Student Handbook

From the point allegations are made the student conduct administration immediately begins an investigation of the allegations. Investigations involving multiple incidents or individuals may take longer to process. The student conduct administration and Student Conduct Board aim to conduct all investigations in a timely manner and notify students of any sanctions as soon as determinations are made. According to pg. 48 of the Code of Conduct: “by no later than 10 days after conclusion of the Student Conduct Board hearing, the Student Conduct Board shall issue a written decision with respect to each of the written charges and any sanctions to be imposed as provided for below.”  

According to pg. 48 of the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct: "The Student Conduct Board’s decision shall be made on the basis of whether it is more likely than not that the accused student violated the Student Code of Conduct." This means that the student conduct administrator and Student Conduct Board have determined, based on the information collected, that it is more likely true than not true (more than 50 percent likely) that the Student Code of Conduct has been violated. Admissible evidence may include direct evidence (such as photos or videos) as well as circumstantial evidence. Circumstantial evidence refers to information that reasonably infers something has occurred.  

The policies and processes outlined in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct apply equally to all undergraduate and graduate students on all five Walla Walla University campuses. The Student Conduct Board implements the same investigation and sanction process regardless of a student's position or status. 

Yes. Students can be sanctioned per policies and processes outlined in:

• Academic and financial bulletins
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Residential Life Handbook
• Student Athlete Handbook
• Title IX Policy
• Village Housing Handbook

The Student Handbook and Code of Conduct is reviewed and updated annually, and published policies apply for the duration of the academic year, including the following summer. During their registration process students agree to abide by the policies in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct. Updates to the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct take effect in the academic term following the change —typically these changes are made during summer and therefore take effect in fall quarter, when students reaffirm their commitment to our policies in their registration process. 

Walla Walla University maintains compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as FERPA) as amended. FERPA is a federal law that gives certain rights to students and protects the privacy of their records maintained by Walla Walla University. WWU does not release any specific information about student conduct investigations and/or sanctions according to FERPA requirements. 

Student Life follows the practice that if a student is found by the Student Conduct Board to be responsible for violation of the code of conduct, and the student submits an appeal, in most circumstances the student is considered to be in regular standing until the appeal process is complete and any sanctions issued are on hold until the outcome of the appeal is determined. 

We are committed to balanced, healthy living that allows for the fullest possible human development and achievement. To that end, WWU upholds the standards of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which teaches alcohol and drug use “undermines the social structure of nations and on the individual level often kills its victims or leads them into lives of crime.” The second fundamental belief continues: "Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them.” 

Additionally, WWU upholds federal, state, and local laws; among them, the specific prohibition of anyone under 21 to consume liquor or marijuana, and anyone 21 or older to allow underage consumption of liquor or marijuana. 

As a campus, we are committed to ensuring safe learning and living environments for our WWU family and community; specifically, to avoid potential alcohol-related injuries and assaults. Because of our commitment to healthy behavior, to conducting ourselves honorably, and to demonstrating responsible, honest citizenship both on and off our campuses, the university maintains policies that support an alcohol-free, tobacco-free, and drug-free lifestyle during a student's entire term of enrollment with WWU.