Student Care and Conduct
Student Care
The Dean of Students Office is here for the moments when a student needs additional support, whether that be a brief rough patch, a loss of a loved one, a housing or financial concern, or students that just don’t know where to go for help.
Concern Center is Drake's dedicated resource hub. This is a great place to start if you are trying to figure out where to find help. If you don't see what you are looking for in Concern Center, reach out to our team and we would love to help!
Who can make a referral?
Anyone! Students, faculty, staff, family members, or friends can submit a referral for a Drake student they are concerned about.
What happens after a referral?
A member of the Dean of Students Office reviews the referral and reaches out to the student to offer support and connect them with appropriate resources.
Who will know about the referral?
Information shared with the Dean of Students Office is handled in accordance with FERPA and shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know. If you are submitting a referral for a student, we recommend sharing your concern with them directly, letting them know you will be reaching out to connect them with support. Please also be ready to share the student’s name and a summary of the concern when making the referral.
How do you make a referral?
You can send a referral via email at dos@drake.edu, Starfish (using the non-academic concern flag), or by calling 515-271-2831.
Student Conduct
Drake's conduct process exists to hold students accountable to the Code of Student Conduct while supporting their growth and success as members of our community. This philosophy is grounded in Drake's mission to prepare students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship, with accountability being an important part of that development.
The process is designed to support a student's growth and help prevent future violations. When a student is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, Community Standards considers the nature of the violation and the student's prior disciplinary history and works to identify a response that best supports the student's development while remaining consistent across similar cases.
How the process works
- A report is submitted describing an alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct
- A case is opened, and the student(s) involved receives an email inviting them to meet with a staff member in Community Standards
- At the meeting, the student has an opportunity to share their perspective on what happened
- A finding is made based on a preponderance of the evidence
- If a student is found responsible, sanctions are assigned; if not responsible, the case will be closed
Student rights during this process
- You may choose not to participate, though a decision may still be made in your absence
- You may submit documents and other information relevant to your case
- You may bring up to two advisors (an attorney, parent, or other support person) to any meeting; the role of the advisor(s) is to support you, but they do not take an active role in the meeting and all questions and conversation will be directed to the student
Outcomes and Sanctions
Sanctions at Drake are intended to do more than just be a consequence for a student. Our conduct process holds students accountable while treating every violation as an opportunity for growth, repair, and reconnection to community. We ask not just "what rule was broken," but who was affected, what they need, and what the student can do to make it right.
When a student is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, Community Standards considers the nature of the violation and the student's prior disciplinary history. The staff in Community Standards works collaboratively with the student to identify a response that best supports their development while remaining consistent across similar cases. Sanctions and outcomes are focused on repairing harm through accountability.
If you believe a student or student organization has violated the Student Code of Conduct, you can submit a referral to the Dean of Students Office. To submit a referral for an allegation of non-academic misconduct, complete the reporting form or email dos@drake.edu.
All reports are reviewed by the Dean of Students Office and assessed to determine if they represent an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Conduct Review Process
The Dean of Students Office may be asked about a University disciplinary record for a student or former student as part of a program, educational opportunity, or employment application. The Dean of Students Office provides information regarding a student's disciplinary record and, when appropriate, may offer guidance regarding potential support or resources that could contribute to a student's success. The Dean of Students Office does not make eligibility or participation decisions. The requesting office, department, or program is responsible for determining whether a student is eligible to participate in its program or activity.
A student's disciplinary record is part of a formal educational record and is maintained by the Assistant Dean of Students for Care and Conduct. Disciplinary records are subject to FERPA and other applicable privacy laws. As such, anyone requesting records must provide a release of information and/or written consent, signed by the student/former student, allowing release of their conduct history.
Submitting a Request
Requests must include:
- Student's full name and University ID (UID)
- Name of the requesting office/department/program and the purpose of the request
- Signed release of information/consent from the student authorizing disclosure
- Decision deadline, if applicable
Requests may be submitted by email to dos@drake.edu. Requests are processed within 3 business days of receipt of a complete request. Questions or escalations may be directed to the Assistant Dean of Students for Care and Conduct (megan.vanheiden@drake.edu).
Hazing Policy & Transparency Information
Policy Title: Drake University Policy on Hazing
Summary: This policy prohibits hazing at Drake University and provides guidelines for prevention, reporting, and enforcement.
Policy Category: Safety, Health & Security
Policy Owner: Vice President and Dean of Students
Policy Status: Active
Effective Date: July 2025
Policy Document
Download: Drake University Policy on Hazing (pdf)
When a registered student organization at Drake University has been found responsible for hazing and/or has been formally suspended or otherwise removed/restricted from campus, that information will be included on this page.
Under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, Drake maintains a Hazing Transparency Report, which is updated regularly (at minimum, twice per year). The report includes only those cases where an organization or individual has been found responsible following a formal investigation. Please note that there may be periods where no entries appear in the report if no findings of responsibility occurred during that time. Due to FERPA, we do not provide individuals’ names.
Under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), the university is obligated to include specific types of reportable crimes in the annual security report. These reportable crimes fall under defined categories and may include incidents involving student organizations if they occur on campus or in certain off-campus locations affiliated with the university. To view the most recent annual security report, please visit Drake University’s Annual Security Report.
Hazing Transparency Report
Organizations
January 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026
No Submitted Reports.
July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
No Submitted Reports.
Individuals
January 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026
No Submitted Reports.
July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
No Submitted Reports
Suspended Student Organizations
None.