Process Overview

• Review the letter and the attached report
• Review the Student Code of Conduct, known as the Student Community Rights and Responsibilities
• Prepare to talk openly and honestly about the situation

At the meeting, you and the hearing officer will review the report together to determine if you have any responsibility for violating the Code of Conduct.

Decisions of responsibility are based on the preponderance of evidence standard -- Which asks whether it is more likely than not that the violation occurred.	A finding of responsibility will result in a sanction being assigned. The assigned sanction is intended to serve as a reminder that the behavior should discontinue and to help educate about alternative choices.	Examples of sanctions include educational programs, meeting with campus administrators or reflection papers. In addition, a student may receive a status sanction such as a conduct warning or conduct probation.

At the end of the meeting, usually one of two things will happen:

• If you and the hearing officer agree that you are not responsible, then the process is concluded.
   
• If you and the hearing officer agree about your responsibility and an appropriate sanction, you will sign an administrative agreement document and complete the sanctions as required.
   

If you and the hearing officer disagree about your responsibility or appropriate sanctions, the hearing officer will determine how to proceed:

• The hearing officer may impose a finding of responsibility and a sanction. This means that even though you did not accept responsibility, the hearing officer believes that the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. You have the right to appeal this decision.
   
• Or the hearing officer may refer your situation to the formal hearing process, which includes a review of the situation by a 3-member hearing panel.