Community Standards

As members of the campus community, students share responsibility with Franklin University faculty and staff for creating and maintaining an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and personal growth, and respectful of the rights of others.  Active students at the University, as well as applicants seeking admission, are obligated to comply with its regulations and procedures, including the Community Standards policy, which they are expected to read and understand.

Franklin’s Community Standards policies apply to, but are not limited to, all actions, events, and functions on or near University premises, as well as all components of online courses and virtual meetings and learning.  Community Standards policies also apply to off-campus student conduct and University-affiliated student activity, including:

• Academic course requirements or any credit-bearing experiences, such as internships or field trips;
• Any activity sponsored, conducted, or authorized by the University or by registered student organizations; or
• Any activity that causes substantial destruction of property belonging to the University or members of the campus community or causes significant harm to the health or safety of members of the campus community.

At all times, Franklin students are subject to city, state, and federal laws while at the University, and violations of those laws may also constitute violations of the Student Code of Conduct.  In such instances, the University may proceed with student conduct proceedings independently of any criminal proceedings involving the same conduct, and may impose sanctions for code violations even if such criminal proceedings are not yet resolved or is resolved in the student's favor.

Based on the circumstances in a given incident, any student who is present when University policies are being violated may be subject to the same disciplinary action as the principal offender(s), as reasonably determined by the appointed resolution officer.  Students are advised to avoid situations which may put them at risk of disciplinary action.

Franklin University may take disciplinary action, independent of civil authorities, for activities that take place off-campus if the interests of the University are adversely affected.  Examples of Franklin’s interests being adversely affected include, but are not limited to:

• An allegation, arrest, charge or conviction of a criminal offense as defined by law, including repeat violations of any local, state or federal law.
• Any situation where the student presents a danger or threat to the health or safety of him/herself, to the extent that it has an impact on others, or others.
• Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property or achievements of self, to the extent that it has an impact on others, or others.

The University reserves the right to administer Community Standards processes and proceed with a hearing process (in absentia if necessary) even if the student withdraws from the University, is no longer enrolled in classes, or subsequently fails to meet the definition of a student while a disciplinary matter is pending.

Franklin University requires that a review shall be conducted by the Admissions Review Committee prior to admissions to the University for all applicants who meet one or more of the following conditions:

• The University has information that an applicant has a violent felony conviction (prior or current offense)
• The Applicant voluntarily disclosed a violent felony conviction (prior or current offense)
• The Applicant has been dismissed, placed on probation, or has pending judicial actions by another institution of higher education

The University reserves the right to deny admittance, continuous enrollment, or re-admittance of any student whose presence at the University would endanger the health, safety, or welfare of themselves or the University community members.

• To protect its character and standards of scholarship, the University reserves the right, and the applicant concedes to the University the right, to deny admission to any student at any time for any reason the University deems sufficient.
• Re-admission to the university is not guaranteed and is subject to a satisfactory record of conduct. Re-enrolling students may be required to provide additional information upon the request of the Admission Review Committee. Regardless of their qualifications, if any student has been involved in significant or persistent conduct-related activity while enrolled at another institution or with other authorities since their last enrollment, their application for re-admission may be denied.

The Student Code of Conduct applies to all members of Franklin’s campus community, including their guests; students are responsible for the behavior of their guests and may be held accountable for any misconduct committed by them.  Visitors and guests of the University are also protected by Community Standards processes, and may initiate conduct reports as victims of violations committed against them.

Franklin University strives to provide a safe, pleasant, and secure environment for all members of its community.  A University official may enter and search campus premises if there is reason to believe that the premises are being used for an illegal purpose, a purpose that violates health or safety regulations, or interferes with normal University operation. Evidence found in such a search may be confiscated and used in disciplinary and/or criminal proceedings.

Repeated and aggravated violations of any section of the Student Code of Conduct may also result in the imposition of greater penalties, including but not limited to suspension or dismissal. The University reserves the right to suspend, for an interim period, any student whose presence on the campus is, in the sole judgment of the University, detrimental to the best interests of the University. Attempts to commit acts prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct can result in sanctions similar to or to the same extent as completed violations.

The University reserves the right to make changes to the Community Standards policy at any time. All changes will be posted under the Rules and Regulations section.

Interim Actions/Suspension

Franklin University is committed to providing services that create an optimal educational opportunity for all students. However, interim action will be taken by the University pending action on charges or in emergency situations. Behavior occasioning emergency action may include but not be limited to:

• Threat, danger and/or injury to self or others.
• A threat to or disruption of the educational process of self or others.
• A threat to or destruction of property of the University or others.

Rights of the Campus Community

All members of the campus community have certain rights which are granted as part of their affiliation with Franklin University. These rights include the following:

• Freedom of inquiry, expression, and lawful assembly.  The University recognizes this right, afforded all members of the campus community by the Constitution of the United States, when exercised in compliance with the laws of the State of Ohio, the ordinances of the City, and the policies, rules and regulations of the University.  The University does not permit intentionally interfering with the freedom of speech and the freedom of expression of others.  Individuals or groups wishing to conduct any type of demonstration or assembly on Franklin University-owned or leased property must first request and receive written permission from the University President or appointed designee.
  • All posters, fliers, or publications displayed or distributed on the University campus must bear the identification of the group or individual disseminating the information. Materials will be subject to censorship or removal if said materials are found to be false, slanderous, or obscene. 
  • No written materials may be attached by any method to University premises or property unless such posting is approved in accordance with regulations.
• The right to be secure in their persons, papers, and effects against unreasonable, illegal, or unauthorized searches and seizures.
  • Students have a legitimate right to privacy. However, the University reserves the right to conduct searches in compliance with the university search procedure and with the authorization of the Dean of Students or designee. 
• The right to fair and reasonably expeditious due process under the student conduct system of the University.
• Right to be free from discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, or physical disability.
• The right to petition the University for redress of grievances, amendment of college regulations and modification of policies.

 

Student Code of Conduct Violations

Academic Misconduct   

Academic-based violations committed in the context of submitted course assignments, group projects or examinations, or violations of course or program policy included in the syllabus and/or provided to the student are subject to a charge of academic misconduct.  Forms of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:

• Plagiarism: The submission of another’s work, in part or in whole, as one’s own for credit without sufficient citation or credit. Examples may include, but are not limited to:
  • Excessive failure to properly cite the work of others;
  • Copying content from online sources without including citations as appropriate;
  • The submission of previously submitted assignments or online posts authored by others.
• Recycling Assignments: The re-submission of one’s own work, in part or in whole, which was previously submitted for credit in an earlier section, course or program, without prior permission from the course instructor.
• Exam Misconduct: Any act involving means outside permitted university rules or course parameters to complete an exam or exam-related assignment, such as the use of unauthorized materials during an exam or assignment (e.g., books, notes, handheld devices), engaging in actions contrary to proctor-based exam instructions and/or guidelines, or attempting to obtain copies of, or answers to, an exam.
• Facilitation of Academic Misconduct: The willful enabling of others to commit an act of academic misconduct, such as sharing of assignments to be plagiarized, completing an assignment for another student, or taking an exam under a false identity.
• Fabrication: The unauthorized falsification or invention of false information, citations, or data in any academic research, assignment, or examination.

The complete Academic Integrity Policy, including information regarding incident reporting, penalties of academic misconduct, and the appeal processes, can be located in the Academic Bulletin. Any action deemed to be misconduct and/or disruptive to academic matters is subject to disciplinary action.

 

Alcoholic Beverages

The use, purchase, consumption, manufacture, distribution, dispensing or possession of alcohol is prohibited on University property is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and is subject to disciplinary action. The use of alcohol at University sponsored off-campus events is prohibited unless specifically approved in writing by the University President.

Appearing on University premises while intoxicated is prohibited.

The complete alcohol and drug/controlled substance policies can be found here.

Franklin University's policies on substance abuse and alcoholic beverages outline information on University sanctions for violation of these policies, criminal sanctions for the illegal possession or distribution of drugs and alcohol, and health risks of drugs and alcohol. These policies will be distributed annually to each Franklin University student and employee.  Questions or concerns regarding University policies should be addressed to the Office of Community Standards at advocate@franklin.edu. 

 

Animals on Campus

Animals, with the exception of clearly identified service animals (guide, hearing and service), are prohibited from all campus buildings unless required for academic reasons.

 

Assault

Any actions involving physical assault, overtly aggressive behavior or threats, which if carried out endanger the safety of oneself or which cause injury to another person, is prohibited.

 

Children on Campus

To ensure that the environment at Franklin University is conducive to learning and free from distractions, no children under the age of 18 are permitted to attend classes or to be present in libraries, academic support centers or computer labs unless they are a registered student of the University.  Additionally, no child may be left unattended in any interior or exterior space on campus grounds.  In the event of a violation, Franklin's Department of Safety & Security Services reserves the right to take reasonable steps to eliminate the possibility of child endangerment.

With regard to University students under the age of 18, Franklin reserves the right to contact parents or guardians, within FERPA guidelines, for reasons including, but not limited to:

• An emergency regarding a student’s mental or physical health;
• Tenure of the student at the University is jeopardized due to disciplinary action; or
• The possession or use of any alcohol or illegal drugs.

 

Computer Abuse

Computer abuse, as defined in the University's Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy, is prohibited. 

The primary purpose of Franklin University’s online network is to support research and educational goals by providing access to technology resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The University has the responsibility of securing its computing systems against unauthorized access and/or abuse, while making them accessible for authorized and legitimate use for the purposes of University instruction, communication, research and study.  The rules listed in the Acceptable Use Policy apply to all members of the campus community when using these resources, regardless of location.  In addition to the Acceptable Use Policy, Franklin University makes expectations of all users to ensure an ethical, efficient and appropriate use of technology resources and communications.  

Violations of the Computer Abuse section of the Student Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to:

• Utilizing computer time and/or technology resources for non-academic purposes;
• Sending unauthorized, unsolicited or excessive electronic communications, including phishing, spam or inappropriate solicitations;
• Accessing and/or viewing sexually explicit or other adult-themed content on campus grounds;
• Accessing and/or consumption of inappropriate or unlawful content;
• Any deliberate action which damages or disrupts a technology resource, alters its normal performance or causes it to malfunction;
• Modification of system files on University computers;
• Downloading of any software application onto University computers;
• Unauthorized dissemination of course material and/or software;
• Propagating computer viruses/malware;
• Attempting to access unauthorized University systems or log in as a system administrator;
• Attempting to conceal one’s identity by altering one’s username or real name;
• Use of an account not owned by the assigned user;
• Use of the University network to distribute or stream unauthorized copyrighted/copy-protected material, including file-sharing tools;
• Use of University technology resources to play video games;
• Theft of any University technology property, intellectual or otherwise.

The use of the University’s network and technology resources is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges.  The University may request system administrators to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts as the result of a student conduct incident.  The system administrators will determine what constitutes appropriate use, and may close an account at any time as required.

Additional Recommendations Regarding the Use of Franklin's Technology Resources and Electronic Communications

• All users should exercise due caution and be considerate of any legal or privacy laws and business ethics when including sensitive personal data such as Social Security numbers, PINs, passwords, health records, police records, course grades, etc., in electronic correspondence.
• Peak demand periods for technology resources may at times exceed the supply of workstations or network connections.  Franklin asks all users to be sensitive to the needs of others. During such peak periods, users should limit their use of technology to essential tasks and comply with the posted and published practices with regard to time limits, appropriate academic conduct, etc. 
• Users are responsible for maintaining a secure password and for safeguarding their passwords for access to Franklin’s technology resources. Individual passwords should not be printed, stored online or given to others. Users are responsible for all transactions made using their user account and password. No user may access technology resources using another user’s account.
• Users expressly waive any right of privacy to anything they create, store or transmit on any Franklin University computer or through the University’s network. The University may access and disclose, as circumstances may warrant, faculty, student or staff electronic communications; therefore, privacy and/or confidentiality should never be assumed. The University may use manual or automated means to monitor the use of its resources. Users should respect the privacy of others through the application of normal academic ethics and civil conduct in their use of technology resources.
• The University makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the network service it is providing.  The University will not be responsible for any damages suffered by the user, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-delivery, mis-delivery, or service interruptions caused by the user’s own negligence, error or inaction.  Use of any information obtained via the University’s network is done at the user’s risk. The University specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

 

Copyrighted Content 

Campus community members are expected to be responsible consumers of copyrighted content.  No user may reproduce any copyrighted work in print, video, audio or digital form, including from the internet, without express permission of the author of the work.  Use of copyrighted material requires permission from the originator of the material unless it is in the public domain or subject to “fair use” standards.  Violations of copyright laws include illegally copying, distributing, downloading or uploading information from the internet or any electronic source.  Works are considered protected even if they are not registered with the U.S. Copyright Office and if they do not include the copyright symbol (©).  

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute copyrighted work. In a file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial portions of copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement. Copyrighted works include, but are not limited to: literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, images, songs, video games, computer software and websites. As such, it is against the law to copy the aforementioned media without the permission of the copyright holder.

Copying or making use of materials other than in accordance with this policy, even if unintentional, may constitute a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and lead to disciplinary action, and may subject students to civil and/or criminal liabilities.

For more information regarding copyright laws and frequently asked questions, please refer to the U.S. Copyright Office website at www.copyright.gov and www.copyright.gov/help/faq. 

 

Destruction/Misuse of Property

Destruction, vandalism, defacement, or misuse of University property is prohibited. Intentionally or recklessly damaging personal or University property will result in disciplinary action.

 

Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct (Title IX)

Franklin University is an intentional learning community emphasizing mutual respect for all members and guests while valuing the dignity and worth that each brings to the community. Each community participant has a right to be free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct in the learning environment and work setting. Therefore, these and other conduct that diminishes dignity and worth of members of and guests to the University community, regardless of race, color, religion, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status, is prohibited. Such conduct by students, staff, faculty, administrators, trustees, volunteers, visitors, contractors, and vendors is disruptive to the educational environment and work setting. Any complaint by a member or guest of the University community will be investigated and addressed according to the Title IX policy and procedures.

Franklin prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or veteran status in student admission, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or employment as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Community of Respect policies and procedures:

Dr. Blake J. Renner, Ed.D
Otte Student Services Building
Franklin University
201 South Grant Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-947-6236
TitleIX@franklin.edu 

The full policy and procedures pertaining to the University’s response to discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct can be found on the Franklin University website.

 

Dishonest Conduct

Acts of non-academic dishonesty and/or willful misrepresentation are strictly prohibited. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to deception or fraudulent action, such as:

• Knowingly furnishing false information, or omitting information, on official University or University-related documents
• Misrepresenting oneself or furnishing false information about oneself to University officials
• Knowingly attempting to make financial payments to the University, such as the use of an invalid check, a forged money order, or an unauthorized or stolen credit/debit card
• Knowingly reporting a false emergency
• Knowingly filing false reports, grievances, or accusations of misconduct
• Misuse or falsification of University documents by actions such as forgery, alteration or improper transfer

Actions in the context of coursework, exams and curriculum-based submissions are addressed under Academic Misconduct.
 

Disorderly/Disruptive Conduct

Disorderly and/or disruptive conduct is defined as any behavior by reckless, negligent, or intentional means, which causes inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to others, or which interferes with the rights of others, disturbs the public peace, disrupts an online learning space, endangers personal well-being, or causes risk of harm to private or public property. Disorderly and/or disruptive conduct will not be tolerated at any time on University property, online class sessions, or at any University-sponsored events.

Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to:

• Disrupting or preventing a respectful and orderly conduct of class lectures, discussions or meetings.
• Interfering with the operation of the University’s computer facilities by deliberately attempting to negatively impact system performance, security, or administrative operations.
• Engaging in behavior that is perceived as lewd, publicly offensive, indecent, or a breach of the peace or dignity, or aiding and abetting another to do likewise.
• Presence on University property (or at a University-sponsored event) in an intoxicated state (via the consumption or ingestion of alcohol, drugs of abuse, or by another means), creating a condition that causes inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to others, or while intoxicated creating a risk of physical harm to oneself, another, or a risk of physical harm to property by any means.
• Tampering with fire safety equipment or intentionally activating a false fire alarm is prohibited. Initiating a false report of fire, explosion, bomb threat, or other emergency that causes panic will be subject to disciplinary action and may result in civil and criminal liabilities.

 

Drug/Controlled Substance Policy

The unlawful use, purchase, consumption, manufacture, distribution, dispensing and/or possession of any controlled substance (drug) and/or the misuse of a prescription drug is prohibited on any University property (including vehicles parked on University grounds) or at any Franklin University-sponsored event.

Any and all use, possession, or sale of any drug paraphernalia is prohibited. This includes any instrument, tool, or object designed or converted to allow ingestion by any means of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or chemicals.

Appearing on University premises while under the influence of an illegal substance is prohibited.

If there exists reasonable suspicion that a student has violated the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the student may face drug testing at their own expense, and are subject to sanctions ranging from a letter of warning up to dismissal from the University. Failure to participate in drug testing will constitute a presumptive positive test. Individuals present during violations of the controlled substance policy may also be subject to the conduct process.  ‘Reasonable suspicion’ refers to information that has been received, in good faith, from a reliable source regarding the use of a controlled substance.  Possession or use of controlled substances, arrest or conviction related to the possession of, use or trafficking of controlled substances, persistent odors from resident areas or on persons, and unusual behavior perceived to be caused by a controlled substance all constitute factors which qualify as reasonable suspicion.

 

Failure to Comply with University Authority

Failure to comply is defined as, but not limited to, failing without just cause, to comply with the lawful directions of a University official acting in the performance of his/her duties and authority. A University official is defined as any faculty, staff, or administrator, or other individual contracted to act on the University’s behalf.

• To mitigate the risks of Covid-19 transmission, all students and visitors to campus must abide by University-designated safety standards, regardless of personal opinion.  These standards include, but are not limited to, wearing an appropriate face covering and engaging in appropriate social distancing.
• Students and their guests must comply with the directions of individuals who have properly identified themselves as University officials.
• Students and their guests have an obligation to present proper identification upon request to persons who have identified themselves as University officials.
• Students have an obligation to respond to a legitimate oral or written request to appear before a University official, including a student conduct hearing.
• Students have an obligation to comply with assigned disciplinary sanctions resulting from student conduct proceedings, and complete any applicable actions by the deadlines specified.
• The full cooperation of all students is mandated in emergency situations, including cooperation with the directives of University officials or civil authorities.
  • Fire - When a fire alarm sounds, all persons inside a building must move quickly to the nearest building exit or to the exit noted on posted emergency instructions. If no University official is present, the Department of Safety & Security Services should be contacted at Ext. 6902 or (614) 374-6169.
  • Tornado - When information regarding tornado warnings affecting the campus area is received, University officials and the Department of Safety & Security Services will cooperate to notify campus community members. The cooperation of all persons in moving to a safe area is required.
  • Medical - If a potentially life-threatening medical emergency arises, call 911 Emergency Medical Service and notify the Department of Safety & Security Services at Ext. 6902 or (614) 374-6169. Do not attempt treatment unless properly trained.

 

Fire

Committing acts of arson, creating a fire hazard of any kind, or the use of an open flame, is prohibited.

 

Firearms and Weapons

The use, storage, control, or possession of firearms, ammunition, deadly weapons or military ordnance of any kind on the University property or at University functions is expressly forbidden, including storing any said item in vehicles on campus.  Firearms are defined as any gun, rifle, pistol, or handgun designed to fire bullets, BBs, pellets, or projectiles (including paintballs), regardless of the propellant used.

Sworn law enforcement officers, both plain-clothed and uniformed officers, are permitted to carry a firearm on campus, on-duty or off-duty, if permitted by state law and Law Enforcement Department Policy. If you meet the above criteria and are required to carry a weapon as a result of your commission, you must first register with the Department of Safety and Security Services, and receive approval from the Executive Director of Safety & Security Services, or the CFO and VP, prior to carrying your weapon on campus and/or participating in any University activity.

Other weapons are defined as any instrument of combat or any object not designed as an instrument of combat but carried for the purpose of inflicting or threatening bodily injury.  Examples include, but are not limited to fixed-bladed knives, pocket knives with blades longer than three inches, razors, brass knuckles, blackjacks, nunchukkas, projectile-based weapons, or any explosive or incendiary device.

Possession of realistic weapon replicas is prohibited.

Illegal or unauthorized possession of explosives, fireworks, dangerous chemicals, or other explosive devices is prohibited.

 

Gambling

Students are prohibited from engaging in unauthorized games of chance for money or other gain in violation of local, state, or federal laws.

 

Inappropriate Communications

Within the broad context of free academic discussion and debate, communications between members of the campus community (faculty, staff, and fellow students) are always expected to reflect high ethical standards of mutual respect and professionalism.  Whether the communication is through face-to-face exchange, email, online posting, phone, chat room, instant message, text, etc., students must demonstrate respect for faculty, staff, and fellow students in all communications.  

Inappropriate communications may include, but are not limited to: 

• any communication perceived as obscene, racist/sexist/homophobic, harassing, intimidating or inordinately disrespectful
• any communication which directly or indirectly threatens the well-being or safety of any person, regardless of seriousness of intent
• use of email or computer networks to send unsolicited junk mail, spam, etc., or to further any illegal activity
• overt disrespect or insubordination directed towards University personnel
• use of oral or written profanity

Users should be aware that electronic communications such as email, texts and instant messages may carry a different tone and can be perceived differently than traditional forms of communication.  For example, electronic communication (including the use of punctuation, text formatting, emojis, etc.,) often lack cues such as body language, tone of voice, and other signals present in conventional phone or face-to-face communication.  As such, it is important to exercise care in composing all electronic communications to ensure the intended meaning is understood by the recipient.

 

Infliction of Physical or Mental Harm

Harassment
All forms of harassment are prohibited.  Harassment is defined as any unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct this is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment and interferes with, denies, or limits one’s access to or benefits of the employment and/or education environment.

Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to: bullying; verbal, written (including via electronic communication), or physical intimidation; persistent unjustified criticism; public humiliation; insults, jokes, and inappropriate comments; threats; displays of objectively offensive materials; and exclusion.

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: an attempt to coerce an unwilling person into a sexual relationship; to repeatedly subject a person to egregious, unwelcome sexual attention; to punish a refusal to comply with a sexual based request; to condition a benefit on submitting to sexual advances; and gender-based bullying (please refer to Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct (Title IX)).

Hazing
“Hazing,” which is defined by Section 2903.31 of the Ohio Revised Code  as “doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse as defined in section 3719.011 of the Revised Code. For the full anti-hazing policy, please click here. 

Bodily Harm
Infliction or threat of infliction of bodily harm, whether done intentionally or with reckless disregard, including threat or action in retaliation for making allegations of misconduct, is prohibited.

Retaliatory Action
The University prohibits any reaction, statement, or behavior that is designed to retaliate, intimidate or punish an individual in response to an action, including, but not limited to: expressing an opinion, filing a report, cooperating with an investigation, grading an assignment or exam, or seeking guidance regarding a concern.  This includes any form of intimidation, threats or harassment, and will not be tolerated.

 

Infringement of Freedom of Speech and/or the Freedom of Expression

Intentionally interfering with the freedom of speech and the freedom of expression of others are deemed as violations of the Student Code of Conduct and will result in disciplinary action.

 

Interfering with Student Code of Conduct Process

Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to:

• Attempting to intimidate, coerce, or influence a person by any means in an effort to discourage,  prevent or manipulate his/her participation in any student conduct process or proceeding;
• Attempting to obstruct or manipulate any student conduct proceeding;
• Disrupting or interfering with the reprimand, discipline, or apprehension of another person who is involved in the commission of a violation of University regulations;
• Discussing student conduct proceedings that occur during a student conduct hearing or during the investigative process.

 

Lewd or Indecent Conduct

The University strictly prohibits any acts that are perceived to be lewd or indecent in the presence of the campus community; such acts are violations of the Student Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action. These acts include, but are not limited to, public urination, sexual acts performed in public or on University property, taking photos of another person without consent, appearing on campus without appropriate clothing (shirt, pants, shoes), disrobing, flashing, or streaking, and visible possession or distribution of sexually explicit materials.

 

Littering

Littering is prohibited on University premises.

 

Motor Vehicle Regulations

University parking lots provide free parking for students while attending class or using University facilities. Parking lots are conveniently located on the campus near all University buildings. Disability parking is available and enforced. Students using the parking lots must register their vehicles and obtain a parking permit annually during the Fall trimester. All students must obey parking lot signage. Students using University parking lots when not attending classes or when not using University facilities will be subject to parking fines. A comprehensive description of the University’s parking policy is distributed with the issuance of each parking permit. Violators of parking rules may have their parking privileges revoked, their vehicles towed, or may be subject to other sanctions.

Vehicle Registration
Every academic year, or when vehicle or registration information changes, students are required to update their vehicle registration and parking permit with Campus Safety & Security. Students are permitted to park in designated student parking areas only.

Towing
A vehicle may be towed for reasons, including, but not limited to: 

• Parking on the berm of a campus road or grass
• Parking which blocks traffic on a campus road
• Parking in a fire lane or in a designated disability parking area 
• Expired registration and/or no registration
• Abandoned vehicle
• Receiving two or more tickets and/or parking violations

Motor Vehicle Violations

• Speed - The speed limit on all University parking lots is 10 mph.
• Disabled vehicles - Disabled vehicles must be removed from the campus within one week of becoming inoperable, unless written permission is obtained from the Department of Safety & Security Services granting a specific time extension.
• Walkways and campus grounds - Motorized vehicles are prohibited from traveling on all pedestrian walkways and campus grounds except in cases of emergency. 
• Bicycles, scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles are required to observe campus regulations regarding parking and storing of bicycles, scooters, motorcycles and small electric vehicles.

Repeat Violations
When a repeat offender’s vehicle is found in violation, they will receive a written notification by email or window sticker, informing them of the violation and stating that their parking privileges may be revoked, and that the offender’s vehicle may be towed at the owner’s expense in the event of a future violation.

 

Smoking/Tobacco

The use of tobacco-based cigarettes and unregulated nicotine products (e.g. vaping devices, e-cigarettes) is prohibited in all University buildings. In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3794.01, students may only smoke in designated smoking areas near each building.

The use of vaping devices or any other smoking devices (including pipes, hookahs and incense) are included in the Smoking & Tobacco policy. The use of these products is prohibited on University grounds and buildings.

The use of smokeless/chewing tobacco is prohibited in all University buildings.

 

Solicitation

Solicitation by non-affiliated persons or groups is prohibited, including any and all door-to-door solicitations in any campus building or University property.  Student organizations wishing to participate in fundraising projects must secure approval from the Dean of Students. Off-campus organizations are referred to the aforementioned authority to determine on-campus solicitation or representation.

 

Student Contact Information

Students are responsible to keep their contact information current and on file with the University, including mailing address, phone number and email address.  Franklin will send University correspondence to the current address on file in the student record unless otherwise notified; students will assume responsibility for missent University communications.

Students should report all contact information changes to the Welcome Center staff in the Otte for Student Services building, over the phone at (614) 947-4700, via their Franklin email (send changes to info@franklin.edu), or in the Self Service web portal under “User Options.”  Please note: any changes to the student name or Social Security number must be done using a Data Change Form.

 

Theft/Misuse of Property 

Theft is defined as obtaining or exerting control over property or services of others without their permission. Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to:

• Theft, attempted theft, and possession of stolen property are prohibited.
• Possession of the property of another person or of University property without prior authorization may be considered a violation.
• Persons involved in a theft, attempted theft, or possession of stolen property are subject to referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency for prosecution.
• Removal of items that have been assigned to a specific University room or space is prohibited.

 

Trespassing/Unauthorized Presence

Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to:

• Unlawful or unauthorized entry into or presence in any campus building, room, or facility
• Presence on University property or at a University-sponsored event off campus while under sanction that prohibits such presence
• Holding group functions in a University facility without the expressed authorization of the University office overseeing that facility

When the Office of Community Standards receives a report of a suspected violation of the Student Code of Conduct (reports can be made here), it conducts a preliminary review to determine if the report contains sufficient grounds to formally proceed.

Based on the severity of the violation, informal measures may be taken, such as a warning letter or phone outreach to the student, or it may be determined that a formal student conduct hearing should take place.  The Office of Community Standards reserves the right to use its discretion in determining severity on a case-by-case basis.  The severity of sanctioning is generally proportional to the severity or frequency of the violation; Franklin observes a progressive discipline model, and consequently, repeated violations are likely to result in progressively harsher penalties.

If a student conduct hearing is warranted, the Office of Community Standards emails a letter to the student, informing them of the report and instructs them to contact the Office to schedule an appointment for a hearing within five calendar days.  The Office of Community Standards then assigns the case to two Resolution Officers, consisting of a Lead Officer and a Notetaker, whose primary responsibilities are to investigate the claims of the report and conduct interviews in the course of the investigation, including the student and other involved parties.

When the student responds to the meeting request, a time is scheduled for both Resolution Officers and the student to meet. If the student does not respond within the five-day deadline, the Resolution Officers will be asked to render a judgment on the case based on the evidence, without the student’s input.  As such, it is in the student’s best interest to participate in the hearing so that the Officers can hear the student’s side of the story, ask clarifying questions, and better understand the situation.

Conduct hearings can be held in person (on campus) or via video meeting.  Phone meetings are not preferred but acceptable.  The meeting is limited to the student and both Resolution Officers.

The Lead Resolution Officer conducts the conduct hearing by interviewing the student, while the Notetaker records the interactions between the Lead Officer and the student, but may also ask questions. During this hearing, the student is given the opportunity to make additional statements, provide clarifying evidence, and ask questions. Conduct hearing sessions typically last one hour or less.

After the conclusion of the hearing, the Resolution Officers reconvene with the Office of Community Standards and discuss the results of the hearing and how it impacts the facts of the case.  Within five business days, the Resolution Officers submit final recommendations to the Office of Community Standards, including degree of responsibility and appropriate sanctions, if any.

The Office of Community Standards reviews the Officers’ recommendations, and when the judgment is approved, an outcome letter is emailed to the student, informing them of the judgment and sanction(s), if any.

Students have the right to appeal the judgment issued in student conduct cases.  If the student intends to file an appeal, a formal Petition for Appeal must be submitted within 15 calendar days of the email delivery date of the outcome letter. The web form must be completed and must include all relevant documentation via attachments.

What is academic misconduct?

Franklin University defines academic misconduct in five primary categories.  It is critical that all students understand each type and how the University defines them:

Plagiarism
This is the most common form of academic misconduct, and is acquiring work from an external source and submitting it as one’s own without appropriate citations and credit to the original author.  These sources can be textbooks, online articles, so-called ‘cheat websites’ (e.g., CourseHero, Chegg, etc.), previously submitted student assignments, and so on.  Regardless of the source, students are expected to give credit to the original author, using APA citations.  If an idea is being paraphrased in the student’s own words, credit must still be attributed to the source.  A simple way to view plagiarism is this: sources should serve to support the student’s original ideas and themes in an assignment, not the other way around.  Also, unless a given assignment is assigned as a group project, assume the submitted work must be your own and avoid collaborating with fellow students.

Recycling Assignments
Also known as self-plagiarism, the recycling assignments violation occurs when work, previously submitted for credit, is re-submitted for further credit at a later date.  This violation is often misconstrued by students, who may argue that if the work is their own, they can self-plagiarize.  The core issue is not plagiarism but rather the submission of work for credit more than once, and every assignment from every course is designed to be a unique learning experience.  Limited use of assignment recycling is acceptable, however, if the student receives permission from their course instructor to use small portions of a past assignment to support a current one.

Exam Misconduct
The term 'exam misconduct' refers primarily to academic misconduct in the course of taking an exam, or any assignment in which exam-like conditions are present.  Franklin’s Testing Services team provides all students with parameters and restrictions which must be adhered to while taking any exam, and deviating from those restrictions may constitute an act of academic misconduct.  Violations may include the use of restricted materials during an exam, seeking online solutions to questions using their computer or handheld device, utilizing in-person assistance from a test proctor or other individual in the area.  If any suspicious behavior is witnessed by Testing Services, ProctorU or an in-person test proctor, a violation report may be filed.

Facilitation of Academic Misconduct
As the term implies, any student who willfully attempts to assist another student commit an act of academic misconduct, they too are subject to possible academic misconduct charges and sanctions.  Facilitation may take various forms, such as sharing exam answers to another student, providing them with past course assignments for them to copy and submit for credit, and so on.  The sharing of coursework between students is permissible, but only in the context of helping them to better grasp course material so they can then submit their own original work.

Fabrication
Fabrication is the act of falsifying, manipulating or manufacturing erroneous data, citations or references in an assignment, course project or examination.  Sources and data are closely scrutinized, so students must be certain that the data they include in their submissions are accurate and verifiable. 

Strategies to Avoid Academic Misconduct

The Office of Community Standards operates on the philosophy that it is far easier to proactively work to avoid the pitfalls which can lead to academic misconduct than it is to react to a formal report of an alleged violation.  The Office understands that instances of academic misconduct are often the result of missteps by the student that can be mitigated with preventative measures.  The following are five simple strategies which students can use to avoid the risk of academic misconduct:

• Know the rules.  As stated above, all students are responsible for obeying the rules of student conduct, so ignorance is a poor defense in an academic misconduct case.  Familiarize yourself with the academic misconduct policy and procedure so that you have a good understanding of our expectations.
• Manage your time.  As students, balancing academic life with personal and professional lives can be a struggle, so know your limits and prioritize your objectives.  Poor time management can lead to a time-crunch, which can lead to panic and the temptation to taking shortcuts, relying on copying from online sources or even using cheat sites to get assignments turned in on time.  Don't fall into this trap -follow a routine you can stick to, and plan out your free time a week ahead of time.
• Check your work.  Before submitting any assignment, review your work completely to make sure the submission is your own work, and ensure all sources you use are properly formatted and cited.  Lastly, verify that the file chosen for upload is the one you intended; uploading the wrong file, which may be a past assignment or online article, may appear suspicious.
• Consult with your instructor.  Unfortunately, many students are hesitant to reach out to their instructors if they are having trouble grasping the course material or understanding the expectations of an assignment, fearing a grading bias.  This often causes them to submit erroneous, substandard, or even plagiarized work.  If there is doubt as to whether the citations are correct, or the research is sound, or if you truly understand the assignment, stop the submission process and reach out to the course instructor.  Instructors are there to help, but it is up to you to communicate your needs and questions.
• Ask for assistance.  In addition to the help available from course instructors, Franklin University offers a wide variety of resources to support student success.  The Learning Commons provides access to APA resources, tutoring services, scholarly information, testing services, research consultations, as well as technology resources and physical space for productive learning.

Academic Misconduct Procedures

In the event that you are suspected of academic misconduct and face formal proceedings, it is important that you understand the process and what to expect.  The following lists the procedures for a formal academic misconduct case cycle:

Step 1: Office of Community Standards Notifies the Student
When the Office of Community Standards (OCS) receives a report of suspected academic misconduct, it reviews the report and supporting evidence submitted and determine the validity of the report. If OCS has further questions or is concerned that the incident may not meet the criteria for a possible charge of academic misconduct, it contacts the reporter to request additional evidence or further discussion for purposes of clarification, or dismisses the report. 

If it is determined that the report has sufficient grounds to continue, OCS emails a letter to the student, informing them of the report and instructs them to contact their course instructor within five calendar days in order to schedule a good faith discussion and discuss the reported incident.  The student will not be eligible to drop the impacted course to avoid a failing grade until the case is resolved. 

Step 2: Student Conducts Good Faith Discussion with Faculty Member and/or Designee
The good faith discussion process is designed to offer the student the opportunity to express their perspective of the reported incident and allow them to present their side, provide explanations and present evidence regarding the incident.  During this live discussion, it is imperative that all parties conduct themselves in an honest, fair, and respectful manner in order to allow an open discussion about the incident

Step 3: Judgment is Rendered; Office of Community Standards Issues Outcome Letter 
After the good faith discussion, the faculty member reviews the evidence in the case, factors in and mitigating or aggravating circumstances resulting from the good faith discussion, and submits a formal judgment to the Office of Community Standards.

If the student does not comply with the meeting request letter and initiate contact for a good faith discussion within the five-day deadline, the Office of Community Standards will ask the course instructor to render their judgment based solely on the evidence, without the input of the student.

When the faculty member submits their judgment to the Office of Community Standards, the Office communicates this judgment to the student via an emailed outcome letter to the student through University email. The Primary Judicial Officer may prescribe alternate penalties as deemed appropriate.

If a formal charge of academic misconduct is rendered, a disciplinary notation for academic misconduct will be entered in the student’s academic record.

Students have the right to appeal the judgment issued in academic misconduct cases.  If the student intends to file an appeal, a formal Petition for Appeal must be submitted within 15 calendar days of the email delivery date of the outcome letter. The web form must be completed and must include all relevant documentation via attachments.

As is the practice at most U.S. colleges and universities, Franklin University utilizes what is known as the “preponderance of evidence” model of evidence standard when making judgments in student conduct cases. Preponderance of evidence means that the greater weight of existing evidence and written/verbal statements favors either the finding that a violation occurred or did not occur.  In other words, the body of evidence must establish that it was more likely than not that a student committed an alleged violation.  No person will be found in violation of Franklin’s Student Code of Conduct without the preponderance of evidence that a student conduct violation occurred. Legal rules of evidence (e.g., the reasonable doubt standard) do not apply in University conduct cases.

Campus conduct cases are confidential, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law. Ohio's public records law (Ohio Revised Code §149.43) does not permit the university to promise confidentiality to those who report crimes to anyone except counselors, clergy, or under certain circumstances, to a physician or a nurse. Franklin University understands that reporting a crime may involve disclosing sensitive information. Subject to Ohio public records law, the University will use and disseminate such information consistent with the need to conduct an appropriate investigation, to provide assistance and resources to crime victims, to perform other appropriate university functions, and to comply with the law and university policy. Note that the use and release of personally identifiable information from an education record of a student is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and Franklin will only disclose covered student information in compliance with that law and university policy.

Per the University’s sole discretion, sanctions will be proportionate to the severity of the violation. Most sanctions are not predetermined, but rather are developed with consideration given to the individual circumstances of the case and existing disciplinary history.

Sanctioning governed by the Office of Community Standards is primarily determined by three factors: the seriousness of the violation, the student’s record of involvement in prior violations, and any existing sanctions currently in effect against the student.  Disciplinary sanctions issued against a student may become a part of the student’s educational record, the content of which is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Sanctions may vary based on the severity of the violation or the repetition of violations over a period of time.  Failure to abide by conduct sanctions and their respective terms may result in more severe sanctions.  Possible sanctions may include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

Informal Word of Warning
An oral or written word of caution from the Office of Community Standards or designee. No formal charges or notice is required before the issuance of an informal word of warning.

Letter of Corrective Action
A written letter issued by a hearing officer resulting from the student’s misconduct and subsequent review of the circumstances. This is an official notification of unacceptable behavior and a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Loss of Privileges
Denial of specified privileges or services for a designated period of time.  This may include University or Learning Commons-specific services (e.g., automated proctoring, etc), and may also include temporary or permanently restricted access to on-campus areas.

Restitution
Compensation for costs of damages to a person or property or for a misappropriation of property.  Restitution may take the form of appropriate services to repair or otherwise compensate for damages.  Restitution may be imposed in combination with any other penalty.

Fines
When appropriate, a financial penalty will be paid to the University within a designated timeframe, unless specific payment arrangements are made with approval of the Dean of Students. Failure to pay a fine constitutes a failure to comply with University authority and may result in further disciplinary action.

Probation
A written reprimand which permits continuation of enrollment, but may impose certain requirements on the student for a specified period of time.  Any further violations by the student under probation will likely result in progressively more severe sanctions.

Discretionary Sanctions
Sanctions that work to restore, repair, or reverse the damage done by code of conduct violations or other related discretionary sanctions. 

Suspension
The loss of privileges of enrollment at the University for a designated period of time, which prohibits the student from being present on University premises without prior permission.  During this period of separation, the suspension will be noted on the student’s academic transcript.  Conditions for readmission may be specified.

Dismissal
The permanent loss of privileges of enrollment at the University, which prohibits the student's presence on University premises without prior permission. The dismissal will be noted on the student’s academic transcript.

Denial of Entry/Re-Enrollment
The permanent loss of privileges to enroll or re-enroll at the University and prohibits the student's presence on University property without prior permission.

Academic Misconduct Sanctions

First Incident
The course instructor and/or Lead Faculty member will recommend the sanction for the first incident of Academic Misconduct to the Office of Community Standards. The sanction for the first charge of Academic Misconduct may include a formal warning, a formal charge of academic misconduct, a zero grade for the submitted assignment(s)/exam in question, or a failing grade in the class, depending on the severity of the incident and the apparent intent of the student.  For first-time violations, the student may also be required to complete an academic misconduct workshop conducted by the Office of Community Standards. 

During the duration of an academic misconduct case, the student will be unable to withdraw from the class in order to avoid a failing grade. University administration may place a hold on a student account during the investigation of a violation of academic integrity and/or retroactively change a grade due to the severity of the incident. If a student has withdrawn from the course prior to the start of the case investigation and is found responsible for academic misconduct, they may still be subject to a sanction under this policy. 

Students found responsible for certain academic misconduct violations may lose use of automated or online proctoring services, and may be required to test in-person or utilize live proctoring services for up to one year. Students will be responsible for all associated proctoring fees for exams.

For undergraduate students, a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy may preclude the student from consideration for academic honors; specifically, Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude. A panel of University faculty will evaluate the incident of academic misconduct and will make the final determination on the student’s eligibility for academic honors. 
 
Multiple Formal Charges 
If a student receives a second formal charge of academic misconduct in the same section of the same course, will automatically result in a failing grade in the class.  A second formal charge in separate sections of the same course, or a second charge in different courses, may result in a failing grade in the class as well as a disciplinary suspension from the University.  The notation “Suspended for Academic Misconduct” will be entered in the student’s academic record.

If a student receives a third formal charge of academic misconduct in separate sections of the same course, or a third charge in different courses, may result in a failing grade in the class as well as a disciplinary dismissal from the University.  The notation “Dismissed for Academic Misconduct” will be entered in the student’s academic record.

Revocation of a Degree
In applicable circumstances, the University reserves the right to revoke a student’s degree, if it was determined that the degree was awarded, in whole or in part, through academic misconduct or fraudulent acts. Any degree previously conferred by the University may be revoked if the student is found to have committed academic misconduct in pursuit of that degree. The University President has sole authority to revoke a degree and may not delegate this authority.

Procedure for Appeal of Student Conduct Decisions

Students have the right to appeal any judgment (Academic Misconduct, Non-Academic Misconduct, Student Grievance) applied by the Office of Community Standards.  Such appeals are not intended to re-hear the same case and are limited to the specific criteria outlined below.  The original judgment, resolution or sanction will remain in force while an appeal is under review and a final decision is determined. Appeals are limited to one appeal per case, and the judgment of the appeal is final.

To file a formal appeal, students must complete the Petition for Appeal Form within 15 calendar days of receipt of the original outcome decision letter. This written appeal must state the specific criteria for the appeal and should include all supporting documentation as attachments.

Criteria for Appeals

Appeals not meeting one or more of the criteria listed below will be considered for a formal review; if an appeal fails to meet the listed criteria, the Office of Community Standards will notify the student.  The student may re-submit an appeal if the deadline has not expired.  The criteria for appeals are:

• The established procedures used to process the case (academic misconduct, non-academic misconduct, grievance) were not followed per University policy, which resulted in material harm or prejudice to the student.  Deviations from designated procedures are not a basis for sustaining an appeal unless material harm or prejudice results have occurred.
• Discovery of substantial new evidence that was unavailable at the time of the hearing or investigation that reasonably could reasonably have affected the outcome. This new information must be included with the student’s Petition for Appeal. 
• The sanction imposed (if applicable) was not applied per University policy and/or was disproportionate to the nature of the violation or circumstances.  In cases in which a charged student has accepted responsibility, such appeals are limited to having the severity of the sanction reviewed.

Dissatisfaction with a decision is not grounds for an appeal.  Non-attendance or non-participation in the outcome decision is not considered new evidence nor grounds for an appeal. 

Non-Academic Appeals Process

1. A Petition for Appeal Form is submitted to the Office of Community Standards.
2. The Office of Community Standards conducts a preliminary review to determine if the appeal meets the criteria standard for appeal; if it does, the appeal is forwarded to the Dean of Students (or designated appeal officer) for a formal review.  The appeal review may take up to 15 calendar days, depending on the complexity of the issues involved. 
3. The Dean of Students (or designated appeal officer) reviews the appeal based on a review of the claims in the appeal, utilizing University records, additional evidence supplied in the appeal, and additional relevant information supplied to the appeal review.  All may be considered and factored into the final judgment.
4. After a review of the record, the Dean (or designated appeal officer) may:
   • Uphold the original judgment and/or sanction(s);
   • Dismiss the case or individual charge(s) against the student and vacate any portion or all of the sanctions;
   • Modify the severity of the sanction(s); or
   • Remand the case to the original resolution officers or refer the case to a new resolution officers to be reheard.  Any case that is reheard can result in sanctions greater than the original imposed sanction. This review may take up to 10 calendar days, depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
5. The result of the Petition for Appeal review will be communicated to the petitioner via email.  This decision is final and not subject to further appeals.

If you have questions or require assistance in completing the appeal, please contact the Office of Community Standards. Intentionally submitting false or misleading information is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The University reserves the right to take immediate interim actions as necessary and appropriate to protect the safety and well-being of the campus and community.

Academic Misconduct Appeal Process

Submission of any appeal must be submitted in writing within 15 calendar days after the decision letter is issued from the Office of Community Standards. The student must submit their appeal via the Petition for Appeal Form, including all relevant documentation.  The Office of Community Standards conducts a preliminary review to determine if the appeal meets the criteria standard for appeal; if it does, the appeal is forwarded to the corresponding Academic College Dean (or designee) for a formal review.  The appeal review may take up to 15 calendar days, depending on the complexity of the issues involved.

The Academic College Dean (or designee) will review the appeal and issue a final judgment letter to the student within 15 calendar days of the date of the receipt of the appeal, either upholding or reversing the original judgment. Any changes to the student record as a result of the appeal judgment, if any, will be made at that time. This decision is final and is not subject to further appeal.

The Academic College Dean (or designee) may request or approve a request for a hearing with relevant individuals, either individually or together, as deemed appropriate by the administrator.

All questions regarding the process or any matters relating to an appeal should be directed to the Office of Community Standards at advocate@franklin.edu.

The University expects the highest standards of behavior and conduct of each member of the campus community. In some instances, missteps occur that can negatively impact the maintaining honesty and integrity, respect of others, and the respect of the campus community. The Student Grievance Process is an administrative process designed to provide a way for a member of our campus community to identify any instance that disrupts the academic community and request a formal review.

A formal grievance is a complaint, allegation, or concern reported by a member of the campus community regarding their experience in the campus community, or with the University as a whole. It may involve a one-time occurrence, a pattern of experiences that has had a negative impact on a community member's experience with the University, or a judgment made in the normal course of operations that the student believes was made capriciously or has had a disparate impact on the student relative to others.  The student grievance form can be accessed here.

Grievance Procedure
Depending on the nature of the grievance, the Office of Community Standards or the Office of Student Life takes leadership of the submitted grievance, facilitates the investigation of the claims of the grievance, and determines the judgment of the claims and desired outcome.

Informal Resolution
Before the formal grievance process is initiated, every effort should be made by the individual(s) to resolve the issue directly with the appropriate party as part of a good faith effort.

Formal Resolution
The formal Student Grievance Process is initiated by submitting a completed Grievance Form, including relevant documentation. Be as detailed as possible and provide sufficient context; it is highly probable that the Office of Community Standards is unaware of the circumstances and depends on these details in order to proceed.

• A Grievance Form is submitted to the Office of Community Standards; the petitioner is notified when it has been received.  The submission grievance is reviewed by the Office of Community Standards to determine merit and completeness, then proceeds to the investigative stage.
• The Office of Community Standards (or designee) investigates the claims made in the grievance for verification, reviewing student records and interviewing relevant parties as appropriate.  The completion of the investigation may take up to 15 calendar days, depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
• At the conclusion of the investigation, a judgment is reached and an outcome letter is issued to the complainant via email.  

If you need assistance in completing the Grievance Form, please contact the Office of Community Standards at advocate@franklin.edu.  Providing false information in a formal grievance is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Appeal of a Grievance
Students have the right to appeal any judgment (Academic Misconduct, Non-Academic Misconduct, Student Grievance) applied by the Office of Community Standards (refer to the Appeals section).  Such appeals are not intended to re-hear the same case and are limited to the specific criteria listed above.  The original judgment, resolution or sanction will remain in force while an appeal is under review and a final decision is determined. Appeals are limited to one appeal per case, and the judgment of the appeal is final.

Franklin University is committed to creating a culture of reporting by encouraging the reporting of suspected Community Standards violations.  The University reserves the right to respond to notice and to initiate conduct proceedings without a formal allegation by the victim or witnesses of misconduct.

Report an Alleged Code of Conduct Violation

Report an Alleged Academic Misconduct Violation

Anonymously Report an Incident

File a Grievance

File a Formal Appeal of a Student Conduct or Grievance Case Judgment

Grade appeals are not the purview of the Office of Community Standards.  To file a formal final grade appeal, refer to the grade appeal process outlined in the Franklin University Academic Bulletin and direct correspondence to the Grade Appeal Office via email to caoappeal@franklin.edu.  This process must be strictly followed or the appeal will be invalidated.

Title IX Matters
Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Campus Coordinator. Please refer here for a complete description of Franklin University’s Title IX procedures.

Dr. Blake J. Renner, Ed.D
Otte Student Services Building
Franklin University
201 South Grant Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-947-6236
TitleIX@franklin.edu 

ADA/Section 504 Compliance Matters
Inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodations, or questions regarding the rights of individuals under the ADA or Section 504 may be referred to the ADA/Section 504 Compliance Coordinator.

Dr. Blake J. Renner, Ed.D
Otte Student Services Building
Franklin University
201 South Grant Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-947-6236
TitleIX@franklin.edu