Part 5 - Overview of the Conduct Process

5.1

A College Student Conduct System complaint may be filed against any student or recognized student organization by any member of the College community. Complaints may be filed by a student, faculty member, or staff member by filling out a standard Incident Reporting form. The Office of Residence Life and Conference Services, the Dean of Students office, the Associate Dean of the School of Professional Studies, and the Dean of the School of Education are also available for consultation prior to submitting a complaint. A non-College member may file a report with the Department of Campus Safety. A report by a non-College member may be adjudicated if the interests of the College community are sufficiently implicated. All documentation and other information associated with the complaint, e.g., Department of Campus Safety or police reports and witness statements, should be included with the standard incident report form and submitted to the Dean of Students office.

5.2

Once a report is received, the Conduct Officer will determine whether a complaint concerns students and/ or recognized student organizations and whether the complaint concerns subject matter falling within the jurisdiction of the College Student Conduct System. The Conduct Officer further will determine whether the complaint demonstrates sufficient information of wrongdoing to warrant further investigation and/or commencement of the student conduct process. The Conduct Officer reviews all filed complaints and proposed charges; the Conduct Officer reserves the right to modify charges based on the information presented in the complaint.

5.3

The standard of proof applied within the College Student Conduct System is a preponderance of the evidence, which requires a demonstration that it is “more likely than not” that the respondent has violated the Code of Student Conduct.

5.4

Some allegations of student misconduct require investigation prior to determining whether further student conduct proceedings are warranted. As appropriate, the College will conduct an investigation concerning the allegations. The investigation may be conducted by the Student Conduct Officer, the Department of Campus Safety or another appropriate College office or representative. In cases involving alleged criminal conduct, the Department of Campus Safety can assist a complainant in making a criminal complaint. A complainant need not pursue a criminal complaint in order to seek to hold the accused responsible through the College’s Student Conduct System.

5.5

The College Student Conduct System is confidential and closed to persons not directly related to the case. All parties involved in the College Conduct System are expected to maintain the confidentiality of the process and proceedings. The College reserves the right to correct any misinformation with regard to College Student Conduct System actions that may be circulated in the media when the well-being of the community so requires.