Allegations Involving Students
Allegations of misconduct against students will be handled according to policies in the University of North Dakota Code of Student Life, with the following modification: if a student against whom an allegation is lodged serves in a research assistant capacity and is supported in that position by University administered funds, the allegation must be reported to the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost (VPAA) or Vice President for Research (VPR) who will make the decision as to whether the complaint should be handled in accordance with the procedures as stipulated in the CODE OF STUDENT LIFE or the procedures as provided in this Policy. If the decision is to proceed utilizing the CODE OF STUDENT LIFE process, each step of the process must be coordinated with the VPAA or VPOR or a designee in order to assure compliance with the procedures for time lines, decisions, and sanctions as prescribed in this Policy.

B.

Principles
The following principles shall guide the review of allegations of misconduct in research, scholarship, and creative activity at the University of North Dakota:

1.

The process must avoid damage to research, scholarship, or creative activity.

2.

The University will provide vigorous leadership in the pursuit and resolution of all charges.

3.

Process will be provided to all parties under University of North Dakota and State Board of Higher Education policies and procedures. All parties will be fairly treated and their reputations guarded by providing confidentiality to the extent possible under University and Board policies and procedures, applicable state and federal requirements, and the North Dakota Open Records Act.

4.

The integrity of the process will be maintained by painstaking avoidance of conflicts of interest.

5.

Charges will be resolved as expeditiously as possible.

6.

The University will document the pertinent facts and actions at each stage of the process.

7.

The University will pursue allegations within the scope of this Policy without regard to whether related civil or criminal proceedings have been initiated. The University may, at its option, suspend the inquiry/investigation temporarily but is not under obligation to do so, as the standards of the University may differ from the courts.

8.

To the extent feasible and reasonable, the University will pursue the allegation of misconduct to its conclusion, even if the accused individual leaves or has left the University before the matter is resolved.