Nonacademic Misconduct

Nonacademic misconduct, including--but not limited to--hate, bias, sexual violence, hazing, or other issues that may work against the University's living and learning environment that is safe and free from violence, harassment, fraud, theft, disruption, and intimidation--may be grounds for discipline during law school. In addition to the Law School Rules, students are subject to the Student Conduct and Disciplinary Rules of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and specifically, as it relates to nonacademic misconduct, UWS Chapter 17 and UWS Chapter 18. An explanation of the UW campus rules is available at Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards: Nonacademic Misconduct. Penalties for nonacademic misconduct may involve education, affect student status, or involve other sanctions including, but not limited to denial of some university privileges, payment of restitution, or enrollment restrictions. View more information about the nonacademic misconduct investigation process. 

Nonacademic misconduct is a very serious issue for prospective attorneys, which is one of the reasons you are required to disclose instances of nonacademic misconduct on your law school application. You will also need to answer questions about nonacademic misconduct when you apply for admission to practice law. The Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) (or any other jurisdiction to which you apply) will review your files if you seek admission to the bar: the BBE will expect to see complete disclosure of pre-law school nonacademic misconduct in the Law School's files (by disclosure through your law school application). The BBE will also receive information about nonacademic misconduct during law school from the Law School.

Nonacademic misconduct is possible grounds for denial of admission to the bar due to the questionable moral character reflected by the conduct. See Law School Rules: Appendix A.

For questions about or to report nonacademic misconduct, contact the Law School's Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.