Adjudication System

The following is the student adjudication system for alleged violation of the University Code of Conduct. This system applies to all students of the University, except to the Law School, which has its own system. Though the University Code of Conduct applies to faculty members, administrators, and staff, as well as to students, the adjudication system outlined here applies only to students.

Adjudication of Academic Matters

Allegations of academic dishonesty or plagiarism are adjudicated by individual faculty members according to the guidelines established by their individual schools and colleges of the University. Students who wish to obtain information regarding these procedures should contact the office of their academic dean. Please review the Academic Integrity section contained in this Handbook.

Adjudication of Non-Academic Matters

When a Code of Conduct violation is alleged, process is observed as follows:

1. A student accused of violating the Code of Conduct shall be notified of the specific alleged violation(s) and shall have the opportunity, within a reasonable amount of time, for a hearing to discuss them. This hearing shall consist of a meeting between the accused student and the Dean of Students or a designated hearing officer at which time the accused student shall have the opportunity to present his or her full and final version of the facts. Refusal or failure to appear at this hearing will not impede the adjudication process and judgment will be made based on the available evidence and testimony.
2. An accused student shall be free from disciplinary sanctions pending the conclusion of his or her hearing, except where the Dean of Students determines that the well-being, including, but not limited to, the health and safety, of the community or of the accused student is endangered by that student’s presence on campus. In these cases, the Dean of Students may take appropriate interim measures, including temporary suspension of the accused student.

Any member of the University community may, within a reasonable amount of time after alleged misconduct, file a report with the Dean of Students Office against a student for alleged violation of the Code of Conduct. The Dean of Students Office may also initiate a disciplinary investigation on behalf of the University. The Dean of Students, or his or her designate, will usually undertake a preliminary investigation to determine whether the situation can be handled informally by mutual consent without the initiation of disciplinary proceedings.

In instances where the Dean of Students or his or her designate determines that a disciplinary hearing shall be initiated, the Dean of Students or his or her designate will notify the accused student of the specific alleged violation(s), and will schedule a hearing.

A student may waive the right to a hearing, in which case the alleged violation(s) will be adjudicated in his or her absence.

Role of the Dean of Students and/or Designated Hearing Officer

1. Ordinary disciplinary cases are those which do not involve suspension or expulsion from the University as possible sanctions. Serious disciplinary cases are those in which suspension or expulsion from the University are possible sanctions.
2. The Dean of Students may designate other administrative officials to hear ordinary disciplinary cases, including cases in which the possible sanction is disciplinary probation.
3. The Dean of Students hears serious disciplinary cases in which the possible sanction is suspension or expulsion from the University.