Definitions

General definitions utilized in the Student Code of Conduct are below. Specific definitions pertaining to individual sections of the Student Code of Conduct are contained in the respective sections.

1. Advisor: a student’s representative at any informal or formal hearing. Unless otherwise stipulated in a hearing procedure, the advisor may not address any participants in the hearing, question witnesses or the hearing officer or participate in the hearing except to offer advice and counsel to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to notify an advisor of hearing dates and times, as well as share any pertinent information regarding the case.
2. Appellant: the person who has filed an appeal of an original disciplinary decision.
3. Business day: any weekday when the university is open for business. Partial days are considered business days.
4. Faculty member: the term refers to any person hired by the University to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by the university to be a member of its faculty.
5. Formal Hearing: the opportunity to present and review relevant evidence before a disciplinary committee, designated hearing officer, or panel vested with the authority to conduct such hearings. The hearing is conducted in accordance with the university’s established hearing procedures. Consult the appropriate section in this handbook for the specific hearing procedures.
6. Hearing Officer: a university official who is authorized on a case-by-case basis by the Dean of Students Office (for nonacademic violations) or the Dean of the College (for academic violations) to hear a case and impose sanctions upon any student(s) found to have violated the Student Code. It may include but is not limited to an administrator, faculty member, staff member, graduate assistant, or residence hall professional staff member.
7. Informal resolution hearing: a meeting with a university official to discuss a disciplinary matter. The student is informed of the charges, due process rights, the evidence available, an opportunity to respond to the charges, and, if applicable, the selection of the method of disposition of the case.
8. Notice/notification: correspondence sent by mail (addressed to the addressee at the local address as shown on university records or personally delivered to the addressee), verbal notification, or electronic mail.
9. Preponderance of evidence: the standard used to determine the merits of the allegation(s); i.e., more likely than not.
10. Recognized Student Organization: student groups who have complied with the formal requirements for university recognition, and are therefore eligible to use the university facilities and apply for Student Service Fee Organization funding.
11. Non-recognized student organization: a student group that has not completed the formal requirements for recognition under Student Engagement guidelines.
12. Senior Student Affairs Officer: the senior administrator overseeing Student Success (which includes areas generally associated at colleges and universities as "Student Affairs"). The senior student affairs officer is the Acting Vice President of Student Success.
13. Student: includes anyone taking courses at or from the university, both full- and part-time, and between terms. Persons who withdraw after allegedly violating the Student Code, who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing relationship with the university, or who have been notified of their acceptance for admission are considered “students” as are persons who are living in University housing, although not enrolled in this institution. This also includes individuals who have been awarded a degree and later found to have obtained it through fraud, misrepresentation, or other violations of University standards. Students involved in study abroad are also subject to this code and the Study Abroad Student Code of Conduct for Texas A&M University-Kingsville International Studies Programs.
14. University: means the physical Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus and all other off-campus locations where Texas A&M University-Kingsville classes are taught. The Student Code of Conduct applies to all locations of the University, including online instruction and all other off-campus locations where classes are taught.
15. University premises: include all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the university (i.e., such as during university-sanctioned events off campus).
16. Will/Shall: are used in the imperative.