Dean of Students

To access a complete list of prohibited behaviors with definitions for each, access the Student Conduct policy through our Policy Central website.

Students will notice that most prohibited behaviors are obviously not acceptable. For example, causing physical or emotional harm to others, as defined by law, hazing, falsifying information or fraud, theft, vandalism, possessing weapons or hazardous materials on campus, and gambling, among other serious behaviors. 

Tennessee Tech prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, use, or abuse of any controlled substance, illegal drug, or alcohol on Tennessee Tech property.

Possibly. In the case of prohibited conduct that occurs off Tennessee Tech Property, Tennessee Tech will take into account whether the prohibited conduct adversely affects the interests of Tennessee Tech, including, but not limited to, prohibited conduct that:

1. Occurs in connection with a Tennessee Tech Activity, including, but not limited to, a study abroad program, clinical, internship, service-learning placement, or similar program or,

2. Involves another member of the Tennessee Tech community if the prohibited conduct adversely affects the interests of Tennessee Tech or,

3. Poses a credible, serious threat to the health and safety of the Tennessee Tech community or Tennessee Tech Property.

Tennessee Tech’s student conduct process and the criminal justice system process are separate and independent from one another; therefore, the Dean of Students office may investigate behavior that allegedly violates both criminal law and the Student Conduct policy without regard for the pending or final status of a criminal or civil law case.

Please read the email carefully, as it will state the purpose of the meeting. There are typically three reasons the Dean of Student may contact you for a discussion. 

1. Wellbeing Check: If the Dean of Students Office receives information that suggests you could benefit from support or resources, the Dean of Students may request that you make an appointment to discuss how Tennessee Tech may be able to help.

2. Investigation of a complaint: If the Dean of Students believes you may have information about a student conduct matter, you may receive a meeting request to discuss the issue. You are welcome to bring an advisor such as a friend, parent, or even an attorney with you to the meeting.

3. Written notice of the alleged violation: If the Dean of Students office has information that suggests you may have violated the Student Conduct policy, you will receive a preliminary meeting notification letter that will include:

   • A written statement of the alleged violation and description of the alleged behavior including time, date, and place of occurrence if such information is available;

   • Notice of the right to be accompanied by an advisor of choice, including an attorney, provided to you or registered student organization (RSO), if applicable, consents to sign a release of necessary education records to the advisor;

   • Notice that the advisor may not speak on your (or RSO’s) behalf in the disciplinary meeting;

   • Notice of the right to address any information Tennessee Tech relies on as a basis for the preliminary meeting.

You must contact the Dean of Students’ office within forty-eight (48) hours to schedule a preliminary meeting. A disciplinary hold may be placed on your account if you do not contact the Dean of Students’ office within forty-eight (48) hours to schedule a preliminary meeting.

Student Conduct Hearing Rights

• The right to receive notices described in Section IX. of the Student Conduct policy before the hearing;

• The right to have the case heard based only on the alleged violation of the prohibited conduct specified in the written notice;

• The right to be accompanied by an advisor of choice, provided the Student or registered student organization (RSO) consents to sign a release of necessary education records. The advisor, however, may not speak on behalf of the Student in the hearing. Consult the Student Conduct policy for more information on the advisor’s role.

• The right to speak on one’s own or the RSO’s behalf, to call witnesses and to question all witnesses, to present evidence, and to challenge the admissibility of evidence; and

• The right to speak or remain silent in a hearing.

Hearing Polices

• Formal rules of evidence shall not be applicable. The Dean of Students or person overseeing the student conduct hearing may exclude evidence which, in their sole judgment, is immaterial, irrelevant, unduly repetitious, or unduly prejudicial, etc.

• Findings of responsibility will be determined using the preponderance of the evidence standard of proof unless otherwise required by federal or state law, rule, regulation, or Tennessee Tech policies.

• A written decision that includes findings and conclusions from the hearing will be issued to the student or registered student organization within three (3) business days after the hearing and all evidence is submitted.

• The Student or registered student organization will be advised in writing of the decision and any applicable sanctions imposed as a result of the disciplinary hearing via the Tennessee Tech email account. Any sanctions imposed will effective immediately upon notification of the decision. 

Refer to the Student Conduct policy for a complete description of the disciplinary process, including hearing procedures. 

The Student Handbook includes a more exhaustive list of student rights and responsibilities and may be accessed online as referenced in new student orientation. In addition, students may access policies related to their rights and responsibilities through Tennessee Tech University’s Policy Central page.

Yes, students may bring an advisor of choice, including an attorney, provided the student consents to sign a release of necessary education records to the advisor. 

If a student or registered student organization is found responsible for engaging in prohibited conduct, a disciplinary outcome or “sanctions” may be imposed. The student conduct process is educational in nature and intended to address the behavior that resulted in sanction. Therefore, educational actions such as required educational programs, workshops, or community service are common. Students may also receive “probation” for a set period of time that may include restrictions of privileges or any other appropriate conditions. 

For a list of possible sanctions, refer to Section VII of the Student Conduct policy. 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) generally prohibits universities from releasing any student’s disciplinary records without the student’s written consent (or other relevant FERPA exception such as a health and safety emergency). Therefore, the Dean of Students Office does not notify parents of Student Conduct policy violations. 

However, FERPA allows Tennessee Tech to notify parents or guardians if a student violates the university’s alcohol or drug policy, in accordance with Tennessee state law, without the student’s written consent. In 2008, the State of Tennessee passed a law requiring public higher education institutions to notify parents or guardians of students under the age of twenty-one if their student violated the institution’s drug or alcohol policy. Tennessee Tech fulfills the parent notification requirement by mailing written notification on letterhead to the parent/guardian address listed with the Registrar.

Except as noted above, if a student wants the Dean of Students’ office to discuss or share their disciplinary record with a parent or other third party, the student must sign and submit FERPA release before any records can be shared. FERPA releases are available in the Dean of Students Office, located in the RUC room 214, or by request at DeanOfStudents@tntech.edu.   

Yes. A third party may submit a request for a disciplinary records check, provided the subject of the request (student or former student) consents to the disciplinary check in writing. Inquires may be directed to the Dean of Students office in person, by mail, or by emailing DeanOfStudents@tntech.edu. Please allow at least three (3) business days to respond to a request. For large or complex requests, SCCS may require additional time to respond.

There may be limited instances where the Dean of Students Office is required by State or Federal law to disclose student record information such as a response to a subpoena or other judicial order.

Yes. A prospective student’s admission to Tennessee Tech may be rescinded for pre-attendance conduct that is prohibited by the Student Conduct policy.

If the Dean of Students rescinds a prospective student’s admission, the prospective student may appeal Tennessee Tech’s admission decision by providing a written statement with supporting documentation to the Vice President of Student Affairs within 15 calendar days, absent good cause, of receipt of that decision.

The Vice President of Student Affairs will issue a written decision within 30 calendar days, absent good cause, after the student has provided all supporting documentation. The decision of the Vice President is final.