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It's good to know ahead of time how certain situations are going to be handled.  The more you know, the less likely you'll be caught off guard.  Be an informed IUP student by reviewing the list of policies and procedures of the university.

1. Does IUP get involved with disciplinary incidents that occur in off campus locations?
    
   Yes.  As stated in The Source, the university reserves the right to address behaviors that occur outside the boundaries of campus, whether they involve residential students, commuters, or students who live in the surrounding community.
    
2. How does IUP learn about disciplinary incidents that occur off campus?
    
   IUP has a well-established relationship with law enforcement agencies in the Indiana County area. These agencies communicate information about incidents to IUP’s Office of Public Safety which then shares the information with the Office of Student Conduct.
    
3. What if I violate the law (and the corresponding university policy) when I’m away from IUP and the surrounding area?  Does the university address those situations?
    
   It depends.  If you are involved in an incident that is communicated in the news media (usually a major incident) or if the information is otherwise communicated to IUP from a law enforcement agency or other credible, documented source, the university reserves the right to address that incident.  The university does not seek out such information, but does respond when it is provided.
    
4. Why does IUP address policy violations that occur off campus?
    
   IUP is a significant part of the local community.  And, attendance at the university is often the main reason that a student chooses to live in the surrounding area.  So, the university is committed to supporting students and other community members by consistently and fairly enforcing institutional policies.  Community members are deeply affected when students engage in disruptive or destructive behaviors such as loud gatherings, illegal or irresponsible use of drugs and/or alcohol, assault, vandalism, etc.
    
   In addition, IUP promotes responsible citizenship as an important part of the educational experience of being a student.  You are both a student at IUP and a citizen of the local community.  With this dual status comes responsibility to both the university and the community in which you live.
    
5. If I get charged by the university and by a law enforcement agency for the same incident, isn’t that “double jeopardy”?
    
   No.  Double jeopardy is a legal concept that refers to being charged more than once within the criminal courts for the same incident.  An IUP judicial hearing is an administrative proceeding, not a court proceeding, and is bound by different standards.
    
6. Why might I be found “not guilty” for an incident in court but still found “in violation” at a university judicial hearing for the same incident?
    
   The standard of evidence required to find a student “in violation” of a university policy is “more likely than not” (in other words, would a reasonable person believe that it was likely that the student committed the policy violation(s) based on the evidence presented at the university hearing?).  In a criminal court, a “preponderance of the evidence” (is there an 80% chance or more that the person is guilty?) is the standard applied.  So, it is not unusual for a student to be found “not guilty” in court, but “in violation” in a university hearing.
    
7. Why is the standard of evidence so different?
    
   The consequences for a person found “guilty” of a crime are broader and can include significant fines and court costs and time in jail.  The consequences for violating university policy do not include incarceration or fines unrelated to property damage.  The courts are a punitive system; the university is an educational system.
    
8. I completed the ARIN program for an alcohol incident as required by court….why do I also have to attend the university alcohol education workshop?
    
   The ARIN program and IUP’s alcohol education workshop have two different focuses.  IUP’s program is specifically tailored to address the issues and needs of college students.  While there may be slight overlap in material, most of the information you’ll obtain is different.

If you have additional questions concerning IUP’s judicial process and off campus students, please contact the Office of Student Conduct at 724-357-1264, weekdays, 8:00am to 4:30pm.