Community Standards Process

Berklee will take appropriate disciplinary action for any conduct that violates the Student Code of Community Standards, whether such conduct occurs on or off campus (in Boston, Massachusetts, or in Valencia, Spain) or online.

Being a Berklee student is a privilege. With that privilege comes the expectation that students will uphold the standards and values set forth by the institution, and will conduct themselves as individuals who contribute positively to the Berklee community. All students will be treated fairly in the student conduct process, whether they are the alleged student, complainant, victim, or witness.

Community Standards Process Flowchart

Download the Process Flow Chart.

Written Narrative for Those Who Are Visually Impaired or Others Who Prefer This Format

When an incident report is submitted, it is reviewed by the Office of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution for potential violations. If there are no violations, the case could either be closed or sent to mediation.

If there are potential violations, interim measures may be taken to protect the community. If there are potential violations, a hearing notification will be emailed to the student(s) involved. The student(s) involved may either have an educational meeting or a conduct hearing. In a conduct hearing, the student will be found either responsible or not responsible for violating Berklee policies.

If found responsible, the student is assigned educational and disciplinary sanctions. If found not responsible, the student will not receive sanctions. Students will receive the outcome letter via their Berklee email.

The student has the right to either accept the outcome and complete the assigned sanctions, or appeal the outcome in writing to the Office of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution. If the student accepts the outcomes, the process ends.

If the student appeals, the request will either be denied or granted. If the appeal is granted, there will be an appeal hearing. Whether the appeal is granted or denied, the student will receive the outcome via their Berklee email. Once the outcome is emailed, the process ends.

Going through the community standards process can be a challenging experience for students. The Office of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution is here to support and help all students through this process.

If you have questions about the process, review the FAQs for additional information.

Additional Resources

Please click on the links for information on Berklee policies for students and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA):