1. Complaint is received through Campus Police or through the Dean of Students Office
“Report It” online reporting tool. After an initial interview with the complainant,
a staff member will determine if there is a potential violation of the Student Conduct
Code. If so, the responding student is notified that a complaint has been filed and
that he or she must schedule an initial interview with a Dean of Community Standards
Office staff member within four academic days. An administrative hold is placed on
the student’s account until he or she has complied with the request. Allegations of
sexual misconduct as defined on Page 9 or bias-related incidents are referred to the
Title IX Coordinator for review for possible Title IX violations. If the allegations
are determined to meet the definitions of sexual harassment under Title IX, the matter
will be handled pursuant to the Council on Post-secondary Education Title IX policy.
If it does not, it will be handled as all other student conduct complaints.
2. At the respondent’s initial interview, the complaint is shared in detail with the
student and the student has an opportunity to respond. In this meeting, the student
can accept responsibility, deny responsibility or say nothing at all. At the conclusion
of the initial interview, one of the following actions may be taken by the Dean of
Community Standards Office:
- Dismiss the case if insufficient evidence that the Student Conduct Code was violated
is presented.
- Refer the case to a student conduct hearing board if the student denies responsibility
or the precedent sanction is suspension or expulsion.
- Issue a sanction (except suspension or expulsion) based on past precedent, the student’s
disciplinary record and the specific factors of the incident if the student accepts
responsibility for the incident.
If the student denies responsibility or if he or she is facing possible suspension
or expulsion, a student conduct hearing board must be convened at a time not less
than three nor more than five business days after the respondent’s initial interview
to hear the complaint.
3. The student conduct hearing board shall be composed of up to two student delegates
and up to two faculty delegates. The Dean of Community Standards will appoint an administrative
staff member who will preside as a nonvoting chair, except in case of a tie. The number
of student delegates and faculty delegates must be the same. Students and faculty
members are selected by the Dean of Community Standards Office in consultation with
Student Government and Academic Affairs. The respondent and the complainant may be
accompanied by an adviser of their choosing who may serve as a nonspeaking support
for either student. Both the complainant and the respondent may bring witnesses in
person or signed and dated witness statements. Witnesses must have firsthand knowledge
of the incident or complaint. Once scheduled, the hearing will occur as planned whether
the complainant and/or the respondent chooses to attend or not. The student conduct
hearing board shall make a determination based solely on the facts presented at the
hearing regarding the incident in question. No other factors may be considered. The
burden of proof is on the complainant to demonstrate that the respondent is responsible
for violating the Student Conduct Code. A preponderance of the evidence shall be the
standard of proof. Mitigating factors regarding why the Student Conduct Code was violated
are only pertinent in the sanctioning phase.
4. Once a student conduct hearing board has made a determination of whether the respondent
is responsible or not responsible, the hearing board will determine an appropriate
sanction. The respondent will be notified of the disposition of the complaint and,
if appropriate, the designated sanction within two academic days. The complainant
will be informed of the decision of the board, but not the details of any sanction
except in cases where otherwise provided for by law.
Upon receipt of the notification, the accused student or the complainant may appeal
the decision as detailed in section B