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Frequently Asked Questions

To learn more about SAC, please click on the questions below. For an overview of the SAC hearing process, please click here​.

General Questions:​​​​​​

 What is SAC?
The Student Affairs Committee (SAC) is TCSPP's student conduct entity. TCSPP has different types of Student Affairs Committees: (1) Campus-SAC (C-SAC); (2) Clinical Psychology-SAC (CP-SAC); (3) Nursing and Advanced Health Professions (CONAHP-SAC)​; and (4) School Psychology-SAC (SP-SAC). 

SAC is committed to ensuring that a stu​dent receives fair treatment throughout student conduct proceedings. A student meets with SAC when their academic department refers them due to an alleged violation of TCSPP's Code of Conduct, academic misconduct, violation of professional behavior standards, and/or failure to perform according to academic program expectations and standards including progress toward degree.

 What is TCSPP’s Code of Conduct?
​TCSPP's Code of Conduct establishes the minimum standards of conduct for all students. A student is required to behave in a manner that is suitable for professional study and practice. Please refer to the 'Code of Conduct' section in the TCSPP Student Handbook for further information.

 What is academic misconduct?

Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and/or fabrication. To read more about what constitutes academic misconduct, please review the '​Academic Integrity' section in the TCSPP Student Handbook.

 What is a violation of professional comportment?

A violation of professional comportment includes behaviors that substantially interfere with the development of professional competence or professional rel​a​tions, inadequate progress toward the development of clinical skills, failure to act in accordance with school rules and/or policies, unprofessional conduct, illegal conduct, and/or conduct contrary to the ethical standards upheld by the profession. Please refer to the 'Professional Comportment' section in the TCSPP Student Handbook for more information.

 How does this differ from sexual harassment (Title IX)?

​TCSPP's Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Title IX Policy guides the institution's response to allegations of sexual misconduct in our community. TCSPP is committed to creating and maintaining a safe learning and working environment that is free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Sexual misconduct allegations are not adjudicated by SAC.  Read more about Reporting Allegations or Inc​​idents of Sexual Misconduct.


Before Your SAC Hearing:​​​​​​

 ​I have been referred to SAC. What does that mean?

If you have received a SAC hearing notice, that means that your academic department has referred you for review based on an allegation of academic misconduct, a breach of professional comportment standards, a violation of the Code of Conduct, or a failure to progress in your program. Your SAC referral letter includes the reason for referral.

 I have been referred to SAC. What should I do?
Read your SAC hearing notice and attached referral documents carefully. If you have questions, contact SAC right away. Select your support ​person, and write and submit your response to the referral before deadline stated in the letter. For more information, read Before a SAC Hearing.

 What is a written response? What should I include in my written response?

You have the right to present a written response to the referral that explicitly addresses its contents. If you submit a written response after the deadline stated in your hearing notice, SAC is not obligated to consider it.  Please refer to the Student Response to Referral Template​​ if you need assistance submitting your written response.

 What is a support person? How should I select one?
Your support person provides advice and support both prior to and during your SAC hearing. You may select a support person from within TCSPP only. They must be a faculty member or a non-student staff member. For more information about the role of the support person, read Before a SAC hearing.

 I am an on-ground student. Am I required to attend my hearing in person?
​​As an on-ground student, you are expected to attend your hearing in person. If you face extenuating circumstances that make in-person attendance impossible, you should write to SAC indicating so by the response deadline provided in the referral letter. Note that remote attendees are required to appear on webcam during a SAC hearing. 

 I am an online student. How do I participate in my hearing?
As a online student, you are expected attend the hearing using the online meeting technology indicated in your referral. For any technical support contact the Helpdesk via telephone at (800) 747-8367​ or email at [email protected]​​.

 Who do I contact to request postponement of my hearing?
You must make a postponement request to SAC in writing by the deadline stated in your hearing notice. Your written request must include your rationale for postponement. SAC has the sole discretion to approve or deny a request for postponement depending on the extenuating circumstance. SAC’s decision regarding postponement is final.

If your postponement request is granted, SAC will determine the new hearing date and time. The new date and time will be communicated to you in your revised SAC hearing notice.

 I require accommodations to participate in my hearing. Who do I contact?
If you are a student who requires accommodations to participate in a SAC hearing, submit a written request to SAC by the deadline stated in your hearing notice.

During and After​ Your SAC Hearing: 

 What should I expect in my SAC hearing?
SAC follows standard procedures for every SAC hearing. For more information about what to expect, refer to On the Day of a SAC hearing. ​

 I have been dismissed from TCSPP. Will I get a refund?
Depending on when you are dismissed, you may be entitled to a partial refund of tuition paid for the term/semester. Refund amounts are based on the TCSPP Refund Schedule posted in the Student Handbook. For more information about a SAC decision, refer to SAC De​cision and Appeal. 

 What is an Academic Development Plan (ADP)?
An Academic Development Plan (ADP) may be used to assist a student in the successful completion of a degree program where a student needs individualized support to remediate a behavioral or academic concern. Refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities section in the TCSPP Academic Catalog and Student Handbook​ ​to learn more about ADPs.

 How do I appeal my SAC dismissal?
​You have the right to appeal a SAC dismissal to the Responsible Leader of your home campus. You must submit your appeal as soon as possible and within 10 business days after being notified of SAC's decision. To learn more, refer to  Appealing my SAC​ Decision.

 Will the SAC decision go on my transcript?
If your SAC decision results in "no action" or ADP, it will not be recorded on your transcript. If your SAC decision is dismissal, it will be recorded on your transcript. 

 When should I expect my hearing decision?​
​SAC will notify you of the decision in writing via your TCSPP email address within 10 business days of the hearing.