Hearing Officers and Boards
Alleged violations of the social policies or academic integrity policies of the Code of Conduct are investigated and adjudicated by administrative hearing officers and/or honor boards, as described below. The findings in those cases can be appealed to through the appeals processes outlined in those sections of the Code of Conduct. Investigators, hearing officers, and appeal board for alleged violations of the Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy are described separately in that section of the Code of Conduct.
Administrative Hearing Officers:
Administrative hearing officers include the assistant dean of students, the director and assistant director of Student Conduct, the director, associate directors, assistant directors, and community directors for Residence Life, and additional university staff members recommended by the assistant dean of students and appointed by the vice president for Student Life. Administrative hearing officers are trained on an annual basis and meet regularly throughout the academic year for continuing education. Other staff members may be trained to serve as hearing officers at the discretion of the vice president for Student Life.
Honor Board:
The Honor Board resolves all academic integrity policy cases for which the student denies responsibility. It may also resolve social policy cases referred by the Office of Student Conduct or cases where suspension may be a potential outcome. The associate provost for academic excellence and operations, assistant dean of students, or their designee, are non-voting members of the boards, act as conveners for the hearings, and assure that university procedures are followed throughout the hearing.
The full Honor Board consists of a minimum of twelve students, seven faculty members (three appointed by the Academic Council and four appointed by the provost/vice president for Academic Affairs, or their designee), and five Student Life administrators (appointed by the vice president for Student Life). These members are trained annually by the Office of Student Conduct.
Typically, hearing boards for academic integrity and social policy cases are comprised of three students, one teaching faculty member, and one Student Life administrator, however, a quorum is one student, one teaching faculty member and one Student Life administrator.
Organizational Honor Board:
For cases involving recognized student organizations, student members of the Honor Board serve on a three-person hearing panel and make recommendations related to responsibility and sanctions (when appropriate) to the assistant dean of students or designee, who makes the final decision.
Timeline for Resolution
The timeline for resolving academic integrity and social policy matters will vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to the complexity of the potential charges, the number of individuals involved as parties and witnesses, the cooperation of individuals involved, the University’s academic calendar (for example, timing of the incident in relation to exam periods, periods when the University is not in session, etc.), and the resolution process selected by responding students. While no firm timeline can be provided, cases resolved through the board hearing process will typically be completed within 60 days from notice of the complaint.