The CSA Decision

Standard of Evidence: Clear and Convincing

For all cases involving violations of the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of Academic Integrity, the Center for Community Standards and Accountability's standard for determining responsibility is Clear and Convincing. Criminal convictions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt; verdicts in civil cases are based on a preponderance of the evidence. Clear and convincing evidence is somewhere in between.

Think of these standards of proof as a continuum:

“Clear and convincing evidence” is when it is highly probable, substantially more likely than not, and reasonably certain that the alleged incident occurred.

“Beyond a reasonable doubt” is when it is close to certain that the alleged incident occurred. Based on the evidence, no reasonable person would doubt that the incident occurred.

A Finding of Not Responsible:

If CSA determines that a student did not violate a University policy or cannot meet the standard of evidence, then it will find a student "Not Responsible." In these cases, the CSA will send the respondent a No Further Action Letter, or an NFA. This means that the student has NOT been found responsible for violating a University Policy. Therefore, the student has NO disciplinary record nor reporting obligations of any kind.

A Finding of Responsible:

If CSA meets its expected standard of evidence that a student has violated a University's policy, then it will find the student "Responsible." In these cases, CSA will send the respondent an Outcome Letter. In this Letter, CSA will outline key evidence leading to the finding of responsibility. In addition, CSA will recommend a sanction for resolving the matter. Sanction information can be found here.