Preparing for a Conference or Hearing
A student conduct conference is one mechanism for resolving an incident report. It will occur when the outcomes are not likely to include removal from housing, suspension, or expulsion.
A University Hearing Board (UHB) is one mechanism for resolving an incident report. It will occur when the outcomes reasonably include removal from housing, suspension, or expulsion.
Respondents scheduled for a UHB may elect to have a Student Conduct Conference instead. The conference will be considered a Board-Level Student Conduct Conference, in which the full-range of sanctions may be assigned, including removal from housing, suspension and expulsion.
Review the UHB Process Summary (PDF)
- An optional meeting with the case manager that takes place before the Student Conduct Conference or University Hearing Board
- Designed to prepare the respondent for the conference/board by explaining the respondent’s rights in the process and answer any questions the respondent may have
In both a student conduct conference and a university hearing board, the following parties participate in the process:
- Respondent: the student involved in the incident who have violated the Code of Student Conduct
- Case manager: a university administrator who will facilitate the process
- Complainant (as approved): parties reporting having been affected by an incident
- Advisor (sometimes): person to emotionally or strategically support the respondent (and the complainant, as approved)
- Witnesses (sometimes): individuals with relevant information regarding the incident who can be requested by the respondent, the complainant, or a university official
In addition to those parties listed above, the following also participate in university hearing boards:
- Presiding officer: a university administrator or UHP member who will be the lead facilitator of the process
- University Hearing Panel: 3-5 full-time students and possibly a faculty member or administrator
- To answer questions regarding
- The reported violations
- The level of the your responsibility, if any
- Your decision making process during the incident
- How this incident will impact you in the future
- What harms occurred and how they can be repaired
- To interact with the individuals present by asking and answering questions
- Provide information that is true and accurate
- Engage in good faith with all involved in the process
- Dress in a way that is comfortable for you, as you would for class
- Overview of the conduct process
- Affirmation to be truthful
- Review of alleged violations
- Statements and questions of witnesses
- Parties’ statements and questioning
- Parties’ clarification statement
- Closing information regarding notification of decision and the appeals process
A university official (for student conduct conferences) or the university hearing panel members (for university hearing boards) deliberate over all of the evidence presented and makes a determination if the respondent is in violation of the charges.
- Applicable in cases where the respondent wishes to accept responsibility
- Respondent submits a statement accepting the in violation finding for all alleged violations
- Sanctions can include any status sanctions up to and including suspension and expulsion
- Respondent waives all rights to appeal
- If declined by the respondent, the case will proceed as originally referred.
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