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Student Rights & Responsibilities

Division for Student Affairs

Preparing for a Conference or Panel

This is intended to provide a summary of what to expect during the conference/panel process. The panel may make changes to the process on a case-by-case basis while still preserving fundamental fairness and integrity in the process. Questions regarding this process should be directed to the Student Rights & Responsibilities. 

What is a Student Conduct Conference?

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.

What is a Student Conduct Panel?

A Student Conduct Panel (SCP) 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 SCP may elect to have a Student Conduct Conference instead. The conference will be considered a Panel-Level Student Conduct Conference, in which the full-range of sanctions may be assigned, including removal from housing, suspension and expulsion.

What is a pre-conference?
  • An optional meeting with the case manager that takes place before the Student Conduct Conference or Student Conduct Panel
  • 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
Which parties are involved?

In both a student conduct conference and a student conduct panel, 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
  • Support person (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 Student Conduct Panels:

  • Presiding officer: a university administrator or UICC member who will be the lead facilitator of the process
  • Student Conduct Panel: 3-5 full-time students and possibly a faculty member or administrator
What should you expect?
  • 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
What is expected of you?
  • 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
What happens during a conference?
  • 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
What happens after a conference?

A university official (for student conduct conferences) or the University Integrity & Conduct Council members (for Student Conduct Panels) deliberate over all of the evidence presented and makes a determination if the respondent is in violation of the charges.

What happens before a panel?
  • Parties will provide a list of any witnesses they plan to have attending and any documents they would like to present during the proceeding. If the parties plan to have a support person attend, they should provide the name of that person and a waiver confirming their participation. The deadline for providing that information will be sent to the parties.
  • The parties have the option to meet with the case manager during the pre-panel meeting to go over any documents/information that will be provided to the panel, as well as discuss the timeline of events. 
What happens during a panel?
  1. The Panel will convene briefly before the parties participate. We strive to arrange private rooms (virtual or in person) in which parties can wait while the panel assembles. 
  2. The parties will join the panel. The presiding officer will start the recording and explain the purpose and expectations of the panel, including that a decision is reached using the preponderance of evidence standard. Everyone present will introduce themselves.
  3. The presiding officer will present and obtain a response for any and all charges of the respondent. The respondent, if present, will provide a response of not responsible or responsible for each charge.

 

Opening Statements and Questioning of Complainant and Respondent (note that questioning may occur indirectly upon request

 

  1. The complainant and the respondent may provide opening statements.
  2. The panel and the respondent may ask the complainant questions.
  3. The panel and the complainant may ask the respondent questions.

 

Statement and Questioning of Witnesses

 

  1. Any university witnesses may make a statement. The complainant, the panel, and the respondent may ask the university witnesses questions.
  2. Any witnesses for the complainant may make a statement. The complainant, the panel, and the respondent may ask the complainant’s witnesses questions.
  3. Any witnesses for the respondent may make a statement. The complainant, the panel, and the respondent may ask the respondent’s witnesses questions.

 

Closing Statements and Additional Questioning

 

  1. The complainant can provide any additional information. 
  2. The panel and the respondent may ask any remaining questions they have for the complainant.
  3. The respondent can provide any additional information if they wish.
  4. The panel and the complainant may ask the respondent any remaining questions.
  5. The complainant may provide their closing statement. 
  6. The respondent may provide their closing statement.
  7. The presiding officer will make sure there are no additional or clarifying questions. If not, they will dismiss the parties, and begin the deliberation. 
What happens after the panel?
  • The panel will deliberate all of the information provided during the panel, as well as the case documents.
  • The decision will be made using the preponderance of evidence standard, meaning that it is “more likely than not” that the respondent committed the reported violation(s).
  • If found responsible, the panel will discuss and recommend possible status and active sanctions. The panel will also discuss any mitigating and/or aggravating factors.
  • The panel will provide this information to the SRR case manager.
  • The case manager will contact the respondent with the decision of the panel, and any sanctions, if applicable. 
What is a Student Conduct Agreement?
  • 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.