UCLA Students Challenge Student Conduct Code Revisions

Los Angeles students are calling for reform to disciplinary procedures implemented at the university earlier this year.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in College Life

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring an academic mortarboard and a ledger book, representing the tension within university disciplinary procedures. — UCLA student representatives have formally challenged university revisions to the Student Conduct Code, citing significant concerns regarding disciplinary transparency and due process. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe university disciplinary processes provide students with sufficient transparency and due process?

UCLA students are currently protesting changes to the university Student Conduct Code that took effect on January 1, 2026. The Undergraduate Students Association Council formally condemned these updates in a letter sent to university officials on September 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Students argue that the revised code lacks transparency and sufficient due process protections. These concerns stem from fears regarding administrative discretion and the reduction of student oversight in disciplinary matters.

The updated code mandates that hearings are conducted by a single officer rather than a committee. Furthermore, students are restricted by a 72-hour deadline for introducing new evidence into their conduct proceedings.

The players

UCLA

The University of California, Los Angeles, is a public research university that serves as the setting for the contested conduct code revisions.

Undergraduate Students Association Council

This is the primary student government organization representing the interests of the undergraduate student body at UCLA.

Amed Galo Lopez

A student who faced conduct violations following a demonstration in June 2024.

Dylan Kupsh

A student who filed a lawsuit against the university after receiving a conduct violation and a subsequent campus ban.

The details

The revised disciplinary framework removes the Student Conduct Committee as the default hearing body and restricts hearings from witnesses or outside observers. While the university insists that students can appeal sanctions for proportionality, the dean of students retains the authority to retry cases.

June 2024: Amed Galo Lopez was charged with conduct violations.
August 2024: Dylan Kupsh was charged with a conduct violation.
January 1, 2026: Interim Student Conduct Code changes took effect.
September 1, 2026: The Undergraduate Students Association Council sent a letter condemning the changes.

Culture Shift

The pushback against these disciplinary changes mirrors a broader national trend in higher education where students are increasingly scrutinizing administrative power in campus governance. This movement reflects a growing societal demand for codified due process rights within institutional disciplinary systems.

For current students, the new code significantly alters how disciplinary cases are handled by replacing committee reviews with single-officer adjudications. Students should be aware that the 72-hour evidence submission window now serves as a strict procedural constraint for any conduct hearings.

The takeaway

Understanding the specific procedural rules of a university code is essential for students facing administrative disciplinary action. Seeking legal or student advisory support early can help navigate the complexities of individual conduct officer hearings.