Our Processes
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) resolves complaints of alleged student misconduct. Regulations that are enforced by the SRR 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 or student organization 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 Community Living 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 the hearing officer 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 SRR.
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. 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 hearing officer determines a formal resolution is necessary.
The hearing officer 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 hearing officer (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 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 hearing officer 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 hearing officer in a confidential setting. The process shall be prompt, fair and impartial through to resolution.
The Director of Community Living typically reviews cases that may result in separation from the College.
During the Formal Resolution meeting the hearing officer 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 hearing officer may meet with the Complainant as needed.
Pertinent records, exhibits and written statements may be accepted by the hearing officer for consideration. The hearing officer 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 Vice President for Student Life.
Post-Formal Resolution meeting:
After meeting with the Respondent during the formal resolution meeting and obtaining the Respondent's perspective, the hearing officer 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 Student Handbook.