Welcome to the Student Judicial Services website. The George Washington University community is composed, in part, of more than 23,000 students, all of whom are responsible for abiding by the "Code of Student Conduct," one of the components of the 2007-2008 Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities. The Office of Student Judicial Services upholds the "Code" and other non-academic conduct policies. SJS strives to educate students about their behavior and help them make responsible choices in the future. More information regarding the mission, philosophy, and principles of SJS are on the menu bar of this site.

Students come to GW from all over the world seeking the education and experiences that will help them continue to be successful after graduation. Just as there are things a GW student can do to improve his or her chances of landing that dream job after graduation, there are also pitfalls that can hinder one's path to prosperity. We in SJS think of ourselves as the harbor pilots guiding students safely through their GW experience and helping them avoid the rocks and hazards that could impede their path to success. Our conversations are intended to help students examine their decision making so they can make better choices in similar future situations. We are also responsible for educating the GW community about how their peers' adverse behavior may present a danger to the overall community. Balancing these concerns - educating the individual and educating the community - is our most difficult and yet most important task.

Student discipline at GW is a rich tradition. The University Charter, approved by Congress in 1821, grants authority for student discipline to the University Trustees. The "Code of Student Conduct," which was created in 1992 and is approved by the Trustees, establishes the Office of Student Judicial Services and is the primary document governing student behavior. The "Code" defines unacceptable conduct for members of the University community and sets up a judicial system to address violations of its provisions while preserving the rights granted to students by the University Trustees.

The University judicial system is directed by the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, who delegates authority to the Associate and Assistant Deans of Students and the staff members in the Office of Student Judicial Services and the residence halls. Additionally, GW's judicial system has more student involvement than similar systems at many other universities. Students participate in the judicial system by serving as University Hearing Board members, Disciplinary Conference Officers, Center for Alcohol and other Drug Education (CADE) Peer Educators and members of the Committee on the Judicial System. In each capacity, students examine the cases referred to them and render decisions and appropriate recommendations based upon the evidence available. The University values students as partners in upholding the minimum expectations set for student behavior.

GW's policies regarding student behavior also apply to registered student organizations and to identifiable groups of students who may not be officially registered with the University. These organizations and groups of students may be held collectively responsible for the behavior of the members of the organization or group. These cases are adjudicated through the same procedures used in cases of individual student misconduct.

This website contains useful information for understanding the University's judicial system. Direct links to the "Code of Student Conduct," 2007-2008 Residential Community Conduct Guidelines and the Policies of other University departments, offices, and organizations will make accessing these regulations easier for students and their parents. Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) pages tailored to the concerns of students, parents, and faculty and staff members give visitors to this site a starting point for information that addresses common concerns. Brochures, flyers, and other publications are posted in Adobe PDF format to provide the GW community with the most up to date interpretation of University disciplinary policies.

We hope we can provide you with the information you need to better understand the disciplinary policies of The George Washington University. Should you have any questions regarding this website or any of the information listed here, please contact us at (202) 994-6757 or via e-mail at sjs@gwu.edu.

Thank you for visiting!

Tara W. Pereira
Director, Office of Student Judicial Services