Student Code of Conduct, disciplinary action from the office of Student Conduct and Advocacy can range from mandated drug and alcohol classes and community service hours, to long-term suspension and expulsion