Stanislaus State is committed to promoting and maintaining a safe and professional working, learning, and living environment for each of its students, employees, and visitors. At Stan State, we want to make sure that every member of our campus community is able to learn, work, and thrive in a safe and comfortable environment. It is important to us that our students, faculty, staff, and visitors have a pathway to communicate conduct that concerns them. It is our goal to cultivate a space where our community can report serious concerns without fear of retaliation.
The CSU recently released its Other Conduct of Concern: Systemwide Guidance document, which helps outline what constitutes Other Conduct of Concern (OCC) and the importance of addressing negative behavior.
Misconduct at Stan State will usually fall into one of the three categories: Title IX/DHR; Student Conduct; Other Conduct of Concern. It is important to note that OCC is behavior that is concerning but does not violate law or policy.
Examples of Other Conduct of Concern
Examples of conduct that may be considered OCC include, but are not limited to:
- Intimidation
- Bullying
- Acts of bias
- Verbal aggression
- Disruptive behaviors
- Microaggressions
- Harassment that does not meet the legal threshold under the Nondiscrimination Policy
- Ad hominem attacks (personal attacks targeting the individual rather than their ideas or work)
- Unwillingness to collaborate with others in a professional setting
In some cases, behavior may rise beyond OCC and constitute “abusive conduct” as defined in California Government Code §12950.1(h)(2) or be considered unprofessional conduct subject to discipline under Education Code §89535(b). In such instances, disciplinary action will be pursued in accordance with existing practices and in alignment with the relevant collective bargaining agreements.
How to Address OCC
There are no mandatory reporting requirements for behavior that falls under OCC. Many concerns can be resolved informally, and the following steps are recommended:
- Speak directly with the individual involved, if safe and appropriate.
- Contact a supervisor or administrator if direct communication is unsuccessful or not feasible.
- Submit an OCC report if informal efforts have been exhausted or additional support is needed.
Reporting Mechanisms
To report concerns about a student’s conduct (Academic Misconduct or Non-Academic Misconduct) please use the Student Conduct Reporting Form, which can be found on the Student Conduct website.
To report concerns about Title IX, Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation about any member of the campus community, please use the Report a Concern link found on the Equity & Compliance Programs website.
To report concerns about problematic behavior causing harm by any campus community member, which does not violate law or policy, please complete the OCC Reporting Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to OCC-related topics.
OCC refers to behavior that may not violate university policy or law but still negatively affects the campus environment – for example, behavior that is disruptive, disrespectful, or undermines collaboration and inclusion.
OCC does not meet the threshold for a formal policy or legal violation but rather was addressed in the CSU Systemwide Guidance on Other Conduct of Concern.
Any member of the campus community may report behavior that they believe constitutes OCC, regardless of the individual’s role.
In most cases, yes. However anonymous reports may limit the university’s ability to follow up or respond fully.
While efforts are made to protect the identity of reporting parties, some situations may require disclosure for resolution efforts to proceed. This will be handled with care and in accordance with campus protocol.
A designated administrator will review the report, determine the next steps, and route it to the appropriate office. You will typically be contacted for more information and informed when the matter is resolved, as applicable.
Not usually. OCC does not involve formal discipline unless it overlaps with behavior that violates policy or law. Instead, interventions may include informal resolution, education, mediation, or supportive measures.
You can go directly to a supervisor or administrator or may submit an OCC report. Direct interaction between parties is encouraged but only when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
The CSU does not discipline legally protected speech, but we may still address the impact it has on others through education, awareness, and community response.
You can consult with a campus office (e.g. HR, Dean of Students, Equity Programs & Compliance) or submit a report. You are not required to categorize the behavior – campus professionals will assist in determining the best response.
Updated: July 28, 2025