Purpose
The Discipline Committee is responsible for hearing unresolved cases involving violations of the Standards of Conduct (other than academic cheating or plagiarism and disruptive behavior related to a classroom or academic activity) Title IX cases, and appeals filed by students.
Composition
The Discipline Committee consists of one faculty member from each Academic College appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs, two representatives from Student Affairs appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs, and seven student members of the Student Government Association Student Supreme Court. The Committee elects the Chair. The Committee will also elect a Vice-Chair, who shall conduct the meeting in the absence of the Chair. In the absence of the chair and vice-chair, the longest-serving member of the committee attending the hearing shall act as chair.
A quorum consists of five members of the committee, of which two must be student members and two must be faculty members. The Committee, at the request of the student defendant, may waive this quorum requirement.
Procedures
- The purpose of the hearing is to search for the truth, therefore the hearing is informal and the chair shall provide reasonable opportunities for witnesses to be heard.
- The hearing is closed. Upon request of the student defendant, the Committee may, but is not required to, permit the hearing to be open; however, if the victim/complainant wishes it to be closed, it will be closed.
- The hearing can occur with the parties located in separate rooms with technology enabling the decision maker(s) and the parties to simultaneously see and hear the party or the witness answering questions.
- The following persons may attend: members of the Committee, the Director of Conduct and Accountability and appropriate staff; the student defendant/respondent and an attorney, advisor, or friend; the victim/complainant and an attorney, advisor, or friend; and the SGA Director of Student Rights and Grievances. The defendant/respondent or the victim/complainant may choose the SGA Director of Student Rights and Grievances as their advisor or friend.
- During a Title IX hearing, if the complainant and/or the respondent does not have an advisor, the university must provide one.
- The hearing may proceed if a student defendant/respondent fails without good cause to comply with a letter of notice. Failure to appear at the hearing may result in the right of the student to appeal the Committee’s recommendation.
