Student Rights and Responsibilities

Our Processes

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities resolves complaints of alleged student misconduct. Regulations that are enforced by the OSRR may be found within the recent Student Handbook.

Important definitions regarding student conduct reports and resolutions:

The term Complainant means any person who submits a complaint alleging that a student may have violated any portion of the Student Code of Conduct.

The term Respondent means any student alleged to have violated the Student Code of Conduct.

Complaints related to violations of the Student Code of Conduct are received from the College (via Campus Security reports, individual student, faculty, staff, or community reports, or Residence Life reports). After assessing the report and gathering relevant information related to the incident, steps for resolutions may be taken. There are three pathways for resolving alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct:

Mediation or Restorative Resolution - used if the involved students and Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities (DSRR) agree that these options are reasonable and appropriate. These processes involve discussing the incident with all involved parties and discussing the behaviors exhibited and/or the affected relationships. Mediation and restorative conferences are never used in cases of physical violence. A mediator or conference facilitator will be assigned by the DSRR. 

Parties of mediation or a restorative conference will be expected honor the outcome(s) of the process. Documentation of the process will be placed in the student's confidential file. If the matter cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, or parties do not comply with outcome, the matter may be referred for a Formal Resolution.

Simple Resolution - is a formal written response to minor violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities assesses relevant documents and determines if the student is responsible for a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The Respondent (the involved student) receives  notification of the policy violation(s) along with recommended sanctions. If a Respondent agrees with the assessment, accepts responsibility for the violation(s) and agrees with the sanction recommendation(s), a record of the Simple Resolution will be maintained in the student's confidential file along with any supporting information. If a Respondent does not agree with a Simple Resolution outcome, the Respondent has five (5) business days to request a Formal Resolution.

Formal Resolution - is an interactive response to a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. A Formal Resolution procedure will be followed when the DSRR determines a formal resolution is necessary.

The DSRR or other Student Conduct Administrator (designee) will review all relevant information including investigation notes and witness statements and send written notification to the Respondent(s) listing the alleged violations and the date of the Formal Resolution meeting.  At the discretion of the Student Conduct Administrator (depending on the level of violation), the date of the Formal Resolution meeting will be between three and seven (3-7) business days from the date of the referral to the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, barring any extenuating circumstances.  This time frame will allow the parties to reasonably prepare for the Formal Resolution meeting.  Formal Resolution meeting dates and times may be changed or expedited by the Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities (DSRR) or designee when there is concern for the health and safety of college community members, a concern for property, or when additional information is being gathered. 

The Respondent is expected to participate in a Formal Resolution. If a Respondent fails to appear for the meeting, the process will continue and the information in support of the allegations will be considered in order to determine whether or not the Respondent has violated the Student Code of Conduct.

The Formal Resolution meeting will be conducted by the DSRR or other Student Conduct Administrator (designee) in a confidential setting.  The process shall be prompt, fair and impartial through to resolution.

The DSRR typically reviews cases that may result in separation from the College. In cases involving more than one Respondent, the DSRR, may permit the Formal Resolution meeting concerning each student to be conducted separately or jointly.

During the Formal Resolution meeting the DSRR or designee meets individually with the Respondent(s) to present an overview of the allegations.  The alleged violations are explained as well as the range of possible and reasonable sanctions. During this meeting, the Respondent has the opportunity to provide a personal perspective and to ask questions. Similarly, in a separate meeting, the DSRR or designee may meet with the Complainant as needed.

Pertinent records, exhibits and written statements may be accepted by the DSRR or designee for consideration. The DSSR or designee may arrange to meet individually with witnesses or other relevant parties.

During the individual Formal Resolution meetings, the Complainant and the Respondent(s) have the right to be supported by any representative they choose who is a member of the College community, unless the community member is also a Respondent in the case being considered, or if the College identifies any conflict of interest. Parents/guardians may not support Respondents or Complainants. Community representatives are there to provide emotional support to a party. They cannot speak, respond, take notes, record, or otherwise participate in the meeting. Delays will not normally be allowed due to the scheduling conflicts of a representative. If a representative disrupts the Formal Resolution meeting, the representative may be asked to remain silent, leave the room, or the Formal Resolution meeting may be rescheduled without that representative in attendance. Students should identify the community representative to the Student Conduct Administrator two days before the Formal Resolution meeting.

All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the Dean of Students.

Post-Formal Resolution meeting:

After meeting with the Respondent during the formal resolution meeting and obtaining the Respondent's perspective, the conduct administrator will determine which Student Code of Conduct standard(s), if any, were violated and determine an appropriate disciplinary and educational sanction(s) for the violation(s). Students will receive a final outcome in writing and have five (5) business days in which to appeal. Students are expected to comply with all sanctions noted in the decision letter. For information related to the range of sanctions and sanctioning guidelines, please see the Disciplinary Sanctions portion of the Student Handbook or the Outcome and Educational Services tab.

A more detailed discussion of the student conduct process as well as the appeal process can be found in the 2017-2018 of the Student Handbook.