Student Group Accountability Review Board Policy

Student Group Compliance with University Policy

Student groups are recognized and supported by the University through student governing boards and administrative departments; for example, recognized student groups are eligible to receive funds and can hold programs and events on campus using University spaces, and with the support of faculty, alumni, and staff. 

The University seeks to give student groups and its leaders as much autonomy and responsibility as possible to create dynamic living and learning environments for all. In turn, student groups and their leaders have an important responsibility to create and support an inclusive, positive student life experience and learning environment consistent with the University’s mission, as reflected in its policies. Considering this relationship, it is necessary to have guidelines and policies by which groups, and individual students acting on their behalf whether as leaders or members, must conduct their activities. All recognized student groups are governed by University and school policies, including those outlined on the University policy website.  

In addition to University and school policies, student groups are required to adhere to policies and procedures established by the student councils/governing boards that recognize student groups through the individual recognition process at their respective schools or department. Student group violations of council/board-specific expectations, rather than University- or school-specific policies, are managed by the student council/governing board, in consultation with its advisor(s) and/or Dean of Students, and not by the Student Group Accountability Review Board (SGARB) as outlined below. 

The University is mindful that students are serving in a voluntary capacity, and we appreciate their contributions to campus life. The University recognizes that this is an opportunity for the student groups to better understand University policies, understand why these policies are important, and to work with student group leadership to develop systems to improve actions moving forward. 

Other Conduct Considerations 

In instances where a student has allegedly violated University policy in their capacity as a student group leader or member, the student may face individual disciplinary action in addition to any separate consequences that the student group may face. At the University level, individual student(s) may be referred to the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) for alleged violations of Standards and Discipline. Individuals may also be referred to the Rules Administrator for alleged violations of the Rules of University Conduct.

In addition, individual student(s) or student groups may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity (Division of Title IX and/or Division of Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment) for alleged conduct that would implicate Columbia's Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students, or Columbia's Gender-Based Misconduct and Interim Title IX Policies and Procedures for Students.