Student Conduct Process

Philosophy

In keeping with the Bellarmine University motto In Veriatis Amore – in the love of truth and in the spirit of Catholic tradition, the Bellarmine University student conduct system is founded upon the values of, honesty, integrity, responsibility, reflection, respect, and compassion. The student conduct system defines these values as follows:

  • Honesty: Be truthful in your academic work and in your relationships.
  • Integrity: Be trustworthy, fair and ethical.
  • Responsibility: Be accountable for your actions and your learning.
  • Respect: Be civil. Value the dignity of each person. Honor the physical and intellectual property of others.
  • Reflection: Actively think about your decision making and the impact it has on yourself and others.
  • Compassion: Having care and concern for each unique person.

As members of the Bellarmine community, students, faculty and staff work cooperatively to achieve a common standard of academic excellence. Honesty, integrity, responsibility, respect, and reflection are central to providing an open environment for learning. The rules and regulations of the institution are stated to assist each person in the development of a responsible lifestyle, in being respectful of the rights of others and compatible with the norms of society and the mission of the University. All proceedings of the student conduct system are intended to be educational and are non-adversarial as well as confidential. Provisions made for these proceedings are intended to be fair and thorough but informal at the same time and do not reflect the formalities of either civil or criminal judicial procedures.

Our Goals

  • To support the university’s educational mission by promoting a university community that is safe, positive, and healthy for Bellarmine students.
  • To provide a fair and consistent process for students charged with violations of university policy.
  • To collaborate with university and community partners to develop opportunities for the identification, communication and celebration of community values.
  • To encourage personal learning and growth through developmental and educational opportunities for Bellarmine students, in an effort to help the students learn from their mistakes and become a future leader in their community.

Learning Objectives

  • Students who complete a student conduct hearing will be able to define the alleged violation they were accused of committing and recognize any steps necessary to remain in good standing with the University as demonstrated by responses on the student conduct post-hearing survey.
  • Students who attend a pre-hearing meeting will be able to prepare a thorough personal statement/defense and articulate the violations with which they are being charged as demonstrated by responses on the student conduct post-hearing survey.
  • As a result of developmental student conduct sanctions, students will be able to modify personal behaviors to improve campus citizenship skills and positively articulate to peers the lesson(s) learned by completing sanctions as demonstrated by responses in post-hearing assessment and the number of repeat violators.
  • At the conclusion of the student's involvement in the student conduct process, the student will have an increased self-awareness of the potential physical or psychological affects of his or her behavior, as demonstrated through completion of the assigned sanction.
  • At the conclusion of the student's involvement in the student conduct process, the student will have an increased self-awareness of the potential affect of his or her behavior on future career, course of study, and relationships with others, as demonstrated by the completed assigned sanction. 

Additional Information