Office of Community Standards

Mission Statement

National University endeavors to provide and maintain a safe and healthy environment for students, employees, and visitors.

The Office of Community Standards (OCS) seeks to enhance student learning by creating an educationally purposeful, ethical and caring community, while protecting the larger interests of National University. Through the fair, timely, and consistent administration of the student conduct process, OCS promotes student learning by guiding principles of integrity, community, social justice, respect, and responsibility.

The Office of Community Standards (OCS) provides an oversight of the student disciplinary process and is a resource for university employees on student-related matters.

OCS contributes to the holistic development of students by administering the Student Code of Conduct Policy through equitable practices that promote education, foster a sense of accountability, and encourage community responsibility and mutual respect.

OCS goals:

  1. Create and implement programs and services that aim to increase awareness of NU community expectations for behavior.
  2. Cultivate campus and community partnerships that serve to broaden the reach and increase awareness of the OCS, and how it supports the NU community.
  3. Enhance student learning and inter-personal development by intentionally crafting educational sanctions that are timely, consistent, fair, and strive to minimize Student Code of Conduct Policy violations.

About the Office of Community Standards

Student Learning Outcomes

In an effort to promote integrity and ethical decision making the OCS has identified the following Student Learning Outcomes for student(s) who participate in the student conduct process:

  • Understand how the Standards for Student Discipline support the university community.
  • Gain perspective on the impact of their choices and decisions in support of their academic and personal goals and success.
  • Reflect on their ethical obligations as a student and professional.
  • Gain perspective and an understanding of how their behavior impacts the community.

Recognize the value of the student conduct process as an educational opportunity. 

Student Code of Conduct Policy

Student Code of Conduct Policy can be found in the NU General Catalog: Policies & Procedures

Referral Forms

The Office of Community Standards (OCS) provides an oversight of the student disciplinary process and is a resource for university employees on student-related matters.

Academic Misconduct
Referral Form
Behavioral Misconduct
Referral Form

Reporting Academic Integrity, Behavioral Concerns, or other student related concerns

The Office of Community Standards(OCS) oversees the disciplinary process on student related concerns.

OCS understands the challenges and concerns students may face during their academic journey. OCS is dedicated to supporting students, faculty, and staff in addressing any complaints or potential academic or behavioral issues that may arise while ensuring alignment with our Student Code of Conduct Policy.

Our processes are student-centered and transparent, reflecting our commitment to these values. Our goal is to help NU students learn, grow, and develop as they navigate their education.

We emphasize the importance of a trauma-informed approach, fostering a supportive environment for all students. By upholding our policy, we aim to create a campus culture where everyone feels valued and understood.

Every student at NU is expected to exercise independent thought and expression as he or she strives for academic achievement. Incorporated in the quest for intellectual growth are the expectations of honesty, originality in written and oral expression, a respect for the exchange of ideas, and acknowledgement and recognition of the abilities and contributions of others.

If you have any questions or concerns about the online form or process, contact OCS at [email protected].

  • All reports are acted on promptly and every effort is made to preserve the privacy of reports.
  • Information is shared on a need to know basis balancing privacy with the safety of the NU community.
  • There is no time limit to file a report. However, when more time passes, it limits our ability to investigate, responds and provide remedies.

National University is dedicated to the highest principles and standards of academic integrity. An academic violation by a student can negatively impact a class, program and/or college in ways that are unique to each discipline. Therefore, the University believes that the severity of an academic infraction is best evaluated by the faculty of the institution.

Academic integrity is closely related to professional ethics and requires that students honestly acknowledge their use of the ideas, words, and written work produced by any other individual, institution or source. Intentional or unintentional failure to acknowledge properly the use of another’s intellectual output constitutes a form of academic dishonesty.

Some examples may include, but are not limited to:

  • Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise
  • Submitting work previously submitted in another course without the consent of the instructor
  • Sitting for an examination by surrogate or acting as a surrogate
  • Representing the words, ideas, or work of another as one’s own in any academic exercise
  • Conducting any act that defrauds the academic process

For more information, please visit the Student Code of Conduct Policy. For more information on AI and Academic Integrity, please visit the National University Academic Success Center: Using Generative AI (Chat GPT and others)

Academic Integrity

Student FAQ’s

View FAQs

Faculty & Staff FAQ’s

View FAQs

Student Resources

Student Resources coming soon.

Faculty and Staff Resources

For faculty and staff resources available to you, please visit Office of Community Standards Sharepoint at https://natuniv.sharepoint.com/sites/communitystandards

Contact Us

The Office of Community Standards (OCS) Team provides guidance and resources to students, faculty, and staff by providing program services, resources, and advocacy for the needs and interests of all NU students. The OCS team is made up of a dynamic group of individuals that help serve the needs of the NU community.

Janette Garcia, Associate Director, Community Standards
(Departmental oversight, Program development, Policies and Procedures)

Curt Williams, Judicial Affairs Officer
(Case management, Intake, Lead Investigator, Consultation, Outreach, and Training)
Email: [email protected] (include your name, Student ID, and request)

Doug Sheppard, ADA/504 Coordinator
(Program coordinator, Case oversight, Consultation, Outreach, and Training) 
Email: [email protected] (include your name, Student ID, & request)