The university views the student conduct system as an educational experience that can result in growth in personal understanding of one’s responsibilities and privileges in the university community. Acceptable standards of conduct have been established to protect the rights of others and the orderly operation of the university. Individuals are encouraged to discuss their concerns at the lowest level possible for effective resolution of the situation. Should such attempts prove ineffective, the student conduct system provides a student conduct process to resolve the matter. The focus of student conduct proceedings is to determine whether the university’s standards of conduct have been violated, and not criminal guilt. To this end, student conduct proceedings attempt to balance an understanding and knowledge of the students with the needs of the university community.

25.1 Reporting. Any member of the university community may initiate a complaint against a student for an alleged violation of University Student Rules. Such complaints are generally submitted in writing to Student Conflict Resolution Services, the Office of the Commandant or the Department of Residence Life.

25.2 Mediation Services. Matters involving a personal dispute between two or more students may be referred to Mediation Services in the Department of Student Life to mediate the dispute. Students involved in incidents referred to Mediation Services are required to attend a mediation session and to proceed in a good faith effort to resolve the dispute on a basis that is fair and just for all parties. The mediator is authorized to inform the administrative hearing officer only that the case did or did not settle.

25.3 Notice. If circumstances surrounding the complaint indicate that a violation of the Student Conduct Code may have occurred, disciplinary charges may be issued. Students are notified of disciplinary charges in writing. A letter of charges is issued to the student’s address of record (See 1.2, ). Disciplinary action may be taken against a student for failure to appear after proper notice.

25.4 Hearing. A disciplinary hearing may be conducted in one of the following forms, depending on the nature of the violation:

25.4.1 Administrative Hearing–The student meets with one or more administrative hearing officers to discuss the charges, the student’s involvement in the incident or lack thereof and any other information relevant to the charges. Based on the information presented and discussed in the hearing, the administrative hearing officer(s) will determine whether a violation has occurred and issue sanctions accordingly.

25.4.2 Residence Life Student Accountability Board–The student Accountability Board functions in certain cases of minor disciplinary infractions by on-campus residents. The student Accountability board is comprised of on-campus students and Department of Residence Life staff who make decisions in the matters presented before them and issue sanctions if the finding is that a violation has occurred. A referral to Student Conflict Resolution Services (SCRS) shall be required when the student Accountability board is not in session.

25.4.3 Cadet Honor Board–The Cadet Honor Board shall have the power to hear cases referred to it under the guidelines set up in The Standard of the Corps of Cadets.

See Grievance Procedures, Part III: 51. Disciplinary Action