Office of Judicial Affairs

The Hearing Process

Before the hearing has officially started, the Director of Judicial Affairs will go over the information below, so the student(s) understand how the hearing process works.

 

  • Explain to the student(s) that any time there is the possibility of expulsion, suspension, or permanent residence hall separation the hearing gets tape recorded.
  • The Judicial Board will introduce themselves for the record, then the complainant(s), then the accused student(s).
  • The Director will then give a brief summary of the alleged incident.
  • The Director will then ask the complainant(s) to give their side of the story regarding the alleged incident.

  • After the complainant(s) do this, the Director will ask the members of the Judicial Board if they have any questions for the complainant(s).
  • The Director will then ask the accused student(s) if they have any questions for the complainant(s).  This process will be the same for each complainant.

  • The Director will then ask the complainant(s) if they have any witnesses to call in. If there are any witnesses, the Director would begin by asking the witness questions, then the members of the Judicial Board would ask questions, then the accused student(s).

     

  • At this time the Director will read off the alleged charges from the Student Code of Conduct (revised 7-29-20) and ask the accused student(s) to put in a plea of either responsible or not responsible (please note: there is to be no witnesses in the room when this is done, and, if the complainant is a student, he/she also cannot be in the room).
  • The Director will then ask the accused student(s) for their side of the story (please note: if there is more than one accused student, there will only be one student at a time in the room when the accused student is read the alleged charges and gives his/her side of the story).
  • The Director will then explain that the complainant (assuming it is not a student/professor/RD) has the opportunity to ask questions followed by the members of the Judicial Board. The Director will also explain to the accused student(s) that they have the right not to answer any questions. This does not mean they are responsible; this is their right as a student.
  • At this time, the Director will ask the complainant(s) and then the accused student(s) if they have any concluding comments.
  • The Director will then explain to the accused student(s) that the goal is to reach a decision by the end of the work day the following day. If a decision is reached the accused student(s) disagree with, they have a right to appeal that decision. The student(s) may pick up or download a Request for Review form available in the Office of Judicial Affairs, Student Center 220, or online and have 3 university calendar days to appeal a decision.