Contact us through this submission form regarding complaints, concerns, or other matters.

Report a concern

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We all have a role to play in supporting campus safety. If you witness something that is a threat to public safety or an individual on campus, you are strongly encouraged to report it to UI Police as soon as possible.

If it's an emergency, call 911.

Process

  • The Office of Student Accountability’s policies and procedures only apply to students as defined in the Code of Student Life. 

  • Any student is subject to discipline by the University of Iowa Office of Student Accountability if they are found to have engaged in behavior prohibited by policies, rules, or regulations of The University of Iowa that occur within the jurisdictional reach of the University of Iowa. (Section D.1) 

  • Jurisdictional reach includes on-campus locations, off-campus behavior that affects a clear and distinct interest of the University, and online or electronic behaviors that are not protected expression under the U.S. Constitution or the Constitution of the State of Iowa. 

  • In consultation with the applicable office, OSA may also enforce or apply policies, rules, or regulations communicated by any University of Iowa college, department, unit, program, office, or facility 

  • Upon receiving the report, the Office of Student Accountability will consider the nature of the incident or report, the evidence available, and the parties involved. After a report is received, the Office of Student Accountability may: 

    • Determine there is not sufficient evidence available to pursue an investigation (i.e. we cannot determine the identity of the allegedly responsible party);

    • Determine that the behavior alleged would not violate the Code of Student Life if it occurred as reported (i.e. protected speech/expression, or allegations of behavior that falls outside of the jurisdiction of OSA)

    • Refer the matter to another University unit/department; or

    • Proceed with an investigation.

  • Students will receive a written summary of the allegations made against them and a copy of the corresponding policies they are alleged to have violated. 

  • Depending on the information received, interim measure(s) may be placed at the time of notice, or at any time prior to the completion of an investigation. Interim measures could include any outcomes in the accountability procedure other than restitution, fines, or expulsion. More details about this process can be found in Section 4 of the Accountability Procedure.

  • Investigations may conclude during the initial meeting with an investigator. 

  • More complex matters may require multiple meetings with an investigator and time for the investigator to review evidence and interview witnesses, as applicable.  

  • Responding students can request to review and respond to evidence that will be used to make a decision regarding the allegations. 

The possible outcomes include: 

  • A decision to dismiss the allegations. 

  • A decision that it is more likely than not that the Responding Student violated student conduct policies.  

  • Investigators have the authority to impose sanctions in cases where they have concluded it is more likely than not that the Responding Student violated university policies, except cases involving suspension or expulsion. 

  • For cases where suspension or expulsion is a possible outcome, the associate dean, accountability and care has the authority to suspend or expel.

  • The Office of Student Accountability has sanctioning authority in cases involving students that are investigated and/or adjudicated by the Office of Institutional Equity. 

  • The accountability procedure lays out specific information and sanctions.