Office of Student Life
Student Conduct

Student Organizations and Student Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct

All registered student organizations are subject to the Student Code of Conduct per section 3335-23-02 (A). Therefore, student organizations and its members who engage in prohibited conduct may be charged with violations and appropriately sanctioned.  

The Conduct Process for Student Organizations

The student conduct process for organizations is comparable to that for individual students. Check out Understanding the Student Conduct Process to learn more about the different steps in the student conduct process.   

Here are some important considerations for organization conduct cases: 

  • Organizations do not have the same FERPA rights as individuals. While personally identifying information is redacted from documents in organization cases, information pertaining to the organization as a whole can be shared publicly.   
  • Per the recommendation of Student Conduct, the Vice President of Student Life, or designee, can place any organization on interim suspension during an investigation. This measure is typically used when there are concerns about the wellbeing of potential and/or active members.  
  • Organizations found in violation of the code of conduct can receive a myriad of sanctions ranging from educational sanctions through a period of revocation. 
  • Organization conduct meetings may include a wide representation of individuals affiliated with the group including student leaders (e.g. organization president), advisors, support staff, and representatives from a sponsoring parent organization.  

Student Organization Conduct History

Whether you're a student interested in joining a group or thinking about serving on its executive board, it’s important to be informed about the conduct history of the groups you’re involved with at the university.   

Check out our Violations Page to see the history of conduct violations involving student organizations from the last five years.    

Please reach out to studentconduct@osu.edu with any questions about an organization’s conduct history.  

Student Organizations and Hazing Prevention

State and federal laws, as well as the Code of Student Conduct, strictly prohibit hazing at the university. Organizations and individuals found in violation of hazing may be subject to university sanctions as well as criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. 

Employees and students are required by the university to report information about hazing in a timely manner. Visit Reporting Hazing to file a hazing incident report and to learn more about reporting requirements.   

Ohio’s anti-hazing law, also known as Collin’s Law, requires all students, employees, and volunteers working directly with student organizations to participate in anti-hazing training.  Check out the Hazing Prevention website to complete Collin’s Law training.