The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards strengthens personal responsibility and accountability through investigation and resolution of alleged violations of university policies. We encourage honesty, integrity, and respect within the campus community as promoted by our honor code, the Duke Community Standard. Any student named in a report of a possible violation of university policy is presumed to not be in violation of such unless the student accepts responsibility for the violation(s) and/or the disciplinary process makes such a determination.

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is committed to an environment free of harassment and sexual violence. Students who have experienced what they believe to be harassment and/or sexual misconduct by another student are encouraged to contact the Office for Institutional Equity (919-684-8222; oie-help@duke.edu) to learn about support resources, accommodations and/or possible resolution options.

How to Reach Us

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is located in Smith Warehouse on East Campus in Bay 5.

Smith Warehouse, Bay 5

114 South Buchanan Boulevard,
Durham, NC 277081

Phone: 919-684-6938
Fax: 919-681-7390
Email: conduct@duke.edu
Office hours: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday

Mission

It is the mission of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards to partner with students, staff, faculty, and the greater city of Durham to promote citizenship, community, integrity, responsibility, and accountability. This is done through proactive education and engagement, promotion of adaptable resolutions, and connection through community.

OSCCS envisions an office that continually grows and evolves with the campus community. OSCCS values truth, transparency, communication and equity.

Vision

We envision an integrated campus community that is committed to the holistic growth, nurturing, and education of each individual to become the best citizens they can be.

Staffing

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is composed of:

  • Associate Dean of Students: Serve as representatives of the Dean of Students Office and provide overall strategic leadership, direction and support for OSCCS Staff
  • Assistant Dean of Students: Serve as representatives of the Dean of Students Office in investigating and bringing resolution to matters of misconduct on behalf of the Dean of Students.
  • Senior Program Coordinator: Serve as Case Intake and Assessment Manager point of contact for any inquiries and questions to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards

Values & Guiding Principles

  • Duke University has high expectations and regard for its students' engagements and achievements.
  • The University has an obligation to aid students in their development as "adults committed to high ethical standards and full participation as leaders in their communities" (Duke University Mission Statement).
  • An integral part of a student's education is the opportunity for self-determination reflected by academic and co-curricular choices and concomitant behavioral decisions.
  • Institutional policies and procedures should balance the provision of a safe and productive learning environment with protection of individual freedoms.
  • Students are accountable for the decisions they make and are expected to take responsibility for the consequences (positive and negative) of those decisions.
  • All members of the community - students, faculty, and staff - play a role in defining community norms and standards and for enabling students' accountability.
  • Students' actions have bearing on the University community regardless of location and venue.
  • It is important to balance fundamental fairness/due process with the flexibility required to maintain order and foster learning in a university environment.
  • Balancing the interests/concerns of individuals with those of the larger community is challenging but of paramount importance.
  • Each student and situation are unique and should be considered in context, while holding high regard for fairness and consistency.
  • Parents can play both supportive and challenging roles.
  • Outreach and response to parents is balanced with students' need for self-determination.
  • Duke University's conduct process is educationally focused.
  • The outcomes of responses to alleged policy violations include educational components that encourage self-reflection.
  • Community Standard Advisors are resources available to help students navigate the conduct process and who can also support/challenge them, maximizing learning opportunities.
  • Both the University transcript and disciplinary record accurately reflect a student's performance inside and outside of the classroom.
  • Outreach and interaction with various facets of the University community help reinforce community expectations and reduce instances of misconduct.
  • Partnerships across the institution are important.
  • Members of the University community care for one another.
  • Everyone makes mistakes. It is not an indictment of one's character to be found in violation of university policy.
  • Privacy is highly valued and is expected of all participants in the disciplinary process.
  • Motivations of those involved in the disciplinary process are honorable. There are no personal agendas.
  • Students will participate with integrity in the conduct process. What students say is assumed true unless information indicates to the contrary.
  • Personnel have the skills and knowledge base to effectively do their jobs.

Hold High the Standard: Upholding the Duke Community Standard

Duke University is a community dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and service and to the principles of honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability. Members of this community commit to reflect upon and uphold these principles in all academic and nonacademic endeavors, and to protect and promote a culture of integrity.

To uphold the Duke Community Standard:

  • I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors;
  • I will conduct myself honorably in all my endeavors; and
  • I will act if the Standard is compromised.

Duke University has high expectations for students’ scholarship and conduct. In accepting admission, students indicate their willingness to subscribe to and be governed by the rules and regulations of the university, which flow from the Duke Community Standard.

Duke University has high expectations for students’ scholarship and conduct. In accepting admission, students indicate their willingness to subscribe to and be governed by the rules and regulations of the university, which flow from the Duke Community Standard. These policies reflect the Duke Community Standard’s fundamental values— honesty, fairness, respect, and accountability.

Students acknowledge the right of the university to take disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, for failure to abide by the regulations or for other conduct adjudged unsatisfactory or detrimental to the university community.

Students and groups may be held accountable for any violation of university policy that is published in this guide, whether on or off campus. In addition, students must abide by local ordinances and state and federal laws. Note that other university policies that students are expected to abide by are published elsewhere, such as the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) housing license terms (housing & residence life policies) and university parking regulations.