Conduct Procedures:
The conduct process includes fact-finding (when needed), discussion, complaint resolution and any assignment of sanctions. The following process is the same for a student, group or club. For brevity, in this conduct section, the use of the word student refers to a student, group, or club. A student accused of violating the Code of Conduct meets with a Conduct Officer to review the violation or complaint and to explore potential avenues of resolution.
For undergraduates, the processes will be conducted and overseen by the Dean of Students, the Office of Residence Life Staff or Campus Safety and other offices if necessary.
For graduate students, the process will be conducted by the Associate Dean/Dean of the relevant School, with input from the Office of Residence Life, Dean of Students, Campus Safety and other offices if necessary.
The Procedural Rights of Students:
All students whom have been charged with a violation(s) of the Student Code of Conduct will be treated with fairness and equality and are guaranteed the following rights in the Code of Conduct.
- A student will be informed, in writing, of the alleged violation(s) of the Manhattanville College Code of Student Conduct.
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A student has 48 hours from receipt of the letter by the Conduct Officer to schedule a hearing with the Conduct Officer. Failure to schedule and/or attend the hearing without prior consent from the Conduct Officer will result in:
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The forfeiture of the student ability to present information on his/her behalf.
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Sanctions being issued to the student without the benefit of his/her input.
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A student has a right to know the nature of the incident at the time of the hearing and provide any information and/or witness statements for the Conduct Officer to review.
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A student has the right to have a Manhattanville College employee or student (excluding any relative employed by the College or holding a law degree) attend the hearing in the role of advisor. This individual only serves as an advisor and does not actively participate in the hearing. This individual may not address the conduct officer, but may consult with the student. Legal counsel/attorneys, parents/guardians and/or family members, students involved in the incident are not permitted to participate in the meeting.
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A student’s conduct record, files, and proceedings are kept appropriately private.
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A student will receive a written notification of the outcome of the hearing and has the right to appeal. Student’s right to appeal any decision is forfeited if the student does not attend their conduct meeting.
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A student has 48 hours from receipt of the letter to appeal the decision to the appeal officer in writing. Appeals must be submitted by the student, not a parent/guardian, friend, family member, or legal counsel/attorney. The following are grounds for an appeal:
- The conduct process was not in accord with the rules and regulations governing the College’s conduct process, and this deprivation materially affected the decision or
- The finding(s) of the violation(s) is contradicted by new evidence that was not available at the time of the conduct meeting.
Parental Notification:
For undergraduates, the Conduct Officer may notify parents or guardians via letter, phone call, or email depending on the severity of the violation. If a deferred suspension, suspension or dismissal is the given sanction, parents or guardians will be notified prior to the Appeals Process.
Under certain circumstances, an Office of Residence Life & Conference Services staff member will notify a student's Emergency Contact in the event a student is transported to the hospital.
Rights of the Respondent:
The following apply to all conduct proceedings:
- To the presumption of innocence in all cases where the charge(s) against the respondent is contested, and to have all alleged violations proved by a preponderance of evidence.
- To be given oral or written notice of the nature of the charges.
- To be informed of the process.
The respondent may consult any one of their choosing. However, the only person that may attend the hearing is a Manhattanville College employee or student, excluding any relative employed by the college or holding a law degree. This individual only serves as an advisor and does not actively participate in the hearing. The individual may not address the conduct officer, but may consult with the student. Legal counsel, attorneys, parent's or guardians, and/or family members, students involved in the incident are not permitted to participate in the meeting.