Overview of the Conduct Process
When an incident is documented, reports are forwarded to the Office of Residence Life and the Office of Student Affairs. 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 within approximately five business days. The student charged with the violation(s)will be referred to either a Residence Life Administrator, the Residential Hall Conduct Board, the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems, or the Dean of Students. The venue to which the student is referred is based on a student's disciplinary history and the severity of the offense. A hearing will proceed to determine the responsibility of the student.
Following a hearing the student will receive a Sanction Notification letter. The student is responsible for signing and returning the letter back to the Office of Residence Life or the Office of Student Affairs. If a student does not sign the Sanction Notification letter or indicate a desire to appeal, this indicates the acceptance of the outcome.
If the student is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, the student may request an appeal by indicating this option on the Sanction Notification Letter. The Office of Residence Life or the Office of Student Affairs will then contact the student to set up an appeal 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 and the Director of Residence Life. Violations that are likely to result in a warning or disciplinary reprimand and educational sanctions are referred back to the building Area Coordinator (AC). The AC will then schedule a hearing with the student to discuss the incident and determine responsibility. If appropriate, the AC will then outline the resulting sanction, which may include a written warning letter, disciplinary reprimand and/or an educational sanction. The Director of Residence Life may serve as an alternate hearing officer when appropriate.
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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, but within the jurisdiction of RHCB, will be heard by the board. The students being charged will receive a charge/hearing notice 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 Director of Residence Life 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 outside of the purview of the RHCB will undergo an administrative hearing. The student will receive a charge letter that outlines potential Code of Student Conduct violations,provides information regarding student rights and responsibilities, and gives the student a date and time for their pre-hearing with the appropriate administrator.During an administrative pre-hearing, the hearing officer, usually the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems, explains to the student the disciplinary 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 s/he is willing to take responsibility for violating the Code of Student Conduct, and provide information regarding witnesses and other pertinent information. 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 charges brought against them or request a hearing before the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems. 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 upon if the student is found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, and a sanction letter is generated. The student is responsible for signing and returning the Sanction Notification letter to the Office of Student Affairs. If the student has been found responsible for the violation, they have 48 hours to appeal.
If an appeal is requested, the Office of Student Affairs will then notify the appropriate personnel.
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College Judicial Committee (CJC)
An appeal request from an accused student is received by the Office of Student Affairs. Upon receiving the request for an appeal hearing, this student is sent information regarding the appeals process, and is required to provide the CJC with a written rationale for his/her appeal.
A procedural advocate is available for the appeal process upon the student’s request. The student, and 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 Committee’s decision.
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Requesting an Appeal
Within 48 hours of submitting a request for an appeal, the student is to hand in a statement of the basis of the appeal. The statement is to include the information previously described regarding the basis of the appeal. This statement must be received before an appeal hearing is scheduled, and sanctions will remain in place until the appeal hearing occurs.
Prior to the appeal, the student is strongly encouraged to set up an appointment with the Coordinator of Student Conduct Systems to talk through the appeals process and any related issues. A student has the right to a procedural advocate to assist them in the appeal process, and the right to examine written documentation in your file prior to appeal. If the student does not appear for his/her appeal hearing, a decision may be made in their absence.
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