Below, students will find resources from the Dean of Students Office, which are meant to provide support and guidance to our students.
Conduct fines must be paid by cash or check and should be brought directly to our office, Benson 205. Regular hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm.
- Culture of CARE: The Dean of Students Office supports students through challenges by helping them find the resources to build resilience and overcome obstacles.
- Faculty Notification: When a student is unable to contact professors about an absence due to hospitalization, incapacitation, or a family crisis, they may contact the Dean of Students Office via email at dso@scu.edu to have their faculty members notified. The student will be included in the notification and is responsible for following up with each professor regarding the missed class time as soon as the student can do so.
- Basic Needs Program: The Basic Needs program raises awareness and provides resources to help students meet essential needs. Grounded in trust, it offers assistance through the Bronco Pantry, donated gift cards, or external referrals as needed.
- Off Campus Living: The Off Campus Living Office supports students in their transition to off campus living including assistance in finding housing and managing off campus living responsibilities.
Letters of Recommendation
The Dean of Students Office works with the Office of the Registrar to provide letters of recommendation to students applying to law and graduate schools, for bar referrals, for study abroad programs, and for students considering transferring to other colleges and universities. Included on this page is Santa Clara's Judicial Records Policy which explains what is retained and the length of time for retention.
- Transfer Recommendations: You begin with the Office of the Registrar, by requesting transcripts for each of the schools to which you are applying. Be sure to sign the form giving the university permission to share your information. The Office of the Registrar will generate the transcripts and the transfer form and send it over to the Dean of Students Office. DSO will report on any disciplinary issues, generate a letter to go with the transcript and form and mail and/or fax the information to the requested schools.
- Law and Graduate School Recommendations: You may request the transcripts to be mailed directly to the schools you are applying for and deliver the schools' forms to the Dean of Students Office. The forms will be completed, along with a letter, and mailed and/or faxed to the schools.
Study Abroad Forms
Start first with the Study Abroad Office. The Study Abroad Office works closely with the Dean of Students Office to collect the information required for your application. If you have a form for a program not connected with Santa Clara, you may bring it to the Dean of Students Office and we will complete and mail the form for you.
Law Board Examiners and Federal Background Checks
If you attended and/or graduated from Santa Clara University after 1989, please send the form to the Office of Student Life. If you attended and/or graduated from Santa Clara University prior to 1989, please direct the forms to the Office of the Registrar to research.
- Men in Progress: Presented by the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) and Office of Student Life. This program is an opportunity for men to gather in a space to learn, communicate, and reflect about their definition of what it means to be a “man” and how that impacts one’s relationships and behaviors.
The Dean of Students Office is responsible for the administration of the Student Conduct System. Its main goals are to:
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Keep our campus safe and in line with SCU’s mission
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Help students who make mistakes grow through reflection, responsibility, and learning
When a student goes through the conduct process, it’s not just about consequences—it’s about thinking deeply about their actions, how they affect others, and how they align with the kind of person they want to become.
SCU uses a values-based approach that encourages students to take responsibility, repair harm, and make better choices in the future. Hearing officers consider each student’s unique situation and work with them to move forward in a positive direction.
At the heart of this process is a big question:
"Quo Vadis?" – Where are you going?
Are your choices helping you become the person you want to be?
The Student Conduct System engages students in reflection about their behavior and its impact on self, others, and the community as a whole, challenging students to ask themselves how their choices are consistent with being the person they want to be now and in the future.
Our document, The Ignatian Approach: Pedagogical Paradigm and the Student Conduct Process, guides hearing officers in their work with each student who has a conduct hearing. Through the conduct process, hearing officers consider:
- The context of the situation for the persons involved (including any victims),
- The experience of the student through the conduct process,
- The means to engage the student in reflection about the misconduct,
- Actions that can be taken to motivate the student to repair any harms and commit themselves to behave differently in the future, and
- How to promote an awareness of personal growth on behalf of the student.
The fundamental question asked of each student is “Quo Vadis?” (Where are you going?) - How are your current decisions promoting or hindering your ability to achieve your goals?
University Discipline Council (UDC)
The University Discipline Council (UDC) is a unique opportunity for students to take an active role in maintaining the integrity and values of the SCU community. As members of the UDC, students work alongside faculty and staff to review conduct cases and help ensure a fair and thoughtful resolution process.
Serving on the UDC allows students to contribute their perspectives as peers—bringing empathy, insight, and accountability to the process. This peer involvement is essential, both for those on the council and for the students who appear before it. It creates space for reflection, learning, and personal growth rooted in our shared values.
UDC members are trained to understand and uphold the Student Conduct Code and to promote restorative practices that support student development. Through this role, students gain valuable skills in critical thinking, communication, decision-making, and community leadership.
Being part of the UDC is not only a way to serve your campus community—it’s a chance to grow as a person and a leader.
For more information, please visit Student Conduct
Integrity is a central value of the Santa Clara University community, both as institution of higher education and as an institution rooted in a Catholic, Jesuit identity. As a community—students, faculty, and staff—we are committed to practicing this value in every dimension of our lives. Choosing to join the SCU community is an affirmation of these values and a commitment to uphold them.
Santa Clara University fosters a culture of academic integrity through ongoing conversations with students about the meaning and significance of integrity to a Santa Clara education.
The university recognizes that information about academic integrity needs to reflect emerging concerns, including generative AI and online study aides that encourage potential violations of the academic integrity codes. The links below provide resources for faculty and students.
For more information, please visit Academic Integrity
Santa Clara University is committed to maintaining a safe living and learning environment. This is achieved in part by responding to the individual needs of students, faculty, and staff and addressing issues that impact the campus community. This website provides access to multiple reporting forms for collecting information about issues impacting students, faculty, and staff and/or the community as a whole.
The Dean of Students Office receives reports regarding Academic Integrity, Basic Needs Referrals, Bias Incidents, CARE Referrals, General Student Misconduct, and Natural Disaster Support and responds promptly. In some cases, the Dean of Students Office will work with another campus department(s) to coordinate the appropriate response.
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX receives reports regarding Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Retaliation and responds promptly. In some cases, the Office of EO and Title IX will work with another campus department(s) to coordinate the appropriate response.
For more information, please visit Report
Statement Regarding Passage of California Proposition 64 (Passed Nov. 11, 2016; Effective Jan 1, 2018)
On November 8, 2016, voters in California passed Proposition 64, thereby allowing persons who are 21 and older to possess, transport, and buy up to 28.5 grams of cannabis and use it for recreational purposes. The Bureau of Cannabis Control is the state agency responsible for regulating and licensing cannabis sales.
National and local social fraternities and sororities, specifically those organizations affiliated with the North-American Interfraternity Conference (formerly known as the National Interfraternity Conference), and National Panhellenic Conference are not permitted at Santa Clara University. Santa Clara University is not affiliated with, nor does the University recognize, such organizations even if Santa Clara University students are members of those organizations.