Conduct Process
Overview of the Conduct Process
When an incident is documented, reports are forwarded to the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems. If there is determination that a violation of the Code of Student Conduct has occurred, a charge letter to the student(s) involved is generated. The student charged with the violation(s)will be referred to either a Residence Life Administrator, the Residence Hall Conduct Board, the Committee on Student Conduct, or the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems. The hearing officer/board to which the student is referred is based on a student's conduct history and the severity of the alleged violation. A hearing will proceed to determine the responsibility of the student.
Following a hearing, the student will receive a Sanction Notification Form. The student is responsible for signing and returning the last page of the form back to the Office of Student Affairs. If a student does not sign the Sanction Notification Form or indicate a desire to appeal within 48 business hours of receipt of their letter, this indicates the acceptance of the outcome.
If the student is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, and determines their outcome isn't appropriate, the student may request an appeal by indicating this option on the Sanction Notification Form. The Office of Student Affairs will then contact the student to set up an appeals hearing with the appropriate administrator or hearing board. The student will then receive written notification of the outcome of their appeal.
Residence Life Administrator Action
When an incident occurs in the residence halls, reports are reviewed by the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems. Violations that are likely to result in a warning and educational sanctions are referred back to the building Area Coordinator (AC). Violations that are likely to result in the student being removed from the residence hall or repeated violations of previous behavior are referred back to the Director of Residence Life (D of RL).The AC/D of RL will schedule a hearing with the student to discuss the incident and determine responsibility. If appropriate, the AC/D of RL will then outline the resulting sanction.
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Residence Hall Conduct Board (RHCB)
Incidents that are determined by the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems to be outside of the boundaries of the building AC, and when it would benefit the student to hear from their peers, will be heard by the RHCB. The student(s) being charged will receive a charge letter that outlines the potential violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct and the time and date for their hearing before the RHCB. Information regarding the opportunity for a pre-hearing with the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems is included in the charge/hearing notice. Students may also enlist the help of a Procedural Advocate.
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Administrative Hearings
Incidents that take place outside of the residence halls and/or are determined to be outside of the purview of the RHCB will be heard by the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems. The student will receive a charge letter that outlines the alleged violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct, provides information regarding student rights and responsibilities, and gives the student a date and time for their pre-hearing with the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems.
During an administrative pre-hearing, the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems, explains to the student the conduct process and the Code of Student Conduct violations outlined in the charge letter. This is also an opportunity for the accused student to explain his/her side of the story, indicate whether he/she is willing to take responsibility for violating the Code of Student Conduct, and provide information regarding witnesses. The student will also be given the option to have a Procedural Advocate.
The student at this time has an opportunity to take responsibility for the alleged violations against them or request a hearing. During this meeting, charges may be dropped or amended.
If necessary, a hearing will be scheduled at this point. At the outcome of the hearing, a sanction is decided if the student is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, and a sanction form is generated. The student is responsible for signing and returning the Sanction Notification Form to the Office of Student Affairs. If the student has been found responsible for the violation, they have 48 business hours to turn in their written statement and form indiciating they are planning to appeal.
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Committee on Student Conduct
The Committee on Student Conduct (CSC) is a hearing body comprised of students, staff, and faculty. The CSC serves as a dual board that hears both original conduct cases and appeals cases.
The CSC will hear mid-level conduct violations where the behavior takes place outside of the residence halls, and it is determined by the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems it would be more beneficial for the student to meet with a board as opposed to an individual hearing officer.
An appeals request from an accused student is received by the Office of Student Affairs. Upon receiving the request for an appeals hearing and the students written rational for his/her appeal, the student is sent information regarding the appeals process. Prior to the appeals hearing, the student is strongly encouraged to set up an appointment with the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems to talk through the appeals process.
A Procedural Advocate is available for the appeals process upon the student’s request. The student, and the Procedural Advocate, if requested, will be notified of the date, time, and place for the appeal hearing. After the appeal is complete, the student will receive a letter outlining the decision made by the CSC.
