Student Conduct Responses
After reviewing the incident report, the Director of Student Integrity or their designee chooses among several options to address the student(s) involved in the incident. First time violations or minor violations are generally referred to an restorative conference facilitated by a hearing officer. If the hearing officer chooses to refer an incident beyond the restorative conference level, they, in consultation with the Director of Student integrity, will determine whether the case will be handled as an administrative hearing, a Peer Conduct Board hearing, or an administrative panel hearing. Incidents may also be addressed through an alternative resolution.
The Assistant/Associate Director of Student integrity and the Director of Student Integrity also decide who will serve as the hearing officer or who will serve as panel members. Panel members are chosen from a pool of University and Student Development faculty, staff, and administrators trained to hear cases. Both decisions are based on the nature of the incident and the conduct history of the student(s) involved in the incident.
Restorative Conference
The Assistant/ Associate Director of Student integrity, a Graduate Residence Coordinator (GRC) or Area Coordinator (AC) generally will hear first offenses or minor violations of the Community Standards. During the conference, a discussion will occur as to the student’s involvement in the incident and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Together, the student and the hearing officer will determine what violations of the Code occurred. If a student accepts responsibility for the violations, the remainder of the conference will be spent discussing what sanctions are appropriate. The student then signs an agreement with the charges and the proposed sanctions, thus waiving the right to appeal this decision. If the student does not accept responsibility for the violations with which they are charged or does not agree with the sanction(s) imposed, the case will then be referred to a different hearing officer or Peer Integrity Board for an administrative hearing. As part of these proceedings, the following additional strategies may be utilized:
- Restorative Justice Dialogues: structured conversations that bring together individuals who have been harmed with those responsible for the harm, as well as affected community members. The purpose is to foster understanding, acknowledge responsibility, repair relationships, and promote healing through mutual respect and open communication.
- Restorative Circles: inclusive and facilitated discussions used to build community, address conflict, or repair harm. Participants sit in a circle and speak honestly in turn, often using a talking piece, while reflecting on shared values, experiences, or challenges. Circles create space for collective healing, empathy, accountability, and deeper connection.
Administrative Hearing
Administrative hearings are more structured than restorative conferences. An administrative hearing generally occurs when one or more of the following situations exists: 1) a resolution does not occur during the restorative conference, 2) the student fails to attend a restorative conference or to respond to a request for an restorative conference, or 3) the severity of the alleged violation or the student’s prior conduct history warrants an administrative hearing. The student will be notified in writing of the charges of violations of the Community Standards. In the charge letter, the student will be given the date, time, and location of the hearing or will be asked to schedule an appointment. Administrative hearings are held before either the Peer Conduct Board, an administrative panel, or an administrative hearing officer. During the hearing, the student will be expected to respond to the charges listed in the charge letter. The student will be asked to explain their involvement in the incident and, if found responsible, what sanctions/resolutions would be appropriate. The Rights and Responsibilities of Students in the Hearing Process apply to administrative hearings.
Peer Integrity Board
The Peer Integrity Board is an integrity hearing body that hears cases for undergraduate students. It is typically comprised of three to five undergraduate students and one non-voting advisor. To have a quorum, three students and the advisor must be present. These students are selected and trained to hear student integrity cases. The Peer Integrity Board will usually hear cases that involve violations that have an impact on the larger community in which students live. These violations include, but are not limited to quiet hours, roommate conflicts, disorderly gatherings, alcohol violations, and visitation. The Peer Integrity Board hears the case, decides on responsibility for the charges, and determines sanctions The Rights and Responsibilities of Students in the Hearing Process apply to the Peer Integrity Board hearings.